NEBRASKA - Continued 
Production Indices 
All indications are that the 1959 waterfowl production 
success was at least average. A few broods were reported by 
the middle cf May, but the peak brood occurrence appeared to be 
somewhat later than average. Brood surveys conducted during the 
period July 21-23 showed that of 47 broods of all species 
observed, 24 percent were of age Class I, 68 percent of age Class 
II, and 8 percent of age Class III. The observed broods were pre- 
dominantly blue-winged teal, which made up 36 percent of the 
observations. 
Aerial brood counts were not wade this year due to 
difficulty in engaging an aircraft. Ground routes were made, 
however, in each of the three Sandhills areas. These counts 
indicated one brood per 4.7 miles in the eastern Sandhills, one 
brood per 3.6 miles in the central Sandhills, and one brood per 
3.2 miles in the western Sandhills. 
An average of 5.0 ducklings was observed in the broods 
of all age classes and all species. 
No significant loss of ducklings to natural elements 
was reported or could be determined. Severe hail storms struck 
a few Sandhills production areas in July, however, and it is not 
likely that ducklings in exposed areas could survive. Heavy 
vegetation in and around most water areas at this time of year, 
and the extreme local nature of the storms probably helped to 
hold such losses to a minimun. 
Conclusions 
From the data available, it may be assumed that the 
number of ducks entering the flyway from Nebraska in 1959 may show 
significant decrease from 1958, and a slight decrease from the 
1955-58 fall flight average. | 
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