Accomplishments of 1939

THE last of the "thirties" has now passed into history and we begin our perilous journey into the "forties".

Perhaps many of us are glad to say good-by to the past decade. In many ways, these ten years have been very trying ones. During that time we have seen the country plunged into its worst depression on record; we have seen the middle west suffer one of the most extended and severe droughts of recent times; we have seen war again raising a hideous head in Europe and Asia. In Nebraska we have seen our farmers lose one crop after another; we have seen many of our business men fail; we have seen many of our citizens walking the streets in search of employment; we have seen fine lakes turn into basins of sand and blow away; we have seen marshes and lowlands dry out and burn; we have seen much of our bird and fish life destroyed; we have seen thousands of tress, shrubs and other vegetation disappear.

Yet, Nebraska citizens are carrying on in spite of all these adverse conditions. They have kept faith in their state. They have paid their taxes somehow, continued their governmental activities, rebuilt many of their institutions, started new projects for tomorrow. In spite of depression and drought our roads, our public institutions, our schools, our soil, our outdoors and other resources have been maintained and where possible, improved.

It is with a feeling of pride that in this issue of Outdoor Nebraska we can enumerate the accomplishments of the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission during the last year of this historic decade. It can be said that much more could have been done. It can be said that many mistakes have been made. It no doubt can be said that some things have been done which could have been better left undone. But be all this as it may, it cannot be said that the Nebraska Game Commission has not tried to do the best it could with the funds at its disposal and ths physical conditions under which it has had to labor.

While it is true that the drought took a great toll in outdoor resources through Nebraska, we have much left with which to carry on. The Commission has a considerable number of properties throughout the state, all of which are paid for and most of which have been developed. These holdings are worth thousands of dollars. It has considerable equipment in good order and ready for extensive service.

The Year in Review

What did the Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission accomplish in 1939?

In order to inform the Nebraska sportsmen and citizens in general regarding the activities of the Commission, this issue of Outdoor Nebraska contains reports of the various departmental work during the year of 1939.

It is believed that these reports will give everyone interested in Nebraska's outdoors a better appreciation of what is being accomplished. We hope you read all the reports, and then pass them on to your friends.

The Game Farms are holding ample brood stock for further propagation of game birds. The State fish hatching stations are holding an unsually large number of fish hoping that snow and rain in the spring of 1940 will refill many lakes and ponds. An organization has been set up to utilize to the best advantage the funds derived from the Pittman-Robertson Act.

The pheasant outlook for 1940 is very good. The largest number of birds are being carried over that has ever been carried over at any time in the history of the state. The Chukar Partridges stocked in areas in western Nebraska appear to be wintering nicely. Ducks have increased during the past two or three years in spite of the drought and when Nebraska again receives its normal rainfall, the shooting of these birds should be promising.

In This Issue

More game reserves are in operation in Nebraska today than ever before. The Biological Survey administers two ones; the State has two large river reserves and numerous small ones throughout the State.

Our fishing resources, though probably hit the worst of all outdoor life by the extended drought, are in shape to rebuild for the future. The several state hatcheries are holding a large number of game fish ready to stock lakes and in the spring of 1940. If the good winter snows are followed by abundant spring rains, many lakes, sloughs and ponds will be refilled with water, and can be immediately restocked with fish.

The numerous reservoirs to hold water for power and irrigation purposes also helping to provide fishing even during dry years. Several of these have stocked with fish and are already attra ing the anglers. Just as fast as others are completed and filled with water, will be stocked with fish.

Other forms of game in Nebraska been holding its own—in one case making a pronounced gain. The raccoon, opossum, skunk, rabbit, and squirrel showed a nice increase in 1939. In case of the deer, we find an exceptional increase—so much that some reserves are being established in the Pine Rkhe country. It has been found that it is better to crop one-half the annual deer increase than to let it remain. By killing off one-half the young bucks, the future crops are actually increased. Therefore it would seem that Nebraska hunters may be able to get some deer hunting in the not too distant future.

The last Legislature authorized the sale of a separate hunting and fishing permits and a combination permit that sells for $1.50. This should bring in considerably more revenue during the coming year and make it possible for the Commission to enlarge some activities and create new ones.

With these resources in hand, the Game Commission is looking forward to the "forties" with hope. If normal rainfall returns and economic conditions are not disturbed by war, we should make progress in the improvement and up-building of Nebraska's great out of doors.

Game Bird Propagation Reaches New High for State

NOT only was 1939 a very good year for the production of game birds on Nebraska's game farms, but it was also a good year for the birds lit large. Reports from all sections of the state indicate good hatches of pheasants, though in some cases birds were late in maturing. Some good hatches were also reported on the Chukar Partridges released the preceding year.

In order to familiarize the reader with our work, let me say that at present the Nebraska Game Commission is operating I two game farms—a large one in Madison County and a smaller one in Knox County. Hie Madison County farm was started in 1937 and the Knox County farm, adjacent to the State Park near Niobrara, was completed just last year. The Niobrara farm is built as a permanent location. The Madison farm is on leased property and all equipment constructed there is of a portable nature so it can be easily moved. The Commission hopes to find a permanent home for this farm early in 1940.

During the year of 1939 the Madison County farm was enlarged. Here are some |f the improvements made:

258 3' x 7' wire bottoms for partridge pens

16612' x 12' rearing pens

10712'x 12' laying pens

13 brooder houses

50 rearing coops

25 double nest boxes

50 feeder stands

50 water stands

7200 ft. rearing field fencing with 2' overhang.

We used approximately 384,000 square ifcet of wire netting in our construction during the year.

To raise large numbers of game birds (Quires a considerable lay-out of equipment. Here is what we are using today at It two farms:

255 laying pens

233 rearing pens

32 large field pens

72 brooder houses

65 shelters

72 runs

32 exhibition pens.

Rurally a great deal of other smaller ipment is required. Game birds cannot be crowded, nor can good egg production be secured where the birds are not properly grouped in correct sex ratio. All of this requires many pens, runs, shelters, etc. Then large pens are required in which to place the partly grown birds and to hold over the brood stock.

During 1939 it is believed that Nebraska made a record among all states in the production and stocking of the Chukar Partridge. This bird, introduced in Nebraska in 1936, is being stocked in western Nebraska where conditions are similar to its natural habitat. Later on, if the birds thrive in the western counties, they will be stocked in the rest of the state. So far, the Chukar looks promising, but introduced game birds sometimes do not turn out as hoped. Many have been tried; few have proved successful. It is hoped the Chukar will be one of the few that can follow up and do as well as the ringneck, which was also introduced in the United States.

A total of 2,950 Chukars were raised at the farm and 1,300 were purchased by the Commission at an exceedingly low price. Of these, 3,250 were released during the fall of 1939. One thousand are being held at the farms from which to pick select brood stock this coming spring.

Plantings made in 1939 were as follows:

North Platte Stocking Area740

Garden-Morrill-Scottsbluff Stocking Area 830

Southwestern Nebraska Stocking Area 480

Northwestern Nebraska Stocking Area 300

North Central Nebraska Stocking Area 390

Halsey-Hyannis-AUiance Stocking Area 270

Eastern Nebraska Experimental Plantings 240

The pheasant production during 1939 was slightly curtailed, and some of the birds did not mature as early in the year as liked, because of a disease contracted at one of the custom hatcheries where the farms' eggs were handled. It is hoped eventually to get our own incubators, but this cannot be accomplished until a permanent location for the main farm is secured.

However, in spite of this set-back, approximately 13,000 adult pheasants and 5,000 day-old chicks were produced. Of the adults, about 10,000 were stocked through closed areas of the state. We have around 3,000 at the farm now for brood stock use, etc., in 1940. The day-old chicks were turned over to the cooperatives operating under the Pittman-Robertson Act, the results of which are given in another leport in this magazine.

Pheasants planted during 1939 were as follows:

While many states have not prepared reports and information is not available, it is believed that the Nebraska farms led all states in the union for stocking Chukar Partridges during 1939. These birds are being given a good chance to increase. They are baing placed in considerable numbers in all types of cover and habitat.

It is the policy of the Nebraska Game Farms to produce birds at the smallest possible cost per bird. In the past and

Many Fish Stocked Though Numerous Lakes and Ponds Dry

MORE than four million fish were produced in Nebraska fish hatcheries and placed in lakes, rivers and ponds during the year 1939. Another four million were planted through salvage operations.

Not only were these four million hatchery fish produced and stocked, but considerable improvements were made at several of the hatcheries which should increase future production.

At the Valentine Hatchery the new dam on Minnechadusa Creek to supply a gravity flow was completed. Water in excess of contemplated needs is now available. This is most fortunate, as a late summer flood destroyed some of the ponds as well as the former water supply in Government Canyon.

Another W.P.A. Project has been set up to utilize to the full the ample water supply from the new dam. Under this project an area of approximately twenty acres is being developed east and south of the present ponds. In addition, an area of 180 feet by 180 feet directly west of the hatching house will be devoted to circular rearing races with a centrally located surge tank to supply direct and individual flow to each of twelve races.

The twelve races, four of 50 feet in diameter, four of 32 feet and four of 20 feet will provide a water area three times greater than the twelve 20-foot circular races used so successfully at the Rock Creek station the past two years. This project is now about half completed with all large diameter pipes of 12 inch and 24 inch being made with W.P.A. cement and labor. It is planned to use these circular pools for dual purpose; feeding trout to adult size from October 1st to June 1st and channel catfish fry to fingerlings during the remainder of the year.

The lake formed by the new dam is nearly three quarters of a mile long and has been heavily stocked with adult fish. It is hoped arrangements can be made about June 1st for a formal opening of the lake and to inspect the new improvements. When the work now under way is completed no additional major improvements will be needed at the Valentine Station for some time.

The success of the Commission's policy of producing adult trout rather than fry and fingerlings has been well demonstrated at the Rock Creek Hatchery. The number of adults for spring planting in 1940 has been increased about 30 per cent over that of 1939, but the maximum production with present facilities appears to have been reached and facilities will have to be enlarged if advantage is to be taken of the possibilities and the favorable reception by the fishing public of this program.

Only about 25 per cent of the trout water is being used at Rock Creek. The largest spring, about 3,000 feet above the hatching house, is turned directly into the creek at the present time and no use is made of its flow of 2,000 gallons per minute. Because of the emphasis now placed on stream fishing through the loss of many of our lakes and the proved success of the adult trout program from both creel and financial returns, it appears essential that enlarged facilities to continue this work should be provided at Rock Creek early in 1940.

In this connection it is suggested that this unused supply be carried by 18 inch cement pipe line to a surge tank near the hatching house and a group of varying sized circular pools be constructed for the growth of adult trout. If all acceptable water is utilized, up to a quarter million adults can be grown annually.

The maintenance and personnel expense at the small Benkelman Station seems altogether out of proportion to the returns obtained. The six small ponds now there represents the maximum development possible.

Fish production in 1939 was 34,000 fingerlings of all kinds. At the price of $25.00 per thousand which we are allowing for fingerlings this year their value would be only $850.00. Expenses for operation of this station has been a serious handicap to Rock Creek when a joint budget was allowed. It seems the part of good judgment and good business practice to discontinue this as a separate station or to maintain hatchery personnel and equipment there.

The Gretna Hatchery attracts approximately 20,000 visitors annually. Under such public observance it seems necess and advisable to maintain this statioB appearance and manner in keeping the requirements of a state institution of our department. Visitors for the part are interested in the year-roi aquarium, which compares favorably any fresh water fish display open to public. Aside from this, the yearly ficial hatching of pike, trout and chaj catfish occasions a great deal of com and attention.

It has always been the policy of Gretna Station to retain as far as pos the natural features and vegetation o grounds and its location on the River and accessibility to centers of lation make it a favorite spot for clubs and picnic parties.

No improvements or major repairs been undertaken at the Gretna hatch during the past few years and it sa that walk and pavement replacement well as minor improvement should done soon. The drouth of the past has killed most of the large trees an substantial replanting program shoull gin. With a continuation of the dnj it may become necessary to do coi erable work in an effort to augment water supply from the springs which a decided lessening of flow. Facilities increased production of channel fry on the basis of better knowledg feeding and disease control and to apply the new feeding pools at Valea should be provided at Gretna where able water and a supply of spawnerc be had.

Catfish totalling 287,650 were distrih from the hatcheries in 1939. Of this ber 168,000 were fry and eyed eggs, were fingerlings and 13,150 were al and two years old. This number is what less than in preceding years d feeding a large number of fry to ling size for October distribution. nation of much of the loss from dis coincident with holding and feeding been accomplished and it is expected| use of the new pools at Valentine greatly assist in this phase of the wi

During the year the Commission plied the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries the States of Montana and Idaho

Nebraska Pittman-Robertson Projects

Some of you, no doubt, will recall that baout this time last year there was an announcement in this magazine that the Game Department would enter into cooperative pheasant rearing projects with organized groups in areas where pheasants were not especially plentiful. Many applications for cooperating inthis project had to be turned down because twenty-six units would go to only twenty-six cooperators, so this year there will be twenty-five more units to other groups that want to raise pheasants to libterate on their own refuge areas.

The past season's results have been especially gratifying. Each group leased refuge areas of abundant feed, cover, and water of from 1,160 to 8,720 acres in size for a five-year period. A total of 63,810 acres were set aside as wildlife sancutaries to provide a nucleus of breeding stock to spread into each surrounding territory.

The Game Department supplied complete propagating equipment, 220 pheasant poults, trees and shrubs for cover and feed improvement, posts and signs for posting refuge areas, and supervision of projects. Each sponsoring group supplied feed and labor to care for the birds and to post the refuge areas. The land-owners gave five-year leases on their land as game sanctuaries and, in some cases, raised the bird and helped with the posting and planting of trees.

As a result of the fine attention and care given the birds, 3.896 pheasants or 68.3% of those started were released on the refuge areas.

The number of birds released could have been more but for the failure to go ahead with our own plans. Originally, we specified that the young pheasants would be liberated at the age of eight to ten weeks in order ti guve them an opportunity to adjust themselves to wild conditions and to learn to seek their own cover, feed, and water prior to the expected winter weather.

About the time we were well under way liberating the birds, a flood of letters struck the Game Department protesting the terrible crime of liberating these tame, hand-reared birds to be slaughtered by sportsmen's guns.

We stopped liberating pheasants. At the normal time of liberation, the groups had shown 74.5% survival of good strong birds. After the hunting season was over, liberation was again in order but by then the groups had only 47% of their birds left. A total of 27.5% of the birds were lost by cannabalism due to holding in pens after the natural vegetative cover had been destroyed by the birds.

During and after the hunting season, we received 52 bands representing 2,120 birds from 13 of the units that had been on birds shot, killed by predators, or run over by cars. These bands represented only 2.45% of the birds liberated. We feel that most sportsmen finding bands want to know the history of that bird and will report the band. If only one-half of the bands are reported then we still have only 5% of the birds lost to hunting.

We feel it is better to lose 5% of the hand-raised birds to sportsmen than to lose 27.5% of the birds to cannabalism that does no one good.

Any group that would like to cooperate in this project for 1940 should write to the Game Department for more details.

At the present time, we are planning more projects with deer, quail, and other upland game. Preliminary plans for deer call for the establishment of a chain of refuge areas in Sioux, Dawes, and Sheridan counties of about eight square miles each.

Many theories are advanced by farmers and sportsmen concerning the disappearance of our bob-white quail. Some feel that our quail have declined because of inbreeding. Other parties believe that our severe winters of the past several years have been responsible for the low numbers of quail.

Observations by trained men in many states show a wholly different cause of low quail numbers. This cause is the elimination of protective cover. The Nebraska Game Commission proposes to restore quail from the ground up. That is, develop a program of restoration bringing back protective cover and feed cover. Agricultural and waste areas lying side by side are conducive to more quail. Planted gullies to prevent soil erosion bring back quail cover. Hedgerow wind-breaks bring back quail cover. Annual food patches bring back quail cover. The disappearance of quail in Nebraska is man made. Bearing these facts and causes in mind, we feel that quail can once more be made abundant by an adequate management program.

Management areas for quail are ordinarily waste areas on farms, and who is there among the many friends of quail who will not do all in their power to help restore this fine bird?

Work with quail will possibly be confined to the Southeastern part of the State where pheasants have not done well in the past. We hope to cooperate with sportsmen's groups who will build up cover and feed conditions for a two or three year period and then supply them with a desirable number of adult quail.

We have one large area (roughly ten miles wide and one hundred miles long) known to many as Pine Ridge; extending through Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties. This area is particularly well suited to deer in that it is heavily wooded, contains numerous park lands, and embraces many streams of cool, clear water. Here may be found many mule deer. Some observers estimate that there are between two and five thousand deer in the area.

The number of deer has been increasing rapidly during the past several years. This increase has caused much concern, as many deer are killed on the highways. Part of the money made available by the Pittman-Robertson Act will be used to purchase areas in the Pine Ridge country to be set aside as wildlife sanctuaries, particularly for deer. The area will be fenced to eliminate grazing by domestic livestock, and certain trees and shrubs known to furnish additional browse will be planted where necessary.

EDITORIAL

Get your hunting and fishing permit now. You will find the 1940 permits on sale at the office of your county clerk, hardware or sporting goods store.

Prior to the last session of the State Legislature, property owners in Nebraska could secure a permit to take beaver where they could show damage, but they had to give the State part of the proceeds of the sale of all pelts taken. In the winter of 1938-39 there were 130 permits issued and 796 beaver were taken.

At the last session of the Legislature the law was liberalized so that the Game Commission shall issue permits and collect a fee of $1.00 for each pelt taken. Up to this writing 836 permits have been taken out and nearly 1,200 beaver taken. This figure will reach 2,000 before the end of the winter.

It goes without saying that at this rate, beaver will soon be extinct in Nebraska. They cannot increase fast enough to produce 2,000 a year and when number of old breeders begin to dwindle the end come very fast.

There are no doubt cases where beaver damage dams, irrigation ditches, power canals and cut young trees. But it does not seem possible that the claims could jump from 135 cases to over 800 in one year.

Deputy Conservation Officers report great difficulty in avoiding recommending the issuance of permits If they grant one to one landowner, his neighbors insist they should have one, too. Professional trappers seeing a profit in getting the pelts, urge landowners to claim damages and demand permits.

Beaver are great dam builders, and holding back water during these dry years would seem to be something very desirable. But it would seem the feminine desire for fur coats and the trappers' yearning for dollars is obscuring the real value of these tireless little engineers.

If we continue to permit the beaver to be trappers off as they are now, they soon will be gone. Then alas! there will be no water held back, no fur coats, no dollars profit from the sale of fur. Unless a future legislature is willing to tighten up on the law it looks like another case of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Receipts and Expenditures of Game, Forestation and Parks Commission

The following are the receipts and the expenditures of the Nebraska Game Commission for the year, January 1, 1939, to December 31, 1939:

Recreation Grounds Increased and Improved During 1939

ONE new lake and recreational area was opened to the public in 1939, and two more are nearing completion and will be open in 1940. Repairs and improvements were made at a number of others. Several are being completely rebuilt.

Hastings Lake Recreation Grounds, twelve miles south of Hastings, was completed in the spring of '39 and opened to fishing. This is now one of the most completely equipped recreation grounds in the State. Fishermen are provided with a lake with a continuous water supply from the Little Blue River which runs through the grounds. The water is diverted into the lake by a concrete masonry diversion dam in the Little Blue river. The dam also forms a small lake which makes an excellent place for swimming and boating. Boats, bait and other fishing supplies are available on the grounds. Picnickers are supplied with plenty of outdoor fireplaces, tables, and shelters and many other conveniences for outdoor enjoyment. Winter sport in the form of skating is enjoyed at this park also and skaters are provided with a double fireplace built on the bank of the lake. A long boat dock runs from the shelter door out into the lake. In the summertime the shelter can be used as a picnic shelter. Trees and shrubs have been planted over the entire park area. The recreation ground was developed with the aid of WPA and NYA Projects.

Another Federal Aid Project was completed at our Walgren Lake Recreation Grounds, in Sheridan County near Hay Springs, when the North branch of Hay Springs Creek was diverted into the lake. This should more than double the original water supply of the lake making it one of the best crappie lakes in the State.

Additional work will be done at this recreation grounds in the form of picnic facilities, tree planting, etc., during the summer of 1940.

At the State Recreation Grounds near Verdon in Richardson County a total of 40,000 cubic yards of dirt was removed from the lake bed and used in widening and raising the dykes. Two large islands were built in the lake area on which trees and shrubs will be planted in the spring. Also a new reinforced concrete spillway outlet was built. By the removal of the earth from the lake area the depth was increased four feet which will make a total depth of twelve feet at the outlet.

Tests are now in progress to determine the best method for controlling the hsavy growth of moss which fills the lake in the summer season. Several small areas were laid out on the lake bed and each treated with different chemicals. By the end of next summer it can be determined which is the safest and most economical treatment to use in the control of moss. In the spring the work will be finished, the lake filled and stocked, and it will then be ready for the angler to try his luck.

Another recreation grounds greatly improved during 1939 was Loup City State Recreation Grounds. Here a new reinforced concrete headgate was built at the head of the canal which supplies water from the Middle Loup River for the lake. The canal was widened and deepened and a sand sluice installed to prevent the canal from filling with sand. The bank of the Middle Loup River along the park grounds and on each side of the headgate was riprapped with timber piling and willows to prevent erosion of the bank. Swampy areas were converted into lily pools and the dirt used in raising the park roads through the low areas. A large number of trees and shrubs were planted here early in the spring. An entrance gate to the park was built with rock masonry portals and rustic log gates. The work is being carried on with the help of about sixty NYA boys and will be finished early in the spring of 1940.

The development of the new recreation grounds on the Elkhorn River near Scribner is still in progress. Two dams have been Wilt and the lake is now being deepened and cleaned. Driveways, picnic shelters, fireplaces, and other picnic facilities are being built. A cable suspension foot bridge and log and rock vehicle bridge will enable fishermen and picnickers to go from one side of the lake to the other without going completely around the lake.

The excellent cooperation of the various towns in this vicinity has enabled the work to progress with greater rapidity. The Scribner Chamber of Commerce has donated the money for ten combination seats and tables for the park. The tables were built by the NYA boys. The entire 200 acre area is being developed with the aid of the National Youth Administration with approximately forty boys working on this project.

Thirty acres of new ground which was formerly a corn field was planted to trees last spring. One area of about fifteen acres was put back to corn and was used as feed for the birds during the winter.

It is also planned to enclose the grounds with a five-foot woven wire fence to keep out dogs and livestock. With the exception of two small picnic areas, the grounds will be left in its natural state to provide cover and protection to the birds and wild game.

Although development of the recreation grounds will not be completed for some time, a large number of picnickers are taking advantage of the picnic facilities already completed.

In August of 1939, a surveying and mapping project was started with the cooperation of the State Planning Board. Under this project it is planned to make complete topographical surveys of as many State Recreation Grounds and State Parks as possible. Topographical maps are then made of each place giving complete data on all existing features. From these maps Master Plans can be worked out showing the proposed future development of each park or recreation grounds. The maps are being made to a scale that will photograph down to a convenient size for publication in the future if so desired, The project at the present is about twenty-five percent complete.

A small crew of NYA boys have made considerable improvements at our Pawnee Lake Recreation Grounds in Webster! County near Guide Hock. A large number of trees were planted throughout the park early in the spring and watered and cultivated through the summer. The small picnic area here was improved by the construction of a small dam and drain above the area. The drain carries the

Salvage Work Increased During Year of 1939

THE extended drought throughout the state of Nebraska, covering a period of nearly seven years, has brought about many salvage problems. The year of 1939 was one of the worst.

Our salvage operations are divided into two phases: First, the salvage of game fish that would perish unless moved to other waters; second, the removal of coarse fish from waters where they are competitors to game fish.

Many game fish would be lost each year by drying out in the summer or freezing out in the winter unless they were transferred to other deeper waters. During the past several years, large numbers of Sand Hill lakes have dried up or the water became so low and impregnated with alkali the fish could not sustain themselves. This has been particularly true with many bullhead lakes in Grant, Sheridan, and Cherry Counties. Even if the water is still several feet in depth, it is very likely to freeze ice during the following winter to a depth that would kill all remaining fish.

Unfortunately it is impossible to seine many of these lakes where they contain quantities of aquatic vegetation. Moss in particular will roll up a seine and make it ineffective in capturing fish. It is also difficult to effectively seine lakes where there are several feet of syrupy mud or slime. This causes the seines to dig in and it also makes it difficult for the men to operate.

However, in spite of these handicaps, our reports show we salvaged 3,700,000 game fish during the year of 1939. All of these were moved to other suitable waters. In the hot months of July and August we are required to salvage many fish from small bodies of water which have been rapidly lowered by evaporation. Since fish cannot stand high temperatures in warm water because of the lack of oxygen content, they must be placed in the nearest water available. If we attempted to haul them long distances in hot weather we would lose most of them.

The second phase of our work is the removal of carp and other coarse fish from waters where game fish are stocked. These fish are hardier than most game fish and unless removed they would soon consume all the food in the lake or pond. During 1839, we removed 80 tons of these coarse fish from waters listed below. These carp, in some cases, are sold for human consumption; in some cases they are sent to state fish hatcheries to be processed and used for trout feed. In a few cases where the fish are in bad shape, they must be given to farmers for fertilizer or buried.

During 1939, we assisted in the distribution of fish from the several state hatcheries and also handled the fish from several private hatcheries where the Commission made purchases of fish. We also transported 50,000 bullheads from the State of Minnesota. These fish were also purchased by the Commission.

The following is a list of waters in which salvage or coarse fish removal took place in 1939:

DUCK HUNTERS PAY STIFF FINES.

Texas judges recently handed down stiff fines against three Lone Star hunters for violating migratory waterfowl hunting regulations, according to the Bureau of Biological Survey. Hay T. Clarke and John Falconer, retired businessmen of Dallas, paid $111 each after pleading guilty to possessing over the bag limit of wild ducks. In another case, Lenoir M. Josey, a Houston oilman, was fined $533 for hunting wild ducks on baited ponds.

Charges against Messrs. Clarke and Falconer were filed by cooperating State game wardens after a Biological Survey agent examining warehouse records discovered that the two hunters had shipped an illegal take of wild ducks in November, 1938.

Mr. Josey received the maximum fine prescribed by law. According to a Survey game agent, the violator was charged with hunting wild ducks over three baited ponds on the 22,000-acre Cinco ranch.

HUNTING FACTS FREE IN LEAFLET ON FUR LAWS

The fur laws of the various States, Canadian Provinces, Alaska, and Newfoundland have just been abstracted and assembled for publication by the Bureau of Biological Survey.

Activities of Deputy Conservation Officers

IF a Deputy Conservation Officer approaches you some day while you are in the field hunting or fishing and asks to see your hunting or fishing permit, do not feel offended as he is carrying out orders in his line of duty.

He plays no favorites, for the financial welfare of the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission depends on the sale of permits. If the sale of permits is reduced then the working capital of the Commission is reduced and activities must be curtailed accordingly.

For more efficient law enforcement the state is divided into two districts, the Eastern District and the Western District. Each of these districts is under a field supervisor, the Eastern District being supervised by Loren Bunney with headquarters at Fremont, and the Western District under the supervision of Vernon C. Conover with headquarters at North Platte.

Each of these districts is subdivided, the eastern district into seven districts and the western district into six districts. Each of these thirteen subdivisions or districts comprise an area of approximately 6,000 square miles and is patrolled by a deputy conservation officer residing within the area.

With a district of a little over seven counties to patrol each deputy must be constantly on the go to keep in touch with all parts of his district.

In the spring of the year when the flight of migratory waterfowl is on and the birds are concentrated in certain areas, deputies are called from their home stations for patrol in these areas of concentration. Sometimes a dozen state deputies, with the assistance of federal officers, are on patrol in heavily concentrated areas and woe be it unto a duck or goose shooter found molesting these birds. A donation to the public school fund in the form of a fine assessed by the courts is the result and our annual sale of confiscated guns held in September of each year reveals the evidence of those that took a chance and lost. Many high priced guns are sold at these annual sales, thus closing the chapter to an uncontrolled desire to kill during the protected flight.

Again in the fall when the ducks and geese return on their annual southward flight they must have protection. A great many concentrate on the North Platte River in western Nebraska, in fact this is the end of many mallards' southward flight as they spend the winter there. Each day they may be seen in the air as they go many miles from the river to feed. These areas must be thoroughly patrolled as here again that uncontrolled desire to kill is sometimes practiced by unscrupulous hunters.

Before the opening of the pheasant season in the fall of the year, all deputies are called in for instructions and then sent out on patrol duty into areas where there is a heavy concentration of hunters. This is done not only for the protection of the game but for the protection of the land owners against depredations sometimes practiced by hunters who have no respect for property rights and lack that "I may want to come back someday feeling".

During the year of 1939 over 16,000 permits were checked by the officers in the field and 1,847 complaints were investigated. Complaints are varied and investigations require many miles of driving and long hours in the field. Fish may bs dying in drying-up ponds during the heat of the summer, birds may be suffering for the want of feed during the zero weather when heavy snows cover the ground during the winter months, or some coon hunters may have invaded the private sanctuary of a neighboring farmer in the middle of the night. These and many other complaints must be followed up regardless of the hour or the condition of the weather.

During the year, 488,605 miles of Nebraska's outdoors was covered in their field work and 703 game law violations were taken into court where the judge, in a kindly way, assessed a fine and in a number of cases, confiscated the equipment used in the violation.

A total of 358 devices were confiscated during the year consisting of guns, nets, traps and other illegal devices. Several outstanding humane acts were reported by field officers.

A young deer in the western part of the state suffered a broken leg in some manner and an attempt to save its life was made by the officer finding same. It was taken many miles over the hills to a veterinarian where splints were applied to the broken limb. At another time, the same effort was put forth to save the life of an antelope.

During a severe hail storm last spring when the migratory waterfowl were on their way northward, a number of ducks, geese, and Sandhill cranes on the Platte River were injured by the hail. With assistance, the officer in that district rescued many crippled birds. These crippled birds were taken to game sanctuaries for feed and attention.

Drouth conditions in Nebraska increased the work of the field officers as many ponds dried up necessitating the removal of the fish at once, as the delay of a few hours might cause the loss of the stranded fish. As a result of these efforts thousands of game fish were saved for Nebraska fishermen.

In the past few years, beaver have increased in the state to the extent that it takes considerable of the field officer's time in checking the complaints of damage done by the beaver and the tagging of the beaver pelts taken under permit.

Taking the year of 1939 as a whole, the Deputy Conservation Officers have put in a busy year in the field and have accomplished many things that will have a bearing on our wildlife in the years to come.

WATER, WATER, ETC.

Birds and animals often starve to death in the midst of plenty, because they not know that unfamiliar foods are go to eat; for instance, it took two or three years for quail in Florida and Georgia to find out that millet and other grains, planted for them, were good to eat.

FISHING BIG PASTIME

Fresh water fishing in the United States moved up another notch in its standing in the big league of national sports last year, when an increase of more than 500,000 in the number of anglers paying state license fees brought a total of 7,436,000 licenses issued during the year, it is revealed in tabulations of the Bureau of Fisheries.

If salt water fishermen were added to the census of fresh water rod and reel enthusiasts, more than 12,000,000 individuals participated in the aquatic sport in 1938, it is estimated.

With each fresh water fisherman spending an average of $68.16 each year, approximately 2% per cent of the amount went to state fish and game departments for administration and the enforcement of fish laws, educational work, and thel raising of fish for restocking under national conservation plans.

Michigan led all the 48 states in the issuance of resident and non-resident fishing licenses, its total of 807,930 including 110,719 trout fishing permits. Ohio ranked second, with 631,126 licenses, and New York third, with 542,346 licenses issued.

Governor R. L. Cochran announced the appointment of Dr. M. Campbell, veterinarian and former mayor of McCook, to replace J. F. Haskin, Benkelman, as a member of the State Game Commission. Haskin's term expired January 15.

Campbell's appointment becomes effective immediately, and runs for five years. Compensation is $10 per day for game commission meetings, not to exceed $300 a year, plus expenses.

At the age of 49, Dr. Campbell probably will be the youngest member of the State Game Commission. As a practicing veterinarian, he travels much of western Nebraska in the course of his work.

Dr. Campbell has been an ardent advocate and active worker for/wildlife preservation and the propagation of game fish for many years. He has also been of service in determining diseases and conditions hampering the propagation of wild fowl.

An overseas veteran of the World War, Dr. Campbell has been engaged in veterinary work in western Nebraska since 1911.

During 1932-33-34 he served as mayor of McCook. At present he is a member of the executive board of the South Platte United Chambers of Commerce.

The appointment of Dr. Campbell has the endorsement of numerous civic organizations and sportsmen throughout southwestern Nebraska. — From McCook Gazette.

MESSAGE TO COON HUNTERS.

The Cornhusker Trail Hound Association was organized in 1938 by a group of coon hunters in eastern Nebraska, primarily for the protection and propagation of raccoon and secondarily, to encourage better breeding of coon dogs, a better understanding among coon hunters and to assist in the return of lost and stolen dogs. These were the principles in mind when the association was organized by the coon hunters throughout the state as is evidenced by our large membership in the association today.

In the early spring of 1938 the executive board held meetings with coon hunters in various parts of the state to attempt to learn the wants and needs of the hunters in their respective districts and also what legislation would be necessary to raise money for the purpose of coon propagation. The results of these meetings was to support a bill to increase all permits 25 percent, and a bill to require a coon hunter to carry a raccoon hunter's permit instead of a trapper's permit, the same costing $2.50 beginning January 1, 1940.

Because of this legislation we will now have money in this respective department for the propagation of raccoon, due to the separate permit required, and the splendid cooperation of the state game and conservation department.

Coon hunting with dogs is fast becoming one of the popular sports of the state. Rich and poor alike enjoy hearing the hound on the trail of the wiley raccoon.

It is understood by this association that our game and conservation commission have already purchased some foundation breeding stocks for experiment purposes to determine what care and money will be required to raise a coon to the age of liberation—also, that the commission will be able to use a certain amount of Pittman-Robertson money for this purpose, the amount to be determined by the raccoon hunters permits sold. For that reason it is necessary that every coon hunter obtain his permit at the earliest possible date in order that the commission have the money to carry on this program.

The association and the commission has received a number of inquiries regarding the change in the law and it is our understanding that a coon hunter has all the privileges that he heretofore has had except the use of steel traps which will require a trappers permit.

A representative of the association has taken the matter up and due to the intentions and efforts of the association the commission has agreed to allow the holder of a coon hunters permit the same privileges they have had in the past including the sale of pelts. They also have agreed that in the event a coon hunter has already obtained a trappers permit he will be permitted to hunt with it this season. However, none of this trapping permit fee will be used for propagation of raccoon because it is paid into an entirely different fund than the coon hunter's permit money.

Every coon hunter in Nebraska should do his part in this program of propagation and should be very grateful to the commission in their efforts toward propagation of raccoon. When the experimental stage has passed and liberation of coon a reality, then will we eat of the fruits of the efforts of the cooperation of the State Conservation Department.

We encourage every coon hunter in Nebraska to secure his 1940 coon hunter's permit at once.

MAKE GAME STUDY

Plans for wildlife conservation work in 42 of the 43 states eligible to participate in the program under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act have been submitted to the Biological Survey for approval, with 86 such projects already accepted during the first five months of the fiscal year.

Under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, the Federal Government pays 75 per cent of the costs of approved projects, and appropriations made each year by Congress cannot exceed the total annual revenue from the 10 per cent Federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. This year $1,500,000 was set aside for these projects.

Among the proposals recently approved were studies of the habitat of squirrels in southern counties in Michigan, investigation of why poor soils in the Saginaw Valley of that state do not produce as good pheasant populations as good soils, and whether, and if so, why prairie chickens are driven from their homes by sharp-tailed grouse.

Idaho plans a wildlife survey of the state, with particular emphasis on mountain sheep, beavers, deer, elk, and antelope on overpopulated areas in New Mexico will be trapped and transported to 15,000 square miles of good range on which these animals are not found at present.

Yellowstone National Park's wildlife population gets around, according to analysis of figures recently submitted to Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes by the park superintendent. American elk or Wapiti, natives of Yellowstone, are now scattered through 36 of the 48 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and South America.

Game Bird Propagation Reaches New High

even today it is costing the sportsman as high as $5.00 per bird for every one released. This does not appear to be good business, especially where the hunting fee is as low as it is in Nebraska. While we are unable to tell exact costs on one bird, it is a little below $1.00 each. As soon as the major construction work is out of our way we will be able to tell exactly about costs and it is believed that even lower costs than now can be arrived at.

Many Fish Stocked in Lakes and Ponds

experimental lots of fry and eggs on an exchange basis for trout eggs and grayling eggs, fry and fingerlings.

There were 186,000 trout produced and planted in 1939. Of this number 57,000 or nearly one-third were adults with a probable creel return of nearly 100 per cent. The balance were fingerlings and fry, the latter planted largely in nurse ponds in western Nebraska, which are still to be drained.

The decided approval expressed by fishermen of the policy of planting adults seems to suggest our course in this matter. The continued deterioration of our lakes and the consequently greater importance of our stream fishing is another indication. Because trout can be produced in small areas and artificially fed to maturity they are less affected by drouth than other species. Even the severe drouth of the past few years has had little effect on the waters in which they are planted. The restrictions and elements entering into their production are pretty well known and controllable within fairly narrow limits. The maximum production of trout on strictly natural food in our streams has long ago been reached and is doubtless diminishing each year because of floods and sediment due to cultivation of lands and destruction of vegetation in the watersheds.

The annual take of trout from any given stream can be increased many times if adults are planted, because none of their growth has been made at the expense of the stream food and only enough is required to maintain them until taken.

This may be called synthetic fishing or "ersatz" fish but, whether we like it or not, trout taken in the future will have this artificial background because of the necessity of making room for the increasing number of light tackle fishermen. Production of adults in number and upon an allowable cost basis necessitates rebuilding of a plant to produce a different product. You must construct special type rearing pools to allow concentration without crowding. You must have equipment and trained personnel to treat and control disease induced by these conditions and the artificial food. Finally, it is imperative that a planned program be inaugurated to convert the plentiful supply of carp into trout by canning, drying, freezing, and feeding fish.

More than 239,000 crappie were distributed. Nearly 80,000 were adults obtained from salvage work and ponds on the Federal Game Refuge near Valentine.

2,940,000 fry were distributed. These were planted largely in the North Platte and Sutherland Reservoirs, where previous plants have given good results. Pike eggs are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain because of laws prohibiting shipment from egg producing states. With the completion of the Kingsley Reservoir we may have a source of supply and with this thought in mind, plans have been laid to establish walleyes as the dominant species.

21,150 yearling perch were obtained and distributed through salvage. No perch are propagated at any of the hatcheries as thousands of them can be recovered from irrigation ditches each fall. Perch fail to make a worthwhile growth where planted in eastern Nebraska streams or lakes.

126,790 of both species, large mouth and small mouth bass, were distributed. Of these only 9,800 were fry. 12,559 were bass a year old or larger. The balance were fingerlings. As a natural habitat of big mouth bass is large bodies of clear, warm water, and much of this has been destroyed by drouth, it is planned to reduce their production in 1940, or until such time as normal rainfall brings back such lakes.

A total of 98,895 bluegills were produced and planted. Recurring barrenness of fingerlings in ponds devoted to bluegills at hatcheries has been finally traced by Professor Cuckler (who has been doing some research work for the Nebraska Commission) to a parasite in the ovaries of the female, which destroy the eggs before spawning. It is too early to determine what may be done to meet this problem and further investigations are planned for next year.

There were 101,115 Rock Bass planted. This species has not responded as hoped, although most of the heavy plantings were made in the past few years and they are a slow growing kind. Until more favorable results are obtained it is planned to materially reduce the output.

Hatcheries trucks distributed 213,000 bullheads which were mostly obtained through salvage operations. About half of this number were creel or adult size. In addition, approximately 200,000 fingerlings are being held and fed upon ground, fresh carp for spring plants. Areas in which these can be obtained are becoming smaller as the drouth continues.

An initial stock of eggs, fry and fingerlings were gotten from the Montana State and Federal hatcheries by exchange this year. Two or three years will be required to determine whether this specie will thrive in Nebraska.

Taken as a whole, the year 1939 has not been unsuccessful. Although some additional lakes were lost from drouth, reservoirs and impounding projects have compensated for them. The added interest in trout fishing because of the greater number to be taken was of great help. The many reservoirs of the Tri-County and Kingsley Dam Project will furnish several thousand acres of new fishing water.

Recreation Grounds Improved

run-off from heavy rains under the picnic area which prevents silt and debris from being carried over it. Several garbage pits were built for convenience of picnickers. A well was drilled on top of the hill to provide water for irrigation of trees in the future.

With the aid of the county a new road and bridge were built at Champion Recreation Grounds which provides easier access to the picnic area here.

Cottonwood Lake near Merriman, Nebraska, was assured a permanent water supply last fall by the construction of a diversion dam on Bear Creek. When Dry Creek, the original source of supply for the lake, does not supply enough water to maintain a level, the water from Bear Creek is diverted into the lake. A reinforced concrete gate was also constructed at the outlet to the lake to hold the water at a permanent level.

Development of the State Recreation Grounds near Ravenna was started in the Spring of '39 where a new dam and spillway was built. Dredging of the mud and silt from the lake was started and the material used on the road fills through the park. This project was stopped due to lack of funds but will be started again in the spring and will be completed this year.

The three small lakes at the State Recreation Grounds near Alexandria have been drained and a Federal Aid Project has been proposed to improve the grounds and lakes. The work is scheduled to start in the spring and will consist of deepening the lakes, raising, widening and rip-rapping the dykes, developing of picnic facilities, and improvement and increase of water supply.

At the State Parks, several projects were started during 1939 and are still in progress.

Under an NYA Project at Ponca former CCC buildings left on the grounds are being rebuilt into modern three-room cabins. Each cabin will have electric lights, running water, shower room, natural gas and will be connected to a complete sewerage system. The project calls for the construction of five cabins of this type and is now about fifty percent completed. Other improvements at Ponca State Park consist of road and trail improvements and construction of park furniture.

During 1939, Niobrara Island State Park has been developed to a high degree. By the use of Federal Aid Projects, the park has been developed to the point where almost any kind of recreation desired may be enjoyed. Improvements during the year include the construction of cabins, swimming pool facilities, tennis courts, outdoor theater, baseball diamond, picnic facilities, improvement of golf course, roads and trails and development of a sub-station to the State Game Farm for the rearing of pheasants.

At Stolley State Park, an NYA Project was started for the reconstruction of old Fort Independence. Most of the original logs are still in good condition and missing logs will be supplied from timber cut from the park grounds. The work will be completed in the spring.

PUBLICITY PART OF COMMISSION ACTIVITIES

In order to inform the people of Nebraska, and particularly the fellow who buys the hunting, fishing, and trapping permits, the Nebraska Commission does a great deal of publicity work.

During the year of 1939, the following publications and motion picture exhibitions were furnished without cost:

A total of 50,000 impressions of a beautiful colored pictorial map were printed and distributed. Many copies of this map went to citizens of other states who were interested in visiting the Cornhusker state while enroute making a trip to the World Fairs. A goodly number were given to Nebraska school teachers to be used in study of Nebraska and her outdoor resources.

Three issues of "Outdoor Nebraska" with 10,000 copies per issue were sent out to subscribers and others who desired information regarding the work of the Commission.

Over 200,000 copies of game laws and regulations were furnished interested persons.

Over 50,000 placards of various kinds were printed. These were used to promote the sale of permits, conserve game, save fish, etc.

A conservation camp in cooperation with the Nebraska 4-H clubs and the Federal Cartridge Company was held at Seward during the summer of 1939. Here, over a hundred farm boys and girls who had won a trip because of doing conservation work in their respective communities were given a three-day course of study and play in conservation matters.

During the year several new conservation films were added to our library of sound pictures and preparations were made for the production of a new sound film early in 1940. One hundred forty-four conservation programs were put on before 25,000 people. Schools, 4-H Clubs, Churches, Parent-Teacher Associations, Sportsmen Clubs, Garden Clubs, Commercial Clubs, and other groups were visited on request. These conservation picture programs were put on at no expense to the schools or clubs and have met with approval by these groups.

THANKS, LOREN.

Orchids to Loren Peterson of Minden. After each snowfall, Mr. Peterson may be found clearing patches of ground of snow. Reason: nice, clean places to feed the birds. Drive between Norman and Minden one of these days immediately after a snow. You'll see Mr. Peterson at his favorite vocation.

STATES JOIN GAME STUDY

An important development in the field of wildlife conservation was recorded recently when 10 state game and conservation commissions, the American Wildlife Institute, and the Biological Survey agreed to continue a three-way sponsorship of wildlife management research units for another 5-year period. At present 10 units operate under agreements which terminate in 1940.

Started in 1935, cooperative units operate under a three-point plan involving wildlife-management research, an educational program, and large-scale trial demonstration areas. Units are now located in Alabama, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. With each unit attached to a land-grant college in the state, it is estimated that studies are now being conducted on 6,000,000 acres of land in the United States.

DUCKS EAT 200 KINDS OF PLANTS, ANIMALS

More than 200 kinds of plants and animals are eaten by game ducks in the United States and Canada, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Analyzing almost 8,000 stomachs of 18 duck species, Biological Survey scientists have found that about three-fourths of the food content is plant material. Pondweeds, bulrushes and smartweeds rank first, second and third, respectively, in the plant food list, while snails and insects head the list of the animal foods.

An awakened public interest in the restoration of waterfowl, the Biological Survey states, calls for dependable information on which to base programs for the improvement of breeding and feeding grounds. Essential information on improving feeding grounds is given in a technical bulletin recently issued by the Department of Agriculture on "Food of Game Ducks in the United States and Canada."

Basing their findings on almost 40 years of research by Biological Survey workers in the field and laboratories, the authors, A. C. Martin and F. M. Uhler, discuss each game duck food in detail, showing among other things its range, value and means of identification; the best methods of propagation, harvesting and storing; and favorable and unfavorable factors in waterfowl food-plant culture.

Farmers, conservationists and sportsmen desiring to cultivate duck food plants are warned that one of the most frequent causes of failure in propagation is neglect in considering the natural ranges of species or varieties of plants used. These ranges are often dependent on climatic, soil or water conditions that are different from those of the site to be improved. The new bulletin includes 126 plant-range maps.

"Careful selection of seed stock," the authors say, "with due regard to origin and quality, is a cardinal principle in successful agriculture, and is just as important in aquiculture." They point out that because a variety or strain of plant grows well in one place, it does not necessarily follow that the strain will grow well in other areas. The species selected for propagation must not only be suitable for food, but must also be capable of growing in the area. Propagators of marsh and aquatic plants are urged to have a study made of the area proposed for development. This may forestall the use of unsuitable places or the planting of species already there.

Sago pondweed is probably the most important single waterfowl food plant on the continent, and is responsible for about half of the total food credited to the group of pondweeds. Musk grasses are eaten by many kinds of waterfowl and are particularly sought by diving ducks. It is sometimes claimed, however, that the plants produce an unfavorable flavor the flesh of ducks that eat them.

About one-fourth of the total food eaten by North American game ducks consists of animal material. Mollusks and insects are of outstanding importance in the animal food. Of the mollusks, snails and bivalves are particularly selected, and are of greatest importance in the coastal regions. Snails and most of the bivalves are of little economic significance. Insects represent nearly a tenth of the total food volume.

A color plate by E. R. Kalmbach of the Biological Survey shows pintail ducks feeding on aquatic vegetation, and 10 drawings of plant foods by Martin are included in the 137 text figures. About 250 photographs of food specimens and of duck areas illustrating various food conditions are shown on plates.

"Food of Game Ducks in the United States and Canada," Technical Bulletin No. 634, may be obtained at 40 cents a copy from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.

IF YOU WERE A BIRD HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIVE?

Ask anyone for an off-hand opinion as to what bird lives the longest and the chances are that he will say the eagle, writes Alexander Sprunt, Jr., nationally known ornithologist and writer, in Nature Magazine. Although a spectacular bird, and our national emblem in the avian sense, other birds live longer than eagles by a good many years, although the eagle is a relatively long-lived bird.

"Pairs of bald eagles have been known to nest about a community for more than 35 years," Sprunt writes. "The maximum age is hard to determine, but specimens of the golden eagle have lived for 46 years. It is likely that an age of 50 is sometimes attained, and is, perhaps, near the limit. Eagles, not being protected in many states, and offering the thoughtless gunner a big target, are too often killed. There are those who hold it to be a distinctly harmful bird to the young of domestic and game animals, and while in some cases this is undoubtedly true, there is no reason to condemn all for the depredations of a few. However, many meet death at the hand of man long before they come to old age. The oldest liver among eagles is the short-tailed eagle of Africa, which has been known to reach an age of 55 years.

"Parrots usually outlive eagles. There are species of this popular and interesting bird which attain an age of nearly 70 in years! The average for all species is 50 years, the macaws being more hardy than the others. A life span of 65 years is not at all out of the ordinary for them. This is a limit not reached by many of the human race and falls just a little short of the prescribed 'three score years and ten' which has so long been accepted as a man's lifetime.

"The macaws are closely paralleled, and even exceeded, by the raven and some of the larger owls. The former, so famous in the literature of generations, has heen known to live for 69 years, and the great horned owls have come close to this record with 68. Some of the vultures live 50 years and longer, notably the great griffon vulture, and in view of the fact that these foul-feeding birds certainly have no appeal to man as regards game, it is not surprising that they have a longer life span than many of the more popular birds.

"Naturally, the wild fowl have a hard time of it. Game birds par excellence, they are eagerly sought by millions of hunters annually and few of them live to old age. Banding has revealed some interesting facts in regard to the lives of ducks and geese, and the oldest on record, as far as this practice is concerned, is a pintail that had lived for 13 years after being banded. That a duck could escape for that long in this day and time is surprising, and since others of the species have been known to live for 21 years, it means that 13 years is just about half the ordinary life span if the bird were unmolested by hunters.

"Some of the larger hawks such as the red-tailed and rough-legged species live to nearly 16 years. Gulls reach an age of from 13 to 15 years, and some of the herons. Shore-birds like the godwit may live for 12 years.

"Unlike the fact that, in the animal kingdom, the largest live longest, in birds this does not hold true. The ostrich, that giant of the avian world, lives sometimes to an age of 40 years, and is thus outlived by parrots, ravens, vultures, eagles and owls. It seems significant that, among the longest livers among birds, birds of prey are conspicuous. Little is known about the vast army of smaller songbirds. The sparrow, warblers, flycatchers, wrens and others are so fragile, meet with so many dangers, and are so difficult to study for long periods of time, that it is all but impossible to place age limits on them. Banding will probably reveal more in the next few years than all the study of the past generation."

Nebraska Fishing Laws and Regulations

The following open seasons, bag and possession limits are fixed, prescribed and published, effective September 15, 1939, and shall remain in effect until September 15, 1940:

It shall be unlawful, except in the Missouri River under commercial permit, to take a daily bag or have more than twenty-five (25) fish of all species combined in possession at any one time.

All fish caught that are under the size limits enumerated above must be returned to the water at once with as little injury as ppssible.

"Daily Bag" means fish taken from midnight to midnight.

"Possession any time" means fish in possession of person taking same at any and all times.

Carp, buffalo, suckers and other non-game fish may be taken with hook and line at any time without limits on size, bag or possession. They may be speared between sunrise and sunset from April 1st to December 1st.

Under proper Commercial Permit issued, catfish may be taken from the Missouri River by nets, the meshes of which are not less than one and a half inches square, at any time of the year except from March 16 to May 1.

It is POSITIVELY FORBIDDEN to take the legal bag of fish and return to fishing waters and take another bag the same day. Fishermen are warned that persons so doing will be prosecuted and full damages of $5.00 per fish assessed.

Effective January 1, 1940, the Hunting and Fishing fees are as follows:

The Nebraska state laws require every person (male or female) over sixteen years of age to hold a permit.

Certain state-owned lakes are not open at all times or hours to fishing. The following information, which is posted at the lake, is for your information:

Open daily May 1st to November 30th. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily. Bag, 15 game fish, 5 of which may be bass in proper open season.

This lake will be open March 1st and then will be closed Thursday, Friday and until noon Saturday of each week. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily. The bag limit on fish is not more than 10 in any one day, all species combined.

Louisville and Fremont Sand Pits open daily March 1st to November 30th. Fishing hours from 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. Bag limit, 15 game fish, 5 of which may be trout.

Open daily March 1st to November 30th. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily. Bag limit on all fish, not more than 15 in any one day.

Open daily March 1st to November 30th. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily. Bag limit, 15 game fish, 5 of which may be bass.

Open daily March 1st to November 30th. Daily bag and possession limit, 25 game fish, 5 of which may be trout, and 5 of which may be bass. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M.

This lake will be closed for repairs until May 1st.

Open daily March 1st to November 30th. Daily bag and possession limit, 25 game fish, 5 of which may be bass. Fishing hours 4 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily.

Open daily March 1st to November 30th. Bag limit, 10 in any one day, all species combined.

On state-owned lakes do not use other than regular lines attached to poles having not more than two hooks thereon and not more than two lines to any one person.

Get Your New Permit NOW!

In 1940 there will be three kinds of hunting and fishing permits on sale. They are as follows:

Entitles the holder to fish but not to hunt any place in Nebraska where there are public waters available or in privately owned waters where the consent of the owner is obtained. Permits are good from January 1 to December 31. Price $1.10.

Entitles the holder to hunt during proper open seasons but not to fish. Persons hunting on either public or private properties throughout the State of Nebraska must have a permit. Good January 1 to December 31. Price $1.10.

Entitles the holder to both hunt and fish. Good from January 1 to December 31. Price $1.60.

In addition to the above, coon hunters are now required to hold a "Coon Hunter's Permit". These cost $2.60 each and are good from January 1 to December 31. If you take raccoon and opossum with dogs, get this permit. If you take them with steel traps, get a Trapper's Permit. This costs $2.60 for 1940. They are good from January 1 to December 31.