rise m the bag per hunter. The final slump resulted because so many hunters congregated 

 across the pass that a barrage of out-of-range shots resulted In many a ruddy swerving to fly 

 over the point of woods Into the Sparland lake. 



One other unusual situation at Sparland that permitted a higher Individual bag with 

 Increased shooting pressure was the fact that heavy shooting pressure did not "burn" the 

 ruddles out of the region. They remained, while Individuals of other species left after the 

 opening bombardment. 



As fig. 14 shows, a rapid climb In the total dally take of ducks at Sparland resulted 

 as the hunter density Increased until there were 75 hunters per square mile. A further In- 

 crease In hunter density beyond this point resulted In such an Increase In the out-of-range 

 shooting that the total kill declined. 



As long as ruddles frequent the state-owned Sparland Public Shooting Ground In their' 

 present numbers and react to shooting as they did In 1941 and 1942, It does not appear advis- 

 able to limit the number of hunters or to build blinds. Should the shooting change to other 

 species. It may prove expedient to limit the hunter density and to build blinds. 



Spring Lake 



The kill of ducks per acre at Spring Lake In the three seasons of this study was 

 almost equal to that made on the Sparland area. But, because an average of almost twice as 

 many hunters per acre shot at Spring Lake, the Individual kill there was only about half as 

 great. The kill per acre at Spring Lake must be considered fairly high In view of the fact 

 that there was no rest lake adjacent. Spring Lake Is a long, narrow body of water, scarcely 

 one-fourth mile wide at any point. Because of Its narrowness, ducks that use It are easily 

 disturbed; censuses made during three fall seasons seldom revealed more than 50 to 100 ducks 

 — mainly redheads and widgeons — and 500 coots on the lake. 



Spring Lake contains some of the finest submerged aquatic plant beds In the Illinois 

 River valley. Because of its excellent aquatic food resources. It Is a mecca for redheads, 

 canvasbacks, baldpates and gadwalls during the spring migration. During early April It Is not 

 imusual to see 2,000 redheads, as well as several hundred Individuals of the other species. A 

 like concentration might take place In the fall were It not for shooting and disturbances 

 caused by boats. 



Many of the ducks that frequent the area In the spring may be attracted to Spring 

 Lake during the fall flight and may attempt to use It on their passage down the valley. Other 

 ducks may be attracted to It from the large rest lakes a few miles away. For Instance, In 

 1942 a flock of 35 redheads was observed resting on Beebe Lake, near Banner, during the day, 

 flying 5 miles to Spring Lake to feed In the evening. The only large kills at Spring Lake 

 have occurred when hunters have struck a flight of ducks passing down the valley. 



26 



