THIRTY-SIXTH BIENNIAL REPORT 33 



the species is a prolific breeder and under favorable conditions will 

 recover rapidly. 



SAGEHEN 



There has been a very encouraging increase in sagehens during 

 the past several years in Modoc, Lassen and Mono counties. It is hoped 

 that with the attention now being given them, they will continue to 

 increase so it will be possible to put the species back on the list that 

 can be taken by hunters, 



DEER 



There are few States in the Union that can offer more in the way 

 of deer hunting than we can in California. With a season extending 

 through August to the middle of October, with a limit of two deer, and 

 with an excellent supply to draw from, what more could the hunter 

 desire? Since the deer tag law was adopted in 1927 the deer harvest, 

 according to postcard returns, has been more than doubled and there 

 are few parts of the State where conditions justify worry. On the 

 other hand, there are sections where it seems deer may be too abundant 

 and it may be necessary to reduce their numbers. Crop protection 

 from deer is becoming a serious problem. 



ANTELOPE 



Previous to the record-breaking cold winter of 1936-37 the antelope 

 herd increased to such an extent that we believe it would soon be pos- 

 sible to have a limited open season. However, so many were winter 

 killed there was a serious setback and an open season must be delayed 

 until complete recovery has been made. Close watch will be kept on the 

 antelope population. During the winter when the animals bunch and 

 when climatic conditions permit, a census will be taken. Last year a 

 census taken in February indicated there were somewhere near 6,000 

 head in Modoc and Lassen counties. 



ELK 



The valley elk that were moved to Owens Vallej^ have continued 

 to increase. When Owens Valley was not farmed the elk were welcome 

 and were not a problem but with the change in the agricultural pro- 

 gram of the Los Angeles owners, crop protection from elk is serious. 

 Plans are under way which, if perfected, will lead to the fencing of an 

 area where the elk may range without disturbing anyone. 



The 200 or 300 Roosevelt elk that are found in the redwood 

 country in Humboldt County also continue to give some trouble to the 

 agricultural interests. It is hoped that arrangements can be made 

 whereby this most interesting species can be held in some park area 

 where damage to crops will be of little consequence. 



The elk on the refuge in Kern County are slowly increasing. 

 Some loss in the herd is occasioned each year by the fact that certain 

 morons think it is sport to sneak up on the outside of the fence and 

 shoot at the animals with 22 rifles. A number have been killed by such 

 bandits. Two shooters who were caught were given a term on the road 

 gang but this has apparently not cured the trouble. 



