Production indexes 
Aerial brood transects were flown 
over the Sandhills breeding area during 
the period July 12 through July 21, 1965. 
The south-central area was not flown 
again this year. 
A total of 24 broods was observed on 
the July aerial survey. Good counts 
were made on all 24 broods which had a 
total of 123 ducklings. The total number 
of broods sighted was down 68 percent 
from 1964, and the number of ducklings 
was down 58 percent. 
Ground route indexes made through 
portions of the Sandhills sampled by the 
aerial transects indicate quite a dif¬ 
ferent outlook. These indexes indicate 
an increase of 27 percent for broods 
and 26 percent for ducklings over the 
1964 figures. The number of ducklings 
per brood from the 1965 aerial counts 
was 5.13, an increase of 0.45 over 1964. 
The average brood size from ground 
routes was 5.30 compared with 5.31 last 
year. 
The hatch appears to be quite irregular 
with the peak hatching date about three 
weeks later than the 2 previous years. 
New broods have been appearing during 
the third and fourth full weeks of July. 
According to aerial surveys, 16 percent 
of the ducklings sighted were class I, 41 
percent were class n, and 43 percent 
were class HI. Ground counts indicated 
that the percentages were 45, 36 and 19 
respectively for the classes I, II and IE. 
The conflicting brood data obtained 
from aerial and ground surveys (aerial 
-68 percent decline, ground -26 percent 
increase) is probably partially explained 
by peak hatching occuring at time of 
aerial surveys and less observability of 
class I broods, (table B-42). 
On the basis of the aerial data, the 
1965 waterfowl production in the Nebraska 
Sandhills may be as much as 50 percent 
below that of 1964. Ground counts and 
a significant number of late appearing 
broods, however, tend to introduce some 
optimism. The later broods tend to be 
larger. 
Nebraska duck production appears as 
though it may be only slightly less than 
that of 1964. 
WYOMING 
Data supplied by George F. Wrakestraw 
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission 
Weather and habitat conditions 
Much of the low elevation area of the 
State was in a dry condition at the start 
of migration. On the other hand, snow 
pack at the higher elevations was at a 
record level. In early May, rain fell 
over much of the State and filled stock- 
ponds, reservoirs, and natural depres¬ 
sions to a high level. Periodic rains 
throughout the latter part of May and 
early June assured ample water for brood 
survival. 
Runoff in most areas was mostly above 
normal, but only a few late nesting Canada 
geese were effected. 
Many large groups of widgeon, as well 
as smaller numbers of other species, 
were found congregated at the end of 
May. The status of these birds is un¬ 
known. 
Breeding population indexes 
All ducks classified as being unidenti¬ 
fied during the 1965 survey were added to 
those identified on a proportionate basis. 
All previous years were recalculated in 
a similar manner to provide comparative 
data. 
The estimated duck breeding pair 
population for 1965 shows a 13 percent 
decline from 1964 and an increase of 57 
percent from the 1955-1964 average. The 
total number of ducks observed during 
the 1965 survey shows an increase of 8 
percent from 1964 and an increase of 67 
percent over the 1955-1964 average. 
Many birds appeared to be nonbreeders 
(table B-43). 
Coot and mergansers are separated 
from the totals and both species show 
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