ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1921, 63 



the close season, was provided in ample quantities. The fox herd 

 immediately began to recuperate, until in the season 1920-21 the 

 total catch amounted to 1,125 blues and 14 white foxes, which 

 brought to the Government the sum of $109,398. With regard to 

 the operations on St. George Island during the season 1920-21, the 

 following extract is quoted from the report of Storekeeper Edward 

 C. Johnston: ,, 



Traps. — During the past season foxes were trapped at three places on the island; 

 (a) In the large trap on the beach near the village; (6) in the wire cage at Zapadni; 

 (c) in the village itself by means of string or noose traps. A single unsuccessful attempt 

 was made to take foxes at Garden Cove with string nooses. 



In the hope of making the large trap near the village more efficient, a second cage or 

 trap proper was built on the west end of the house, duplicating in size and construction 

 the one on the east end. That our hopes were realized is proved by the fact that on 

 several nights, with both traps operating, every fox caught was captured in the new 

 cage. In the absence of lumber on the station a retaining room was built in the west 

 end of the fox house with heavy wire fencing. 



The kench in which it has been customary to place fox food for immediate use waa 

 placed entirely outside the fox house, thereby eliminating from the skinning room a 

 very disagreeable stench. 



Weather. — The fall and winter of 1920 were exceptionally stormy, and cold weather 

 arrived early. Light snowfall came in September, and in the latter part of November 

 a heavy fall of snow occurred. Beaches also froze up in November. Had it not been 

 necessary to take care of the station supplies landed November 25, trapping could 

 have beep commenced a week earlier. Floating ice surrounded the island twice 

 dining the season. Fine trapping weather continued until about February 10, 1921, 

 when the mid-winter warm spell, which usually comes early in January, caused the 

 skins to become unprime. 



Feeding. — On November 4 the feeding of foxes was started. Twenty seal carcasses 

 (about 500 pounds) proved to be sufficient to satisfy the herd. Thirty carcasses (750 

 pounds) were put out at various times but were never cleaned up over night. After 

 the trapping was completed about half of the remaining food was placed on the beach 

 and when it had been eaten the rest was cleaned out. There was ample food to last 

 until the migratory birds began to arrive in the spring. 



Trap-ping opera^to?is.— Trapping began December 1 and continued until February 25. 

 The first two trappings at the village were made between the hours of 1 and 3 in the 

 afternoon, netting 156 and 155 skins, respectively. The third trapping brought 156 

 skins in 4 hours (1 to 5 p. m.), and the fourth brought 126 skins in 4^ hours (3 to 

 7.30 p. m.) and 44 animals were released. In 12^ hours trapping, therefore, 637 animals 

 were caught. 



All-night trapping was resorted to only 11 times. During the night trapping a kill- 

 ing was made at midnight. On two nights at Zapadni and one at the village no foxes 

 were caught. On February 9 killing was discontinued on account of unprimeness of 

 the skins. There remained, however, 23 pairs of breeders to secure. By February 

 25 these were obtained. v 



Low tides and south winds were responsible for the small catches. A low tide at 

 night, provided foxes can reach the beach, will uncover sufficient sea food to keep 

 the foxes from seeking food in the traps. A southerly wind blowing offshore from the 

 trap carries the scent of food away from the land and causes a small catch. An east 

 or northeast wind is most desired for trapping on St. George Island. 



A trial of one night was made to catch foxes at Garden Cove but without success. 

 The trap at Zapadni did not meet expectations. In 21 nights of trapping there 39 

 foxes were killed and 28 released for breeding purposes — a total of 67 — which is just 

 one-half the number handled last season in 20 nights. The fox food at Zapadni must 

 necessarily be put out unfreshened. The writer spent a night at Zapadni and saw 

 foxes enter the trap, sniff at the meat, and go away without touching it. The only 

 fresh water available in winter is melted ice or snow. The large catch at Zapadni in 

 1920 may have been due to the fact that in the fall of that year a whale was washed 

 ashore there, attracting to that vicinity of the island large numbers of foxes which 

 probably frequented that place during the rest of the winter. 



String traps were used in the village at various times, netting about 80 foxes. These 

 foxes very seldom go to the large trap on the beach. 



The present building in which the fox skins are cleaned, stretched, and dried will 

 permit but 156 skins to be handled at one time. When trapping conditions are good, 



4562°— 22 5 



