Number of Hunters, Daily Kill, Seasonal Kill, and Average Times Hunted 
as Determined by the Waterfowl Hunter Mail Survey 
Percent 
1952-53 1953-54 Change 
Number of Hunters 
Over 16 502, 608 567, 698 + 12.9 
Under 16 36,407 36, 281 - — ,4 
Average Daily Bag | 
Over 16 Ducks 1.73 1,04 - 39,9 
Geese . 06 . 10 + 66.7 
Coot .03 . 02 a" *355'5 
Under 16 Ducks 36 .48 + °33.8 
Geese .Ol . 04 + 300.0 
Coot .03 . 06 + 100.0 
Average Seasonal Bag | 
Over 16 Ducks 6.19 4.52 - 27.0 
Geese 23 -45 + 95.6. 
Coot .10 . 10 -~ 
Under 16 Ducks 1.28 2.11 + 64.8 
| Geese . 04 19 + 375.0 
Coot .10 alt + 170.0 
Average Times Hunted 3.58 4,35 + 21.5 

The kill of ducks decreased a fair amount (-18%) during the 1953-54 
season as compared to the previous year, while the kill of geese increased 
considerably (+90%), and the kill of coot increased somewhat (+19%). in 
view of the fact that the length of season and bag limit in the Central 
Flyway remained the same during the past 2 years, it is of interest to 
note that the decrease in kill of ducks was due solely to a considerable 
decrease in the average daily bag (-40%). This lowered success was 
partially off-set by an increase of 13% in the number of hunters, and 
the fact that these hunters went afield 22% more times during the season. 
The daily bag of coot was less (-33%) as compared to the previous year, 
but this was more than made up for by the increased hunting effort. 
Increased hunting effort plus an increased daily bag combined to produce 
a considerable increase in the kill of geese. 
30 
