18 



CIRCULAR 3, FISH .\ND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



The ranching of blue foxes on the Aleutian Islands and some of the 

 smaller islands of southeastern Alaska has now become an established 

 industry. The average output from ranches is about 8,000 pelts 

 annually, in addition to which choice breeding stock is exported to 

 many parts of the world. A few silver foxes also are raised in the 

 Territory. About half of all the fur farmers are more interested in 

 minks than in any other fur animals. The production of their dark, 

 silky pelts has steadily increased during the past few years. Fish, a 

 satisfactory basic food, is plentiful, and the climate is conducive to 

 growing peltries of the high grade for which the Alaskan wild-caught 

 furs have won world-wide recognition. The ranchers are experi- 

 menting also with the marten, beaver, white fox, land otter, fitch, 

 raccoon, and muskrat. 



Ample locally produced breeding stock is available for the equip- 

 ment of fur ranches. The Alaska Game Commission maintains a 

 list of all licensed fur farmers, which will be mailed free to persons 

 interested. 



The most valuable of all Alaskan land fur animals is the mink, the 

 peltries of which are exported to the value of nearly half a million 

 dollars each year. The mink is widespread in the wild (fig. 18), and 

 is one of the few fur animals that lend themselves readily to pen pro- 

 pagation. Alaska minks are large in size and excellent in fur quality. 



>IST9rauTlON 



OF 



MINK 



ALASKA 1838 



]'u;i;kb 18. — Distribution of the mink. 



