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Diving duck use was influenced more by disturbance than that by dabbling ducks. The primary factor limiting diving duck use of feeding areas was disturbance. Tables and graphs showed that diving duck use in the prehunting, hunting, and posthunting season was frequently highest in the posthunting period on areas with good food, high disturbance, and below average diving duck use during the hunting season. This differs from diving duck use where there was natural or established sanctuary and use was highest during hunting season but sharply reduced after the season. Thus diving ducks have low tolerance to disturbance. Only one area sustained above average Canada geese (Branta canadensis) use when there was above average disturbance, probably because of heavy baiting there. The only other areas with above average Canada geese use in either year during hunting season were areas which include the refuge, the sanctuary, and two areas where disturbance was low. Distribution of Canada geese on the Back Bay-Currituck Sound Area is definitely affected by disturbance. Use of the entire area by dabbling ducks and American coots (Fulica americana) apparently was about equally affected by food conditions and disturbance.