DECREASE OF GAME 11 



iiuinber of large ducks such as Canvasback and Mallard, is, however, 

 indicated. The kill of quail and snipe also shows noticeable decrease. 



In 1913 and again in 1914 a questionaire was sent out by the 

 writers to different gun clubs asking for reports of the kills on the 

 opening day of the season. Among the questions asked were : Number 

 of hunters on hand ; number of hunters securing the limit ; number 

 of ducks in each bag examined ; total number of ducks for the day ; 

 kinds represented ; and, how the birds were shot. Most of the reports 

 returned, show a preponderance of small ducks such as teal, and also 

 of the less desirable species such as the Spoonbill. The larger ducks, 

 especially the Mallard, are relatively few in numbers. It also appears 

 from these reports that although about as many limit bags are pro- 

 cured as in former years it takes more hours to secure the full quota 

 of birds, notwithstanding the increased facilities for shooting and the 

 increased efficiency of the firearms used. 



Sale of game on the open market has been fundamentally the most 

 important factor in reducing California's supply of game birds. So 

 great has been the depletion from this cause in past years that it has 

 been found necessary to prohibit the sale of all kinds except ducks 

 and geese. These, too, should be removed from the sale list. All our 

 neighboring states now prohibit the sale of all game, as do most of 

 the eastern states. Were it not for certain San Francisco cafe and 

 hotel men who reap a rich harvest from the retailing of game, Cali- 

 fornia would have done likewise in 1913, when a "no-sale" bill passed 

 the Legislature, but was nullified by referendum. The high prices 

 offered the market hunter usually tempt him to go beyond the legal 

 limit. So long as a market demand exists men will continue to hunt 

 the birds regardless of any law. Government authorities are right in 

 saying that "the free marketing of wild game leads swiftly to exter- 

 mination." California must prohibit the sale of all game species, if 

 all are to be conserved as natural resources. 



The type of market hunter who in former days took the largest 

 toll of wildfowl used an animal blind in approaching his quarry. This 

 "bull hunter," as he was called, proceeded to the hunting-ground 

 leading a trained steer or cow. After a good-sized flock of ducks or 

 geese had been located, he proceeded to "walk a shot." Moving along 

 behind the animal, which was easily guided, he approached the birds 

 by a process of "tacking," each tack bringing him nearer his game. 

 A direct approach would have tended to frighten them, but this 

 indirect method rendered them unsuspecting. Throughout the process 

 of "working the shot," which required an average period of from 

 two to three hours, an attempt was made to bunch or "bank" the 

 birds as much as possible. When the birds were finally in proper 

 position, the hunter whistled, whereupon the birds would raise their 



