6 THE, AU DU BON] BYU Ee 
‘Booming Ground News 
Prairie Chicken Population Doubles at Bogota: 
Demand Increases for Reservations at Blinds 
by GLEN SANDERSON, JOHN SLACHTER, and J. W. GALBREATH 
Conservationists are gaining in their efforts to insure the preservation of 
prairie chickens in Illinois. The population level of prairie chickens on 
the primary management area near Bogcta showed a 38 percent increase 
from 1968 to 1969. This was followed in the spring of 1970 by a whopping 
112 percent increase! This spring more cocks (108) were present on the 
Bogota area than in any spring since our intensive censuses were initiated 
in 1963. The two consecutive increases at Bogota were in sharp contrast 
to population trends of ali unmanaged flocks, which declined 2/1 percent 
in 1969 and 9 percent in 1970. A statewide estimate of 189 cocks (probably 
350-400 total birds) resulted from censuses made in the spring of 1970. 
Population recovery at Bogota is attributed to the development of a rela- 
tively limited acreage of grassy vegetation on sanctuaries within the range 
of this remnant flock. 
SIXTY-ONE NESTS FOUND ON SANCTUARIES THIS SUMMER 
High nesting success has been demonstrated annually for the perioc 
of 1963-70 on the sanctuaries at Bogota. The mean of 67 percent hatchec 
nests is significantly higher than the rates of success reported in the litera. 
ture and is higher than the hatching success of nests on private land ai 
Bogota. The major portion of the nesting effort is now on the sanctuaries 
thus accounting for the increased population at Bogota. In contrast to < 
low of 4 nests in 1965, a total of 61 nests were found on the sanctuaries ir 
1970. This summer, prairie chicken nests were found on the various sanc: 
tuaries in the following rank: Donnelley—120 acres, 16 nests; Field—18: 
acres, 14 nests; Yeatter—77 acres, 10 nests; Otis—58 acres, 8 nests; Mc- 
Graw—20 acres, 5 nests; McCormack—140 acres, 4 nests; Mark—40 acres, 
3 nests; and Mark—1l7 acres, 1 nest. 
SANCTUARY VISITORS IN 1970 
During the spring of 1970, approximately 324 people visited the prairi« 
chicken sanctuaries in Jasper County on a reservation basis. In addition 
an unknown number who had no reservations visited the area. The num. 
ber of guided visitors in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 were 56, 84, 159, anc 
225, respectively. Thirty-three groups and 24 mornings were involvec 
this spring. Groups represented included the following: Newton Higt 
Schcol, about 90; Illinois Audubon Society, 27; Champaign Centennial Hig! 
School Conservation Club, 26; Champaign County Audubon Society, 26 
Indiana University, Bloomington, 18; Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois 
15; Eastern Illinois University, 15; Great Lakes Chapter, Sierra Club, 15 
Western Illinois University, 14; Southern Illinois University, 13; Olney 
Central College, 12; Prairie Grouse Committee, 9; University of Illinois, 9 
Illinois Natural History Survey, 8; Illinois State University, Normal, 5 
Effingham D.A.R., 4; University of Illinois, Extension, 4; Illinois Depart: 
