April, 1921 
FOREST AND STREAM 
185 
of New York, guided as it generally has 
been by the advice of the Conservation 
Commission, has been wise and far-see- 
ing almost without exception. 
It was typical of the alert attitude 
of legislators in such matters that the 
bill to declare an open season on beaver 
met an early death. The fur of the 
beaver becomes more valuable year by 
year, and an open season, however brief, 
in a region so accessible as the Adiron- 
dacks, might easily result in the virtual 
extermination of the beaver. It was a 
risk which the Legislature was not 
ready to take. 
T HE case against the beaver is a 
strong one, but there is much also 
to be said on his side. Had he not 
a streak of the independence and stub- 
bornness of the porcupine in him, the 
question of the beaver would be easy 
enough to handle. His dams and houses 
could be destroyed at places where his 
presence was undesirable and the crea- 
ture immediately would go elsewhere. 
But a beaver is slow to take a hint. 
For a period of months his dams may 
be destroyed at frequent intervals, yet 
the beaver will return again and again 
and patiently repair the destruction 
wrought, building his dam higher and 
stronger than ever. 
And in spite of his obstinacy and the 
preternatural forehandedness and cau- 
tion which inspire him to build dams to 
protect the entrance to his home in a 
land where there is no enemy to enter, 
the beaver enhances the waning tinge 
of wilderness in the Adirondack woods. 
The sight of his conical mud house, 
camouflaged with snags and roots and 
scraggly branches, of his solid though 
flimsy-looking dam spanning an amber 
or ebony woods stream, the sharp de- 
tonation at dusk as some swimming 
beaver sounds the alarm with his flat, 
muscular tail — all these are elements in 
the magic of the woods. They belong 
there; they add to the potency of the 
charm; once having been seen and 
heard, they would be missed as keenly 
as would the drumming of the ruffed 
grouse, the hoot of the owl or the whisk 
of a deer’s tail in the thicket. 
There must be some solution of the 
problem which does not endanger the ex- 
istence of the beaver. He is too inter- 
esting a creature to lose, and his pres- 
ence in the almost-tamed Adirondacks 
gives an opportunity for the study of his 
habits which will add to the knowledge 
of the layman and perhaps to that of the 
naturalist 'as well. 
Already many of the myths concern- 
ing the animal have been dissipated by 
reason of his new neighborliness to hu- 
mans. The legend that the beaver uses 
his tail as a trowel has gone the way 
of the story of the porcupine that shoots 
its quills. The beaver’s tail is his rud- 
der and his alarm gun. It is his other 
end that earns his daily bread. His 
masonry work is done with his muzzle 
and forepaws. 
There is this also to be said for the 
beaver in the Adirondacks. It is most 
fitting that a commonwealth whose early 
prosperity was due in large measure to 
z^uto-KampTrailer 
Solves Vacation Problems 
Plan to spend this summer in the open. Go when 
and where you like — be independent of hotel bills and 
uncertain accommodations. Just hitch the Auto-Kamp Trailer to your car and 
you are ready for an invigorating vacation in the open. Provides conveniences 
which enable the whole family to enjoy a camping trip. Large waterproof tent, 
two beds with sagless springs and restful mattresses, big enough for four people, electric lights, 
stove, ice box, food compartments, table and shelf. Set up in 5 to 7 minutes, folds com- 
pactly and trails easily behind any car over any road, at any speed without strain. Before 
you plan your vacation be sure to get the Auto-Kamp catalogue. Write today. 
Auto-Kamp Equipment Co., 2023 Sheridar. Ave., Saginaw, Mich. 
Thomas Rods 
Hardy Reels 
Halford Line 
tE English Flies 
TENGERKE & DETMOLD. INC. 
V yYVL&Dh- 4/4 MADISON AVENUE. NEW YORK 
V y “ ■ —| INCORPORATED f- — • 
\New York^ 
YOU’VE WAITED HOURS FOR A SHOT 
only to have a pair of “Blacks" or Mallards" veer 
off from your un lifelike Decoys — 
You've seen your Decoys “tipped" by a gust of 
wind — You've had your Decoys “fail" on account 
of the shine or glint of the paint — 
SPERRY’S “NATURAL” DECOYS 
similate nature as a decoy should — to fool the 
sharp eye of the Duck. They are made to "ride 
out a blow" and there is no shine or glitter 
from the paint. 
Circular on request Sold by dealers 
Recommended and Sold By 
Abercrombie & Fitch and Kirkland Bros. 
New York City 
Paul A. Sperry, Mfr., New Haven, Conn. 
CAMPING OUT 
By Warren H, Miller 
The book for the wilderness traveller, who 
camps out anywhere from ten to fifty miles 
from the railroad. Lone Hiking, Canoe 
Cruising, Winter Camping, with Knapsack 
and Rifle, Western Camping, Tent Making, 
Adirondack Cruising, — these are samples of 
the chapters in this book. Written by War- 
ren H. Miller, for seven years Editor of Field 
& Stream, and an experienced woodsman and 
big game hunter. If you want to learn 
modern Camping, this is the book for you. 
Price, $2.00. 
WARREN H. MILLER, Interlaken, N. J. 
GENUINE 
HILDEBRANDT 
SPINNERS 
•^The Fish Can’t Resist ’Em^ 
If you want record catches every time, 
do as the old-timers have done for 20 
years. Lure ’em with Genuine Hildebrand! 
Hand-Made Spinners — your dealer has 
them. — 
Our new catalog shows the right size and 
kind for each kind of game fish. 
Sent Free. Address 
THE JOHN J. HILDEBRANDT COMPANY 
Logansport Indiana 
KENNEBEC 
Send today for illustrated book about our “ Canoes 
of Quality," mailed to any address, postpaid. 
KENNEBEC BOAT AND CANOE CO. 
22 R.R Square, Watervllle. Maine. 
SAFEST TO USE 
In Writing to Advertisers mention Forest and Stream. It will identify yon. 
