The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-04-10

instances of this were reported last
year. If Abear increase in numbers
inside the refuge and continue THEM
| familiarity and nischievous habits
it may become necessary to kill a
number of the worst offenders with
the permission of the State Game
and Fish Commissioner.
Game Birds.
Partridges seem to continue in
satisfactory numbers, in spite of the
impression current throughout the
state last summer that they were
decreasing and dying in alarming
numbers. The explanation given by
some of the older residents for
their apparent decrease in the sum-
mer is that they seasonally dis
appear during the period they are
raising their young, and appear in
fall and spring along roads and
trails and around old camps to feed
on the green clover when food is
scarcer in the brush and timber.
Ducks appear to continue plenti-
full, although good roads and auto
mobiles are having their effect on
the number killed. 1t is my under
standing that the Izaak Walton
League expects to plant wild rice
contain suitable feed, and this should
result in satisfactory increase.
Rabbits.
An immense amount of damage to
young Norway pine and white pine
trees in the plantations in Northern
Minnesota has been attributed to the
snowshce rabbit They were ex-
ceedingly numerous early in 1924,
but during the summer some disease
or pest radically reduced their num-
bers. No closed season is recon-
mended for snowshoe rabbits.
Beaver.
WE ARE VERY MUCH INTER
ESTED IN THE INTENTION OF
THE STATE GAME DEPARTMENT
To PUT THE BEAVER RE-
SOURCES IN THE SUPERIOR
GAME REFUGE ON A FUR-FARM-
ING BASIS. INFORMATION ON
THIS SUBJECT WILL DOUBT
LESS BE OF MUCH VALUE IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE COUN-
TRY. Beaver have been decreasing
very rapidly and it is hoped that the
new policy of restricting trapping
will give them an opportunity to re-
gain their former numbers and make
a satisfactory increase.
Fish.
Fishing conditions continue about
normal. Wall-eyed pike is the most
important species. There are many
opportunities for stocking lakes and
streams with desirable species, and I
understand the State is very active
in this work Supervisor Marshall
makes a conservative estimate of fif-
teen tons of fish taken each SUM-
day during the season on the Cut
Foot District, including Winnibigosh
Dam. With the annual increase in
summer tourists and the resulting
increase in the number of fish taken,
there is no doubt that the maintain
ing of an adequate supply is the
most important game problem we
have.
Recommendations.
Suggestions for changes in game
and fish laws and general recon-
menGations regarding wild life con-
ditions are summarized below:
1. A oneIbuck deer law for the
state is recommended. Alternate
hunting seasons have had good re-
suits, but when it is considered that
the number of hunters is incre asing
to a large extent, protective meas
ures will have to be increased ac-
cordingly.
2. Require a resident fishing
license of $1.00.
3. Continue the charge of $500
for nonresident fishing license, but
make il good for two weeks only.
In addition issue season license
for non-residents for $500.
a. Reduce the size of lake trout
which may be kept from Is inches
to IL inches. The mortality in lake
trout under 16 inches which must
be returned to the water is very
able for eating, it would be advisable
to keep them.
S. Remove all protection from
snowshoe rabbits.
6. Take steps to establish re-
fuges for ducks, not only in various
points on the Forests but on other
lakes throughout the State.
z. Reduce bag limit on fish or
shorten fishing season in order to
keep up the supply in the lakes.
1t is hoped that action to correct
unfavorable conditions may have
been taken by the State Legislature
in session this year.
THE FOREST OFFICERS RE-
PORT VERY SATISFACTORY RE-
LATIONS WITH LOCAL STATE
GAME WARDENS, AND COM
MEND THE PERSONNEL OF THE
STATE GAME DEPARTMENT
FOR THE DECISIVE. ACTION
TAKEN IN THE ENFORCEMENT
OF THE STATE LAWS. I desire
to assure you of the fulle coop
Grafton and support by the Forest
officers in the program of protec-
ton and propagation of wild life
within the State. Any information
or assistance we can furnish is al
ways at your disposal.
A duplicate copy of this report
is enclosed for the State Game and
Fish Commissioner
q