WM. H. LOUTIT                                                           
   C. A. PAQUIN 
GRAND HAVEN, CHAIR.AN                                                   
   EDUCATION 
  RSON                     STATE OF MICHIGAN                        H. R.
SAYRE 
WM.  P  R NFIELD ADMINISTRATION 
BOYNE FALLS 
F. A. WESTERMAN 
THOMAS J. MATERSON                                                      
     FISH AND FISHERIES 
IRON MOUNTAIN                                                           
  MARCUS SCHAAF 
FORESTRY 
HAROLD TITUS 
TRAVERSE CITY                                                           
  H. D. RUHL 
GAME 
HARRY H. WHITELEY                                                       
   R. A. SMITH 
DOWAGIAC                                                                
   GEOLOGY 
JOSEPH P. RAHILLY                                                       
    F. P STRUHSAKER 
NEWBERRY                                                                
    ANDS 
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION                        WJ. KNGSCOTT 
ALEXANDER W. BLAIN. M.D.                                                
     PARKS 
DETROIT                                  LANSING 
P. J. HOFFMASTER, DIRECTOR 
WAYLAND OSGOOD                                                          
   S. G. FONTANNA 
SECRETARY                                       August 21, 1940         
   DEPUTY DIRECTOR 
Mr. F. N. Hamerstrom, Jr., In Charge 
Prairie Chicken Investigation 
424 University Farm Place 
Madison, Wisconsin 
Dear Mr. Hamerstrom: 
Replies to most of the questions you asked in your letter of 
August 6 may be found on the enclosed forms. The trapping of Sharptails 
carried on by the Department was primarily for the purpose of capturing 
birds for release in the Lower Peninsula. Incidentally, a few birds 
were released at the point of capture. In addition to these Michigan 
trapped birds, 179 Sharptails were purchased out of the State for release

in certain Lower Peninsula areas. 
In general, the trapping of Sharptails was delayed last year 
owing to the lateness of snow. Baiting of suitable areas was begun 
shortly after bird season in latter October. Traps were not set, how- 
ever, until after December 1. Turner in particular was handicapped by 
the relatively light snow of last winter. He was trapping in a soy 
bean field and several knolls in the field remained bare much of the 
winter. Birds would not come into his traps when there were open areas 
where they could feed on the soy beans. Moreover, he experienced diffi- 
culty with a pair of hawks, probably goshawks, which killed two birds 
in his traps and apparently interfered with the trapping in general. 
We did not use colored bands or feather marking for these 
birds. 
I trust that the information supplied here will be satisfactory. 
Very truly yours 
H. D. Ruhl 
In Charge, Game Division 
DWD:IWE                                  By D. W. Douglass 
Encl.