FOREST AND RANGE RESOURCES OF UTAH 



93 



fertile, while under natural conditions it is believed not more than 

 5 per cent are fertile. Also, the young fish are protected from their 

 natural enemies until well grown. (Fig. 49.) 



Fish culture has resulted in the establishment of several desirable 

 species such as the rainbow, eastern brook, and mackinaw trouts, and 

 bass. However, cultural methods must be charged with the intro- 

 duction, many years ago, of the very undesirable carp, which, by 

 destroying natural vegetation, has 

 made many waters unfavorable for 

 both fish and game birds. 



The development of associations 

 of sportsmen interested in game 

 and fish propagation has been a 

 potent factor in creating local inter- 

 est and a public sentiment support- 

 ing laws for fish and game con- 

 servation. In many cases active 

 measures have been taken for fish 

 and game propagation. Without 

 the financial support and moral 

 backing of protective laws by fisher- 

 men and hunters, most of the game 

 species would have disappeared, and 

 game fish would have become a 

 rarity. 



All of the above methods have 

 helped to conserve tjae natural sup- 

 ply of fish and game but have by no 

 means completely remedied the 

 situation. For instance, in one sea- 

 son more migratory birds (ducks, 

 geese, etc. ) died of alkali poisoning <J 

 in the Bear River Bay marshes 

 than had been shot by all the gun- 

 ners of the State in all of the pre- 

 ceding years combined. Large numbers of cougars (mountain lions) 

 roamed the forests, and one of these pests would destroy at least 

 one deer per week during the entire year. Certain species of hawks 

 and owls, as well as coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, and semiwild homeless 

 house cats destroy many game birds and smaller game animals. 

 Crows, magpies, snakes, and red squirrels search out the nests of 



9 Bear River Bay Migratory-Bird Refuge. Bear River Bay is one of the largest marsh 

 areas in the intermountain section and besides being the breeding ground of many thou- 

 sands of ducks is a natural resting ground of migrating waterfowl. The draining of 

 natural marsh areas has restricted the natural breeding ground and feeding areas so that 

 the birds, even when protected, have difficulty in finding suitable areas to feed and breed. 

 Birds from Bear River Bay have been banded and have been found in practically all the 

 Western States. For many years there have been periodically immense losses of all forms 

 of migratory birds there, amounting to millions of birds, generally attributed to alkali 

 poisoning. A sure remedy is the supplying of fresh water. The large expanse of barren 

 mud flats has been unproductive of duck food and under certain conditions has also con- 

 tributed to heavy losses of the birds. Recognizing the importance of this area to the 

 migratory birds of North America and the necessity of preserving favorable conditions 

 there, Congress in 1928 authorized an appropriation of $350,000 to purchase land and 

 build dikes. Under the direction of the Bureau of Biological Survey this work is being 

 undertaken. The dikes are low barriers of dirt that impound the fresh water and make 

 shallow lakes, keeping out the salt water from Salt Lake, which destroys the duck foods. 

 The dikes will eventually flood 50.000 acres of ■ land and will provide a wonderful -refuge 

 for wild fowl and an opportunity for hunters to enjoy their sport on not to exceed 40 per 

 cent of the area, the remainder to be a permanent sanctuary. 



Figure 48. — Elk have been successfully 

 reestablished in Utah 



