shes, is the only 
The Pacific coastal plain, with its coastal lagoons and mar ; 
area of the Republic very imortant to migrant and wintering ducks. This evaluation is 
based on observations made during the reconnaissance flights and ground surveys, together 
with reports from local hunters in various parts of the Republic. 
t of the duck hunting is done on the Pacific coastal plain, where most of 
the aeaseee are to be found at marshes and lagoons, or the lower reaches of the rivers. 
The best hunting opportunities are near Papaturro, Jicaro, Chasperico, Tahuesco, Sipacate, 
below Tiquisate, on the lower Hio Samald, near Océe, San José, and Istapa, The largest 
mareh area is that north of the Chiquimulilla Canal, between Istapa, Jicaro, and Papaturro. 
Most of the waterfowl migration occurs along this coast, so hunters who prefer duck shoot- 
ing will do well to frequent one or more of these localities. 
Lakes Atescatempa and Retana, and emaller waters near San Pedro and Monjas, are 
popular hunting places, even for shooters from Guatemala City. In recent years, Retana, 
which formerly had been one of the best waterfowl lakes in the Republic, has been dry 
much of the time and has afforded little hunting. ; 
Lake Guija had a population of several hundred ducks, mostly pintails, blue 
winged teal, shovellers, and lesser scaup, when we scouted it by plane in January, 1947, 
Dut it is difficult of access except by rail. 
Marshes and lakes of the Petén provide an extensive area of aquatic habitats, 
but observations and reporte indicate that relatively few ducks utilize them at any time 
of year. ; 
Lake Isabal, the largest in the Republic, apparently attracts very faw ducks, 
although it affords many square niles of attractive feeding grounds. 
At the time of our aerial reconnaissance in January 1947, there were no ducks 
observed on Lake Isabal or the Golfete, and fewer than a Imndred on Lake Petén. | 
Several small lagoons near the mouth of the Motagua River were reported to 
afford good duck hunting, but when we flew over this sector in January, relatively few 
ducks were seen. They may be more numerous there in November and December during nigra- 
tion. | 
All observations and reliable reports indicated that the flights along the 
Caribbean coast and lowlands are small as compared to those on the Pacific coast. 
There are small, scattered flights acrose the highlands, as attested by the 
presence of limited numbers of ducks on the interior lakes such as AmatitlAn and Atitlan. 
Some of the best hunting opportunities are at several of the smaller interior lakes, 
especially at Lake Retana and others in the vicinity of Monjas, Department of Jalapa. 
However, these basins have been very low or completely dry during the past few years. 
At the time ground studies were made, the spring migration had been underway for 
more than @ month, and there was no way to estimate the number of ducks present in México 
which night have wintered in Central or northern South America, and passed through 
Guatemala enreute. There is little doubt, however, that at least several million ducks 
pase along this coast during migration, and that some of them avail themselves of feeding 
and resting grounds in the Republic. 
‘According to several experienced duck hunters with whom we talked, blinds are 
never used and they had never seen others use them. Pass shooting and stalking were the 
methods usually employed. None of the fifty or more hunters interviewed used decoys, and 
only two used retrievers. 
During the recent war, when many U. §. soldiers were based at Guatemala City and 
San José, much more hunting was done, especially near San Joge. 
Ae with other sports requiring shotguns and ammunition, duck hunting is expensive, 
and requires that the shooter possese the necessary arms permits, These conditions restrict 
greatly the number of hunters in Guatemala, 
