Vo 1. 15, No. 10 
Page 2 
squirrel seasons in the surrounding states. Only Indiana has a shorter 
open season (59 days), and the Missouri season (215 days) is more than twice 
as long as those in Illinois. Missouri continues to provide good squirrel 
hunting despite its traditional long open season and early opening date. 
Responses of Dobwhit es to Habitat Manipulation J. A. Ellis 
Since 1966 , 140 acres of a 250-acre portion of the Dale Area have been 
experimentally managed for quail and other game species by prescribed burning. 
In 1972, however, approximately 26 of the 140 acres were not burned, due to 
unfavorable weather conditions. 
Vegetative aspects of the 26 acres were strikingly different between 1971 
and 1972. It was assumed that the differences were related more to the presence 
or absence of fire than to other environmental factors such as weather. 
A more diverse flora resulted from the continuous use of prescribed burning. 
In 1971, after 6 years of annual burning, 53 plants were identified in the 
quadrats, compared with 44 species in 1972. Included in the 10 most abundant 
plants in 1971 were common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia ), Korean and common 
lespedeza ( Lespedeza stipulacea and L. striata ), and wild beans (Strophostyles 
leiosperma and j>. helvola )--al 1 are important sources of quail foods. None of 
these food plants was among the 10 most abundant plants in 1972. Plants that 
were more abundant in 1972 than in 1971 were panic grass (Panicum huachucae) , 
lance-leaf ragweed (Ambrosia bidentat a), blackberry and dewberry (Rubus 
alleqhenlensis and R. flaqe ll aris ), foxtail (Setaria viridis ), and rough 
buttonweed (Dio d ia teres ). In addition, the amount of bare ground in 1972 
was reduced to half of that in 1971* Thus, prescribed burning must be con¬ 
ducted annually to insure the continuation of high-quality habitat for quail. 
Responses of Prairie Chjckens to Ha bitat Manipulation R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
The abundance and distribution of prairie chickens in Illinois is clearly 
limited by the availability of suitable grassy vegetation for nesting. Thus, 
providing attractive, safe nest cover is the primary problem in perpetuating 
remnant flocks of prairie chickens in Illinois. However, such crops as corn, 
soybeans, wheat, and oats, which have resulted in the elimination of prairie 
chickens from most of their native Illinois range, have a definite role in the 
management of nesting sanctuaries. 
Old sods that have become heavily invaded with undesirable weeds and woody 
plants should be fall-plowed, fertilized, and seeded to soybeans for 1 or 2 
years--using a herbicide if necessary--nnd then reseeded to a redtop-timothy- 
legume mixture, with a small grain, preferably oats, as a nurse crop. This 
essential renovation is accomplished by sharecropping agreements with local 
farmers. Soybean stubble provides an ideal site for booming grounds. New 
seedings of a mixture of small grains, grass, and legumes also provide suitable 
sites for booming and excellent brood cover. For these reasons, about 20 
