THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 175 



The Mallard is one of the easiest ducks raised in captivity. It is 

 not at all difficult to domesticate. It is surprising that farmers do not 

 raise more of these birds from a business standpoint. They not only 

 bring a good price as decoys, but they always demand a good price 

 for table use. Since the sale of ducks killed in the wild state was 

 prohibited in Oregon, there is no reason why the demand cannot be 

 partly supplied by wild ducks raised in captivity. The Oregon law 

 permits this to be done by licensed breeders and sold when they are 

 tagged under the authority of the Fish and Game Commission. A 

 fat wheat-fed Mallard is a fit article for any table. The proof is in 

 the eating. 



W. L. F. 



A PLEA FOR SALMON CONSERVATION. 



By H. L. Kelly, Master Fish Warden. 



"You will never miss the water till the well runs dry," sang an 

 old song. The idea contained therein applies to many of the blessings 

 which we continually enjoy, yet too often never seriously consider. 

 Among these, and one of vast importance to every individual in the 

 state, is our well-established salmon industry. 



How many of our citizens realize what a calamity it would be, 

 if for some reason or other not a single salmon of any kind should 

 enter our Oregon streams next year? Thousands of people from the 

 mouth of the Columbia River to the extreme southern confines of the 

 state would be thrown out of employment and their entire earnings 

 cut off, while other thousands would be deprived of a large share of 

 their annual income. That would awaken our interest and sympathy 

 at once, as many would have to be assisted until they found other 

 employment. All others, not directly interested in the work would 

 be affected by such a condition for, with approximately thirty million 

 pounds of salmon taken off the market, the price of other fish and 

 meats would be correspondingly raised. 



The salmon is worthy of a great deal of our attention and con- 

 sideration, for besides being a most interesting nature study, this king 

 of fishes helps to boost the state's prosperity figures about $4,000,000 

 each year. 



How many of us are thankful to an all-wise Providence for having 

 created a salt water fish which delivers itself at our very doors fresh 

 from the ocean? Yet such a fish is the salmon. A sea fish pure and 

 simple of most delicious flavor, rich in food value, and which can 

 be caught hundreds of miles inland virtually "fresh" from the sea. 



When compelled by instinct, they leave their rich feeding grounds 

 in the mysterious depths of the ocean and enter the rivers by hun- 

 dreds of thousands. Nets, seines, traps and wheels take their toll, 

 but tens of thousands manage somehow to escape all these death 

 devices. Up rapids and over dams and falls they fight their way, many 

 killing themselves in their persistent efforts to pass whatever barrier 

 blocks their way. Still thousands get by, although many are badly 

 bruised and cut, and on they go to the coldest, purest waters. Here 

 the spawn is deposited in the clean sand and gravel of the shallow 

 riffles. This is the salmon's last act, for shortly after spawning they 

 die. All this is done to plant the seed for the future "crop" that will 

 automatically deliver itself and save us the trouble and expense of 

 going out to the ocean to gather it. 



The commercial value alone of the salmon should create a desire 



