Is it illegal to own a wood duck in Georgia?
Is it illegal to own a wood duck in Georgia?
It is illegal to own a wood duck as a pet. They are a protected species, and you cannot harm, harass, or keep them without special federal and state permits.
What should a wood duck box be made of?
You can also use other lumber such as pine or plywood. Boxes made of plastic or metal are not preferred. Do not use treated lumber. We recommend one 1 X 10 X 12′ cedar board (3/4″ thick by 9 1/4″ wide) lumber that is rough on one side (for the inside of the box).
What are the dimensions for a wood duck box?
The basic nest box has a front, a back, 2 sides, a bottom, and a top. The front can be either 3/4 or 5/8 inch stock, and a good size is 11.5 inches wide x 22.0 inches tall. The bottom of the 3.0 inches high by 4.0 inches wide oval entrance hole is 17.0 inches from the bottom of the box.
How high should a wood duck box be off the ground?
Boxes should be placed above typical high-water levels and at a height that will allow you to access the box for monitoring and maintenance (4 to 6 feet above land or water).
Are wood ducks federally protected?
The survival and recovery of wood duck populations in North America are renowned wildlife success stories. Wood ducks were hunted from September to April. In 1918, however, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibited the hunting of wood ducks nationwide. Wood duck populations recovered, and seasons were reopened in 1941.
What direction should a wood duck box face?
Mount the box so that it leans forward slightly to shed rain. Boxes can be installed on posts or poles in the water, at least 3 feet above the high water mark, facing south or west. If installing on land, choose a site within 100 feet from the water with no branches around the entrance hole.
How far apart should wood duck houses be?
around 50 feet apart
Proper wood duck box placement is important so that hens find and utilize the structure during nesting season. You can erect multiple boxes in close proximity, but be sure to keep them around 50 feet apart. This will simply decrease the chances of hens coming into conflict over nesting locations.
Do wood ducks sleep in trees?
These birds live in wooded swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches. Unlike most waterfowl, Wood Ducks perch and nest in trees and are comfortable flying through woods.
How far apart should wood duck houses be placed?
What are the dimensions of a wood duck box?
Basic Wood Duck Box Dimensions and Placement Entrance Hole (0val) – 3 inches high, 4 inches wide for Wood Duck. Height of Hole above floor – 16 to 18 inches. Inside Floor Dimension – 10 inches x 10 inches to 12 inches x 12 inches.
How do you attach the back of a wood duck box?
Attach the back (1) to the side (2) using four screws fastened from the back of the wood duck box as shown below. Tip: For best results during the entire construction of your wood duck box, drill pilot holes as needed using an appropriate size drill bit (slightly smaller than the diameter of your wood screws) to avoid splitting your boards.
How far apart should nest boxes be for wood ducks?
Nest Box Location and Installation Wood Ducks can be very secretive and particular about their habitat. Individual nest boxes should be located in relatively secluded areas where natural cavities would occur, about 600 feet apart, out of sight from each other.
What is the history of the wood duck nest box?
In the 1980s, the late Don Helmeke, a Minnesota outdoorsman and conservationist, worked long and thoughtfully on Wood Duck nest box plans. His design has withstood the test of time. Its success at creating a “safe haven” for nesting birds led to its recommendation by both the Minnesota Waterfowl Association and the Wood Duck Society.
