CENTRAL FLYWAY 
Production Data - 
Although no organized brood survey has been taken, the brood 
banding crew in the eastern third of the State has found far fewer ducks and 
broods in mid-July than was anticipated as a result of the high breeding 
population encountered in late May. Many of the birds may have moved into 
Canada for the actual breeding period. 
Conclusions - 
It is estimated that Wyoming will produce about the same number 
of ducks and geese as in 1954. 
MONTANA 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Spring precipitation in Montana increased surface water throughout 
the State. In the Eastern Hi-Line area the increase was 11 percent, in the 
Central Hi-Line +30 percent, and in the Great Falls Piedmont 442 percent. The 
season was somewhat late in the Hi-Line Areas. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Aerial transects established in 1949 were again flown to obtain the 
breeding population trend. These data are compared with last year's and the 
average for the last six year. Results indicate a 15 percent decrease from the 
1954 level and a 15 percent increase over the six year average. 
Waterfowl Populations as Determined from Aerial Census Routes 

Population 
| No. Ducks/Square Mile Estimate 
Physiographic Area 6-yr.Ave. 1954 1955 Average 1954. . 1955 
Sheridan County 27.4 48.2 o9..3 38456 — 69408 56592 
Eastern Hi-Line 521 “yeah 2e 6.4 40392 53064 50688 
Central Hi-Line 10.9 16.7 15.0 103201 A58115 142020 
Gr. Falls Piedmont 10.0 8.0 5.2 70200 56160 36504 
OO LO EAT —C~SB249”——COSSG TAT 285804 
Percent Change . - 15% 
Production Indices - 
Weather and water conditions have been excellent in the Hi-Line 
area since the start of the nesting season. 
Conclusions - 
It is estimated that the fall flight from Montana will be the same as 
last year. 47 
