Flooding occurred in many areas of the State during March, April and 
May. It is not believed that any of the floods had much effect on waterfowl pro- 
duction. The prospects were excellent that all reservoirs would have ample 
water supplies during the summer months. 
Production Indices - 
Canada goose nesting surveys were continued in several areas of the 
State. In some areas this is the fifth year of such work, A comparison of the 
estimated goose production from the areas checked is givenin Table I. These 
figures do not indicate total estimated production. They show population trends 
based on the number and hatching success of nests found on the same areas 
covered in the same manner each year. On this basis, the estimated production. 
on four areas with trend data for five years is 12 percent above last year and 
4-1/2 percent below the five-year average. The estimated production on six. 
areas with trend data for three years is up 15 percent over last year and is the 
same as the three-year average. Most of the rise this year can be explained by 
the exceptional nesting success recorded for the Island Park and North Fork, 
Snake River units. 
A series of duck brood trend routes have been run in eastern Idaho for 
four years. These are standardized by counting all broods during the first count 
in early July and recording only Class I broods on the second count in late July. 
The results of this year's work and a comparison with previous years is given in 
Table II. The total counts are up 22 percent over last year and are identical with 
the four-year average. These figures would be higher except for the low count on 
Camas Creek this year. This creek was opened to fishing on June 4 after being 
closed last year dur to a: stream rehabilitation (rotenone) program. The large 
number of fishermen using the stream undoubtedly had an adverse effect on the 
number of waterfowl using it for nesting and/or brooding. It is felt that the count 
on the Camas National Wildlife Refuge, which lies adjacent to the creek, more 
accurately reflects the waterfowl production in the area. 
In District Four, brood trend routes have been run on four areas for three 
years. The results of this year's work anda comparison with previous years is 
givenin Table III. The routes were down 52 percent from last year and 41 percent 
from the three-year average. There is no ready explanation for this decline in 
brood production. Groups of unsuccessful hens were observed on each.of the trend 
routes. 
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