Vol. 14, No. 11 
Page 2 
3. Ecology and Manage ment of Squirrels C. M. Nixon, 
R. E. Greenberg 
Squirrel hunters that frequent public hunting areas for their sport are 
often relatively unskilled, compared with more dedicated squirrel hunters. 
A sample of 3,009 squirrel hunters were questioned concerning their hunting 
success during nine hunting seasons on one public hunting area. Nearly two- 
thirds, or 61.3 percent, killed no squirrels per hunter trip (one visit to 
the hunting area). For those killing one or more squirrels, 60.0 percent 
shot only one squirrel and only 16.9 percent killed more than two squirrels 
per hunting trip. Fall squirrel densities averaged 70 squirrels per 100 
ffcres during the 9-year period. 
Successful hunters, those shooting one or more squirrels per trip, 
averaged 4.0 hours per hunt; unsuccessful hunters averaged only 3.3 hours 
per trip. 
The low success rate for these large numbers of unskilled hunters tends 
to reduce the squirrel harvest on public hunting areas from what might be 
expected on the basis of the number of hunters actually hunting on the area. 
4. Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis 
Prehunt censuses of quail were conducted on the Dale and Forbes areas 
in late October and early November, 1971. Weather conditions during this 
period—warm, dry, and frequently windy—were not conducive to locating quail 
with dogs. Coveys often flushed wild, and it was difficult to obtain complete 
counts of the coveys. 
The fall population on Forbes in 1971 was 16 quail per 100 acres, a 
decline of 30 percent from the level of 23 quail per 100 acres in 1970. A 
similar decline was noted on the Dale Area in 1971. A population density of 
22 quail per 100 acres was recorded, a decline of 40 percent from the 37 
quail per 100 acres recorded in 1970. 
It is doubtful that the population declines on both areas were as drastic 
as indicated by the censuses. However, our observations and those of park 
personnel suggest a lower prehunt population in 1970 than in 1971. 
5. Responses of Prairie Chickens to Habitat Manipulation R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
Prescribed burning has been carried out in either March or August on 166 
plots, totaling 661 acres, during the past 4 years (1968-71) on sanctuaries 
at Bogota. The burned acreage consisted primarily of redtop, timothy, and 
fields in which prairie restoration is being attempted. A primary objective 
of burning is to learn whether fire can be a useful tool in maintaining the 
attractiveness of sanctuary grasslands for nesting hens. A total of 69 
prairie chicken nests were found on the burned plots. 
No nests have yet been found in 30 plots, totaling 125 acres, during the 
first nesting season after a March burn. Only two nests have been found In 133 
acres (30 plots) during the first nesting season after an August burn. However, 
some excellent densities of nests have resulted after one full growing season 
