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Area VI - John L. Zorichak, Brainerd - Since piloting for the aerial portion of 
the spring waterfowl breeding ground survey engaged the area game biologist for 
most of the month of May, he was not able to run any ground transects. However, 
in his driving about the area subsequent to May 20, it was discovered that resident 
waterfowl were present in comparatively large numbers. Ducks were observed in 
practically all types of aquatic habitat - from temporary field puddles to permanent 
open water. No extensive surveys were made of the Situation, but sufficient data 
were recorded to formulate a reliable appraisal of the waterfowl breeding population. 
Mallards were most often recorded, with blue -winged teal a close second. Ringnecks 
were also commonly seen, both as paired ducks and in small flocks up to ten birds. 
Pintails, shovelers, wood ducks, and redheads occurred in about that sequence. 
Coots, though present, were not as abundant as in 1951, and redheads too appeared 
to be down. Numerous unsolicited comments and observations from qualified 
observers relative to the increase in local waterfowl production substantiated the 
area game biologist's conclusions in this regard. Brood counts were made on 
Graham Meadows, Russell Lake, and Gateway Slough, all in Crow Wing County. 
From these counts and miscellaneous observations, data were obtained on 33 Class 
"A' broods containing 306 young. This gives an average brood size of 9.3. Water 
levels and brood conditions were generally favorable until around July 16, after 
which time severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains raised water levels 
considerably above normal for this time of year. Some flooding out of late nests 
might have occurred. The first brood record for the spring was a mallard brood 
' geen on May 16. Some of the mallard and blue-winged teal broods seen earlier in 
the spring were not noted in these areas at the time of the brood counts, July 7 and 8. 
Area VII - Walter H. Petraborg, Aitkin - Canoe transects were run on three of 
the major waterfowl breeding areas of Area VII. These are: Big Rice Lake, Cass 
County; Rice Lake Federal Refuge, Aitkin County; and Lake Onamia, Mille Lacs 
County. At Big Rice Lake, 43 pairs and a total of 186 ducks were counted along 
10 miles of shoreline, giving an average of 4.3 pairs per mile of shoreline. This 
average for 1950 was 4.8 and in 1949 it was 5.5. Ducks per mile of shoreline were 
18.6 compared with 12.5 for 1950 and 12.3 for 1949. These data indicate a good 
breeding population for Big Rice Lake this year. Thirteen miles of shoreline were 
covered at the Rice Lake Federal Refuge in Aitkin County. Totals of 78 pairs and 
196 ducks were counted. The pairs per mile of shoreline figure is 6 compared with 
7.7 in 1951 and 7.7 in 1949. Ducks per mile of shoreline were 15 compared with 
15.9 in 1951 and 27.2 in 1949. The uniform pairs per mile of shoreline figures 
indicate a rather constant breeding population for this area. Baldpates have increased 
steadily over the past 3 years on the Rice Lake Federal Refuge. This lake is the main 
baldpate breeding place in Area VII. A low count was obtained at Lake Onamia, 
Mille Lacs County, due to winds that came up when the transect was being run. 
Ringnecks are rapidly becoming the No. 1 duck in numbers in Area VII. Mallards 
do not show up on the canoe transects as well as they should, due to early nesting 
away from the lake shore and nesting in small water areas in the woods. Wood duck 
numbers are high, however, only a few are seen on the lakes during canoe transects. 
Brood counts were made on Laura Lake and Big Rice Lakes, Cass County; Lake 
Onamia, Mille Lacs County; and the Rice Lake Federal Refuge, Aitkin County. Water 
levels for these lakes were low and aquatic growth heavy. The heavy growth of wild 
rice on all areas made brood counts difficult. Weather conditions were good with 
much dry weather until July. Broods appeared early this spring and the broods were 
large; however, the counts of broods on these four lakes were lower this year than 
last. The numbers of ducks were about the same as last year which may indicate that 
