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| Blue-winged teal numbers decreased 55
percent from last year's near-record high numbers and were 15
percent below the long-term average. "The decline to 193,000 was not unexpected," Lawrence said. "We knew that many of the blue-winged teal in the state last year were also late migrants." However, this year's count was higher than the five years prior to last year's high count. Combined populations of other ducks, such as wood ducks and ring-necked ducks, decreased 34 percent to 248,000, but remained 44 percent above the long-term average. CANADA GEESE This was the third year that the DNR conducted a helicopter survey of nesting Canada geese in April and early May. The estimate of 304,000 geese was slightly lower than last year's 335,000, but still exceeded statewide population objectives, according to Steve Maxson, Minnesota DNR goose specialist. "Conditions were dry throughout most of the state during late April and early May when we flew the survey, and geese were shifting to the better habitats," noted Maxson. A DNR biologist and helicopter pilot count Canada geese on 150 quarter-section (160-acre) plots randomly located in Minnesota's three broad ecoregions: Prairie, Transition and Forest. The number of breeding waterfowl in Minnesota is estimated each year as part of an annual inventory of North American breeding waterfowl. "Data on breeding duck populations from Canada and other states is not yet available, but preliminary reports suggest generally good conditions in the Dakotas, and much better conditions and duck numbers in prairie Canada than we have seen in the past few years," Lawrence said. Mallard population estimates from Minnesota will be combined with estimates from other North American breeding areas, along with a measure of habitat conditions, to determine the duck season length and bag limit for this fall. Apply now for prairie chickeN permits Hunters who wish to apply for one of 100 permits for the 2003 Minnesota prairie chicken season or for the fall turkey hunt may pick up applications at more than 1,800 electronic licensing system terminals starting June 27. The five-day prairie chicken season, the first in Minnesota since 1942, will begin on Oct. 18. It is open to Minnesota residents only. Hunters will be charged a $4 application fee and may apply individually or in groups up to four. The hunt will be held in seven prairie chicken quota areas between Crookston in the north and Breckenridge in the south. Up to 20 percent of the permits in each area will be issued to landowners or tenants of 40 acres or more of prairie or grassland property within the permit area for which they applied. Minnesota's prairie chicken population now stands at about 3,000 breeding birds in the spring and 6,000 birds in the fall. Historically, prairie chickens were numerous in Minnesota. DNR records show that in 1923, hunters killed 300,000 prairie chickens. By 1942, when the state's last prairie chicken hunt was held, the harvest had fallen to 58,000 birds. Prairie restoration and protection programs have helped stabilize the bird's population in recent years. DNR managers hope the hunting season will help build support for protecting and enhancing the bird's habitat. North Dakota Pheasant Crowing Counts Completed The 2003 ring-necked pheasant spring crowing count survey revealed a 5 percent increase in numbers compared to last year, reports Lowell Tripp, upland game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. This is the sixth year in a row the spring rooster index has shown an increase, Tripp said, while noting the severe winter of 1996-97 that caused the pheasant population to reach a low level. "This is good news for our pheasant hunters," he added. "At this point it appears that with average reproduction our pre-hunt pheasant population will show an increase over 2002." The index does not measure an entire population density, Tripp mentioned, but is an indicator of the pheasant population trend. Under the crowing count census, certain geographical routes are surveyed each year. The information recorded is compared to previous years' data, providing a population trend. The survey indicated crowing counts are comparable or up in all areas of the state except the southwest, which was down slightly from last year. The most significant increases were in the central and southeastern regions. "The best spring pheasant population appears to be located in the south central part of the state," Tripp said, "with the southeast also looking good." Even though the crowing count indicates a modest increase in numbers, the fall pheasant population largely depends on reproduction success in late May and early June. Biologists are concerned about localized populations after wet weather hit parts of the state in June. Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified routes, stopping at pre-determined intervals, and count the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing during the stop. The crowing count is one of several surveys used to determine pheasant population status. Winter sex ratio counts are combined with crowing count data to indicate a better picture of the breeding population. |
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