Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Staff Member


Dr. Joshua Stafford

Banding a drake redhead near Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  Summer 2013.

Assistant Unit Leader
Phone: (605) 688 - 5759
Email: jstafford@usgs.gov
Faculty Email: joshua.stafford@sdstate.edu

Education

  • Ph D Mississippi State University 2004
  • MS South Dakota State University 2000
  • BS Oregon State University 1997
  • Other Portland Community College 1994

Biography

I received a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University (1997), and M.S. in Wildlife Science from South Dakota State University (2000), and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources (Wildlife) from Mississippi State University (2004). I served as the Director of the Illinois Natural History Survey's Forbes Biological Station from 2004-2011, where I was Director of the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserach Center. I have been with the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit since 2011, during which I have built important research partnerships with agencies and orgnizations including: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, North Dakota Game and Fish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and the Detla Waterfowl Foundation. Most of my research has focused on ecology and management of Breeding and Migrating Waterfowl and other Waterbirds, with an emphasis on agro-ecosystems. I have advised or co-advised 20 graduate students and published 58 peer-reviewed journal articles as of June 2022. At South Dakota State University I teach Wildlife Research Design, a graduate course, at SDSU in Spring of odd years. In even years my graduate course varies, from reading special topics courses to behavioral ecology. Ecology and Management of Waterfowl and Wetlands, Foraging Ecology, Habitat and Food Selection, and Biometrics.

Areas of Expertise

Habitat Management, Movement Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Wildlife Management

Taxon Groups Studied

Gamebirds, Nongame Fish/Wildlife, Songbirds, Waterfowl

Research Publications Publication Date
Yetter, A.P., H.M. Hagy, M.M. Horath, J. Lancaster, C.S. Hine, R.V. Smith, and J.D. Stafford. 2018. Mallard survival, movements, and habitat use during autumn in. Journal of Wildlife Management 82:182–191. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21346 January 2018
Yetter, A. P., J. D. Stafford, C. S. Hine, M. W. Bowyer, M. M. Horath, and S. P. Havera. 2009. Nesting biology of mallards in west-central Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 39(1). 37 pp. | Download July 2009
White, K. M., J. D. Stafford, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2023 The first documented interaction between a long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) and a plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) carcass. Ecology and Evolution 13(1):e9758. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9758 | Abstract | Download January 2023
Werner, S.J., M. Gottlob, C.D. Deiter, and J.D. Stafford. 2019. Application strategy for an anthraquinone-based repellent and the protection of soybeans from Canada goose depredation. Human-Wildlife Interactions 13:308–316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/w27s-tr04. October 2019
Straub, J.N., R.J. Gates, R.D. Schultheis, T. Yerkes, J.M. Coluccy, and J.D. Stafford. 2012. Wetland food resources for Spring-Migrating Ducks in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region. Journal of Wildlife Management. 76:768-777. | Download April 2012
Stafford, J. D., R. M. Kaminski, and K. J. Reinecke. 2010. Avian foods, foraging, and habitat conservation in world rice fields. Waterbirds 33 (Special Publication 1): 133–150. | Download December 2010
Stafford, J. D., M. W. Eichholz, and A. C. Phillips. 2012. Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) on submerged aquatic vegetation in Illinois River valley backwaters. Wetlands 32:851–857. October 2012
Stafford, J. D., M. M. Horath, A. P. Yetter, R. V. Smith, and C. S. Hine. 2010. Change in characteristics and factors associated with waterfowl use of Illinois River valley wetlands. Wetlands 30:565–576. | Download April 2010
Stafford, J. D., M. M. Horath, A. P. Yetter, C. S. Hine, and S. P. Havera. 2007. Wetland use by mallards during spring and fall in the Illinois and Central Mississippi River Valleys. Waterbirds 30:394–402. | Download April 2007
Stafford, J. D., A. T. Pearse, C. S. Hine, M. M. Horath, and A. P. Yetter. 2010. Factors associated with hunter success for ducks on state-owned lands in Illinois. Wildlife Biology 16:113–122. | Download January 2010
Stafford, J. D., A. P. Yetter, C. S. Hine, R. V. Smith, and M. M. Horath. 2011. Seed abundance for waterfowl in wetlands managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 2:1–11. | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website June 2011
Stafford, J. D., A. K. Janke, M. J. Anteau, A. T. Pearse, A. D. Fox, J. Elmberg, J. N. Straub, M. W. Eichholz, and C. Arzel. 2014. Spring migration of waterfowl in the northern hemisphere: a conservation perspective. Wildfowl Special Issue 4:70-85 October 2014
Stafford, J. D., A. K. Janke, E. B. Webb, and S. R. Chipps. 2016. Invertebrates in Managed Waterfowl Marshes. Pages 565-600 in D. Batzer and D. Boix, editors. Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands: An international perspective on their ecology. Springer. April 2016
Stafford, J. D. and A. T. Pearse. 2007. Survival of radio-marked ducklings in eastern South Dakota. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:585–591. | Download July 2007
Smith, R. V, J. D. Stafford, , A. P. Yetter, M. M. Horath, C. S. Hine, and J. P. Hoover. 2012. Foraging ecology of fall-migrating shorebirds in the Illinois River valley. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45121. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045121 July 2012
Sidie-Slettedahl, A. M., K. C. Jensen, R. R. Johnson, T. W. Arnold, J. E. Austin, and J. D. Stafford. 2015. Evaluation of autonomous recording units for detecting three species of secretive marsh birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 39:626-634 July 2015
Schumann, D.A., K.N.B. Graeb, J. Pfrimmer, J.D. Stafford, and S.R. Chipps. 2021. The local responses of aquatic ecosystems to adjacent grassland conversion: can streams of dreams exist in a degraded riverscape? Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 31:2481-2495. October 2021
Sass, G.G., A.L. Rypel, and J.D. Stafford. 2017. Fisheries Habitat Management: Lessons learned from Wildlife Ecology and a Proposal for Change. Fisheries 42: 197–209. DOI: 10.1080/03632415.2017.1276344 April 2017
Ruebush, B. C., G. G. Sass, J. H. Chick, and J. D. Stafford. 2012. In-Situ tests of sound-bubble-strobe light barrier technologies to prevent range expansions of Asian carp. Aquatic Invasions 7:37–48. | Download January 2012
Pfrimmer, J., Gigliotti, L., Stafford, J., Schumann, D., & Bertrand, K. (2017). Motivations for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the James River Basin of South Dakota. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 22(4):382-389. | Abstract July 2017
Pearse, A.T., M.L. Szymanski, C.A. Anchor, M.J. Anteau, R.M. Murano, D.A. Brandt, and J.D. Stafford. 2023. Factors influencing autumn-winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10605. October 2023
Pearse, A. T. and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Error propagation in energetic carrying capacity models. Journal of Conservation Planning 10:17-24. | Download January 2014
O’Neal, B. J., Stafford, J. D., Larkin, R. P., and E. S. Michel. 2018. The effect of weather on the timing of migratory departure in autumn-migrating ducks. Movement Ecology 6:23. DOI: 10.1186/s40462-018-0141-5 December 2018
O’Neal, B. J., J. D. Stafford, and R. P. Larkin. 2014. Migrating ducks in inland North America ignore major rivers as leading lines? Ibis. DOI 10.1111/ibi.12193. April 2014
O’Neal, B. J., J. D. Stafford, and R. P. Larkin. 2012. Stopover duration of fall-migrating dabbling ducks. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:285–293. | Download January 2012
O’Neal, B. J., J. D. Stafford, and R. P. Larkin. 2010. Waterfowl on weather radar: applying ground-truth to classify and quantify bird movements. Journal of Field Ornithology 81:71–82. | Download January 2010
O’Neal, B. J., J. D. Stafford, and R. P. Larkin. 2010. Waterfowl on weather radar: applying ground-truth to classify and quantify bird movements. Journal of Field Ornithology 81:71–82. | Download January 2010
O’Neal, B. J., E. J. Heske, and J. D. Stafford. 2008. Monitoring and modeling waterbird response to wetlands restored through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:654–664. | Download July 2008
Mammenga, P. D., J. D. Stafford, and M. Grovijahn. 2014. Waterfowl Nesting Structures. Pages 277-308 in K. C. Jensen, K. F. Higgins and S. J. Vaa, editors. A History of Waterfowl Management, Research, and Hunting in South Dakota. July 2014
Levengood, J. M., R. V. Smith, D. A. Gay, M. A. Davis, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Mercury in migrating shorebirds in the Illinois River valley. Waterbirds 37:225-229. March 2014
Kesler, D., R. Laws, A. Cox, A. Gouni, and J.D. Stafford. 2012. Survival, territory resources, and populations persistence in the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1001-1010. April 2012
Janke, A.K., T.R. Shirley, M. Figura, and J.D. Stafford. In Review. Can cover crops help grassland breeding birds? Insights from Iowa. NRCS CEAP Conservation Insight. April 2024
Janke, A.K., M.J. Anteau, and J.D. Stafford. 2019. Extreme climatic variability during migration invokes physiological and dietary plasticity among spring migrating ducks. Canadian Journal of Zoology 97:340–351. DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0075 January 2019
Janke, A.K., M.J. Anteau, and J.D. Stafford. 2019. Prairie wetlands confer consistent migrant refueling conditions across a gradient of agricultural land use intensities. Biological Conservation 229:99–112. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.11.021 April 2019
Janke, A.K., M.J. Anteau, and J.D. Stafford. 2017. Long-term spatial heterogeneity in mallard distribution in their core North American breeding range. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:116–124. DOI: 10.1002/wsb.747. April 2017
Janke, A. K., M. J. Anteau, N. Markl, and J. D. Stafford. 2015. Is income breeding an appropriate construct for North American ducks? Journal of Ornithology. DOI 10.1007/s10336-015-1200-y June 2015
Irons, K. S., G. G. Sass, M. A. McClelland, and J. D. Stafford. 2007. Reduced condition factor of two native fish species coincident with invasion of non-native Asian carps in the Illinois River, USA: Is this evidence for competition and reduced fitness? Journal of Fish Biology (Supplement D) 71:258–273. | Download January 2007
Hine, C.S., H.M. Hagy, M.M. Horath, A.P. Yetter, R.V. Smith, and J.D. Stafford. 2016. Response of aquatic vegetation communities and other wetland cover types to floodplain restoration at Emiquon Preserve. Hydrobiologia. DOI 10.1007/s10750-016-2893-5 August 2016
Hennig, J., T. Benson, J. Stafford, A. Yetter, H. Hagy, and K. Stodola. In Press. A grid-based stratified-sampling method to estimate spring-migrating duck abundance. Wildlife Society Bulletin. Submitted 22 June 2016, Accepted 30 May 2017 December 2017
Havera, S.P., K.E. Roat, A.M.V. Fournier, H.M. Hagy, and J.D. Stafford. 2024. Forbes Biological Station: The Past and the Promise - Celebrating 130 ​Years. Illinois Natural ​History ​Survey Special Publication No. 32. 52 pp. June 2024
Hagy, H.M., C.S. Hine, M.M. Horath, A.P. Yetter, R.V. Smith, and J.D. Stafford. 2016. Waterbird response indicates floodplain wetland restoration. Hydrobiologia October 2016
Hagy, H.M, J.D. Stafford, R.V. Smith, A.P. Yetter, C.S. Hine, M.M. Horath, and C. Whelan. 2017. Opportunity costs influence food selection and giving-up density of dabbling ducks. Journal of Avian Biology 48:804–814. DOI: 10.1111/jav.01275. July 2017
Hagy, H. M., A. P. Yetter, K. W. Stodola, M. M. Horath, C. S. Hine, M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, R. V. Smith, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Stopover duration of mallards during autumn in the Illinois River valley. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:747–752. April 2014
Gray, M. J., H. M. Hagy, J. A. Nyman, and J. D. Stafford. 2013. Management of wetlands for wildlife. Pages 121-180 in J. T. Anderson and C. A. Davis, editors. Wetland Techniques: Volume 3: Applications and Management. Springer Science. DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6907-6_4 October 2013
Graff, B.J., J. A. Jenks, J. D. Stafford, K. C. Jensen, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2016. Assessing spring direct mortality of avifauna from wind energy facilities in the Dakotas. Journal of Wildlife Management. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1051 February 2016
Gallman, C.W., T.W. Arnold, E.S. Michel, and J.D. Stafford. 2023. Evaluation of fall-seeded cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin. e1484. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1484 September 2023
Fino, S.R., L.M. Gigliotti, A.T. Pearse, and J.D. Stafford 2023. Landowner and biologist perceptions of game bird predators and management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 47:e1443. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1443 May 2023
Fino, S., J.D. Stafford, A.T. Pearse, and J.A. Jenks. 2019. Incidental captures of Plains Spotted Skunks (Spilogale putorius interrupta) in central South Dakota. The Prairie Naturalist 51:33-36. October 2019
Dassow, J., M. W. Eichholz, J. D. Stafford, and P. J. Weatherhead. 2012. Increased nest defence of upland-nesting ducks in response to experimentally reduced risk of nest predation. Journal of Avian Biology 43:61-67 January 2012
Dassow, J., M. W. Eichholz, J. D. Stafford, and P. J. Weatherhead. 2012. Experimental evidence that nesting ducks use mammalian urine to assess predator abundance. Auk 129:638–644. November 2012
Cressey, R., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. 2016. Three responses of wetland conditions to climatic extremes in the Prairie Pothole Region. Wetlands. DOI 10.1007/s13157-016-0818-8 September 2016
Behney, A.C., R. O’Shaughnessy, M.W. Eichholz, and J.D. Stafford. 2019. Worth the reward? An experimental assessment of risk-taking behavior along a life history gradient. Journal of Avian Biology e02068. DOI: 0.1111/jav.02068 March 2019
Behney, A.C., R. O’Shaughnessy, M.W. Eichholz, and J.D. Stafford. 2018. Indirect risk effects reduce feeding efficiency of ducks during spring. Ecology and Evolution 8:961–972. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3714 January 2018
Behney, A. C., R. O’Shaughnessy, M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Influence of item distribution pattern and abundance on efficiency of benthic core sampling. Wetlands. DOI 10.1007/s13157-014-0570-x | Abstract September 2014
Project Completion Date
Ecology of non-breeding waterfowl in the Wabash River region. June 2012
Settling dynamics of breeding ducks in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region, 1987-2011 December 2015
Dynamics of wetland and grassland wetland ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains September 2016
Evaluation of the James River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program December 2016
Evaluating wetland-ecosystem health in the prairie pothole region of South Dakota using real-time nutrient dynamics of waterfowl June 2016
Evaluating relationships between wetland quality, land use, and waterbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region August 2015
Development of an Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the ACEP-WRE Program February 2026
Quantifying restorable wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of Eastern South Dakota June 2025
Distribution, habitat selection, and survival of plains spotted skunks in South Dakota June 2024
Ecology of breeding canvasbacks in southwestern Manitoba August 2021
Status of reintroduced Swift Fox in Southwestern South Dakota July 2017
Evaluating avian use of cover crop fields in the Corn Belt July 2021
Ecology of post-breeding mallards in North and South Dakota December 2020
Predator Cascade and Nest Success: Changes in Foraging Patterns as a Function of Grassland Patch Dynamics and Vegetation Composition June 2021
Evaluation of cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in Eastern South Dakota June 2020
An assessment of neonicotinoid exposure on USFWS high diversity grasslands in the Prairie Pothole Region March 2020
Effectiveness of Roundup© Ready Alfalfa for Nesting Habitat and Seedbed Preparation December 2016
Kucia, Samuel
PhD
samuel.kucia@sdstate.edu

Millman, Katherine
Master's
Katherine.Millman@sdstate.edu

Presentations Presentation Date
Yetter, A. P., M. M. Horath, R. V. Smith, J. D. Stafford, H. M. Hagy, and T. J. Benson. Ecology of Fall-Migrating Mallards in the Illinois River Valley. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
White, K.M., J. Stafford, A. Cheeseman, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2022. Predicted distribution of plains spotted skunk in eastern South Dakota. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA November 2022
White, K.M., A.E. Cheeseman, J.D. Stafford, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2024. Plains spotted skunks occur independently of a predator and competitor. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. October 2024
White, K.M., A. Cheeseman, J. Stafford, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2024. Habitat associations and distribution modeling of the plains spotted skunk (<i>Spilogale interrupta</i>) in South Dakota. Joint meeting of the South Dakota Chapter and Central Mountains and Plains Section of The Wildlife Society, Rapid City, SD. March 2024
White, K.M., A. Cheeseman, J. Stafford, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2023. Plains spotted skunk home range and third-order resource selection in eastern South Dakota. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY November 2023
White, K.M, A.E. Cheeseman, J.D. Stafford, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2024. Plains spotted skunks occur independently of a predator and competitor. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists. Boulder, CO. June 2024. June 2024
Stafford, J.D., A.K. Janke, and M.J. Anteau. A Physiological Assessment of Wetland Habitats for Spring-migrating Ducks in the Southern Prairie Pothole Region. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Research Review Meeting. Pierre, SD. 18 May 2016. May 2016
Stafford, J.D., A.K. Janke, and B.J. O’Neal. Two views of waterfowl migration. Banquet Presentation, Detroit Lakes Bird Festival, Detroit Lakes, MN. 20 May 2016. May 2016
Stafford, J.D., A.K. Janke, and B.J. O’Neal. Recent research on migrating waterfowl in the Midcontinent. Invited departmental seminar to faculty and staff, Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Grand Forks, ND. April 8 2016. April 2016
Stafford, J.D. Current waterfowl research at South Dakota State University. Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Technical Section Meeting. 13 August 2019. August 2019
Stafford, J., A. Janke, A. Pearse, M. Anteau, M. Eichholz, A. Fox, J. Straub, J. Elmberg, and C. Arzel. Waterfowl Habitat Use and Selection – Spring Migration and Pre-breeding. Plenary Presentation. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 28 January 2013. January 2013
Stafford, J. D. Closing remarks to the 6th North American Duck Symposium: The Future of Waterfowl Ecology and Management. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
Smith, R.V., J. D. Stafford, A. P. Yetter, C. J. Whelan, C. S. Hine, M. M. Horath, and H. M. Hagy. Foraging Threshold of Spring-migrating Dabbling Ducks in Central Illinois. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
Sass, G.G., A.L. Rypel, and J.D. Stafford. Inland fisheries habitat management: lessons learned from Wildlife Ecology and a proposal for change. 77th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska. 7 February 2017. February 2017
Rohrer, T.E., F. Rohwer, AND J.D. Stafford. 2021. Effects of predator management and parasitism on over-water nesting diving duck production in southern Manitoba. Pine Island Canvasback Summit, Pine Island, Louisiana. 20 January 2021. January 2021
Prfimmer, J., L. Gigliotti, J. Stafford, D. Schumann, K, Bertrand. 2015. Motivations for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the James River Watershed of South Dakota. Presented at: The Wildlife Society South Dakota Chapter Annual Meeting, Oacoma, SD. February 2015
Pfrimmer, J.D., L. Gigiliotti, J.D. Stafford, D. Schumann, and K. Bertrand. Motivations for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the James River Watershed. South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Conference, Oacoma, SD. 24 February 2015 February 2015
Pfrimmer, J.D., L. Gigiliotti, J.D. Stafford, D. Schumann, and K. Bertrand. Motivations for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the James River Watershed. Human Dimensions Seminar, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. 22 April 2015. April 2015
Pfrimmer, J.D., L. Gigiliotti, J.D. Stafford, D. Schumann, and K. Bertrand. Motivations for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the James River Watershed. Human Dimensions Seminar, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. 22 April 2015 April 2015
Pfrimmer, J.D., D. Schumann, J.D. Stafford, and K. Bertrand. Learning from Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program research in South Dakota: Where do we go from here? Izaak Walton League of America Mike Williams Lecture Series, Watertown, SD. 3 March 2015 March 2015
Pfrimmer, J. D. and J. D. Stafford. Avian use of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program lands in the James River Watershed – Project Update. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks Fall Wildlife Staff Meeting, Madison, South Dakota. 19 September 2013. September 2013
O’Shaughnessy, R, A. Behney, M. Eichholz, and J. Stafford. Testing the Ideal Free Distribution of Spring Migratory Waterfowl Along the Wabash River, Illinois. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 28 January 2013. January 2013
O’Neal, Benjamin J, J.D. Stafford, R.P. Larkin, and A.K. Janke. Effects of weather on the timing of migratory departure in fall-migrating ducks. 41st Annual Meeting of The Waterbird Society, Reykjavik, Iceland. 9 August 2017. August 2017
Millman, K., M. Batalla, S.R. Chipps, and J.D. Stafford. An assessment of avian and vegetation communities on agricultural conservation easement wetlands in eastern South Dakota. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, MO. 20 January 2025. January 2025
Millman, K., J.D. Stafford, M. Batalla, and S.R. Chipps. Vegetation and Avifauna Interactions in eastern South Dakota wetlands enrolled in the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The Wildlife Society SD and CMPS Combined Annual Meeting Rapid City, SD. 22 March 2024. March 2024
Millman, K., J.D. Stafford, M. Batalla, and S.R. Chipps. Avian use and habitat structure of wetlands enrolled in the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) in eastern South Dakota. Missouri River Natural Resources Conference, Nebraska City, NE. 12 March 2024. March 2024
Millman, K., J.D. Stafford, M. Batalla, and S.R. Chipps. 2024. Vegetation and Avifauna Interactions in eastern South Dakota wetlands enrolled in the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Sioux Falls, SD. January 2024
Martorelli, N. and J.D. Stafford. Evaluation of Gamebird Production in Roundup© Ready Alfalfa used for Seedbed Preparation during Perennial Grassland Conversion on State Game Production Areas in Eastern South Dakota. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, South Dakota. 1 March 2017. March 2017
Martorelli, N. P. and J. D. Stafford. Evaluation of Waterfowl Use and Thermal Characteristics of Alfalfa and Perennial Grasses in Eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Oacoma, South Dakota. 2 March 2016. March 2016
Martorelli, N. P. and J. D. Stafford. Evaluation of Gamebird Use and Thermal Characteristics of Alfalfa and Perennial Grasses in Eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Region 2 Annual Meeting, Project Update, Chamberlain, South Dakota. 11 July 2016. July 2016
Martorelli, N. P. and J. D. Stafford. Evaluation of Waterfowl Use and Thermal Characteristics of Alfalfa and Perennial Grasses in Eastern South Dakota. Seventh North American Duck Symposium, Annapolis, Maryland. 5 February 2016. February 2016
Martorelli, N. P. and J. D. Stafford. Evaluation of Waterfowl Production in Roundup© Ready Alfalfa Utilized for Perennial Grassland Conversion on Game Production Areas in Eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Region 2 Annual Meeting, Project Update, Chamberlain, South Dakota. 22 July 2015 July 2015
Kucia, S.R., O.P. McKenna, and J.D. Stafford. 2024. Targeted Wetland Restoration to Maximize Breeding Waterfowl Habitat in Eastern South Dakota. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Sioux Falls, SD. January 2024
Kucia, S.R., O.P. McKenna, and J.D. Stafford. 2024. Targeted Wetland Restoration to Maximize Breeding Waterfowl Habitat in Eastern South Dakota. 9th North American Duck Symposium, Portland, OR. February 2024
Kucia, S.R., O. McKenna, and J.D. Stafford. 2023. Development of a restorable wetlands database for South Dakota. Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Spokane, WA. June 2023
Janke, A.K., M. Anteau, and J.D. Stafford. On bait buckets and Boreal ducks: Associations between migrant duck physiology and a wetland-ecosystem engineer. 41st Annual Meeting of The Waterbird Society, Reykjavik, Iceland. 9 August 2017. August 2017
Janke, A. K., M. J. Anteau, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Nutrient dynamics of pre-breeding blue-winged teal in eastern South Dakota. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, South Dakota. February 2014
Janke, A. K., M. J. Anteau, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. Nutrient accumulation during early-onset of rapid follicle growth in an income-breeding duck. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri. January 2014
Janke, A. K., M. J. Anteau, and J. D. Stafford. 2013. Nutrient accumulation during early-onset of rapid follicle growth in an income-breeding duck. South Dakota Ornithological Union Annual Meeting, Pierre, South Dakota September 2013
Janke, A. K., J. D. Stafford, and M. J. Anteau. 2016. Novel contributions of wetlands in agricultural landscapes to duck migration in the Southern Prairie Pothole Region. North American Duck Symposium, Annapolis, Maryland. 4 February 2016. February 2016
Janke, A. K., J. D. Stafford, and M. J. Anteau. South Dakota spring migration research update. Scaup Action Team Meeting, Annapolis, Maryland. 3 February 2016. February 2016
Janke, A. K., J. D. Stafford, and M. J. Anteau. Novel contributions of wetlands in South Dakota’s intensively farmed landscapes for spring-migrating ducks. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, South Dakota. 2 March 2016. March 2016
Janke, A. K., J. D. Stafford, M. J. Anteau, and R. Murano. Evaluating Wetland-ecosystem health in the Prairie Pothole Region using real-time nutrient dynamics of waterfowl – Project Update. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks Fall Wildlife Staff Meeting, Madison, South Dakota. 19 September 2013. September 2013
Janke, A. K., B. Werner, J. D. Stafford, and W. C. Johnson. Influence of simulated wetland dynamics on breeding waterfowl abundance in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region. 73rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Wichita, KS. 11 December 2012. December 2012
Janke, A. K., B. Werner, J. D. Stafford, and W. C. Johnson. Influence of simulated wetland dynamics on breeding waterfowl abundance in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 28 January 2013. January 2013
Hine, C.S., R. V. Smith, A. P. Yetter, M. M. Horath, J. D. Stafford, and H. M. Hagy. Waterbird Response to a Restored Illinois River Floodplain Wetland. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
Hennig, J.D., T.J. Benson, J.D. Stafford, A.P. Yetter. Estimating Non-breeding Waterfowl Abundance in the Lower Wabash River Region Using a Grid-based Aerial-Sampling Approach, Oral Presentation, The Wildlife Society’s 20th Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI Oct. 2013. October 2013
Hennig, J. D., T. J. Benson, K. W. Stodola, A. P. Yetter, and J. D. Stafford. Implementing a new aerial survey method to estimate abundance of spring-migrating waterfowl. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
Hennig, J. D., T. J. Benson, K. W. Stodola, A. P. Yetter, and J. D. Stafford. A new survey approach for estimating abundance and distribution of non-breeding waterfowl. 73rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Wichita, KS. 11 December 2012. December 2012
Hawk, L. C., M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. Application of Light-level Geolocation to Waterfowl Management. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 29 January 2013. January 2013
Hagy, H. M., J. D. Stafford, and R. M. Kaminski. Experimentally estimating foraging thresholds for dabbling ducks during migration and winter. 73rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Wichita, KS. 11 December 2012. December 2012
H. M. Hagy, J. D. Stafford, M. L. Schummer, A. T. Pearse, and R. M. Kaminski. Practical Application of and Potential Bias Associated with Foraging Thresholds in Estimates of Carrying Capacity for Waterfowl. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 29 January 2013. January 2013
Gallman, C.W., and J.D. Stafford. Evaluating fall-seeded cover crops for nesting waterfowl in Eastern South Dakota. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Chamberlain, South Dakota, February 26, 2020. February 2020
Gallman, C.W., J.D. Stafford. 2019. The evaluation of cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. 2019 South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Annual Meeting, Brookings, SD. April 2019
Gallman, C.W., J.D. Stafford. 2019. The evaluation of cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. 2019 South Dakota Ducks Unlimited State Convention, Pierre, SD. March 2019
Gallman, C.W., J.D. Stafford, and E.S. Michel. Evaluating fall-seeded cover crops for nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. North American Duck Symposium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 27 August 2019. August 2019
Gallman, C.W., J.D. Stafford, K.M. Carrlson. The evaluation of cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, South Dakota. 26 February 2018. February 2018
Gallman, C.W. and J.D. Stafford. Breeding waterfowl use and nest survival of fall-seeded cover crops in eastern South Dakota. 2018 South Dakota Ducks Unlimited State Convention, Chamberlain, South Dakota. 27 January 2018. January 2018
Fino, S.R., J.D. Stafford, A.T. Pearse, and J.A. Jenks. 2017. Predator community and duck nest success in eastern South Dakota. CRU Annual Meeting. Brookings, SD, 24 October 2017. October 2017
Fino, S.R., J.D. Stafford, A.T. Pearse, J.A. Jenks, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2019. Relating predator community dynamics and duck nest survival in eastern South Dakota. North American Duck Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, 26-30 August 2019. August 2019
Fino, S.R., A.T. Pearse, and J.D. Stafford. Relating predator communities and duck nest survival in Eastern SD. Annual Meeting of the Central Flyway Technical Section, Padre Island, TX. 11 September 2022. September 2022
Fino, S. R., J. D. Stafford, A. T. Pearse, J. A. Jenks, and R. C. Lonsinger. Relating predator community dynamics and duck nest survival in eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, South Dakota. 26 February 2018. February 2018
Fino, S. R., J. D. Stafford, A. T. Pearse, J. A. Jenks, and R. C. Lonsinger. Relating predator community dynamics and duck nest survival in eastern South Dakota. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 30 January 2018. January 2018
Fino, S. R., J. D. Stafford, A. T. Pearse, J. A. Jenks, AND R. C. Lonsinger. 2021. Relating predator community dynamics and duck nest survival in eastern South Dakota. Ducks Unlimited, Canada IWWR Research Roundup Webinar Series. 8 April 2021. April 2021
Fino, S. R., J. D. Stafford, A. T. Pearse, J. A. Jenks, AND R. C. Lonsinger. 2021. Relating predator community dynamics and duck nest survival in eastern South Dakota. Brookings Wildlife Federation. 4 June 2021. June 2021
Figura, M.K., J.D. Stafford, D. Roeder, and K.K. Bakker. 2023. Evaluating avian use of cover crops in the Corn Belt. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, SD. February 2023
Figura, M., K. Bakker, K.C. Jensen, and J.D. Stafford. 2021. Evaluating avian use of cover crops in the Corn Belt. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. 24 February 2021. February 2021
Figura, M., K. Bakker, K.C. Jensen, AND J.D. Stafford. 2021. Evaluating avian use of cover crops in the Corn Belt. 81st Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. 2 February 2021. February 2021
Figura, M. K., Stafford, J. D., and Bakker, K. K. Evaluating avian use of cover crops in the Corn Belt Region. SDSU Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation Club. South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. October 2021. October 2021
Figura, M. E., Stafford J. D., Bakker, K. K., & Jensen, K. C. Evaluating Avian Use of Cover Crops in the Western Corn Belt Region. Poster Presentation. The Wildlife Society SD Chapter. Champlain, South Dakota. 26-27 February 2020. February 2020
Figura, M. E., Stafford J. D., Bakker, K. K., & Jensen, K. C. Evaluating Avian Use of Cover Crops in the Western Corn Belt Region. Oral Presentation. Brookings Birding Club. Brookings, SD, 11 December 2019. December 2019
Ensrud, M.N., D.P. Walsh, E.F. Cassirer, C.P. Lehman, J.D. Stafford, AND J.A. Jenks. 2023. Further evidence that the removal of mycoplasma ovipneumoniae carrier bighorn sheep increases lamb survival. Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, SD. February 2023
Cressey, R.L., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. Changes in wetland plant communities and wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. Annual Meeting of South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oacoma, South Dakota. 23 February 2015 February 2015
Cressey, R.L., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. Changes in wetland plant communities and wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. Annual Meeting of Society of Wetland Scientists, Providence, Rhode Island. 2 June 2015 June 2015
Cressey, R.L., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. Changes in species abundance in wetland zones in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. Annual Meeting of Society of Wetland Scientists, Corpus Christi, Texas. 3 June 2016. June 2016
Cressey, R.L., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. 2014. Changes in wetland plant communities and wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri January 2014
Cressey, R.L., J.E. Austin, and J.D. Stafford. 2014. Changes in wetland plant communities and wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, Oregon May 2014
Cressey, R., J. Austin, and J. D. Stafford. Changes in Prairie Pothole Region wetland plant communities and wetland conditions after 50 years. Annual meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Duluth, MN. 5 June 2013. June 2013
Cressey, R. L., J. E. Austin, and J. D. Stafford. Changes in wetland plant communities and wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. North Dakota Chapter The Wildlife Conference, Mandan, North Dakota. 11 February 2015 February 2015
Behney, A. C., R. O’Shaughnessy, M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. Patterns of duck foraging behavior during Spring Migration in Illinois. 73rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Wichita, KS. 11 December 2012. December 2012
Behney, A. C., R. O’Shaughnessy, M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. 2014. An assessment of factors influencing bias, precision, and detection probability of food abundance estimates from core sampling. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, MO. Oral Presentation. January 2014
Behney, A. C., R. O’Shaughnessy M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. Ecological Factors Influencing Foraging Behavior of Ducks during Spring Migration. 6th North American Duck Symposium and Ecology and Management of North American Waterfowl Conference, Memphis, TN. 30 January 2013. January 2013
Behney, A. C., R. O'Shaughnessy, M. W. Eichholz, and J. D. Stafford. Ecological factors influencing foraging behavior of ducks during spring migration in the Wabash River floodplain, USA. 3rd Pan-European Duck Symposium, Jindřichův Hradec, Czechia. April 2012
Anchor, C.E., M.L. Szymanski, R.J. Murano, A.T. Pearse, and J.D. Stafford. Migration Patterns and Landscape Use by Hatch-Year Mallards during Autumn and Winter. Oral Presentation. Central Flyway Waterfowl Technical Committee Meeting, North Platte, NE, 5 February 2020. February 2020
Anchor, C.E., M.L. Szymanski, R.J. Murano, A.T. Pearse, and J.D. Stafford. Evaluating Post-fledging Movements of Hatch Year Mallards in the Dakotas. Poster. North American Duck Symposium 8, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 27 August 2019. August 2019
Anchor, C.E., A.T. Pearse, R.J. Murano, M.L. Szymanski, and J.D. Stafford. Habitat Use by Hatch-Year Mallards in North and South Dakota. Oral Presentation. South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD, 28 February 2020 February 2020
Anchor, C.E., A.T. Pearse, M.L. Szymanski, R.J. Murano, and J.D. Stafford. Habitat Use by Post-fledging Mallards in the Southern Prairie Pothole Region. Oral Presentation. North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Mandan, ND, 13 February 2020. February 2020
Technical Publications Publication Date
Yetter, A. P., M. M. Horath, C. S. Hine, R. V. Smith, and J. D. Stafford. 2011. Illinois Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations. INHS Technical Report 2011 (41). November. 74 pp. November 2011
Stafford, J.D., J.B. Long, A.P. Yetter, T.J. Benson, and M.W. Eichholz. 2011. Ecology of non-breeding waterfowl in the Wabash River region. INHS Technical Report 2011 (20). 26 pp. July 2011
Smith, R. V., J. D. Stafford, A. P. Yetter, C. J. Wehlan, C. S. Hine, and M. M. Horath. 2011. Foraging thresholds of spring migrating dabbling ducks in Illinois. INHS Technical Report 2011 (37). November. 55 pp. November 2011
Hine, C. S., R. V. Smith, A. P. Yetter, M. M. Horath, J. D. Stafford, and H. M. Hagy. 2012. Waterbird and wetland monitoring at The Emiquon Preserve. 2011 Annual Report. The Nature Conservancy. INHS Technical Report 2012 (15). May. 42 pp. May 2012