66 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



the most browse and grass feed. Brushficlds are largely of manzanita, 

 white thorn, and mountain mahogany, althougli such l)rowse feed as 

 oak and blue brush is also connnon. 



At present 365 cattle and 14 horses are grazed here by 17 permittees. 

 Very few campers use this region solely for the camping, but in the 

 past it was a favorite hunting ground. After the completion of the 

 down-the-river road, there will undoubtedly be much travel through 

 this refuge, and quite probably more camping along the road. 



Deer are found throughout this area, quite generally distributed 

 throughout the summer and fall, and living at the lower elevations 

 during the winter and spring. It is also thought that some of the 

 deer that winter here regularly travel out of tliis region during the 

 summer and early fall. It is estimated that the average number of 

 deer found here during the summer does not exceed 1,500 head. 



Mountain lions move about a great deal, but there are very few 

 within this area and possibly 40 to 50 bears and 150 coyotes make 

 this region their home. Mountain and valley quail and grouse are 

 scarce but squirrels are abundant. 



As already stated, this region affords excellent summer and winter 

 feed and because of this reason, as well as the favorable climate and 

 low snowfall along the river, forms splendid breeding grounds. Water 

 is abundant, salt licks are convenient, and there is plenty of early feed. 



This region has always been recognized as a good hunting ground 

 and it was so extensively visited in the past that the number of deer 

 was being seriously reduced up to several years ago. Since game laws 

 are being observed more generally deer are increasing. Although no 

 unusual number of game violations have occurred in this region there 

 have been several violations for such reasons as killing doe, more than 

 two a year, or hunting without a license. Local hunters can still use 

 this region with very little risk of detection, but it is not so easy for 

 outside hunters to go alone or in a party without being apprehended. 

 The establishment of this refuge created a safe place for breeding deer 

 to supply a great area of surrounding country. There should be but 

 little reason for any persons except stockmen to roam about within the 

 refuge, and consequently there should be less danger of fire through 

 carelessness by individuals. 



The employment of a man to devote his entire time to this area 

 would permit the close supervision necessary to keep out all but those 

 having a legitimate reason to be in the area. Naturally there should 

 be a good check on those who go into the refuge, so that only responsible 

 parties who will be careful with fire, can enter. 



At present the only supervision exercised is that done in a general 

 way by Deputy Laws and whatever incidental patrol and supervision 

 can be given him by forest officers. This refuge is fortunately located 

 in that the district rangers at Hyampom, Hayfork and Big Bar are 

 near the main trails of the refuge and the lookout on Hayfork Bally 

 can hear any shots within a part of the area. However, these men 

 exercise only incidental supervision and only two of the number are 

 on duty all year. It would seem advisable, therefore, for an expe- 

 rienced man to be stationed on the refuge all year at a salary of 



