4 
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 
LEGISLATION 
Adequate laws for the protection of fur-bearing animals are indeed 
very necessary and helpful; but the majority of those now on the stat- 
ute books do not prevent the decrease of animals in certain sections 
of our country, neither do they prevent the taking of young animals 
and unprime pelts, which are practically valueless to the fur trade. 
Approximately 45 to 55 per cent of the pelts coming to the markets 
fall into the unprofitable class. Fur of superior quality and more of it 
would come to the raw fur markets if open seasons were made uniform 
for states where similar climatic conditions prevail. 
Every state should require trappers to take out a trapping license, 
and in addition every trapper should be bound to turn in to the game 
warden under oath a report of his catch for the season. The renewal 
of a permit should be withheld until such report is made. With legiti- 
mate trapping under wise laws, the fur supply of our country will not 
be materially affected. 
Areas in which fur bearers have become depleted should be closed 
completely for a period of years and, so far as may be consistent with 
the interests of game birds and animals, these regions should be re- 
stocked. The national forests futnish excellent breeding grounds where 
fur bearers can reproduce unmolested, and stock from these breeding 
grounds could well supply depleted areas. In restocking there is always 
the possibility that the fur bearers will become pests to the neighboring 
landowners. This can be overcome, however, if the number of breed- 
ing animals is kept constant by proper trapping each season, or oftener 
if necessary. 
There should be cooperation between the Federal and State Govern- 
ments and the fur trade in framing suitable laws, which are very neces- 
sary to place the fur-bearing animals and the fur industry on a sound 
basis. 
NEED FOR EDUCATION 
Lack of information on the part of farmers, trappers, and legislators 
is mainly responsible for inadequate laws pertaining to fur bearers. 
Many persons do not know that fur-bearing animals are a great asset 
to a state, and have no idea concerning the annual income derived from 
pelts produced in their particular state. 
Two years ago the raw-fur dealers of the State of New York employed 
counsel and went to considerable expense to defeat legislation authoriz- 
ing the hunting of raccoons beginning October 1 instead of November 
