Alaskan Waterfowl Management— Gabriehon 301 



been disturbed and destroyed. An outstanding example has 

 occurred in the Aleutians, where all early naturalists indicated 

 that Agattu and Amchitka were important goose and duck 

 breeding grounds. Present evidence points to the introduction 

 of foxes on these islands and the increasing native use of firearms 

 as the factors responsible for this decimation of breeding popu- 

 lations. Recent survey parties have found few or no breeding 

 waterfowl— nothing comparable to the numbers found by Dall 

 and Turner in earlier days or even by Clark in 1906. 



Waterfowl populations have decreased within feasible travel- 

 ing distance of St. Michael, although the village has few if any 

 more inhabitants than in Nelson's day. The increasing use of 

 firearms has reduced breeding waterfowl populations in the 

 territory over which the local inhabitants can conveniently 

 travel. 



There are other references to similar conditions, although 

 none have such a broad background of previous information 

 as is available from St. Michael. The introduction of better 

 arms often results in the reduction of the breeding bird popu- 

 lations upon which natives depend. This may or may not be 

 entirely the work of the natives. They unquestionably are at 

 times ably assisted by such white men as live in areas where the 

 birds are exceedingly vulnerable. It is important that definite 

 steps be taken to preserve an important source of native food 

 supply and a substantial part of the continental waterfowl 

 resource. 



To accomplish these objectives, some definite recommenda- 

 tions can be formulated. They can be summarized as follows: 



1. Set aside immediately as wildlife areas the three now known to 

 be key units in any waterfowl management program. These are 

 the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, the Innoko Flats, and Cold Bay. 

 Sufficient surveys have been made to draw boundary lines and 

 draft withdrawal orders, and the Secretary of Interior has the 

 authority to make them effective. 



It should be made clear that it is not proposed to create 

 refuges similar to those now operated in continental United 



