The Sauk Centre herald., 1941-11-06

ing an open season. The first OF
these Is a very simple matter which
requires no effort on the part of
Minnesota's many, ambitious
sportsmen other than little sacri-
flee. 1t consists in the closing of
the mink trapping season for a
year or two in order to bring the
mink population up to a desirable
level. This method would be heart
F, lily endorsed by non-trapping
sportsmen, and entirely repudiated
by our hundreds Of experienced and
amateur trappers. Since this meth
cd will invite too much criticism,
well discuss another form of mink
conservation.
The second thing which could
be done to make the trapping sea-
son more profitable would be to
provide all the necessary elements,
necessary for mink propagation.
The construction of many more
dams or the preservation of nat
ural-made beaver dams would soon
increase the mink population by
providing more food for these earn
ivorous creatures. The planting of
more shelter would encourage mat
ing by providing a more natural
wilderness-like atmosphere.
The restriction of cultivation
along streams and rivers would in
vite to mate and propagate more
rapidly.
Probably these things are a lit
tie difficult to do but lets remem-
ber that in our modern day alto
gether too little attention is given
to our natural resources and if a
little more attention would be CIV
en- to them, this world of ours
would be a much better place in
which to live.
Melrose Jr. Conservation Club.
sss
Feeding the Birds
Each year at about the present
time, radical changes take place
all over the country. In our own
state, the changes are more pro-
nounced than in any other. Cold
weather arrives, snow falls, trees
lose their leaves, and the summer
resident birds leave us. This last
change is perhaps the most drastic
Of them all. All summer long we
have heard birds, twittering in the
tree tops. We have seen them
building their nest and feeding
their young. We have watched
their pre-flight gathering with dis
may.
Since we can do nothing about
this annual migration let us turn
our thoughts and ambitions to 9TH
er birds, namely the winter-resi-
dents. This group is probably small
in number but it is very large in
Importance. It includes the spar
rows, chicadees, creepers, snow
birds, waxwings, and most import
ant of all, the upland game birds.
Few people seem to realize that the
winter-resident birds have a very
tough time of it. This statement
is clearly illustrated by the fact
that last winter, hundreds of pleas
ants were found by game wardens
and hunters, dead from exposure
and lack of food. This situation
can be counter-acted and avoided
this year, in part, by the building
of feeding shelters. A feeding shell
ter is nothing more than a few
lpoles supported off the ground by
braces and this framework covered
with corn stalks or brush. It should
be placed in the open, facing south
and should be entirely off the
ground in order to facilitate escape
in case a predator should appear.
It must at all times be supplied
with corn and grit and after every
storm, it should be cleared of all
snow which might have drifted in.
If these things are taken care
of by a few ambitious sportsmen,
we should and will be assured of
a substantial increase in pheasants
and all upland game birds next
year.
Melrose Junior
Conservation Club.