Adirondack Beaver 171 



Rangers are thoroughly familiar with their respective areas and if 

 entrusted with this responsibility could doubtless attend to it along 

 with their other duties. 



In view of the conditions found and the number of beavers evi- 

 dently inhabiting the region investigated it appears advisable that the 

 animals be reduced to an extent sufficient to put a check upon such 

 damage as they may be causing in certain localities to timber, pos- 

 sibly to trout fishing, and to private property or other interests 

 within this area. A consideration of all the facts does not appear 

 to warrant drastic reduction in the numbers of the beavers. So far 

 as an estimate of numbers is possible in the circumstances I believe 

 that a reduction of the present beaver population, in the territory in 

 question, to the extent of about a thousand individuals would accom- 

 plish the purpose in view. To that end the following recommenda- 

 tions are submitted. 



Recommendations 



The present investigation has shown that the beaver of the Adi- 

 rondacks may be made a valuable source of revenue to the State if 

 properly managed. The cost of this supervision is slight compared 

 with the value of the resource. If $25,000.00 can now be derived 

 annually from Herkimer and Hamilton counties alone, then cer- 

 tainly a few thousands spent on surveys of the whole Adirondack 

 region is a slight expense, and this must precede intelligent manage- 

 ment of this resource. 



My recommendations are divided into two groups : 



Investigations Needed. 1. Surveys similar to the present one 

 should be extended throughout the Adirondacks to determine the 

 present status of the beaver for the region as a whole. 



2. A special study should be made of the relation of beaver to 

 trout. 



3. The breeding habits need further study in order to determine 

 the rate of increase, as this should be an important factor in decid- 

 ing on the number to be killed during open seasons. 



4. Further investigations are needed to determine the amount of 

 food (suitable species of trees) requisite to maintain the beaver. 

 This will give a basis for estimating the number of beaver which 

 an area can maintain permanently, looking toward a sustained 

 annual yield of fur. 



5. A study is needed of the local species of aspen and birch in 

 order to know how to secure a sustained yield of beaver food. 



