trends of the population and the breeding stock present at the be- 

 ginning of the breeding season. The 1951 and 1952 data relative 

 to the spring and fall populations demonstrate that there was no 

 net gain in numbers through the period of reproduction. It is im- 

 perative, therefore, to evaluate the success of reproduction each 

 year in order to predict the fall population. A careful analysis of 

 the amount and distribution of rainfall in the hatching period, May 

 15 to June 15, supplemented by counts of the number of birds seen 

 in broods from July 1 to August 15, should be sufficient to supple- 

 ment the spring census in predicting the fall population. If such 

 a procedure were used over a period of years, a correlation between 

 weather conditions and reproductive success probably could be 

 established. If so, the counts of broods might no longer be neces- 

 sary. Counts of broods might be obtained by field men incidental 

 to their other duties; but early morning censuses with the aid of 

 dogs probably would be necessary to obtain sufficient data. An 

 accurate census of the fall population on the booming grounds 

 could be made as early as the first or second week of October. 



Hunting Regulations and Refuges 



With adequate censuses it should be possible to set open seasons 

 to harvest the surplus prairie chickens most efficiently. If seasons 

 were opened when the census indicates that the population of 

 prairie chickens is increasing and approaching peak numbers, full 

 advantage could be taken of the favorable reproduction, and exces- 

 sive abundance of prairie chickens could be avoided. 



Judging by the efiFects of hunting in 1950, 1951 and 1952, more 

 liberal regulations than those then appHed cannot be permitted un- 

 less a much larger area is available for hunting, or unless there are 

 fewer hunters. In the three seasons, in areas of high prairie chicken 

 population, there were too many hunters. Too large a number of 

 hunters placed excessive pressure on the prairie chickens, and also 

 interfered with good sport. 



Regulating the number of hunters by issuing limited numbers of 

 special permits would be possible, and might eventually become 

 necessary. A permit system could be used to gain also a better 

 distribution of hunters. Under present circumstances the permit 

 system is thought to be unnecessary, provided other measures are 

 taken to insure the survival of a sufficient breeding stock. 



One measure that should be seriously considered is to open 

 the prairie chicken season at a time when the season is open on 

 pheasants. This suggestion has been favorably received by land- 

 owners both in the pheasant country and in the prairie chicken 



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