
any "sailers" that reach the marsh before collapsing. If respondents under- 
stood the question and answered it accurately, it should be a good estimate 
of the number of birds that did not reach the marsh. This figure is esti- 
mated to be 450. The ground survey showed an estimated 110 cripples in the 
outer zones and 1,445 for the zone on the perimeter of the marsh. It appears 
impossible to evaluate or estimate crippling on private land exactly because 
there is no way of telling how many cripples are picked up, given to an unsuc- 
cessful hunter, and then reported as a dead bird. 
Application to Future Programs 
The Canada goose is still considered a trophy bird by most hunters in 
Wisconsin, and there is considerable interest even on the part of the non- 
hunting public. Where geese are hunted, there seems to be enough interest 
in them so that the landowner can give a fair estimate of the number killed 
on his land. In areas where land is leased or a fee is charged, it is to 
his advantage to know as nearly as possible how many geese are killed on his 
land. This system of mailed questionnaires to landowners around goose har- 
vest areas should provide a relatively simple and cheap means of estimating 
harvest. 
Advantages 
Once a mailing list is prepared, randomization of samples is much simpler 
and surer to be free of judgment samples than other methods. 
The mailed survey system is very flexible. Sampling effort can be 
varied to meet changing conditions brought about by changing regulations or 
goose populations. 
“Tt. can provide good information on the distribution of the harvest over 
the area involved and also throughout the season. 
It can be used in combination with a ground survey to cover outlying 
areas more intensively than would be possible otherwise. 
Disadvantages 
The principal disadvantage of this system lies in the time lapse from 
the end of the period until the return is complete enough to provide an esti- 
mate. However, in an area where the kill builds up a little slower or the 
quota is larger, it might be of considerable value in administering the quota 
system. Under the conditions encountered in 1960, its main value would lie 
in the postseason kill estimate. Further work may point the way to a more 
complete return in less time. 
No estimate of crippling loss can be obtained from this method. However, 
use of the mailed survey would free personnel from the "pick-up" and dis- 
tribution of forms that requires a great deal of time. 
Although variance may be reduced in the future, it will probably always 
be greater than the variance of a ground survey. 
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