Tracks Across New Mexico
Don Robinsons informal letter to his long-time associate Dr David Narver, dated December 10, 2012 on his reading of Tracks Across New Mexico by Homer C. Pickens. Robinson is the retired Director of the British Columbia, Fish and Wildlife Branch. Narver is the retired Director of Fisheries in British Columbia Ministry of Environment.   An interesting and informative record of a family and especially the author, Homer Pickens. Reading between the lines one can chart the development of not only the New Mexico Game Department but the involvement of Federal Agencies concerned with wildlife. The change in attitude about predators over the course of the book is clearly outlined. Homer Pickens tells his story as it intertwines with the immersion of a modern state wildlife agency. While it contains a personal history there is a great deal of material dealing with the changes in Federal/State agencies especially dealing with predator control.  Incidentally he mentions buying cougar (lion) dogs from Lee Bros. of Arizona. My uncles on Vancouver Island also bought trained cougar hounds from Lee Bros for the same reason the dogs were well trained and the bounty system was a much better go as income than depression wages. Same in B. C. as New Mexico.  Homer Pickens was a hard worker, mild mannered and ready to move with the times. An excellent read outlining the beginning of a broad approach by game departments as they transformed into wildlife agencies.  Signed by Don Robinson --letter obtained by Jimmie Pickens