44 BULLETIN 1049, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. . 



Most persons interested in this work are engaged in raising pheas- 

 ants, some in rearing waterfowl, and a few in raising wild turkeys. 

 Attempts to raise quail, ruffed grouse, and prairie chickens in cap- 

 tivity have met with some success, but have not as yet progressed 

 be} T ond the experimental stage. What is now needed is the develop- 

 ment of simple methods of rearing these birds so that those who 

 have had experience in raising poultry may engage in raising quail, 

 grouse, wild turkeys, wood ducks, wild geese, and other native species 

 in sufficient numbers to render the venture successful from a com- 

 mercial standpoint. The demand for such game is greatly in excess 

 of the supply, and the market is capable of being developed enor- 

 mously provided the game can be produced cheaply enough to be sold 

 at reasonable prices. 17 



COST OF MAINTAINING GAME. 



COST OF WARDEN SERVICE. 



The principal expense connected with the protection of game is 

 the maintenance of a patrol adequate to prevent violations of the 

 laws. The growth of the warden service has developed steadily in 

 the last few years, and in some States the development has been 

 rapid. Until recently wardens were paid part of the fines, but this 

 system, always unsatisf actory, has now been abandoned in most 

 States. The next step was payment by the day when actually em- 

 ployed; this method is still followed by some States but fails to 

 produce satisfactory results, as it is impossible to maintain an effi- 

 cient force when men are uncertain of their pay and must rely on 

 other employment to eke out their incomes. The third .step, the 

 employment of salaried wardens throughout the year, is the most 

 satisfactory method thus far devised and makes it possible to develop 

 a permanent and efficient force. 



Wardens' salaries are now paid mainly from receipts from hunt- 

 ing licenses, and in many States the income from this source is suffi- 

 cient to make the warden service- self-supporting without cost to 

 the general tax payers. The total cost to the State for such service 

 depends chiefly on the amount of the salary and the number of the 

 wardens. The salaries formerly paid deputies or field men were at 

 the rate of $50 or $60 per month, but several States now pay from 

 £100 to $125 per month, the rate being graded according to the char- 

 acter of the work and the experience of the men. District or super- 

 vising wardens receive more, and in New York the chief game pro- 

 tector receives a salary of $5,000 per annum. 



17 The Department of Agriculture has issued two bulletins on the propagation of 

 wild-duck foods, which may be had on application : McAfee. W. I, . Eleven important 

 wild-duck foods; Bull. 205. pp. 25. figs. 23, 1915. McAtee, W. L., Propagation of wild 

 chirk foods; Hull. 465, pp. 40. figs. 35. 1917. 



