602 MANAGISG GROUSE AREAS 



period of years, requires an organization and funds beyond tiie reach of many states, partic- 

 ularly since some ])robiems are more pressing than others. .New York is among the fortunate 

 in that the interest, the funds, and the techiiiial assistance prerequisite to attacking all of 

 these simultaneously have already been put to work on these problems. With a background 

 of experience thus gained, let us see what part a state can pla\ in improving conditions for 

 grouse. 



Annual Responsibilities 

 Yearly Inventory 



Every business takes a periodic inventory of stock and conditions. Faced with a species 

 that fluctuates widely in abundance and an ever-increasing hunting pressure, this, for grouse, 

 is an absolute prerequisite to any intelligent adjustment of season, bag and take limits, to sup- 

 ply and demand. It may be secured in several ways. These are described in Chapter XVII 

 beginning on p. 675. 



Regulation of Hunting 



Hunting, with grouse, is not the hele noir it is generally supposed to be, but, where sur- 

 pluses exist or populations are scarce, the necessity for reasonable control is clearly recog- 

 nized. So also is the State's responsibility for making its regulations a reflection of the con- 

 dition of the grouse crop. Without a good annual census this is impossible. Since the fall 

 crop is dependent, not alone upon the number of birds in the winter coverts, but also upon 

 nesting and brood success throughout the succeeding spring and summer, it is obvious that 

 such an inventory cannot be completed before late summer. For this reason a state legis- 

 lature, in session the previous winter, cannot possibly have the facts at hand with which to 

 intelligently establish open seasons and bag limitations on the daily take. Realizing 

 this, New York has wisely placed the responsibility for setting such regulations on the Con- 

 servation Commissioner who is in the best possible position to decide on the yearly restric- 

 tions in accordance with conditions. The law transferring this responsibility requires that 

 the regulations be promulgated not later than September 15, and wide publicity is given to 

 them thereafter. In this way alone can the season be made to best serve both the grouse and 

 the hunter. As the needs of the situation are more clearly understood, other states are grad- 

 ually adopting a similar course. 



Long-term Projects 

 Research 



Facts are the fabric (lut of which any ]iatt(rn of successful management is woven. Rut 

 research is at best a slow and costly undertaking, with results seldom directly translatable 

 into dollars. Public agencies, largely federal and state, therefore must accept the lion's 

 share of the work of carrying out factual C-\i)lorations. When* funds are insufficient to meet 

 state needs in this respect, there still exists ihc o|)|ioitiinil\ for collaborative work with a 

 university. A few thousand dollars thus spent ma\ bring substantial returns. The Investi- 

 gation is an exami)lc of what ma\ be aiconiplished In enlisting assistance from many quar- 

 ters. In some cases it will be possible to adapt basic studies carried on elsewhere to local 

 conditions. 



