CENTRAL FLYWAY 
The mid-winter survey of waterfowl indicated there was a general 
increase in waterfowl populations in the Central Flyway. A small 
increase in ducks was recorded, while the data indicated a considerable 
increase in geese, and a major increase in coot. 
In the areas supplying the Central Flyway with birds the over-all 
breeding population was quite similar to the high breeding population of 
last year. Increases were recorded in Alaska, southern Alberta, 
southern Manitoba and Montana. These increases were offset by 
decreases in northern Alberta, the Northwest Territories, northern 
Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota and 
Nebraska. Breeding populations remained unchanged in southern 
Saskatchewan. 
The breeding season was uniformly late throughout the Central 
Flyway breeding range. Cold, rainy weather during May and June 
retarded nesting from 10 days to 3 weeks in most places. Droughty 
conditions prevailed in some localities during early May, but frequent 
rains raised water levels during the course of the summer in most of 
the important prairie nesting habitat. Drought conditions continued 
into the summer in western Montana, southern Alberta, and South 
Dakota. 
The late season, plus cold rainy weather apparently had an 
adverse effect on duck production. It is anticipated there will be a 
definite decrease in the number of young produced in the Northwest 
Territories, and moderate decreases will occur throughout 
Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota and 
Nebraska. Increased production is predicted for southern Alberta 
and Montana, and itis estimated that production will be about the 
same as last year in Alaska, southern Manitoba and Nebraska. 
Relatively little is known about the production of geese in the 
Central Flyway. However, late seasons in the North are unfavorable 
to production. Therefore, it is estimated the production of geese 
will decrease this year. 
Over-all, it is estimated for the second successive year there 
will be a moderate decrease in the fall flight of ducks in the Central 
Flyway. It is believed the increase in breeding population of geese, 
as indicated by the winter survey, will balance the decrease in 
production, resulting in a fall flight approximately equal to last year. 
92 
