MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
Production Data - 
Waterfowl production surveys are still in progress and since part of 
the State is experiencing a late hatch we can only speculate on the situation. 
It does appear that we will have at least average or normal production 
and maybe better once the facts are known. Northern Minnesota and parts of — 
southern Minnesota have had an excellent hatch. Heavy rains apparently caused 
some nest loss in other areas, however, a late hatch is coming off at the present 
time. 
Conclusions -_ 
In view of the forecast for at least average production, it is estimated 
that the increased breeding population is sufficient to insure that he fall ete 
from Minnesota will be somewhat larger than in 1955. 
NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN, NORTHERN MANITOBA AND 
ONTARIO ee a i a” =“ fe teh EE 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
This spring was one of the latest the writer has experienced in the past 
seven years. The spring of 1954 was as late but involved only western Ontario 
and eaStern Manitoba. This year, however, the late season extended over the 
entire area of Ontario, northern Manitoba, and northern Saskatchewan. ‘The 
last week in May found all lakes in the area north of a line from Lake Athabasca, 
Saskatchewan, to Red Lake, Ontario, still frozen. In the flight from Fort Smith 
east on 60° 10' to Churchill no open water of any kind was observed in the — 
District of Keewatin. Since the break up, however, weather has been normal. 
No severe blizzards or storms or other weather conditons have adversely © 
affected the area, and therefore it is estimated that the breeding ducks which 
were present during May should bring off normal production, when judged purely 
on the basis of breeding population present. Because of the lateness of the’ 
season it is likely that many of the ducks normally nesting in the north’ were 
forced to set up housekeeping further south. | 
Breeding Population Indices - | ey R= ages a 
Total Duck Index - by Provinces - 1955-1956 
Province _ "Percent Change 
Province 1955  ©»©61956 From 1955 
Ontario 310,839 © 209,663. —. © + 32.6 
Manitoba _ | | 380,429 |. | 197,291. .. 0.» + 48.15. 
Saskatchewan 658, 649 262,585 - 60.1 
Total 1, 349, 917 669, 539 ~ = 50.4 

