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United States Department of the Tbecion |
t Fish and Wildlife Service

r Wildlife Leaflet 225
ie
Chicago, Ill. tid 7 September 1942

THE STATUS M TORY GAME BIRDS: 1941-

Prepared in the Section of Distribution and Migration of Birds
Division of Wildlife Research

Contents
Page: Page
Introduction. ..ccccecccccoeeees 1] 3 Part 1: Migratory waterfowl—Con.
Part 1: Migratory waterfowl.... 2: Wintering-ground survey...... 5
Spring Miprataon.icccecccelss \2 3 January inventory. ..ccccsccee 5
Breeding-ground surveys..e. 2 : Part 2: Other migratory game
RAC CMP AY Ways eclsleieleleve SMe Mili NOUS eS ieiarareie! ola Grclaiere © celeue cueielciehe ONG
Central and Mississippi $ WOORCOCK s,<\cicicieicisiciscictcieicisheieicieienG
BLY WAYS ic) sicleleielelelelelcielele 3 ° Wilson's SUP sicie crete lciolersieversie iO
AtlantacuPlyways cise ee 3s Raslsiand COS <.ie.s\e cielcreroveenG
Nesting conditions in : Mourmndine kdOve!.< sis/de clelcleicleicielee 16
the United States.... 4 ; White-winged dove.....sscseee &
Fal Wem pratdion's sc cic oleevere sieve) eels Band-tailed Pigeon.....sscoce 9
INTRODUCTION

A quotation inscribed on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the
Arlington National Cemetery, "When we assumed the soldier we did not
lay aside the citizen," suggests that one of the privileges for which
the citizen-soldiers of America are now fighting is that of enjoying
our wildlife. To safeguard the future of this great natural resource
and at the same time to permit its full utilization is a task of the
first magnitude, but experience has demonstrated that it can be done.
In 1934-35, the period commonly known as "the bottom of the duck de-

' pression," it was estimated that the continental stock of game ducks
and geese had shrunk to about 27,000,000. Through adherence over a
period of 7 years to a program of restoration and regulation the more
than trebling of this number has been accomplished and this without deny-
ing reasonable hunting to the sportsmen. Management of other migratory
game species - the woodcock, snipe, rails, and doves — presents other

problems that must be accepted as a challenge to our managerial ability.

Investigations of the status of migratory game birds by the Fish and
Wildlife Service is a continuing project. War conditions are having their
inevitable impact on personnel and operational facilities, but the work goes
ahead through the utilization of such resources as are available. In their
search for the truth, biologists of the Service again covered the length and
breadth of the continent, and their reports now constitute the largest and
most accurate storehouse of information in existence on this subject. The
summary of reports for 1940-41 was issued as Wildlife Leaflet 196 (July 1941).
This year's statement, though considerably condensed for reasons of economy
contains information that should be of interest to all who are concerned with
the future of American sport afield.

PART 1: MIGRATORY WATERFOWL

Spring Migration

The inventory of January 1941 showed that the continental population
of game ducks and geese, though estimated to be about 70,000,000, was the
smallest increase recorded since the inauguration of the restoration progran,
and indicated that the harvest of 1940 came perilously close to the entire
crope Reports by 393 observers on the spring migration supported the con-
clusions based on the inventory ~- 114 reporting no change, 173 an increase,
and 50 a decrease. While the situation thus reflected was satisfactory, a
percentage comparison with similar data for the spring migration of 1940,
showed a marked falling off in the increase category, with an almost equiva-
lent rise in that for no change. In 1940, 50 percent. reported no change, as
against 51 percent in 1941, while 25 percent reported no change as against
34 percent for 1941. Nevertheless, the 1941 reports of decrease showed a
1 percent drop below those in this classification for 1940.

Breeding-ground Surveys
Pacific Flyway

Confident in the belief that the northern breeding grounds of Canada
continued to be productive, the biologist of the Mississippi Flyway, Charles
E. Gillham i egain undertook waterfowl investigations in Alaska, leaving
Nenana early in the season on the fishery boat Coot. Proceeding down the
Yukon River to Mountain Village, he there established contact with a trader
and made arrangements for transportation to Chevak on the lower Kashunuk
River. This point was used as a headquarters for the season's work.

In the absence of previous work in this area, direct comparisons of
waterfowl populations could not be made, but from constant questioning of
natives and others, Gillham concluded that ducks had made a decided increase,
although the conditions of geese were not so favorable. in summing up a
voluminous report, Gillham refutes the common belief that because so much of

SSeS Se Se eee wee eee

1/ Biologist Gillham is now attached to the Alaska Game Commission, with
headquarters at Juneau, Alaska. He has been succeeded on the Mississippi Fly-
way by Robert H. Smith, whose headquarters are at the Upper Mississippi River
Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona, Minn.

2

Alaska is north of the Arctic Circle it has a dearth of bird life, point-
ing out that the reverse of this idea is more nearly correct and that
Alaska is probably the chief breeding ground for the waterfowl of the

Pacific Flyway.

The assignment of Luther J. Goldman, biologist of this flyway, to
important work in western Mexico precluded a study of the breeding grounds
in British Columbia by a Service naturalist. Through the cooperation of the
National Parks Bureau of Canada, however, a copy of the report of J. A.
Munro, Chief Federal Migratory Bird Officer for that Province, was made
available. Since Munro and Goldman have worked together in the past and
have used similar methods, this report has well supplied the gap.

The winter of 1940-41 in that region was one of the mildest on record.
A precipitation below normal, with no snow on the lower levels after the |
end of January, had the effect of drying up many shallow lakes and sloughs
during the summer, but many deep lakes, while somewhat lowered, still main-
tained adequate water. Munro studied conditions in the Kamloops, Nocola,
Okanagan, and Cariboo regions in British Columbia, and his report indicated
that while there were no important changes in the status of nesting ducks
and geese, the general population trends in that Province were upward.

Central and Mississippi Flyways

George B. Saunders, biologist of the Central Flyway, continued his
studies of the white-winged dove in the lower Rio Grande Valley, in Texas,
so Biologist Robert C. McClanahan Yor the Washington office, was again
assigned to the Prairie Provinces of Canada, where he covered the southern
parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta and visited the Athabaska Delta
country. He reported that most areas in Manitoba had plenty of water, but
that the situation in Saskatchewan was spotty, the levels in some lakes being
higher than in 1940 and much lower in others. In Alberta conditions were
generally better and waterfowl habitat suffered little damage. In the in-
portant Athabaska Delta country, however, water levels were most unsatisfactory.
Food was abundant, but through recession of water the margins of many lakes and
sloughs were lacking in adequate cover.

Throughout the summer marsh fires undoubtedly did considerable damage.
There were a few outbreaks of botulism, and on Stobart Lake these were com-
plicated by attacks of leeches. McClanahan reached the conclusion that in
the Prairie Provinces most species of waterfowl have experienced little if
any increase since 1940. The gadwall, baldpate, and Canada goose made the
best showing, and though the redhead and canvasback had increased in some
areas they had decreased in others. Such gains as were apparent in some
sections were so offset by losses in others that McClanahan hesitated to
predict either an increase or a decrease for the season.

Atlantic Flyway

The biologist of the Atlantic Flyway, Harold S. Peters, again covered
important breeding grounds in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward
Island. Previous work in this region permitted reasonable accurate comparisons,

1/ 1st. Lt. McClanahan, F.A., is now on duty with the armed forces,

3

At no time have there been any factors unfavorable to the habitat. Continued
increases for the Canada goose, Atlantic brant, pintail, and ring-necked duck
were evident, and the blue-winged teal was at least maintaining its status.
According to Peters! personal observations, however, there was a small and
unexplained decrease in the numbers of the black ducks. That this condition
might be more seeming than real was largely verified by check observations
later in the season.

Nesting Conditions in the United States

Ecological conditions for the nesting of waterfowl were most favorable
throughout the great northern-plain breeding areas. Almost without excep-
tion all sections received either normal or excessive rainfall, and food and
cover plants showed an excellent response. The refilling of many fine ponds,
Sloughs, and prairie pot-holes caused a greater dispersion of nesting birds
than had been reported for any year in the last decade. It also reduced the
concentrations from national wildlife refuge areas that had been recorded
annually during drier years, particularly in the vicinity of the Upper Souris,
Arrowwood, Des Lacs, Lacreek, and Waubay Refuges in North Dakota and South
Dakota. Similar conditions existed in the region of the Great Basin, as at
the Sheldon, Turnbull, Ruby Lake, Hart Mountain, Bear River, and Malheur
Refuges. The production of birds from some of these refuges is indicated by
the following estimates: Lower Souris, 175,000; Upper Souris, 65,000; Sand
Lake, 100,000 to 150,000; Medicine Lake, 47,000; Long Lake, 6,000 (of 11 species)
and Malheur, 75,000 ducks and 6,500 geese. It was estimated that more ducks
nested in the vicinity of the Rice Lake Refuge, in Minn., than in the preceed-
ing 3 years combined.

Fall Migration

By the first of October 1941, the precipitation in most of the Mississippi
Valley and in States farther west was more than 100 percent or normal, and in
many areas it could be considered only as excessive. Heavy rains continued
intermittently over most of this country during October and November, while
temperatures in general remained much above normal. Eastern States enjoyed
the mild temperature-but in most of them it was accompanied by a deficiency in
precipitation that bordered on drought. Except for a cold spell of short dura-
tion, moderate weather persisted to the end of the year.

By the middle of December there was only a light covering of snow on
the northern Great Plains, but somewhat greater accumulations in the northern
Rocky Mountain region and in the Appalachain system. Weekly weather reports
of the last two weeks of December indicated the general conditions by such
statements as "The weather of the week was remarkable for unseasonable warmth,"
and",,.unseasonable warmth continued from the northern Great Plains and central
Mississippi Valley eastward..."

The prevailing climatic conditions afforded waterfowl on their south-
ward migration a great increase of feeding and resting habitat. Consequently,
comparative figures from established stations were frequently misleading and
were so recognized by the observers. For example, an actual decrease might
be recorded at a given point of observation from the fact that the birds were
spread out over much more territory than in 1940.

4

The best indicator of the general status of ducks was found in the
condition of the divers, since because of the shallow flooding of prairie
depressions these birds were not generally dispersed. The canvasback,
redhead, ruddy, and ring-necked duck all showed gratifying percentages
of increase, but little change was noted in the status of the scaups.

The populations of Canada and snow geese showed little change. A
slight falling off was recorded for the over-abundant blue goose, probably
indicative of an unsatisfactory breeding season. A gain was noted for the
white-fronted goose and the Atlantic brant.

To obtain a better picture of the fall migration in the Atlantic Flyway,
Peters was assigned to operations in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces
from the first of September to the middle of November. In summing up his work
he stated that the birds had a good season in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and
Prince Edward Island, and raised large broods. The general concensus was that,
with the exception of the black duck, which seemed to be somewhat less numerous
in certain areas, waterfowl in general had made gratifying increases.

Despite improvements in the numerical strength of the migrating flocks,
the shooting season in many areas was unsatisfactory to sportsmen. In the
North Central States and on the Pacific coast fair to good shooting prevailed,
but in the lower Mississippi Valley and on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts the take
was insignificant. In most cases the poor shooting was in no way attributable
to a scarcity of birds, but rather to prevailing climatic conditions.

Wintering-ground Surveys

Surveys of wintering grounds were again made by the biologists of all
four flyways. In the eastern part of Mexico investigations were not so inten-
sive as in the past, since Saunders was engaged on the critical problem of
the white-winged dove, but in western Mexico and on the Mexican tableland
Goldman covered important areas. The mild and onen winter in the United
States made the movement into Mexico unusually light. Goldman reported that
some ducks and geese arrived early but they were not supported by the normal
late fall and early winter flights. Inthe latitude of Mexico City and Guada-
lajara, it was obvious by early January that no large wintering population of
ducks and geese could be expected. Conditions apparently were similar on the
eastern coast.

In the lower Mississippi Valley and on the south Atlantic coast the con-
centration was exceptionally heavy, although absence of freezing weather in the
coastal areas made it possible for large numbers of birds to remain well north
of Chesapeake Bay.

January Inventory

War conditions prevented the use of some of the aviation facilities
formerly available, but the annual January waterfowl inventory was conducted
as usual, with splendid cooperation from the Navy, Coast Guard, State game
departments, and others. Regional directors of the Service, the game manage-
ment agents, district agents, refuge managers, regional biologists, and their

p)

assistants deserve especial commendation for their work in overcoming many
unforeseeable obstacles to insure the success of this inventory, The results
were most gratifying.

When the waterfowl restoration program was inaugurated, naturalists and
administrators of the Service agreed that the maintainence of a continental
population of 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 ducks and geese would supply annual
surpluses adequate for reasonable sporting purposes, That this minimum objective
has not yet been reached is known from an analysis of the data resulting from the
inventory of January 1942, which indicates a population strength only slightly
in excess of 100,000,000.

The increase shown by the inventory of January 1942 is easily larger than
any since these operations were begun in 1936, and may be attributed to the
excellent breeding season over most of the summer range and to light bags of
the hunting season. The gain was general for all species of ducks except the
black duck, which showed a loss of about 6 percent from the 1941 figures, and
as Was anticipated from studies made during the fall migration, an excellent
comeback was made by the redhead, canvasback, and other divers.

Geese, on the other hand, did not do so well, the snow goose and brant
being the only species that showed a material increase over 1941. In the case
of the white-fronted goose, the percentage of loss was not significant. The
decrease for the important Canada goose was nearly 30 percent, clearly indicating
that in some localities the take continued to be excessive for this bird. The
breeding season apparently was unsatisfactory for the blue goose, as this species
also showed a decrease. Since, however, the shooting season take is usually
small, and since extensive areas of the national wildlife refuge system are found
in their winter range, no alarm is felt regarding their status.

Continued application of good management principles should assure a constant
surplus of shootable ducks and geese. Certain hunting methods that were partially
responsible for the dangerous lows reached only 6 years ago should probably be out-
lawed forever, but there is no reason now apparent for questioning the future
continuance of Nortn American wildfowling.

PART 2: OTHER MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

The numerical status of the woodcock showed some improvement during 1941
although over its entire range, the situation was decidedly spotty. Of l2l
reports that covered the spring migration and were comparable with those of
1940, 70 indicated no change, 14 an increase, and 37 ae further decrease, The
reports of decrease rose from 22 percent in 1940 to 30 percent in 1941.

On the breeding grounds investigations showed an improvement in Pennsylvania
and further losses in Maine. On a study area in eastern Maine that had 55 occupied
singing grounds in 1939, there were only 40 in 1940 and 33 in 1941. Worx by Mr.
Peters in the Maritime Provinces indicated little change since 1940. Data obtained
during the fall migration however, made it apparent that over much of the range
the breeding season had been fairly satisfactory, particularly ir. Pennsylvania.

In Louisiana and Mississippi collaborator Russell T. Norris made
detailed studies in the heart of the wintering grounds during December
1941 and January and February 1942 but found no material change from
the conditions of 1940-41. In summing up the studies of the year Norris
states that in Louisiana the woodcock has been seriously reduced during the
last 10 years, and some oualified observers insist that the decrease has
been at least 25 percent. The woodcock was once a common winter resident
in nearly every Louisiana parish except along the gulf coast, but its numbers
have continually dwindled, until at present it is common in only a few
parishes, and in most of these only in widely scattered areas, An unusual
concentration in the general vicinity of Houston, Tex., was reported in
January 1942.

Woodcock observations during the spring migration of 1942 showed a
rather surprising but gratifying improvement. This was later confirmed
from parts of the breeding grounds, but it continues to be apparent that
only by good management will the numerical strength of this important game
bird be again satisfactory.

Wilson's Snipe

Reasons for the decline of the Wilson's snipe are somewhat obscure,
but it is the studied judgment of the Service that if this species is to
be retained on the list of American migratory game birds it will be nec-
essary, as with the woodcock, to conduct exhaustive investigations to
provide a basis for sound management. Such research must be done on all
parts of the ranges if the various factors inimical to the best interest
of the bird are to be discovered. This has been listed as a "must job"
when funds and personnel become available.

During the fall migration of 1941 about 240 reports were received on
the status of this snipe. Whereas, in 1940, the percentage of decrease
was only 26, in 1941 it rose to 34, despite the fact that in that season
the bird was accorded complete protection. Analysis of about 215 reports
covering the 1942 spring migration affords little reason for more optimism,
the percentage reporting a decrease being 26 as compared with 21 for the
previous spring migration.

Rails and Coots

In Virginia, the only State particularly concerned with the shooting
of the sora, there appeared to be a satisfactory increase in this species
during the fall migration. It could not be determined, however, whether
this represented an actual increase or merely a concentration brought
about by unfavorable conditions elsewhere.

There is some evidence of a slight decrease in the abundance of the
coot which, if substantiated will indicate a desirable condition, since
in recent years this snecies has been over-abundant both for its own wel-
fare or for that of associated species.

Mourning Dove

The mourning dove situation has continued to be a matter of grave
concern particularly as it affects the eastern subspecies. During the

tk

period September 1941 to January 1942 all agents and refuge managers of the
southeastern region submitted monthly reports on the status of the bird as
observed by them. In the Mississippi Valley (Kentucky and Arizona) there
appeared to be an improvement in September but by October and November it was
evident that this condition was entirely local and probably resulted from a

more favorable breeding season in these sections. Migrant birds were few, and
even in Illinois the game management agent reported that compared with last year
dove population appeared to have decreased at least 25 to 30 percent.

In States along the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the situation was
continuously bad. Reports of 20 and 25 percent decreased from 1940 were fre-
quent. Commenting on the situation in Virginia during September one agent
reported a real shortage of doves in this section - based on his mileage travel
on second-class country roads in many different counties-in the lower parts of
this State and added that at times, several miles could be traveled without see-
ing a single bird. An agent in Maryland reported that the decrease in 1941 was
alarming and that it would be no exaggeration to state that there were 50 percent
less doves in Maryland than in previous years. This condition was continuous
to the southward. Clarence Cottam, of the Washington office, who traveled in
October over large sections of South Carolina and Georgia and made a point of
watching for doves, reported that he had never before seen so few birds in the
Southe

In the West the situation was not so acute, although material reductions
in populations were recorded in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California. From
Texas also came many complaints that the shooting season opened too early, Septem-
ber shooting being deplored by correspondents and press comments. On the other
hand, Montana reported a satisfactory increase. In an analysis of the nation-wide
reports on the 1941 fall migration compared with that for 1940, the increase cate-
gory fell from 37 to 31 percent, and the decrease rose from 16 to 27 percent.

The results of the survey made it apparent that the regulatory action taken
in 1941 was not adequate, and a conference was held by officers of the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Southeastern Association of Game, Fish, and Conservation
Commissioners, at Montgomery, Ala., in April,when all phases of the problem of
proper mourning dove management were discussed. Since these birds do not colonize
or even nest in one particular type of habitat, the possibility of aiding in their
rehabilitation by the establishment of refuges is less feasible than in the case
of migratory waterfowl. Reduction of the legal kill by sportsmen appears to be
the only remedy. With this in mind, consideration was given to complete closure,
but the conference finally decided to recommend reducing the bag and shortening
the season.

That the dove had a fairly good breeding season in many sections is gratifying,
and there is reason to believe that restoration may be effected more rapidly than
was at first anticipated, but this can come only by a rigid control of hunting.

White-winged Dove

The research project on the eastern and western white-winged doves has been
continued, with arrangements to conclude field operations following the shooting
season of 1942 and then to formulate a definite plan of management.

Flyway Biologist Seunders made almost continuous studies during the breeding
season in the lower Rio Grande Valley, in Tex., as well as in eastern Mexico, and

8

in order to round out knowledge of the winter range, he visited Guatemala
and El Salvador, Biologist Johnson A. Neff resumed his investigations of
the western race in Arizona and, with the cooperation of the State game
department, carried the work into the Mexican State of Sonora during the

spring of 1942.

It is doubtful whether there is general understanding of the heavy toll
of these birds that is sometimes taken in a very limited area. Figures ob-
tained in Texas by Federal and State agents indicated that in 1941 more than
100,000 were killed. In the annual report of the Texas Game, Fish, and Ovster
Commission for the fiscal year 1940-41, the statement is made that: "The white-
winged dove in Texas decreased from an estimated population of 2,000,000 in
1920 to an estimated 500,000 in 1939. A general survey of the species in 1940
revealed that hunting was excessive (estimated kill of 60 percent of popula-
tion), that agricultural crops were fast replacing brush lands utilized as
nesting habitat (500,000 acres cleared since 1920), and that grackles and jays
were taking an enormous toll of eggs and young (varied from 60 percent to 90
percent on six study units)."'

Band-tailed Pigeon

The band-tailed pigeon is of interest as a game bird only in the Pacific
Coast States, Arizona, and New Mexico. Its status appears to vary in different
sections in successive years, but there seems no particular reason for undue
concern, as only from British Columbia has there been any report of material
decrease, and against this may be placed renorts of increase in other Pacific
coast areas, notably California. It also appears that the species is holding
its own and even increasing to some extent in the Rocky Mountain region, At
times this bird is destructive to grain, apricots, prunes, olives, cherries,
and other small fruits, but at others even during migration--it inhabits inac-
cessible sections where it is relatively safe from sportsmen.

6525