ALASKA 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
The season was exceptionally early in Alaska this year and conditions 
were favorable for production. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Based upon 185 16-mile transects covering all the major nesting areas in 
Alaska it appears that the over-all waterfowl breeding population may be as 
much as 20 percent below the population of 1955. The season phenalogically 
was earlier by two weeks or more than in 1955 and extremely rapid following 
the early break-up. By the time the major nesting grounds in western Alaska 
(Yukon Delta, Kotzebue Sound, Innoko, Koyukuk, etc.) were censused, large 
flocks of deserter male pintails and other early nesters were encountered with 
relatively fewer pairs and lone males. Thus, with a breeding population based : 
primarily upon a pair and. lone male count, the progression of incubation un- 
doubtedly tended to depress the breeding population figure. To this extent the 
reduction in brood stock of 20 percent may be more apparent than real. 

Production Data = 
Late reports from the field are optimistic eunor Hntng Alaks's waterfowl 
production in comparison with 1955. 
From three widely separated and diverse habitats (Fort Yukon, Minto and 
Selawik) study crews report an increase of both brood stock and broods. As of 
July 28, much of the scaup hatch has yet to materialize, but prospects are ex- : 
cellent for'a substantial increase in the interior breeding areas, possibly as . 
much as 30 percent. From the Selawik study area, the prospect is for no increase 
in scaup production and possibly a small decrease unless an exceptional late 
hatch occurs. | 
Over-all production of puddle ducks is good from all areas under observa- 
tion with the possible exception of the Copper River Delta which experienced 
severe ice conditions up to June 1. As much as 25 to 30 percent increase in 
puddle ducks production is anticipated, especially among pintails and baldpates. 
Conclusions - 
Es 
It is estimated that the possible reduction in breeding population will be 
balanced by increased production and that the fall flight from Alaska will be 
about the same as last year. ’ 
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