The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-21
REFUGEES URGED
FOR WATERFOWL
IN NORTHWEST
Survey Reveals Imminent
Crisis in Situation,
Shooting Ended.
Go Fishing
BY LEFTY LEE
Times Fishing Editor

Eventual elimination Of wildfowl-
ing as a field sport in America is
not an impossibility, declares a
booklet. The Duck Decline in the
Northwest. report on the CONT
nents greatest duck-breeding re-
gion, just published by the More
Game Birds Foundation.
Stating that a wild waterfowl
crisis is imminent and that estab-
lishment of an international agency
TO acquire and manage breeding
grounds and refugees should be
started Immediately, the report
urges duck hunters to support any
federal plans to tax or license them
as a means of supplying at least
some funds TO aid the birds before
1t is too late.
"A treaty with Canada for the
conservation of migratory birds has
been consummated. Spring shoot
ing has been eliminated. Seasons
and bag limits have been progress
sivelv curtailed. Despite these en-
actments. the birds have continued
to decrease. What is the reason for
1t alp" the booklet asks.
AS an important answer, the re-
port describes results Of investlga-
tons conducted the last summer on
a trip of 3.40O miles through the
heart Of the greatest duck hatchery
in North America, covering North
Dakota, Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Alberta and Montana.
This area at one time was rich
in very productive waterfowl breed
ing grounds, but it has lost its i'm
portance to a greater degree than
is realized" the report declares.
THE agricultural belt through
this region not only has lost its
capacity to produce large numbers
of ducks, but it has become dan
gerous to waterfowl life because of
the drying up of small water areas
after the young have Matched.
Young birds, and their parents as
well, perish by the thousands each
year from botulsm. At tombstone
Lake, Saskatchewan, alone during
August and September. 10000
ducks were estimated to have sue
, cumbed to this disease, which be-
comes especially virulent under low
water conditions
Four recommendations are con-
tanned in the report: % That the
prairie nesting region should be
mapped for annual census and even
tual improvement purposes, % that
it may be assumed a major portion
of a number of species breed north
Of the agricultural region and this
also should be investigated, 80 be-
cause of the great possibilities for
improving the productive capacity
of the agricultural area it should be
put under management of residents,
(4 that the very grave situation
found requires immediate action to
put a sound and adequate program
for the restoration and increase of
waterfowl into effect and, in addi-
ton, every effort should be made to
conserve breeding stocks.
Chuck Klein, the Phillies' smuggling
outfielder, just has returned from a
trip down in Texas where he en-
joyed some wonderful hunting and
fishing while visiting with Pinkie
Whitney, the Boston Braves flaShy
third sacker Ducks and bass were
plentiful in the Lone Star state, &C
cording to Chuck, and limit catches
and bags were the rule rather than
the exception. Sunday is the big
day for the hunter in that state and
game is more plentiful than it has
been for twenty years. The state
conservation department of Texas
feels that the deer are gaining toe
rapidly and they are going to per-
NIT the hunters to shoot the doe
also for few days.
Walter Jones may be able to
catch the fish, but when it comes
to hunting, not so hot. SATURDAY.
Jones and Jim Flynn spent the day
hunting west of the city and they
returned with four rabbits and as
many quail but the record posted
by Jones was a sore arm from
shooting so often and one rabbit.
A letter from a group of fishermen
from the Shell Petroleum Com
pany tells of some great catches
being made at Franks Lodge at the
mouth of the Monon and the
Tippecanoe rivers. Here is the gist
of their letter:
Yes sir, it was plenty cold last
Sunday. but quite a few anglers
proved that they could take it and
were rewarded for their efforts al
Franks lodge. Three fishermen
were seen to come in Sunday
shortly before noon and left in a
few hours with the limit of crappie
two and one-half pound bass anC
a seven-pound pickerel. A twelve
and one-half pound cat fish wa:
caught on trot line Saturday
night. Franks lodge is an idea
spot to fish and your comfort anC
enjoyment is well insured by Gus
the all-round man at the lodge
When We left we had sixty crappit
and a two-pound black bass
tSigneO John Curran. one of the
party"