Vol. 15, No. 8 
Page 2 
Hunter success, in terms of the average number of squirrels bagged per 
trip, was also well below the average for 1956-69, particularly for the Northern 
Zone (MWRL 15(7) :2). Statewide, the average kill per trip in 1970 was only 
1,8 squirrels, compared with the mean of 2.0 squirrels for 1956-69, a decline 
of 10 percent. In the Southern Zone, hunters averaged 2.0 squirrels per trip 
in 1970, compared with 2.2 squirrels during 1956-69, a decline of 9 percent. 
In the Northern Zone, hunters averaged only 1.5 squirrels per trip, compared 
with 1.8 squirrels during 1956-69, a decline of 17 percent. 
Responses of Bobwhites to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis 
Censuses of quai1 were made on the Forbes and Dale areas in early March 
to obtain estimates of the prebreeding population densities. Thirteen coveys, 
117 quail (4.8 quail per 100 acres) were observed on Forbes. The prebreeding 
estimate for Forbes in 1972 was 54 percent greater than was recorded in 1971 
and was identical to the long-term mean for the prebreeding estimates. The 
prebreeding estimate for 1972 represented a decline of 71 percent from the 
estimated prehunt population in 1971. 
Eight coveys containing 85 quail (7.7 quail per 100 acres) were observed 
on Dale during the prebreeding census in 1972. The prebreeding estimate in 
1972 was 27 percent lower than that of 1971 but was 10 percent greater than 
the long-term mean for the prebreeding estimates. The quail population on 
Dale declined 72 percent from early November 1971 to early March 1972. 
Winter losses similar in magnitude to those from November 1971 to early March 
1972 have been characteristic of the populations on the two areas. 
Responses o£ Prairie Chickens to Habitat Manipuiation R. L. Westemeler, 
D. R. Vance 
There are advantages and disadvantages to prescribed burning in either 
March or August on prairie chicken sanctuaries in Illinois. Some burning in 
March is desirable because burning in March appears better for encouraging 
the development of native prairie vegetation and stimulating legumes. Burning 
in August appears better for such domestic grasses as redtop and timothy, 
which have matured and are essentially dormant in August. The rule of thumb 
here seems to be to burn the cool season introduced grasses in late summer 
(warm season) and to burn the warm season native grasses In late winter (cool 
season). Although our data (MWRL 14(12):2) revealed higher densities of nests 
for August burns than for March burns that were in the second, third, and 
fourth nest seasons after burning, the above reasons seem to justify the 
continuation of burning in both seasons. 
A desirable feature of burning in August in southern Illinois is that 
nearly 2 months of growing season are still left, during which a sod can 
green up before frost. This new leafy material and the mosaic of unburned 
