FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY. 



93 



pach week, no one being permitted to approach the fox house during the remaining 

 nights. Except in emergencies it is felt that all-night trapping should be confined 

 to not more than three nights in seven. 



Observations. — The writer was present in the trapping room during several full 

 nights and confirmed the well-known observation that low tides at night interfere 

 with fox trapping. On one occasion, when the tide was extremely low during the 

 midnight hours, 23 foxes were caught before 9.30 p. m., 3 foxes between that time and 

 3 a. m., and 38 were taken after 3 a. m. It was also repeatedly observed that the 

 female fox is more nervous and timid than the male. 



Garden Cove and Zapadni. — Trapping was conducted at two points other than the 

 village, viz.. Garden Cove and Zapadni. The work at Garden Cove, where a string 

 trap was used, ended in a complete failure after 10 nights of trapping. It is not 

 believed that a cage trap could be advantageously operated there. 



The new cage trap at Zapadni was a great success. One hundred and thirty-four 

 foxes were handled there during 20 nights, as against 38 animals in 18 nights of the 

 preceding season. Of the foxes handled at Zapadni this season 77 were taken in 

 four nights. The trapping work at Zapadni was placed in charge of only the most 

 responsible of the native men and these were under definite orders as to the disposi- 

 tion to be made of the different classes of foxes caught. Telephone communication 

 was continuous. Fox food has been periodically exposed at Zapadni since trapping 

 ceased, and it is the intention to prepare a larger amount of food there next season. 



Close of season. — Trapping was vigorously conducted along the lines indicated in 

 the preceding paragraphs until, on January 30, the condition of the furs made it 

 advisable to close the season. With a grand total of 1,204 foxes handled, this was 

 the most successful season on this island since 1900-1901, when 1,335 animals were 

 caught. With the single exception of the winter mentioned, it exceeds any season 

 since 1890. In point of the number of pelts taken, it surpasses any season since 

 1892-93. These results speak high praise for the management of the foxes since the 

 close of the last lease, when the herd was in an unsatisfactory condition. 



Condition o//urs.-— Instructions were received to the effect that observations should 

 be made to determine the relation of weather conditions to the primeness of the fox 

 skins. Such observations as could be made on the pelts at this place showed that the 

 relation is direct. 



During a normal season the fur of the blue fox should certainly be prime between 

 the dates December 1 and January 31, if not earlier and later than those dates. The 

 skins taken on November 24, 1919, showed very dark on the flesh side, but the fur 

 appeared to be in good condition. During the very warm and wet weather of early 

 December the skins were fully furred but showed a tinge of reddish brown on the 

 guard hairs. However, before the end of that month two unprime skins were noted 

 on animals released for breeding, and it is not to be doubted that the unseasonable 

 high temperatures of the fore part of the month had caused this condition. The 

 statement is ventured that during a normal winter no unprime skins will be seen 

 during the month of December. 



During the greater part of January the weather was cold, with the result that the 

 unprimeness threatened in the preceding month did not materialize until late in 

 January. It is the writer's opinion that some of the finest pelts of the season were 

 taken during early January. 



Weights of foxes. — The following figures will be of interest and should be given 

 special attention in the consideration of the recommendation which will be offered 

 in connection therewith: 



Pounds. 



Lightest male fox killed 7. 00 



Heaviest male fox killed 22. 00 



Average male fox killed 13. 09 



Lightest female fox killed 5. 00 



Heaviest female fox killed 16. 00 



Average female fox killed 10. 10 



Pounds. 



Lightest male fox released 10. 00 



Heaviest male fox released 21. 00 



Average male fox released 13. 72 



Lightest female fox released 8. 00 



Heaviest female fox released 19. 00 



Average female fox released 11. 00 



Nearly all foxes handled were in good condition and carried heavy layers of fat. 

 Except in rare cases, where a very vigorous young fox happened to weigh just within 

 the mi ni mum limit, all light-weight animals were killed. Only 9 such males and 

 11 females, weighing 10 and 8 pounds, respectively, were released as breeders; all 

 others released were above those weights. 



It is recommended that the minimum-weight limits for animals to be released for 

 breeding be slightly increased; that the minim mn for breeding males be set at 11 

 pounds and for breeding females at 8§ pounds, an increase of 1 pound on the former 

 limit for each sex. Such a course will naturally cause more weights to approach the 



