The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-23
Let's Go Fishing
SURVEYS SHOW
RAPID DECREASE
IN WILD DUCKS
100000 Fowl Escape
With Wounds to Die
Later.
BY LEFTY LEE
Times Fishing Editor

During the last three years
America wild ducks have become
fewer in number. Recently Presi-
dent Roosevelt. by proclaming the
smallest bag limits for hunters in
history, has directed attention to
the increasing rate of depletion.
What is the cause Of it all? Special
committee Of the United States SEN
ate has held hearings to secure in
formation on the subject because Of
its economic importance to the
sporting goods, transportation, re-
sort. agricultural and other inter-
ests identified with expenditures by
sportsmen estimated by federal au-
thorities at S650,O0000 annually
The recreational interest Of more
than 100000 hunters also is in
volved as well as employment of
thousands engaged in manufacturing
and supplying services.
It has been claimed that over
shooting, modern firearms, poor
game law enforcement and numer-
GUS other reasons were to blame.
The secretary Of agriculture last
summer at a conference of experts
investigated the practice Of bait
ing" waterfowl W c. Henderson,
associate chief of the biological sur
vey, within the last few weeks has
estimated 100000 ducks annually
escape hunters and die from
wounds.
OF course all Of these reasons
contribute to the decline Of this
great sport, but the real reason is
the fact that the size of the annual
migrations to the south have been
reduced before the birds reach this
country and before they could en-
counter the unfavorable factors
stated. Something has been hap
pening on their great prairie breed
ing grounds. A survey that covered
thousands Of miles of this breeding
area just covered. reveals some of
the real reasons for the decline, as
you readily can see by the reports
from the different lakes covered.
Long Lake. in Burleigh and Kid
der Counties, North Dakota-This
lake is a strongly alkaline lake
about fifteen miles long and two
miles wide At the west end water
has disappeared recently. Contact
was made with the lake at several
points along the north shore, but
only a narrow streak of water was
visible, apparently only few inches
deep. Portions Of the lake site we're
overgroWn with marsh plants. others
were bare mud flats.
Lake Etta-About three miles
long and one-half mile wide. The
water has receded to a very low
level. A scant shore vegetation was
in a dying stage The waterfowl
population on this strongly alkaline
lake consisted of six mallard. two
shovelers, three pintail brakes. one
mallard with six young and forty
five diving ducks, including three
families of redheads. The Dawson
slough, extending from north Of
Lake Eta for many miles in a
northeasterly direction, was over
grown with marsh vegetation and
no water or ducks were visible
thereon.
Lake Isabelle-A circular shaped
alkaline lake about one square mile
in extent, supported some duck life
on the marshes at its southern end.
The lake serves as a summer resort.
Buffalo Lake-A saline lake in
Kidder county about one and one
half miles long and three quarters
Of a mile wide. The water level was
about two and One-half feet below
normal. Scanty growth of rusheS,
appearing in a very few few spots
along the shore, have died. On a
miniature inlet, ten mallard and two
shoveler brakes were seen and a
raft of twenty diving ducks bObbed
on the surface in the distance.
Horsehead lake, formerly seven miles
long and two miles wide, was dry.
From time to time this column
will cover the report from other
lakes in North Dakota. South Da-
kota and Canada that were covered
during this survey.
John RuSie must be losing his eye,
as he shot eight times and only
killed seven rabbits.
Hoo Hoo Rhine is the new name
for Harold Rhine since he returned
from a hunting trip With one owl
in the bag.
At Owen park the Sportsmen are
mixing up their sport, taking to the
woods on Saturday and staying over
for the fishing Sunday. This resort
is open throughout the year and
accommodations always are avail
able. e