FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 



53 



I 



of the various species of worms (helminths), and 

 ostensibly confirmed the theory that younger animals 

 are more susceptible to infection and therefore more 

 apt to succumb to the efi^ects of these parasites. A 

 study of the relation between various nutritional states 

 and intensity of infection is now underway. Deer 

 suffering from malnutrition are more susceptible to 

 the disease. 



Cooperative Disease Studies: Investigations have 

 been made in cooperation with other state agencies 

 and institutions on diseases related to the welfare of 

 M ildlife species as well as to domestic stock and public 

 health. Blood samples obtained from wildlife species 

 have been submitted to the State Department of Public 

 Health for a determination of the presence of diseases 

 transmissible to man, with all results to date being 

 negative. Sera of wild avian species have been tested 

 for virus diseases transmissable to poultry. In coop- 

 eration with the State Department of Agriculture and 

 the University of California, diseases capable of pass- 

 ing from livestock to wildlife have been investigated 

 jointly. As a result, serious threats to wildlife have 

 been averted by the prompt and combined action of 

 the interested agencies. 



In addition, Pittman-Robertson Project W35-R is 

 devoted to investigation of \\ ildlife diseases which can 

 be controlled by management practices. 



Mountain Lion Control 



During the biennium 355 mountain lions were 

 bountied, 89 by State lion hunters and 266 by private 

 individuals. Of this total, 174 were taken in 1952 and 

 181 in 1953. The bounty is |50 per male lion and $60 

 per female. Table 26 of the Appendix is the county 

 breakdown as to the mountain lion kill. 



Department policy in regard to taking lions is to 

 maintain a control over their numbers rather than 

 trying to eradicate the species. State lion hunters hunt 

 areas ^\'here sign shows the lions to be excessively 

 numerous. 



There were four Department of Fish and Game lion 

 hunters in 1952 and three in 1953. 



Predator Control 



During the biennium 3,779 coyotes, 1,945 bobcats, 

 and 8,685 lesser predators (skunks, opossums, rac- 

 coons, etc.) for a total of 14,409 were taken by 

 department predator control men. In predator control 

 it is the policy to trap predators where their removal 

 will afford maximum protection to the game crop. As 

 a consequence, particular attention is given to trapping 

 on known deer fawning areas, antelope kidding 

 grounds, waterfowl nesting areas, and pheasant nest- 

 ing areas, especially where public hunting access is 

 allowed. 



Table 26 of the Appendix is a county breakdown 

 of predator control activities. 



An evaluaiion of deer foods is made with this experimentol feeding pen. 

 Native browse and artificial foods are mixed in the diet. 



Predatory Birds 



During the biennium the State paid a bounty of 15 

 cents per bird for crows and 10 cents per bird for 

 black-billed magpies. 1,681 crows and 191 magpies 

 were bountied during the period. 



Wildlife Conservation Board Projects (related to game) 



Activities which have received the benefits of Wild- 

 life Conservation Board programs to date include the 

 constructon of game farms, quail habitat improvement, 

 acquisition of deer winter range, and acquisition of 

 waterfowl management areas. The bulk of the funds 

 for wildlife have been directed toward the acquisition 

 of w aterfow 1 management areas. 



SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS 



During the biennium California received $1,680,968 

 from federal aid funds, the largest apportionment to 

 date from the federal excise tax on sporting arms and 

 ammunition under the Pittman-Robertson Act. Cali- 

 fornia's contribution, as required by the act, amounted 

 to $560,322, for a total Pittman-Robertson Fund of 

 $2,241,290. 



These funds were channeled into 22 projects, all 

 of them aimed at improving the wildlife resource 

 either through research and investigation or develop- 

 ment of habitat, management areas, and public shoot- 

 ing grounds. 



Eight of these projects were in the field of surveys 

 and investigations, aimed at acquisition of knowledge 

 which will enable the public more fully to understand 

 the problems of its wildlife resource, and the depart- 

 ment to more cfficicntl>- and intelligently manage it. 



