22 
QUAIL. 
In a number of sections more Bob-white quail were reported this 
year than for some years past, but so many farmers prohibit the 
killing of these birds that the number killed during the open season 
will run approximately the same as heretofore. In other portions of 
the State the birds have not increased perceptively, although the few 
birds secured from Mexico last spring did very well. We were un¬ 
able to give the new quail traps a proper test last winter, but if 
X>resent weather conditions continue we hope to try these traps thor¬ 
oughly this winter so that the coveys may be trapped and cared for 
as well as broken up in pairs at the proper time. 
In those sections where farmers prohibit quail hunting it would 
be to their interest as well as to the interest of the sportsmen of the 
State to trap and separate and coveys even though many of the birds 
would be placed on surrounding lands. In this manner many coveys 
cf: birds would be produced and from an economic standpoint accom¬ 
plish much more than by leaving the original covey intact. The great 
trouble is that the owners of the lands in many cases do not under¬ 
stand and are afraid someone is merely desirous of destroying their 
feathered friends. We are doing what we can to have landowners 
see this matter in its proper light. 
The Hungarian quail seem to be increasing slowly in several sec¬ 
tions where they have gotten a start, and rather encouraging reports 
are received from time to time relative to the increase of the Gambel 
Quail. What the ultimate result of these experiments may be remains 
to be seen, but the sportsmen in the sections where these birds are 
found are quite enthusiastic and are doing their best to give them a 
proper chance. 
WILD WATER-FOWL. 
Stream conditions were more favorable in Pennsylvania this fall 
than for several years past, and many sportsmen enjoyed excellent 
shooting. These birds are apparently increasing under the Federal 
law and the sportsmen generally seem quite well satisfied with the 
results being secured. 
WOODCOCK. 
In a number of sections of the State, probably because of the 
earlier season, woodcock shooting was somewhat better than hereto¬ 
fore, although the number of birds is usually too limited to afford 
good shooting. The sportsmen generally throughout the State I be¬ 
lieve would be pleased to see the Federal authorities accord these 
birds a closed season of about five years throughout the United 
States, and it has been hoped this would be done. It would be use¬ 
less for one or two states to close to these birds with only flight 
shooting and then have the birds thus saved killed off while passing 
through States farther south. 
BLACKBIRDS AND REED-BIRDS. 
Under the earlier season provided for blackbirds many more of 
these birds were killed than any time for a number of years past; 
these birds apparently being present in considerably larger numbers 
23 
than heretofore, and I am convinced that the judgment of the Legis¬ 
lature in providing an earlier season was most satisfactory not only 
to sportsmen but to persons who during previous years sustained con¬ 
siderable damage to corn, oats, etc. 
Through a ruling of the Secretary of the Department of Agricul¬ 
ture, Washington, the sportsmen of Pennsylvania and adjacent States 
again enjoyed reed-bird shooting. The action taken in this matter 
has done much to restore among sportsmen confidence in the Federal 
authorities having to do with game and wild birds, especially in the 
southeastern portion of the State, where most of the reed-bird shoot¬ 
ing occurs. 
ISSUANCE OF HUNTERS' LICENSES. 
Immediately after the close of the season of 1918 when we found 
that the number of Resident Hunters 7 Licenses issued was 311,290 
and the issuance of Non-Resident Hunters 7 Licenses was 478 with the 
season closed to grouse and thousands of our young men in the 
federal service, we concluded to order and distribute 25,000 more li¬ 
censes and tags than in any previous year, or approximately 350,000 
Resident Hunters 7 Licenses, with such number of Non-Resident 
Hunters 7 Licenses as necessary, the latter being issued from a con¬ 
tinuous supply while the former are printed specifically for each year. 
The demand for licenses and tags far exceeded our most sanguine esti¬ 
mates and County Treasurers soon began placing orders for so 
many additional licenses and tags that the supply of extra tag ma¬ 
terial was quickly exhausted and an additional supply unobtainable 
in sufficient time to be of use this year. After the tag material was 
used up the licenses were printed and distributed without tags and 
the sportsmen asked to* make their own tags from such material as 
might be available, and I want to commend most highly the manner 
in which the sportsmen of the State assisted us by complying with 
our request. 
Present indications are that between 370,000 and 400,000 Resident 
Hunters 7 Licenses were issued, with probably 1,000 to 1,200 Non- 
Resident Hunters 7 Licenses. It is conservatively estimated that there 
are 200,000 men in the State hunting annually without licenses on 
the land whereon they reside and cultivate and immediately adjacent 
lands, and this number added to the licensed sportsmen comprises 
an army of approximately 600,000 men hunting for game in Penn¬ 
sylvania this year. How it is possible for game of any kind to sur¬ 
vive, let alone increase, is a wonder to me. I fear that some of the 
men who cannot understand why game of various kinds is not more 
plentiful do not stop to think that it is entirely unfair to compare 
present conditions with conditions that prevailed twenty-five or more 
years ago when probably not more than 75,000 men in the State 
hunted regularly and a great deal of primitive game cover still re¬ 
mained ; when improved firearms and ammunition of the present day 
type were unknown; when improved highways and automobiles were 
not everywhere present to carry men to and from the best game covers 
of the State ; and before present day methods of developing hundreds 
of wing-shots through trap-shooting organizations everywhere over 
the State. 
