Waterfowl Status Report 1974 PDF Download

The estimated continental woodcock harvest exceeded 1.5 million birds during the 1973-1974 hunting season. Wing-collection data for 1973-74 indicated that productivity increased during the previous spring by 15% rangewide, % in the Atlantic Region, and 21% in the Central Region. Daily and seasonal hunting success was also greater by 8.6% and 10.0% respectively. The 1974 breeding population index increased increased 6.5% rangewide, 2.4% in the Atlantic Region, and 10.0% in the Central Region. Indices from 1964-74 suggested a declining breeding population in the Central Region. Recoveries of 2,950 banded woodcock indicate the existence of two relatively distinct populations. More than 94% of the recoveries were made in the Region of banding.