28 Tate A UszDa0,B ON BULLE Ta 
ing hunting and law enforcement for violations was virtually nonexistent. 
The animals were taken indiscriminately for their meat or fur value only 
or, in some cases, for no reason at all. If sport hunting was indeed a 
factor in causing declines in wildlife, then certainly our most popular 
game species would show it. Do they? 
We annually harvest approximately 200,000 rooster pheasants in 
Colorado and yet still have more than enough to insure a maximum 
harvest next year. To be sure, we have problems with habitat destruction | 
and with various predators, but we still have an adequate environment 
to sustain a heavy harvest. 
Each year U.S. hunters legally take over 2 million deer. How can — 
we harvest so many and still maintain a high population? First, deer 
have adapted well to the changing environment. Secondly, through 
research, we know how many young are produced each year, natural 
mortality rates, and other essential facts. herefore, we can determine 
rather precisely the number we can harvest without harming the 
population. 
The mourning dove is the most popular game bird in terms of 
numbers taken annually by hunters. The annual U.S. harvest is around 
40 million and yet the population is in good shape because hunters are 
taking only the harvestable increase. 
The same basic principles hold true for every game species in the 
U.S. If their environment is in good shape, carefully regulated sport, 
hunting does not affect the population. 
Let’s not attack the hunter because he harvests 177 million birds 
and mammals each year. The species he hunts are some of the most. 
common we have, mainly because he has paid for their management, 
habitat acquisition, research, and for wildlife law enforcement. Let's ges 
at the real problems: pesticides and other environmental pollutants, 
drainage of marshes, municipal and industrial developments and all the 
other land use changes that are altering our environment and destroying 
its ability to produce wildlife. 
5 
ATTENTION: FEEDER WATCHERS!! 
During the past three winters the following western species have 
appeared at Illinois bird feeders: Black-billed Magpie, Varied Thrush, 
Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lazuli Bunting, Gray-headed - 
Junco and others. All of these birds were photographed. 
As each winter season approaches, all observers should be 
alerted to the possibility of attracting western strays. If such a rarity 
or unidentifiable bird appears at your feeder or that of a friend or 
neighbor, photograph it and immediately call one of the following: 
Larry Balch, (312) 262-7682; Jerry Rosenband, (312) 676-3291; Dave 
Bohlen, (217) 529-3985 or Vern Kleen (217) 529-3140. 
