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Table I. - Aerial Coverage - Ontario and Northern Saskatchewan -- 1953 


Location | Strata Square Miles Strata Area 
Covered Square Miles 
Ontario 
Sioux Lookout to Armstrong 
to Pickle Lake to Red Lake 
to Kenora, Kenora to Cairns 
Lake and return; Mantario Lake 
to Charron Lake 275.5 264,508 
C 
Saskatchewan 
North to Nokomis Lake to 
Lac La Ronge to Ft. McMurray; © 
Ft. McMurray to Prince Albert 265.6 110, 850 
Ft. McMurray to Ft. Smith E 95.5 25,170 
Total 636.6 400, 528 
Breeding Populations 
Listed in Tables II, III, and IV, and computed from the data collected during 
the survey is the total duck index for the three strata involved. For comparative 
purposes the information obtained during the 1952 survey is also presented. 
Unfortunately, data are not available to correct the 1952 figures for hens on nests, 
and for this reason the 1953 data are presented in two ways--uncorrected and 
corrected, In making comparisons between years 1952 and 1953 only the uncorrected 
figures should be used. 
A substantial increase in ducks was recorded for Stratum C in Ontario, which 
amounted to approximately 62 percent over 1952. Mergansers were primarily 
responsible for the increase, but an increase was also shown for the mallard and 
ring-necked duck. Scaup decreased markedly in this area. The corrected figures 
obtained on this survey indicate a total duck index of approximately 710,000 for 
Stratum C in Ontario. 
Waterfowl breeding populations in Stratum C Saskatchewan, showed a decrease 
this year of approximately 40 percent compared to 1952. Scaup were responsible for 
the greatest portion of the decrease. A substantial increase was recorded for mallards. 
Based on corrected 1953 figures, the total duck index for this stratum was computed 
to be approximately 406, 800. 
The figures collected in Stratum E Saskatchewan, indicate an increase of about 
185 percent in the waterfowl breeding populations for this area over 1952. The mallard 
was largely, although not entirely, responsible for the increase. . On the basis of 
corrected figures, the total duck index for this area was computed to be approximately 
63,400. 
