103 
From the findings of the waterfowl biologists working in the three major 
waterfowl areas in the State, an estimate of the total waterfowl production is made. 
Table 10 is a summary of the waterfowl production for the State of Washington. 
Adult resident birds are included in the total waterfowl production estimates. 
It should be pointed out that the increased production figures are a result of greater 
coverage of the waterfowl habitat and increased knowledge of waterfowl conditions. 
It is felt that the coverage of the State is now adequate and that the figures for 1950 
are now representative of the waterfowl produced in the State. Young produced in 
the State is roughly 70 percent of the total production figure given. 
Although there was a slight loss in production of mallards during the 1950 
breeding season, other nesters increased to cover this loss, thus allowing the . 
production of waterfowl to be nearly as successful as during the past two years. 
Table 10. -- Waterfowl Production in the Three Divisions of the State, 
1948, 1949, 1950 





Major Divisions 1948 Production 1949 Production 1950 Production 
Western Washington 20, 000 58, 000 41,418 
Central Washington 20,000 26, 400 58,672 
Eastern Washington 110, 000 507, 300 708, 153 
Total State Population 150, 000 591, 700 808, 243 
Waterfowl Banding 
During the summer quarter 218 ducks and 172 Canada geese were banded. 
This included 175 mallards, 13 pintail, 7 redhead, 3 gadwall, 1 shoveler, 1 green- 
winged teal, and 1 coot. i 
Summary of Data 
1. A prolonged, cold spring retarded early nesting waterfowl 
throughout the State. 
2. Although mallard production was lower than the two previous 
years, they were still the most abundant species in the State. 
3. The decrease in mallard production was offset by an increase 
in the production of other species, thus making the total 
waterfowl production essentially the same as in 1949. 
4. Brood sizes on all species of ducks have remained essentially 
the same during the past three years. 
5. The lakes and potholes of Eastern Washington produce about 
85 percent of the waterfowl in the State. 
