fo ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1915. 
although during that period probably 50 skins were taken by poachers. It is also 
believed that poison was used by the trespassers, for evidence of this was found when 
the island was visited last year. In 1914-15, 35 animals were taken, 26 skins, and 9 
live foxes for breeding purposes. 
Sour Semip1 Istanp.—About 1886 or 1887 this island was first stocked. Three or 
four pairs of blue foxes from North Semidi were introduced, and one black male fox was 
also liberated as an experiment to ascertain if these two species would cross. Within 
a few months, however, the black fox had exterminated all the blues on the island, so 
this animal was finally hunted down and killed. South Semidi was again stocked 
about the year 1891 with about 18 pairs of blue foxes. Most of these came from North 
Semidi, but we believe a few were also brought from one of the Pribilof Islands. The 
original lot of foxes put on North Semidi came from the Pribilofs, and we believe the 
company made several shipments of blue foxes from these islands to furnish stock for 
their ranches. About 1896 black foxes again caused havoc among the blues. The 
previous year a small island adjacent to South Semidi was stocked with a few black 
foxes taken from Long Island. These animals soon found a way to cross the narrow 
strip of water separating the two islands, and they immediately started their depre- 
dations on the foxes of South Semidi. This was discovered, however, before a great 
deal of damage had been done, the black foxes were all hunted down and killed, and 
the island eventually became a large producer of blue-fox skins. 
Uxamoxk (CuErrikorFr) Istanp.—This island was first stocked about 1891, when 6 
or 8 pairs of blue foxes from North Semidi were liberated here. Other stock was added 
on several occasions, and probably some blue foxes were brought from the Pribilof 
Islands. Ukamok eventually became the largest producer of blue-fox skins of any of 
the islands stocked by the Semidi Propagating Co. This island is 15 miles long by 
about 3 miles wide, and is so situated as regards ocean currents that a large quantity 
of drift is deposited upon the beaches, thus insuring an ample supply of sea food. 
From 1902 to 1913, both years inclusive, 866 blue-fox skins were taken from this island. 
Probably no less than 100 pairs of breeding animals were sold during that period, and 
in 1914, 11 pairs of live foxes were taken to stock the ranch of the Kodiak Fox Farm. 
This makes a total of 1,088 foxes taken during the 13 years accounted for, or an average 
of 83 per year. Under present market conditions for blue-fox skins the results of 
catches from this island would have shown a handsome profit to the owners; but it so 
happened, during the years when the large catches of foxes were made, that the prices 
were particularly low. For instance, in 1903, when 149 blue-fox skins were taken 
from Ukamok, the average net price realized was only $8.70 per skin. Under present 
conditions these should have netted the Semidi Propagating Co. no less than $8,000, 
instead of the small sum of $1,296.30. 
Lone IsLAND.—This island was purchased from F. F. Feeney, as previously stated, 
and the foxes on it at the time the Semidi Propagating Co. acquired title, 8 black foxes, 
were put on a small island near South Semidi. (See remarks under South Semidi.) 
Shortly after its purchase, Long Island was stocked with blue foxes, about 30 pairs 
having been taken off North Semidi for this purpose. Long Island became very pro- 
ductive, and the quality of the fur was probably superior to that secured from any of 
the other islands belonging to the Semidi Propagating Co. The largest number of 
foxes killed during a single season from any of the islands was on Long Island in 1903, 
when 209 blue-fox skins were taken. ‘This was the year, however, when prices were 
exceptionally low for all kinds of fur, so the result of the sale of these skins was quite a 
disappointment to those interested. 
Wuate Istanp.—This island was stocked about 1899 with blue foxes from Long 
Island. The largest catch ever made on this island in a single season was in 1908, when 
45 skins were taken. This is a large island, and its natural conditions should have 
made it an excellent one for raising foxes. Unfortunatefy, however, Whale Island 
is situated too close to a large native village, and is too large for one man to watch. 
