22 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



region hunting was prohibited below Ponderosa Way, approximately 

 2,500 feet elevation. This prohibition reduced the kill to 25,902 as 

 against 43,493 for the year previous. In 1943 deer hunting was pro- 

 hibited by the AA^ar Department in the coast counties and in Southern 

 California. The take in the counties opening September 16th totaled 

 21,882. In view of the fact that there had been no open season in 

 Southern California for two years, the commission declared an open 

 season in the southern counties and in Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, 

 Santa Cruz, and the western portion of Santa Clara, Merced and Fresno 

 Counties, from December 11th to December 31st. Three thousand three 

 hundred twelve deer were taken during this season. 



Questionnaires were sent to nearly 3,000 successful hunters in which 

 they were asked pertinent questions. Only in Los Angeles and San 

 Bernardino Counties were the hunters in favor of a winter season. Few 

 hunters reported fat deer and the general opinion was that the animals 

 were from 25 per cent to 30 per cent underweight. In many instances, 

 antlers were loose and in some localities bucks had already dropped their 

 antlers. Those that favored a winter season did so on account of the 

 cooler weather and less fire hazard. Those against, on account of the 

 condition of the animals. 



Acting under the authority of Section 39.1 of the Fish and Game 

 Code, the commission in 1943 had an open season on elk in the Owens 

 Valley. Hunting was permitted from December 4th to 11th. Seventy- 

 five permits issued allowing the taking of one bull each. Forty-three 

 animals were taken. The largest with the viscera removed weighed 

 490 lbs. Following are the measurements : Antlers, right 38.5" ; left 

 36"; spread 43"; tip to tip 40.12"; base, right 9.12"; left 9.6" ; number of 

 points, right 6 ; left 6. 



In 1943 the commission again opened the season on antelope, fixing 

 the dates September 8th to 20th, inclusive. The same procedure in 

 issuing permits was followed as had been used in the 1942 season. Five 

 hundred permits were issued. Eighty-seven per cent of those who 

 hunted were successful and took 362 antelope. 



The antelope census was carried on by airplane as in the past with 

 a favorable increase in numbers being indicated. In 1943 the count was 

 5,338 and in 1944, 6,147. The 1942 count was 3,752. These counts were 

 made in Lassen, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties on the known winter 

 ranges. One band of 171 was found in Shasta County near Fall Eiver 

 Mills, in 1944. 



Study of parasites and diseases of game has been continued by Dr. 

 Carlton M. Herman. His report follows. 



PARASITES AND DISEASES 



During the period covered by this report there have been many cases 

 of evidence of disease causing loss in deer ]iopulations, primarily' in the 

 coastal counties and particularly in Alendocino and Sonoma Counties, 

 although the same condition occurs more or less from the southern part 

 of the State to Humboldt Count}^ as well as in Lake and Trinity Counties. 



Examination of a number of animals seems to point to the round- 

 worm infections of the upper digestive tract as the most frequently 

 occurring disease condition, and to such an extent that much of the losses 

 could be attributed to this infection. A number of species of round- 



