UNITED STATES 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 
Black River Falls, Wisconsin 
April 20, 1939 
LD-"I-b & 6  -W 
Mr. Fe N. Hamerstrom, Jr,, in Charge 
Prairie Chicken Investigation 
424 University Farm Place 
Madison, Wisconsin 
Dear Mr. Hamerstrom:               A 
In reply to your letter of April 8, 1939, may we submit the 
following infomaation. 
(1) Wneii discussing any seasonal differences in case of trappiig 
and bait preference it is well to remember that the 1919 season on 
project LD-11I-b was milder and had less snow than tne 37-38 season* 
A greater preference for corn shocks as compared to buckwheat racks 
was experienced during the '59 season* All traps duriig both seasons 
were baited witn snelled corn and buckeat nay* Snarptails ate 
less buckwneat from stacks during the '39 season than during '37- 
'38.  (The'39 season included Jan. 3 to Feb. 28 and March 9 to 15 
inclusive)  (The '37-'38 season included Dec. 1937 and Jan., Feb., 
March 1938) 
{ (2) The sex ratio on LD-VVI-b for 1939 was b2./vo males and 47.2Z/ 
females. All birds banded wer3 believed to be hatched the spring 
of 1938. (Sex determination was identified by featner markings) 
The sex ratio on LD-'I-b for 1939 was b3.*3  males and 36.6% 
females. A total of 30 new Snarptails banded# 3 pneasanta and I 
male pinnate. 
(3) All corn shock feeding stations were checked about once each 
week by personnel engaged in bandihg and snelled corn was scattered 
about those locations that were most frequenited by grouse. The 
amount of feed was gradually reduced until the majority was placed 
within the trap. Once a trap was located at a particular stationi, 
the fewer changes made either in location of the trap or location of 
corn shocks etc, the greater the possibility of the birds entering 
the trap. 
Corrugated paste board was found preferable for lining traps to 
guny sacking. Confining oompartments at one end of each trap were 
made smaller so that the birds would not iijure themselves when 
thrashing about as the bander removed birds. As mice use the gunny