WATEREQWEL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN NORTH DAKOTA, 1949 
Brandt ¥. Ajoelle 
Introductica 
The following report triefly ¢xpleins the mechanics and tasic results of 
two years’ invastigations of North Dakota waterfowl treeding greunds made coop- 
sratively by the Branch of Game Meanagemant and Office of River Basin Studies of 
the Fish and Wildlifs Service and ths Nerth Dakota Game and Fish Department. 
Tt should be borne in mind that these investigations were not confined to 
Any particular types of humanly ascribed environmental types or arsas., Tha 
Borial data, and, also insofar as possible, the pround data, were obtained in 
a random sampling of the entire State on an equal hasis. This was deemsd noces- 
cary in ean original survey of this natures, althouesh complet: analysis of 
resultant data may reveal possibilitids for a reduction in ths scops of thass 
investigations without sacrificing their soundness from the standpoint of 
complete habitat corsraes. 
Ths Aerial Survey 
Ths Samples 
The sample selected for the atrial survey consisted of 17 one-half mils 
Wide strips of Land sxtending across the entire Stats in an sast-weet direction, 
and spaced le miles apart in a north-south direction, as illuatratsd on the 
accompanying map. Thess strips are numbered from 1 to 17, north to south. 
Slightly mors than four psreent of the entire land and water area in 
North [Lakota is includsd in this sample which geometrically erids the satires 
Stata, 
This sempls met ths sssential requirements regarding size and complsts 
State covyertass. Many other factors, including the results ef original land 
Surveys, gaegrapnical and geological features, sage of orisntation, flight 
requirements, all played a part in the selection of this samples. , 
Use of Samples 
The immediate objectives was to record by numbor and location all ducks 
and geass pressot on the sempls. 
Method of Obtaining Data 
Light planse flying at slow cruising speeds and low altitudes ware used 
to obtain the data, Each flight crew consisted of a pilot and observer, In 
actual survey work the pllot also assisted in observation, relaying bis infor- 
mation to the observer whe recorded all data on prepared forms, 
Flight crews were instructed to take aga mich tims and de as much mansuyes- 
ing a9 necessary to obtain the dssirsd data, 
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