20 DHE AUDUBON BU: ik 
1969 PRAIRIE CHICKEN REPORT 
‘A Population Increase: Our Most Promising Rewari 
by JOSEPH W. GALBREATH 
Prairie Chicken Foundation of II]linois 
An increase of population at the Bogota Refuge has to be the most pror 
ing reward for ten years of effort to save the prairie chicken from extinct: 
in southeast Illinois. Ron Westemeier has reported a 38 per cent incre: 
in 1969 over the previous year—with 51 cocks observed on the “boom 
grounds” this spring, and with more than 100 prairie chickens counted 
one flock in the region last winter. 
Currently, the Prairie Chicken Foundation has 297 acres of good ne 
ing and broad rearing cover, and the Nature Conservancy maintains so. 
400 additional acres. Accordingly, the PCFI is well on the way toward 
goal of 20 160-acre sanctuaries in a 4-square-mile area at Bogota. 
In 1968 more than 100 people used the blinds at Bogota to observe 1 
colorful prairie chicken courtship antics, and in ’69 the visitor count v 
223 who used the blinds and numerous others who watched from the ro: 
sides. On the Sunday morning of April 13, 4 hens and 24 cocks were « 
served on the McGraw Sanctuary. 
The May issue of the Audubon national magazine carried an extens' 
prairie chicken story, researched and written by John Madson who spi 
more than a year assembling records and interviewing people concerr 
with preservation and management. He covered all efforts in Wisconsin a 
Michigan, as well as in IIlinois, to save the prairie chicken from extincti 
The report offers a full view of the trials and tribulations—and persistene: 
of dedicated conservationists attempting to save one species. 
Other notes from the 1969 report: 
1. For economy reasons, the Foundation’s mailing list will be cut 
those who have been in contact within the last three years. 
2. Nearly 600 responses were received as the result of a January Sai 
the-Prairie-Chicken appeal in “Telebriefs,” an Illinois Bell Te 
phone publication. 
3. A sterling silver prairie chicken tie-tack (a Sid Bell original) can 
ordered from the PCFI for $5.00 (address below). 
4. A traveling prairie chicken exhibit—stored at the Illinois Sti 
Museum, Springfield—is available for use at conservation gatherin 
(It must be picked up and returned by the sponsoring organizatio 
5. The fall meeting of the board of the Prairie Chicken Foundation 
Illinois is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Illini 
State Museum. The spring board meeting and banquet will be he 
at Newton, Ill, while booming ground trips in 1970 are set 1 
April 3 and 4. —14 Bonanza Dr., Centralia 628 
