TWENTY- SEVENTH BIENNIAL REPORT. 23 



Many of tliese hunters obtained the full limit — two bucks — whieli shows 

 that a very heavy toll was taken. It is the opinion of many hunters of 

 this region that the nuilc deer will not be able to withstand sueh eon- 

 centrated hunting and a sentiment is growing whieh favors either tbe 

 closing of the season on this species for at least three years, thus giving 

 them time to recuperate, or the establishment of a limit of one buck. 



SERIOUS EPIDEMIC AMONG GRAY SQUIRRELS. 



The gray squirrel, a game species, much appreciated by the mountain- 

 eers and by boys has almost disappeared in many sections of the state 

 owing to a serious epidemic of disease. The disease first appeared in El 

 Dorado County in 1917 but since that date has spread throughout the 

 state. 



The first evidence of the disease is to be seen in a scaly or mangy 

 appearance around the head and neck. This is followed by sores over 

 the rest of the body and the hair falls off giving the animal a mangy 

 appearance. Dead squirrels are to be found at the bases of trees and in 

 streams of water. 



An examination of specimens by the veterinary and entomological 

 department of the University of California showed the disease to be a 

 form of scabies. According to Professor Stanley B. Freeborn, the cause 

 is to be found in a mite belonging to the genus Notoedres. These mites 

 live in little tunnels dug in the skin and they eventually cause bad sores 

 which weaken the animal to such an extent that death finally ensues. 



As epidemics of this sort often occur among rodents it is to be expected 

 that those escaping the disease will soon repopulate the forested area 

 with gray squirrels. However, the scarcity of this game species in many 

 sections has led to a demand for a closed season to allow the squirrels to 

 recuperate. 



PUBLIC SHOOTING GROUNDS-GAME REFUGE BILL. 



The successful operation of the federal law relating to migratory birds 

 has stimulated conservationists to attempt to provide additional game 

 refuges and public shooting grounds. The Anthony Bill (HE. 5823) 

 designed to bring about these M-orthwhile conservation measures pro- 

 vides for a federal hunting license of one dollar to be purchased in the 

 form of a stamp and to be affixed to the state license. Provision is also 

 made for the use of such funds as are received in the purchase of public 

 shooting grounds and of game refuges. Although in sympathy with 

 the plan underlying the bill, the Commission is opposed to two minor 

 provisions which would ol)viously give trouble in law enforcement in 

 California. One provides for complete control of all animal and fish 

 life within a federal refuge wdiich might well take away from the state 

 control over fish planted by the state. An amendment correcting this 

 has been promised by those in charge of the bill ; the other, a more serious 

 obstacle, is a provision allowing a man to hunt on his own property 

 without a federal hunting license. So long as this dangerous provision 

 is a part of the bill the Commission can not favor its passage. It will 

 be difficult enough to enforce both state and federal laws without being 

 trammeled by such a stumbling block to law enforcement. It is to be 

 hoped that these obstacles to the passage of the law will be removed 

 and that the main projects may be carried out. 



