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California Fish and Game V. 20 1934 Bound volume
DATE DUE
NOV
California Fish and Game -w— V. 20 1934
Bound volume
^--v: >o_ 1/JjO I
California Resources Agency Library
1416 9th Street, Room 117
Sacramento, California 95814
CAUFORNIA RESOURCES Miu. . .. ..
lb»S0urces BuUCt.tfft ftoom 1 T7
Sacramento, Calf forn>«9 95814
SEP 51935
California Fish
'CONSERVATION OF WILD LIFE THROUGH IEDU
Volume 20 SACRAMENTO, JANUARY, 193^"'—^'' ~^/ No. 1
:, 193)—-^
CONTENTS
Page A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF MISSION BAY STATE PARK
Donald H. Fry, Jr., d Richard S. Croker 1
TAGGING OF STRIPED BASS G. H. Clark 14
OCTOPI OP CALIFORNIA J. B. PMlUiis 20
PREDATORY ANIMAL STUDIES D. D. McLean 30
HISTORY OF THE YOSEMITE ELK HERD James Moffltt 37
MULE DEER STUDY PROGRAM James Moffltt 52
EDITORIALS AND NOTES 67
REPORTS —
Statement of Income 95
Statement of Expenditures 96
Violations of Fish and Game Laws 98
Fresh Fishery Products 100
A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF MISSION BAY
STATE PARK*
By Donald H. Fey, Jr., and Richard S. Croker
INTRODUCTION
After Mission Bay was declared a State park and a wild life sanctuary, it was desired to learn how the wild life of the bay could be maintained and how sport fishing could be improved. At the request of Assemblyman George B. Bowers of San Diego, two members of the Staff of the California State Fisheries Laboratory (Division of Fish and Game) were sent to the area to make a survey, to report upon the existing conditions, and to suggest methods by which those in charge could improve them. Conditions ])roved to be far better than might have been expected in an area so close to a city the size of San Diego.
* Contribution No. 134 from the California State Fisheries Laboratory. Novem- ber 28, 1933.
9030
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Fig. I. Ma]) of Mission Bay, San Diogro County, California. November, 1933. Con- tour lines are dashed; contour interval 25 feet; dotted lines mark channels; depths in feet at mean lower low water. Only the roads nearest the bay are shown. There are many marshy islands in the western part of the bay but very few in the eastern section. There may be channels which are not shown, and undoubtedly there are many deep holes. Many sm.all sloughs are not shown on the map.
C K
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
DESCRIPTION OF MISSION BAY
Mission Bay (False Bay) is an enclosed body of water immediately north of San Diego Bay, California. A square, 2f miles on an edge, would include all of Mission Bay, nearly all of the marshes Avhich border it on the south, Crown Point which projects into it from the north, and very little else.
Country Surrounding the Bay
Little of the country surrounding the bay is under cultivation. Wherever there are no habitations, gardens or marshes, the land is dry and barren and supports very little vegetation. The various sections are discussed separately below :
The southern marsh is about two miles long and in most places is from half a mile to a mile wide. It is hard to limit it definitely because there is a gradual change from a typical salt marsh to a dry sandy wasteland; many sloughs and strips of marsh extend into this waste. The moist area is a paradise for shore and marsh birds. There are numerous small sloughs in the marsh which are not shown on the accompanying map.
The eastern shore is bordered by a new highway which will soon be part of the main route from Los Angeles to San Diego. Low barren hills rise back of the highway.
The northern marsh is much smaller than the southern one and although important it is far inferior to it as a retreat for birds.
Crown Point is a mesa which projects about three-quarters of a mile from the northern shore. There is a sandy beach at its base. Connecting Crown Point with the southern marsh is a mile of highway which passes over a bridge, a fill, and then a second bridge. This highway crosses the marsh on a causeway and joins the Ocean Beach-San Diego road. The north shore west of Crown Point is of sandy clay, low and barren.
The sand spit (Mission Beach) which separates the bay from the ocean, is 2^ miles long and at no point much over one-quarter mile wide. A combination highway and street car bridge connects the southern end of the spit with Ocean Beach.
Houses and Other Buildings
Ocean Beach, south of the western part of Mission Bay, is a residential district. The sand spit (Mission Beach) is built up fairly solidly with resort type houses. Crown Point is a real estate sub- division. To the east of Crown Point and along the eastern shore of the bay are a few scattered houses. On the southern marsh is a group of a half dozen houses known as Duckville. This spot can be reached by water or by a dirt road from Old Town.
Streams Entering Mission Bay
The San Diego River flows through the southern marsh and enters the bay at about the middle of the southern shore. The stream is dry all summer but is a serious flood menace in the winter. There are a few fresh-water potholes near the point where this stream enters the marsh.
4 CALIFORXIA FISH AXD OAMK
Kose Creek enters llic bay tlirou<zli IIh- mutliciii injirsli. Tliis stream cai'iMos -watei- only (liiriii<:' Ilic wet season.
Teeolote Valley drains some water into tlie bay during rainstorms.
Pollution
There is very little ]iossibility of any i)ollution which would liurt fishinji' in Mission IJay. Tiie sewa<i-e from the dwell in<is alon<r the bay shore eould have no effect on a body of water of this size. The only industrial plant tliat could possibly contaminate the bay is the Cudahy Packing Company, a slaughterhouse near the marsh ;i1 the southeast corner of the ba.w ^laximum contamination from this plant would be unimi)ortant. In this area a rather odoi'ous sewer empties into Hardy's Slough. (See map.) It will not bother fishing in the least and is three- quarters of a mile from any place that is vxvr likely to be used for swimming or picnicking.
Waters of Mission Bay
Crown Point and the highway south of it divide ]\Ii.ssion Bay into two distinct sections. The western one is more built up, has many small Avharves i)rojecting into it, and has had a good deal of dredging done in places. The inner or eastern section is larger and is much more nearly in the wdld state. It is infinitely more interesting from a naturalist's point of view.
The entire bay is very shallow and most of the bottom is of sandy mud. There are many large areas of eel grass. In the parts of the bay farthest from the entrance there are level mud flats ; a little nearer the mouth the tide is stronger and has cut shallow channels and filled in shoals. These channels join, become deeper and more sharply separated from the Hats. The curi-ent in the larger channels is sti'ong but flows smoothly until within about half a mile of the ocean. In this last stretch there is a violent boiling and swirling which keei)s the water full of sand and makes steering a boat difficult.
The entrance is about 250 yards wide. The main channel, from the entrance to a half mile east of the San Diego River mouth, is from 7 to 10 feet deep, not considering occasional deep holes. One such hole just east of the river mouth is 19 feet deep in places, and there may be others which are even deei)er. ^Most of the larger branch channels are from 3 to 6 feet deep with occasional holes up to 10 feet or more. All these depths are at mean lower low water, i.e., zero tide. There is plenty of water in the channels to float a skiff at any stage of the tide. On a fairly calm winter afternoon when there is a minus tide, the channels of the eastern bay are as interesting a spot as any nature lover can imagine. ]\Iost of the sea life is uncovered; a great deal of the part that is not, can be seen on the bottom. Sharks, skates, rays and true fishes dash hurriedly out of the way and on all sides there are thousands of shore birds feeding and calling noisily. Gulls, pelicans and duclvs also abound. The ducks are still wary and hard to approach — the area has not been closed to linnting long enough for them to learn the refuge it provides.
In addition to the natural channels there is a narrow dredged stretch which follows the shore of the western section of the bay. At present this channel is about f) feet deep. AVhen the dredging was
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 5
done, the waste material was allowed to form a low dike between the channel and the mud flats. Boats can cross this dike at high, but not at low tide. A fisherman on the wrong side of the dike may easily be caught by an outgoing tide even though there is plenty of water over the flats.
Another dredged channel parallels the fill which crosses the flats south of Crown Point. The dredging was done to get material for the fill. .
Grassy islands occupy a considerable part of the western section of the bay. Most of these are awash at extreme high tides but some are not. Since there w^as not enough time to chart them properly, most of these islands have been left off the map accompanying this report. The eastern section of the bay contains a very few small grassy islands.
SPECIES OF FISH NOW PRESENT IN MISSION BAY
Fishes Taken hy Anglers
A number of species of fishes are regularly sought for and often caught by anglers. The most important of these are listed below. Other species than those mentioned occur in the bay but in small numbers.
1. Bock bass (Paralahrax vehnlifer) . This fish is very common everywhere at all seasons and is taken by anglers in the channels of all parts of the bay. Specimens up to five pounds are to be caught. A desirable species.
2. Spotted rock bass (Paralabrax macnlaiofasciaius). Less com- mon than the ordinary rock bass. A desirable species.
3. Spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsi) . Runs of this species occur throughout the year. Taken in the deep channels and holes in all parts of the bay. Five-pound individuals are not uncommon in the bay. A favorite fish with anglers.
4. Yellowfin croaker {Umbrina roncador). Occurs with the spotfin. Equally esteemed by anglers although it seldom exceeds three pounds in weight.
5. California corbina {Menticirrhus undidatus) . Said to enter the bay in occasional runs. Attains a weight of over five pounds. A desir- able species.
6. Diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta gutfulata). Commonly called "flounder" by local fishermen. Very numerous in all parts of the bay, and taken by anglers at all seasons. The usual length is 6 to 10 inches.
7. California halibut (Pandichthys calif ornic us) . Occasionally taken near the entrance and in the deep channels. The usual weight in Mission Bay is about four pounds. A desirable species.
8. Smelt (species of family Atherinidae). Caught in various parts of the bay, sometimes in large numbers.
9. Salt-water perch (species of family Embiotocidae). Taken near the entrance, especially around pilings.
10. White sea-bass (Cynoscion nohilis) are reported to enter the bay at times. A desirable species.
11. Round sting ray (Vrolophus hcdleri). Exceedingly abundant, especially on the mud flats. Seldom exceeds 20 inches in total length. Not sought for but often taken, much to the annoyance of anglers.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Dano:erous to bathers l)y roason of its sting and its liabit of lying partly buried on the bottom. By far the worst pest in the bay. Has no game qualities whatever.
12. Bat sting ray (Actohatus califori^wns). Found in abuiidanco on the mud flats and in the cliannels. Exceeds 50 pounds in weight and is a hard fighter Avhen hooked. Known 1o destroy clams. Carries a dangerous sting. Furnishes excellent sjjort if tlu^ fislici-nian has enough line to stop the first rush.
13. Skates. Several species of skates inhabit the bay. Some attain a weight of 50 pounds. Said to destroy clams. Negligible game qualities.
14. Sharks. Several species of sliarks inhabit Ihe bay. Some of these furnish anglers with excellent sport. Individuals of four and five feet in length are common.
't:< "
Bait Fishes
Large numbers of several kinds of small fislies inliabit Mission Bay. These are used as food by the larger fishes and are employed to some extent as bait by fishermen. The ones that are probably most common are listed below.
1. Toj) minnow {Fu7iduJiis parvipinnis) . Exceedingl}^ coiinnon. Excellent live bait.
2. Long-jaw goby (GiJlichthj/s mirahilis) . Locally called mud sucker. Good as live bait.
3. Smelt (species of family Atherinidae). Good as live bait.
4. Anchovies (species of family Engraulidae). Not seen by us, but said to be common. Excellent bait, alive or dead.
5. Amphioxis or lancelet. Too snuill for use as bait but is i)reyed upon by many species of fish.
Ofhrr Spec IPS
1. Mullet {Mugil ccplKilKs). Very eomniou. Attains a Iriigth of two feet. Feeds on vegetable matter and is consequently not taken by anglers.
2. Needlefish (Sfronf/jilura fxilis). Called gar by local fishermen. Very common. Attains a length of three feet. The target of spear wielders on the Mission Beach bridge. Seldom takes the hook.
SPECIES OF SHELLFISH NOW PRESENT TN MISSION BAY
Clams
The mud flats of Mission Bay sujiport a large ])opulation of several kinds of clams. The clams are used by man principally as bait and to a small extent as food. Tlie following list of the commoner species has been compiled from AVeymouth * and from the observations of the authors of this report.
1. Jack-knife clam (Tagelus calif ornianiis). Locally called razor clam. By far the most numerous clam in the bay. ^lost extensively
* Weymouth, Frank 'W. The edible clam.s, mus.sel.s and scaUops of California. Calif. Fish & Game Comniission, Fish Bull. No. 4, 1921.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 7
used for bait. Several diggers supply the bait stands with thousands of jack-knife clams daily during the summer.
2. Hard-shell cockles (species of Chione).
3. Rock cockle (Paphia staminea).
4. Scallop (Pecten circularis).
5. Gaper (Schizothaerus nuttalli).
6. Washington clam (Saxidomus nuttalli).
7. Purple clam (Sanguinolaria nuttalli) .
8. Wedge shell (Donax calif ornica) .
Other species probably occur in the bay. The cockles are used to some extent as food and bait. All others, with the exception of the jack-knife clam, appear to be too scarce to be of any importance.
Fig. 2. A view of part of Mission Bay, showing tlie moutli of one of the larger sloughs; Old Town in the background. Photo by authors, November, 1933.
Crahs
Several species of crabs occur in Mission Bay. Probably none of them reaches a size large enough for human consumption. The crabs are important, however, as a source of food for game fishes. They are noted as bait stealers and as such are a nuisance to anglers.
Other Shellfish
The burrowing shrimp (species of Callianassa) is very common in Mission Bay. It is extensively used as bait. Locally called ''craw- fish." Gathered in large numbers for sale by bait stands.
8 CALlFOltXlA FISH AM) GAME
Mussels (species of Mytilus) occur on the pilings of ^Mission Beach bridge and probably on ^vharves. Used as bait.
Barnacles occur on pilings of barges and 'wharves.
FACILITIES FOR FISHING
lid it (1)1(1 Tackle Stands
There are tliree stamls at llic south eiul ol' thr britlge aeross the bay entrance at Avhich bait and fishing tackle can be purchased. Another bait and tackle stand is located on the causeway at the south end of the southernmost Crown Point bridge. Boats can be rented at these i)oints and at several places along the shore at iMission Beach.
Pier Fishing
The bridge across the entrance is a favorite place for anglers, although the fishing is usually poor. All species listed above are taken occasionall}', but the dianiontl turbot (flounder) is the fish most often caught. The tidal current is very swift — ])erhaps too fast for good fishing. Spearing is a common practice at this bridge. Needlefish are the usual targets, but owing to their agility and slender shape, are seldom hit. Occasional runs of large sharks cause great excitement and result in broken spears. Large jneces of kelp, carried by the swift current, are an annoyance to the anglers whose lines they foul.
The bridges south of Crown Point are available to anglers. Fish- ing for flounders, rock bass, croakers and sharks is very good at times.
There are some twenty-three small wharves along the shore at iMission P>each. Most of these are private. Fishing for rock bass and croakers is said to be good at times.
A wharf on the mud fiats n<'ar the mouth; of Rose Creek is in tlie midst of the best sting ray and skat6 grounds. It may be possible to catch other species here.
Beach and Shore Fiahing
There are beaches at the entrance to the bay on both sides of the cuds of tlie bridge. The beach on tiie north side extends along the shore of the peninsula. There is a board walk along the most northern part of this beach. Fishing is said to be good sometimes at certain ])laces along the beaclies. Rock bass, croakers, flouiulei's and perch can be cauglit here.
The beaches ardiiiul Crown Point are favorite fishing spots. Good croaker and rock bass fishing can be had here at times.
There is fishing from the shor(> at several other ])laces, notably along the causeway rock fill aiul at the ends of the Crown Point bridges.
Boat Fishing
There are many good fishing grounds — channels and holes — that are accessible only by boat. Ci"nak(M- fishing is often good in the holes or deep spots.
Some of the channels aloiig the marsh and around the islands are accessible at present only by boat.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
The current under the Mission Beach bridge is so swift and tricky as to be dangerous for row boats that venture near the breakers when the tide is ebbing.
CONSERVATION OP WILD LIFE
The most important item in the protection of all forms of wild life in this region is to leave the marshes and mud flats in their present natural state.
Game Fish
The species of game fish which are at present in the bay will probably need no additional protection for many years, provided there is no reduction in their food supply.
Bait Animals
By far the largest part of the bait animals taken from the bay are : jack-knife clams, burrowing shrimps (known locally as crawfish), top minnows, and gobies (small fish known as mud suckers). These animals form a very valuable food supply of the birds and game fishes. Since there are noticeable signs of depletion, these forms should be given added protection. Commercial bait men could obtain their stock from San Diego Bay, which is close by and is reputed to have more than ample supplies of bait.
Birds
Mission B'ay is closed to hunting — as it should be. At present, there seems to be no need for any sort of predator control, though the problem may arise in the future.
Seals
There is said to be a small herd of seals resident in Mission Bay. These are probably harbor seals {Phoca vitidina) . They were not seen by us. Fishermen comi)lain that the seals not only destroy game fish but also drive them out of the bay. We are not prepared to say to what extent this is true. However, the seals are an attraction of the park. Many people who do not care to fish do enjoy watching the antics of a herd of seals. Therefore, the seals of Mission Bay should not be destroyed. If their numbers become too large, in the judgment of the California Division of Fish and Game, that body can be empowered to kill a few males. This can be done without in any way endangering the existence of the herd.
Control of Sting Bays
A reduction in the number of sting rays in Mission Bay would be highly desirable. These species form serious competition for game fishes, and the round sting ray is a great menace to bathers. There is no way to eliminate sting rays entirely, but their numbers can be reduced by interesting anglers in taking them. Sportsmen's clubs in the San Francisco Bay region do this by having contests and awarding prizes for the largest rays caught. Once or twice a year great numbers
10 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
are taken by tlie elnb members, but no consistent effort is made to catch them throughout the year. Contests sliould be held on IMission Bay, not once a year but continually. The park board or possibly some sportsmen's organization could publicize the contests and award prizes for the largest bat ray and the largest round ray taken each month. While trying to catch large ones, the anglers would destroy hundreds of others and would learn what sport the bat ray affords Avlien taken on rod and reel.
Introduction of Xcw Species
Any native species of plant or animal that could thrive in the bay under present conditions Avould already be there in numbers. Non- native species form an entirely different problem. An introduced species may seem highly desirable in itself and yet crowd out or devour many valuable native species and become a serious pest. For this reason, new species should never be introduced until a thorough investi- gation has been made to determine what harm they may do.
Striped bass have been introduced into Mission Bay. These fish may perish, they may migrate out of the bay, or they may grow up and stay in the bay. They will not re]:)roduce and any striped bass fishing will have to be kept up by continued planting. Striped bass require fresh water for spawning and there is no suitable stream enter- ing the bay. Tt is to be ho]ied that these fish will not markedly interfere with native game fishes.
The soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) is an introduced species which thrives in San Francisco and Tomales bays. It might do well in ^Mission Bay if introduced there. It is equal to the native jack-knife clam as bait and is superior as food. However, it might prove more attractive to sting rays (which feed upon and destroy great quantities of soft-shells in northern California bays) and less attractive to game fishes. It might supplant the now abundant jack-knife clam almost entirel}- and then prove to be useless to local game fishes. (It has supplanted other si)ecies in San Francisco Bay.) We do not recom- mend introducing this or any other species of shellfish into IMission Bay without a fairly extensive investigation, and certainly not without consulting F. W. Weymouth, Paul Bonnot, or II. C. ]\lcMillin, authori- ties on shellfish.
PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS IN MISSION BAY
Flood Coiifrol Channel
The largest proposed change of which we have heard is to make a wide flood control channel to lead the San Diego River straight out to the mouth of the bay. Several years ago the river was diverted from the same route and forced to enter the bay east of Crown Point. Since then, it has been showing tendencies to silt up the marshes and fill in the bay. The new channel should be a great improvement.
Breakwaters
In connection with the flood control channel, it is proposed to run one or two jetties into the ocean at the entrance of the bay. If this is done, we recommend that fishing be permitted from the jetties, and
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
11
if they are of the usual broken granite construction that board walks be placed along them. These would probably be washed away periodically but could be replaced. They would not need to be elabo- rate, anything is far better than climbing over broken granite.
Bulkheads
We have heard proposals to bulkhead the bay shore in various places. In any M'ild life preserve, bulkheading should be used as sparingly as possible, and above all things the edges of the marshes should not be bulkheaded.
Fig. 3. Part of the eastern half of Mission Bay. One of the causeway bridges is at the left; Pacific Beach in the background. Photo by authors, November, 1933.
The main channel hugs the western shore for a half mile or so and is said to be cutting the sand away. Bulkheads may be necessary here and would not be particularly objectionable, but we recommend that groins be seriously considered before any construction is started.
Roads
A highway could be built to advantage along the edge of the pro- posed San Diego River flood control project. Because of the effect on the wild life of the marsh, we recommend that no other roads be built between the flood control channel and the bay. If any are built, all but the very smallest sloughs should be bridged and these should be provided with large culverts. Under no circumstances should any sloughs be blocked.
12 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Dredging
Only a small ainoniit of dredpinp' could be done to advantafre in Mission Bay. There should be no atteni])t to dred<i'e any extensive areas of mud tlats. No dredped material should be de])osited on the marshes and as little as possible on mud fiats. A channel along the eastern shore Avould attract channcl-lovinp fish to the edp-p of the new hiph-way. The con.struction of such a channel would fit in very well with existing plans. It is proposed to fill in some ground between the highway and the water to protect the road from wave action. The material for this fill could most easily be gotten by dredging. Any such channel should be connected with one of the larger natural channels.
As previously mentioned, the dredged channel which skirts the western half of the bay has a low dike between it and the mud flats. A few small cuts could be made through the dike to enable fishermen to ffct their boats otf the mud flats and into the channel when the tide is low.
Constriwtion of New Wharves
The construction of several wharves would have the twofold result of providing additional places to flsh and of attracting more fish to enter the bay.
Fishermen would natui-ally be glad to liave more places to fish. Present wharves and bridges were not built primarily for fishing and their location could be better from the anglers' point of view.
Pier-loving fish are not numerous in ]\Iission Bay. If a few good wharves were built, we believe that salt-water perch, kingfish, queen- fish, and other species would be attracted to enter the western part of the bay. The wharves should be built Avith many piles — either concrete or untreated redwood — so that marine growths such as mussels and barnacles would grow in profusion. These animals harbor other creatures, princi])ally worms, upon which fisli feed. The inducement for "pile-feeding" fish to enter the bay would improve fishing markedly.
One or two piers could be built not far within the entrance of the bay on the Avest shore. These Avharves should project into the deep channel but should be so located as to be out of the full force of the swiftest current. (Currents and de]iths must be studied carefully before these piers are built.
A wharf could be built from the eastern shore crossing the ])ro- posed channel and extending i)erhaps a hundred yards across the nnid flats. It should cross the channel at some i)lace where there is enough current to promote the growth of eel grass. (There are more fish in such places.) This would ])robably be near the edge of the southern mai-sh, and there is no reason why the wharf should not cross the tongue of nuirsh which i)ro.iects northward along the edge of the highway. Such a wharf would be of interest not only to fishermen but to nature lovers who like to watch the life among the eel grass and on the mud flats, and could be used by luitui-e study classes. It should not be more than two or three feet above high tide line, except where it crosses the channel where it could be somewhat higher to enable boats to pass under it.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
13
The wharf near Rose Creek on the north shore needs repairing. It is in a neglected condition but could be improved b}^ the expendi- ture of very little money.
We understand that the bridge across the entrance has been con- demned and will be replaced by a new one a short distance inside of it. We recommend that the old bridge be left standing as a place to fish. It is probably strong enough to support a few fishermen even if it is unsafe for vehicular traffic.
Bridges and Board Walks
A number of good fishing spots are inaccessible now except by boat. These holes and channels lie along the banks of the marsh and marshy islands. The marsh is under water at extreme high tide, is cut by many sloughs, and at best is an uncomfortable place to fish.
The construction of a few hundred yards of slightly elevated board walks along the edges of the marsh near the south end of the causeway bridges would enable anglers to fish in spots rarely touched before. Foot bridges could be built across sloughs.
14 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TAGGING OF STRIPED BASS "
By G. H. Clark
A little over a year ago, on September 20, 1932, the first striped bass {Roccus lineatus) was tagged under an investigation which had been instigated by the California Division of Fish and Game and strongly urged and sponsored by the sportsmen of California, to deter- mine the movement of the stripers. An agreement had been arranged between the Division and the sportsmen, which provided that the Divi- sion furnish the tags and other e(iuipment and keep records of the tagging and of the tags recovered, and that the sportsmen cooperate by assisting in the actual tagging.
On September 20 and 21, 1932, the Division commenced the work by tagging 50 striped bass, after which instructions on tagging pro- cedure were issued and given to the sportsmen's organizations and tagging equipment was also supplied for distribution by these organiza- tions to responsible striped bass anglers, so that these men could tag bass while on their fishing trips. By the end of the first year, Septem- ber, 1933, 294 fish had been tagged :' 158 by the Division and 136 by the sportsmen. During this period of a year, 35 tagged fish had been caught or 11.9 per cent had been recovered one year or less after being tagged and liberated.
It is, of course, realized that no very definite results from tagging can be gained until large numbers of fish have been tagged. Conse- quently, in order to expedite the work, the Division tagged 179 bass on October 17, 18 and 19, 1933, and 206 on November 7, 8 and 9, 1933. The sportsmen tagged 11 after September 1, 1933, which made the total number of fish tagged 689. Since September, 1933, there were 7 recoveries, bringing the number of recovered tags to 42, or a 6 per cent return of all fish tagged.
The striped bass tags consist of two celluloid discs, one red and one white, one-quarter inch in diameter, and a nickel pin l-pj inches long. The white disc contains a number and the inscription, ' ' Cali- fornia Division of Fish and Game," and the red disc contains the inscription, "Return to Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, Calif." The tag is put on between the two back (dorsal) fins one- (juarter of an inch below the ridge of the back.
Procedure for tagging is as follows: When a bass is caught on the line, it is brought aboard the boat or on shore. The back of the fish is grasped with the left hand, using a wet gunny sack to protect the hand from spines and to prevent rubbing off of more slime than neces- sary. Next, the hook is removed as carefully as possible, the gunny
• Contribution No. 136 from the California State Fisheries Laboratory, Novem- ber 14. 1933.
This work was taken over by the writer after E. C. Scofleld resigned from the Division of Fish and Game. Scofleld had started the work and determined and ordered the type of tag suitable for tagging striped bass. S. H. Dado of the Division made the awls for tagging, lias helped with the tagging done by the Division and has kept a duplicate record of tags. I am indebted to the Bureau of Patrol for use of the launch Quinnat, in tagging and to the members of its crew for their assistance.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
15
sack thrown over the snout of the fish, and the fish placed on its belly- on a flat surface. Then with a small awl (1/16 inch in diameter) , a hole is punched through the back of the fish at right angles to the length of the fish one-quarter inch below the ridge of the back. The pin, with the white disc against its head, lettering exposed, is put through the awl hole ; the red disc is put on the pin ; and the pin is then curled over with a small pair of pointed-nosed pliers. The length of the fish from snout to end of tail is measured and recorded, and the fish is returned alive to the water. The whole operation of tagging takes about one minute and in no case has it seemed to weaken the fish to any extent.
The following Table I is a record of the fish tagged, numbers of tags, date and locality of tagging.
TABLE I
Number of bass tagged
5
9 36
5 44
8
8
34 10
3
3 1 1 3 4 1 1 2 4 1
10 10 5 5 4 6 2 6 1 8 1
16
12
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
19
4
1
47
58
54
6
14
21
1
142
42
Tag numbers
689
1- 5
6- 14 15- 50 51- 55 *56-100 101-108 109-116 117-150 151-160 161-163
164-166
172
173
174-176
177-180
181
182
183-184
185-188
190
231-240
241-250
251-255
256-260
261-264
265-270
271-272
273-278
292
293-300
351
352-367
368-379
380
381
383
384-387
388
389
390-391
392-410
411-414
441
451-497
498-555
556-609
611-616
617-630
681-701
702
703-844
845-886
Date
Sept. 20, 1932 Sept. 20, 1932 Sept. 21, 1932 Oct. 27, 1932 Oct. 27, 1932 Oct. 28, 1932 Oct. 28, 1932 Oct. 28, 1932 Nov. 11, 1932 Nov. 12, 1932
Nov. 13, 1932 April 15, 1933 June 20, 1933 June 22, 1933 Aug. 26, 1933 Nov. 24, 1932 Feb. 5, 1933 Sept. 27, 1933 Sept. 28, 1933 Sept. 28, 1933 Dec. 3, 1932 Dec. 4, 1932 Dec. 4, 1932 May 13, 1933 May 19, 1933 June 11, 1933 Nov. 11, 1933 Nov. 11, 1933 July 29, 1933 Aug. 19, 1933 May 27, 1933 May 27, 1933 May 28, 1933 May 29, 1933 June 10, 1933 June 10, 1933 June 11, 1933 June 17, 1933 July 1, 1933 July 4, 1933 July 29, 1933 Oct. 8, 1933 Aug. 19, 1933 Oct. 17, 1933 Oct. 18, 1933 Oct. 19, 1933 Oct. 19, 1933 Oct. 19, 1933 Nov. 7, 1933 Nov. 8, 1933 Nov. 8, 1933 Nov. 9, 1933
Locality
Southampton Bay, Carquinez Strait
Middle Ground, Suisun Bay
Middle Ground, Suisun Bay
Mile above R. R. Bridge, Suisun Bay
Middle Ground, Suisun Bay
Off Snag Island, Middle Ground
Middle Ground, Suisun Bay
Mile above R. R. Bridge off Avon Wharf, Suisun Bay- Mouth, Andy Mason Slough, Suisun Bay
West of Wheeler Island and east of Noyce Slough,
Suisun Bay
Mouth, Andy Mason Slough, Suisun Bay
San Pablo Bay ---
Point Wilson
Southampton Bay --
Antioch Bridge
Boynton Slough, Suisun Bay
Suisun Slough
Suisun Slough
Suisun Slough
Suisun Slough
Between Ryer and Roe Island, Suisun Bay
Grizzly Bay
Between Ryer and Roe Island, Suisun Bay
Beacon, Napa River
Beacon No. 2, Napa River
Steamboat Slough
Middle Ground, Suisun Bay
Broad Slough
Tower, Napa River
Tower, Napa River
Beacon No. 2, Napa River -.
Tower, Napa River
Tower, Napa River
Beacon No. 2, Napa River
Tower, Napa River
Ratto's Barn, Napa River
Ratto's Barn, Napa River
Cutting Wharf, Napa River
Mouth, South Slough, Napa River
Beacon No. 8, Napa River .-.
Tower, Napa River --
Beacon No. 2, Napa River
Tower, Napa River j
Broad Slough
Point Chipps Island, Honker Bay
Point Chipps Island, Honker Bay
Point Chipps Island, Honker Bay.
Broad Slough —
Off Browns Island, near Pittsburg - ---
Middle Slough --. ----
Grizzly Bay
Grizzly Bay -..
Tagged by
Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Division
Division
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Sportsmen
Division
Division
Division
Division
Division
Division
Division
Division
Division
' Tag No. 70 not used.
16 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Tt will be iioticod from Table 1 tliat most of tlie striped bass were ta^-^cd ill one general locality, Suisun ]>ay and adjacent Avaters. This was due to tlie fact tliat fish -were more ])lentifnl or at least easier to catch in this refjion. However, about 80 fish Avere tafrfied in Napa River, one fish in San Pablo liay and about 70 in liroad Slou<rh. All fish ta{i<ied Avere caught by hook and line, the sportsmen usually ta<rjrin<i: those that were below the size limit, whereas the Division tagrjifed all fish cau<>ht exce])t the very small ones under seven inches.
Table TT shows the sizes tafi<;ed durinp; the first year and those tagged in October and November of the second year of the work.
The greatest number of fish tagged between September, 1932, and September, 1933, were 11 inches in length, the smallest fish was 5 inches, and the largest 41 inches. There are two groups of sizes, those between 8 and 12 inches and those between 14 and 18 inches, and possibly a third group around 19 and 20 inches. The 8 to 12 inch group is in the main composed of 2 year old fish,* the 14 to 18 inch group 3 year old fish, and the 19 to 20 inch group 4 year old fish. The same groups are also apparent in the fish tagged in October and November of 1933. but the majority tagged were of a slightly smaller size. The proportion of each groiq) to the whole in the fish caught and tagged by the Division in October and November, 1933, is : for the first group about 75 per cent, the second about 23 ])er cent, and the remainder about 2 per cent. Tf this proportion re]')resents the true condition of the striped bass population in the bay, and it may, although the material is much too scanty to hazard definite opinion, it is not welcome news for the continuation of good striped bass fishing. Tf the anglers are drawing heavily on fish from 12 to 18 inches in size and not allowing sufhcient numbers to reach maturity at 4 to 5 years of age, the population in a short time may fall alarmingly. Now' these "ifs" may or may not be true. There is very little evidence to support them, yet there is some basis as shown by the catch of tagged fish, which were caught with various sizes of hooks and of bait. It is food for thought.
As yet, ver}^ little iiirnnnation about striped bass movements is apjiarent. As said before, 42 tagged bass were recovered, which is 6 ])er cent of the amount tagged, within a little more than a year's time. A great many of the recoveries were made ver^- near the vicinity where the fish were tagged and liberated. There is no evidence as yet that there is a definite movement of the bass in any direction ; the bass that moved any distance moved from theii- tagging s])ot in all directions. No conclusions of striped bass movements can be made until more bass are tagged and recovered. The longest movement known was that of two bass which were tagged on the Middle Ground in Suisun Bay and recovered in the ]\Tokelumne River. One bass tagged in Soutliamiiton Bay, Carquinez Strait, Avas recovered at Antioch Bridge. Another recovery was made in San Pablo Bay from the ]\Iiddle Ground, Suisun Bay. Still another from Napa River was recovered at Toland Landing, Sacramento I^iver.
Table III shows the recovered fish, tag numbers, date and locality of recovery, date tagged, place tagged, size when tagged, and number of days between tagging and capture.
• Scofleld, E. C. The striped bass of California. Calif. Div. Fish & Game, Fish Bull., No. 29, 1931.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
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CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
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CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 19
As shown in Table III, the shortest period of time a tagged bass Avas ont was four days and the longest was 354 days, though of course there are a great many fish still at large. There seems to be no relation- ship between the size of fish and the length of time before recovery; however there is some evidence that fish 14 to 18 inches in length were recovered in greater proportion than the smaller sizes, considering the larger numbers of small fish tagged.
The foregoing is in the nature of a progress report of striped bass tagging. The material at hand, number of fish tagged and recovered, do not afford sufficient data on which to base conclusions on the move- ments of striped bass. It is therefore urged that the sportsmen increase interest in the work and tag more bass in order that we may be able to trace the movements of the stripers with some degree of certainty.
20 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
OCTOPI OF CALIFORNIA*
By J. B. Phillips
From time immemorial it lias been customary for the layman to a])i)ly the term "devil" to animals that have a fearful appearance or to animals to which the ])ower of creating evil has been attributed. It is not surprising that the term "devil" has been applied to the octopus in view of its long, snaky, writhing arms covered with numerous suckers, and the soft, muscular body with sinister-looking eyes. This a]iprehensive appearance has been heightened by various tales woven around a very few facts. Altogether, the term "devilfish" is mislead- ing as it is subject to local or personal interpretation, whereas the term octopus in this particular ease is a descriptive and universally accepted name.
POPULAR DESCRIPTION OF COMMON OCTOPUS
Briefly an octopus may be described as an invertebrate marine animal having a large head and a small sac-like body above eight arms that are more or less united at the base by a membrane. The arms are usually provided with two rows of suckers by means of which they cling to rock or prey. Ordinarily, the octopus lives on the bottom along a rocky coast and moves on and off shore amongst the rocks in search of food. In times of danger, it retreats into the openings and recesses among the rocks. The octopus breathes by taking in oxygen-laden water through a slit in the neck portion of the body. This water passes over feather-like gills in the body cavity and is forced out through a funnel-like siphon that is visible on the right side of the neck portion. Locomotion is accomplished in two different w^ays. When frightened, the octopus can rocket itself backward by a series of sudden contrac- tions of the body, rapidly taking in and expelling jets of water. Oi'dinarily, the octopus moves about on tlie bottom by lengthening and contracting its eight muscular arms. Loss of an arm only incon- veniences it temporarily as it can grow another.
The octopus is somtwhat of a scavenger as well as a fresh flesh eater. It shows particular liking for rock crabs which it stalks and ilrops on from above. Several crabs can be held at one time and are eaten by tearing off the legs and getting to the soft inner parts from the under side. A pair of chitinous beak-like jaws, situated within the mouth of the octopus, is an aid in such cases. The octojius also feeds on abalones and mussels. Abalone divers tell of occasionally finding an octopus patiently exerting pressure on an abalone. The abalone eventually tires and relaxes, even as an oyster gives in to a starfish. The octopus can also open mussels in a similar manner. The powerful grip of the oetoinis is due to the vacuum created by lifting up the floor of the sucker, while the rim of the sucker is attached, and then dropping the floor.
♦ Contribution No. 137 from the California State Fisheries Laboratory, Novem- ber 8, 1933.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 21
OCTOPUS AS FOOD
Strange as it may seem to some, the octopus is considered a food delicacy by certain people in America, mainly Japanese, Chinese, Italians and Greeks. Present day gastronomical acceptance of octopus by these people may be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, who considered it the finest "fish" in the sea. Gourmands of Rome ate with relish every species of octopus caught in the Mediterranean Sea. These they baked in a sort of big pie, cutting up the arms and filling the head with spices.
The usual method of preparing octopus for the table by present day connoisseurs is to cook it in boiling salted water twenty to thirty minutes. The animal is first dipped in the boiling water a few times as an aid to loosening the skin. After boiling, the animal is skinned, cut into pieces and served with a vinegar sauce. For particular flavor, some Italians add tomatoes and garlic while boiling. Before cooking, the arms of an octopus might be pounded to loosen up the muscular fibres. An aid to cleaning an octopus is to turn the mantle inside out at the neck portion.
COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE
The commercial octopus fishery of California is of minor importance. Since 1920, the annual catch has varied from 10,000 to 165,000 pounds, with about 75,000 pounds as the usual yearly landing. Of the total annual State poundage, 85 per cent (all Polypus hong- kongensis) is delivered at the two Monterey Bay ports : Monterey and Santa Cruz. Monterey deliveries are the greatest in the State, com- prising 65 to 70 per cent of the annual State catch. Next to Monterey, the ports of largest deliveries are Santa Cruz and San Francisco. During the past few years, San Francisco has surpassed Santa Cruz. Monterey, however, holds its place by a wide margin. Within the past few years, landings of Sonoma and Mendocino counties have increased and rival those of San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Los Angeles, the only other port of consequence, normally receives a few hundred pounds a year.
METHODS OF CAPTURE IN CALIFORNIA
At Monterey and along the California coast in general, octopi are captured, for the most part, in cage-like baited traps set close to the rocks. The so-called '* devilfish" or octopus trap is constructed as a wire screen box or a wicker basket. The most widely used trap is the wicker basket, similar to the one pictured in Fig. 4. These traps are 4 to 5^ feet high and about 2^ to 3 feet in diameter at the large (mouth) end. A trap-door is located at the small end of the trap, opposite the large end, and is for baiting the trap and extracting the catch. There is but one mouth, which is in the form of a funnel at the large end. This funnel is about 2 feet long and starts with the circumference of the large end. It tapers to about a 6-inch opening in the center of the trap. Most traps of this type are con- structed of rattan with a few wires around the circumference for reinforcement. The rattan is better than an entirely wire construction because of its flexibility when in contact with rocks.
22
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
In sontheni ralifnrnia. a box-like trap covered witli chicken wire is used more commonly. This tra}) is not set in very deep water as the species of octopus most common there is smaller and inhabits com- paratively shallow water.
At INFonterey, there are two and sometimes four octopus fishermen, all Italians. Tliese fishermen have 10 to 30 traps apiece. The traps
Fig. 4. An octopu.s liap .such as is used at Mon- terey. Tliis trap is 4J feet hig-h and is constructed mainly of rattan. Note funnel terminating in small opening in middle of trap. The large end resting on ground is the mouth of the funnel. Specimens of prawn, accidentally caught in trap, are being exhibited. Photo by Joe Wales, No- vember, 1930.
are baited and anchored one-half 1o one mile from shore in series of about 10 traps. The main fishing locality is off the rocky shores of the open coast between Point Pinos and south to Carmel, in 10 to 30 fathoms of water. The traps are looked after each day or two in con- nection with other fishing. The yield during a normal season (spring,
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
23
summer and fall months) is probably an average of 15 octopi a week from a set of 10 traps. The number of deliveries per week and the amounts delivered fluctuate a great deal. On one occasion, during the last summer, 400 pounds of octopi averaging 25 pounds apiece were brought in by a fisherman after one trip. The octopi delivered at Monterey average 20 to 30 pounds each. A record specimen weighed 90 pounds. During the winter months, few octopi are delivered because of the unsettled water conditions along the coast. The price paid fishermen may range from 5 cents a pound in the summer to 15 cents a pound in the winter, depending upon abundance.
The reason more fishermen do not take up octopus fishing is that a few fishermen can supply the demand. Furthermore, the return per unit of gear is slight and a set of 10 to 12 traps, plus ropes, anchors, etc., costs about $100. A string of traps may be easily lost when set off an open coast, especially in times of rough water.
Fig. 5. A typical jig boat at Monterey. This boat is about 30 feet long and has a 12-horsepower gasoline engine. Octopus fishing is carried on by a very few fishermen, in connection with other market fishing. Note octopus trap, similar to one pictured In Fig. 4, being repaired on deck. Photo by J. B. Phillips, May, 1933.
As octopus traps are operated in conjunction with hand line and similar market fishing, the jig type of boat is used in the operations. The jig boats at Monterey are 25 to 35 feet long and have gas engines of 8 to 16 horsepower. Fig. 5 shows a typical type of boat with a trap being repaired on deck.
METHODS OF CAPTURE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Bartsch (1931) has published some interesting accounts of methods that other people use in capturing octopus. The simplest method of capture, according to him, is probably that used by Filipinos. On a dark night, a band of Filipinos wearing only "G-strings," form a ceremonial procession to the sea. In one hand they bear lighted torches and in the other, spears. The light of the torches penetrates the shallow water and reveals the luckless octopus, which apparently forsakes the
24 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
secure caverns of the reef and goes hunting for food in the shallow flats near shore, where it is easily speared.
On the island oi" Guam, Bartsch tells about an entirely different procedure. The natives work on the inside of reefs, in the surf. They use large repulsive-looking sea cucumbers tied to a line with a sinker which is lowered among the crevices of the reef. The first action of the sea cucumber is to try to hide, and if he finds a cavity containing an octopus, the latter at once moves out and is easily speared from the canoe. Evidently, the company of the sea cucumber is quite distaste- ful to the octopus.
Bartsch quotes Dr. H. M. Smith on Japanese methods in the follow- ing vein : Octopi are an abundant and important food product in Japan. This cephalopod is caught in various ways, the most interesting of which is by the use of earthenware pots, which are lowered to the bottom by means of cords and left for 8 to 10 hours. The octopi enter the shiny, smooth pots and are evidently reluctant to leave, so that the pots may be pulled to the surface before they try to escape. These pots have a hole in the bottom to alloAv the escape of water.
Dr. Smith goes on to tell of a reverse procedure of this method in recovering valuable porcelains destined for the Imperial household from a vessel that was wrecked in the Inland Sea about a century ago. Fishermen have recently been recovering these valuable pieces of pottery, which are in excellent condition, by tying strings to octopi and lowering them in the vicinity of the wreck. The animals enter the vessels and retain their hold until drawn to the surface.
ANIMAL KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP
The octopus is not related to fishes. All animals can be separated into two groups known as invertebrates and vertebrates, that is, with or without a backbone. True fishes belong to the latter group (verte- bate), while octopi belong to the former group. Those animals having certain structural characters in common are placed in smaller group- ings called phyla. For example, octopus and squid belong to the phylum ]\Iollusca. Although this phylum also includes such external shell- bearing marine forms as abalones, clams, scallops and mussels, all animals of this phylum have in common a mantle, a ventral muscular foot, as well as a shell, or a vestige of one, and a radula. In the case of abalones, clams, etc., the shell is external, whereas in squids it is reduced to a chitinous inner pen or cuttlebone, and in the octopus to an insignificant coiled vestige.
However, the squids, octojii and natuli differ from other members of the phylum Mollusca in that the foot is divided into arms provided with suckers (as well as a strongly developed nervous system con- centrated in the head), so that they are grouped together in the class Cephalopoda, meaning "head-footed."
The Cephalopoda are divided into two orders, Tetrabranchia and Dibranchia. The order Tetrabranchia is characterized by the presence of four gills, four kidneys, four auricles, a large external shell, and very short arms bearing no suckers. The only representative of this order is the genus Nautilus, to which belongs the chambered or pearly nautilus. The order Dibranchia is characterized by the presence of only two gills, tAvo kidneys, two auricles, a shell enveloped by a mantle, and long arms provided with suckers.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
25
The order Dibranchia in turn is divided into two suborders called Decapoda and Oetopoda. The Decapoda are mainly differentiated by the presence of ten arms, eight short and two long. The arms bear suckers and sometimes hooks. The group includes the squids and cuttlefish. The Oetopoda are mainly distinguished by the presence of but eight sucker-bearing arms of equal length. The suborder includes the octopus and the paper nautilus or argonaut.
6 9
INCHES
12
Fig. 6. Octopus (Polyims Hongkong ensis ) . Drawing by Dr. Harold Heath.
SPECIES OF OCTOFI REPORTED ALONG CALIFORNIA COAST
There are some half dozen species of octopi found along the coast of California. Most species are found in southern waters but the largest and most abundant form is more northern in distribution. There are but two forms that appear in any numbers along our Pacific coast. These are the big octopus (Polypus hongkongensis) , which attains a total expanse of about 16 feet and is found from Alaska to San Diego on this side of the Pacific and from China northward on the Asiatic side; and the two-spotted octopus (Polypus himactdatus) , which attains a length of about 20 inches and is found from San Pedro, California, south to Panama.
Following is a brief description of the octopi found along the Cali- fornia coast, as adapted after Berry (1912) :
Polypus hongkongensis. — This is the big octopus that represents practically the entire commercial catch in California. It has a wide
26 CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME
distribution, being found on the coasts of China and Japan as well as on our coast from Alaska to San Diego. It is an abundant shore form and reaches a lengtli of 16 feet and a weight of 90 pqunds. The usual weiglit of specimens landed at Monterey is 20 to 30 pounds.
The body is short and almost globular, and the arms are stout and very long. The liead is rather small, being separated from the body by a slight constriction. Fairly prominent eyes are located on the top sides of the head. The funnel is long and conical, terminating as usual along the right side of the head. The suckers are largest where the arms join tlie umbrella, diminisliing rapidly in size near the tips of the arms. The surface of the body is somewhat tuberculated, and the color is milky whitisli or translucent grayish, the outer surface being overlaid with blackish, brownish or purplish dots.
Polypus himaculatus. — This is the two-spotted octopus, the com- mon shore octopus of southern California. Purplish ocular spots in front of the eyes are a distinguishing feature. The spots are large, round and decidedly darker than the rest of the animal. The body and arms are similar to those of P. kongkongetisis. Numerous warty papillae cover the surface of the body, varying from a nearly smooth state to very rugose. A large conical, warty projection is present just over each eye.
The distribution of this octopus might be said to start where the big octopus leaves off. It is found from San Pedro southward to Panama. It is taken mainly from tide pools at low tide. Large speci- mens measure about 20 inches in length.
Polypus calif ornicus. — Only a few specimens of this species have been reported and these were taken off San Diego. The body is of moderate size, short, rounded and compact. The arms are stout and moderately long, the basal portions being about one-fourth webbed. The main distinguishing features are the numerous large star-like papillae that cover the surface of the body, becoming nearly obsolete ventrally. Also, above each eye is a rounded flattened tubercle, slightly larger than the rest.
Polypus r;ilherfiavus. — This sp(H'ies is also rather uncommon and is reported only from southern California. The body is of moderate size and is a little broader than long. The surface is covered every- where with numerous minute, rough papillae, giving the skin a some- what grainy texture. A large softened, flattened, blunt tubercle is present above and slightly behind the center of each eye. The eyes are somewhat lai-ge and rather protruding. The funnel is broad at the base, tapering to nearly cylindrical at the extremity. Arms are rather long and slender, being webbed liy the strong umbrella for about one- fourth of theii- length, the membrane continuing from the umbrella to nearly the tips of the arms.
Elodonella hcathi. — This is anollu r uncommon octopus from south- ern California waters. The body is of moderate size and the skin is smooth in conlrnst to the four forms just described. The arms are slender, the third pair being much the longer ; suckers in a single row ; umbrella extending to about one-third of arms. The head is short, broad and greatly compres.sed above and below, and is well separated
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 27
from the body. The eyes are very large, with protruding lenses. The funnel is broad and thin, not extending to eyes.
Cvrroteuthis macrope. — This is a rare species previously only reported from San Diego. In September, 1932, a specimen taken by Santa Cruz fishermen was sent by Louis Beverino to Mr. D'Acquisto of Monterey, who brought it to Dr. Rolf Bolin of the Hopkins Marine Station (Stanford University). The distinctive feature of this species is that the umbrella is attached nearly to the tips of the arms, giving a truly umbrella-like appearance. This species is rather small and sub- gelatinous in consistency. The body is somewhat barrel-shaped and fairly elongate with short broad oar-like fin on either side near the posterior extremity. The head is wide, flattened and broadly con- tinuous with the body above. The left eye is larger and more pro- truding than the right. The funnel is large, broad and well-imbedded.
Argonauta pacifica. — This is the pelagic form, commonly known as the "paper nautilus" (not chambered or pearly nautilus) and is found from Monterey, California, to the equator. It is of moderate size, the male being much smaller than the female. In the male, the third arm of the left side is entirely modified into the form of an oval sac for reproductive purposes. In the female, the tips of the dorsal arms are greatly expanded, wing-like, and their function is to secrete the large fragile "shell" or egg case. The coloration of this octopus tends to orange with fine purple dots, more crowded and larger on the back.
Polypus leioderma. — This form is reported only from Alaska by Berry. It can be readily recognized by the narrow and distinct keel- like fold of integument that bounds the body laterally. The body is of moderate size, wider than long, and nearly smooth except for a few simple papillae on the dorsal surface. The head is short with large protruding eyes. The arms are not very long; the umbrella extending between dorsal and ventral arms for over one-fourth of length but much shorter between ventral pairs.
OCTOPUS TALES OF OLDEN TIMES
A review of some of the literature of ancient times bearing on octopi reveals some very interesting stories that were supposed to be scientifically correct. These stories, which were written evidently as truthful accounts, put to shame much of our present day fiction, which is taken for granted as being based on little or no fact.
Bartsch (1917), in his research for the Smithsonian Institution, has published a collection of ancient facts and fancies about cephalo- pods (squid and octopi), from which the following are taken:
One ancient writer told of an octopus that was in the habit of coming from the sea to feed on salted fish packed in pickling tubs, some distance from shore. Repeated forays prompted the owners of the operations to place a high fence between the works and the sea. How- ever, the octopus surmounted this fence with the aid of a tree, and it was only caught by calling dogs to their aid. The dogs surrounded the marauder but were kept at bay by the terrible stench exuded by the animal and the eight arms which whipped out at the dogs. It was finally killed with three-prong spears. This octopus was reported as weighing 700 pounds, and having suckers as large as urns.
28 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Another story is about an octopus considered dead and placed in a kettle hung oA^er a fire. This particular octopus became sufficiently revived to leave the kettle, climb up the chimney and onto the roof, where after considerable hunting it was discovered hiding behind the chimney.
Statements are also made that natives of the Sudian Isles, wlien sailing in canoes, always provided themselves with hatchets so that they could immediately cut off the arms of these animals if they happen to be flung over the sides, lest the boat be pulled under water.
The captain of an African slaver on the west coast of Africa recounted the story of a monstrous cuttlefish (a painting of this animal and slii]), however, proved the animal to be an octopus of immense proportions) that appeared on top of the water and slung its arms about two of the ma.sts. The weight of this cephalopod dragged the ship over on its side and would have capsized it except for tlie ]u-ompt- ness of members of the crew, who cut off the arms with an axe. This was not accomplished without renewed courage that was instilled into the crew by a prayer to a certain patron saint.
The writings of these ancient peoples have evidently influenced our earlier modern writers. Bartsch reproduces a drawing from an early issue of the San Francisco Chronicle, which shows a combination crab and octopus some 100 feet long. The artist not only drew claws on the ends of every one of the eight arms, but enthusiastically modified the body into huge claw-like jaws bearing some sort of large saw-like teeth.
MODERN VERSIONS
Painstaking workers have slowly revealed that these legends and mj^ths have been woven around greatly distorted facts. Ordinarily, the octopus can be considered a timid and inoffensive creature. It is probable, though, that on occasions a large octopus may entwine itself around a person's limb, Avhen tlie rest of the body is hidden, so that the octopod is led into believing that the limb is legitimate pre}" of some sort. This must occur, however, in the natural habitat of the octopus, which is usually at some depth along rocky shores or reefs. Authentic cases of an octopus causing death by drowning or by some other manner are hard to find.
Japanese abalone divers, working to a depth of 100 feet, along the same strip of coast (IMonterey, California) where octopus are trapped for market, do not complain of attacks by this eight-armed cephalopod. Occasionally, if they are fortunate, one is cornered and a line is tied around the body so that it can be hoisted to the surface, whence it forms the main course of a meal some time later.
However, Mr. Oscar Lager, a diver now making his home in Monterey, who has had 16 years of experience as an all round diver from Alaska to Mexico, has a different opinion about this subject. Mr, Lager has been down to a depth of 187 feet and claims to have had several encounters Avith octopi and other sea animals, which he does not care to repeat. He is emphatic in his assertion that large octopi are treacherous, especially those of the South Seas.
There may be a few authentic cases of encounters between fisher- men and divers and octopi, but in general the octopus need not be considered a dangerous animal.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 29
REFERENCES
Bartsch, Paul.
1917. Pirates of the deep — stories of the squid and octopus. Smithsonian
Institution, Annual Report for 1916, pp. 347-375. 1931. Mollusks. The octopuses, squids, and their kin. Smithsonian Scientific
Series, vol. 10, pt. 3, chapt. 5, pp. 321-356.
Berry, Samuel Stillman.
1912. A review of the cephalopods of western North America. U. S. Bureau of
Fisheries, Bulletin, vol. 30 for 1910, pp. 267-336, pis.
Cooke, A. H.
1913. Mollusks. In The Cambridge Natural History, ed. by S. F. Ilarmer and
A. E. Shipley, vol. 3, pp. 378-400.
Heath, Harold.
1917. Devilfish and squid-. California Fish and Game, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 103-108.
30 CALIFORNIA FISH AND (JA.MK
PREDATORY ANIMAL STUDIES
By Donald D. McLeaj^
INTRODUCTION
This predatory auiiiial .study i)rogram in llu- .Slate yiiine rctiige.s was started on the first of January, 1932. This report covers the period from that date to June 30, 1933. Beginning July 1, 1933, it was found necessary througli lack of funds to reduce the number of trappers to four.
Because definite information regarding the food of predators was lacking, it was arranged to examine the stomachs of all animals and to positively identify the contents. The Stanford University Museum kindly furnished working space, and their collection of birds and mammals for reference in the determination of contents proved invaluable.
Coyotes and bobcats were the primary species included in this study, although when other species were trapped their stomachs were preserved for study. Refuge areas on which trapping was conducted were reported to be heavily stocked with both coyotes and bobcats. Trappers were required to make daily reports on the number of traps out, miles of trap line, number of animals caught, weather conditions, and number and species of game seen. Maps showing trap lines, location of settings, and location and elevation where each animal was caught, were also rerpiirod. Other information which they could give from personal observation was included in the reports.
Much data pertaining to the range, number and habits of coj^otes and bobcats at various seasons, on these areas, was secured.
Trapper Size of areas trapped
J. N. Ray Game Refuse 3B, San Benito Co., 21 sq. mi. plus CI sq. mi., totaling
82 sq. mi. Elevation 950 feet to 3287 feet.
Shaw Game Refuge lO, El Dorado Co., 118 sq. mi. Elevation 2200 feet
to 7285 feet. Part of game refuge IJ, Amador Co. 15 sq. mi. Elevation 5500 feet to 8000 feet. Part of Game Refuge II, Placer Co., 21 sq. mi. Elevation 1700 feet to 8400 feet.
R. Ray Game Refuge IM, Kern Co., ll(i sq. mi. plus 26 sq. mi., totaling 142
sq. mi. Elevation 2000 feet to 7544 feet. Game Refuge IK in Fresno Co., 59 sq. mi. plus 61 sq. mi., totaling 120 sq. mi. Ele- vation 1000 feet to 10,044 feet. Los Banos "Waterfowl Refuge, Merced Co., approximately 5 sq. mi. plus 2 sq. mi., totaling about 7 sq. mi. Valley conditions. Elevation 90 feet. Gray Lodge Waterfowl Refuge, Butte Co., approximately 4 sq. mi. plus IJ sq. mi., totaling about 5J sq. mi. Valley conditions, elevation 60 feet.
McDonald Game Refuge 2.\ in T*Tkc, Mendocino and Glenn Cos., 60 sq. mi.
plus 41 sq. mi., totaling 101 sq. mi. Elevation 3000 feet to 6954 feet.
Willburn Game Refuge 1 1 >, 'Piinity Co., in4 sq. mi. Elevation 2800 feet to
6262 feet.
Powell Game Refuge 111 in 'I'luihiniiie Co., 151 sq. mi. Elevation 1600
feet to 7500 feet. Game Refuge 3E, Santa Clara Co., 6 sq. mi. plus 4 sq. mi., totaling 10 sq. mi. Elevation 2250 feet to 4209 feet!
Munneke Game Refuge IG in Tehama Co., 169 sq. mi. plus 24 sq. mi., totaling
193 sq. mi. Elevation 1000 feet to 5500 feet. Game Refuge IF in Lassen Co., 75 sq. mi. plus 4 sq. mi., totaling 79 sq. mi. Eleva- tion 5100 feet to 7000 feet. J of Game Refuge 3D, Ventura Co. plus 72 sq. mi., totaling 133 sq. mi. Elevation 950 feet to 6300 feet.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
31
Trapper Size of areas trapped
Wallace Half of Game Refuge 4A, San Bernardino Co., totaling 280 sq. mi.
Elevation 2000 feet to 11485 feet. Also on the quail refuges at
Los Floras and Talmadge in that district. Williams Game Refuge 4E, San Diego Co., 81 sq. mi. Elevation 3000 feet to
5000 feet.
CATCH DATA
Coyote Bobcat Skunk Fox Coon
J. N. Ray 175 117 52 29 31
Shawr 68 19 34 7 1
R. Ray 80 70 22 14 3
McDonald 26 44 32 33 43
Willburn 10 5 4 15
Munneke 102 31 34 32 6
Powell 22 22 35 9 9
Wallace 63 20 90 15 2
Williams 17 41 17 57 4
Totals 563 369 320 211 99
Ringtail
Badger cat Bear Mink
J. N. Ray 20
R. Ray 1 __ __ 2 3
McDonald — 11 5 19
Willburn __ — 1
Munneke 4
Powell 2
Wallace 1
Williams — 2
Totals 28 13 6 21 3
932 coyotes and bobcats 16 80 total nuinber of animals
The following tables apply to coyotes and hol)cats only.
Opos- sum House cat
5 4
1 14
18 22
Mountain Weasel lioyi
MILES PER ANIMAL
Total No. miles of trap line
J. N. Ray 18,500
Shaw 6,419
R. Ray 11,419
McDonald 9,932
Willburn 1,347
Munneke 10,971
Powell 7,118
Wallace 3,395
Williams 2,592
No. of coyotes
175 68 80 2G 10
102 22 63 17
Miles per coyote
105.7 94.4 142.7 382.0 134.7 107.5 323.7 53.9 152.5
No. of bobcats
117 19 70 44 5 31 22 20 41
Totals 71,693
SETS PER ANIMAL
Total No. Sets per
of sets coyote
J. N. Ray 16,872 96.4
Shaw 13,263 195.0
R. Ray 12,630 157.8
McDonald 13,673 526.0
Willburn 3,958 395.8
Munneke 10.902 106.8
Powell 12,570 571.4
Wallace 4,757 75.5
Williams 2,297 135.1
Total 90,922
77 miles per animal for the group 97.5 sets per animal for the group
Miles per bobcat
158.1 337.8 163.0 228.8 269.4 353.9 323.7 169.7 63.2
Sets per bobcat
145 698 180.4 310.7 791.6 351.7 571.4 237.8 56.0
Total No. anivials
292 87
150 70 15
133 44 83 58
932
Sets per animal
57.7 152.8
88.9 195.7 264.0
82.7 285. 7
54.7
39.7
:]2
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COST DATA
Daxis Salary Coyotes Bobcats Miles Sets
J. X. Ray 539 $1,800 00 175 117 18,500 16,872
Shaw 511 1,790 32 68 19 6,419 13,263
R. Ray 476 1,790 32 80 70 11,419 12,630
McDonald ___ 540 1,790 32 26 44 9,932 13,673
Willburn _— 187 650 00 10 5 1,347 3,958
Munneke 395 1,548 39 102 31 10,971 10,902
Powell 421 1,500 00 22 22 7,118 12,570
Wallace 232 1,480 00 63 20 3,395 4,757
Williams — 183 750 00 17 41 2,592 2,297
Totals 3,484 $13,099 35 563 369 71,693 90,922
Each animal cost
Number of days per animal, 3.7 3
|
Days |
Cost |
|
per |
per |
|
animal |
animal |
|
1.8 |
$6 16 |
|
5.9 |
20 60 |
|
3.3 |
11 93 |
|
7.7 |
25 57 |
|
12.2 |
43 33 |
|
2.9 |
11 64 |
|
9.6 |
34 05 |
|
2.8 |
17 83 |
|
3.2 |
13 00 |
$14 05
RECORD OF STOMACH EXAMINATIONS
Predators' stomachs to the number listed below contained the particular items mentioned :
|
Coyote- |
-537 |
stomachs |
Skunk |
—133 |
stomachs |
|||
|
297 |
empty |
95 |
empty |
|||||
|
240 |
with contents |
28 |
insects |
38 |
with contents 1 pine squirrel |
|||
|
.00 deer |
45 ground sq |
uirrel |
2 |
lizard |
1 cow |
|||
|
2 quail |
40 cow |
i |
mice |
1 junco egg |
||||
|
13 bird |
24 sheep |
2 |
deer |
1 wood rat |
||||
|
78 rabbit |
5 hog |
4 |
bird |
1 ground squirrel |
||||
|
11 mouse |
7 chicken |
6 |
rabbit |
|||||
|
6 wood rat |
7 gray squi |
rrel |
||||||
|
8 gopher |
3 kangaroo |
rat |
Coon- |
-b9 |
stomachs |
|||
|
2 insects |
1 goat |
39 |
empty |
|||||
|
3 lizard |
1 antelope |
1 8 6 |
snake insects frogs |
20 |
w: |
ith contents 1 duck 1 grebe 1 rabbit |
||
|
Bobcat— |
-324 |
stomachs |
3 |
mice |
2 berries |
|||
|
168 |
empty |
•> |
bird |
1 garbage |
||||
|
156 |
witli contents |
Fox — |
152 |
stomachs |
||||
|
13 deer 5 quail |
17 ground squirrel 2 chicken |
101 51 |
empty with contents |
|||||
|
34 bird |
9 gray squirrel |
8 |
bird |
2 quail |
||||
|
24 rabbit |
8 gopher |
•) |
insects |
1 ground squirrel |
||||
|
31 mice |
1 house cat |
10 |
berries |
1 chicken |
||||
|
35 wood rat |
1 skunk |
30 |
mice |
1 kangaroo rat |
||||
|
1 insect |
1 sheep or goat |
0 |
rabbit |
1 lizard |
||||
|
1 lizard |
1 |
cow |
1 deer |
|||||
|
2 |
wood rat |
DEER REMAINS IN COYOTES BY MONTHS
1932 Male
January 1
Foljruary 2
March
April 4
May 3
.lune 1
July 2
August 4
September 5
October 7
November 4
December 9
Female 2
1933 Male
January 1
February 1
March 2
April 3
.May 4
June
Totals 53
Female 5 1 1
2 2
47
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 33
RANGE OF COYOTES AND BOBCATS
In refuge 3B in San Benito County during the first three months of the year, most of the coyotes were taken between 1200 and 1500 feet elevation, and during' the next seven months at about the 2000-foot level. In November and December they were back down to the 1700-foot level.
In refuge 1-0 in El Dorado County from January to May most of the coyotes were taken near the 4000-foot line. During June and July they had moved up to about -1500 feet. November and December, before the heavy storms, found most of them at the 6000-foot level.
In refuge IJ in Amador County, during the month of October, all coyotes were taken between 5300 and 6500 feet altitude.
During the months of August and September in refuge l-I in Placer County, coyotes were taken near the 5000-foot contour.
On refuge IG in Tehama County few coyotes were caught possibly on account of heavy trapping in the foothills to the west by private trappers.
On refuge 2A in Lake, Mendocino and Glenn counties there was little shifting of the coyote population. Few were taken above the 3500-foot contour.
One interesting thing pertaining to the range of coyotes was noted in 1-0 in El Dorado County. On Big Silver Creek and its middle fork, 23 miles of trap line was run for a considerable period of time when deer were plentiful in the area without a single coyote being- caught. They did not come into the area during the entire summer.
Certain refuges appear to be in the concentration areas of coyotes. Refuges IF in Lassen and 3B in San Benito are so situated. Both of these refuges are in sheep grazing areas. In IF the coyotes left when the sheep were driven out, which was about a month before the deer went to their wintering ground. In 3B there were plenty of coyotes throughout the year but the sheep remained also. Other refuges, although well supplied with game and other food but harbor- ing no sheep, did not have coyotes in such numbers.
The area over which a resident coyote will range is not as large as might be supposed. It is a circuit covered at intervals of several days, each day covering an area about five miles square. The female coyote during the pupping time has a short range ; at other times it is about the same as the male.
I have only two definite records where coyotes were seen killing deer. In El Dorado County, in snow about 3^ feet deep, a deer was killed by a coyote and in San Benito County three coyotes had killed a doe. In the last instance one coyote was ham stringing the doe while the other two were working from the sides near the head. They all came down a steep slope together and finished her in the creek bed.
Bobcats range below 5000 feet, which is the approximate upper limit of the heavy brush region. A few are found in the timber area. These are mostly wandering males. They were caught at all seasons and elevations m 3B. In 1-0, IJ and l-I they were scarce as most of these refuges are above the average bobcat range.
In refuge IG few bobcats were found in the refuge, but just out- side its western boundary at a lower elevation they were fairly
.3—9030
34 CALll'UKXIA I'l.Sii AND UAME
plentiful. Ill refuge 2A tlie avorap:e elevation of capture was 3100 feet.
Squirrels and rabbits are the i)riiieipal food of: the coyote while the wood rat is the mainstay of the bobcat. Both animals eat carrion but the bobcat does so to a much less degree. Coyotes gnaw on carcasses fi-oni the time they are fresh until nothing but hide and bones remain.
In the San IJenito County refuge and vicinity dvu'ing the hunting season for deer and the month following, 7 coyotes had eaten deer. During the other 15 months the trapper was operating, only 11 had eaten deer. Thirty-nine per cent of the coyotes tliat had eaten deer did so in one-sixth of the time the trapper was working. This would indicate that the liunter is of considerable help to the coyote. Wounded deer, hides, legs, heads and other remains thrown away by the hunter are very acceptable to the hungry coyote.
In refuges in the northern Sierras where heavy winter conditions prevail, the findings are not the same as in the Coast Range. Only three coyote stomachs of those trapped in the hunting season con- tained deer remains. However, during the two winters the trapper was operating, there was a heavy loss of deer on account of deep snows. When the carcasses of these deer were available in the late winter and .spring, deer remains showed up in almost all the stomachs. Heavy winters are good for the coyote but hard on deer.
Of the 537 stomachs examined, 240 contained food and of that luimber 100 or 41f per cent contained deer meat, bones, hair or other l)arts; 27 per cent of the 100 were taken during and in the month following deer season; 30 per cent of the 100 were taken in the winter deer kill area, leaving 43 per cent for other times of the year. It is possible that the first kill is made by some other agency (mountain lions kill over 30,000 deer a year in California) and that the coyote, at this time of the year, is a second feeder. Only two coyote stomachs contained hair of young fawns during the time spots were present. These were both taken in San Benito County.
SUMMARY
In San Benito County it required 18,500 miles of trap line and 16,872 sets to take 175 coyotes in 17 months. An average of 105.7 miles of trap line and 94.6 sets for each animal.
In Lake County coyotes were not so numerous. In 18 months time only 26 coyotes were taken on a trap line of 9932 miles with 13,675 sets. An average of 382 miles and 526 sets per animal.
In El Dorado County in 18 months time with 6412 miles of trap line and 13,263 sets, 68 coyotes were taken. An average of 94.4 miles and 195 sets per animal.
In San Diego County in 7 months time, by running 2592 miles of trap line and 2297 sets, 17 coyotes were caught. An average of 152.5 miles and 136.1 sets per animal.
In Lassen County in three months with 2585 miles of trap line and 1272 sets, 51 coyotes were taken. An average of 50 miles and 25 sets per animal.
In Kern County during 10 months, with 8604 miles of trap line and 7414 sets, 52 coyotes were taken. An average of 165.6 miles and 142.5 sets per animal.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 35
In Trinity County durinf? 6^ months time on 104 square miles, 1347 miles of trap line was run to ea])tui-e 10 coyotes or an average of one coyote to 10.4 square miles ; and one coyote to 134.7 miles of trap line. A total of 3958 sets were exposed or an average of 395.8 sets per coyote.
This summary shows something of the relative abundance of coyotes in the various refuges.
Bobcats were most numerous in San Benito and Lake counties. In the Coast Range, coyotes and bobcats are practically resident wherever found, not migrating perceptibly. In the Sierras the seasonal migration of coyotes is east and west. The summer resident coyotes at high elevations drop down replacing those at a lower level, which in turn move down replacing others until there is a greater or less movement into the valleys. This migration begins at approximately the time sheep are moved from their summer range. The upward migration follows the receding winter and possibly the spring herding of sheep to the summer range. After winters of heavy snow in which many deer are killed, these coyotes find a bounteous food supply.
In the Pinnacles region of San Benito County where the coyotes are mostly resident, the best catches of coyotes were made when sheep were concentrated in a relatively small area. Trapping became poorer when sheep ranged over greater areas in the spring. In Kern County on IM very few coyotes were taken on the refuge when the sheep had been moved to the valley ranges. From the information at hand, the movement of sheep has a greater effect on the abundance of coyotes in a given locality than any other factor.
Trapping on certain areas did not prove worth while. The Gray Lodge Refuge in the Sacramento Valley north of Marysville Buttes at an elevation of 60 feet, is a good example. No coyotes were secured in 38 days of trapping, with 25 miles of trap line each day, and an average of 30 sets per day.
Refuge IG in Tehama County was not satisfactory possibly because of private trapping to the west on the wintering ground.
Part of 1-0 in El Dorado County in the drainage basin of Big Silver Creek and its middle fork did not produce a coyote during a month's trapping in July when coyotes should have been in that region. No signs of coyotes were in evidence. A total of 393 miles of line with 659 sets were exposed during the month.
The Mount Hamilton region is interesting because in the refuge, which includes the mountain above the 2200-foot contour, practically no bobcats or coyotes are found at any season, while around the base of the mountain below the refuge they are not uncommon.
It is impossible for coyotes and bobcats to be numerous beyond their food supply. When the population reaches the point where the food begins to decrease, then the predators must decrease. The coyote is dependent to a large extent on rabbits and squirrels, and w'here coyotes are plentiful, as in San Benito County, squirrels and rabbits are also numerous. Although quail are particularly abundant (more than 300 were seen per day) in all parts of that area trapped, only one coyote out of 175 had quail remains in its stomach. Only two coyotes out of 563 trapped, in this study, had quail remains.
In this same region in San Benito County wood rats, which are the bobcat's mainstay, are fairly plentiful and we found bobcats were
30 CALIFORNIA FTSII AND GAME
also relatively iiuiiiei'ous. In only liv(> ))()l)ent stonuielis wove we able to find <iuail romains.
In rct'ufro 2A in Lake, ]\Ien(locino and Glenn counties, whei-e ilie sqnirrel and rabbit poijulation is low, coyotes were not niuuerons. However, the bobcat ])oi)ulation was fairly high as was also the wood lat. In all the refnp:es ti'a]i])ed only two coyote stomachs contained t'awii hail' and Ihese were both from San lienito C\)unty.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 37
HISTORY OF THE YOSEMITE ELK HERD
By James Moffitt
All photographs courtesy of National Park Service
Some of the hundreds of thousands, more properly millions, of visitors to Yosemite National Park during the past twelve seasons may, upon returning- next year or later, wonder what has become of the elk herd that ranged the meadow near Yosemite Lodge. To answer this question and also to put on record the planting, success and final departure of the herd from the valley is tlie purpose of this ]iaper.
This elk was first recognized as being different from other jSTorth American elk in November, 1904, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, then Chief of the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey, and was described by him as a distinct species in February, 1905 (Proc. Biol. 8oc. Wash., vol. 18, 1905, pp. 23-26). Merriam called this animal Cervus nannodes, or the dwarf elk. It is also variously known as the California valley elk, valley elk, tule elk and dwarf wapiti.
The first attempt to transplant valley elk was made in November, 1904, by the Biological Survey under Dr. Merriam 's personal direc- tion. In this year, a single calf was introduced into Sequoia National Park, but the following season 20 elk were successfully planted there (Merriam, C. H., The Scientific Monthly, Nov. 1921, pp. 465-475).
In 1914, a group of California naturalists and sportsmen concerned themselves with the status of the California valley elk. At that time but a single herd estimated at 400 individuals existed on the Button- willow Ranch of Miller and Lux in Kern County. The danger of "keeping all your eggs in one basket," so to speak, was apparent, for if disease or some other factor exterminated this herd the species would become extinct. The late Dr. Barton Warren Evermann, then Director of the California Academy of Sciences, and M. Hall McAllister, present Chairman of this institution 's Committee for the Conservation of AVild Animal Life, were the fathers of a movement to rectify this ])recarious condition. Briefly, a plan was adopted to catch and distribute to several favorable localities scattered over the State, a portion of the Kern County elk herd. This was accom]ilished in the years 1914 and 1915 with the cooperation of Miller and Lux, Inc., and the California Academy of Sciences. In 1914 the academy distributed 54 animals to seven areas as recorded in Dr. Evermann 's interesting article on the subject in California F'ish and Game (vol. 1. pp. 85-96). The follow- ing year 92 elk were introduced into 14 additional localities (Evermann, California Fish and Game, vol. 2, pp. 70-77). Twelve of these animals were sent to Del Paso Park at Sacramento.
These plantings constituted fulfillment of the academy's original program. M. Hall McAllister, co-leader in the venture with Dr. Ever- mann, however, always cherished the desire that a planting might also be made in Yosemite Valley. The first concrete move in this dii-ection seems to have occurred on December 26, 1918, when McAllister and the
38 CALIKOrtXIA FISH AM) GAME
late Stcplicii T. Mallici'. then Director (if the X;iliiiiuil Park Service, lunched top:ethcr in San Francisco, and IMcAllister broached the sub- ject, rorrosjiondcnce sliows that McAllister, with characteristic enerjiy, followed uji this opcninji: and in the next spring definite steps were taken in this rejjard.
At that time the Park Service's policy was not against exhibiting caged or exotic sjiecies of animals in the National Parks, and the only concern over the venture seems to have been the fear that the animals might not survive the severe winters of Yosemite. In order to secure information in lliis regard, the Park Service addressed leading authori- ties on the subject. One of them, Dr. Jose])h CTi-inuell, Director of the California INFuseum of Vertebrate Zoology, ruled that the animals siiould not be introduced into tlie Valley for the reason that tliey were never native to the region, a contention that Grinnell has steadfa.stly u|)held to the preseiit day, and which finallj^ became one of the main reasons for removing the elk from Yosemite. Grinnell 's original objec- tion was overruled b}^ Dr. T. S. Palmer of the U. S. Bureau of Bio- logical Survey, an ardent supporter of the elk introduction, with the prediction that the animals would thrive in the Valley where they would com]irise an atti-action to thousands of visitors, while few people wonld see them in their native habitat at Buttonwillow.
Ot¥icial sanction of the elk introduction into Yosemite was provided by the Director of the National Park Service on INIarch 10, 1020, Avhen an agreement was entered into between this body and the California Academy of Sciences which stipulated that the academy would bear all expenses of materials and cost of erection of a corral for the animals and would deliver to the Park Service at El Portal not to exceed 10 live elk. In return, the Park Service agreed to assume trans]iortation expenses for the materials and the animals from El I'cu-tal to the Valley, expenses incident to care and feed for the animals after their delivery, upkeep of the corral and such other subsequent expenses in connection Avith the herd as might arise.
July, 1920, saw com])letion of the elk paddock, an enclosure of 28 acres, fenced w'ith heavy woven ware eight feet high and costing over $2,000. It was now ready to receive the animals and arrangements were made by the academy to procure some elk from the herd that was ])lanted on the ]\Ionterey Peninsula in 1914 and which had increased greatly. Efforts made by the Del Monte Properties Company in August and September, 1920, to capture elk from this herd proved failures and they were unable to deliver the animals. On account of the lateness in the season, efforts to effect the introduction were abandoned for that year in October.
The academy made new arrangements the following spring and on May 23, 1921, four animals, three cows and a six weeks old bull calf, were introduced into Yosemite Valley from the Del Paso Park herd near Sacramento. Four days later one of the cows died, presumably from injuries received while she was being roped and captured. The remaining three elk quickly adapted themselves to their new habitat.
August 20, 1921, nine additiojial elk were introduced into the Yosemite paddock from the Buttonwillow Ranch of Miller and Lux where the.v were caught by cowboys with riatas. Quite evidently, some of these animals were injui-ed by their cai)ture in this manner and two
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 39
of them, a bull calf and an old cow, died shortly after arrival. The remaining seven Buttonwillow elk withstood the introduction well and on September 1, 1921, the Yosemite herd numbered 10 healthy animals consisting of 4 bulls, 5 cows and 1 bull calf.
The winter of 1921-1922 was one of unusual severity in Yosemite with deeper snow on the ground than had been experienced in many years. It was necessary to erect a shelter to protect the elk from the weather and they were fed alfalfa hay. In spite of this condition, the animals appeared to weather the first half of the winter satisfactorily for on February 14, 1922, then Superintendent W. B. Lewis wrote M. Hall McAllister that the elk seemed to be pulling through, though they were not so sleek or fat as in the fall. Conditions must have been even more severe in the following months, for the next record available, as of May 2, 1922, notes that five of the animals died in the spring, leaving only 4 cows and 1 yearling bull.
This proportion of sexes was thought to be unbalanced, so on May 12, 1922, a yearling bull was introduced into the Yosemite elk herd from Del Paso Park, and the real start of the Yosemite herd should probably be counted from that date when it was composed of 4 adult cows and 2 yearling bulls. None of the cows calved in 1922, but the fact that two cows bore calves respectively on May 9 and 10, 1923, is of note as it indicates the fecundity of the yearling or 15 months old bulls in the previous fall.
The following table demonstrates the growth of the herd and its occasional losses from July, 3922, to the time of its departure from the Valley in 1933, as nearly as it has been possible to ascertain this information from available records.
Date of Total animals Bulls Cows Calves Loss and reason
record in herd therefor
Julv 1, 1022 6 2 4
.Tilly, 1923 S 2 4 2
July, 1924 11 4 4 3
July, 1925 l.l 7 3 3 1, 2-yr.-oia cow died in 1925.
July, 1926 15 8 5 2
July, 1927 16 9 5 2 1 animal escaped from corral.
Julv, 1928 19 10 6 3
Julv, 1929 22 10 9 3
July, 1930 23 10 9 4 1 calf died soon after birtli.
and apparently 2 others died this year.
July, 1931 23 11 10 2 I..oss of 2 elk unaccounted for
in this year.
Jan., 1932 22 10 10 2 1 bull died of old age, Dec. 22,
1931.
Feb., 1932 18 6 10 2 4 bulls killed for scientific pur-
poses, Feb. 21, 1932.
July, 1932 21 7 11 . 3
July, 1933 27 7 11 G and 3 yearlings.
The elk were kept in the corral continually from the time of their arrival until April 29, 1927, when it was decided to open the gates and permit the animals to leave the enclosure and to roam the Valley at will. This experiment proved to be a failure because of danger of injury to Park visitors, particularly from the bulls that become quite pugnacious during the rutting season. Therefore, all the elk were returned to the corral on November 16, 1927, and were not again released. Sometime later, however, four animals broke through the fence and gained a liberty that three of them enjoyed for a month before they were returned to the corral. The fourth animal escaped permanently and sometime later was reported as having been seen by Game Warden
40 CAMl'OKMA IISII AM) (iA.MK
C. L. Brown, -west of Mariposa, when it appcai'cd to bo in ^(,0,1 ^.o^\- dition, but lias not been lieard of since.
Kec'ords made available for preparin«i this paper fail to provide the reasons for the loss of tAvo elk in 1930 and a similar number the follow- in<r year; presumably the animals died from some natural causes. The bull that died December 22. ^'^'^^. after two weeks' illness was (p;ite evidently past his prime. He had small o-point antlers and his teeth were worn to the grums, some of them bein<>- badly infected and ulcerated.
From 1924 until 19;]2, the nund)er of adult bulls ecpialed or out- numbered the old cows in the Yosemite herd. It is thought that this condition was responsible for the small number of calves that were born each year as an excess of fipliting on behalf of the disproportionate number of bulls ])i'obably interfered with their breeding activities. At any rate, the proportion of sexes was deemed unsatisfactory so the Park Service, early in 1932, decided to remove some of the surplus males and on February 21, four adult bulls were killed and their remains were ))reserved for scientific study by several California institutions. The favorable effect of this reduction of surplus males upon the herd is indicated by the fact that six calves, two more than were bom in any other season, w^ere dropped the following spring, although it is a fact that the mating season Avas over before the surplus males were killed.
Early in 1928, sentiment began to develop against keeping the elk in Yosemite Valley ])ermanently. For one thing, the tremendous increase in the number of annual visitors to the Valley since the original introduction in 1922 resulted, by 1928, in the need of every foot of available space on the valley floor for the accomodation of the public. Park officials saw^ that the space occupied by the elk corral would soon be required for this purpose. The unsatisfactory experiment of liberat- ing the animals in the Valley in 1927 indicated that relief could not be found in this direction. Another reason for the change in sentiment toward the elk was that by ]928 the National Park Service's policy with reference to exhibiting caged or nonnative animals within the Parks had altered, and the Service was now definitely on record against such exhibits.
A letter from Acting Superintendent E. P. Leavitt of Yosemite National Park to M. Hall McAllister in June, 1928, outlined the Service's attitude regarding this problem, but stated that no immediate action Avas ])lanned. The subject was carefully considered by the National Park Service during the next months when opinions regarding it were secured from interested persons both within and without the organization. Some of the opinions may be of interest for notwith- standing the need of the space occupied by the elk corral for the pub- lic's use, then Assistant Field Director Horace I\I. Albright and now Assistant Director Dr. 11. C. P>ryant were among the Service's men who expressed the hope that if might be jxissible to keep the animals in the Valley. Superintendent Thomson tenaciously contended for their removal from the Park. Dr. Jose])h Grinnell was, as originally and always, ojiposed to keeping the elk in Yosemite because they are nonnative to its fauna. ]\I. Hall McAllister suggested if the land occupied by the iiaddock Avas recpiired for other ])urposes, it might be possible to erect a corral in Bridalveil jNIeadoAvs or elscAvhere Avhere
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 41
space was available and to transfer the animals there. He also sug- gested the possibility of reducing the size of the herd and keeping its maximum at 12 animals, the surplus to be butchered and marketed, or turned loose. Thus the matter Avas, from time to time, brought up and discussed for a period of nearly three years, but no definite solution was reached.
Early in 1932, Superintendent Thomson interested Charles G. Dun- woody, Director of Conservation of the California State Chamber of Commerce, in the National Park Service's problem with the Yosemite elk herd which he hoped to solve by locating a satisfactory area in which to place the animals. Dunwoody at a subsequent meeting of the State Chamber, announced Superintendent Thomson's problem and asked if any of those in attendance could suggest a suitable place to which to transfer the herd.
Fig. 7. This type of country extends along tlie Owens River for at least 60 miles. The elk were released on the river about at the place marked by the cross. The Sierras are seen in the background, the Wliite Mountains border the other side of the valley.
G. W. Dow, Lone Pine, a leader among Owens Valley sportsmen, was present at this meeting and stated that he would like to have the elk moved to Owens Valley. Dow explained that he considered this an ideal locality in which to permit the animals to roam at large a strip of seemingly ideal habitat bordering Owens River for a distance of nearly 70 miles and owned almost entirely by the City of Los Angeles. He pointed out the natural attractions of Owens Valley for elk habitat, stressing the fact that little agriculture now exi.sts in the valley wdth w^hich the animals could interfere and asserted that the sportsmen and people of the vicinity would welcome the introduction aiid protect the animals.
Dow and Dunwoody shortly thereafter met with other interested parties in Los Angeles to contact the Water and Power Board with
42 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
reference to the plan. Tliis ^ronp's inquiries met witli the immediate favorable reaction of the board and soon the City of Los Angeles issued formal perniissiou to introduce elk into its Owens Valley prop- erties. Credit is due to ^Messrs. Dow and Dnnwoody, Hoy Booth, Supervisor of the Inyo National Forest, Dean L. Sears and Dr. M. A. Williamson, both of Lone Pine, and the Water and Power Board for brinyinji' the nialter to such a speedy and successful conclusion.
In the meantime, Dunwoody and Dow corresponded in this regard with C. G. Thomson, Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, and kept him informed of their progress. Supt. Thomson seemed to favor the plan from the start. On -May 10, 19132, Dunwoody advised the Superintendent that details were completed with the City of Los Angeles and that the jxTiiiit had been granted. A few days later, Dow advised Supt. Thomson that he was already to send trucks in which to move the animals. This prompt action was a bit prenuiture, for the National Park Service had not yet decided to move the elk and would not agree to do so until it was satisfied beyond any question that the herd would succeed in its new location.
The National Park Service soon delegated George M. Wright, Chief of its Wild Life Division, to conduct a thorough study into the details of the proposed transfer both from the viewpoint of its desirability and necessity, and of the suitability of Owens Valley for the animals' success. Wright, on account of other Avork, was unable to undertake this investigation until the following spring. On June 1, 1933, he rendered a most comprehensive report on the subject to the Director of the National Park Service. It seems advisable here, even at the expense of some duplication in this paper, to put a goodly portion of this report on record, for it indicates how thoroughly the Park Service went into the matter before reaching a decision.
In regard to the necessity and desirability of removing the elk from the Park, Wright outlined the manner in which conditions as they obtained in 1922, when the elk were placed in Yosemite, had changed, as follows :
1. Now contrary to policy to harbor exotics in a National Park.
2. Against National Park policy to exhibit animals in confinement.
3. Inconsistent with National Park's educational program, which is to stimulate visitors to study nature in place, to have elk enclosed in a paddock within sight of its Educational Museum, a living contradiction to this principle.
4. Space used by elk pasture required for caring for great crowds of Park visitors.
5. Maintenance of elk herd costs Educational Department of Yosemite $400 per year for feed for animals.
6. Need for preserving species from extinction that threatened in 1022. now removed with establishment [in 19.S21 of 1000 acre State Park in San Joa(|uin \'alley with 140 'i'ule lOlk mi it.
Wright's report then outlined tlie requirements that should be met before acting on the pro]-)osal to transfer tlio nuinuils to Owens Valley, as follows :
1. Obtain approval of California Academy of Sciences.
2. Obtain approval of scientific groii)) at the University of California.
3. Obtain approval of the California Division of Fish and Game.
4. Local inhabitants should be favorably disposed to the introduction.
(This requirement already met by assurance of G. W. Dow and otiier residents of Owens Valley.)
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
43
5. That there should be no danger of conflict with economic interests. (This requirement met, no danger of conflict with agriculture for the few remaining farms in Owens Valley are being rapidly acquired by the City of Los Angeles and when its program is completed, there will no longer be any farms there. Presence of elk should be conducive to the prosperity of inhabitants of Owens Valley because of their interest to the tourist trade
Fig. 8. Messrs. Walker, Dow and Merrill demonstrate the height of undergrowth which covers large areas along the Owens River. This should make an ideal home for the elk.
which is a source of considerable income to residents. Stock grazing is no longer heavy in Owens Valley and is now being reduced by the policy of the Water Board. Therefore, feed is abundant and the elk should prosper.)
6. Elk should range on publicly owned lands. (Tliis requirement already met as the City of Los Angeles owns 00 per cent of the land in Owens Valley.)
7. Obtain a means to finance the cost of moving the elk. (G. W. Dow already offered to be responsible for this.)
44
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
8. Essential that plan of liberation be conducive to the in<lt'i)en(lent existence of the herd. (Owens Valley seems ideal in this respect for an abundant stretch of moist river bottom land. GO miles or more in length, with an abundance of willows, tiiles. rushes, grasses, mud lakes and water, such as is considered excellent Tule Elk habitat, exists there. Temperature extremes in Owens Valley are comparalile witli those of the Upper San .Toa<iuin Valley wliere Tub> Elk once abounded. Althoufih the elevation is greater tiiaii in the San .Ioa(iuin Valley, snows that remain on the ground occur only wilii llie greatest rarity in Owens Valley. Nature has fenced the valley to preclude the animals' escape from it, for if the elk attempt to leave the river marshes, high mountains or hostile deserts hem them in on all sides. The.se factors .seem to meet this requirement.)
Wripht closed his report with tlie foilowing- reeommeiuhitious regarding the elk transfer. First, that it is his opinion that the animals would prosper in Owens Valley. Second, that the transfer be
Fig. 9. Bull elk after dehorning. After their horns were removed, they quieted down, showing little interest in each other.
made in Ictte fall, after the rutting season wlieu the bull's horns could be sawed aff to prevent their injuring tliemselves in transit, when tlie calves would be large and strong enough to stand the trip and when the cows Avould already be impregnated to.insm-e securing a calf crop the following spring.
Director of the National Park Service H. M. All)righl on .June 20. 1933, approved AVright's recommendations and authorized the transfer provided that each requirement was md bcfoi-c making the shipnicnt. Accordingly, Supt. Thomson addressed the agencies whose approval was required, requesting that same be granted.
Dr. C. E. Grunsky, President and Acting Director of the California Academy of Sciences, provided Supt. Thomson with that institution's approval of the transfer on September 15, 1033, but expressed some reluctance over it for the reason of M. Hall ^ilcAllister's opinion in
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 45
its-.regard. It is only 'fair liere, in deference to McAllister's unfailing, interest in the Yosemite elk herd, to ])ut on record his views in this regard", which everyone, including McAllister himself, hopes will prove to be unfounded. McAllister believes that the move is to be regretted because the elk had a good home in Yosemite where their increase was normal. He thinks that fewer people will see and enjoy them in Owens Valley than in Yosemite and fears the danger of their raiding farms there, citing the examples of the ]\Ionterey and Eden Valley (Mendocino County) introductions, where ranchers are said to have protected themselves against elk depredations to their crops by employ- ing rather drastic means of control.
Dr. Grinnell had already, in March, provided Wright with his views regarding the transfer, writing that he considers "Owens Valley appoints the best of their own home range." He is enthusiastic over the prospects in Owens Valley for the species, and is glad that the herd has been removed from Yosemite.
Executive Officer J. L. Farley expressed to Supt. Thomson the California Fish and Game Commission's atttude on the subject on September 8. This was that the Commission approved the transfer but can not undertake to purchase feed, if necessity for same arises, for the elk in their new home. Further, that in so far as it is consistent with its other duties, the Commission will endeavor to protect the herd in Owens Valley.
All the conditions having been satisfactorily met, Supt. Thomson on September 30, 1933, so informed the Director of the National Park Service and advised him that the transfer date had been set for October 10.
Meanwhile rather careful and elaborate preliminary work was being done in Yosemite by the Park Service. Specifications for carry- ing crates were secured from Yellowstone National Park, and the requisite number were constructed in Owens Valley at G. W. Dow's expense. Preshipment handling of the animals themselves can best be described by quoting from Chief Ranger F. S. Townsley's report in this regard (see Figs. 9 and 10) :
For several weeks before the transfer, very definite plans were made to handle the elk with as little difficulty as possible so as not to get them excited. The old deer trap at the upper end of the pasture was rebuilt and a dehorning shoot was made so that it could be used to force the elk into the shipping crates.
The dehorning was done over a period of several days, by trapping only one or two bulls at a time ; the rest of the herd did not realize that anything unusual was taking place.
A few days before they were to be crated, all water was shut off except inside the trap, resulting in very little excitement when some of them had to b^ driven through the trap door.
At the same time, Dow was active on the ' ' receiving end ' ' in Owens Valley. There, bordering Owens River, near Aberdeen, about 14 miles from Independence (see Figs. 7 and 14), he constructed a paddock in which the herd was to be held for a week or ten days after arrival and fed hay until they became acclimated. :\Iaterials for the construction of this corral were supplied gratis by the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles and by some enthusi- astic Big Pine and Lone Pine business men. Several employees of
46
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Fig. 10. Small paddock used in connection with trap, trapdoor up ready for use. Two inside doors made it possible to force one elk at a time into dehorning shoot and shipping crate.
Fig. 11. Forcing elk to front of crate so door could be bolted on. Mr. Dow at front of crate adding some reinforcement with wire. Chief Ranger Townsley at the right, holding prod.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 47
the City Department of Water and Power assisted in the erection of the fence, on their own time. He also arranged to supply a large truck for hauling the crates to Yosemite and the elk back to Owens Valley and arranged to come himself to. Yosemite for the loading and then accompany the animals home. Dow personally expended several hundred dollars in connection with this venture in which he was assisted by a $100 appropriation from the County of Inyo. The Division of Fish and Game donated the use of one of its large fish planting trucks for hauling the elk, and the services of Fish Planting Assistant E. L. Walker and Game Warden C. J. Walters. The Gov- ernment supplied a third truck from the Civilian Conservation Corps and a driver for same, Lee Rust.
This equipment was assembled in Yosemite the evening of October 9 and the work of loading the elk was commenced at 8 a.m. the follow- ing morning under the supervision of Chief Ranger Townsley (see Fig'. 11). Six of the bulls were loaded into individual crates which were placed on the Division's truck and left the valley at 3.30 p.m. (see Fig. 12). By 6.30 p.m., 16 more animals were individually crated and loaded on the larg'e semitrailer type of truck furnished by Dow. This truck left Yosemite an hour later, escorted by Dow in his private sedan. The remaining elk, five calves, were loaded into two crates on the C. C. C. Chevrolet truck which left the valley at 9 p.m. Ranger W. K. Merrill and Assistant Park Naturalist A. E. Borell accom- panied Rust in this truck.
The trip from Yosemite to Owens Valley is well described in Ranger Merrill's report from which the following is quoted:
Ranger Naturalist Borell, Lee Rust and I left at 9 p.m. in a truck with five young elk.
We arrived at Fresno at 1.15 a.m., inspected the elk, gassed the truck and left at 1.30 a.m. I relieved Rust from driving from Fresno to Bakersfield.
We overhauled the second load of elk about twenty-five miles this side of Bakersfield. We arrived at Bakersfield at 5 a.m. Borell relieved Mr. Dow at the wheel and Rust relieved me.
Arrived at Mojave at 9 a.m., had breakfast, inspected the elk and tried to water them, but they would not drink. We left at 9.35 a.m. I relieved Rust to Olancha.
We arrived at Lone Pine at 1.30 p.m., unloaded some of onr things, got some more help to unload the elk and left Lone Pine for the elk refuge, which is some forty miles beyond Lone Pine, at 2 p.m. We arrived at the refuge, which is some three miles off from the main highway, at 3.15 p.m.
Assistant Park Naturalist Borell's report of tlie transfer contains some information relative to the animars new home in Owens Valley that is of interest and is quoted, in part, as follows:
The 27 elk (7 bulls, 3 yearlings, 11 cows, and 6 calves) were crated, under supervision of Chief Ranger Townsley and hauled from Yosemite Valley to Owens Valley under escort of Merrill and Borell. Each adult animal and two of the largest calves were in separate crates which were furnished by Mr. Dow. Some of the bulls fought viciously during the crating and as a result were rather badly bruised and skinned up by the time we got them loaded. Once on the road the animals were quiet and I believe received no further injury. We tried to water thorn at Mojave, but they refused to drink. It was cloudy and cool, there was no car trouble or other delay en route. All except one old bull was delivered in good condition.
The paddock into which we released them is on the Owens River near Aberdeen, which is 14^ miles northeast of Independence. Inyo County. The new home of the elk seems to be ideal, plenty of water, abundance of willow,
48
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Pis'. 12. The first load ol" elk lift on Fish and dame Commission truck at 3.30 p.m., October 10. The next truck (seen at left rear) furnished by Mr. Dow (stanil- ing third from left) started at 7.30 p.m. Government truck with five calves left at 1» p.m.
Fig. 13. The next morning after delivery the elk seemed to be full of life.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 49
tule, mulei'ffi'owtli aiul srass. Mnr-li of the undergrowth is from three to six feet high (see Fig. 8). Most of the area belongs to the City of Los Angeles and is luswl only for watershed and cattle grazing. There are a few private ranches left in the valley, and if the elk take to these ranches, there may be difficulties. However, the ranch neai-est to the place of liberation was 10 miles south.
Mr. Dow, the Fish and Game officers, and county sheriff seemed to be extremely interested in the welfare of the elk and will do everything they can in the way of care and protection. The animals will be kept in the paddock about a week, until they recover from the trip.
The preceding excerpts from reports of Park Service employees indicate the successful manner in which the elk transfer was executed. Too much praise can not be given these men for their care and fore- sight in this regard. Dr. Grinnell, writing Superintendent Thomson on November 8, 1933, said: "You can not overestimate my personal satisfaction that the transfer of the elk out of Yosemite Valley was so successfully accomplished. It is evident that a lot of administra- tive thought and skill was necessary to bring the whole undertaking to conclusion. * * *" It is believed that the careful preshipment handling and loading methods used were largely responsible for the ultimate success of the transfer, for, in the ease of the earlier elk plantings, considerable loss seems to have resulted from rough handling of the animals prior to shipping (see Evermann, California Fish and Game, vol. 2, 1916, p. 77).
It may well be, too, that the modern methods of transportation used in the present transfer (see Fig. 12) and resulting in the animals being confined in their crates for a minimum of time, also influenced the final success of the venture. For transportation by modern auto- mobile trucks presents a strange contrast to the horse-drawn wagons used in the earlier plantings (see Fig. 24, California Fish and Game, vol.1, 1915, p. 92).
The elk apparently adapted thenxselves quickly to their new sur- roundings in Owens Valley. All, with the exception of an old bull that was injured prior to shipping, seemed to thrive in the holding pen in which they were kept for nine days. The following account of their liberation from this pen on October 20 is quoted from a letter by G. W. Dow to Supt. Thomson.
We liberated the elk at 9.30 this morning with 100 per cent of the herd in fine condition or in as fine condition as they were when loaded at Yosemite. The old bull that had been hurt previous to the transfer seems to be getting along fairly well and while we have been doctoring him some every day since his arrival here we decided that he would be about as well off turned out of the corral.
We opened the gate this moniing and aft-^r some time we persuaded them to come out and after they were out in the open they realized there was no fence and they galloped off through the willows and disappeared, with the old bull following along behind calling them. We tried to follow them a short distance but decided they had left and had gone to see if they could find the end of the pasture. After circling around with our cars we made a trip down the river and found that they had not passed so presumed they had not gone very far so we all returned home. About an hour later one of my former employees went down to the corral thinking he would have a chance to see the elk and found that the herd had all returned to the corral.
While the elk were in the corral we fed them about a ton of hay and I believe they were beginning to put on some flesh.
4—9030
50 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
I\Ir. Call Walters and Mr. Gene Walker of the Fish and Game Depart- ment have taken a very keen interest and have made a trip to the corral every day since the elk arrived.
A later report upon the successful adaptation of the herd to its new habitat was provided by Assistant Executive Officer A. E. Burghduff on November 10, when he wrote as follows: "I saw this band of elk this week and the entire shipment is looking tine except for one crippled bull elk tliat died because of its injury." Evidently, the old bull that was injured prior to shipping and probably should not have been trans- ferred, died of his wounds. The j-emaining elk, consisting of the fol- lowing animals, then comprise the nucleus of the Owens Valley herd : 6 bulls, 11 cows, 3 yearlings and 6 calves; a total of 26 animals made 11 11 of what is thought to be an excellent proportion of sexes.
Fig. 14. Tule elk in temporary holding corral on Owens River near Aberdeen, Cal.
October 12, 1933.
Beside the individuals and agencies previously mentioned in tliis paper as being concerned directly or indirectly with the elk transfer, especial mention should be made of G. W. Dow's unfailing interest and work in its consummation. It would be impossible to give Dow too much praise and credit for his trouble and labor in this regard.
The antlior ]irepared this paper at the request of Executive Officer Parley and with Superintendent of Yosemite National Park Thomson's approval. Supt. Thomson kindly furnished correspondence that was helpful in preparing the article and the photographs which are here used for illustrations. A visit to Yosemite Park was necessary to secure further data and it is a pleasure for the writer to acknowledge the help and cooperation afforded him at that time by Chief Ranger Townsley, Park Naturalist C. A. Harwell and Assistant Park Naturalists Beatty and Borell. Harwell informed us that he had in the course of prepara- tion a paper on the habits of the Yosemite elk herd. On account of the
CALIFORNIA FISU AND GAME 51
accessibility and ease of study of the animals when they were confined in the Valley, unusual opportunity afforded for observing their habits and we will look forward to the appearance of Harwell's paper in this regard.
In addition to those nientiojied above, the writer is indebted to Assistant Executive Officer Burghduff, Joseph Dixon, Field Naturalist of the Wild Life Division, National Park Service, and to M. Hall McAllister for information and assistance in the preparation of this paper. — Decemher 20, 1933.
52 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
MULE DEER STUDY PROGRAM
By James Moffitt
The Division of Fish and Game lias received numerous reports in the past two or three years from its game wardens, sportsmen, game conservationists and U. S. Forest Service employees purporting a decline in tlie numbers of mule deer inhabiting the northeastei'n por- tion of the State. Deer kill statistics indicate a reduced kill in this area in the past two seasons, which, as discussed beyond, may indicate deer depletion in this section. The Division has investigated the matter and is of the opinion that some reduction, although not an alarming one, has occurred among these deer in recent years. It now desires to ascertain the reasons for the depletion in order that remedial measures may be undertaken.
Before proceeding with an explanation of the mule deer study program, by which means it is intended to procure the information needed, it seems desirable to indicate in more detail than has liereto- fore been done the range of mule deer in this section, to review the status of these deer in the past and the kill statistics for the area, to recount the increasingly restrictive game laws enacted in recent years and to speculate upon some of the probable reasons for the recent depletion.
The species concerned is the Rocky Mountain mule deer, Odorm- leus hemionus hemionus, which California hunters often term the "Modoc" mule deer in distinction from the smaller California mule deer {O.h. calif ornicus) of southern California. This is the common deer of Modoc County and it is also plentiful in most parts of Lassen County, the eastern half of Siskiyou County and in extreme eastern Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties (see Fig. 15). South of Placer County, where this deer is of rare occurrence, its status is not well known but a few individuals undoubtedly enter California in suuhium- along the eastern border south to j\Iono County, where the present species is thought to meet the range of the newly described Inyo mule deer {O.h. inyoensis), (see California Fish and Game, vol. 19, 1938, p. 274). Therefore, the vast majority of the Rocky Mountain mule deer's range in the State is included in the area under consideration, which, for convenience, will be termed the "Modoc" region.
The accompanying map (Fig. 15) indicates as nearly as the writer has been able to ascertain, the average summer range of the Rocky Mountain mule deer in California. Some few individuals may. in summer, stray west of the north and south line drawn through Shasta Valley, but the bulk of the mule deer in this section doubtless stop their westward spring migration at this valley's eastern edge. Similarly, further south, occasional mule deer may be noted west of the boundary line indicated ; but it is believed that in general this line marks the western range of this deer. Columbian black-tailed deer {Odocoileus columbianus columhianus) frequently occur east of this line, in fact they do so commonly and regularly at many points. This is especially
CALIFORNIA FISU AND GAME 53
true in summer, when the black-tailed deer that generally winter to the westward invade the eastern parts of Siskiyou, Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada and Placer counties and western Lassen County. Some black- tailed deer probably winter with the mule deer east of the boundary line, as in eastern Siskiyou County (Red Rock Valley) and in eastern Plumas County (east of Quincy between Keddie and Beckwith peaks, fide L. B. Mercer), however the great majority of black-tails winter to the westward. In preparing this map, no attempt has been made to show the eastern range limit of black-tailed deer or the winter range of mule deer.
Mule deer winter at many points throughout the area that they occupy in summer. In fact they winter almost wherever snow depths will permit them to do so throughout their summer range. When they migrate, they generally, but by no means always, do so to the eastward in fall, but at a considerably later date than do the black-tails move westward. There is never a winter mule deer migration west of the summer line shown on the map and it is of the greatest rarity that an individual of this species is said to accompany the black-tails to the westward, however, there are one or two purported records of this having happened in Tehama County. Mule deer winter west to Red Rock Valley, Siskiyou County, in the vicinity of Game Refuge 1-B and in the rough lavas south of it. In heavy winters, when deep snows invade the 1-B country, these deer are said to work westward into Red Rock Valley which is an area of less snowfall (F. B. Starr). They also winter in the Crowder Flat country, along both slopes of the Warner Mountains, and on Big Mountain, near Adin, Modoc County (^4. A. Jordan). A considerable number winter on Bieber Mountain in northwestern Lassen County and in extreme southwestern Modoc County {Paid Kehrer). The country between Pittville and Westwood has too much snowfall to i)ermit deer to winter there and the mule deer of this area work eastward in late fall to winter east of the Madeline Plains and in Game Refuge 1-Q, to or across the Nevada line. The animals that summer in eastern Plumas County southwest of Honey Lake along the main divide of the Sierra Nevada Mountains winter on the east slopes of Long Valley and east into western Nevada, south of this point all Rocky Mountain mule deer summering in Cali- fornia apparently winter in Nevada. It should also be mentioned that many, if not most of the mule deer summering in that section of extreme soutii central Oregon, bounded by the towns of Malin, Bly and Lake- view, apparently migrate southwesterly in fall to winter in the vicinity of Game Refuge 1-B in Modoc County.
According to the reports of some early residents of the Modoc region (L. N. Lorenzen, Mt. Shasta, Thomas Ivory, Canby, and others) in the early days, fifty years or so ago, mule deer were not at all ])lentiful in the area. Lorenzen recently told tlie writer that old time cattle riders have informed him that one could ride for a day without seeing a deer in regions where similar excursions today would reveal many of these animals. Deer seem to have increased steadily in the Modoc region from early times until about 1928 when most local inhabitants agree that the peak population for modern times was attained. The following year, and 1930, was apparently the time that the present depletion commenced. The winter of 1932-1933 may,
54
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
and we hope did, mark the low point in this decline, for a number of local informants have recently expressed to the writer the view that there were more deer in the area in 1933 than in the previous year. Althoufjh many people have been interviewed on the subject, it is
Fig. 15. Summer range of the Rocky Mountain mule deer in northeastern California.
difficult to ascertain the extent of the recent depletion, however, the consensus of such opinion seems to indicate a reduction of about 15 per cent in the herd in the fall of 1932 over a similiar time in 1928.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 55
Prior to about 1920, the number of "outside" hunters visiting the ]\Iodoc region each season was small and the majority of deer killed tliere were taken by local residents. From that time until about 1930, the number of sportsmen from other sections of the State who made limiting trips into the area grew by leaps and bounds so that by the end of this period a veritable army of outside hunters made annual pilgrimages after these large animals. This condition naturally resulted in a correspondingly higher annual legal kill which kept pace Avith the increase in numbers of hunters until 1931, when reports of less comparative success began to emanate from the sportsmen. In the same period, restrictive legislation which will be discussed later, kept up with the increase in hunters and was apparently responsible for preserving the numbers of deer until 1928 or thereabouts. The Division had no means of recording the annual kill or total number of deer hunters prior to 1927 when the deer tag license law was enacted. The statistics provided below for the deer kill in Modoc and Lassen counties for the years 1927 to 1933, inclusive, will serve well to indicate the relative mule deer kill for the entire area for this period and reports from these counties only are provided for the reason that prac- tically all the deer killed in them are mule deer whereas there is no means of distinguishing between mule and black-tailed deer, in our tag system, both of which are taken in the other counties in this area. We have no means of ascertaining the number of hunters who annually go after mule deer, but because of their known rapid recent increase in this area, we are certain that the increase of sportsmen afield in the Modoc region has been proportionately far in excess of the total increase for the State, at least through the 1931 season. The Division hopes, before the 1934 deer season opens, to evolve a means of checking hunters in and out of the mule deer area which will in future provide this nuich needed information.
Deer killed Deer tags.
Total both Total in total sold
Ygar Lassen Co. Modoc Co. counties State in State
in97 296 510 806 19,507 110,760
l't?S 393 729 1,122 21,515 105, u38
lO->o '511 835 1,346 21,222 115,472
i^on 585 1,129 1,714 24,132 123,999
q^l - 607 1,486 2,083 25,805 129,005
iqQo 508 916 1,424 18,380 96.702
I'ct'ln 551 954 1,505 17,689 94,500*
*
Approximate, exact 1933 total not yet available.
It should be noted in the above table that the total State deer kill in all years save 1928 bears a rather consistent ratio to the total number of deer tags sold or number of hunters in the field. At the same time, the kill in Lassen and Modoc counties increased out of all proportion to the State kill. This is a result of more Imnters visiting the area, at least through the 1931 season. The decrease in the number of deer Idlled in these counties in 1931 and 1932 is out of proportion to the decline in deer tag sales for the same period and is probably, in part at least, a result of deer depletion. The increase in the 1933 Modoe deer kill is gratifying for, in spite of unsatisfactory (dry) hunting conditions that obtained in the region last season, more deer were taken there than in the previous year, notwithstanding a falling off in the total State kill and a decrease in number of hunters.
56 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
The fact that the numbers of Modoc mule deer held up well in the face of greatly increased hunting; effort from 1920 to 1928 may probably be explained by the additional restrictions that were placed upon the hunters in that period. From 1911 to 1925, Modoc and Lassen counties were included in Fish and Game District 1 which still embraces most of the Sierra Nevada country and prior to 1919 also included Del Norte, Humboldt and Siskiyou counties. In 1919, District 1^ was formed, composed of the last-named counties. During this period the following open season on deer obtained in District 1: 1911 to 1914, August 15 to October 31 ; 1915 to 1920, August 15 to October 14; 1921 to 1924, September 1 to October 15. The bag limit was two buck deer per season throughout the period, but after 1915 it was illegal to kill spike bucks.
District If was formed in 1925 when it consisted of Modoc and Lassen counties. Here a 30-day open season was declared, September 15 to October 15 in contrast to the six -weeks' season that persisted in District 1 until 1927. Forked-horn deer were also protected in Dis- trict If, but the limit was two bucks with more than two points on a side per season. The next Legislature (1927) reduced the limit to one such buck per season in Modoc and Lassen counties and changed the open season to September 16 to October 15, which season was also adopted for District. 1.
The boundaries of District If were enlai'ged by the 1929 Legisla- ture to include in this district that portion of Siskiyou County lying east of the easterly bank of the Klamath River between the Oregon line and the Siskiyou line of the Southern Pacific Railway and south along this railway to the south line of Siskiyou County. This, from a biological standpoint, was an excellent boundary line, for it would be difficult to locate an artificial one more nearly paralleling the western boundary of the mule deer's range. It is a pity, therefore, that the 1931 Legislature changed this boundary to that portion of Siskiyou County lying east of the Pacific Highway (U. S. 99) between the county's southern line and the town of Weed and east of the Weed- Klamath Falls Highway between "Weed and the northern line of Siskiyou County (see Fig. 15). The latter is the present boundary of District If and no changes have been made in season or bag limit since 1927. It is unfortunate that the above mentioned boundary change was made for a six-weeks' season (September 1 to October 15) and a two-buck bag limit, with no forked-horn protection, now exists in the mule deer range west of the Weed-Klamath Falls Highway. This mat- ter should be corrected by our next Legislature and it is suggested that the Pacific Highway would provide an excellent western boundary to District If from the soutliern Siskiyou County line north to the Oregon line. Other westward enlargements to District ]f further south, especially in eastern Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties are apparent from the accompanying map and we hope will be made in 1935. The Division endeavored to have such legislation enacted in the 1933 session, but was unable to accomplisli this.
Senator Harold J. Powers, Eagleville, introduced a bill into the 1933 Legislature to shorten the open season in District If to the period October 1 to 15. This measure was supported by many sportsmen in IModoc County but mo.st of the local hunters in Lassen
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 57
County opposed it. The writer made a trip to the mule deer area in March, 1933, to secure the views of our game wardens and others in this regard. The result of these interviews was the conclusion that the measure was not a conservation one by reason of the fact that so short a season would congest the hunters unduly. This congestion of liunters which occurs yearly in the opening days of the hunting season, is the hardest thing that the bucks have to face, for men are every- where and once a mule buck is "jumped" he usually runs quite a distance before stopping. With a field full of hunters, if the man who jumps the buck does not kill him, there is much more likelihood that he will be shot by some other hunter before he stops running, than if tliere are not so many sportsmen afield. It seems desirable for this reason, to spread the season over as long a period of time as is reason- able. The Division adopted this policy and contended that the Modoc deer population was not in so precarious a position as to justify enact- ing this measure, which might not work out to the deer's advantage. This, and the Division's dislike to impose further restrictions on the hunters in the Modoc area until constructive measures to build up its deer population are adopted and tried out, was explained to Senator Powers w^ho did not push his bill thereafter and it "died in com- mittee."
The 1933 Legislature conferred upon the Director of the Depart- ment of Natural Resources, with the Governor's consent, the power to close to hunting upon recommendation of the Fish and Game Com- mission, any area where added protection is needed for game for such a time as the Director may designate, or until new legislation thereon may become effective. This means that the Division could probably close all, or part of the Modoc area if justification to do so developed, so with a close watch being kept upon these deer, sportsmen need not fear that undue depletion will be permitted to occur. The thought has been suggested that portions of the Modoc area might now be closed to hunting. Not only does the Division consider that no neces- sity now exists to do so, but it believes that such a course would only liasten to create poor conditions in the area's left open by crowding more hunters into them. It is possible that study may develop that hunters camping near water in dry sections where springs are far apart is detrimental to the deer of the vicinity. In such cases it would seem to be in "order to either close the area to hunting or to prevent camping at the springs.
Factors other than increased hunting effort are doubtless at least in part responsible for the recent deer depletion in the Modoc region. Foremost among these is a disease commonly termed calf diphtheria and caused by an organism known as Bacillus necrophorus an out- break of which occurred in the Medicine Lake country, especially in the vicinity of Mud Lake, in 1923 and 1924.* A more recent and widespread epidemic of this infection occurred in the same vicinity and also at White Horse and in other localities in 1931. The Division's pathologist investigated many cases of this disease from these areas in that year and definitely diagnosed the disease. This outbreak continued to a lesser extent the following year and very few reports of deer death from its cause were obtained in 1933 in spite
* See California Fish and Game, vol. 10, 1924, p. 191 ; vol. 11, 1925, pp. 27-28.
58 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
of careful watch for it. Game wardens treated -water holes in diseased areas with bhiestone in ID.'i.S, whicli sterilization may have been liel])- fiil in controllino- and stampings out this disease. It has been impossible to ascertain the total number of deer that succumbed to the recent epidemic, but same was considerable and conservative estimates run into the hundreds.
Illegal hunting', particuhii-ly winlci' l^illing of deer, is another factor that undoubtedly has luid its effect upon the Modoc deer popula- tion. In spite of the best efforts of our game wardens, this drain on the deer herd is known to be considerable and has doubtless increased in recent years due to economic stress and unemployment. Winter deer killing in remote sections of a country that is difficult to traverse at this season on account of deep snows is one of the most difficult types of violation to apprehend. Further, the all too liberal policy of many of our courts toAvard convicted violators in late years, on the plea of economic stress, has tended to ease the penalty for such violations, which fact works for more abuse of our game laws.
Another possible factor to reckon with in regard to the status of the Modoc deer herd is that of increasingly intensive sheep grazing in the area. Formerly, much of the Modoc region was utilized for . horse and cattle grazing. These animals are mainly grass eaters and they do not compete with deer for food to the extent that sheep, which also browse, do. Sheep grazing has increased enormously in the ]\Iodoc region in the ])ast twenty years and the effect of overgrazing by these animals is apparent in many localities. This fact may have had an effect on the deer herd by reducing its available food supply.
Other factors which may Avork in favor of or against the welfare of Modoc mule deer are enumerated beyond in the outline of the study.
The Division decided to secure more information on Modoc mule deer preparatory to effecting game management measures in the region, in the spring of 1933. It also decided to increase the value of its game refuges in that section at the same time. The original plan to locate trappers on four of the mule deer refuges in 1933 and on addi- tional ones in 1934 was by necessity delayed and modified in the summer on account of reduction in personnel and in income. Nevei-theless, it was later found possible to proceed Avith a modification of this program and three skilled predatorv animal trappers and field observers Avere located on Game Refuges *1-B, 1-F and 1-Q in the fall of 1933. In addition to removing predatory animals, especially coyotes, from these areas, these men Avill do everything possible for the Avelfare of deer and other game and Avill also coo])erate in this study program.
The Division's Bureau of p]ducation and Research has adopted for its chief field investigational Avork for 1934 (and ])robably succeeding years also) the administration of the present study ]irogram. The purpose of this Avork is to ascertain the favorable and unfavorable factors to the Modoc mule deer, means by AAdiich same can be altered for the deer herds' benefit, and to compile information that Avill later proA'ide the basis of a game management program for these animals. The latter means im})roving habitat and other conditions so that a lai'ger annual crop is secured and "harA'esting" this crop in such a manner that the entire herd may maintain its numbers or increase. It is quite evident that our present knowledge is insufficient to ])ermit
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 59
US to now adopt such a constructive program, so tlie present study has been instituted to secure the required information in as practical and speedy a manner as is thought possible.
The natural course to pursue to procure this information would be to put two or three trained biologists into the field to work out the problem. On account of reduction in income and lack of funds for this: purpose, it is impossible for the Division to do so at the present time. Because we believe that it is imperative to secure information on the subject at once, we have, therefore, decided to do the best we can with our available man power and observations will be made by game wardens and predatory animal trappers under the supervision of two of the Division's biologists.
Three game wardens, A. A. Jordan, P. Kehrer and F. R. Starr, men with proven ability to make accurate field observations, will con- duct prescribed courses of study in as many areas in Siskiyou and Modoc counties. Each of these men will have a predetermined work area on which he will be required to do several days' work each month. The exact location of these areas will not be divulged for the obvious reason that such a course would probably interfere with the study, which it is desired be made under absolutely natural conditions.
Three State predatory animal trappers, A. L. Brown, J. L. McDonald and 0. R. Shaw, who were selected on account of their ability to make and record wild life observations, will, in addition to their trapping and patrol duties on State game refuges, conduct similar programs of study on portions of their respective areas. One of these men is located in Modoc County and two of them are stationed on Lassen County game refuges. Thus one man will conduct the study in Siskiyou County, three in Modoc and two in Lassen counties. The writer will direct the work of the game wardens and D. D. McLean, Bird and Animal Economist, Bureau of Game Refuges, will supervise the activities of the trappers. Junior Range Examiner F. W. Johnson, U. S. Forest Service, will cooperate with all the workers and his excel- lent knowledge of range plants will greatly assist them in tlie study of food plants and range conditions.
The course of study outlined below was prepared at a meeting of Joseph Dixon, Field Naturalist, Oi^ce of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations, Dr. E. Raymond Hall, Curator of Mammals and I. McT. Cowan, University of California IMuseum of Vertebrate Zoology, J. S. Hunter, Chief, and D. D. McLean, Bird and Animal Economist, Bureau of Game Refuges of this Division, and the writer. The meeting was held in Berkeley, November 22, 1933.
The writer presented the program adopted at this meeting to members of the the U. S. Forest Service and State game wardens at Mt. Shasta November 27. Among those present were : Sujiervisor T. J. Jones, of the Shasta National Forest, Junior Range Examiner Jolin- son and other Forest Service employees. Captain of Game A\^ardens S. R. Gilloon and game wardens Brice Hammack, Jordan. Kehrer and Starr. These men all agreed upon the practicability of the program and considered the study vital at this time. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the endorsement of and promises of assistance to our study program that Supervisor Jones and members of the Forest Service provided at this meeting.
GU CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
The following is the study program that has been adopted :
I. Areas.
To be carefully solocted to present average conditions of different types of country within mule deer range. Thus one area should present semidesert con- flit inns. aiKiilier iiiin'-jnuiper associations, another mountain pine timber, etc. Eai-h individual area should be selected to incorporate, as far as it is possible within its bounds, all types of country (associations) occurring in the general vicinity. For instance, a i)inc timlier area should include the average amount of brusli and open meadow land and water that occurs in the general vicinity. '"Work areas" «n/»t not be selected because they are known to harbor either greater or lesser than the average number of deer in the vicinity. In other words, each AVork Area shoukl. as far as it is possible, be selected to present average conditions of its general vicinity. It is of course obvious that some of the areas should be located in known "summer range" and others in "winter range."
Following are some vicinities suggested for consideration to locate AVurk Areas in. It is believed that most of the important different types of country contained within Modoc County can be found in these localities :
A. Red Tiock Valley. (Semidesert tyjie with juniper.)
li. Crowder Flat vicinity. (Pine, juniper, mahogany association.)
C. Warner Mountains. (Mountain, pine, brush associations.)
D. Little Hot Spring Valley. (Lava bed type.)
E. Adin Mountain. (Pine, quaking aspen association.)
II. Censuses.
Two types of censuses will be made by the workers. In each case, the counts will 1)1" made as closely coincident as possible, preferably on succeeding days. As far as it is possible, censuses by all Avorkers should be made on the same day.
A. Ntimher and date of cenuse.t. Four deer counts will be made each year.
1. Winter count designed to be made at end of fall migration, or when all deer are on their winter range. Date nearest to January 10 when satisfactory weather conditions obtain.
2. Late winter range census. To be taken at as late a date in spring as seems positive to still find all deer on their winter range. Probable date for this census, first half of April. (Note: By subtracting this count from "1" we should be able to figure the "winter loss." This count should provide about the minimum deer population for the year. )
3. Faicn census. To be made late enough to be certain to include all fawns (after latest fawns are walking), yet as eai'ly as possible. Suggested date, last half of July or August 1. [Note: This census should provide the maximum deer population.)
4. Prehidifiup season coisus. To secure numl)er of deer immedi- ately before hunting season opens. Date September 10. {Note: l^y .subtracting number of fawns counted in this census from number counted in census "3," fawn loss may be estimated, except loss of very small young impractical to count, lost prior to census "3," on Work Areas. This will provide "hunting loss" by subtracting same from buck census here o!)tained (census "4") potential breeding stock may be computed.)
1*. Kinds of censuses.
1. Strip count. Not to be made in Work Area but to l)e taken over a definitely laid out course, preferably circular, either in the general vicinity of the Work Areas or on sojne other desirable tract of land. This count will be taken four times a year as above, each time over exactly the same course, by the same observer or observers and at the same time of day. In different y(>ars, each count should be made on corresponding days. The length of the route in this count will neces- sarily vary with the type of country in which it is to be taken according to the ease or difficulty with which deer may be counted (open versus brushy or timbered country) and with the number of animals to be counted. The course should be as long as it is practical for a man to cover carefully in a full half day, or 5 or 6 hours, perhaps 4 to G miles.
CALirORNIA FISH AND GAME 61
When definitely selected, each "Strip Count Route" should he carefully laid out, marked (hlazed, etc.) and mapped.
2. Definite area count. Each area should be carefully selected as outlined in Part I and its size determined in accordance with the require- ments of this census. These areas will comprise the Work Areas. Each should be as large as possible, and yet conform with the following require- ments: that, by any devisable means, the man in charge may, alone, count with almost full accuracy within a given time, every deer within its confines. Here, just as in the case of the Strip Count Route, type of country will greatly affect the size of the Work Area.
C. Census requirements. Workers will arrange to s(>gregate age clas.ses of <leer and record each separately as follows (in each individual seasonal count) :
1. Number of old (adult) does.
2. Number of yearling does.
3. Number of does with single fawn.
4. Number of does with twin fawns.
5. Number of fawns. (Deer of the season to be counted as fawns, i.e., April census fawns will be approximately 10 months old. These animals will be recorded as yearlings in the July census, when a new fawn crop will have appeared.)
6. Number of spike bucks.
7. Number of forked-horn bucks. (Notes if possible on same that have or lack "eye-guard" or "brow-tine.")
8. Number of bucks, three-pointei-s or better. (Notes wanted on exceptionally large bucks, ones with malformed or deformed antlers, etc.)
9. Special data as follows are desired for bucks only in the censuses indicated :
a. January census: Number of bucks with shed antlers.
b. April census : Number of bucks still carrying antlers.
c. September census : Number of bucks in "velvet."
At the end of each census report, each worker should provide a statement of remarks upon the particular count in which especial emphasis should be given to the following points :
10. Weather at census taking time, clear or cloudy, rain or snow falling, depth of snow on ground. Brief statement of the weather at this point for the previous ten days. Temperature. Wind velocity and direction.
11. General condition of the herd, noting all exceptional cases such as unusually poor animals, condition and color of pelage (coat) and antlers, visibly diseased or injured animals. Each of the latter cases should be recorded in some detail.
III. Predatory animals.
The following methods for studying these animals and their effect upon deer are suggested for the use of the game wardens only. D. D. McLean is preparing more comprehensive methods for the use of the trappers on the game refuges.
A. Secure estimated number of predators (mountain lion, bear, coyote, bob- cat, possibly golden eagle) occurring on Work Areas monthly. In reports indicate whicn of tlH'sc animals and quantity thereof appear to be resident on the area, and which are only visitors and approximate extent of visit of each. This infor- mation to be secured by :
1. Observation of the predators in life.
2. Observation of tracks, especially in snow.
B. Effect of predatory animals upon deer.
1. By observation determine if harassment by predatory animals drives deer from their feeding, resting or watering places or disturbs them and to what extent in (a) feeding, (b) watering, (c) resting.
2. By observation of deer kills use every method possible (tracks, evidence, etc.) to ascertain the cause of each kill. In monthly reports list all kills found on Work Areas, also ones definitely attributable to
62 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Iircdalor.v jtiiiiuiils llial arc I'diiiiil cIscwIktc, and in Ixitli cases provide all details.
C At ail seasons, workers should lie on the aleri lo nole esiieciai <'ondilions (such as deep snow, storm, extrenie cold, or heat, etc.) under which predatory animals become particularly or more than ordinarily harmful to deer. It must be • ■mpliasized here that we have little exact information relative ro the effect of predatory animals upon deer. We wish to particularly stress this phase of the work and the need for care in executing it. xVIl information must be positive or it is worthless ; if there is a doubt in a case, express degree of same in your report ; if the degree of doubt is large, better state "cause unknown" than to att('ni])t to ascertain it from too scanty evidence.
L). Htomachs of all predators shot or trapped should be labeled as lo date, locality and condition.s under which same are secured and sent into the ottice for examination. However, only in extreme cases where the death of numbers of deer would result, should predators be removed from the Work Areas, because if they are, i( will defeat the purpose of this study, which is to loam what happens to our deer under natural conditions.
IV. Disease, parasites, poisons.
A. In the case of live deer that arc visibly diseased, same should be studied as closely as possible for symptoms which should be recorded, but only in the case of badly diseased or incapacitated animals should they be killed. All deer carcasses found, whether or not on Work Areas, if fresh enough to permit of observation should be carefully examined for the following diseases, symptoms of which are provided herewith. Each case should be reported in detail with locality in inonlbly report.
1. Bacillus necrophorus, or, "calf-diphtheria." Symptoms already known to most game wardens consist of highly inflamed, often nuicous tilled throat or gullet, mouth, nasal passages or other head areas. The best way to inspect a specimen for this disease is to slit the mouth back from the rear corner of the lips to the neck, open the mouth wide and examine it, especially in back of the tongue and the throat. If these areas or parts of them are inflammed, show a mucous discharge oi- are greenish-white in color, it is fairly safe to assume that the aninuil had "deer disease," as this malady is locally termed. When such diseased heads are found they should* be sent in for examination.
2. Liver fluke. Remove the liver. If it has a blotchy, speckled appearance with whitish blotches or mottlings on its surface, then the animal most probably suffered from this disease, and its liver should be sent into the office for confirmation. Sometimes the fluke can be found as a thin whitish or reddish leaflike structure. If the examination shows a noi-mal, healthy colored liver, that has one or more watery welts about the size of a dime on its surface, the pi'esence of these "cysts" do not indicate liver fiuke, but these are the larval stages of the dog tapewonn. This condition is very common among our deer, but is apparently liarni- less to them except in rare cases of extreme infesbition. However, record should be made of all deer livers found to be so affected.
3. Lung worm. Cut the lung open. If it is infested with lung worms, these parasites will be seen as coiled whitish or gray strings on close examination.
4. Pink-eye. Pussy, mucous discharging and inflamed eye or eyes are good indicators for this disease. In such cases, cut ofl' and send in for examination animal's entire head.
5. Bot larvae. The larvae of the hot fly are frc<iuciitly found in the nasal passages of deer. In most cases, the presence of these "grubs" do not appear to affect the animal's health at all. However, .some cases of severe infestation are on record that have caused either great incapacitation or even death in deer. To examine an animal for bot fly larvae infestation, cut open the front of the head from nose to eyes and expose the sinuses, or nasal passages. If bot fly larvae are present, they will readily be seen as they are grayish oval or short "cigar" shaped gnibs varying from one-quarter to one inch in length. Specimens (entire
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 63
deer heads) need not be sent into (he office for examination in oases of moderate or. light hot fly infestations ; l)ut ii record of the jiresence or absence of this pai-asite should be included In the reiiort upon <'ach carcass examined. In cases of heavy infestation, where examination fails to reveal other diseases or causes for death, and hot larvae is the suspected cause, then the animal's entire head should be sent into the office for examination.
(Jeneral instructions regarding disease. Inspect each carcass for all the alK)ve enumerated diseases. The finding of a single disease in itself is not sulttcient as the same animal might be suffering from two or more maladies, any one of which or a combination of all might have been responsible for its death. Only in cases where parts are thought definitely to be diseased should they be sent to the otnce ; but in such cases, we do want to receive the affected parts as explained above, except that livers are not wanted that are infected with dog tapeworm cysts only, unless they be unusually heavily infested, nor are the heads bearing but moderate hot larvae infestations desired. Workers are cautioned to thoroughly wash hands and clothing if soiled after making examination or handling a diseased carcass. Wasli contaminated parts thoroughly and repeatedly with soap and water. Do not handle food or pipe before washing hands that have been soiled by examining a diseased deer. If "black-leg" is suspected to affect deer, rubber gloves should be worn before touching a diseased carcass and all precautionary measui-es exercised, as this disease is very dangerous.
B. External parasites: Deer are subject to more or less infestation by fleas and ticks. Usually the animals seem to suffer little or no harm, save possible annoyance from these pests. However, an occasional (usually a poor) deer is found that is very heavily parasitized, particularly by ticks. It is only in such cases of extreme infestation that the workers need direct attention to these parasites when the extent of infested areas should be noted together with visible effect upon the animal. Specimens of the parasites should also be preserved in small bottles of alcohol, labeled, and sent in for determination. It should, however, be borne in mind that cases of heavily parasitized deer occur rather as a result of, rather than as a cause, of sickness. Usually some disease or malnutrition gets the deer's con- dition down so that it can not combat the parasites that normally live on it, then they multiply enormously. Therefore, all cases of heavily parasitized deer should be investigated further for sickness or other ailments.
Mule deer workers should look carefully in cases of bucks examined for evidence of emasculation through tick bites. There is a popular opinion that many bucks lose their masculinity from this cause and definite information is desired in its regard.
Occasionally deer may be found to harbor lice, in this event specimens of the mites are desired by the office, preserved in alcohol and accompanied with full data as to host, locality, etc.
C. Poisons. Full data and stomachs for analysis are desired of all deer suspected of having died from poison. Particularly note the poisonous shrubs or plants in your vicinity and endeavor to ascertain by observation whether or not deer eat them and if so, their effect upon the animals. Certain vetches and wild parsley are among the plants that are sometimes poisonous to live stock and we desire information relative to their effect upon deer, if the auinia] eats them.
V. Mortality.
A. In the Work Areas the cause of the death of all deer is desired if it is possible to ascertain. Workers should patrol each area thoroughly at least once a month in search of carcasses. When a dead deer is found, every possible means should be resorted to to determine the cause of mortality. Report should be made separately on each dead deer found and incorporated in monthly reports. If it is impossible to ascertain cause of death, carcass should be listed and cause shown as "unknown." It is of utmost importance to record the age and sex of every dead deer in the report.
B. Reports are also desired of dead deer and cause of their mortality that are found by the game wardens on areas other than the Work Areas in the course of their regular patrol duties. These reports, however, should be made separately and each should be plainly marked to preclude any possibility of its becoming confused with the Work Area report.
64 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
C. Fnllowinp; are some causes of (ic.-ilh in deer:
1. AVintor kill (starvation).
2. Predators.
3. Hunting (moans will later bo devised for securing an accurate record
of legal hunting kill on Work Areas).
4. Illegal hunting.
5. Wounded deer lost by hunters that die.
6. Accidents (natural accidents, not man-caused, such as falling off
cliff, snagging self in brush, etc.).
7. Old age.
8. Disease.
VI. Food and Water.
This is one of the most important parts of the investigation. It (Mubraces the relation of our deer herd and live stock and the need of water. It is also one of the nK)st ditlicult phases of the study upon which to secure definite, unassailable information. It is, therefore, urged that all workers devote especial emphasis to this portion of the study and endeavor to assend)le a mass of pertinent facts in this regard.
A. Ascertain actual food of deer on your area by observation (watching them eating) and record list of deer food plants in their order of preference (seasonally) or give percentage figures for food plant preference. Range Examiner Johnson, of the Forest Service, is an expert botanist, familiar with most of the forage plants in the mule deer section. He will cooperate with the workers and familiarize them with the common and important food plants.
B. Note and report from time to time in monthly reports as observations are made, the effect that deer browsing has upon the food plants. Necessarily some of these observations should be made in areas free from live stock or at a season when live stock are not present. Consider the possibility of fencing off small plots in grazed areas to exclude live stock, yet permit access of deer for use as study plots in comparison -with the surrounding area.
C. Note and report as above what other animals feed upon the same plants as the deer and their effect upon same.
1. Other wild animals (antelope, rabbits, squirrels, etc.).
2. Cattle and/or horses.
3. Sheep (domestic).
D. Note and report as above what plants cattle and sheep feed upon that doer do not eat, and effect upon same.
E. Take photographs illustrating good food growth, poor growth and cases illustrating where good deer browse has been destroyed by fire, drought, grazing or other causes. "Before and after" photos are particularly desired.
VII. Migration.
Secure all possible data relative to the migration of deer in your vicinity, especially on and to and from the AVork Areas. Provide this information in the monthly reports. The following are some considerations by which to bo gnidrd ni this phase of the study.
A. Dates of commencement of migrations (spring and fall).
B. Dates of height of same.
C. Dates of conclusion of same.
D. If there are more than the two definite annual migrations, such as a mid- winter migration, caused by deep snow, lack of food or some other factor, record and report same.
E. Note direction of migration travel.
F. Note time migrating is done, by day or night or both.
G. Attempt to ascertain distances migrated (distance from summor to winter
ranges).
H. Ascertain range of individual deer (recognizable individuals sueh as bucks with distinctive antlers, animals with malformed hoofs, etc. Consider possibility of marking deer, ear tagging or marking fawns for instance, for this purpose).
1. By day or week.
2. In a year.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 65
VIII. Habits.
There is relatively little exact information available regarding the habits of deer. Many hunters have quite definite opinions in this regard that vary enor- mously. We must, by this study, secure a mass of absolutely reliable and true infor- mation on the subject. This should be done by each worker bearing the following suggestions in mind at all times, making notes or field observations of same and incorporating them in the monthly reports. Following are points regarding the "Life History" or "Habits" of mule deer upon which we particularly desire infor- mation at this time :
A. Date of commencement of rut.
1. Date when bucks start "running."
2. Date of actual mating. Age classes mating. Do yearling bucks and
does breed? Do very old individuals breed V
B. Dates upon which bucks drop antlers.
1. Note earliest date annually upon which first buck with shed antlers
is seen.
2. Note dates when most bucks on your area shed antlers.
3. Note latest date in spring when buck with antlers is seen.
C. Dates upon which "velvet" is shed.
1. Exact dates of each instance where buck is seen in process of losing velvet, i.e., shredded velvet clinging to antlers. In each case also note color of pelage or coat at the time.
D. Following information must be recorded regarding fawns :
1. Date upon which earliest fawn is noted in spring.
2. Date upon which latest new born fawn is noted.
3. Dates between which most fawns are dropped.
4. List dates of all fawns noted so young they can not run.
5. All yearling does with fawns must be specifically recorded.
E. Any reliable information obtainable (in the case of statements of hunters, etc., provide name and address of same with date upon which statement was secured) upon the following questions:
1. How long do deer live? (Known positive individual examples.)
2. How do deer "get along with" sheep, cattle or horses when these
animals occupy the same range? In feeding? At water? Proven examples of specific cases on this subject should be obtainable and should be secured from reliable persons in the form of signed state- ments.
3. Are there any black-tailed deer in your mule deer range? If so,
provide map of range, show area inhabited by each species and note approximate percentages of each kind's abundance.
4. Are there any hybrid (mule x black-tail) deer in your mule deer
range? Provide information in this regard as above.
5. Do deer eat bronco gi-ass? If so, does it cause lesions in their mouth
or throat? Does overgrazing land by live stock increase the bronco grass crop? Does fire do the same?
6. Is brush-land increasing or decreasing in your vicinity? If decreas-
ing, is it being replaced by conifers? Effect of same upon deer population.
7. Distance deer range from water (cite examples of deer killed known
distances from nearest water). How often do does water? Bucks? How does this vary seasonally, or with hot and cold weather?
8. Do deer show a preference for some water over other? Do they drink
at sheep or cattle troughs or tanks? Do they refuse certain mineral or muddy water?
9. Do deer use certain mineral springs or salt licks? If so, send in
sample of water or salt for analysis with notes regarding extent of use by deer.
10. Effect of "salting" (placing salt artificially for live stock or deer)
upon deer? Their use or refusal of same?
5—9030
66 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
II. Information is (lesirod in refianl to tlio trend of the deer lierds popu- lation in years past. How abundant were deer in your area ;">(), 40, 30. ete.. years ago? Date of "iieak"' of deer abundance in your vicinity V Dates of low ebh in deer population your vicinity. (Get signed statements from old residents regarding this.)
1'2. Is the number of deer in your vicinity increasing or decreasing at the preseut time? (Statements from reliable persons solicited.)
IX. Conclusion.
A. Maps. I'repare a map of your general vicinity of sufiiciently large scale til enahif plotting upon it, so another could locate without your help.
1. Strip Couut Route.
2. Work Area.
Prepare larger scale map of "Work Area showing in detail all t<ipngrai)liy, tree, brush, meadowland and water. Be prepared later to mark upon this map, locations of deer, predators, etc.
B. Reports.
1. Strip Count Census which is to be made four times a year shall be reported separately immediately following each count.
2. AVork Area reports, including reports of the four annual c(>n- suses on these areas, and all other information requested in this outline shall be rendered monthly. Prejiare and forward these to the office as soon after the end of the month as possible.
C Time expected to be dcxoted to this work.
1. Strip Count Ceiwuis. One day on dates designated. 4 tinu's a year.
2. Work Area.s. Days required for I'oui- annual censuses, jilus at least 3 to 4 full days per month, preferably more time, at workers' con- venience, to be devoted to studying predatoi-s. habits, food, searching for dead deer, etc.
The above outline should be self -explanatory. The purpose of the -Strip Count censuses is to secure a broader cross-section of the inakeu]) of the whole deer herd (proportion of age classes and sexes) than would the counts on the smaller Work Areas provide. It is believed that these counts over a period of years may well be expected to indicate the trend of the deer population for the entire region.
At the time that this paper goes to press, AVork and Strip Count areas have been selected and initial counts are scheduled to be niadr on them on or about January 10, 1934. This will mark actual com- mencement of the study Avliich will be closely followed throughout the year and most probably also in one or two succeeding years, until the desired information is obtained.
The author wishes to acknowledge with thaidvs the assistance rendered him in the j)reparation of the range map here provided (Fig. 15) by the following Division employees : J. S. Hunter, S. R. Gilloon, Wm. Lippincott, C. 0. Fisher, P. Kehrer, L. E. Mercer. F. K. Stan- and C. 0. Elliger.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 67
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
A publication devoted to the conservation of vi^ild life and published quarterly by the California Division of Fish and Game.
The articles published in California Fish and Game are not copyrighted and may be reproduced in other periodicals, provided due credit is given the California Division of Fish and Game. Editors uf newspapers and periodicals are invited to make use of pertinent material.
All material for publication should be sent to James Moffltt, Division of Fish and Game, 450 McAllister Street, San Francisco, California.
Vol. 20 JANUARY, 1934 No. 1
PERSONNEL CHANGES IN BUREAU OF EDUCATION AND
RESEARCH
On October 10, 1933, the resignation of Leo K. Wilson as Chief of the Bureau of Education and Research became effective, to permit liim to accept a partnership in the law firm of McClymonds and Wells. Mr. Wilson originally came to the Division of Fish and Game on December 10, 1929, as a publicity man. He was made successor to Dr. Harold C. Bryant, on July 1, 1930, and continued his work as editor of California Fish and Game.
The Fish and Game Commission has chosen Dr. J. 0. Snyder to succeed to the responsibilities of the Bureau of Education and Research in addition to his duties as Chief of the Bureau of Fish Culture. The Bureau of Education and Research will retain its identity, and will continue to operate under a separate budget, under the supervision of Dr. Snyder.
Accompanying the changes just noted, James Moffitt has been placed upon full time with the Bureau of Education and Research, and under the supervision of Dr. Snyder will be responsible for the routine work of the Bureau, and will also act as editor of California Pish and Game.
With the high professional standing, and the friendly and untiring interest of Dr. Snyder in our conservation problems, the sportsmen of the State are assured of a continuation ef the fundamental scientific and educational work which should accompany a proper conservation program. — John L. Farley, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, December 12, 1933.
NEW FISH AND GAME CODE
The new Fish and Game Code which was adopted at the fiftieth session of the California Legislature and is known as Chapter 73, Statutes of 1933, became effective August 21, 1933.
This code embodies all the former Penal and Political Code sec- tions relating to fish and game. The text of the code is clearly worded and the subjects are grouped together so that the average individual can refer to any game law that he desires to look up with greater ease than was possible in the case of our old law books. Everyone seems
68 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
to agree that the new code is a great improvement over the former coinpihition of our fisli nnd game laws.
Coi)ies ol' the new Fisli and (Jame Code are avaihible, and may be secured from the Division of F'ish and Game at the price of 25 cents each.
The code is i)ubli.shed in booklet form, size 5| by 8^ inches. In addition to listing all the active sections of the Fish and Game Code, there are also provided in smaller type original sections that were later amended by the 1933 Legislature.
The code is completely indexed and a map showing the fish and game districts is included. — James Moffitt, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, December 21, 1933.
REGULATIONS GOVERNING IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN WILD BIRDS AND ANIMALS
In accordance with the duties imposed upon it by Chapter 76, Statutes of 1933, the Division of Fish and Game has prepared, and has on hand foi- free distribution to interested persons, a pamphlet known as "Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Wild Birds and Animals into the State of California and Conditions Under Which Same May Be Kept in Confinement."
This pamphlet was prepared by the Bureau of Education and Research in cooperation with the State Department of Agriculture. It lists the species of birds, mammals, crustaceans and mollusks, the entry of which into California is prohibited by this law. Certain species which may be admitted to the State under permit are also listed, and proper form for application for such permit is provided. Next, regulations are provided for the destruction of excluded species if found at large in the State, and conditions undei- which species imported under this act may be kept in confinement.
The officers responsible for enforcing this act are the fish and game wardens, the State plant quarantine officers and the county agri- cultural commissioners.
Birds or animals that are held ca])tive in accordance witli this act may not be liberated in the State.
The pamphlet closes with a description of some of the birds and animals covered by this act. In all cases, descriptions are accompanied by ])en and ink drawings of the species, which were ]>repared by D. D. IMcLean, of the Division. — Ja)nes MojJUi, Division of FisJi and Game, San Francisco, Decemher 21, 1933.
C. W. A. WORK TO AID DIVISION ACTIVITIES
California sportsmen are to rea]) much benefit from the Civil Works Administration program. Approval has been given by Captain Edward Macauley, engineer for the C. W. A., providing for the expendi- ture by the Federal government in California of upward of $100,000 on fish hatcheries, egg-collecting stations, game farms and refuges.
This work will provide emijloyment for more than 300 men. Some of the projects call for 750 days divided between 32 men. The Division of Fish and Game furnishes all materials.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 69
Needed repairs to hatcheries, new roads, new brood ponds, new fences, receiving and aging tanks, all badly needed in the hatcheries, will thus be provided under the program. On the game farms and game refuges necessary improvements will be speeded.
This Federal aid will help enlarge the Friant small-mouthed black bass experimental ponds where more tanks will be added. At Mount Shasta, Forest Home, Burney Creek, Fall Creek, Basin Creek and Brookdale the work will enable hatcheries situated in these localities to increase their output of trout.
Work contemplated on the game farms at Yountville and Chine will enable them to produce more game birds.
Each project will have a supervisor in charge, selected from the locality in which the project is located. — 0. L. Warner, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, December 21, 1933.
COMMERCIAL FISHERY NOTES
SARDINES
During September a general strike of all northern (Monterey and San Francisco) sardine fishermen occurred. The fishermen claimed that under the existing price of $6 a ton it was impossible to make a living, so they struck for $8 a ton. Dissatisfaction of many of the fishermen fishing for the outside floating reduction plants was made known, they claiming that short weights were being given them by the outside plants. After many conferences between canners and fisher- men, and after the N. R. A. board. State Labor Commissioner, and finally T. A. Reardon, State Director of Industrial Relations, M^ere called upon to mediate the claims, the strike was settled on October 20, with a price of $7 per ton, after the Director of Industrial Relations had been selected as arbitrator.
Several new canning and reduction plants are planning to operate this season in the northern half of the State. The Bayside Fish Flour Co. has commenced operating its new plant at Point Richmond. A new plant at Pittsburg, the Pittsburg Canners, Inc., has installed machinery in a bean warehouse on New York Slough and started opera- tions. The Benicia Canning Co. has thought of operating as a sardine cannery but to date has taken no fish.
For the first three months of the season (August, September and October), 52,377 tons of sardines have been delivered; 227,650 cases of 1-lb. ovals and 37,440 cases of other sized cans have been packed, as compared with 41,349 tons received, 81,328 cases of 1-lb. ovals and 1872 cases of other sized cans for the same period last year (1932).
SARDINE ABUNDANCE
True to the predictions made the early part of the sardine season by the California State Fisheries Laboratory, sardines in Monterey Bay and off of San Francisco have been relatively scarcer than in the fall of 1932. Knowledge of the sardine population, gained through continual study and sampling of the catch, was the basis for this pre- diction. No new abundant year class has entered the sardine fishery in three years. As a consequence, the sardine fishery has been sup- ported in the fall by the existing older year groups. Naturally, the
70 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
sardines in these groups would decline in abundance when they are heavily fished, if no new supply of younger fish augmented the existing population. This has been the case. Also true to the predictions, a new gron]i of small sardines was apparent in the first catches made off San I'edro after the season o])ened on November 1, with tlie smaller fish predominating in numbers over the larger and older existing groups.
MACKEREL
The California mMckerel catch this year (19:}3) will be the largest of any season. In 1929 the catch was 57,974,000 pounds and this year, at the end of October, the catch was in excess of ()0,0()0,0()0 pounds and will probably exceed the 70.000.000-])ound mark by the end of the year. The greatest bulk of this catch is landed at San Pedro and San Diego, and most of the fish are canned.
During October, Fish Bulletin No. 40, "The California Mackerel Fishery," was received from the printer. This bulletin gives an account of the mackerel fishery throughout the world but particularly of the fishery in California in all its aspects, from the fish in the ocean to the final labeled can on the consumer's shelf.
FISHERIES CODES
Various organizations and industries in the fisheries of the State have been at work preparing their codes of fair competition under the N. R. A. or C. R. A. The State Fisheries Laboratory has been able to aid the various groups in compiling statistics of catches of various species of fish and the prices paid per pound, for their use in presenting codes for adoption. In San Francisco the wholesale dealers have pre- sented a code for the wholesale dealers of northern California to the C. R. A. under which they will operate. — N. B. S.
FRESH FISH MARKETING
In its campaign to educate people to eat more fish and to try the various varieties of the sixty or more that are taken from California waters, the Division of Fish and Game has participated in exhibits and given demonstrations to over a million people since Seiitembei- 1.
With the heavy drain on the six or seven popular table fish threatening a depletion, it is the purpose of the Division to show tlie public that there are dozens of other kinds of salt water fish that are equally tasty and which furnish just as high a percentage of iodine and other valuable food elements as do salmon, bass, sole, sand dabs, barracuda, halibut, smelt and yellowtail.
The exhibit of the Division of Fish and Game represented Monterey Bay. with animated scenes of moving fishing boats and fishormon repairing nets. Two large educational signs showing statistical iiifoi-- mation of the importance of the fresh fish industry of California and "Reasons Why You Should Make Tuesday Fish Day Too" were posted in the center of the exhibit.
Pamphlets giving the food value of sea foods and our cookery book "Five Hundred Ways to Prepare California Sea Foods" were distributed free to interested housewives.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 71
Demonstrations on methods of preparing and serving fish were given at various meetings. California newspapers maintaining home economics departments and household editorial pages are cooperating by publishing and demonstrating fresh fish recipes, in an effort to create a greater consumer acceptance and demand for California sea foods. — A. A. Alstrom, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, December- 21, 1933.
KLAMATH RIVER SPAWNING CONDITIONS IN 1932
The season of 1932 was the occasion of an unusually large migra- tion of salmon into Klamath River. It presented also a temptation to take eggs for artificial propagation in excess of hatchery facilities. Pall Creek Hatchery, the only plant for salmon propagation in Klamath River, has a safe capacity for 3,000,000 eggs. A larger number, possibly 4,000,000 may be received, but in that case, crowding becomes entirely too severe for safety. At this time, then, something over 4,000,000 eggs were taken and the racks, still crowded with fish, were opened.
Selected female fish to the number of 1302 were spawned, and an estimated number of 9154 were allowed to continue their migration and spawn naturally. There has been some question as to whether the bed of the river above the Klamathon racks presented a sufficient number of suitable gravel bars to accommodate any number of spawning fish, and also whether the tides caused by the power plant at Copco are destructive to eggs if such are deposited in the gravel of the bars.
Two assistants, Charles F. Moore and Kenneth E. Sullivan, were detailed by Earl Leitritz, foreman of the Fall Creek Hatchery, to determine by actual observation just what happened after the racks were opened. Work was begun November 4 and continued until December 1.
The observers covered the river between the racks and the dam and they also examined Fall, Jenny and Bogus creeks. They worked independently, and their excellent notebooks agree in the main in their findings.
Spawning beds were numerous ; 25 or so measuring from 60 to 900 feet long and of various widths, were mentioned in particular. Upwards of 200 nests were examined. Many pairs were seen spawning — 2811 dead fish were counted by one observer, 2226 of which were in Pall Creek. This mortality was largely the natural result of spawning and bore no relation to the condition of the river.
Most of the spawning operations are restricted to gravel bars which are left exposed at low water, and w^here the drainage is so com- plete as to destroy the eggs. In many cases, the sudden rise of the water Mdiipped out the disturbed gravel of the nests and completely destroved them. There are no spawning beds in the river above the mouth of Fall Creek as the channel is mostly in solid rock, although many salmon (300 or more) were found there. Jenny Creek is not fit for spawning; Bogus Creek was too roilv for examination; Fall Creek w-as overcrowded. Dead salmon were frequently found in situations Avhere they had been caught by falling water and perished before they were able to finish spawning.
72 CALIFPRKIA PISH AND GAME
Both observers conclude that although manj- young fish may come from natural spawning above the racks, there is great destruction as the result of varying levels of the river Avater. If fairly constant water levels were maintained, much natural spawning might be permitted in that part of the stream.
It follows that the plant at Pall Creek should be enlarged until it is capable of caring for all of the eggs that might usually be taken at the Klamathon racks. With ample justification for expansion there, improvements are being made as rapidly as funds will permit. Tlie improvements are of such a nature as not to become obsolete in the event of the erection of a high dam somewhat farther down the river. — /. 0. Snyder, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, November 1, 1933.
REPORT ON BLACK BASS PROPAGATION WORK
One year of actual experimental work in the propagation of small- mouth black bass has been completed by the Bureau of Fish Culture, and a brief summary of its accomplishment is of interest.
At the outset it may be noted that the artificial propagation of this particular fish is generally conceded to be one of the most difficult, hazardous and expensive of any which confronts the fish culturist, and further that at no place has its culture gone very far beyond the experimental stage. Moreover, we are attempting the work here in the west far from the native habitat of the species, and in a region where it does not at present thrive well in nature.
In the propagation of this bass, certain difficulties present them- selves.
First, eggs can not be collected from wild fish and artificially fertilized as in the case of trout. Brood fish must be held under semi- natural conditions and allowed to pair and spawn over gravel nests in brood ponds.
Second, the newly hatched bass begin to take food when they are but a fraction of an inch in length. They do not thrive on artificial food, and hence microscopic animals must be provided in large quantities and at the proper time for the little fish. When these small bass attain a length of an inch or so, they demand other small fish as food, and if not provided they will eat one another.
Third, black bass are voracious and cannibalistic so that large and small fish may not live together. Grading and sorting are difficult.
Fourth, brood fish must be provided with live food or they will become diseased or barren.
It then becomes the business of the bass grower to be able to propagate not only the bass themselves, but also several other species of minute Crustacea and fishes as well, and have them present in sufficient quantities at the proper time. It is evident also that to acco7nplisli all this requires the services of a coni]ietont naturalist, particularly in a region where nothing of the sort had been ])reviously attempted. The Bureau was fortunate in having a well qualified man in its employ and any success that has been achieved is due largely to the untiring efforts of the present foreman, Merrill W. Brown.*
• Doctors G. C. Embody, H. S. Davis and P. R. Needham and other recognized experts in the propagation of bass have been frequently consulted.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 73
Through the friendly cooperation of the Fresno Sportsmen's Club and Harold K. Fox, its president, a site was procured free of charge in a deserted gravel pit near Fresno and adjacent to the San Joaquin River. The construction consisted of a series of dirt ponds holding about eight acres of water. There was a .stock pond, a spawning pond and seven rearing ponds. In addition, six small concrete daphnia ponds were built. Pipes Avhich supply M^ater and afford drainage were connected with the river. An electrically driven pump formed a part of the equipment, and a small pump house served as a laboratory.
Leakage soon developed and two of the larger ponds had to be abandoned. Further leakage also causes an unexpected amount of pumping and it also seriously interferes with proper fertilization of the brood ponds.
Fertilization of the water is required to produce an abundant growth of single-celled algae (minute green plants) upon which daphnia or other microscopic animals may feed. The latter serve in their turn as food for the little bass. Brown found after much experimentation that a mixture of soy bean meal and acid phosphate produced the best fertilizer. He also discovered that the hot climate was unfavorable to daphnia, a minute crustacean commonly used for food in the east, and that a very similar little animal known as moina could be propagated as needed.
In the process of casting about for suitable fish food of larger size, red shiners were brought from San Diego, goldfish, mosquito fish, native minnows and sunfish were experimentally propagated or studied. At last, it fell to the lot of the bluegill to do its part, and now these fish of all sizes and ages are available for the always hungry bass.
In short, a system of propagation has been experimentally estab- lished by means of which a food supply depending upon a chain of complex operations is made available under the particular climatic conditions of the location.
Various pests have appeared to deplete the pond fish— herons, large and small, kingfishers and mergansers. A handy shotgun, more noisy than efficient, kept these at bay, but it seemed unwise to use it on the biggest and worst offender, a local angler caught red-handed. At one time, countless numbers of tadpoles hatched out and seriously threatened the supply of moina which was intended for the small bass.
The actual expen.ses incurred in the year's work amounts to $4,138.62. This includes supervision and labor (foreman and part- time assistant), supplies and miscellaneous charges — not a great deal when everything is considered. About 40,000 fish were hatched. Six thousand eight hundred seventy-six bass measuring 2i to 3 inches were planted in favorable situations where future observation is possible. Two thousand three hundred fifty of these were successfully shipped to the region of San Diego, 520 miles, to test the possibility of long distance transportation. The loss at the ponds is largely traceable to cannibalism, which was difScult to control as the hatching extended over an abnormally long period. Extremes of temperature occurring over short intervals of time interrupted hatching and destroyed fish.
The net results are a carefully established background for future work and a demonstration that small-mouth black bass may be propa- gated here. — J. 0. Snyder, Divimon of Fish and Game, San Francisco. November 20, 1933.
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LARGE-MOUTHED BLACK BASS INTRODUCED INTO LAKE
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A plaiiting of larp-e-monthed black bass in Lake IVrprcod, San Francisco County, Avhicli is used as a storage lake for the municipal Avater supply of San Francisco, was made on October 28, 1933. This introduction was sponsored by the Associated Sportsmen of California and is in keeping with the policy of the Fish and Game Commission to plant fish in bodies of water in the State where public fishing will result.
Two hundred and twenty cans of these fish were netted under the direction of George Neale, in charge of the Bureau of Fish Rescue, in the upper Sacramento Valley sloughs. They were transported to San Francisco by motor truck under the care of game wardens of the Division. Not a fish was lost from the time they were taken from the river waters until they were released in the lake. Some of the bass weighed as much as eight pounds, and none w^ere less than one-half pound in weight. This supply of brood stock will be added to until some 2000 large-mouthed bass will have been planted in the lake.
These bass are prolific spawners and develop quickly, therefore, it is expected that within the next three years the lake will be well stocked Avith this species of game fish. Until they increase in numbers and size, the lake will be closed to angling. — 0. L. Warner, Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, November 15, 1933.
FIRST CALIFORNLA PHEASANT SEASON A SUCCESS
California's first open season on pheasants is now history.
During the six-day period, November 15 to 20, when these great upland birds could be legally hunted, more men went out in the fields to try their luck than have fared forth for any other small game in many years.
While no exact figure could be obtained as to the number of male birds that were killed during the season, 20,000 seems to be a fair estimate. This figure is based on reports of game wardens who kept a careful check on all hunters and their kill, questioned sporting goods dealers and devoted much effort to ascertain the success of the oi)en season in every section where pheasants were hunted.
The wardens' reports revealed many interesting facts. A great number of sportsmen and some of our field men figured there avouW be a veritable slaughter of these birds because they were beconung so tame and domesticated. But it appears that the cock pheasant is a very wary bird and well able to take care of himself. He soon got it through his head that the report of a shotgun meant no good for him when his native, wild instincts asserted themselves and he sur- l)rised many a shotgun wielder with his speed in flying and running, his deceptive flight, and his ability to hide and back track on the nimrod.
* The 14th Biennial Report of the State Board of Fish and Game Commis- sioners for the years 1895-1896, p. 30, reveals that in June, 1805, the .Sprine: Valley AVater Companv planted 300 larp:e-mouthed black bass in Lake Merced. The.se fish were procured from the East by the Fish Commission. — Ed.
76 CALIFORNIA FIRTI AND GAME
After the first day, it was quite a feat for a hunter to ^ot his limit of two birds, and many had difficulty in getting one in sections where the birds were plentiful.
Women seemed to take great interest in hunting pheasants and the wardens noted many in the field.
Very few female birds were killed.
Northern and central California were the centers of the most suc- cessful hunting.
The interest in this new s])ort in California is indicated in a report by Warden Charles Sibeck, who patrolled the delta region of the Sacra- mento Valley. One excerpt reads:
"Quail and dove seasons d