204 
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 
When the beavers were released from the crate and turned into the 
creek, they were apparently somewhat bewildered. One started up the 
creek and the other down. In order to keep them together, Ranger 
Gallegos headed off the one going down the creek, and started chasing 
it back toward the other one. The empty crate was lying on the 
bank, the beaver in passing it evidently regarded it as a place of 
protection, and ran back into it. Ranger Gallegos then closed the 
sliding door, and carried it up stream to the other one and released it. 
In the meantime, the other one had worked up stream, and finding a 
hole in the bank, stuck his head into it and remained there. He was 
prodded up with a stick, but would not move, seemingly considering 
himself out of sight and protected. 
The plan of management provides for the restocking of all streams 
of sufficient size in which beavers do not at present exist, and along 
which there is sufficient aspen or other food for them. There are 
only five such streams on the Forest. It is hoped to continue the 
work until a small breeding nucleus is placed in each of these streams, 
with the cooperation of the state if it can be secured. Judging from 
the results of three transplanted in Itasca Park, Minnesota, in 1900, 
and the rate at which they are thought to be increasing there, a large 
nucleus will not be necessary; but if sufficient cooperation is extended 
by the state in the way of furnishing a professional trapper to assist, 
four to six per stream would be better. This would serve to bring up 
production in the shortest period of time and serve to show what im- 
provement in stream conditions can be expected from the ranchmen’s 
point of view. A clear demonstration of the stabilizing effect upon 
the stream flow of beaver activities will be of value in fixing their place. 
It is planned as an experiment to try to catch them with a woven- 
wire crate or net placed with the opening over the entrance to the 
house or to the entrance of the den in case of bank beaver, first closing 
up the other one of the two entrances. Then, by poking them up in the 
den, it is proposed to force them out and into the net. This should 
work during the daytime, since from what information there is available 
they remain in the dens or houses during the day, and are not easily 
disturbed. This has been talked over with one or two of the local 
trappers who think it feasible. If it fails, the wire-corral method will 
be used. 
Also in undertaking any future work, it is planned to catch the 
beaver earlier in the season, preferably about the first of August, since 
high water is then over, making it easier to trap them, and allowing the 
