PRELIMINARY RFrORT ON THE CANADA GEESE 
OF THE MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
Harold C. Hanson and Robert H. Smiths 
That the sound management of waterfowl and other 
wildlife species must in the last analysis rely on carefully 
gathered scientific data is axiomatic. Because the range of 
most waterfowl species is immense, and because some popula- 
tions shift their distribution within a flyway from year to 
year as a result of changing food, water, and weather condi- 
tions, adequate scientific data from all parts of the range 
are difficult to secure. 
The present paper on the Canada geese of the Missis- 
Sippi Flyway is a preliminary report of a study that represents 
combined efforts said support of six agencies: the Natural His- 
sires patna Fuariaier of the Illinois State Department of Registra- 
tion and Education; the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the 
Pi eis State Department of Conservation; the Lands, Parks, and 
Forests Branch of the Canadian Department of Mines and Resources; 
the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Ficwusiecdcral, ies and the Arctic 
Institute of North America, 
Biologists of these agencies have studied the Canada 
goose of the Mississippi Flyway at most of its important con- 
centration points from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. An 
*% Harold C. Hanson, Assistant Gane Specialist, Illi- 
nois “atural History Survey; Robert H. Smith, Flyway Biologist, 
U. S. Pish and Wildlife Service. 
at SE 
