1388 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1915. 
CONDITIONS IN THE BRISTOL BAY REGION. 
Observations made by Warden Brown, who was stationed in the 
Bristol Bay region during the winter of 1915-16, and reported by him 
in February, 1916, gives considerable information in regard to con- 
ditions there. 
Fur generally was as fine as trappers have taken in years, its high 
quality being due likely to the long-continued steady cold of the 
winter. 
It was estimated that the region would produce this season as com- 
pared with the preceding season three times as many fox skins. 
Fox pelts were the only ones which showed an increase in price at 
the trading stations. The preceding winter traders paid from $3.50 
to $5 per skin; this winter from $6 to $10, payment being made in 
trade. 
Not many mink, land otter, ermine, or lynx were being caught, 
owing largely to the low prices for these pelts. Mink and lynx were 
scarce, while ermine were plentiful in places. Few wolverine skins 
were being offered to traders. 
Land-otter skins were bringing but $5 each, paid either in trade or - 
cash. Two years before the same traders were paying $20 each for 
the pelts of these animals. Mink skins were brmging at traders’ stores 
75 cents to $1.25. Two years ago traders paid from $3 to $4.50 for 
mink skins. Muskrat skins were bringing but 10 cents each, but 
these skins do not begin entering the trading stations until the spring 
break-up. Ermine skins were bringing 50 cents each, about the 
usual price. Lynx skins were bringing but $5 each at trading sta- 
tions. Two years before traders paid $22.50 for them. 
Good wolverine skins were bringing from $12 to $14. The Eskimos 
use these skins generously in trimming their clothing, and the demand 
thus created prevents wolverine skins from leaving this region. 
Owing to a similar local demand for wolf skins, the pelts of these 
animals were bringing from $15 to $20 each. The wolf, however, has 
been practically exterminated in this region. 
SHIPMENT OF FURS FROM ALASKA. 
- A regulation of the department requires that all shipments of furs 
from Alaska shall be reported to the Bureau of Fisheries. The value 
of these reports lies chiefly in furnishing information as to the quantity 
of furs shipped from the Territory. The Bureau provides two forms 
for use by the shippers in making the reports. One form is for ship- 
ments made by mail, and each shipment of this character must be 
certified by the postmaster at the office from which it is made. The 
other form is for use in reporting shipments made otherwise than by 
mail, i. e., by freight, express, personal baggage, etc. A large por- 
tion of the furs shipped from Alaska is sent by mail. 
