242 
Percent of occupancy was somewhat higher this year, 29.6 percent compared with 
20 percent. An increase is noted in pairs per square mile, 1.86 compared with 
1.22. Ducks per square mile were 3.41 compared with 2. 28. 
Blue-winged teal, mallard and ringneck continue to be the three main species 
of breeding waterfowl in the State. A drop in percent composition is noted for 
blue-winged teal and mallard. 
Delineated Area State 
1951 —«21:95 1951 —«a:95D 
Counties | 43 40 51 48 
Total miles 1,257 1,230 1,965 1, 868 
Total water areas 1, 332 1,097 1,693 1,451 
Areas occupied 248 329 339 429 
Water areas per square mile 4.2 3.6 3.5 Pe | 
Percent occupied 18.6 30.0. 20.0 29.6 
Total pairs 383 549 597 869 
Pairs per square mile 1.22 1.79 1,22 1. 86 
Total ducks 770 1,017 1,119 1,590 
Ducks per square mile 2.45 3.31 2.28 3.41 
Coots 113 480 138 539 
Percent Species Composition from all Auto Transects (48 Counties) 
ppeeree. 0 SU ee ie) A SE 4b 
Blue-winged teal 54.1 41.3 Baldpate 0.9 1.0 
Mallard 22.1 15.8 Goldeneye 1.0 0.8 
Ringneck 14,8 13.6 Gadwall 0.7 0.6 
Scaup 4.9 8.4 G-w. teal 0.2 0.3 
Redhead 4.9 6.2 Canvasback 0.5 0.1 
Pintail 7.1 4.7 Black duck 0.2 0.0 
Ruddy duck 4.5 4.0 Unidentified 3.2 1.4 
Shoveler 3.0 z.0 
Success of the Season 
Brood count data were collected in 11 Game Management Areas. Counts were 
made during the two week period, June 30 to July 11, by the area game biologists 
who were assisted by biologist aides. 
Miscellaneous brood size data, in addition to information from the specific 
counts, were incorporated for calculation of the final average brood size. All 
tabulated broods were classed as to "A" or 'B'" accuracy. Broods seen under 
conditions where it was apparent that the complete brood was seen, were classed as 
"A". Broods seen in dense cover, or conditions where only a partial count of young 
could be made, were classed as "B"., Only class "A" broods were considered for 
calculation of average brood sizes. Counts were made on 50 specific areas. 
A total of 433 class "A" broods containing 3, 222 young was tallied - giving an 
over-all average brood size of 7.4. This is slightly below the 7.5 average of the 
previous 5 years. The average brood sizes for these years are as follows: 
1951, 7.8; 1950, 7.3; 1949, 7.1; 1948, 7.9; 1947, 7.4. The average sizes of broods 
by age classes are as follows for the years 1949 through 1952: 
