July 22, 1942

Outdoor Lovers of Nebraska, State of Nebraska

Greetings Sportsmen:

As the new Secretary to the State Game, Porestation and Parks Commission -I brine you best wishes from another enthusiastic outdoor Nebraskan, Ours is a grand state worthy of only the best in developmental fish and game management.

It is my sincere hope that we may be of service to you in cooperating to the fullest extent in the realization of a sportsmen's and nature lovers Utopia in Nebraska.

The Game, Forestation and Parks Commission is anxious to continue their work of cooperating with you in solving your game problems and promoting constructive game programs. I am doubly anxious to serve you both in as efficient and unbiased a manner-as is in ny power.

I am looking forward to meeting and working with a better and more permanent sporting Nebraska.

Drop in and let's get acquainted.

Roald Amundson began working for the department May 5, 1941 as Project Leader of the Pittman-Robertson work in Southwestern Nebraska, and was appointed assistant secretary of the Commission June 1, 1942. Amundson holds a degree in Wildlife Management from Iowa State College, and has nearly a year's field experience with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Outdoor Nebraska is indebted to the American Audubon Society for its cooperation in preparing the articles on Nebraska hawks. The front cover was printed from electrotypes furnished by the Society, and the picture appears in John Richard May's "The Hawks of North America." Appreciation is expressed to W. L. McAtee of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for material used from "Food Habits of Common Hawks."

KNOW YOUR HAWKS?

COMMON NEBRASKA HAWKS

There are sixteen common species of hawks in Nebraska. Of the sixteen only three are definitely harmful to game and domestic birds.

Just what is a hawk? To the uninformed sportsman he is a pest, which should be shot on sight. He is a ruthless killer of game birds and animals, and his total extinction will automatically solve problems of wildlife conservation. To the average farmer he is a pirate who raids poultry flocks and scuttles coveys of game birds.

To nearly everyone all hawks are "chicken hawks," yet only three of these birds inhabiting or visiting Nebraska are harmful enough to require control. Even these three must not become totally extinct.

Fortunately, enough people have recognized the value of hawks and the comparative unimportance of their competition against man, so that only three Nebraska hawks are on the "unprotected" list. These three are the Cooper's Accipiter Coopeti, the sharpshinned Accipiter velox velox, and the American Goshawk Astur atricapillus. As a group these birds are commonly called bird hawks or accipiters.

Why do we use Greek and Latin names ? It would seem much easier to call a Cooper's Hawk by that name, or more simpV/, "Chicken Hawk." However, six other Nebraska hawks are called Chicken Hawks. This bird, just as an example, has thirteen other common names besides "Cooper's" and "Chicken Hawk."

Regardless of how many common names there are for the Cooper's Hawk, one definite scientific term identifies this bird in every country and every language of the world. Yes, including the Chinese and Malagasy: Accipiter Cooperi.

Long hours of study in the field are required to gain even a little skill in identifying hawks. Certainly one cannot become an expert by reading an article or two, or looking at a few pictures. A few simple illustrations, however, can point out certain differences in form and markings which may help to distinguish the more predacious hawks from the others.

In general the accipiters have relatively shorter, rounded wings and long, slender tails. When at rest the wings extend back about one-third the length of the tail. The larger, more beneficial hawks are characterized in flight by their soaring activity. The accipiters rarely soar. In the open field their flight consists of a few quick, easy wing strokes followed by a short glide. The sharpshin, easily confused with pigeon and sparrow hawks, does not hover. In pursuit of other birds the flight becomes darting, bullet-like, and deadly swift. They can follow their prey through natural hazards with amazing skill. Another activity which helps to distinguish the accipiters from other hawks is their habit of perching in the concealment of trees or other woody vegetation rather than sitting on fence posts or dead limbs.

Color characteristics are helpful in distinguishing the accipiters from other hawks, although coloration varies with the season and the age of the bird. As suggested by the common names of all three, the general appearance at rest is a rather dark bluish gray. A verbal description can only point out certain distinguishing features which may help in the use of color plates, diagrams, and field studies.

Something should be said of the relative abundance of the accipiter group. The goshawk occurs less frequently in Nebraska than the sharp-shin and cooper's, and therefore, is not as Important a predator as the other two. The sharpshin is quite abundant, but is the smallest of the three, and rarely preys on poultry or game. It does, however, take a toll of songbirds. The cooper's hawk is a common resident of the state and is large enough to kill game birds and poultry.

WHAT DO THEY EAT?

Range: Migrant visitor, rarely nesting in Nebraska.

Habits: Feeds principally on game birds, poultry, small birds, also mice, squirrels, rabbits. Swift flier, rarely soars.

Status: Was in danger of extinction, too rare to merit wholesale killing. Not protected by law in Nebraska.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK—Accipiter velox velox. Sharp-shin, Little Blue Darter, Little Blue Darter, Bullet Hawk, State Colored Hawk, Bird Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Partridge Hawk, Chicken Hawk, Fowl Hawk.

Description: Male Length 10-12", spread 20-23", Female length 12-14", spread 24-27". Upper parts dark bluish-gray, underparts whitish, heavily crossed with rusty-brown .throat finely cross lined. Wings barred, tail square or slightly notched.

Range: Fairly common over all of state, seldom breeds here. Migrates through or winters over.

Habits: Feeds largely on small birds, some young fowls and occasionally insects or small snakes, lizards. Status: Not protected by law in Nebraska. Care should be exercised in controlling this species.

COOPER'S HAWK—Accipiter cooperi. Big Blue Darter, Bullet Hawk, Swift Hawk, Black-capped Hawk, Privateer, Striker, Chicken Hawk, Hen Hawk, Quail Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Pheasant Hawk, Long Tailed Chicken Hawk. Description: Larger than sharpshin, Male length 14-18", spread 27-30", female, proportionately larger. Clearer, more uniform blue than sharpshin, blacker over crown. General coloration similar to sharpshin. Range: Over most of state, breeds in Nebraska, winters in southern part.

Habits: Similar to sharpshin in feeding, takes larger birds, rabbits, larger rodents, seldom soars, rests in denser trees. Status: Not protected by law. May become menace at times near game farms, or to poultry raisers.

RED-TAILED HAWKS (Eastern andWestern) Red Tail, Red Tailed Buzzard, Red Hawk, Hen Hawk, Kriders, Chicken Hawk, White Breasted Chicken Hawk, Squealing Hawk, Buzzard Hawk.

Description: Male, length 19-22.5", spread 46-50". Female 21-25", spread 48-58". Color very variable, usually dark chocolate above, mottled with gray. Underparts range from white through gray to dirty brown, some broken streaks. Feet yellow. Tail russet-reddish brown, often white-tipped.

Range: Breeds over all of state, may winter in south and southeast part.

Habits: Feeds largely on rodent pests, large and small. Also snakes, such as bullsnakes, rattlers; rarely birds.

Status: A highly beneficial bird protected by federal and state law. Valuable as means of ground squirrel control. Loud wheezy whistle, heard while soaring.

RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS—Buteo lineatus sp. Red Shoulder, Red Shoulder Buzzard, Hen Hawk, Big Chicken Hawk, Winter Hawk, Singing Hawk. Description: Slightly smaller than the Red—Tail. Male, length 17-23", spread 32.5-44", female, length 19-24", spread 39-50''. Dark red-brown above, some lighter flecks; appears black at a distance. Shoulders brighter reddish brown. Tail black with fine white bars, 4-6 in number.

Range: More to the eastern half of state, a very few in western Nebraska. Breeds and winters in the east to southeast part of the state.

Habits: Feeds largely on injurious rodents, but occasionally takes chickens or game birds, snakes. Loud, clear, screaming call. Rather tame bird, perching on posts, dead trees.

Status: Another highly beneficial bird despite occasional capture of game or poultry.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK— Buteo platypterus platypterus. Broad-winged Buzzard, Broad-winged, Chicken Hawk, Little Hawk.

Description: Smallest of Buteos. Male, length 13.5-16.5", spread 32-38"; female, length 15-19", spread 35.5-39". Dark graybrown above, whitish below, barred with brown. Underside of wings silvery-creamish white tail has 2 or three broad white bands. Brown mustache either side of bill.

Range: Breeds in eastern Nebraska. May occur infrequently in western part of state.

Habits: Rarely takes birds or poultry. Largely feeds on smaller rodents and insects, some lizards. Migrates in groups, hovers over prey, soars occasionally.

Status: A valuable bird, almost never merits destruction.

SWAINSON'S HAWK — Buteo Swainsoni Bonaparte. Prairie Hawk. Prairie Buzzard, Grasshopper (Black Hawk) Cohper Chicken Hawk, Hen Hawk, Brown Hawk.

Description: Male, length 19-21", spread 47-51", female length 19-22", spread 47-57". Variable in coloration -with seasons. Typically upper parts uniform dark brown with grayish tinge, tail ringed with indistinct lighter bands. Face white; breast ruddy chestnut, black streaked; rest of underparts whitish-cream colored with brownish spots or bars.

Range: Breeds in all but southeast part of state. Occurs in all of Nebraska throughout the year.

Habits: Almost never takes birds or game, feeds largely on small rodents, insects. Courses over prairies in sluggish circling flight, but keen when in pursuit of prey. Call, often repeated "ki-pick kipick" when descending on prey, i

Status: Another desirable bird, due to its habit of eating rodent pests and insects.

AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK — Buteo lagopus sancti-johannis. Rough Legged Buzzard, Ruf-leg, Black Hawk, Mouse Hawk, Squalling Hawk.

Description: Large hawk, variable color phases. Male length 19-22", spread 48-52", female length 21-24", spread 52-56". Legs

What's the Name of That Fish?

Much of your fishing fun may be spoiled by not knowing for sure what kind of fish you landed. No one knows the names of all the Nebraska fishes— some of them, such as minnows—haven't yet been named.

With a little knowledge of fish anatomy, anyone can win bets on fish identity. There are only three true catfish in Nebraska, although color variations and size differences may confuse the angler to a point where he may catch several of the same species and call them by different names. Neither color nor size are valuable in distinguishing species. The only infallible characters are fin and tail formations.

The channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus is distinguished by its deeply forked tail and 25-29 rays on the anal fin. Most channel cats are characterized by spots along its sides. The Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus also has a deeply forked tail, but is readily distinguished by having 32-35 rays in the anal fin and is not spotted.

The yellow or shovel head catfish Pilodictus olivaris does not have a deeply forked tail and has only 12-15 rays in the anal fin.

Note should be made of color variation of the catfish. They may vary dark to very light color with mottled effects, yet the observer who clings to ray counts cannot easily go wrong. The paddlefish, often called a catfish, is closely related to the sturgeons and is not in the catfish group.

Three bullheads occur in this state: the Northern black Ameiurus melas melas, the Northern brown Ameiurus nebulosus nebulosus, and the Northern yellow Ameiurus natalis natalis. Assuming that the angler can distinguish between bullheads and catfish, the bullheads can be identified thus: Northern black 17 to 19 whitish anal fin rays, color blackish. Northern brown 21 or 22 anal fin rays, color brownish. Northern yellow 24-27 anal fin rays, color generally yellowish.

The black bass is a commonly recognized game fish. The two species found in Nebraska are the large mouth Aplites salmeides and small mouth Micropterus dolomieu and are distinguished thus: the large mouth's jaws extend back of a point below the eyes, while the small mouth's jaws do not extend back of the eyes.

The sunfish or panfish group is confusing to most people and the members of the group are not readily distinguished without careful observation. Infallible characteristics are fin rays and scale counts taken along the lateral line.

White Crappie: Pomoxis annularis, rays of dorsal fin: 6 spiny, 18 soft. Rays of anal fin 6 spiny, 18 soft. Silvery olive color, dark green markings, indistinct vertical bars.

Black Crappie, or calico bass: Pomoxis sparoides, Dorsal fin 8 or 9 spiny, anal fin 6 spiny, 17-18 soft rays. Color cottied with green silvery olive background.

Bluegill: Helioperca machrochira, 42-45 scales along lateral line. Dorsal fin rays 10 spiny, 12 soft. Color bluish with many orange spots, arranged so that ground color forms series of vertical bars.

Rock Bass: Ambloplites rupestris, rays of anal fin 6 spiny, 10 soft. Color olive green, dark mottlings, black spot on hind part of cheek, dark spot on each scale.

Northern Pike: Esoc lucius, often confused with pickerel. Does not have scales on lower half of gill opercle, 13 or 14 anal rays, black spots on median fin.

Mud Pickerel: Esox vermiculatus, all of gill opercle with scales. Rays of dorsal fin 11 or 12, dark bar downward from eyes.

Walleye Pike: Stizostedion vitreum, body color brassy, dorsal fins well separated, eyes milky or muddy colored. Body cigar-shaped, large mouth, tail fin notched.

Yellow Perch: Perca flavescens, body compressed laterally, brassy green color, 7 dusky bars on sides, belly yellow, lower fins orange. Front dorsal fin 13-15 spiny rays; rear dorsal with 2 spiny and 13-15 soft rays.

Since the inception of the AAA, SCS and other agencies, thousands of small farm ponds have been constructed in Nebraska. These vary in size from mere pools to small lakes. Such ponds may easily become tremendously important as recreational spots, besides serving their purpose for flood control and stock water.

It is impractical for all of the ponds to fill all of their potential utilities; nevertheless many can be developed to the fullest extent.

A pond in which the minimum depth is about six feet may easily carry a population of bullheads over a normal winter, while six to eight feet of water may be necessary for propagating game fish. An adequate supply of water is necessary the year around for ideal fish management, although ponds can be allowed to go dry during drouth years and then re-stocked as rainfall increases.

Some provision must be made to stabilize the pond and its immediate environment. A good pond is well worth fencing to prevent damage to the shoreline and dam by livestock. Where it is necessary to use the water for live- stock, the water supply may be piped out of the fenced enclosure to a stock tank, or the livestock may be given access to the shore of the pond in a limited space.

Next, the pond should be prepared for fish stocking. The more trees and shrubs that are planted around the water's edge, the cooler the water will be during the hot summer months. Fish, especially sunfish, will thrive better in cool waer. Trees, shrubs and grass will also harbor some insects for fish food, and prevent silting in along the shoreline.

If the pond is to be stocked with crappies, bluegills, or even bass, it is essential that these species be provided with plenty of their natural foods. Since these species feed largely on insects and insect larvae, some provision must be made for supplying them. Aquatic insects such as dragon fly larvae, and may fly larvae depend on aquatic vegetation for protection and sustenance.

Many kinds of water plants are easily accessible, but here is an important point to remember: the soil at the bottom of a newly made pond is adapted to growing grass, weeds, or crops. It is almost never, when newly flooded, in condition to grow water plants. Grass will grow on a granite rock PROVIDED weather, bacteria, fungi, algae, lichens, and other agents have transformed the surface of the granite rock into fertile soil. The same, in principle, is true with the bottom of a pond. The bottom soil must pass through the capable hands of bacteria and other organisms which break down organic matter and build up the nutrients which are required by water plants. Here time is the only factor which can aid the pond manager. At least three years preferably five, should elapse before attempt is made to grow beds of water plants. Old, established ponds may be planted at once

Good Fishing

FISH STOCKING POLICIES OF THE COMMISSION

In almost every state in the union, artificial propagation of game fish plays an important role in fish management programs. Many physical and mechanical changes have occurred in Nebraska during the past ten years that make the fish hatchery a necessity. Artificial lakes are all dependent on artificial propagation for their initial stock of fish and for additions from time to time in order to keep up with the increasing fishing pressure. Flood conditions in late years have been a large factor in reducing natural propagation in Nebraska.

The Commission has established three fish hatcheries in the state to produce fish for the restocking of lakes and streams and also has established a rescue crew for the purpose of salvaging as many fish as possible that are stranded in the irrigation ditches and low lakes each year. It is not the Commission's intention, however to replace natural propagation entirely with artificial propagation, but to assist nature only to the extent necessary to make up deficiencies caused by natural losses and the fisherman's take.

In the case of Nebraska trout streams in particular, it has been necessary to depend almost entirely on the hatcheries for fish each year for restocking. In the smaller streams heavy run off and floods cause the trout to be washed out and any spawn in the streams to be covered with silt are completely washed away.

The present policy of the Commission in distributing and stocking the fish under its control is in the following order of precedence:

Primary obligation is in the stocking of all waters on lands owned and/or controlled by the State that are open to the public, these including State Recreation Grounds, State Parks, State Game Reserves, other State lakes, and wildlife areas.

Secondary obligation is in the stocking of all waters public or private that are opened entirely free to the public for fishing.

The Commission at the present time does not stock strictly private lakes or lakes where a charge is made for fishing. However, these areas are stocked by the Federal Hatcheries through formal application. The Commission has entered into an agreement with the Fede r a 1 Government whereby this department approves and stocks all Federal fish in the state, and in return all surplus fish over and above what are needed for applications are turned over to the State. The State of Nebraska thereby gets thousands of fish that formerly wetn to other states.

The application system is still used to some extent by the department. Anyone wanting fish fills in an application form. The application is then carefully checked and if approved the number and species of fish will be furnished which it is believed will thrive and do well in that particular lake.

During the last year "Stocking Plans" have been prepared for trout and catfish before the work starts. This saves time and money, besides getting better results from stocking since each place is studied and plans made in advance. The stocking plans will be studied and revised each year according to conditions. It is hoped that this system will

FOOD AND COVER IN GAME BIRD MANAGEMENT

The average person knows that wildlife requires both food and cover in order to exist and he often believes that any kind of food and cover, regardless of quantity, quality, or location is suitable for all kinds of wildlife. While some species of wildlife are more adaptable than others and may be able to live under a comparatively wild range of conditions, biologists realize that there are what we call optimum conditions for each wild animal, that is, conditions under which the animal fares best. In spite of the fact that biologists are well aware of the existence of optimum conditions for each species of wildlife, they have barely scratched the surface in their efforts to determine what constitutes optimum conditions.

When mention is made of the conditions or environment under which wildlife (or for that matter, human beings) live, a question that immediately comes to mind is, "What makes up an environment?". When such a question arises, it is difficult to limit thoughts to only one or two items constituting an environment. In addition to food and cover soil, minerals, topography, elevation and climate are a few of the items included in an environment. Each has a greater or lesser influence on the other's so that although food and cover are the two items that man can manipulate at will, he is imited by the influence of the other factors. Sometimes try to ignore nature by planting plants or animals where they will not survive, or if they survive, they may not increase as desired. The reason attemps have been made to establish plants and animals in areas not suited to them lies in oar lack of knowledge or the species, and the conditions under which it lives in its native state or country. If a species was formerly native to a section of a country and has since become extinct, unsuccessful efforts to reintroduce the species can usually be traced to a lack of understanding of the reasons for its original disappearance. We are justified in reasonable attempts to introduce new species which are believed desirable since the species may be able to successfully adapt itself to Its new home. There is no better way to find out.

In getting back to the two items controllable by man—food and cover—it is   Outdoor Nebraska—August, 1942 13 well to first decide the meaning of these two words. When you hear these terms as applied to wildlife, each of you picture in your mind some particular part of the country or portion of a farm with which you are familiar.

Game food has been defined as follows: "A game food, in the sense used in management, is any material which is eaten by game for maintenance or for productivity." Based on this definition, it might be difficult to determine whether certain items eaten contributes to the maintenance o f productivity, but the point is that regardless of other causes of game mortality, an item eaten by the game cannot be considered food unless it is of such quality as to reproduction, maintenance of the species in a condition conducive to reproduction, assuming, of course, that sufficient food is available.

Cover and covert may be defined as "shelter for game". Cover is the kind of materials of which the covert is composed. Cover may refer to a single plant or a very small area; covert is a geographic unit of cover.

We know that the food and cover requirements for any given species in a given area varies in quality and quantity according to the age of the animal, seasons, and even time of day. It is the aim of wild life biologists to determine what these requirements are so that game managers, farmers, sportsmen and other interested individuals will know what to do to hold or increase wildlife on the land. The biologist's recommendations must be as practical as possible and must fit into the scheme of proper land use as determined by agricultural and soil technicians.

There are several methods or "tools" for controlling food and cover plants. These methods fall into two classifications—those that set it back. In the former class are planting, fencing against stock and protecting against fire. In the latter class are cutting, plowing, grazing, and burning. We may call these natural tools. The latter group of tools, that is those used to set back succession, have been used in the Southeast on large plantations where quail hunting is an important industry. Probably such methods should not be used where agriculture is the chief industry.

We have artificial tools for the construction of cover with physical objects (brush, wire, lumber), changing the quality of a site through fertilization, drainage, or impounding water, and the placing or leaving of food in places accessible to game.

Although we have much to learn in the matter of habitat requirements of our game birds, there are three facts of general nature that must be kept in mind and which apply to most game birds and mammals.

1. Winter is the critical season.

2. Food and cover in proper quantity and quality, must be as near as

Old Game Warden

Well folks, this is my first chance to say "howdy" with a verbal handshake. You'll hear more from me in the future, and I want to hear from you. Let's have your gripes and your bouquets, if any, and I'll air out a few pet peeves and maybe toss a lily of my own from time to time. I get around quite a bit, and come across ome strange things such as this one:

Old Mose, a colored gentleman from Omaha, age 73, done got himself messed up again with a short bass. When I approached him, he was taking it off of his stringer. He says, "Officer, I done know'd this fish is short but when I katched him I throws him back, out in the lake, and sure enough he done float right back to mah feet. I says, 'fish go way from me', and I throws him out in the lake again and he sure enough float right back to mah feet again, and I says, 'fish, stay away from me now', and I throws him out again and sure enough he done float right back to my feet again and I puts him on the stringer, so officer, you sees I done trys to keep away from that fish." Well, I let old Mose keep the bass, as it was dead, and informed Mose to be careful about the next one that was short. The beauty about the fish floating back to his feet was that it had to float directly against the wind.

You know, a lot of people have the idea that the only work a warden does is to sneak up on and nab law violators. Well, such activity does require a large part of the warden's time, but he has other things to do too. He is the link between the Game Commission and the sportsman. He must be constantly on guard to protect our fish and game from enemies other than man. It is his duty to tell you when fishing and hunting are best in his territory. He must know the location of every lake and stream and woodland. Hours mean nothing to him. In the summer he camps out along lakes and streams and keeps a lonely vigil on our wildlife resources. He can be as "tough" as any hardened violator, yet he will spend his own valuable spare time teaching a freckle-nosed youngster how to hunt or fish.

So the next time you are asked to show your license, remember the warden is only doing his duty to you and your fellow sportsmen.

Much anxiety has been evidenced by Nebraska sportsmen regarding the welfare of game on military areas. In contacting a number of these areas the Nebraska Game Commission has learned that military and engineering officials are giving every possible consideration to wildlife. At one military center extreme precautions were given to safeguard thousands of waterfowl nesting in the area which might have been in danger by blasting.

The publicity department of the Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission announces release of a 16 mm. Kodachrome Motion Picture in both sound and silent versions entitled "The Making of a Shooter". The movie is produced by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers institute and has been loaned to the Game Commission for distribution.

The movie shows graphically the fundamentals of safety in handling firearms in the field. Schools, sportsmen's and other groups desiring either the sound or silent version may obtain it by writing to the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, State House, Lincoln, Nebraska, and agreeing to pay transportation chargs for the film. Literature describing the movie will be sent on request.

SPENDING YOUR AMMUNITION TAX

Nebraska is making full use of Pittman-Robertson funds raised by the "dime on a dollar" tax on hunting equipment. To date, a total of $163,640.32 has been utilized, and a substantial appropriation is expected for next year. With a staff of eight lively and energetic young wildlife experts keeping the ball rolling, the Game Commission looks forward to a highly successful restoration program.

The Commission got on the bandwagon in 1939 when the first Pittman-Robertson project was set up under the direction of L. P. Vance, who is now coordinator of seven Pittman-Robertson projects. Sixty-three cooperative pheasant rearing units set up in the State over a three-year period produced 33,408 birds, or sixteen and one-half tons of potential game producers. Due to tremendous natural pheasant increase, the Fish and Wildlife Service, which administers Pittman-Robertson funds, advised restriction of rearing units to a few localities where pheasants still are not plentiful.

Seven other projects have gone into effect. The first of those was a Quail Restoration Project in Southeastern Nebraska. Under the leadership of William R. Cunningham, 130 restoration areas were developed on 40 refuges. Ninetysix thousand trees and shrubs were planted for quail cover. Set up for a twto-year period in May, 1940, the project was completed in September, 1941, when 1,799 adult quail were released on the refuges.

A double-header project began in July, 1941, with headquarters at McCook. Under the leadership of Roald Amundson, 100 game management areas were established in eight counties (Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Red Willow, Gosper and Furnas) with 56,000 trees and shrubs planted near farm ponds and canyon heads for bird cover. This project, now managed by H. C. Howard, will be completed August 1st this year. Work will begin at once in an eight-county block east of the McCook area.

Working out at Wayne, T. A. Schrader began the second half of the project last winter. To date, 98 cover plantings have been made on 28 game management areas, using a total of 100,000 trees and shrubs. Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Wayne, Thurston, Pierce and Antelope counties are included in the Wayne region.

In another development project, two and one-half miles of spoil banks along the canal on the Loup River Public Power District were planted to trees and shrubs, grasses and legumes.

Cunningham is now operating a program designed to coordinate Soil Conservation Service work with the Upland Game Restoration activity. Under this setup, farmers who are cooperating with S. C. S. districts set aside wasteland for wildlife development. The Game Commission furnishes fence materials and planting stock to be used by the farmers for bird cover improvement. About 40 farmers have gone into the program thus far, and results point to future use of huge tracts of land as active game management areas.

Realizing that without practical investigations into wildlife problems much time and money can be wasted, the Game Commission sponsors a research program designed to obtain facts and figures on game problems.

David Damon, Leader of the Investigation Project is stationed at Pawnee City. His work with the quail in that area has disclosed valuable facts to aid quail management. At Ord, Dr. H. Elliott McClure is producing the goods on pheasants in Central Nebraska, with emphasis on census methods and food habits. Levi L. Mohler at Ogallala is turning out useful data on prairie chickens and sharp-tail grouse. Since the pheasant is the most valuable game bird in Nebraska, the research project is concerned more directly with pheasants.

In Nebraska's own section of the Black Hills, 4,806 acres of land have been purchased or are on option. In the Pine Ridge region, more than 4,000 mule deer are known to range through the hills. When the project has been completed, these tracts will be fenced and the pine-covered hills used primarily as a deer   16 Outdoor Nebraska—August, 1942 sanctuary as well as a haven for other game native to the area. Fishing will be permitted in the trout streams here, and the wildlife areas will afford excellent facilities for nature study.

L. P. Vance, of Lincoln, acts as the tie-up man for the Pittman-Robertson projects. Vance directs the activities of the research and restoration personnel and is responsible for the coordination of the several projects. A series of bimonthly conferences are held among the Pittman-Robertson men at various parts of the State. These meetings are devoted to roundtable discussions, hashing over game problems and make the findings of the research men directly available to the restoration personnell.

FISH STOCKING

soon replace the application system entirely.

It is the intention of the Commission to furnish only the foundation or breeding stock for new lakes and the fish should then be protected until they reproduce. In restocking the intention is to supply only enough fish to bring the number back to where the fish will grow to a large size and reproduce. When too many fish are stocked in a lake, the result is that the lake produces small, stunted fish that nobody wants to catch. Any body of water will produce a certain poundage of fish depending on the type of water and the available food supply. The result will be either a large number of small fish or a smaller number of large fish. Any good fishing lake when once stocked with the correct number and species of fish should produce enough fish to keep it well stocked for several years. However, the lake must be fished enough to keep down the oversupply of small fish that are hatched each year.

With the exception of trout and salvaged fish the Commission furnishes only fingerlings for stocking or replacement purposes. If large fish were furnished entirely, it would be necessary to charge from thirty to 60 cents per pound, and the present ?1 fishing permit would buy very few pounds of fish.

The fish from the hatcheries are stocked during two annual distribution periods, in the spring and in the fall. The spring period is in March, April, and May, and the fall period is in September, October, and November. Any applications to be filled during any period should be received by the Commission before the beginning of the period so that trips can be planned to the best advantage. Any applications received after each period or any that cannot be filled during any period are held over until the next period. New applications must be sent in each year, as conditions are sometimes different than the previous year.

It is the main purpose of the Commission in the propagation and stocking of game fish to promote the maintenance and increasing of the fish supply in the state. To this end, the Commission is constantly working for improved methods of propagation and stocking.

Dogs

My wife doesn't like dogs. She wouldn't have dogs around. They spoil the garden, the lawn, the trees—and Heaven forbid a dog in the house! I like dogs. I also like my wife. The only thing for me to do was to keep still. I did, most of the time. Finally the little lady decided it would be all right to have a dog in town if the backyard was fenced; a kennel could be built in the back—out of sight.

It gets cold in the winter, so maybe the dog could spend part of the time in the garage. The garage gets drafty when its cold and the snow sifts in. When its real bad, a dog could go in the basement by the furnace where its warm.

The neighbors have a dog, "Rowdy" they call him—a beautiful fawn-colored cocker. He is as smart as a whip, does tricks, lives in the house. The little lady and "Rowdy" took quite a liking to one another.

I got a dog, "Bee-Neau" we call him —a liver and white springer spaniel. He was supposed to be my dog. He is 'our' dog.

Bee-Neau slept in the house the first night; on the buffalo rug near the bed. He slept the same place the second night. He was a cute little fellow. The wife lifted him onto the bed the third night. He slept at our feet. He still does.

Bee-Neau got his own eating place in the kitchen—a burlap sack and a red dish. Always he was to be fed before we ate, and always in the same place. He was—for the first week. It was so much fun bringing his "table" into the dining room with us at meal time. His eyes were so pathetic when he begged for food from our plates. The wife wouldn't bear having a dog at the table! —but she does. Bee-Neau eats with us regularly at mealtime at the table. He doesn't have his own chair yet, but even I won't be surprised if he does. He is   18 Outdoor Nebraska—August, 1942 so polite when eating-. Always takes his portion so gentlemanly the wife says.

Dog hair is a nuisance on the rug. It was a terrible nuisance before Bee-Neau came to live with us. Maybe the rug won't last as long with daily clean-ing. Maybe it will last longer. The wife says having Bee-Neau around makes some extra work. But not much. Tracks to wipe up six or seven times a day—daily cleaning—letting Bee-Neau in and out-of-doors as he cares to go —but there is always time off.

Bee-Neau likes to play. He has his ball, and bone, and "Charlie." "Charlie'' is a Charlie McCarthy doll. A little the worse for wear right now as he is the favorite for retrieving. Bee-Neau likes to retrieve. Any moment he can steal from the little lady, he comes carrying "Charlie" in the side of his mouth for the wife to throw. She gets a big thrill out of the way Bee-Neau pounces on "Charlie" when he retrieves.

Bee-Neau is still a pup. Even a pup can do things to you. The wife says now if I'll build a kennel, she thinks it would be swell to raise dogs in the backyard. I'll have to talk against that. One dog in the house is plenty!

FARM PONDS

with bulrushes, coontail, cat-tail, pond weeds and other aquatic species.

Usually, a pond which is well established may be stocked at once with bullheads as these are largely bottom feeders, and will find enough small plant and animal life to thrive. Other fish may be stocked after the aquatic vegetation has attained a good growth.

If the pond is large enough, and contains shallow shoals, further fish food can be provided in the form of minnows. This may be a dangerous practice, however, and should be done only under the advice or supervision of an expert. The danger lies in that among the minnows provided may be small carp which might grow up to ruin the pond for other fish.

Such forage minnows as shiners and blunt nose feed on organisms too small to be utilized by game fish. They reproduce rapidly and in turn provide an important part of the game fish diet.

Stock for the farm pond may be secured in several ways. If the pond is large enough, and the owner will open the waters to the public, he may obtain fish stock from the Game Commission by application to the Commission and adhering to state regulations.

If the the owner wishes to preserve the fish for the use of himself and his friends, he may purchase breeding stock from the Commission. Fish may be had from the state on this basis only if there is a surplus of stock on hand.

A third method which may be employed is perhaps the most economical. Any fishing license holder, who catches fish suitable for stocking (legal size) becomes the rightful owner of the fish. He may then, if he wishes, keep the fish alive and put them in his pond. It is necessary, of course, that this person observe bag limits and other regulations. Bullheads are easily stocked in this manner, since they are tolerant to handling. Crappies and bluegills require plenty of ogygen and arrangements should be made to transport them in plenty of fresh water.

The Nebraska Game Commission will make every effort to furnish all available technical advice on the development of farm ponds for recreational purposes. Those who wish to inquire for information should give a description of the pond, stating size, average depth, location with respect to the land drained into the pond, and the age of the pond. The Commission will supply the name and address of the nearest commercial hatchery or give other advice on securing breeding stock, aquatic and shoreline plantings.

1. Be sure the pond is at least 6 feet deep.

2. Be sure the pond has a reasonably stable water line.

3. Make arrangements for tree and shoreline planting at once.

4. Be sure the pond will be protected from livestock.

5. Remember that water plants require time in becoming established.

6. Avoid over-stocking—too many fish will mean underfed, and undersized fish.

7. Observe fishing regulations at all times.

8. Do not forget that a pond developed for fish is also a haven for game birds, song birds and fur bearers.

Sportsmans Widow

Carp are found in many of our interior lakes and streams, although the larger quantity is taken from the Mississippi river and its tributaries. These are shipped to markets in various parts of the country, and are an inexpensive and wholesome fish; in fact, few foods can furnish the quality and variety of nutritional factors which are provided in fishery products.

In preparing carp, a simple operation removes the entire skin is to plunge the fish (or its fillets) into boiling water, allowing it to remain for about 25 seconds after boiling starts again. The skin may then be easily rubbed off while the fish is hot, and the flesh rinsed in cold water. If the boiling is continued too long, the flesh may break up.

After dressing the carp should be treated as outlined below. It was found in the Bureau of Fisheries' laboratory that this preliminary treatment imparted to the cooked fish an excellent flavor. The treatment consists of covering the dressed fish or fillet with a mixture made in the following proportions :

Chop and crush the onion by passing through the finest plate of food chopper, saving all the juice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Place the fish in a deep plate and cover all surfaces with the mixture and allow it to istand for 1 hour. The fish is then thoroughly rinsed and the mixture discarded. The fish then should be washed in a pan of cold water for about 1 minute to remove any last traces of salt on its surface.

The fish prepared as above and split or filleted to about % inch thickness is wet in cold water and rolled in a mixture of cornmeal and flour or crumbs as desired. Do not use additional seasoning. The fish is fried by the same method as other fish.

The fish prepared as previously described may be baked whole with stuffing or baked flat in slices, using the following method:

Mix the salt and pepper into the liquids and stir in celery.

Pour this mixture slowly over the bread with which the sage and onion has been mixed, with stirring, so as to moisten it thoroughly. Cover for a few minutes.

Brush fish with cooking oil. Lay 2 strips of bacon in the greased baking pan. Stuff the fish, tie with string to hold in stuffing, and place it on the strips of bacon. Lay 2 strips of bacon on the fish. Place In the center of the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 500° F. Then lower the temperature to 400° F, and bake 8 to 10 minutes longer.

Carp may also be cooked with sliced onions, stewed tomatoes, or other suitable vegetables, if desired, or served with Creole sauce, white sauce, or other sauces. An excellent dish is obtained by dipping the slices of fish into milk (without salt), rolling in sifted bread crumbs, and putting a teaspoonful of cooking oil over each service portion of fish. The fish should be placed in an oiled pan and baked for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 550° to 600° F.

Ladies! May we have some of your prize game recipies for publication? Please send them in.

HAWKS

feathered to toes. Light phase: Head, neck, back light creamy buff, streaked with brown, tail base and underside of wings white, black tipped. All birds mostly mixture of light and dark streaks. Dark phase: Very dark, sooty brown over all, some white on forehead.

Bange: A rather common winter visitant in east and southeast part of state, less frequent in western part.

Habits: Feeds largely on rodent pests, but is often shot because it frightens wild ducks and other game birds. Flies with tail closed, but spread tail when soaring. Rather tame, sluggish.

Status: A decidedly beneficial bird, should be rigidly protected. Relatively numerous.

FEFEBBUGINOUS BOUGH-LEGGED HAWK Buteo regalis. Chap Hawk, Squirrel Hawk, Gopher Hawk, Rusty Hawk, Rusty Squirrel Hawk, Prairie Eagle, Eagle Hawk.

Description: Rather larger than American Rough-legged. Markings somewhat similar to the American but more brightly colored, chestnut in bars or streaks, lighter on underparts, with leg feathers (to toes) a deep chestnut color.

Bange: More to the western part of state, breeds and winters here.

Habits: Similar to American Roughlegged, open prairie. Fond of prairie dogs as part of diet. Takes bullsnakes, and at times upland game birds and poultry.

Status: A valuable bird despite occasional taking of poultry or game. Less common than the American Rough-legged.

MABSH HAWK—Circus hudsonius. Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Bog trotter, Bog Hawk, Frog, Mouse, Snake, Rabbit, Mole, Mouser, Blue White-rumped. Description: Male length 17.5-20", spread 40-50"; Female length 19-24", spread 43.554". Sexes differ in color, but both have a distinguishing white patch on back just above the tail. Males—pale bluish, ashygray with blackish wing tips. Some rufous on underside of tail and indistinct blackish bars on tail. Females—a dark brown with darker bars over tail and wings, underside streaked with dark brown.

Bange: State wide, both nesting and winter.

Habits: Much discussion has occurred whether this bird is harmful. Takes a variety of food, from game birds to rodent pests and insects. Courses low over ground around marshes or open prairie. Alternately flaps wings and glides. Cry is loud screech and often repeated.

Status: Occurs in numbers insufficient to warrant control. Beneficial habits probably overbalance harmful ones.

EASTEBN SPABBOW HAWK—Falco sparverius. American Kestrel, Killy Hawk, Windhover, Grasshopper, Mouse.

Description: Male length 8.75-10.5", spread 20-22", Female length 9-12", spread 23-24.5". Male, upper parts reddish cinnamon with black bars. Top of head ashy blue, russet crown patch. Cheeks and throat white. Chain of black marks on face and neck. Rump, tail chestnut, black and white bar at tip. Wing coverts blue, black spotted. Breast tawny, becoming whitish on belly, black spotted. Female, head markings same as male, rest of body duller in color and closely cross barred with black. Underparts streaked rather than spotted.

Bange: Breeds throughout state, winters infrequently in extreme southwest.

Habits: Takes smaller birds but feeds largely on insects and smaller rodents. Almost never takes poultry or game. Hovers over prey, rarely soars. Quite tame.

Status: The most beautiful and colorful of hawks, not harmful enough to require control.

PIGEON HAWK—Falco columbaris sp. American Merlin, Blue Bullet, Little Corporal, Bullet, Pigeon Falcon.

Description: Small, male length 10-10.5", spread 23..4-26", female length 12-13.5", spread 24-26.5". Male, slate blue above, black streaks, neck rusty cast, tail with 3-4 whitish bars, underparts creamy or buff, heavy streaks black except throat. Female, underparts same as male, but brownish above and neck streaked. Tail with yellowish bands or bars and white tip.

Bange: Breeds north of Nebraska, but is a common visitant during spring and fall migration.

Habits: A killer of small birds, but also takes large amounts of insects, rodents. Soars very little; flight resembles that of duck hawk but not so powerful.

Status: Needs control only in far northern breeding grounds; is not numerous enough in migration range to do much damage to economically valuable birds.

A Housewife's Lament:

"Behold the fisherman: he riseth early in the morning and arouseth the whole household; mighty are his preparations. He goeth forth while it is yet dark and returneth at a late hour, smelling of strong drink. And the truth is not in him."

Some of you ladies who not only have to wait patiently at home while the "chief" is out fishing, but have to clean the scaly specimens he tarings home, may profit by this hint. Heavily scaled fish are cleaned easier if they are first scalded with hot water much in the manner of scalding chickens. If properly done, and a few trials will make you an expert, the scales will slip off slick as a banana peel, instead of flying into your eyes, nostrils, and Junior's supper. If the fish are still alive enough to flop around, be sure to kill them before applying the hot water.

Junior Conservationist

Well, how goes the summer vacation? You undoubtedly have done a lot of fishing this summer and here is hoping that you are having lots of luck. When you catch a fish do you ever think of the story behind that fish wiggling in your hand? Your state has gone to a lot of work and expense to provide fish for you to catch, and there are many things that you can do to help your state produce more and better fishing in the future. Let's have a look at some of the little things that you can do.

First, after catching a fish, did you wet your hands before handling it? Do you know that if your hands are dry when you touch a fish out of water it will wipe some of the body covering off the fish and cause small germs from the air to stick on the skin of the fish, and if the fish is placed in water again these germs will cause a disease that will probably kill the fish? Perhaps you have seen a dead fish floating around with a fuzzy growth on its body. That fish would have lived if someone had wet their hands before they touched it. The next time you catch a fish which is too small, remember to wet your hands before you touch it; you will probobly be making a large fish to catch later. If you see some one else throwing back small fish without wetting their hands before handling them, just tell them in a nice way that you are a Junior Conservationist and that you would like to have other people help in the conservation of fish and game in the state.

Another thing we can do to conserve our fish is to show fishermen that it is not wise to use very small hooks. Perhaps you have seen people fishing with small hooks and noticed that the fish usually swallows it. The hook is so small that he just gulps the whole thing down, bait, hook and all. When the hook is removed the inside of the throat and gills are so badly torn that the fish dies after being thrown back. You know from your own experiences that if larger hooks had been used the fish would only have been hooked in the outer parts of the mouth, and it would have been easy to get the hook out, and the fish would have a chance to live after being returned to water.

How would yoa like to have a Junior Conservationists club in your state ? You could have your own rules and regulations, and we could use one or two pages in each issue of this magazine for your letters and ideas on how to make Nebraska a better state for those who love outdoor life. Would you like to see your name in print? Well, just give us some ideas on what kind of a club you would like to have, or send us a letter telling us some of the things the kids in your town are doing for the birds, fish ©r animals and we will see to it that you get your name in this magazine.

Well, send us a lot of letters, and remember, one of your best friends is your local game warden. He will help you in becoming a Junior Conservationist. When you have proven to him that you are interested in helping in the conservation of wildlife perhaps we can present you with a certificate acknowledging your work and ability. Anyway, write this department and let us have a story of the things you are doing or would like to do.

This will be your section of this magazine from now on so let's see your letters in print.

UPLAND GAME

possible to each other for maximum use.

3. More than one type of cover is required by most species.

During the winter months when insects are scarce, our game birds depend largely upon seeds for food. The examination of crops and gizzards of Sandhill pheasants show that this species lives largely on wild plants during the winter. Probably the pheasant, in farming regions, depends more on cultivated grains. More investigation is needed here. Cultivated grains (chiefly corn) are the staple foods of wintering prairie chickens. The quail which increases with early agriculture is quite dependent on cultivated grain during the winter in Nebraska but there is evidence that some coveys subsist on nature seeds. Corn is its chief winter diet although soybeans when available, are taken in large quantities.

With the dropping of leaves in the fall, cover of suitable quality shrinks tremendously. This is particularly true of quail cover. Some of the most desirable cover may be too far from a good food supply in which case neither food nor cover may be utilized by the species. As a result, the winter carrying capacity of the area is reduced despite an apparent goodly amount of food and cover.

Game birds require escape or refuge cover, nesting cover and roosting cover. Other types of cover may be listed but in the case of game birds loafing, dusting and other activities, they may as well be carried on in the above three types. A brushpile located in a pasture might serve as both nesting and escape cover. Birds might roost in the same cover they nest in.

More data is needed on food and cover of quail (especially during Spring and Summer). The following statements may be of some assistance to those desiring to improve quail habitats.

1. On the Pawnee Area, the quail tended to leave the more grassy summer homes and showed a preference for weedy areas during the fall.

2. Two factors probably prompted this shift. (a) The cutting of wild hay in late summer. (b) The ripening of weed seeds.

3. As Autumn progresses and the herbaceous plants lose their leaves the quail seek woody cover adjacent to food (corn and soybeans).

4. Osage orange was the preferred winter cover on the Pawnee area, but woodlots with lose brush piles or clumps of underbrush were also used.

5. Planted and fenced draws in a pasture far removed from available feed were not used in winter.

6. Two coveys of quail successfully wintered with only 4 birds each. In each case food and cover were limited, but adjacent.

7. As Spring approaches, the birds scatter in pairs. At that time, they are usually found in pastures with relatively long grasses or pastures with short grass if these have some open timber or 'islands' of buckbrush.

8. Less data is available on Summer requirements, but it is known that grassy sites, especially pastures, are used. Wild hay fields are thought to be the favorite nesting sites. There is a little evidence that open water may be required during the hot months.

9. There is no evidence of a food or cover problem during the summer on the Pawnee area. Such a problem is limited to the Winter season. If Winter food and cover conditions are improved, the carrying capacity is increased. There are practical and possibly biological limits to carrying capacities.

10. In Western Nebraska, quail population is poorly distributed because of a poor distribution of cover (and perhaps water.) Strategically located plantings of drought-resistant species of shrubs and trees would provide many quailless farms with this native bird.

THE OUTLINE OF HISTORY

Vacations

Niobrara Park has excellent lodging facilities with reasonable rates. A bathing beach, six-hole golf course, bridle paths and scenic drives. Fishing this year has produced a seven pound bass and an eighteen pound catfish as prize catches. Thirty-three species of trees and shrubs grow in the park—one of Nebraska's most popular vacation spots.