Undoubtedly blinds were of primary Importance on the mallard areas near Liverpool, 

 which were not owned by the state. Next In order, the Spring Lake area ~ frequented by 

 baldpates, gadwalls, lesser scaups, canvas backs and redheads — was affected by poor blinds 

 and the absence of cover. This area was not state owned. Blinds would undoubtedly greatly 

 increase the kill of ducks on the Woodford County Grounds If there were places for them. 

 However, because of the deep open water and wave action, blinds present a very difficult 

 problem there. Floating blinds, patterned after those used on many Michigan lakes, may be a 

 partial solution to this problem. Another, but expensive, solution would be the construction 

 of small Islands which could hold one or two blinds. Erosion of the Islands by wave action 

 might make this plan unfeasible. 



As long as ruddy ducks continue to make up the bulk of the population and bag at the 

 Sparland area, blinds will not add materially In raising the take there. However, If the 

 population should change and be made up principally of mallards, as In 1940, then blinds would 

 doubtlessly raise the Individual as well as total kill. 



Refuge or Rest Areas 



As shown by the high kill on free-lance areas near Liverpool, refuges materially aid 

 In raising the take, for almost three times as many ducks were killed per acre In public areas 

 near the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge as on other public areas, and In recent years, as 

 more ducks have concentrated on that refuge, the kill near It has Increased. 



If It were not for Wise's Lake acting as a refuge area for the Sparland Public 

 Shooting Ground, It Is doubtful If the kill In the public area would have approached Its total 

 of 1940, 1941 and 1942. Ruddy ducks made good use of Wise's Lake on many days In 1941 and 

 1942 when hunting pressure became great on the Sparland area. If it had not been for this 

 rest area next to their feeding grounds, they might have left the Sparland lake after the 

 opening day barrage. One reason so many mallards were killed on this area In 1940 was that 

 Wise's Lake harbored 25,000 to 40,000 of these birds, and Individuals and flocks from this 

 concentration often flew over or Into the public shooting area. Mallards did not remain long 

 on the Sparland area, for they will not tolerate continued disturbance. 



Because the broad and extensive waters of the Peoria' lakes acted as a rest area for 

 waterfowl frequenting the Woodford County Public Shooting Ground, ducks were never forced from 

 the region by too much shooting pressure, although driven from Goose Pond by continual 

 disturbance. 



Even narrow Spring Lake might produce a greater harvest of ducks if a part of Its 

 area were closed to trespass and hunting. Certainly more ducks would remain there, for, as 

 evinced by Its use In the spring, ducks are attracted by Its excellent aquatic plant beds. In 

 the years of this study, shooting and boating all over the lake left little room for waterfowl 

 to congregate. 



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