74 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF RESEARCH 



By R. E. Ludlum, In Charge 



In 1926 a Bureau of Statistics and Game Problems was created in 

 the Patrol Department to prepare statistical information and to 

 investigate game problems and diseases. Additional functions were 

 assigned to this bureau and the scope of activity was enlarged to the 

 extent that, in October, 1927, it was detached from the Patrol Depart- 

 ment and a Bureau of Research was established which now functions 

 directly under the executive officer. A report concerning the more 

 important activities follows: 



Deer Tag Data. — The deer tag license law which was enacted in 

 1927 provides that every person must procure deer tags, in duplicate, 

 before hunting deer. The original tag is to be attached to the deer 

 when killed and the duplicate mailed to the Division of Fish and Game. 

 One of the purposes of the new law is to secure accurate information 

 regarding the numher of deer killed and the localities in which they 

 were taken. Comparison of tabulations of deer killed during successive 

 open seasons will furnish much information regarding the increase 

 or decrease of these animals. Such data will be of value for guidance 

 in the enactment of legislation for the protection of deer. With a 

 comparative record of the annual toll taken by hunters and with a 

 reliable estimate of the abundance of deer, it is possible to prescribe 

 such open seasons and bag limits that the necessary reserve for breeding 

 stock will be maintained. 



A complete tabulation of data obtained from duplicate deer tags 

 sent in by hunters during the 1927 season has been compiled and pub- 

 lished in California Fish and Game for January, 1928, and for April, 

 1928. A summary of deer killed in the several counties will be found 

 on page 150 of the £<ppendix. 



Case and Seizure Data. — Records of seizures and cases, together 

 with fines and forfeitures imposed and collected, are entered in books 

 kept for this purpose. Quarterly reports have been compiled and 

 published in California Fish and Game. Biennial report will be found 

 on pages 136-139 of the appendix. 



Fur Trapping Data. — A compilation of fur trapping data has been 

 made up from reports furnished by licensed trappers. These data are 

 published on page 152 of the appendix and show the value of the fur 

 crop to the commercial trapper. While the average return to each 

 trapper is not large, yet the aggregate is a considerable sum. The 

 protection of fur-bearing mammals is a phase of conservation that 

 usually receives but little attention. The annual toll taken by rodents 

 of cultivated crops and natural vegetation is a large loss and reduced 

 the amount of food available for domestic stock as well as game. The 

 carnivorous animals, including the fur-bearers, are nature's check on 

 rodents, and perform a useful service in many cases especially in those 

 sections where organized rodent control campaigns are not conducted. 

 The control of predatory species, however, is a serious problem in 

 which the commercial trapper plays an important part. By reference 

 to the above mentioned report it will be noted that, in addition to pro- 

 tected fur-bearers, the commercial trappers are credited with the 



