Frederick Hamerstrom and Francis Flint described themselves as "a couple of Boston bluebloods." Married in 1931, the Hamerstroms forged one of the most remarkable wildlife ecology. Research fellows under Aldo Leopold, the Hamerstroms have become best known for their work with prairie chickens at the Central Wisconsin Game Project near Neenah and the Prairie Grouse Research Unit in Plainfield. Their work was the basis for the conservation effort which saved the prairie chicken from extirpation in Wisconsin. Frances and Frederick Hamerstrom are internationally renowned for their work with prairie chickens and other wildlife. Together they headed a research team that was credited with pinpointing the type of habitat needed by prairie chickens at a time when the bird was on the verge of extinction from Wisconsin.
Frederick was a research
fellow at Iowa State from 1932 to 1935
where he and Frances studied pheasant nesting,
winter ecology of the bob-white quail and
raptor food habitats. The couple made their
first research contacts with prairie chickens
in 1935 when Frederick became project game manager
for the U.S. Resettlement Administration Central
Game Project near Necedah, Wis. They continued their research on prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse in Wisconsin during the spring seasons of 1941 through 1943, and then again in 1947 and 1948 while Frederick was curator of the Edwin S. George Reserve. From 1944 through 1946, Frederick served in the US Air Force as an aviation physiologist, while Fran was a medical technician at Beaumont General Hospital. The Hamerstroms' research on prairie chickens provided tools for other ornithological studies. They were among the first to color-mark wild birds by using falconer techniques, which led to the discovery that cocks were territorial on booming grounds. Frederick was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from 1949 through 1972 as project leader of the Prairie Grouse Management Research Unit headquartered in Plainfield. Fran was the assistant leader and only the second woman employed as a wildlife professional in Wisconsin. Frances Hamerstrom published at least 100 professional papers and 100 reviews of ornithological literature, mostly in German. She also published 10 books. Frederick was a highly skilled technical writer and editor. He edited the books that Fran wrote - the last one only two days before his death. He also edited technical papers for several journals and was the Principal Referee for Raptor Research. Besides their research,
writing and academic advising contributions,
the Hamerstroms were actively involved
in many state, national and international
organizations. They continued environmental
work throughout their lives, encouraging
concern for the needs of wildlife and
populations control. FACTS • Together, the
Hamerstroms revolutionized wildlife study (Publication of this fact sheet made possible with assistance from Krause Publications, Iola, Wisconsin.) For further information on Frederick and Frances Hamerstrom, read their Hall of Fame monograph.
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"The Hamerstroms
have led a life of adventure and public
service. They leave the world a better
place than they found it." 
Frances Flint was born in
Boston, the only daughter in a wealthy
family. She spent much of her childhood
being raised by a governess. Frederick
was born in New Jersey, but grew up in
Boston. The two were married in secret
in Orlando, Fla., in 1931.
"The police were after us because we were traveling
together and we weren't married," Fran told
reporters. They had a more formal ceremony later
that year.