The total estimate of illegal ducks killed during the experimental 
September teal season was 33,736; 12,174 in the Central Flyway and 
21,562 in the Mississippi (table 14). 
Of illegal species killed, there were more wood ducks (13,000) 
than any other single species (table 15). The kill of mallards (7,088) 
was second to that of wood ducks followed by mottled ducks (3,103), 
widgeons (2,649), pintails (2,056), shovelers (1,571), and redheads 
(1,008). Much of the State to State variation in the proportions of 
illegal ducks killed relates to the small numbers of hunter observations 
made in about half the States (sampling error). This is shown especially 
in the species composition of the kill of illegal ducks; e.g., we 
obtained no estimate of the wood duck kill in several States of the 
southern Mississippi Flyway but relatively large kills of wood ducks 
were estimated for the Central Flyway States of Nebraska and Kansas. 
Consequently, estimates for individual States are frequently in error, 
but we think the pooled totals are reasonable. 
Hunter Opinion 
On the regular waterfowl questionnaire for the 1964-65 hunting 
season, the question was asked: "if allowed, would you apply for a 
free permit to participate in a teal season in September 1965?" The 
answers to this question represent a random sample of all waterfowl 
hunters; their responses were tabulated as the percentage "yes" answers 
to the total in each State (table 16). A total of 73 percent of all 
the* Central and Mississippi Flyway hunters responded "yes" to the above 
question. 
Table 16 also presents the ratio of 1965 teal permits issued to 
1964 duck stamp sales. Although this comparison does not include the 
first-year hunters of 1965, it approximates the proportion of duck 
hunters who took advantage of the season. Approximately one-fourth 
of all the waterfowl hunters in the two flyways received teal permits. 
Highest ratios of permits issued to duck stamp sales were in the States 
of Louisiana (0.481), Iowa (0.452), Minnesota (0.428), and Kansas 
(0.406). 
A similar question, "if a special teal season, similar to the one 
just ended, is set again next year, would you wish to participate?" 
was asked on the September 1965 teal season questionnaire. The response 
again was tabulated as the percentage of "yes" answers (table 13). A 
grand total of 87 percent of all the teal season permit holders were in 
favor of another special season. It should be remembered that this was 
a special sample of hunters, those who applied for and received a permit, 
and was not a random sample of all Waterfowl hunters who hunt during 
the regular season. 
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