236 
Fort Peck, Montana Waterfowl production increased 114 percent over that of 
1949 when only 25 young mallards were produced. Among those raised this season 
were 200 mallards, 75 blue-winged teals, and 25 pintails. Nesting was late. 
Fort Peck Easements, Montana All these areas had sharp declines in waterfowl 
nesting ‘and production due to a cold, wet spring and severe storms during the nesting 
season. No nests were found on Lake Mason where 83 were found last year. There was 
no production on Miller Lake. The decreases in production were 88 percent for Lake 
Mason, 100 percent for Miller Lake, 82 percent. for Lamesteer, 75 percent for Half- 
breed, and 58 percent for Hailstone. 
Medicine Lake Montana Approximately the same number of ducks was produced 
as in 1949, but 9 more Canada geese were produced than the 23 in 1949. This represent- 
ed a 75 percent coverage of the waterfowl habitat. 
Ninepipe and Pable, Montana A late, cold spring and a water level almost 9 feet 
below the average in May and June were not conducive to a successful waterfowl nesting 
season. Ten broods of Canada geese with 60 young were observed. Twenty-three broods 
of ducks were recorded with 245 young. Eight broods of mallards and five of redheads 
were observed with 100 and 40 young, respectively. The waterfowl production at Ninepipe 
was about the same as that for 1949. The same water conditions prevailed at Pable. There 
was no goose nesting. Sixteen broods of ducks with 200 young were observed. This repre- 
sents only about half the 1949 production when 35 broods with 400 young were recorded. 
Red Rock Lakes, Montana Due to the late, cold spring, production of all species 
of waterfowl decreased from that recorded for 1949. Ice did not leave the lakes until the 
middle of May. The first broods were not seen until early July. Brood numbers of lesser 
Scaup and blue-winged teal held up fairly well, but ruddy, gadwall, and redhead were 
especially hard hit. A few Canada geese remained to nest with at least two broods raised, 
but no young were seen when brood counts were made. The over-all decrease in duck 
production below the 1949 figures was 51 percent and there was a 62 percent decline in 
coot production. 
Crescent Lake, Nebraska Waterfowl nesting, including coots, for the season 
was below what normally could be expected. Severe storms through June, July and 
August contributed to a low ratio of production after unseasonable weather had already 
delayed nesting activities beyond normal starting time. There was a 15 percent decrease 
in ducks and 60 percent in coot production from 1949 numbers. More than half of the 
young ducks produced were blue-winged teal. 
Valentine, Nebraska The total waterfowl production showed a 50 percent increase 
over that for 1949, although coots declined 57 percent.. Blue-winged teal is the principal . 
nester with a slight increase over 1949 figures. Late snows disrupted pintail and mallard 
nesting. The canvasback nested more than average for the past five years, producing 235 
young as against 50 for 1949. 
Arrowwood, North Dakota Waterfowl nesting was appreciably delayed by late 
snowfall, but water conditions in potholes and sloughs were the best in many years and 
contributed to a very successful nesting season that extended into late August. Farmers 
reported more nests in fields than for several years, but a good many nests were 
destroyed through farming operations. Blue-winged teal, shoveler, and pintail showed 
the most increase. Waterfowl as a whole increased 163 percent over 1949 production, 
and coot numbers increased 650 percent. 
Arrowwood Easements, North Dakota’ A late spring caused a delayed waterfowl 
hatch, but favorable water conditions contributed to an increase in nesting. An unusually 
heavy run-off filled hundreds of potholes and sloughs. The areas showing greatest 
