30 CALIFORNIA FISH AND (JA.MK 



PREDATORY ANIMAL STUDIES 



By Donald D. McLeaj^ 



INTRODUCTION 



This predatory auiiiial .study i)rogram in llu- .Slate yiiine rctiige.s 

 was started on the first of January, 1932. This report covers the 

 period from that date to June 30, 1933. Beginning July 1, 1933, it 

 was found necessary througli lack of funds to reduce the number of 

 trappers to four. 



Because definite information regarding the food of predators was 

 lacking, it was arranged to examine the stomachs of all animals 

 and to positively identify the contents. The Stanford University 

 Museum kindly furnished working space, and their collection of birds 

 and mammals for reference in the determination of contents proved 

 invaluable. 



Coyotes and bobcats were the primary species included in this 

 study, although when other species were trapped their stomachs were 

 preserved for study. Refuge areas on which trapping was conducted 

 were reported to be heavily stocked with both coyotes and bobcats. 

 Trappers were required to make daily reports on the number of traps 

 out, miles of trap line, number of animals caught, weather conditions, 

 and number and species of game seen. Maps showing trap lines, 

 location of settings, and location and elevation where each animal 

 was caught, were also rerpiirod. Other information which they could 

 give from personal observation was included in the reports. 



Much data pertaining to the range, number and habits of coj^otes 

 and bobcats at various seasons, on these areas, was secured. 



Trapper Size of areas trapped 



J. N. Ray Game Refuse 3B, San Benito Co., 21 sq. mi. plus CI sq. mi., totaling 



82 sq. mi. Elevation 950 feet to 3287 feet. 



Shaw Game Refuge lO, El Dorado Co., 118 sq. mi. Elevation 2200 feet 



to 7285 feet. Part of game refuge IJ, Amador Co. 15 sq. mi. 

 Elevation 5500 feet to 8000 feet. Part of Game Refuge II, Placer 

 Co., 21 sq. mi. Elevation 1700 feet to 8400 feet. 



R. Ray Game Refuge IM, Kern Co., ll(i sq. mi. plus 26 sq. mi., totaling 142 



sq. mi. Elevation 2000 feet to 7544 feet. Game Refuge IK in 

 Fresno Co., 59 sq. mi. plus 61 sq. mi., totaling 120 sq. mi. Ele- 

 vation 1000 feet to 10,044 feet. Los Banos "Waterfowl Refuge, 

 Merced Co., approximately 5 sq. mi. plus 2 sq. mi., totaling about 

 7 sq. mi. Valley conditions. Elevation 90 feet. Gray Lodge 

 Waterfowl Refuge, Butte Co., approximately 4 sq. mi. plus IJ sq. 

 mi., totaling about 5J sq. mi. Valley conditions, elevation 60 feet. 



McDonald Game Refuge 2.\ in T*Tkc, Mendocino and Glenn Cos., 60 sq. mi. 



plus 41 sq. mi., totaling 101 sq. mi. Elevation 3000 feet to 6954 

 feet. 



Willburn Game Refuge 1 1 >, 'Piinity Co., in4 sq. mi. Elevation 2800 feet to 



6262 feet. 



Powell Game Refuge 111 in 'I'luihiniiie Co., 151 sq. mi. Elevation 1600 



feet to 7500 feet. Game Refuge 3E, Santa Clara Co., 6 sq. mi. 

 plus 4 sq. mi., totaling 10 sq. mi. Elevation 2250 feet to 4209 feet! 



Munneke Game Refuge IG in Tehama Co., 169 sq. mi. plus 24 sq. mi., totaling 



193 sq. mi. Elevation 1000 feet to 5500 feet. Game Refuge IF 

 in Lassen Co., 75 sq. mi. plus 4 sq. mi., totaling 79 sq. mi. Eleva- 

 tion 5100 feet to 7000 feet. J of Game Refuge 3D, Ventura Co. 

 plus 72 sq. mi., totaling 133 sq. mi. Elevation 950 feet to 6300 

 feet. 



