60G JOURNAL OP FORESTRY 



first knew it 15 years ago at a time when fur animals were mucli more 

 numerous than they are now. Food and seasonable weather have far 

 more to do with the prevalence of game birds, say the grouse family, 

 than the presence of fur animals. Continued cold wet weather, when 

 the chicks are just hatched, plays havoc with game birds just as a 

 scarcity of food in any section may cause the birds to migrate. The 

 weasel, I have no doubt, is most destructive to all bird life, however he 

 is not much sought by the average fur trapper. 



My idea would be the preparation of maps of the Forests for the 

 State game warden designating certain watersheds where trapping of 

 stated animals should be prohibited for a given period of years. There 

 must be sound reasons for this recommendation which are set forth in 

 detail. Such elimination of the taking of fur animals to let them 

 reach a normal production should not in any way interfere with trap- 

 ping wolves, coyotes, and cats. 



Certainly the subject of fur production offers an excellent field for 

 action with obligations for initiative upon the proprietors of the lands 

 best suited to such purposes. 



