6 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



and valuable animals unless protection is given them from the 

 careless hunter and greedy trapper. The time has arrived when 

 we are confronted with two facts first, Oregon's fur crop is 

 economically profitable, and, second, the mammals which produce 

 this fur are fast diminishing in numbers. We may either use 

 these animals at once without thought of further supply, or we 

 may wisely conserve them for the future and thereby bring a 

 large revenue to the state in the years to come. It is true that 

 those drafting laws for the protection of our fur-bearers may 

 meet difficulties; some species are charged with various offenses 

 against the farmer and the stock raiser. It is evident that these 

 charges are exaggerated and not so serious as some would have us 

 believe. The lack of definite information emphasizes the necessity 

 of further study of the habits and numbers of these species. 



The following data shows the economic importance of 

 our fur: during the season of 1913-1914, 18,685 muskrat skins 

 were sold for the sum of $4062.16; 2466 mink brought 

 $7824.58 to the trappers of this state. Other protected species 

 brought about $4000, to say nothing of the large sums 

 received from such species as skunks, coon, coyotes and' bobcats, 

 and less abundant species as the bear, wolf, cougar, ring-tailed 

 cat and badger. Between October 1, 1913, and May 10, 1914, the 

 state paid out $21,267 bounty on such predatory species as the 

 cougar, bobcat and wolf, and the skins of these brought the 

 hunters an additional $13,000. From the reports of hunters and 

 trappers throughout the state, we find that from the sale of furs 

 taken in this state last winter the people received a revenue of 

 about $100,000. The money paid for bounties, in most cases, goes 

 to homesteaders and settlers who can use it to good advantage 

 while developing their property, and killing off these predatory 

 animals tends to increase the numbers of deer and other game, 

 thereby bringing outside hunters to the state, who in turn leave 

 a good sum' of money by hiring guides and buying hunting out- 

 fits to take into the woods. The conservation of our fur as well 

 as our game is a business proposition and should have as much 

 consideration as the preservation of our forests and our water 

 supply. 



