Management 

 Census 



In general, census techniques have to be adapted to the peculiari- 

 ties of the species censused. Most methods previously proposed 

 for the census of prairie chickens have been based on their mating 

 behavior. A census, adapted to conditions in Kansas, of prairie 

 chickens on their booming grounds is recommended. 



Two conditions found in Kansas should be recognized in out- 

 lining a census based on booming-ground counts. First, high winds 

 frequently interfere seriously with the observer in the locating of 

 booming grounds by the sense of sound. Experience has shown 

 that this diflficulty can be overcome, first, by hmiting the census 

 strip to one-half mile either side of the line of travel, second, by 

 frequent stops and the use of binoculars, and third by being alert 

 for birds to be seen against the horizon. Second, many continuous 

 square miles of the Bluestem Hills and Blackjack Prairies are 

 without county roads; in such roadless territory a system of census- 

 plots should be used in place of census-strips. The procedure ex- 

 plained immediately below is modified from Schwartz (1945:31), 

 and is recommended for censuses in spring. 



1. Select adequate census areas to sample the entire range of 

 both species of prairie chickens. In areas where roads form a 

 regular grid pattern, census-strips one-half mile either side of a 

 road should be selected. In roadless areas, census-plots of at least 

 four square miles should be used as recommended by Davison 

 ( 1940 ) . Experience indicates that six miles of strip or four square 

 miles of plot should be covered in one morning. 



2. Preferably one census taker should be available for each 

 county and should be assigned three or four census areas. In coun- 



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