THE POCKET GOPHER 



117 



to understand by those in authority that a bounty was not paid 

 on the pocket gopher. In some cases it was found that the full 

 amount of bounty was paid for a singie front foot. In other places 

 justices of the peace and officers called registrars are entrusted 

 with the payment of bounties, these officers making their reports 

 to the county auditor. Some of the registrars are charged with 

 dishonesty in the payment of such bounties. In Muscatine county 

 the board of supervisors decided, in 1911, tliat the payment of 

 bounties involved an unnecessary drain upon the county funds ; 

 and accordingly the bounty was removed from all animals apon 

 which it had been paid and upon which it might be paid except 

 wolves, and this in spite of the enactment of the General Assembly, 

 In the course of the preparation of this paper an attempt was 

 made to ascertain the amounts paid out in bounty for pocket 

 gophers in the various counties visited. In all, data from sixty- 

 two counties of the state have been obtained ; and while the re- 

 sults are not entirely satisfactory, they will give a general idea of 

 the large amounts expended for the destruction of these pests. 

 The year 1913 has been chosen simply at random and not with 

 special reference to any particular point, save that that year seemed 

 to indicate a fair general average as regards all items concerned. 

 As a basis for comparison the bounties paid out in the year 1915- 

 in the same counties are added. 



Remarks 



1915 



136.00 



Bounties of gophers, wolves 

 and crows. Amounts not 

 kept separate 



