GAME AND WILD-FUR PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION 15 



DESTRUCTION OF WEEDS 



The subject of the destruction of weed seeds by game birds is contro- 

 versial. One group maintains that this activity of the birds brings 

 great benefits; another group says the birds are responsible for the 

 wide dissemination of obnoxious plants and the destruction of culti- 

 vated crops. Both sides have some evidence to support their conten- 

 tions. Weeds always produce a greater supply of seeds than can 

 possibly find room to grow, so farmers realize that game birds have 

 little if any effect on the need of cultivation to control weed pests. 

 But where game birds and mammals do perform a service to agriculture 

 this value should not be overlooked. 



PROVIDING ESTHETIC ENJOYMENT 



Farmers continually say of game, "Oh, I like to see it around." 

 Farmers enjoy working among living things. The daily association 

 with birds and mammals and the enlivenment and enrichment of rural 

 environment by these creatures are among the attractive features of 

 farm life. The bevy of quail in the garden, the scurrying rabbit in 

 the fence corner, the squirrel frisking in the wood lot, and the colorful 

 pheasant in the hay meadow are usually appreciated by the farmer and 

 his family. In fact, because of this appreciation the family frequently 

 objects to hunting on their property or elsewhere. 



BUSINESS AND SOCIAL USES 



Game frequently furnishes a farmer a chance for business or social 

 contacts. Probably far more could be done in this direction, although 

 the farmer may not choose to accept money either for the wild crea- 

 tures or for hunting privileges. Nevertheless, many farmers enjoy 

 hunting and offer this entertainment to friends and business associates. 

 In this way some farmers can, and often do, make the wildlife on their 

 land a business and social asset of no mean proportion. This is but one 

 of the reasons for a careful rationalization of wildlife and other farm 

 enterprises. 



HOME USES 



Game was frequently an important item of living to the early settlers 

 throughout the country, but now, except in certain areas where sub- 

 marginal land is still farmed, game is usually an "extra" on the table. 

 It does supply variety for farm families when available. 



In the aggregate game consumed by the rural population is un- 

 doubtedly of considerable consequences and releases for market domes- 

 tic items that would otherwise be used by the rural families. Farmers 

 are not required to buy licenses when hunting on their own properties 

 and seldom report to the game department the head of game taken 

 during the legal open season, so the amount of game they use on their 

 tables cannot be known. 



WILD FUR 



Money for wild fur may be realized by the farmer by his either 

 trapping the animals or selling trapping privileges. The method most 

 advantageous to the farmer depends largely upon local circumstances. 

 Estimates as to what proportion of the total annual crop is harvested 



