Vol. 16, No. 12 
Page 3 
Responses of Prairie Chickens to Habitat Manipulation R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
Sharecropping is our primary management tool on prairie chicken sanctuaries. 
In addition to accomplishing management objectives, sharecropping also helps 
minimize the costs of management by providing some income from the various crops 
produced (MWRL 15 (10):2-3). Income from crop harvest on state-owned sanctuaries 
is deposited in the state treasury. Income from state-owned sanctuaries in 1973 
was $2,928.90. This total includes $91*05 from wheat, $1,862.33 from redtop and 
timothy seed (MWRL 16(8 ):}), $901.52 from soybeans, $50.00 from hay, and $24.00 
from pasture. 
Expenditures (not including cost of personnel) to date on state-owned 
sanctuaries were $1,080.54, including $356.25 for limestone, $137*50 for bull¬ 
dozing, $404.00 for fencing, $7*79 for tractor parts, $65*00 for mowing weeds, 
and $110.00 for combining prairie grass seed. 
Net income deposited in the state treasury as of this date is $1,848.36. 
Thus, in 1973^ income from sharecropping has more than covered management costs 
on state-owned sanctuaries. Although management costs may not be exceeded by 
income in all years, we believe that management of prairie chicken sanctuaries 
can be a self-supporting operation on a long-term basis. 
