34 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



PREDATORY ANIMALS 



During the biennial period trappers working in this bureau 

 accounted for 5,797 coyotes, 1,917 wildcats and 3,411 lesser predators. 

 In taking these 11,125 animals trappers covered 510,734 miles of trap- 

 lines and made 487,279 sets, working 10,664 man days. In this work 

 we cooperate with other agencies engaged in predatory animal control. 

 Our men work in game areas that are not covered otherwise. Pred- 

 ators are not equally distributed in the various sections of the State. 

 In some regions a record breaking catch can be made while in other 

 areas much harder work will produce a poor take. 



MOUNTAIN LIONS 



Since mountain lion control was undertaken by the division 

 there have been taken up to the end of the biennial period 8,523 lions. 

 Without doubt this work has reflected, generally, on the deer popula- 

 tion, deer being the primary food of lions. Certainly it has been a 

 great help to sheepmen. It has been truthfully stated that every lion 

 in sheep country will cause the loss of hundreds of dollars worth of 

 sheep. In addition to the bounty of $20 on male and $30 on female 

 lions, the division employs four lion hunters who spend all their time 

 on this work. These men account for from one-fourth to one-third of 

 the lions taken annually. During the biennium 527 lions were killed. 



PITTMAN-ROBERTSON PROJECTS 



Our Pittman-Robertson program was begun during the biennium. 

 Money for the projects under the authority of the Federal act is 

 secured from the tax on arms and ammunition. In order to be eligible 

 a State must contribute 25 per cent of the amount received from the 

 Government. Six projects are now under way. We realize that par- 

 ticular attention should be given to the quail situation. Accordingly, 

 a study of all conditions affecting quail is being carried on in the lower 

 central coast counties. Information gathered here will be of value in 

 all parts of the State. An extensive study of the southern mule deer 

 is being carried on in Santa Barbara County. This is a continuation 

 of the work undertaken by the Forest Service which that agency was 

 compelled to drop on account of insufficient funds. Study of the desert 

 regions with the particular idea of improving game conditions is under 

 way. The fur resources of our State are being thoroughly studied. 

 The Pittman-Robertson program will enable us to carry on studies of 

 the many problems that confront us in the management of our game, 

 l^isease, parasites, feed and water conditions, relationship of the various 

 species one to another, in fact all the thousand and one questions that 

 come up repeatedly and for which there have been no research funds, 

 can now be undertaken. 



Finally, I wish to express my appreciation for the assistance the 

 bureau has received from commissioners, executive officers, and the 

 other bureaus of the Division, to employees of the Department of 

 Finance and other State agencies, and to a loyal and cooperative staff 

 in the Bureau of Game Conservation. 



