Population indexes indicated by "peents" and "flight 
songs" combined are not shown because the aerial call can 
be heard at a distance greater than 0.2 mile. 
Random and non-random counts did not show the same 
trend in population indexes from 1963 to 196 ^. Random 
routes reflected an increase in the North and a decrease 
in the South, whereas operational routes indicated opposite 
changes (table ^). 
Population densities reflected by operational counts 
were much higher than those obtained from random counts. 
The higher estimates were caused by cooperators locating 
routes in unusually good habitat. Population densities 
indicated by random counts were much lower, but average 
numbers of birds heard "peenting" on random routes were 
consistent with our judgment of habitat suitability. 
Random counts showed a much higher density in the North 
than in the South, whereas operational counts reflected little 
difference. Since woodcock habitat is much more abundant in 
the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula, a higher popu¬ 
lation index there would be expected. 
It seems clear that population indexes obtained from 
counts on random routes are more representative of actual 
population sizes. However, additional research is needed 
to determine the most efficient method of making counts on 
random routes. 
WING-COLLECTION SURVEY 
In addition to singing-ground counts made each spring 
to determine size of the woodcock population, wing-collec¬ 
tion surveys are conducted to obtain an annual index of 
woodcock productivity, based on the age and sex composition 
of the hunting kill as determined from wings. 
Source of wings 
Prior to the 1962 shooting season, wing-collection 
envelopes were mailed to more than 1,700 hunters in the 
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