188 Game Survey of the North Central States 



conditions on the ground. No fixed statute can ever fit the constant local shifts 

 and changes in abundance characteristic of cyclic game. 



For this reason wide discretionary powers exercised by a competent commis- 

 sion are the A B C of chicken management. The commission must keep in touch 

 with the current local status of the birds by a continuous game survey. The sur- 

 vey should sample each county each year by means of a series of fixed sample 

 plots or index areas, representative of the various local chicken ranges. 



Wisconsin has established such a system of index areas. It is needed in all 

 States. 



Summary of Findings. Chickens, like quail, have been the victims of 

 clean farming. The basic objective should be to give the farmer an incentive for 

 providing them with cover and food, and for preventing overkilling. A prefer- 

 ential tax status for marshlands left in suitable condition, and an income from the 

 shooting privilege, would establish such incentive. 



Chickens are the most mobile of gallinaceous game. Hence a single refuge 

 covert and feeding station will serve a very large area. Refuges, in short, are 

 nearly as effective for chickens as they are for waterfowl. 



By reason of this same mobility, management is best undertaken by neigh- 

 borhood pools rather than by individual farmers. For the same reason, a large 

 degree of public supervision and control of management practice is, and always 

 will be, desirable. 



Chickens, like the other grouse, are cyclic. Short crops must be expected 

 about half the time. The shortages are so spotty that extreme flexibility in fixing 

 open and closed seasons is the only alternative for permanent closure. 



