MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 



FIELD WORK. 



The field activities of a number of wardens was given almost 

 exclusively to the enforcement of the law and regulations for the 

 protection of the fur-bearing animals in Alaska exclusive of the 

 Pribilofs. Other wardens as well as other officials also gave atten- 

 tion to these matters as far as was compatible with their other duties. 

 The constantly increasing work which the Bureau is called upon to 

 do not only in connection with the fisheries but with the fur-seal 

 work as well makes it difficult to give as much attention to matters 

 pertaining to the minor fur-bearing animals as is desirable. 



In the latter part of the year a special warden was appointed at a 

 nominal salary to attend to the Bureau's interests at Anchorage and 

 in the adjoining region. 



REGULATIONS. 



No change was made in the departmental regulations for the pro- 

 tection of fur-bearing animals in Alaska in 1917. The regulation pro- 

 mulgated in 1916 affording entire protection to martens from March 15, 

 1916, to November 15, 1921, first imposed an actual change, from 

 the conditions previously obtaining, in the trapping season of 1916-17. 

 (Previous regulations had prohibited the trapping of martens each 

 year from March 15 to November 15.) The new regulation was in 

 general favorably received and observed. 



The practice of having open seasons for various fur-bearing 

 animals not coinciding exactly in time is open to the objection that 

 traps lawfully set for taking certain species may take individuals of 

 species whose capture is at the time forbidden. On this account it 

 has been recommended that the open season for all fur bearers begin 

 and end on the same dates. It is possible to conceive that a single 

 period of time could be fixed upon as the open season for all protected 

 fur bearers which would fairly take into account the various factors 

 involved, such as breeding seasons, condition of pelage, the giving of 

 a fair opportunity to trappers to operate, etc. The problem is 

 complicated, however, because at times it is desired to afford com- 

 plete protection to some species for a period of years. 



Considerable attention was given to the question as to whether 

 the killing of beavers should be permitted after November 1, 1918, 

 the date when the close season as fixed by the existing regulations 

 would expire. The complete protection afforded these animals in 

 recent years has enabled them to reestablish themselves to a very 

 gratifying extent. It was felt, however, that the reestablishment 

 was more or less local in character, and that it should become more 

 general before an open season was permitted. Furthermore, the 

 colonial habits of the animals make it easy for trappers to practically 

 exterminate whole settlements and it was understood that some 

 persons had in mind the possibilities for taking beavers which would 



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