THIRTY-FIFTH BIENNIAL KEPORT 37 



During the past seven years, the opening date has varied from October 

 20th to November 27th and this year October 15th. Only in the years 

 1932 and 1933 was the opening date the same — November 1st. 



The first ducks from the north reach our State in late July and 

 early August. In the Imperial the arrival date is usually the second 

 week in August. It is decidedly to the advantage of the birds to have 

 water conditions satisfacton^ on the only marsh areas left, the duck 

 hunting grounds, when the birds arrive. As long as there is uncer- 

 tainty as to the opening of tlie season ; in fact, as to whether there will 

 be any season at all, there will be irregularity in water conditions, 

 most marshes will be dry. Rains can not be depended upon. Water 

 in California must be bought or pumped. With the opening date in 

 question, few landowners arc willing to go to the expense of putting 

 water on their land until well after the early flight has passed. 



There is also dissatisfaction as to the 7 a.m. opening hour. With 

 the sun rising approximately a minute later each day, there is so 

 much daylight time between sunrise and 7 a.m. in October that the 

 average duck hunter can not resist the temptation to shoot ahead of 

 time. A violator of this provision of the law is particularly difficult 

 to apprehend. The arresting officer must be in a most favorable spot 

 if he is to swear to a complaint. The general result is criticism of 

 the officer and a general disregard for the law by unattached shooters. 



It can be definitely said that there has been an increase in the 

 number of ducks in the past few years. This has been particularly 

 so with nesting conditions during the last two seasons. More ducks 

 nested in California during the spring of 1938 than for many years. 

 California waterfowl refuges have certainly been a factor in increasing 

 waterfowl. When these areas were set aside, there was scarcely an acre 

 of open water where a duck could find security. Millions of birds 

 have taken advantage of the refuge areas and have survived the bar- 

 rage of duck shot. These are the birds that provide the future crop 

 for the hunter. 



Elk are still a problem in California. A few years ago, enthu- 

 siastic citizens in Owens Valley, believing that a herd of elk would 

 be an added attraction, prevailed upon the National Park Service 

 and our Commission to move the Yosemite herd of elk and others from 

 the State Elk Refuge in Kern County to the Owens Valley. The new 

 home proved entirely satisfactory to the elk and the numbers have 

 increased. Now with the change in the agricultural policy of the 

 Valley, many are wondering if the animals were so much of an asset. 

 It will probably be necessary for some agency to construct a fence 

 to prevent damage to cultivated crops. 



The California elk on the Kern Refuge have had an average 

 increase of 22 for the past two years. On this refuge, we had a rather 

 strenuous time during high water conditions both in 1937 and 1938. 

 By the construction of a levee around the adobe headquarter 's house 

 and the installation of pumps to take care of seepage water, we were 

 able to save this house from destruction and comparatively little dam- 

 age was done. It was also necessary to keep the elk from flooded areas. 

 On account of the high water, feed conditions on this refuge have been 

 particularly good and it has not been necessary to purchase feed. 



