

The burglar 



sfealing these eggs during a nesting study of Sacramenfo Valley ducks is a spotted skunk, one of a number of predators who annually 



take a large toil of eggs. 



(Fish and Game Photo by Wm. Anderson) 



CHUKARS 



Chukar partridges, introduced in California in 1928, 

 became well enough established in some of the arid 

 regions of the State at the beginning of the biennium 

 to permit the first open season in the fall of 1954. 



Results of hunter questionnaires in 1954 and 1955 

 revealed approximately 2,100 of the birds were taken 

 in the first season and almost double that figure (4,000) 

 in 1955. The birds provide excellent sport to those 

 hunters hardy enough to pursue them. 



The rearing of chukars on game farms has been dis- 

 continued, as it is far more economical to trap the 

 necessary birds for brood stock from wild populations. 

 During the period of this report, 1,369 chukars were 

 trapped in Inyo County and transplanted in suitable 

 habitat in Kern, Fresno and San Benito Counties. 



A chukar investigation was completed in 1956. This 

 study was undertaken to determine the areas in which 

 this recently, introduced game species had become es- 

 tablished, to obtain information for management, and 

 to learn whether a hunting season was advisable. 



There have been two brief hunting seasons to date 

 and the 1956 season was set to be the same length as 

 the quail season in the same areas. 



In cooperation with regional management personnel, 

 1,369 chukars were trapped on the Naval Ordnance 

 Testing Station land in the Coso and Argus Moun- 

 tains of Inyo County and transplanted into apparent 

 chukar habitat where no chukars were known to exist. 

 Reproduction has been successful at or near all of 

 these areas. 



DOVES 



Doves continued to be a highly rated hunter target 

 during the biennium, with both 1954 and 1955 pro- 

 ducing near record bags. The second in importance 

 among all game birds, doves were topped only by the 

 combined take of all species of ducks. 



In spite of the seemingly heavy pressure, band re- 

 turns provide a solid indication that hunters are not 

 the dove's worst enemy. Bands indicate that hunters 

 take only a token harvest. Department records show 

 a return by hunters of only 3 percent of the bands 

 placed on birds, compared to a state-wide average of 

 18 to 20 percent for waterfowl tags. 



The department undertook a study of doves in 1955 

 to determine the extent of California's dove range, 

 production and survival of voung, migration and 

 hunters' bag. This data is important in formulating 

 management practices on any species. 



