FOREWORD 



There are twice as many people in the United States now as 

 there were 50 years ago. The gross national product is twice what 

 it was 20 years ago. Demand by the people for outdoor recreation 

 has doubled in the last 10 years. Rapid and accelerating growth is 

 a main reason for many of the wildlife problems of the times. 



The very large number of people affected by wildlife is a com- 

 pelling reason for better maiiagement of wildlife. Millions want 

 wildlife that can l)e seen and enjoyed; millions want more lumting 

 and fishing; millions want to protect crops, trees, products, and 

 goods from wildlife damage. Most Americans are affected one way 

 or another by the wildlife of the country. 



Wildlife, people, and economic growth all require land and 

 water. One hundred and eighty million people and a 550 billion 

 gross national product require proportionately more land and 

 water than when people and the economy were only half of these 

 totals. Land and water are running out, and wildlife's allotments 

 in the future will be increasingly difficult to obtain. Decreasing 

 habitat and conflicts of interest are the gi'eat wildlife problems of 

 the times. 



Wildlife, however, has not decreased in propoi'tion to human 

 and economic growth. Fish pomidage is as much as in 1915. There 

 are currently more deer than at any time in the past. Overabund- 

 ance of some species is as much of a problem in some areas as is 

 scarcity in others. Wildlife ups and downs and great changes in 

 kinds and quality are due to two main things: changes in environ- 

 ment, and application of knowledge in management. Wildlife can 

 be retained as a great natural resource, for the benefit of all, if we 

 can learn enough — and in time — about its critical life requirements. 



The function of the Branch of Wildlife Research of the Bureau 

 of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife is to provide the answers required : 

 and the purpose of this report is to relay for administrative and 

 management use some of the answers obtained in 1962. 



Daniel H. Janzen 



Director 



