An Examination of the Strip Census Method for Estimating Animal Populations

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Abstract
The strip census method has been used for estimating numbers of certain game birds and mammals. The observer walks along a predetermined course and records each animal seen or "flushed," and its distance from his position. From this sample of the entire area, an estimate of the population is computed. In this paper, use of the method is shown to depend upon certain fundamental assumptions, one of which is shown to be in error, viz., that the observed flushing distances constitute a good sample of flushing distances throughout the entire population. To avoid this particular error, a modified method of computation is offered, with a mathematical discussion in the appendix. The number in each class with regard to flushing distance is estimated separately, a procedure equivalent to using a harmonic mean of observed flushing distances. Certain other possible sources of error are discussed, especially as to testing for their presence. Proper use of the method must be restricted to those situations where the fundamental assumptions appear to conform to the behavior of the animals.

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