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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN MONTANA 
Wynn G. Freeman and Gerald Salinas 
This report covers the fourth State-wide breeding ground survey made 
by Montana State Fish and Game Department personnel. These surveys are 
conducted as a contribution to continental waterfowl management. 
The 1952 survey was divided into two phases: The aerial survey to 
determine population and water area trends and the ground surveys to establish 
Species composition and nesting success. 
The aerial survey was conducted by Don Brown (pilot) and Wynn Freeman 
(observer), both of the Fish and Game Department. The ground survey was 
conducted by Gerald Salinas, Dan Poole and Richard Smith of the Fish and Game 
Department, and LeRoy Ellig, student assistant. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife 
Refuge managers throughout the State made brood counts and submitted population 
information. Total brood counts on Medicine Lake Refuge were made by Vernon 
Hawley. 
Climatic Conditions 
The early spring runoff and dry mild weather throughout the nesting 
season resulted in excellent conditions for waterfowl production. Severe flood 
conditions prevailed throughout the northern Highline country during late March and 
early April. This condition, however, filled potholes and reservoirs which had 
remained dry during most of the past two years. The newly created areas were 
available to nesting birds by the time they were needed. The exception to the 
State-wide situation of improved water conditions was the Highline area east of 
Glasgow. This area showed 23 percent fewer water areas in 1952 than were 
observed in 1951. 
Based upon the rate of vegetative development and the appearance of 
appreciable numbers of early broods, the 1952 spring season was advanced one 
week or more in most of Montana. The severe storms which have been occurring 
in early June during the past three years failed to materialize this year. 
Methods 
The geological subdivisions of Montana as described in "Waterfowl 
Breeding Conditions in Montana" (Crissey and others ]/) were used as the basis 
for the surveys. Both transects and trend areas were used to determine the status 
of water areas and the population numbers. The survey was begun as soon as it was 
determined that the spring migration was nearing completion. 
1/ Crissey and Others, 'Waterfowl Populations and Breeding Conditions - 
- Summer 1949," Special Scientific Report: Wildlife No. 2, pp. 123-135. 
