if average kill is first measured for omy the shooters who hunt birds of the 
particular type, and then is expanded by the number of shooters involved. This 
method has been used in the analysis of kill data collected during the past two 
shooting seasons. It will be found, therefore, that the 1954-55 estimate of 
kill as presented in this report is somewhat less than the estimate published 
in the 1955 Status Report of Waterfowl. 
The identification of the three respective hunter populations is 
considered to be an important achievement. [ts application to Service water- 
fowl hunter surveys, plus previously developed procedures for removal of the 
effect of response bias errors, provide the basis for estimates of true shooting 
kill of waterfowl by individual Flyways with a minimum of error. 
Winter Survey of Waterfowl Distribution and Conditions 
The annual waterfowl survey to obtain information on wintering 
conditions and distribution covered the major wintering grounds of known 
importance in Alaska, Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The coopera~ 
tive survey was conducted mostly during January. In Alaska and Mexico, the 
Fish and Wildlife Service organized and conducted the surveys. In the United 
States the Service organized the survey but most of the field work was per- 
‘formed by personnel of the 48 State Conservation Departments. In Canada the 
survey was organized by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the field work was 
conducted by the Service and the Provinces. 
The wintering areas were surveyed by use of boats, cars, and 
aircraft with the important areas being given aerial coverage whenever 
possible. Available information on number of men, aircraft involved, and 
distance covered in the survey is presented in the following table: 



| No. . No. No. 
Location Observers Planes -.. Miies Flown 
——— a aS a 
Pacific Flyway 339 30 19, 250 
Central Flyway 420 35 21,875 
Mississippi Flyway 969 54 21,464 
Atlantic Flyway 242 32 21,475 
Total for United States 1,970 151 84, 064 
Alaska t 3 2, 000* 
Mexico 6 2 13, 000 
Grand Total 1,983 156 99,064 
4 
* Estimated 
