66 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 



II. Information is (lesirod in refianl to tlio trend of the deer lierds popu- 

 lation in years past. How abundant were deer in your area ;">(), 

 40, 30. ete.. years ago? Date of "iieak"' of deer abundance in 

 your vicinity V Dates of low ebh in deer population your vicinity. 

 (Get signed statements from old residents regarding this.) 



1'2. Is the number of deer in your vicinity increasing or decreasing at 

 the preseut time? (Statements from reliable persons solicited.) 



IX. Conclusion. 



A. Maps. I'repare a map of your general vicinity of sufiiciently large scale 

 til enahif plotting upon it, so another could locate without your help. 



1. Strip Couut Route. 



2. Work Area. 



Prepare larger scale map of "Work Area showing in detail all t<ipngrai)liy, 

 tree, brush, meadowland and water. Be prepared later to mark upon this map, 

 locations of deer, predators, etc. 



B. Reports. 



1. Strip Count Census which is to be made four times a year shall 

 be reported separately immediately following each count. 



2. AVork Area reports, including reports of the four annual c(>n- 

 suses on these areas, and all other information requested in this outline 

 shall be rendered monthly. Prejiare and forward these to the office as 

 soon after the end of the month as possible. 



C Time expected to be dcxoted to this work. 



1. Strip Count Ceiwuis. One day on dates designated. 4 tinu's a 

 year. 



2. Work Area.s. Days required for I'oui- annual censuses, jilus at 

 least 3 to 4 full days per month, preferably more time, at workers' con- 

 venience, to be devoted to studying predatoi-s. habits, food, searching for 

 dead deer, etc. 



The above outline should be self -explanatory. The purpose of the 

 -Strip Count censuses is to secure a broader cross-section of the inakeu]) 

 of the whole deer herd (proportion of age classes and sexes) than would 

 the counts on the smaller Work Areas provide. It is believed that these 

 counts over a period of years may well be expected to indicate the 

 trend of the deer population for the entire region. 



At the time that this paper goes to press, AVork and Strip Count 

 areas have been selected and initial counts are scheduled to be niadr 

 on them on or about January 10, 1934. This will mark actual com- 

 mencement of the study Avliich will be closely followed throughout the 

 year and most probably also in one or two succeeding years, until the 

 desired information is obtained. 



The author wishes to acknowledge with thaidvs the assistance 

 rendered him in the j)reparation of the range map here provided (Fig. 

 15) by the following Division employees : J. S. Hunter, S. R. Gilloon, 

 Wm. Lippincott, C. 0. Fisher, P. Kehrer, L. E. Mercer. F. K. Stan- 

 and C. 0. Elliger. 



