Breeding Population Indexes 
The breeding pair index for the irrigated 
areas shows adecline of 19 percent. However, 
a brood count in a part of the area showed 
a 116 percent increase over last year. For 
the entire central unit a 58 percent increase 
is predicted (table F-6, p. 138). 
Production Indexes 
Mallard production is expected to be up, 
while blue-winged and cinnamon teal suffered 
a state-wide decline. Also, in some areas, 
diving ducks were down, 
Canada goose production is 17 percent 
higher than the 8,400 index of 1962, ora 9,800 
index for 1963 production, 
Conclusions 
Indications are that duck production in the 
State will be up moderately. Canada goose 
production will be substantially increased, 
while coot production will be much below that 
of 1962, 
OREGON 
Data supplied by Chester E, Kebbe 
Oregon State Game Commission 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
The drought, which has affected the major 
waterfowl production areas of southeastern 
Oregon since 1959, has apparently broken. 
A heavy snowfall in early spring, continued 
cold weather, and above normal precipitation 
has restored water to most lakebeds, 
marshes, and potholes, again creating ideal 
production habitat. 
Even though much of the duck production in 
Oregon is concentrated in the large marsh 
areas, a considerable number of broods are 
raised along all waterways inthe State, Water 
levels in these areas have also returned 
to normal. 
Production Indexes 
Measurements of. waterfowl production 
over established transets are presented in 
tables F-7, F-8, and F-9 (pp. 139 and 140). 
22 
Goose production continues high with 3,399 
goslings counted on sample areas as com- 
pared with 3,254 in 1962, an increase of 
4 percent. 
Duck production on these areas, however, 
indicates a continued decline in production 
of young. Only 3,810 ducklings were counted 
as compared with 4,457 in 1962, a decrease 
of 15 percent. 
Duck production on Malheur Refuge, which 
is not included in the tables, should be con- 
siderably improved over 1962, due to the 
improved water conditions. The 1963 breed- 
ing index forecasts a production increase 
of 85 percent; from 16,700 ducklings in 1962 
to 30,915 in 1963. 
Conclusions 
During the drought waterfowl concentrated 
on the remaining marsh areas where most of 
the permanent transects are located. Despite 
the influx of these foreign ducks which loaded 
the samples, the number of ducks recorded 
breeding on these areas continued to decline 
from the peak reached in 1959, 
With the drought now apparently broken, and 
water returned to most ofthe potholes, lakes, 
and marshes the birds dispersed and again 
are raising broods on these restored areas. 
Loss of birds from permanent areas is more 
than compensated for inincreased production 
in restored habitat. 
In spite of a decline of 15 percent in duck 
production on permanent water areas, the 
restoration of a large amount of waterfowl 
habitat with a dispersal of ducks indicates 
a production above that recorded in 1962. 
Goose production remains high, and com- 
pares favorably with the 1962 census, 
CALIFORNIA 
Data supplied by J. R. LeDonne, F, M, Kozlik, 
Harry George, William Anderson 
California Department of Fish and Game 
Weather Habitat Conditions 
Water conditions in northeastern California 
were nearly normal this year. There was 
great improvement over the last 4years, with 
above or normal rainfall and snow pack in 
much of the area, These conditions were. 
beneficial to this area, although some flood- 
ing of nests did occur. 
