The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-18
PROTECTORS TO WAR
ON GROUSE ENEMIES
Armed With $500 Rifles to Be
Carried at All Times
in the Field.
HOW GUNNERS CAN HELP

irt the ruffed grouse season In New
York state for the next two years.
This period would give the birds i'm
munity' over three nesting seasons, and,
together with the Commissions already
initiated plan for extensive warfare
upon vernin, should give the grouse
good breathing spell'' in which to re-
coup some OF their losses.
Hearings to close the grouse season
throughout the State for two years will
be held on Aug. rs at Q p. NJ. in the
rooms Of the Conservation Commission,
Times building. New York city. and the
court houses at Malone. Elmira and
Goshen. Hearings at the same hour on
Aug. 81 will be given In the rooms OF
the Conservation Commission. Telephone
Building. Albany. and at the court
houses at Utica and Rochester.
But no matter what action may be
taken by the Commission, It vial avail
httle without the active ard whole
hearted support OF sportsmen through
out the State.
The Commission Is guided wholly by
what It believes TO. be the best interest
Of the people II serves. 1t will look to
the people themselves to cooperate in
eliminating foxes. hunting cats, harm
full hawks and other vermin. and in
strict observance OF such closed seasons
as may be decided upon--not merely in
refrainlng themselves from taking
grouse. but In censuring or reporting
those who surreptitiously shoot grouse
while hunting rabbits or other game.
Only by such united action can there
be reasonable assurance that the van
ishing rufred grouse will not follow In
the path OF the heath hen, Its near rela-
tive. now exterminated in the Empire
State.
Bad nesting seasons have hurt the
fSpartridge." The hardships suffered by
the grouse in the cold. wet weather dur
Ing May and June in 1916 and 1917
were. OF course. greatest where the
heavy rains occurred within a short
space Of time. 1t is possible that the
birds might have been able to hold their
own against vermin, even in the case
Of unusual inroads. but the added set
back Of being prevented from raising
broods in two successive years formed
combination they have evidently been
unable to overcome.
harmful fIawks and Owls.
On the subject OF hawks, the vermin
which are second only to foxes in de-
struction Of grouse. examination Of the
reports from game protectors, forest
rangers and sportsmen show the name
Of the hen hawk" most frequently men
toned. followed in order by goshawk
Coopers hawk and sharp Skinned hawk.
The term 'hen hawk" Is not recognized
by ornithologists. and seems to be APP
piled by farmers to several of the larger
hawks. chiefly the red tailed hawk.
According to DR.. A. X. Fisher, who
is in charge OF the economic investiga-
| tons OF the United States Biological
| Survey, the red tailed hawk feeds pri.
marily upon small mammals although
stomach examinations show that 1t also
captures some ruffed grouse and poultry
OF the destructiveness to grouse OF
the goshawk. Cooper's hawk and sharp
Skinned hawk there can be not the
slightest doubt. IAN three" writes DR.
Fisher. feed largely upon the flesh Of
birds. of which game and poultry form
a considerable part" Fortunately the
goshawk, the largest Of the three. Is a
northern species. and is rare in most
parts OF the United States. except in
fall and winter.
Although the owls. with one excep.
ton. are accused OF but little RESPONSE
bility. as compared with hawks. for the
grouse depletion. that exception IL q
! very dangerous enemy. 1t is the great
horned owl, which was named in the
questionnaires returned by men famil-
iar with the outdoors more frequently
than any one hawk. as preying upon
grouse. The Conservation Commission
has a photograph Of eleven great horned
owls. which were captured during this
early part OF last winter while raiding
the Brownsville Game Farm in Jeffer-
son county. which is convincing proof
that game birds form a favorte part
OF the great horned OWLS menu. I'm
stinting warfare upon the great horned
owl, as we'll as upon the goshawk
Cooper's hawk and sharp Skinned hawk
should be waged by all lovers Of rufret
grouse.
Other Causes Of Grouse Scarcity