Outdoor NEBRASKA

Vol. 33, No. 4 EDITOR: Wallace Green Artist C. G. Pritchard Circulation Marjorie French Leota Ostermeier COMMISSIONERS Harold H. Hummel, Fairbury; Frank Button, Ogallala; Bennett Davis, Omaha; La Verne Jacobsen, St. Paul; Donald F. Robertson, North Platte; Floyd Stone, Alliance; Leon Sprague, Red Cloud. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Paul T. Gilbert. CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING DIVISION: Eugene H. Baker, supervisor. FISHERIES DIVISION: Glen R. Foster, supervisor. GAME DIVISION: Lloyd P. Vance, supervisor. INFORMATION DIVISION: Wallace Green. LAND MANAGEMENT DIVISION: Jack D. Strain, supervisor. All material appearing in this magazine may be reprinted upon request. Editorial "A SLOTHFUL MAN WILL NOT CATCH HIS PREY, BUT THE DILIGENT MAN WILL GET PRECIOUS WEALTH." (PROBVERBS:12TH CHAP. 27TH VERSE)

THE COVER: This issue's cover depicts a buck mule deer bounding down a slope in Nebraska's Pine Ridge country; according to C. G. "Bud" Pritchard. See pages 14 and 15 for more information on this big game animal.

NEBRASKA FARMER PRINTING CO., LINCOLN, NEBR.

Looking For A Club Project? HUNTER SAFETY TRAINING GUIDE

by Bill Clede

IN THE five short years that the National Rifle Association's national hunter safety program has actually been in effect, results have been realized that continually point out the benefit of training new hunters in the proper gun handling afield.

The adage that safety is best attained through education is repeatedly proven to be true. Statistical reports of official state hunter safety programs invariably show a decided reduction in the firearms accident rate proportionate with the degree and scope of the education offered.

Every true sportsman recognizes this great need for training, and more than nine thousand competent hunters throughout the nation have voluntarily met requirements of experience and a written examination to become NRA instructors in their own communities.

Getting Certified

The procedure for becoming certified as an instructor is relatively simple. By writing to the National Rifle Association, 1600 Rhode Island Avenue, N. W., Washington 6, D. C, you may request and receive a packet of information on attaining this rating.

On becoming certified, you receive an official identification card stating that you are rated as an INSTRUCTOR in the NRA Hunter Safety Program and are thereby authorized to conduct classes and to award official certificates to successful graduates of the course.

In the effort to institute a corps of trained instructors, many offical and quasi-official groups have sponsored instructor training clinics. A basic knowledge of hunting and gun safety is necessary for all instructors. But of even greater importance is the ability to pass that knowledge along to others. Instructor guides and other training materials are available from NRA at moderate cost to aid you in your teaching.

Organization

The problems of sponsorship, place, and publicity are up to you to resolve. An individual instructor, beginning a hunter safety course on his own, is confronted with these problems, and so is the club which sponsors a course.

Problems are not insurmountable even for the individual, but the responsibilities are negligible when divided among the members of a committee. For this reason, the rifle club, sportsman's club or other civic-minded groups which sponsor a hunter safety course FALL ISSUE 3   would do well to establish a committee for safety training consisting of at least five persons.

The Chairman is, of course, responsible for the over-all operation of the entire program. Assistants serve to lessen the workload on any one individual.

One committeeman should be charged with providing the place to conduct the course; he may be called the "Range Officer."

Best results may be obtained by having separate range and classroom facilities and, wherever possible, an outdoor area where actual field problems may be presented to the students and solved by them.

Another responsibility is that of assuring that all necessary supplies and training material is available at the right place when needed by the course instructor. A Supply Officer should order all materials so that duplications may be avoided.

The Secretary should maintain a record of those students who are qualified as Safe Hunters by keeping a record of the NRA Student Registration Cards. These cards, available from the NRA, may be retained in your own files as a separate report form, are furnished for you to notify the NRA of your activities. Other duties such as correspondence, attendance records and progress reports naturally fall to this office.

In addition to providing for extra instructors, the committee must have a means of informing the public of the program. The Public Relations Officer serves the many needs of promotion. But let's deal with him later.

Getting Under Way

While the Supply Officer is ordering the material suggested in the NRA Hunter Safety Instructor's Guide, the Range Officer arranges for the location. The local high school will often have a rifle range and certainly the classrooms, so contact the principal and explain the purpose of your project Since several states have enacted legislation permitting the public schools to include instruction in proper gun handling, the principal will probably be happy to make the needed space available.

National Guard armories and other military installations have been found to be very cooperative in providing ranges. A local NRA club is an excellent bet.

These classes need not be conducted indoors alone. During the cold months comfort dictates indoor activity but it is preferable to hold classes outdoors, weather permitting. A safe, though perhaps temporary, range may be established in a vacant pasture providing an adequate backstop is available. A wooded area, in a safe direction from the range, may be utilized to conduct actual field problems.

Fences, creeks, boats and simulated obstacles may confront the students while the instructor is afforded the opportunity to observe the students' reactions and correct possible errors.

Spread ihe Word

Now that you have the necessary personnel, material and place, all you have to do is "spread the word." It may be better not to over-publicize the first session since more people show up than your group can properly handle.

However, with a schedule of consecutive courses, you should make up a master list of all prospective students and schedule classes to begin on definite dates. As soon as an individual has been scheduled to attend a certain class, advise him when to appear and where the course is to be held. He will not mind waiting as much if he knows that he is registered and scheduled.

Regardless of the advance publicity given to your activity, few persons may appear interested. Consider your own reactions to news items—are you more interested in a notice of some pending activity or are you more favorably impressed with a report of some successful course actually being conducted?

When the first class graduates, take a good picture and submit an 8x10 glossy print along with a short write-up of the course to your local newspaper. Keep the report limited in length. The editor must consider the amount of space he can devote to any one story and, even though your safety course is newsworthy, it cannot monopolize the page. Be sure to emphasize the success of your course and the benefits received; and mention names, especially important or well-known ones.

If at all possible, the Public Relations Officer should get to know the local editor; contrary to the amateur's belief, he is a human just like us. Inform him of your activity and keep him posted of new developments and interesting ocurrances, and he will give you all the help he can.

An excellent method of promoting this activity is to offer to conduct a Hunter Safety Course for a Boy Scout troop, school class or other group.

In any event, keep the news items going to the paper. Report unusual incidents or items of general interest and you will keep the inquiries coming in.

Review the Course

When the first class is completed the group should get together and thoroughly discuss every detail. Was anything left out? What did we need but not have? Did the class have a convenient number of students? Did the students receive the training they were led to believe they would receive?

Just as a child learns by asking questions, so do we. Question every aspect of this first course and, where needed, improve or correct anything left undone.

Remember that you have behind you the combined resources of the National Rifle Association and many other organizations which are wholeheartedly supporting the hunter safety program.

They will do everything in their power to help you make your classes a success.

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA 4

A Case For LONG PHEASANT SEASONS

A study program conducted by the Ohio Conservation Commission indicates a new concept on the length of pheasant seasons—at least in Ohio. (Reprint from Ohio Conservationist)

IT WAS 3:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon when we left the car in the barnyard, loaded up and unleashed the beagles. We cut across an alfalfa field and started up a wide ditch. We had covered about two hundred yards when it happened.

My six months old pup, who had been working the bottom of the ditch, came to the top of the bank, stiffened and started down the edge of the ditch as hard as she could go using her beautiful chop voice the way a beagler loves to hear it. I looked at my partner and said "pheasant" even though neither of us had seen any game. The pup took the line about forty yards, turned and dove down into the ditch. Up came a cackling cock bird in all his autumn beauty. He swung to the left and started down wind coming back past us about twenty-five yards away. We didn't shoot; we couldn't. The season was closed. It was a week too late. There we stood.

Job commitments had kept both of us from doing much hunting earlier in the season. My companion had not had a shot at a bird—I was lucky and had managed a single, late one afternoon the last week of the season.

In a disappointed and frustrated voice I heard my friend say, "You work for the Division of Wildlife's survey section as the pheasant biologist, can't Ohio have a longer pheasant season?"

The answer is yes! Here's why:

Everyone who hunts pheasants in Ohio agrees on one point—there aren't enough cocks to go around. Our problem is to get the most from what we have and still not hurt next year's brood stock. Our hunters are entitled to every bit of hunting opportunity we can give them. Short seasons are not always the answer!

One of the most important and most controversial subjects at most any sportsman's meeting or game hearing is how long our Ohio pheasant season should be. Almost every hunter, farmer, game protector or biologist has a pretty definite idea. Only rarely is there much agreement.

The question is basic! What are the facts?

Big Survey

To answer this and other related questions, the Ohio Division of Wildlife has been assembling information for the past four years. Thousands of hunters along with the county game protectors and game management personnel of the Division of Wildlife have contributed. The actual facts came from several different surveys. These include 85,000 hunter bag checks, 8,000 hunter questionnaires, 50,000 miles of spring roadside game counts, hunter checking stations on public areas and direct counts of hunters in selected areas from airplanes. Each of these surveys has provided an answer for a special problem, supplemented and cross - checked reliability of other surveys, and strengthened final conclusions.

Biologically, two things determine how long a hunting season should be. The first is the presence of huntable numbers of any game species. Second, the rate at which the harvestable or annual surplus will be taken by hunters.

Now for the first question: "Does Ohio have an annual surplus of pheasants that can be bagged?"

Pheasant populations vary from year to year. Even in the most unsuccessful nesting seasons there is some reproduction. By fall, because of the reproduction and of summer hen losses, there are about the same number of cocks as hens.

Few of the cocks then alive will be needed as breeders next spring. The remainder should be considered as a harvestable surplus. Hunters should be given the opportunity to shoot them before natural mortality takes its toll FALL ISSUE 5   and much game is lost.

The cock pheasant, as most hunters realize, is a polygamous guy. He can, will, and does mate with more than one hen. Ohio's present "cocks only" season is based on this principle. The whole state is a refuge for hens.

Breeding Population

Spring cock populations need only be large enough to insure fertile eggs from the hens that survive the winter. The number of cocks needed as breeders in any area depends on the number and distribution of hens. Each spring, roadside counts have shown considerably more cocks present than are necessary to insure fertility. This is not an isolated observance by one or two men in a few areas of Ohio. It has been observed and reported wherever wild pheasants occur in the state. Biologists in neighboring states also report similar conditions. Game breeders find ratios of fifteen hens or more per each rooster result in high fertility.

Thus, each year Ohio has had a harvestable surplus of cocks not only early in the fall but also at the end of the hunting season. This surplus has been present regardless whether the fall population of one year was higher or lower than the preceding fall. The size of the harvestable surplus may vary each year, but the fact remains that each fall we can have a season on cock pheasants and at the end of each hunting season more cocks have remained than were necessary for breeding the next spring.

This means that Ohio hunters could take more cock pheasants without hurting reproduction!

Since there are additional cocks which could be hunted, the next question is how an extension of the present Ohio pheasant season will increase such things as pheasant kill, hunting pressure and rabbit kill? What would it mean to the average hunter in terms of pheasants killed and extra days afield? What would it mean to the landowner?

In order to answer these questions and to best understand the possible effect of an extended hunting season, we need more than just a "theory" or an "educated guess." We need the results of an actual test here in Ohio under Ohio hunting conditions. Now we have it.

Long Season Test

Although many hunters may not realize it, 1954 saw a limited extension of the pheasant season. The regular 1954 pheasant season was 18 shooting days. This was 50% more shooting days than the previous year. To provide information on the effect of a long season on a very heavily hunted pheasant population and to measure public opinion, the Ohio Division of Wildlife extended the pheasant season on the Delaware Reservoir Public Hunting Area through January 1.

The easiest way to understand the effect of a long season on game kill and hunting pressure is to review what happened during the last Ohio hunting season.

The first thing to be considered is how the longer season affected game kill. We must consider not only the effect on increasing the legal kill of cock birds but also the effect on rabbit kill and illegal hen kill. Any estimated increases in kill due to the extended season are increases over what would have been the total kill had the pheasant season ended after twelve shooting days. This should not be confused with any increase or decrease in the annual kill because of a change in the fall pheasant population. Most of the annual bag of cock birds is made on only a few days of the season. The graph on this page shows the per cent of the 1954 pheasant kill for each day of the season. Large kills take place only on the first day or so, Thanksgiving and a couple of Saturdays. After Thanksgiving, additional days of hunting do not result in many pheasants killed. The extra week of pheasant hunting in 1954 increased the number of shooting days by 50% but only increased the total kill by 6%.

In recent years Ohio hunters have killed about half a million cock pheasants a year. A six per cent increase in a kill of this size amounts to 30,000 extra cocks killed. That is a lot of shooting for a lot of hunters, and they can have more. Many other hunters appreciated the opportunity to hunt cocks longer even if they had no luck.

Kill Decreases

There are several reasons for the progressively decreasing daily pheasant kill. Large numbers of hunters early in the season soon take many of the available birds. After the first day or two there are many less gunners in the field because of loss of interest or of the necessity to return to their homes and jobs. Also it does not take too long for the pheasant to become an escape artist.

An increase in season length would be expected to increase the total number of hunter trips. This increase in

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA 6   trips, in turn, would be expected to be followed by an increase in the kill of rabbits. Survey results show that this does occur, but the increases are slight.

As we all, know, Ohio is heavily populated with a great many hunters for the land open to hunting. On peak days farmers in the pheasant range are swamped with hunters. Because of this and just a few hoodlum hunters, poor farmer-sportsmen relations exist in a few areas. The possible effect of increasing number of hunters having longer seasons is just as important a consideration as the effect of a higher game kill.

Individual hunters can be a problem any time. Ohio landowners, even in the best pheasant range, are only bothered by excessive numbers of hunters on very few days of the season.

Hunting Pressure Light

Any increase in hunting because of the extended pheasant season comes at a time of the season when heavy hunting pressure is not a problem.

Hunter counts indicate that extensions of the hunting season will have little effect on increasing hunter numbers. The other graph shows the per cent of the hunter trips which took place on each day of the 1954 hunting season. Here we see large numbers of hunters in the field on only a few days of the season. After the second week hunter numbers are low. The number of additional hunters in the field during the third week of the season because of the extra days of pheasant hunting is small. Of the few hunters who are out, many would have been out for rabbits had the season not been open on cocks.

Although the number of hunters who took advantage of the extra pheasant hunting opportunity was not large, the increase was large enough to show that some sportsmen welcome a longer season and will take advantage of it.

48 Day Season

On the Delaware Area the pheasant season was open an additional four weeks after the close of the regular statewide season. Although their numbers on any day were not large, hunters came from long distance for a chance to take a cock bird. A few of them did, too. Fifty-five birds were taken by a few lucky hunters after more than 10,000 hunters had combed the ten square mile area for three weeks during the regular pheasant season. This spring our field men were able to locate an additional 50 cocks still in the area and going on with their reproductive duties. After being hunted by more than 12,000 hunters, this spring the Delaware Area still had more than five cocks for every square mile. Studies are now underway to determine if too many cocks were killed on this area. To date it doesn't look like it.

If pheasants can take that kind of hunting pressure on public land it is almost a cinch longer seasons on private land will not hurt them.

Experience has shown rabbit kill to be tied closely to hunting pressure. If the number of hunters in the field on any given day or week is increased, the rabbit kill will also increase. As we have seen, the extended pheasant season resulted in a slightly higher rabbit kill—but not very much. The few additional hunters brought out by the longer pheasant season had little effect on increasing the total take of rabbits. The increase was probably less than 5%.

Illegal Kill of Hens

The effect of hunting season length on the illegal kill of hens is not known. It is doubtful that additional days of a "cocks only" season would cause hunters to kill an already illegal bird. A hunter who wilfully kills hens will kill them regardless of an open season on cocks. The fewer hunters in the field to see him the better he likes it.

Accidental hen kill is probably somewhat proportional to hunting pressure. As the extension of the pheasant season did little to increase hunting pressure it probably had little effect on increasing the accidental hen kill. Accidental kill does not account for a great number of birds in the first place.

There is one type of hen kill that should be discussed. I call it "opening day madness." On November 15 thousands of normally sane sportsmen go just a little wild and try to kill everything that flies in the vain hope that it is a cock and that they get it before someone else does. Fortunately these "mad" hunters either settle down or quit hunting after the first few hours. Hunters should realize that careless killing of hens means fewer cocks next fall. Over 97% of the cocks taken by the hunter are produced in the wild. Game farm releases account for only two or three per cent of the kill according to hunter questionnaire reports.

More than four years of work on several different surveys by many employees of the Division of Wildlife, with much information being given by thousands of average sportsmen, has shown no biological reason why we can not have a longer pheasant season and several reasons why we can.

Reports of Other States

Ohio wildlifers are not the only ones to come to these conclusions. The following are quotes from reports and articles written by biologists in other states:

New York

"Apparently more cocks per hen are being carried in the current breeding population than is necessary or desir-

Continued on page 24 FALL ISSUE 7

THE MODERN HUNTING BOW

by Cliff Snapp

THE modern composite hunting bow, such as is used by most bow-hunters, is a far superior weapon to the hickory, Osage or ironwood stocks the Indians used and to the famous long bow of English history. The most popular and common types of bows are laminated of wood, fiber-glass and plastic. The tips are usually recurved to improve performance. The bow is capable of driving a hunting shaft completely through a deer. It is a graceful weapon, beautiful as it is efficient.

The potential killing power of a bow is related to its "cast." The simplest measure of "cast" is the distance it will shoot a hunting arrow. It is not necessarily related to the "weight" of the bow which is defined as the number of pounds force required to draw an arrow of given length to its head. Some efficient bows of lighter weight can shoot an arrow faster and farther than others having a heavier pull but less efficiency. The "weight" of the bow, therefore, is not as realistic a measure of its killing power as is its "cast."

The average weight of bows used by New York State Archers is 56.1 pounds —Wisconsin average weight 56.9. Most archers like a slightly heavier weapon than is needed. Bows of only 35 pounds have driven arrows completely through deer. The best minimum weight for all-around hunting of big game is 40 pounds. Modern bows of this weight can shoot an arrow 200 yards with ease and are capable of good penetration to the limit of their flight.

The modern broadhead hunting arrow is a very different instrument than the crude shaft which our forefathers had to face in the hands of the Indian. It is a precision instrument, perfectly balanced. The preferred hunting arrow of today is a Port Orford cedar shaft, 11/32" in diameter and about 28" long. It is tipped with either a two or three bladed cutting head and is fletched with three feathers. It weighs about 500 grains and is as sharp as the careful hunter can get it.

The arrow kills not by shock but because it cuts arteries and veins, causing severe hemorrhage. An arrow penetrates more readily through flesh than most expanding bullets. An arrow can easily be shot through a pail of sand into which a soft pointed bullet, such as is used in deer hunting, will only penetrate a few inches.

The killing power of a broadhead has been convincingly demonstrated by such expert bowmen as Dr. Saxton Pope, Art Young and Howard Hill. They have killed Kodiak bears of Alaska, moose, Grizzly bears, lions and even elephants. The "average" bowman's effectiveness is demonstrated by the actual kills, percentage-wise, of states keeping records of hunters and their kills with 6 to 8% being successful in the field.

The average bow-hunter (taken from National Field Archery tournament scores) can deliver a fatal shot at 30 to 50 yards 50% of the time. All archers are not capable of this in the field, however, due to the limitations of the bow. Certain factors which limit the effectiveness of the bow are: the ability of the individual bowman, the distance of the shot, intervening obstacles, such as limbs, saplings, twigs, and the degree of the keenness of the broadhead blade. An arrow touching the slightest twig will be deflected in its flight which would not be the case with a bullet. There are a few outstanding bowmen whose ability with the weapon is truly astonishing but they are in no way representative of the average bowman.

The results of a questionnaire sent out to bow-hunters of New York State is in part quoted here:

"The average arrow penetrated 13 inches with 25% achieving complete penetration."

"The average distance a deer traveled before being recovered was 76 yards."

"Over 90% reported the arrow shaft was broken after penetrating the deer."

"Average distance deer traveled before dropping the broken end of the shaft was 30 yards and average distance traveled before falling was 45 more yards."

Numerous comments have been received which show that deer do not usually signal arrow hits with their tail as they do with bullets. Even when mortally wounded, they often give no evidence of alarm or distress.

There was little evidence of disabling wounds with arrows. Either the body cavity was pierced causing death or a superficial wound was inflicted. All available evidence seems to show that the recovery rate from arrow wounds is high. Such wounds seldom become infected and almost never gangrenous. (New York Howland Island Study and Wisconsin's Necedah Refuge Bersing, 19501.)

Actually the problem that confronts the bowman is not the question of whether he can kill the deer but rather, can he stalk close enough and can he 8 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   get the open shot he needs and then, can he hit it.

The following is quoted from'a report by Sol Yarvin, M.D., Coxsackie, New York, in answer to the question "Is bow-hunting cruel or inhumane?":

"Basing my answer on my experience with knife wounds, which are similar to arrow wounds, I would say it is entirely possible for a deer to be struck with an arrow which produces a severe internal hemorrhage and a mortal wound. Death resulting from hemmorrhage is a relatively painless process. That is the case with humans and I see no reason why it would not hold true with animals."

In answer to the same question, Charles Ives, M.D., Roxbury, New York, replied:

"In my estimation, it stands to reason that from a purely physical standpoint, a sharp arrow is a merciful weapon and by sharp, I mean just that. You and I and thousands of other people have, at one time or another, cut ourselves on the sharp edge of a razor blade, sharp knife or similar instrument and frequently have not noticed the cut until the flow of blood called it to our attention. This is due to the fact that the nerve endings in the skin immediately around the cut are not appreciably bruised or disturbed by the keen cutting edge. As a result there is not the sensation of marked pain which follows a cut by a more blunt edge. Assuming animals feel pain just as humans do, we can believe that an animal hit with a sharp arrow would experience a minimum of pain.

An arrow kills by causing loss of blood and is effective because of its sharp severance of blood vessels. It is generally agreed that bruised and lacerated tissue releases a substance that hastens the clotting of blood and closing down of blood vessels. Assuming that a sharp arrow has made a clean wound without much disturbance of other than the actually cut tissue, there will be a minimum of this substance released and the game will bleed rapidly and expire quickly. For these reasons I believe a sharp arrow can be classed as a humane killing instrument."

The killing power of the bow cannot be questioned. It is amply attested by man's dependence on the bow in war and on the hunt over the long centuries, and in our own time by the successful use of the bow in the taking of the largest game animals throughout the world.

A hit in a vital area by either arrow or bullet will cause immediate death. But what of hits in non-vital areas? Any experienced deer hunter has, at one time or other, seen the unfortunate effects of a misplaced rifle bullet or shotgun slug in the form of gaping holes, broken legs or shattered jaws which ensure a lingering death by slow starvation or purulent infection. The arrow is incapable of inflicting such a wound but leaves a clean stab type wound from which the animal is far more likely to recover than from larger gaping wounds inflicted by an expanding lead bullet. Not wishing to deprive anyone from hunting with the weapon of his choice, the question still arises is the arrow less humane than the bullet?

Admittedly there have been instances of abuse of the use of the bow. Also, there have been attempts to take deer illegally with the bow, but the very nature of the game and the difficulties involved soon discourage anyone whose sole interest is in filling the pot. Human nature being what it is, the possession of a bow does not make an archer. Neither does being an archer make a sportsman. But there is some intangible quality in going afield with a bow which soon induces the archer to accept a philosophy which is hardly understandable to the many whose sole purpose in hunting is to slaughter meat.

There has never yet been a fatal accident due to bow hunting in the United States.

An arrow cannot be accidently discharged. The very nature of bow hunting demands that the archer have a clear close shot at his game. It is impossible to shoot a bow from a car.

Promotion of Better Sportsmanship

On the back of every National Field Archery Association membership card is the landowner's guarantee which reads as follows:

"The National Field Archery Association has confidence that our member whose name appears on the front of this card is a gentleman and a sportsman. May we request that you allow him to hunt with bow and arrow on your property, with the understanding that if he in any way damages your property or livestock and refuses to make settlement, we will, upon presentation of his name and proper proof of damages, pay for said damages up to the amount of $100.00."

In 19 years not one claim has been filed and there are about 18,000 members in the National Field Archery Association.

One of the most pressing problems of the wildlife field today is that of providing sufficient hunting opportunities —in game and in space. (Note our own big game licenses by lottery only.) State game officials are besieged with complaints from disappointed nimrods and disgusted landowners.

No wonder many game departments look with favor on the growing interest in archery hunting. They recognize that hunting with the bow fulfills the desire of an outdoorsman really to test his hunting skill, encourages good sportsmanship, reduces the friction between landowners and hunters, and has no measurable effect on population of game, big or small.

Bow hunting provides a maximum of hunting recreation with a minimum of game management problems.

The following is quoted from Otis S. Bersing, who. is with the Game Management Division, Department of Conservation, State of Wisconsin:

"Annual deer kill records show a total kill of 2,867 deer taken by bowmen in 19 years of established bow and arrow seasons. Obviously the insignificance of the kill indicates a negligible effect on the deer population and no need of a reduced season—from a game management point of view."

Wisconsin attracted archers from 20 states and one out of six successful archers were non-residents.

From the State of Michigan, A. G. Ammann of the Game Division, Department of Conservation, reports for 1953 as follows:

Resident licenses sold 28,654 Non-Resident licenses sold 2,418 Total 31,072 Total kill 1,790

New York State Conservation Department shows in the accompanying table the comparative license sales and deer kills since the adoption of its special archery season.

Licenses 1948 19491 950 -Gun 377,819 313,246 348,141 Bow 853 709 1,136 Deer Kill- -Gun 37,670 19,755 27,188 Bow 13 18 34 Licenses 1951 1952 1953 -Gun 363,867 382,368 377,497 Bow 650 5,831 10,408 Deer Kill -Gun 21,991 40,802 22,160 Bow 54 234 410

From this one can see that archery is not a "fad" but produces steady sure growth while the percentage of the deer kill is very low. Yet the bowhunter is satisfied whether he is successful or not because he knows it was not the fault of an inadequate weapon but rather because he himself is lacking as a hunter. So he strives to better his hunting technique and improve his ability to shoot accurately.

FALL ISSUE 9

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA QUIZ

CONTINUED from last month's Outdoor Quiz; we have a representative group of emergent water plants. As explained last month, we hesitate to present difficult material as a regular Quiz as it takes a technician to recognize many of these various plants.

All of the plants presented here are emergent plants, either floating on top or growing above the water. They provide an important link in the food chain of the fish life in your fishing waters; with many of the smaller forms of life that support fish living on their submerged surfaces. Thousands and thousands of tiny microscopic plants and animals are found on these plants.

These plants, like the submerged plants described last month, also provide a means of putting oxygen in the water, similar to the way plants put oxygen in the air. They also provide escape cover, where young fish can hide from predators and have a chance to grow.

These emergent plants are also very important to waterfowl; providing food and cover in many different forms.

1. Soflslem Bulrush: Only one of many types of bulrushes found throughout the state. It has brilliant green coloration and is found in sheltered waters because of its weak stem.

2. Duckweed: These tiny plants are found floating on the water and resemble small leaves. About as large as the eraser on a pencil, they are still individual plants. Valuable duck food, used by all species.

3. Large Seed Smariweed: This plant is found both in water and on marshy grounds. It is an important duck food, utilized by most kinds of ducks.

4. Arrowhead: This plant has a rather large tuber and has often been called the duckpotatoe. However, because of its large size tuber, ducks do not utilize it as much as some of the other types of arrowhead plants.

5. Giani Burreed: This plant has large seeds that are used by ducks. It is usually found in fresh water marshes or bordering open water, but some species are almost entirely submerged.

6. Carex: These are the sedges; utilized by ducks for food, but not as important as other duck foods. They are found in moist meadows, bogs and marshes.

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA 10

Fish Management Means . . . BETTER FISHING FOR NEBRASKANS

This is part four of a series on fish management. Increasing fishing water areas and use of all management tools are explained by the late R. W. Eschmeyer. R. W. Eschmeyer

IF THERE is a big demand for a farm crop, that demand can be met partly by increasing the yield per acre through fertilizing, use of better seed, better cultivation, or by some other method or combination of methods. However, if the demand is great, it can be met mainly by putting more acres into the production of this particular crop.

In areas where fishing waters are few, we can help the fishing somewhat by managing these limited waters as wisely as possible. But, on even the best-managed waters, the production of fish is limited. The answer to heavy fishing demand can be met properly only by putting more acres into fishing water. Fortunately, this fish conservation "tool" is getting more and more use.

The new waters fall into three major groups: farm ponds, public fishing lakes, and reservoirs built mainly for purposes other than fishing. Getting access to existing waters, too, can be regarded as a part of the "creating-more-fishing-water" program. The several kinds of waters will be discussed separately.

The Farm Pond

So far as we know, there is no exact information on the number of fish-producing farm ponds in the United States. The best estimate seems to be that this number now exceeds a million.

Any one of these ponds supports little fishing, but the total amount of angling is impressive—theoretically, at least.

If we have a million farm ponds, and if these average only a half-acre in size, and yield only 100 pounds per acre to the angler, the catch would add up to 50 million pounds of fish. If each pond provided only ten days of angling recreation, it would add up to one fishing day for each sixteen people in the United States.

A single pond may seem insignificant from the stand-point of national fishing, but the ponds collectively can and do contribute very decidedly to our angling.

There are still many problems; some ponds aren't built properly, some aren't managed intelligently, some are unproductive because of poor watershed management. But, these limitations are gradually being overcome by research and education.

Some farm pond advocates put heavy stress on the pond as a source of meat for the farmer. If our own rural background was typical, this argument has limitations. After a hard day of physical work, the farmer may enjoy catching fish, but cleaning them is another matter. There was a time when this created no problem—when men caught the fish and the women folk cleaned them—but that day seems to be past. Chances are that the average farmer will take care of his meat problem by butchering a cow or hog at intervals.

The Club Pond

Many sportsmen's clubs have built fishing lakes, usually for use by club members. These are excellent projects. As a rule, they are bigger than farm ponds, though the problems are similar. The tendency is to expect too much from these ponds. An annual take of 100 pounds per acre would be well above average. For a club with a hundred members, this would represent one pound per member per acre per year. Of course, the pond could provide an endless amount of badly needed relaxation, even though the yield in "meat" is limited.

Public Fishing Lakes

A number of states are now using some of their fishing license and Dingell-Johnson (federal aid) money to build public fishing lakes, usually ranging in size from fifty to several hundred acres. A survey made by the Sport Fishing Inistitute about a year ago showed that some 163 such lakes had been built in the preceding five years, and that 70 more, averaging 120 acres, were under construction or in advanced planning stages.

The Alabama conservation department has demonstrated what can be expected from such a program, by keeping a record on its state-built fishing waters. In 1953 the state's eleven such waters (total acreage 591) attracted 100,183 fishermen (fishermen - days), and yielded 357,714 fish, weighing 99,871 pounds. This averaged out to 170 fishermen-days and 605 fish weighing 169 pounds for each acre of water. These lakes, built since 1947, are located in areas with insufficient fishing water, are fertilized, and are located in watersheds where they are relatively free from erosion.

In a number of states the lake-building programs should have high priority. Of course, they will have continued good fishing only if properly managed. Since we still don't know, in many areas, what constitutes proper management, it's essential that a good, down-to-earth fact-finding program accompany the lake building projects.

One item merits special consideration. There is a tendency to suggest building lakes on relatively unproductive land, because of the higher cost of land in productive watersheds. Despite the lower initial cost, this is a poor practice FALL ISSUE 11   to follow. A study of two state-built lakes in Tennessee, similar in size and construction, showed that one draining productive soil had an excellent fish yield. The other, in a nearby but unproductive watershed, did very poorly. In water, as on land, the amount of nutrient materials available largely determines the potential carrying capacity.

Big Reservoirs

Here we have a controversial subject, mainly because of the tendency to be all for or all against dams. Some have been highly beneficial to fishing; some have been harmful. You can't generalize on the effect of dams on fishing; each dam, or potential reservoir must be considered separately, along with the present or proposed operation program for that particular body of water.

For example, dams built for other purposes have greatly increased the fishing in the South, from Texas and Oklahoma to the Carolinas. They have been detrimental to fishing in other areas, particularly in the Northwest. Here, construction of high dams threatens extinction of important anadromous species of salmon and trout.

In the Tennessee Valley, after impoundment, fishing increased 45 to 50-fold on storage waters and 10 to 15-fold on the mainstream. This survey was made some years ago; on some waters the fishing intensity has increased rather decidedly since that time. For example, fishing in the TVA tailwaters below the mainstream dams has been rising steadily. Daily counts for the 1953 fiscal year showed 810,333 mandays of fishing immediately below eight mainstream dams. This was more than double the 1947 estimate of 339,000.

Because of the dam-building program, fishing in parts of the South is much more extensive, and more successful, than it was twenty years ago. The improvement was by accident, not by design. It happens that here good fishing waters were few in pre-impoundment days. Too, in a normal year, operations do not prevent the development of a fair-sized crop of fish.

Major draw-down is in winter, when it interferes little with fish populations. At spawning time the reservoirs are filling, with water levels generally rising slowly. Erosion is limited enough so that the waters are not too muddy over long periods of time for good fish production. In waters where insects are few, good production is possible, nevertheless, because the main food chain (for desired species) is microscopic food to shad to crappie and black bass or white bass.

Despite the constant increase in numbers of reservoirs insufficient fact-finding effort goes into these waters. Research might well point the way to improved fishing in some reservoirs which now provide poor angling.

Usually, the success of a reservoir for fishing hinges on the condition and fertility of the watershed. If the silt is kept on the land, and out of the water, the chances for having good fishing are greatly increased. Muddy waters don't provide good fish crops.

Where dams are installed and operated for hydropower, flood control, or irrigation, the over-all management program should give proper consideration to the fishing interest. We know of few instances where such consideration is given. This may be due partly to our lack of knowledge regarding proper reservoir management from a fish production standpoint.

Public Access

In effect, we are creating more fishing water when we provide access to waters which already exist. A number of states are now giving high priority to the problem of providing public access. This problem will increase as the population grows, and as land values rise.

An owner who might allow limited public use, might install "no trespass" signs when that use increases considerably. Unfortunately, in any sizeable group of anglers, we can expect a small number of them to have little regard for private property. These are the ones who clutter up the landscape with beer cans, paper containers, and other debris.

The alternative to free access is the buying or leasing of land and water by the state. It's a costly program in areas of high land values, but it will be even more costly as the population increases.

Closed Waters

Some water supply reservoirs are open to public fishing, others are not. San Diego's water supply lakes have been fished for over twenty years, with no indication that the fishing was harmful in any way to the drinking water. The city has regularly charged a small daily fee, which pays for enforcement of the sanitary regulations imposed.

In General

Some fishing waters are constantly being lost to the public by drainage, diversion of water, siltation, pollution, and posting. But, others are being created. A number of states now have much more fishing water than they had a few decades ago because of the extensive farm pond and public fishing lake building programs. In some areas, too, fishing has been increased through the building of reservoirs used mainly for other purposes, and through public access programs.

In the face of constantly increasing angling pressure, the "providing-more-fishing-water" program is an extremely important one.

Using the Tools

Up to this point we have discussed, briefly, the general fish conservation picture, and the use of the five major fish management tools. In those states where these tools are used wisely, fishing appears to be improving instead of continuing down-hill as pressure increases. The problem seems to be one of being able to use the tools effectively and of making them constantly more useful.

Increased Knowledge

A look at these five management methods tells an interesting story. We were frequently off base on stocking— until research brought us to our senses. Even then, we still had the problem of bringing about a change in public concepts, an admittedly difficult problem.

Many of our regulation practices were ineffective or did more harm than good—until fact-finding came along to point out our errors and put the regulation matter on a sounder basis. Then came the problem of educating the public to realize that more and more restrictive regulations and ever-increasing numbers of wardens might not be the answer.

Habitat improvement and population manipulation have both developed as usable tools because of research.

In the extremely important activity of creating more fishing water, we were faced with the problem of learning how to manage small ponds and lakes, and 12 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   the very complicated problem of learning something about fish management in big reservoirs. Here, too, education enters into the picture. For example, farmers needed to learn many things about their newly acquired aquatic pastures before they could learn to handle them intelligently.

Selling the Facts

Basic fish conservation has progressed, then, because of two items-research and education. Its future depends on expansion of these same two items.

This situation is not unique, it parallels development in other fields of science. Medicine has made immense strides; the average life expectancy has been rising constantly and impressively. Why? Because medical research has pointed the way to better diagnosis and more effective remedies, and because our health-education programs have caused public enlightenment. The change in farming methods and crop production can be attributed to these same items—research and education. A look at other sciences tells the same story.

There's a third item in all instances— professional standards. The specialists must know how to use the tools, how to get the proper facts, and how to educate the public in sound programs. The best of medical research would do us little good if we were to have a "quack" treat our ailment.

Research and education will be discussed separately, later, but a few points which concern both will be mentioned here very briefly.

In both these important matters, progress depends partly on the amount of money available for the programs. But it depends very much, too, on the caliber of the people who handle those programs.

It might be indicated, too, that in one respect the two activities, research and education, are inseparable; the one can't be effective without the other. Facts are of little value until the public accepts them; education, without basic facts provided by sound research, may be miseducation and may do more harm than good.

Dilemma

One extremely important question is this: If these two items will determine the future of our fishing, why don't they receive priority, if not top priority, in some of our states? Why are there still states which do little research or conservation education, or none at all?

We don't know the complete answer, but that shouldn't prevent speculation on the matter. And, it should be stated, first, that a considerable number of states now have big and growing research and education programs. We've made decided progress in both, especially in research because of the availability of Dingell-Johnson (federal aid) funds.

Several groups enter the picture: (1) the researchers and educators themselves; (2) the administrators; (3) the commissions; (4) the legislatures and, in some instances, the governors; (5) the sportsmen; (6) the colleges and universities; (7) the press. There are probably others, but these seven stand out.

Where rapid progress is made we can sometimes attribute it to one of these groups, sometimes to a number of them. Likewise, where the state is not progressive in fish conservation, one or more of these groups is usually responsible.

There was the fishery administration, for example, which had no use for researchers. Its interest seemed to be centered on building more and more hatcheries. A student took graduate work in this state, and took it in fisheries even though this was unusual at the institute in question. His doctorate problem led him in contact with a number of sportsmen's organizations in the general area. The sportsmen not only cooperated, they learned to recognize the importance of research. The biologist was put on the state fishery staffperhaps because this had become the proper thing to do from a public relations standpoint. This state administration has tolerated a trained fish man ever since. Here, the campus, the local sportsmen and the biologist, collectively paved the way to progress.

Of course, there are instances, too, where biologists have had ample opportunity to do a good job, but where they muffed that opportunity for one reason or another.

There are a few instances where the administrator is the key bottleneck, and in a few instances the commission is the damper to progress. But, we also know of many administrators and commission members who have pushed for fact-finding and education, even though this made their own jobs more difficult and more precarious.

Most interesting has been the impact of organized sportsmen on the matter. We know of several instances where they, through wise leadership, took extremely backward situations, conservation-wise, and modernized them. This was done simply by effective, specific and organized demand to the state legislatures and the governors. The groups made it politically unwise for the elected public servants to do other than pave the way for improvement. We had an opportunity to watch one of the developments at close range over a period of several years; it was an interesting observation.

Of course, we have organized sportsmen in our least progressive states as well as in the most progressive ones. The mere presence of such a group, even a big one, does not necessarily assure progress.

As for the campus, it has greatly aided conservation research and education in some states. It has been of Continued on page 24

FOCUS THE PICTURE

FOLLOWING are characteristics of a common bird found in many parts of the state. How many of these characteristics must you read before you can bring the picture into focus?

1. Often seen in a uniform V or straight line formation which is similar to the pattern of geese.

2. Individuals soar high in the air and suddenly go into almost vertical dives, coming back to level flight very near the ground.

3. They form a long line on the water, beat the surface with their wings and swim towards the shore, driving fish into shallow water for easy capture.

4. They spend their winters in the southern Gulf States, passing through Nebraska in both spring and fall going to and from nesting grounds in Canada and Northern United States.

5. Their main diet consists of rough fish and aquatic animals.

6. They are large white birds, with black wing tips and short webbed feet. Often identified as whooping cranes, they also give goose hunters some unwarranted thrills in the fall.

7. They have a close relative that lives on the seacoast and also has a pouched bill.

Answer on page 25 FALL ISSUE 13

Wildlife in one reel

 

Part 3 of a Guide to Nebraska Fishing FISHING IN THE SANDHILLS

SOME of Nebraska's best fishing can be found in the Sandhill country of the north central part of the state. Much of this prairie land is interspersed with lakes which can provide excellent fishing for almost any species.

Many of the smaller streams in this area are clear and cool, being fed from the great underground water reservoirs of the sandhills. Some of the larger streams are laden with silt, but this is the exception, not the rule.

The only disturbing thing about the fishing in the sandhills is the inaccessibility of many of the waters. Unless you are experienced in traveling in the sandhills, you can't begin to appreciate how difficult it can be. Even the local people occasionally get their cars and trucks bogged down in the sand. Except for the main roads, there is little to travel on but sand trails.

Many of the lakes, ponds and streams are not accessible without going on private land. Fishermen are advised to request permission to fish and to follow the land-owner's instructions on where to park their cars. Nothing irritates a rancher more than having a hay meadow torn up by a fisherman's car getting stuck.

Following is a list of the fishing facilities in the various counties in Nebraska's sandhill country. Besides these waters, there are many private farm ponds that provide much fishing.

CHERRY COUNTY: The Niobrara River and its tributaries are the main streams in this county. The main river provides catfishing, but the tributaries have more to offer. The Snake River and Boardmans Creek have good trout populations on the upper reaches. Farther east, Schlagel Creek also provides good trout fishing. Both Gordon Creek and Minnechaduza offer little trout fishing but bass, sunfish and some catfish are taken in these streams.

The only other stream of any importance in this county is the headwaters of the North Loup River which has good trout fishing.

Shell Lake, near Gordon, is a stateowned lake. Fishing is not good here but plans are to remove many of the stunted perch and bluegill populations and stock the lake with Northern pike. Mothers Lake, near Hyannis, is one of the better-known Northern pike lakes in the state.

Schoolhouse Lake has good-sized bullheads and has recently been restocked with bass. Cody Lake provides wonderful winter fishing for perch and crappie. Bass and bluegill fishing is good in summer months.

The country south of Valentine is interspersed with numerous lakes which have many kinds of fishing available. Some of the following lakes are on the Federal Game Refuge and some in the immediate vicinity.

Big Alkali has good fishing for bullheads, Northern pike, crappie and perch. Future plans call for experimental stocking of walleye pike. It will be managed primarily for Northern pike, walleye and perch.

Dewey Lake has fair crappie and bluegill populations. There is a heavy concentration of carp which are to be removed by the state.

Hackberry Lake was renovated in 1955 and bass and bluegill were restocked. Rat and Beaver Lakes are good for perch and bass.

Trout Lake has fair fishing for perch, crappie and bullheads. Pelican Lake, one of the better refuge lakes, contains large size bullheads, perch, crappie and bass. There is also some excellent bluegill fishing. Ballards Marsh is a state-owned area with fair winter fishing for Northern

Continued on page 25 16 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

FALL ISSUE 17

Ring - Neck Research For Better Hunting

Part 1: Tagging And Banding To Keep Track Of The Birds

Long hours of pre-season work have gone into setting up one of the many phases of the Game Commission's Pheasant study program being conducted near Fairmont, Harvard and Clay Center.

Tagging and banding operations were conducted to obtain detailed information on the effect of hunting and also to provide a means of identifying the birds for population and movement studies.

During the recent pheasant season, important information was found out in the following manner: Knowing the total number of marked birds; the technicians needed only the total kill figures of marked and unmarked birds to find the total bird population on the study areas. The number of market birds killed has the same relationship or ratio to the total kill as the total marked birds has to the total bird population on the area.

18 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA  

Mathematically, you would put it down in this manner:

Marked birds killed Total birds marked Total birds killed Total population

Knowing three factors, from hunter reports and their own tagging records, it is only a matter of simple arithmetic for the technicians to compute the total bird population on the area.

Here is a picture story to show you the actual methods used by technicians in live-trapping, banding and tagging pheasants and collecting the needed information on the study areas.

FALL ISSUE 19  

11. Here is how one of the marked roosters looked to a hunter who has just flushed it. If you look closely, you can see part of the code number on the tag.

12. A close up of the marking tag shows the details of ihe harness that attaches it to the bird. Notice that it offers no interference with the wing movement.

13. At the end of the day's hunt this hunter has stopped by a drop box to dress his birds. He is putting wings, feet, bands and tags into the envelope given him by the landowner.

14. While most hunters are driving home in the dark, this technician is collecting the envelopes from one of many drop boxes located on the study area.

20 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

SMALL GAME 1955 HUNTING SEASONS

SPECIES OPEN SEASON AREA OPEN LIMIT BAG POSS. DUCKS OCT. 8-DEC. 21 ENTIRE STATE 5 10 (The bag and possession limit on ducks of 5 and 10 may include one wood duck and one hooded merganser.) (Mergansers (fish ducks) are to be included in the above bag and possession limits.) One- half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. GEESE OCT. 15-DEC. 13 ENTIRE STATE 5 5 Daily bag and possession limit on geese is 5, including in such limit not more than (a) 2 Canada geese or its subspecies, or (b) 2 white-fronted geese, or (c) 1 Canada goose or its subspecies and 1 white-fronted goose. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. COOT (Mudhen) OCT. 8-DEC. 21 ENTIRE STATE 10 10 One- half hour before sunrise to sunset. COCK PHEASANTS OCT. 22-NOV. 13 ENTIRE STATE 3 3 (All pheasants taken must retain sex identification. Either head or feet must be left on the bird.) Entire state is open to pheasant hunting except all Federal and State sanctuaries and refuges and areas posted with signs reading—"Hunting Prohibited! Pheasant Restocking Area—This area is closed to all hunting during the pheasant season by the authority of the Nebraska Game Commission." These areas are closed to all hunting during the pheasant season. Noon to sunset. QUAIL NOV. 5-NOV. 30 RESTRICTED AREA 6 6 One-half hour before sunrise to one hour before sunset. GROUSE (Prairie OCT. 22-OCT. 26 RESTRICTED AREA 2 2 Chicken and Sharp-Tailed Grouse) One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. RABBITS ALL YEAR ENTIRE STATE 5 5 One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. SQUIRRELS OCT. 1-DEC. 31 ENTIRE STATE 5 5 One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. RACCOON AND OPOSSUM ALL YEAR ENTIRE STATE NO LIMIT GENERAL TRAPPING REGULATIONS SPECIES OPEN SEASON AREA OPEN BAG LIMIT MUSKRAT, MINK DEC. 15-MAR. 1 (Zone 1) RESTRICTED AREA NO LIMIT MUSKRAT, MINK NOV. 15-JAN. 15 (Zone 2) RESTRICTED AREA NO LIMIT BEAVER DEC. 15-FEB. 15 ENTIRE STATE NO LIMIT RACCOON, OPOSSUM, ALL YEAR ENTIRE STATE NO LIMIT BADGER, SKUNK, CIVET AND FOX Entire State except for State-owned lakes or marshes or areas closed by Federal, State or Municipal law. FALL ISSUE 21

Round-Up Time In The Sandhills

by Stan Smith Mid-summer isn't normally considered round-up time in Nebraska's Sandhill country. Yet, this is the time for the Came Commission to live-trap flocks of flightless ducklings and attach identification bands for flight movement studies. 22 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   FALL ISSUE 23

LONGER PHEASANT SEASONS

Continued from page 7

able. A greater reduction in cock numbers might well increase the productivity by increasing the number of hens carried through to spring."

Final Report, Pittman-Roberison Project 26-R Dirck Benson—Leader. Wisconsin

"Harvesting a high proportion of cocks, therefore, means not only more sport for the hunter but also better conditions for those hens which produce for your sport the next year."

Wisconsin Conservation Bulletin Fred H. Wagner, Leader P-R Pheasant Research Project Illinois

"Our findings have shown that it is virtually impossible under present field conditions to exterminate the cocks in any area." Investigation of complaints from supposedly shot-out areas has proved, v/ithout exception, that, instead of a shortage, cocks are plentiful and more than adequate for effective breeding of the surviving hens."

Federal Aid Project 30-R Paul J. Moore Biologist and Project Leader Colorado

"Some factors other than hunting are responsible for the decline or increase of pheasant populations."

Job Completion Report W-370R-6; Game Bird Surveys Wayne W. Sandfort

This fall five public hunting areas will have pheasant seasons extending to January 1. If you want one last crack at a cock bird, give them a try. You may not connect but if you like to hunt, you will have fun. Public Hunting Areas which will have the long pheasant season in 1955 are Delaware, Killdeer, Resthaven, Monroe, Lorain and Spring Valley.

The longer pheasant season boils down to a very simple idea, "More hunting for more people—some shooting and a lot of outdoor fun."

BETTER FISHING FOR NEBRASKANS

Continued from page 11

little or no value to these programs in others.

In some states, an individual farsighted outdoor writer may have been the key figure to progress. And, we still have a very few writers who display a strong dislike for any program involving professionally trained conservationists, regardless of the merits of the program.

Future Progress

Most progress is made where all or nearly all of the above-mentioned groups work for improvement. The states least likely to progress would be those with few research and education men (and with these few poorly qualified for the job), with administrators who don't want progress, with commissioners whose main interests may be political, with a legislature which exercises complete control over the fish (and game) program, with organized sportsmen having a weak or self-seeking leadership, and with the campuses of the state uninterested in fishery research or conservation education. Fortunately, you can count the states which are in this completely unprogressive situation on the fingers of one hand— even after cutting off some of the fingers.

Actually, interest in research and education has been growing rapidly and more funds are becoming available. In fact, there are instances where this rapid change has created an interesting problem—where the biologists or educators, after long periods of crying for more funds, were not prepared to use these added funds as intelligently as they might have, once the money became available. This was especially true when Dingell-Johnson (federal aid) money rather suddenly made greatly enlarged research programs possible.

Though the research and education picture is a bright one, an important aspect of it is not encouraging. As mentioned earlier, the caliber of the personnel is extremely important. This, in turn, will generally be determined by such factors as salary, opportunity for advancement, and security. But, in research, after about five years of college training, the fishery biologists can expect only a low salary. Annual pay for these men on federal aid programs, as of 1953, averaged only $3,900. Too, the work has its unpleasant moments from a public relations standpoint, though in many states this aspect is improving.

If our all-important activities of research and education are to improve constantly, such matters as improved salaries must have serious consideration.

NEWS OF WILDLIFE CLUBS

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA is proud of the fine cooperation of the constructive wildlife clubs in Nebraska and provides this section for any club activities or reports, as space permits.

FOUR CORNER ROD AND GUN CLUB

Some of this club's coming fall activities are: November 20, Blue rock shoot for Thanksgiving fowl; December 9, movies and lunch; December 18, Blue rock for Christmas fowl; and December 31, Oyster dinner.

OMAHA FISH AND WILDLIFE CLUB

Besides regular meetings, most of the club's members are very busy with their individual duties in preparing for the big Annual Sports, Vacation and Boat Show, March 3-11.

JOHNSON COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

This is a newly formed club of over 269 members. Officers are as follows: President, Harlan Egge, Tecumseh; Secretary-Treasurer, R. W. Jewell. Tecumseh; and the Board of Directors: Herman Kruger, Sterling; Floyd Wolf, Tecumseh; Lester Gottula, Elk Creek; Raymond Johnson, Cook; Vern Benson, Sterling; Rudy Christen, Steinauer; Fred Rengstorff, Sterling; G. R. Wilson, Sterling; and Walter Hickey, Tecumseh.

The main activity of the newly formed club has been in promoting the proposed dam and lake near Burchard, Nebraska.

FREMONT IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE

This club had a presentation of awards to local farmers who competed in a wildlife habitat planting and maintenance contest on November 7. Any club that might be interested in conducting a similar contest can contact James Westphal, 1805 North H Street, Fremont, Nebraska for further details.

SIOUX RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB

This small club of 40 members has a unique activity scheduled for this fall. "Aid to deer hunters in Harrison area" is the way they phrase it. This is just a small sample of the receptive attitude western Nebraskans have for most deer hunters. Another significant program this club has is a monthly gun safety and markmanship class for youngsters.

Give OUTDOOR NEBRASKA For Christmas 24 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

FISHING IN THE SANDHILLS

Continued from page 16

pike and perch. Summer fishing is difficult because of profuse plant growth.

BROWN COUNTY: Streams for fishing in this county are the Calamus River, bass and Northern pike; Plum Creek, trout, north of Highway 20; and Long Pine Creek, excellent trout fishing. Long Lake is a stateowned lake which contains some good bluegill, bass, crappie and bullhead fishing. Willow Lake offers fair bass and bluegill fishing. Enders Lake is a rather deep lake for a Sandhill lake and has good perch, bullhead, crappie and bluegill fishing. A few bass are also caught.

Moon Lake has an excessive carp population which is to be removed. Restocking with Northern pike will follow the renovating work.

ARTHUR COUNTY: Hawthorne Lake is the only major lake in this county and has good bullhead fishing.

GRANT COUNTY: Egan Lake has good fishing for perch and crappie. Bass, bullheads and bluegills are also present. George Lake is a good bullhead lake.

HOOKER, THOMAS COUNTIES: Cniy fishing is in the Middle Loup River for catfish and the Dismal River for trout, bass, upstream, and catfish and bullheads, downstream.

LOGAN COUNTY: A few catfish are caught in the South Loup River.

McPHERSON COUNTY: Only fishing in this county is on private stocked ponds on some of the ranches.

CUSTER COUNTY: Arnold State Lake is overstocked with bullheads, green sunfish and bluegills. Victoria Spring Pond has fair bullhead fishing.

KEYAPAHA COUNTY: Besides the numerous farm ponds, the Niobrara River is the main fish water, providing fairly good catfishing.

ROCK COUNTY: Fish Lake has some Northern pike but carp are the dominant species. Both Goose Lake and Wolf Lake do not provide much fishing.

HOLT COUNTY: Dora Lake is a good lake for Northern pike, perch and crappie. Overton Lake is fair for bass and crappie. Stuart Sandpits has a little of everything. Both Swan and Atkinson Lakes provide little more than fair bullhead fishing.

LOUP COUNTY: Gracie Creek provides good trout fishing. Calamus River is good for Northern pike and bass in this county.

Omaha Sports, Vacation And Boat Show Scheduled For March 3 Opening

THE 1956 OMAHA Sports, Vacation and Boat Show will be presented again at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, March 3rd through March 11th.

Exhibits by national manufacturing firms will display the latest in fishing tackle, hunting supplies, sporting goods and athletic equipment.

For the vacationists, there will be exhibits by resorts and travel bureaus from all the well known vacation areas in the United States and Canada. Also displayed will be boats, from the small fishermen's boats to a cabin cruiser. Both outboard and inboard motors and allied marine equipment will require thousands of square feet of space.

The Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission will again have a display on wildlife conservation.

An all new stage and tank show of sporting acts will be presented twice daily. Sponsors of this annual event are the Omaha Fish and Wildlife Club. G. Edward (Gus) Budde is the Managing Director.

Send a gift subscription of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA to sportsmen friends and relatives TO: OUTDOOR NEBRASKA State Capitol, Lincoln, Nebraska $1 for 2 yrs; $2 for 5 years Send to: Name____________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________ Name____________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________ A X-mas gift from Name____________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________ Enclosed in cash, check, money order (indicate which) for $....................(amount) to — Start — Renew (check one) subscription to Outdoor Nebraska. FALL ISSUE 25

THE RACCOON needs no introduction to most of us; we are familiar with him either as the raccoon skin coat of the '20's or as the 'coon-skin' cap of more recent Davy Crockett fame.

Raccoons are found throughout the United States and southern Canada. Commonly associated with the heavily timbered areas during the early settlement of the nation, they have now adapted to the more open farmland country to a remarkable degree.

A close relative to bears, the raccoons are much smaller. Weights of raccoons differ in various parts of the country, but the average is about 15-20 pounds. They have a rounded body, short legs, pointed face, and erect ears. Their black masked face and banded gray and black tail are easily recognized characteristics.

You only have to see their barefoot track in a mud bank along a stream, and you will not forget it. On the hind foot, the big toe projects slightly on the side of the elongated paw. The forefoot resembles a small hand print. The soles of the feet are soft and bare. It is believed that they are very sensitive and aid in fishing underwater for food.

Their coat of gray-brown fur, dark on the top of the body, has long guard hairs and thick under fur. Both color and texture of the fur varies much among individuals and also in different areas of the country.

At one time the pelts of the raccoon were in great demand. However, in recent years the value has dropped so low that many hunters and trappers would not even bother to market them.

Long-haired fur was no longer the fashion, so there was no demand for raccoon fur. The recent popularity of Davy Crockett hats caused a run on raccoon pelts and many fur buyers sold pelts that had been in storage for years.

Water and trees are the two most important factors in the lives of the 'coons,' as much of their food comes from water and big hollow trees are used for dens. Substitutes for den trees are often rocky out-croppings and haystacks near Nebraska's sandhill marshes which support good raccoon populations.

Nebraska raccoon don't usually take to their dens and enter a period of dormancy through the winter. Like the bears, they accumulate a heavy layer of fat in the fall. Food utilized by raccoons depends much on the availability at different times of the year and includes both animal and vegetable material. Corn is a favorite food as soon as it is in the 'roasting ear' stage. Oats, cherries, plums, apples, and even melons, are also eaten.

Animal food eaten by the raccoon includes crayfish, frogs, snakes, and mollusks. When these foods are difficult to obtain, they will eat mice, shrews, insects, and earthworms.

Many farmers know from first hand experience about the raccoon's appetite for chickens. Poultry men claim the best way to avoid depredations on chickens is to have well constructed chicken houses and close them up every night.

The raccoon is blamed by many for low pheasant populations. There is no denying that they will take pheasants on occasion. However, it is inconceivable that they could take so many as to make an apparent inroad on our pheasants. Game technicians say that the raccoon is only one of many factors that take a toll of our pheasant populations.

They further state that if pheasants have ample supplies of cover, water, and food, the birds will be able to withstand any of the minor influences that might tend to reduce flocks significantly.

Mating takes place in January, February, or March, and probably also later in the spring. Investigators believe the raccoon to be promiscuous in its sex relations.

The gestation period is 63 days, and the litter varies from 3 to 7, with an average of 4 young. The mother nurses the young for 8 to 10 weeks. The young accompany the mother on her nightly forages after the first few weeks.

It is believed that the young depend on the mother raccoon to learn how to hunt and forage. They may stay with her even through the first winter, living together in the family den.

The daily life of the raccoon is well known to the hunter. Most of the daylight hours are spent in the seclusion of the den. The nightly movements of the 'coons depend much on the proximity of water near the den.

Hunters have had their dogs trailing raccoons for miles. Usually, they are never very far from their den trees, particularly when they have young.

Besides the nightly forages for food, there is a decided seasonal movement when the young break up the family pattern in the spring and look for their own territory.

The raccoon population over the nation has been particularly high in recent years. Part of the reason for this can be attributed somewhat to the lack of harvest by the hunters and trappers. Technicians suspect the raccoon, like many other game animals, has periodic high and low populations.

As far as management of the raccoon in Nebraska is concerned, there is not much needed at the present time. Year around trapping and hunting is allowed in view of these present high populations.

If the numbers drop in future years, and they probably will, the seasons may have to be adjusted to allow only a restricted harvest.

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