The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-10-11
TERHUNE FINDS CONDITIONS IN
 INTERIOR GOOD
Game and Fur Animals, and Birds, Are in Sound
 Shape, He Declares

General game conditions through out the Territory are sounder and more promising than for several years, according to H. w. Terhune, Executive Officer of the Alaska Game Commission who returned here last night after a 60-day dn- spection trip on which he covered more than 5000 miles by ocean and river steamer, airplane, auto mobile and train.
 He covered almost every sec- tion of the Territory. except the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay which he visited during the ear Her part of the summer, and the upper Yukon River districts.
 Birds Are Rack
 Fur conditions generally are bet ter, MT. Terhune said. The birds are back, several species of grouse and ptarmigan are to be found in almost every section and in many places they are present in large numbers. Rabbits are re- turning in force in spots and indi- show that the blank areas will be filled in within the next two or three breeding seasons.
 As this resource is a major food supply for the long-haired fur animals, such as fox and lynx. an increase in both of these ami mals can be expected to follow the re-appearance of the food sup-. ply.
 Mink prospects, also, are en- couraging. MT. Terhune said. The beaver outlook is regarded as good. They are returning to many districts where they have not been seen for a number of years. This, Mir. Terhune de- clared, is regarded as evidence that the Commissions policy of restrict ing the take annually, and of clos ing the season entirely in areas where shortages have occurred, is bearing fruit.
 Migratory Birds Normal
 The supply of migratory birds Is at least normal, and as large IS in the several years last past, MT. Terhune said. Shooting has been very good at Anchorage where the largest flights of ducks for several years was reported. While at Nunivak Island MT. Ter hume saw thousands of sand hill cranes resting there on their southward migration for the win- ,er.
 While the caribou runs in the have been somewhat err .atic this Fall, the supply of anil nals remains undiminiShed. The nerds are reported generally to oe in good shape. Moose, bear and other game animals are generally present in the usual numbers.
 Made Long Trip MT. Terhune left here on Aug | lst g and went to Valdez. From here he went by auto to Fair banks. After a trip to Fort Yu- kon and back by plane, he took another plane for Nome and from here flew to Teller, Deering and KOtzebue and back to Nome.
 He went to Nunivak Island on | she Coast Guard Cutter Northland to look into the effect of activi- l ,ies there on the bird reserve. He found no conflicts. Returning to Nome on the same vessel, he again | ,ook to the air, flying to Bethel, via St. Michael where he conferred with Frank Williams, Second Dd- vision member of the Commis- sion. From Bethel he went to McGrath by river steamer, a weeks voyage. 1 Again taking to the air, he visit ed Tacotna, Ophir and Medfra,
 
 and proceeded via Holy Cross to Fairbanks. He conferred with Commissioner Irving Nick. Reed there, and met with sportsmen to discuss the game sanctuary in the of Mccarthy for the pro- tecton of the buffalo herd plant ed in that region several years ago.
 Animals On Increase
 The herd is growing steadily, Mir. Terhune said. The animals are thoroughly acclimated and thriving in their new environ nent.
 He flew to Anchorage rom FairbanlEs. and from there by train to Seward. He visited at Valdez and Cordova enroute south.