77 
Banding Program 
During July and early August one crew spent full time attempting to trap and 
band young ducks before they could fly thus associating them with a Specific breeding 
unit. Unfortunately the great abundance of water areas, the lush vepetation and the 
unusual spread of the brood season all combined to reduce trapping success. The 
species, age and sex composition of the thousand which were banded in the pothole 
area are summarized ‘in Table VII. 
During July a few ducks were caught and banded at Delta but most of those 
shown in Table VIII were taken in August and September. 
Summary 
Breeding waterfowl populations in Manitoba were about the same both in 1952 
and 1953 but production this year was moderately lower. Where habitat conditions 
were favorable, production was good although delayed by extremely adverse weather 
during the early part of the breeding season. About 7,000 ducks, mostly juveniles, 
were banded for distribution and mortality studies, Two special ground studies in 
Manitoba are reported separately. 
Table I, - Waterfowl Trend Data for Manitoba, Based on Aerial Data 
Stratum A Stratum B Stratum C Stratum D Total 
Sample Mile 390.0 128.5 142.2 112.4 773.1 
Size (Sq. Mile) 10, 368 28, 600 67,628 3, 964 110, 560 
1951 Index 472,780 165, 880 33, 810 78,490 750, 960 
1952 Index 343, 180 143, 300 81,150 74, 520 642,150 
1953 Index 211, 610% 157, 300 344,910 108, 504 822,325 
Uncorrected Totals 
1953 211,610* 117,260 243,468 87,516 659, 854 
Percent Change - 38.3 - 18.2 + 200.0 + 17.4 + 2.8 
pi pu rp ey i og SS ee ys 
. 
* Totals for only Stratum A were corrected for hens on nests in 1952. 
Comparisons between 1952 and 1953 for Strata B, C, and D must be 
made with uncorrected data only. 
