TWENTY-SEVENTH BIENNIAL REPORT. 23 



Many of these liiniters obtained the full limit — two bucks — wliich shows 

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

 this region that the mule deer will not be able to withstand such con- 

 centrated hunting and a sentiment is growing which favors either the 

 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, muc'i 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 sciuirrels 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 Xotoedres. 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 s(piirrels to 

 recuperate. 



PUBLIC SHOOTING GROUNDS-GAME REFUGE BILL. 



The successful operation of the federal law relating to migratory l)irds 

 has stimulated conservationists to attempt to ])rovide additional game 

 refuges and public shooting grounds. The Anthony Bill .(HR. 5828) 

 designed to bring about these worthwhile conservation measures i)ro- 

 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 i)ublic 

 shooting grounds and of game refuges. Although in sympatli\' with 

 the plan underlying the bill, the Commission is op|)osed to two minor 

 provisions which would obviously give trouble in law enforcement in 

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

 life within a federal refuge whicii might well take away fi-om the state 

 control over fish planted by the state. An amendment convn'ting this 

 has been promised l»y those in charge of the bill ; the other, a more serious 

 obstacle, is a provision allowing a man to Inint on his own [n-opei'ty 

 Avithout a federal hunting license. So long as this dangerons i)rovisi()n 

 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. 



