380 



INFLUENCE OF MAN 



Productivity* show graphically the fate befalling an average 1,000 grouse eggs and the cor- 

 responding breeders under the major variations in survival pattern experienced during the 

 Investigation. 



In each case "hunter take" accounts for but a small proportion of the total reduction of 

 the potential 1,000 eggs. In figures 52, 53 and 54 losses prior to the ovenvinter period are 

 the same and the 17 per cent attributed to hunting represents 38 birds (approximately 33 

 being bagged and five crippled but lost) comprising only about 4 per cent of the full year 

 mortality. Wlien losses during the spring and summer are greater (figures 55 and 56) it 

 becomes even smaller, both numerically and in proportion to the whole. In no instance 

 depicted would elimination of shooting alter the population trend since no more than half 

 of the birds so taken might be expected to survive if no hunting were done. Nevertheless it 

 is obvious that as the season progresses the loss of the same number of individuals becomes 

 of greater import. 



"'X% 



Wliili' occasionally an individual covert is adversely affected by overshooting, it must be 

 concluded that llie general effect of hunting for sport as currently practiced on grouse, is not 

 detrimental and may even have a positive beneficial effect during periods of grouse abun- 

 dance by tending to reduce the opportunity for the agents causing periodic scarcities to 

 become effective^. 



AS A HUNTER AND TRAIM'KK OF FREDATORSt 

 The authors approach this subject with a good deal of trepidation. It is the object of the 



» Sm Chipter XH. p. 5.19. 



A It mutt be recognized that tlie discuision of this topic applief only to the iocrcjise aod pealc phases of K^ouse abundance. 



t See also Cbapler VII, p. 346. 



