CONCLTJSION 



Because of improved habitat conditions and strict enforcement of 

 shooting regulations, satisfactory increases are recorded for almost 

 all species of ducks and geese* The January inventory indicates that 

 the continental population of these birds is about 65,000,000, nearly 

 two and one-half times the size of the stock in 1935* The increases 

 are chiefly in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, with the Central 

 region showing a loss and but little change in the Pacific Flyway* The 

 mallard and pintail show the largest gains, that for the eanvasback is 

 considered satisfactory, but little change is detected in the status of 

 the redhead* A slight decrease is recorded for the black duck* Canada 

 geese also made a gratifying gain* although much of this was lost through 

 excessive shooting* 



During Jaruary 1940 ad-verse weather conditions In the Southeast* 

 ooupled with legal hunting, made serious inroads into the numbers of 

 woodoooks and mourning doves, with the result that the numerical strength 

 of both species is much below that of 1939* Measures to restrict the kill 

 during the forthcoming season are definitely indioated* 



The continued status of the white-winged dove as a game species is 

 open to serious question, not only because of improper management in har- 

 vesting the crop but also of natural factors that endanger the stock* 



So far as can be determined, the status of the band-tailed pigeon 

 and the Wilson's snipe is satisfactory for the present year, but both 

 species must be watched to guard against undue depletion* 



Experiences of the past few years abundantly demonstrate that the 

 sport of hunting migratory-game birds can be perpetuated under sound 

 management, and if there is no return to methods of shooting that have 

 proved unduly destructive* 



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