185 
Methods 
The geological subdivisions of Montana as described in "Waterfowl Breeding 
Conditions in Montana for 1949" (Crissey and others*) were used as the basis for 
the surveys. The survey was begun as soon as it was determined that the spring 
migration was nearing completion. 
Results 
The comparative results of the 1953 and 1954 aerial censuses are shown in 
Tables [ and II. 
The 1954 census estimates an increase of 55 percent in the waterfowl popula- 
tion for the total area sampled. The greatest increases are evident in the eastern 
and central Highline and the Sheridan moraine, adjacent to the eastern Highline. 
The western Highline showed a slight increase in waterfowl numbers in spite ofa - 
decrease in number of water areas. Water areas in the eastern and central Highline 
increased 18.9 and 72.3 percent respectively. 
Leon Snyder, Refuge Manager, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, has this to 
say about the central Highline (personal correspondence), 'The migration of waterfowl 
into and adjacent to the Bowdoin Refuge during the spring of 1954 was considerably 
delayed due to the very severe weather prevailing during March and April. This was 
especially apparent with earlier migrants such as mallards and pintails. While 
temperature during May and June averaged somewhat below normal, precipitation 
was not too great and the nesting period as a whole was conducive to the hatching and 
rearing of large duck populations. The heavy snow run-off during February and April 
filled ponds and potholes of the east Blaine and Phillips Country areas, (central 
Highline) creating ideal conditions for holding of above normal numbers of the later 
than usual duck migrants, thus our 1954 nesting population showed a considerable 
increase over past years. Ideal water conditions prevailed on the refuge from the 
start of the nesting season throughout the summer, resulting in the best food conditions 
ever existing here. An estimated 51,673 ducks were produced on Bowdoin in 1954." 
This year has seen the Montana Fish and Game Department's greatest single 
effort in goose banding. In cooperation with United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
personnel, 1133 geese were banded in the following areas: | 
Ennis Lake 243 
Bowdoin Refuge 325 
Nelson Reservoir 147 
Ninepipe and Pablo 
if Refuges 242 
Flathead Lake 146 
Total 1133 
* Crissey and Others, "Waterfowl Populations and Breeding Conditions - 
Summer 1949" Special Scientific Report: Wildlife No. 2, pp. 125-135. 
