64 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



therefore, the catch must be limited to that number. The construction of the new 

 ehop which will soon be completed provides large space for the handling and care of 

 fox skins. With ample room to take care of a large number of skins it should be 

 possible to secure most of the catch early in the season and to take full advantage of 

 any good trapping period. The results should be better skins, less night trapping, 

 and, in seasons when warm weather occurs in January, a larger catch. 



Weights.- — The maximum weights of blue foxes killed was 22 pounds for the 

 males and 19 pounds for the females. The average weight was 12.77 pounds for the 

 males and 9.92 pounds for the females. The maximum weights of blue foxes released 

 for breeding purposes was 28 pounds for the males and 18 pounds for the females. 

 The average weight was 14.04 pounds for the males and 11.22 pounds for the females. 

 Of all animals caught the average weight for males was 13.17 pounds and for females 

 10.35 pounds. The average weight of all classes was 11.79 pounds. 



Breeding reserve. — In selecting breeders attention was first paid to the color and con- 

 dition of the fur. Middle-aged animals were released in preference to the very old 

 or very young, provided they were in good physical condition. Minimum weights 

 for released animals were set at 11 pounds for the males and 8^ pounds for the females. 

 Unless the foxes near these weights were exceptionally fine they were killed. 



Two hundred and forty pairs plus two males were released. As it is the intention 

 to increase the breeding reserve as far as possible, there should be released during the 

 season 1921-22 at least 260 pairs. With the present supply of food, sufficient breed- 

 ing foxes could be maintained on the island to produce at least 1,500 skins. About 

 2,000 seal carcasses were sufficient for the foxes in the past season. 



It is recommended that the breeding reserve to be released during the season 

 1921-22 be not less than 260 pairs. 



TRAPPING SEASON OF 1921-22. 



During the season of 1921-22 a total of 712 blue foxes and 21 white 

 foxes were killed. Of this number 138 blues and 21 whites were 

 taken on St. Paul Island and the remaining 574 blues on St. George 

 Island. There were reserved on St. George Island 231 males and 

 221 females for breeding purposes. The total number handled on 

 both islands was 1,185 animals. Trapping conditions on St. George 

 Island were poor. Warm weather and exceptionally high seas com- 

 bined to provide such a large amount of beach food that the animals 

 could not be induced to come to the trap. The unfavorable weather 

 conditions undoubtedly also affected adversely the take on St. Paul 

 Island. 



SALE OF LIVE FOXES. 



In accordance with arrangements made by the Bureau of Biological 

 Survey during the summer of 1921 four pairs of live blue foxes from 

 St. George Island were delivered in September to Donald H. Steven- 

 son, fur warden of that bureau at Unalaska, as agent for purchasers 

 who desired to stock islands which they held under lease in the 

 Aleutian Islands Reservation. Those obtaining foxes were as fol- 

 lows: L. A. Lavigne, lessee of Unalga Island, one pair; Unalaska 

 Native Brotherhood, lessees of Avatanak Island, one pair; and N. E. 

 Bolshanin, lessee of Kavalga and other islands, two pairs. The pur- 

 chasers supplied shipping cases, and transportation was furnished 

 by the Coast Guard cutter Bear at the risk of purchasers. All the 

 animals were received at Unalaska in good order and were promptly 

 placed on the islands under lease. Sales were made at the rate of 

 $88.12, the average price received at the last preceding sale of Pribilof 

 fox skins. Out of the proceeds the natives were paid a total of $40, 

 or $5 each for labor in securing the eight animals. The net proceeds 

 of $664.96 were turned into the United States Treasury. 



