FUR CULTURE ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS 603 



Saguache Creek because of the shorter haul to the stream in which they 

 were to be planted. It was not a success here, and later the camp was 

 moved over to Cochetopa Creek. Three days were spent by two men 

 in the first attempt. Also three days in the successful attempt includ- 

 ing the move over and return : 



Cost in contributed time in trapping $25.96 



Travel expense and auto mileage 11.60 



Cost of crate materials, lumber, etc 3.00 



$40.56 



Transportation by auto (mileage) $3.50 



Transportation by wagon (use of team and wagon donated by 



Ranger Gallegos), his contributed time 6.78 



10.28 



Total $50.84 



The estimate made of the beavers in 1918 showed 12,000 in the 

 streams within the vicinity of the Forest. While this may have been a 

 little high at the time, it is believed to be conservative at the present 

 time. Anything approaching an accurate census, however, has not 

 yet been made. It is going to require rather close observation and 

 considerable time. On streams, like Saguache Creek, which are sub- 

 ject to flooding and washing out of dams, not nearly all of the beavers 

 construct dams. They often simply burrow into the bank and make 

 dens without them. This fall numerous runways and cuttings of 

 willows were observed along the creek, and dens, without any attempt 

 to build dams. The observations of local trappers and also of the 

 State trapper corresponds to the information given by the Biological 

 Survey that they average about four kits to the litter. From informa- 

 tion obtained from J. D. Figgins, of the Colorado Museum of Natural 

 History, they have a litter each year, and the young ones remain with 

 the old until they are two years old. or until the third litter is born. 

 This would indicate that there are two litters in most dams. There is 

 one point, however, which has not been cleared up. That is. whether 

 the secondary dams are also regularly inhabited. Some claim that the 

 two-year-olds occupy them when pushed out by the parents, but there 

 is a difference of opinion as to this. With the gathering of a little more 

 information as to their habits, it is hoped to inake a start toward a more 

 accurate census, but it is going to require time and close observation. 



Likewise, there is very little information about natural losses and 

 rate of increase. Estimates of the numbers in Long Branch Creek 

 showed 50 beavers in 1908 and 3,000 in 1918, indicating an average 



