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Scientists say it's necessary.
Everyone, that is, but Ducks Unlimited, which recently took a stand against predator management. Delta compared nest success on areas where predator numbers were controlled against areas where predators were left unchecked, and the results are eye-popping. According to a Delta press release, hens in cover where predators were unchecked managed just 14 percent nest success while hens in trapped areas saw a three-fold increase to 43 percent nest success. About 320,000 acres of nesting cover were monitored over five years. That means that despite excellent water conditions and lush nesting provided by the Conservation Reserve Program, ducks actually lost ground in study areas where predators were left alone.