REPORT OP GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO 1910-1911 Qass / Rnnk fjfo t/- COMPr^IMENTS OF THOMAS P. GABLE Statk Qa&ib and Fish Warden Santa Fe, Nevs' Mexico First Report Of Game and Fish Warden hor New Mexico 1909-1910-1911 SANTA PK, N. M. Nkw Mkxk'an }^kin'iin(; I'ompanv - ^'5 s-Hn i'ame of America was considered, without other thouns to \ iew the heautiful. matchless st-enery of the west, which is no where more allirring or more satisfying than in the state of Xew ^^e\ico. wlnM-e the tourist and sight-seer luis. in the past, heen all too casually invited. In an endeavor to hring ahout tlu' estahlishment (d' this extensive |)resi'i-ve this department has had the earnest co-operation of 'V. S. Palmer of the l)io|ogical survey. .\. ('. li'ingland, district forestei'. and A. ('. Cooper, l'. S. game warden. Mr. Cooper has s])eMt several months investigating the game conditions in Xew .Mexico, and is entlnisiastic owv the state's resources and jiossihilities. Regarding the project of estahlishing this governnu'ut preserve. Mr. Cooper says: "Such a ])reserve wonld prove of untold good to the sportsuu'ii of this state for it would serve the purpose of stocking the foi'csts. Just as the water reservoirs are a good Ihing to save watei- foi- drinking and irrigation |)urposes, so a game ])i'eserve works to the advantage of the hunter, though he may not think so at (irst. Tlu' plan is 'o fence in ahout seventeen tov.iiships. In this preserve will Ito REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 17 kept big' game, liirKey and grouse. There will be plenty of quail and turkey to get outside the preserve after the hatching season and these will furiiish ma- terial for the sportsman to shoot at."' Thus, with the active co-operation of the United States government, this great preserve cannot fail to become one of the most attractive features of tJie west for both tourist and sportsman. A NEW DEPARTURE. The time is ripe, in my opinion, based on a close study of game and fish con- ditions in this country, and a knowledge of the subject which can only be gained by actual contact with these conditions, for a new departure in the matter of caring for and distributing our game and fish. I am a firm believer in the establishment of a private preserve for both fish and game, on a limited scale, of course, where they can be bred, raised, and sold for market. This new de- parture in the care and propagation of game and fish has been strongly urged during the past few years by the United States department of agriculture, and the suggestions have been adopted in some states, notably in Iowa, Illinois and Colorado, where the plan has worked with a large measure of success. In Illinois, Mr. Warren 1?. Leach has a large private preserve where elk, Virginia deer, European red deer. Japanese Sika deer and a small flock of sheep, dwell together m perfect harmony, free from the attacks of dogs, which occasionally dig in, but are quickly disposed of by the elk, as these kingly, antlered animals will not harbor the presence of a rank outsider. The history of game preserves in the United States has been a series of ex- periments. In some cases success has been achieved and in some failure has re- s'j.iLcd. These experiments, however, have been salutary and have tended toward a successful end. As the system becomes better understood and our population increases, the private game preserve will be more importantly considered, not only as a large factor in game preservation, Imt as a means of recreation and diversion. .Preserves may lie established with especially good lesults in sections where- game is not locally abundant. In some places, by sinking wells, making ponds, constructing dikes, artificial marshes may be formed, which attract large numbers of ducks and migratory birds, or small lakes may be fomied for various kinds of fish. Regulated properly, by state control, the private preserve is bound to become a valuable adjunct to game and fish preservation and offers an additional method of supply. This system of game and fish conservation invites no danger from over production, no matter how many persons might establish a private presence, as the demand could never be fully met. The Americans are a game loving people, delighting in an abundant amount for table use, and as the natural supply is being rapidly exhausted, and as the time of procuring it under the law is limited, there would never be a time, when the markets woidd be overstocked. In addition to this, a new field of industry would be provided for a large number of our citizens and the door would be opened to a new element of producers in the world of American business life. hH^ •^^^M '^ W-/''f'^T^fJ^M^n^m^. >'*|?w f|& *' *"*'>* ^s^ *«fe^Y«- .r: ,; f^|^:v;; ?;""-" :\|i 'a. 'J - i -> T*4 'I '*^m n ^^^^ 4'-- u^ ^^^;|- 1* "^ 1 •^ig M^^^HBl »St^*3|jftjto.*^i''iiRfe^fc3i w .««<*!•»: 1 ^■^•'•••; .■^^:-'"^ KEPOR'i; OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 19 Still anotlier argument in favor of this plan lies in the fact that elk and deei, especially the former, are fond of a class of vegetation that grows wild in the mesa often preferring it to the fresh green feed or hay raised in cultivated lielcis, thiis saving the expense that might otherwise lessen the profit in this province of big game propagation. The domestication of deer and elk offers an interesting Held for experiment, iis well as reinunorativc returns for the investment of capital. Both these animals can be raised successfully and cheaply under conditions prevalent here, and no drawback presents itself that would prevent the raising of them as a source of profit to both the individual and the state. The same conditions prevail regarding fish as are found in respect to game. The fish found in the wild and unbroken regions of ISfew Mexico are the most sought after and enjoyed. No fish excites the admiration and delight of tho American as does rhe speckled trout. He is general Iv recognized as the most delicate and delieious meml)er of the i\A\ family and would always be in demand on the market. Safeguards against the destruction and sale of wild deer in place of domesti- cated are not difficult to enforce. For this purpose a system ol* licensing private parks, and of tagging deer or carcasses sold or shipped, so that they may be easily traced and identified, is recommended. There is no doubt that, with favor- able legislation, mufh othenvise waste land in Xew j\Iexieo nuiy be utilized for the production of venison so as to yield profitable returns, and also that this excellent and much esteemed meat, instead of being denied to 99% of the population of the country, may become a familiar product in our markets and purchased at a price not higher than the ordinary meats now offered for sale. How inconsistent our own game laws must appear in authorizing the issuance of a permit tr deale.'s for the sale of protected game and fish, and yet prohibiting the keepers of liotels and restaurants from serving them on the table or naming them on their luenu. The following states have modified tlieir laws so as to pmvide. uiuler regula- tions, for the sale of deer from private preserves. Transportation and even ex- port are included in some of them : Arhinsafi. — Possession, sale, and .-liipineut of deer or fawns is ])ermitted when they have been raised in captivity for domestic jjurposes and are accompanied by an affidavit from the raiser. Colorado. — Owners of private presenes tuider a license are permitted to sell and ship deer or other quadrnpeds that are accompanied l)y an invoice. A fee is required for each animal sold. Illinois. — Any person who raises deer for nutrket uuiy kill and sell them at any tiuie in the same manner as other domestic animals. Ii(di(nia.— The provisions of the law as to possession and sale do not applv to persons who have under ownership or control anv deer raised in a deer park. jlfas.sfuJivsclts. — The owner nuty sell his own tame deer kept on his jdwu grounds. Minnrsolii. — Persons who desire to domesticate deer, moose, elk, or caribou ^^^ I !^-^ ^^^^^ JL.X^ il^^ REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 21 may secure a permit to do so from the state board of game and fish commissioners by paying a fee of 50 cents for eacli animal in captivity and a like fee for each animal added later by natural increase or otherwise. The animals kept in captivity may be sold or shipped within or without the state, by permission of the commis- sioners. Missouri. — Deer or elk, alive or dead, may be shipped from any private pre- serve and sold in the markets of the state when accompanied by a tag furnished l)y the game warden of the county, showing whose property it is, and to whom shipped. New Hampshire. — The Blue Mountain Forest Association may kill elk, deer, or moose in their preserve for one month after the open season, and at any time may transport them outside tlie state. New York. — Deer may be sold during the open season; and moose, elk. cari- bou, and antelope from private parks ma^- be sold during the same period. . Common carriers may transport animals into the state for breeding purposes, but may not transport venison unless it is accompanied 1)y the owner. North Carolina. — Seventeen cov«ties permit the owner and keeper of an inclosed game reserve, who raises deer for use or sale, to kill, sell, or use those raised or kept in sai([ inclosure. rennsylvania. — Owners of game preserves who hold a game-propagating cer- iihcate may sell and transport deer or fawn alive for propagating purposes only, after securing the written consent of the president of the board of game com- missioners. In three or four other states game "under private ownership legally acquired," is supposed to be exempt from the general provisions of the game law; but in a test case as to its sale or export it is doubtful whether the courts would so hold without more specific provision legalizing such commerce. VIOLATION OF GAME LAWS. The strict enforcement of the game laws is not effected without spme diffi- 'culty and requires constant vigilance and activity on the part of the game warden and his deputies. For generations the Indian has ranged over the broad tracts of this great Avestem section of our country and hunted at will. It is no small task to teach them the law and demonstrate the benefit which comes to them, as well as to others, through its enforcement. Up to two year? ago nothing had ever been accomplished in the way of putting n stop to the recldess, wholesale slaughter of deer and all big game hy the reser- vation and Pueblo Indians. They simply killed at will, in accordance with their long established and unmolested cu.stom. Upon assuming the office of game and fish warden, in order to acquaint the people with the law relative to game and fish, and deeming this the most efficient method of securing compliance with the statute, I had printed several thousand copies of the law. in English and Spanish; also a synopsis on cards and cloth posters, sending them to all the county clerks, deputy game wardens, forest sujicrvisors and guards, teachers at the rarious Indian pueblos and reservations, as well as to individuals and newspapers of the territorv REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 23 for their int'oniiation and distribution. Tlie Indians had copies widely distributed among them with attention called to tlie license and limit proviso and they seemed to understand the meaning of the law, as they procured licenses; but, in the face of this they went on shooting and slaughtering all the game they could lind. in reckless disregard of the prohibitory statute, until it seemed to me thai some energetic and severe measures must l)e adopted to prevent the further unlawful destruction of the game. This department was constantly receiving reports from different sections of the territory detailing the violations of the gan'ic laws, the following being an example : "Hunters say that a band of marauding Apaclies from Arizona has butchered hundreds of deer in violation of the game laws, literally wiping the game out of one of the best hunting sections of the southwest. Ranch- men and rangers have seen stacks of hams and quarters piled breast high, and it is said the Indians are killing every deer they can find." In the fall of 1910, five different bands ol' Indians were arrested. Each individual meinlter n\' these Ijands was convicted and lined. One band of Pueblos, arrested in tlio Datil mountains, about one hundi'ed luiies west of Magdalena, l)y deputy wai'den Bol) Lewis and ranchman Earl Morley. had in its possession nearly one hundred head of deer, consisting of bucks, does and fawns. Valuable assistance was also rendered this department by Supervisor W. H. Goddard and his forest guards by the arrest and conviction of violators of the game laws in the Datil forest district. The accompanying picture ]iresents a good view of this band wlien arrested and in charge of the warden. I took the whole posse of violators iiefore the justice of the ])eace of Magdalena, where they were fined five hundred dollars, and costs taxed at one hundred and twenty-fiv(> dollars, all of which was paid. In tliis matter great pressure was brought to bear by many prominent citizens in favor of the Indians, the argument being that they intended no wrong and believed they were but acting within their inherited rights: l)ut it seemed to me that this was an opportune time to impress a lasting lesson, and I urged the fact that the Indians ])iirchased licenses having tlu' law plainly printed on the back, which was sufficient evidence that they were not entirely innocent of wrong doing. In two other cases where arrests were made the Indians attempted to get the hides and lieads of their I ooty into the pueblo l)y sending spe<'ial couriers awiiy from the main body. This, in itself, seemed to me at least strong circumstantial evi- dence that the violators recognized the wrong. They were captured, however, and paid their fine. AYhile in these cases, the costs, int'hiding trans])ortation. telegrams, long distance telejihones and necessary exiu'iiditiu'es. were considerable, yet, the inflic- tion of fines, instead of a term of imprisonment, moiv than met all these expenses, and in addition to this Hie moral effect was sufficiently impressive to bring about the most satisfactory results. There ceems to be no doubt that the reservation Indians, when hunting on their reservations, are exempt from arrest for violation of the game laws, but court decisions seem to establish the )irinci|ile that Indians found outside the EXD OF THE CHASE. Captured by Ruggks and Holder, Taos County. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 2o Teservation, with game illegally captured or killed, may be followed onto the reservation and arrested, or the game may be confiscated in transit, if found off the reservation, even though it was killed on Indian land. This ruling does not apply to the Pueblo Indians, they being classed as citizens. This legal status touching the relation of the reservation Indians to the game laws of the state is the cause of some difficulty in knowing always just where to draw the line. In the main, however, the Indians, at the present time, are causing but little trouble for this department. I am now pleased to report that during the year 1911, I have had no -complaint of the wholesale slaughter of deer, one of my deputy wardens whom I sent on a tour of inspection, reporting that he was "unable to find a moc- casin track in the Datil mountains." The same is true in all other parts of the state, and I anticipate no further violations of the game law on the part of the Indians. It is gratifying also, to make note of the fact that our records show that the native people, comprising those of Mexican descent, have been consistent observers of the game laws, and it has become a generally recognized fact, among them, as among all others, that the protection of game and fish is both necessary and beneficial, giving as it does, an opportunity to procure game near home, with- out being compelled to go a long distance to secure it. OUR GAME AND FISH. Xew Mexico presents a field, unsurpassed anywhere in the world for that recreation and enjoyment so relished by the true sportsman. Its great mountain ranges are covci^ed with a heavy growth of timber, while down their rugged side* flow inexhaustible streams of cold, pure water, heading in the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Rockies. Over the vast wooded areas wander deer and antelope, as well as a legion of predatory animals, always the delight of the ambitious hunter, the bagging of which causes the most supreme pleasure. Those unacquainted with the habits of these wild beasts of prey, cannot fully appreciate the havoc wrought by them to the game whieli the state is endeavoring to protect. The mountain lions now very numerous in our rugged, lofty woodlands are, perhaps, the most destructive of all these savage creatures that roam the vast tracts of unbroken forests, and hide in the rocky canyons where the hunter finds difficulty in tracking the wary marauder into those hidden haunts he knows so well. It is estimated by students of the habits of these destructive animals that one mountain lion will kill a deer each week, a statement that will occasion sur- prise among those who only know this wily brute as one of the wild creatures of the west, or a rare specimen captured for exhi])ition in the red Avagon of the circus parade. In evidence of the destructive tendencies of the mountain lion, I would state that word was recently received at this office that Stephen .Arnold, a ranchman on the upper Pecos, had lost fourteen colts and one full grown horse, killed by these noxious anii^jals this last year. As a matter of fact, the ruinous operations of the mountain lion constitute one of the ])roblems for solution by thi^^ department. The only method of at least REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 27 les^inino- the depredations of this destroj-er of game, as well as others of his class, sucii as the bob cat and lobo wolf, is to put a sufficiently large price on his head to induce lovers of big game hunting to make strenuous effort toward his elimina- tion. 'J'he bob cat, conunonly known as tlie wild cat, is another predatory animal that is very destructive to the smaller wild game, the greatest sufferers from his depredations being the turkey and the grouse; he has been known also to kill fawn, when his cunning in the capture of his favorite food failed to meet the demands of his appetite. Still another carniverous and baneful animal is the lo1)o wolf, a species not uncommon in New ]\Iexico. 'J'his free Ijooter is an enemy to the sheep herds, one ranchman in Torrance county being reported to have lost as many as three hundred sheep in a single night, as a result of the bloodthirsty instinct of this animal. The lobo wolf docs not kill for food only, but apparently from a spirit of pure enjoyment in the slaughter, like sheep-killing dogs; leaving his victims dead or dying. AYhile a good many ])ear, comprising the silver tip, cinnamon and black, are found in different sections, they are not seriously regarded, as it is but rarely that they kill other animals; the ranch cattle and burros being the only objects of their attack when their natural food becomes scarce. Of course, the bagging of a grizzley is always an ambition of the big game hunter, and here liis desires in this direction may be fully gratified. Bear are reported as being quite numerous on the upper Pecos, as the ac- companying picture would indicate. I am pleased to report that in spite of the depredations of these predatory animals, the actual amount of wild game in New Mexico is greater than it has been for many years, and the same is true of the game fish in our lakes and streams, a sul)ject which will be toiiched upon later in this report. In the mountain districts deer have increased in number and these sections are now well stocked. It is of interest to know, in this connection, that no New ^[exico hunter going out during the past season, Avhose prowess and accuracy of aim entitled him to the prize, failed, on his return to bring with him the ont pair of buck's horns to which he is entitled uiuler the law. This result, as detailed, is a tribute l)oth to the s])lendid hunting opportunities afforded here, and to the skill of our local nimrods. Recently, Sonorian or rock deer, have ap- peared in the ]Mogollon mountains, liaving ap])arently drifted into this district from j\[exico, which is their hal)itat. They bid fair to become more plentiful in tiic future and will add another attractive element to the New Mexico sporting field. There is also a l)and of mountain sheep, aggregating, probably, from two to four hundred, in the Guadalu])e mountains on the line between Texas and New ]\[exico, and a small bunch also have been reported near Truchas peaks in Eio Arriba county. These fine specimens of wild game once so plentiful in the moun- tainous regions of the west were fast becoming extinct before the ravages of the huntsman.-but it is hoped that under the rigid ])rotection of our game laws, they may increase rapidly in the state. The law provides a closed season until 1915. '28 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. The antelope, once so nnmerons all tlirougli the west, disappeared very rapid- ly as their feeding grounds were encroached upon hy homeseekers, who took np these lands for cultivation, but in various sections a nuiuber are still reported in Colfax, Socorro and Valencia counties, while in southern Xew Mexico reports show as follows : ■Carlsbad district, South 40 to Go miles 50 antelope '' Will Cravens Eanch 34 ''■ 9 k Eanch, 45 miles south 20 '' Eader Eanch. 15 miles south 13 " 35 miles northeast of Carlsbad 59 " 35 miles southeast of Carlsbad 50 northwest of Carlsbad 150 '' Barber Eanch 65 THE CLUB GROUNDS AT CAMP TOBERMORY, NOVEMBER 14, 1911. From left to right: A. R. Streicher, Hugh Smith, A. L. Hobbs. W. H. Smith— Polie. On the Sacramento mesa, Otero county, 350 head are reported and at Fort Stantoji, also, 100 more. It is estimated that there are about 1,700 in the state. Elk will soon become a prominent feature in New Mexico game life, and as the procuring of them is in the nature of a new departure, I will treat of them specifically on another page of this report. The beaver, also, will have a special mention. In the world of bird life, I feel a gratification in reporting that conditions are most favorable. Wild turkeys, which have always been attractive to the hunter, are rapidly increasing In numliers and these, together with the ever popular grouse, REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 29 are I'ouucl more niiiiic'ruiisly than for a long period past, in tlic northern coimties especially. A few wild pigeons have been reported in the counties of Rio Arriba, Taos, San Miguel, Eddy, Grant and Otero. The once plentiful and much sought prairie chicken is now again appearing quite extensively along the eastern border of tlie state. A iew ptarmigan are still seen in Taos county, but they are very scarce and it can be but a short time when they will become extinct. The quail, Gambel, blue mountain and bob white, are becoming constantly more numerous. The various species of game birds will be specifically mentioned in another section of this report. FISH OF NEW MEXICO The fish of our state have become numerous both as to quantity and kind. The lakes and ponds have, as inhabitants, the ring perch, cat fish, carp, buffalo and black bass. Of the.-e the perch and bass, of course, are greatly preferred, and really, the only fish that are especially attractive to the devotee of tlie rod and line. As the lion is tJie king of beasts and the eagle of birds, so is the black bass the king of the fresh water fish. This splendid inhabitant of our inland waters is the delight of the angler on account of his gamey spirit, and on the table he is without a peer . As evidence of his popularity it is only necessary to state that, on the market he brings the highest price. In planting fish for propagation it is wise to study their habits, both as to ki'nd of food and their relation to the body of water and the other fish in the same waters. The black bass, a wary and gamey warrior, is particular both as to his sur- roundings and his food. While he may thrive under certain conditions, in rivers and creeks, his favorite habitat is in ponds, where clear water prevails and where aquatic plants abound or where he may hide around old tree tops, logs or brush piles that may lie in the water, the lily pads being enjoyed by this fish for spawn- ing grounds. The spawning season for black bass is from May 15 to July 1st. Black bass, while voracioits feeders, are very fussy about it, and want only the best the market affords. An old bass not only wants the best, but likes a change of diet, which accounts perhaps, for the fact that aside from small fish, cray fish and frogs are quite often found in the dissected stomach of black bass, and in some instances insects and even birds. Some difficulty has been found in bass citlturc on account of the cannibalistic qualities of this fish, as the bass does not hesitate to eat his own kind, when food to his liking is not at hand . To obviate this diffi- culty, ponds containing black bass should be stocked liberally with suckers, bull heads, and other rapidly breeding fish, to keep up the food supply without de- pleting the number of young bass, which would otherwise be destroyed by the larger members of their own family. The bass guard their eggs while they are being hatched from all those enemies which feed upon the spawn of fish, seeming to regard this food Avith the same delightful appreciation that the human family, the members of which can afford the luxury, seek for the delicate caviare. So pro- tective of its eggs is this scrappy member of the fish family that he has been 30 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. known to kill fish miich larger than himself, during the spawning season, by dart- ing under the intruding enemy, striking with the sharp, knife-like fin, which the bass carries on his dark and shiny back. It has been proven by experience and actual test that black bass will clear a lake or pond of German carp, pre- sumably by this means, and feeding upon the young. One instance clearly prov- ing this statement is shown in the fact that one of the ten lakes owned by J. T). Hand, on his large estate in San j\Iiguel county, which was stocked by the former owner, with German carp, and was literally alive with this undesirable fish, was stocked by the present owner with black bass. Five years later and at the ])resent time the German carp have entirely disappeared and the kingly bass now reigns supreme in this lake where once the carp predominated. Inasmuch as the German carp, which was introduced into New Mexico some years ago, is a poor table fish, is a cannibal and a destroyer of other valuable fish, it is to be hoped and urged that those stocking laT^es and ponds will no longer order carp, liut will confine theij- orders to black bass, ring perch, crappies, cat fish and wall- eyed pike. These fish are suitable only for lakes and ponds, and those who oossess waters of these kinds should stock them only wdth the fish mentioned above which can be obtained at present and free of cost, only through Hon. George M. Bowers, bureau of fisheries, Washington, D .C, to Avhom application should be made. The application must also be endorsed by one of our members of congress, or one of our members of the United States senate. The demand on the government for these fish is so great that it is only possible to fill requests in the order in which they are received and filed. No means have yet been found by which this class of fish can be successfully spawned and raised in hatcheries, altiiough the government has spent large sums in experimental trials. Those who have the water but no natural ponds can readily construct an arti- ficial one. ^^'e give herewith some valuable suggestions along this line, offered by L. L. Dyche, game and fii-h warden of Kansas, an acknowledged authority on fish culture. Mr. Dyche says: "After the dam or dike has been finished and the bottom of the pond has been put in proper condition to be filled with Avater, the owners are usually anxious to s«e the new ponl area filled up with Avater either from natural drainage or such other sources of water as the locality may afford. It Avould really be better in many cases to alloAV the ncAv dam and pond area to stand and settle for a feAv months or even a year. HoAvever, this is not necessary, as it is possible to fill ueAv-made pond Ijasins as soon as they are finished. Before the Avater is turned onto the ground that is to serve as the bottom of the ncAvly-made pond it should be carefully examined for sandy, gravelly or porous places. There .should be natural or scooped-out places in every fish pond not less than six feet in depHi (8 or 10 feet Avould be better) ; Avater on the Ijottom of a pond remains more even in temperature than that on the surface. The deeper holes in a pond provide cool places for the fish to rest in during the hot siimmer Aveather. It also furnishes them places of retreat where they can bed Avith more safety Avhen the Aveather is cool and Avhen the pond is covered Avith ice in the dead of Avinter. Unless the fish are surrounded l)y plenty of Avater at such times «o REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 31 they may die I'or want of air. For many years wc have noticed that many iish tliat liave been bedded, either from necessity or l)y accident, in shallow water — water that was not more than one to two feet in depth — have died during the winter. Tliey seem to become very numb and nearly frozen, so to speak, and apparently die for want of air; in this weakened condition they seem to be more susceptil)le to the attacks of the white fungus disease which, under such con- ditions, sometimes kills off great numbers of fish. While spring water is usually considered to be very fine for iish. it is, per- haps, the poorest of all waters when it comes to furnishing the fish with food supplies. It contains practically no fish-food material, and Avhen it comes from the ground is poorly supplied with air. It can he much improved and supplied with both food and air by carrying it for greater or less distances through opea ditches, ravines or creeks, where there is more or less plant and animal life grow- ing. Artesian water and water pumped from wells are as destitute of fisli-food as spring water, but the quality of such water for fish purposes may be improved bv running it into ])onds that are well supplied with water plants and insect life. Fish live in the water and breathe the air that is held in small bubbles in mechanical mixture Avith the Avater. They do not live on water any more than iniman beings live on air. We live in the air and breathe it; fish live in the water and breathe by ])a,ising the Avater through the gills (their lungs) and hy this operation get or gather the oxygen from the particles of air that the water contains in the shape of minute bubbles. Hence, running water or water that is agitated into Avaves by the Avind is always better for fish as it contains inore minute air- ladjbles for them to breathe in." Bass are numerous in the Spring rivi-rs, all the deep lakes in Chaves and Eddy counties. Salt Creek, the SeA-en rivers and Black river, in the last mentioned county; in fact in nearly all the clear Avater lakes and streams of the state. Great s])ort is thus offered the fishermen of these sections and in addition, they iind enjoyment in the substitution of this diet for the habitual one of mutton and beef. An establi.-licd and satisfactory method of preparing the ])otloni of an arti- ilcial pond, to prevent leaking, and Avliere the soil is sandy, is to drive a herd of sheep or goats back and forth over a coating of clay, placed over the sand. This gives a hard surface Avhich holds the Avater and gives a substantial and permanent bottom to the ])On(l. A fish i)erhaps as well known as any of the Iish family, is the cat Iish. The •MIX name takes us baick home, to the Avooded pond, a mile or two from town, to which Ave tramped on stone bruised feet, bearing on shoulder the primitive fish rod and the hook purchased at the village hardAvare store for one copper cent. 'I'hat boy has lost a good deal out of life Avho never knew the cat fish, his habits. liis appearaiu-e and the flavor of his flesh. This fish has l)ccome a good deal of a favorite in itii nt years as evidenced from a government report Avhich states that in one year twenty-three states reported a catch of 14.1,26.000 pounds; also that "l)Olh com.mercial fishermen and anglers thronirhout the comiirv are showiuir in- 32 REPORT OF GAME AND F]SH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. creased interest in catfishes ,ancl requests for stocking public and private Avaters ]3ave recently been numerous/-' Catfishes are bottom feeders, omniverous in their habits, taking more or less vegetable and a great variety of animal food. They ijave large mouths, heads, stomachs and appetities and are capable of adapting themselves to a wider range of conditions than most any other member of the fish family. This fact renders these fishes increasingly valuable for pond stock- ing. They -will prosper in brooks inhabited by the bass tribe. The crappie is another fish that is becoming popular as a pond fish. He beiongs to the pug variety with his large mouth and protruding jaw, but is not, to any great extent, given to the destruction of other fishes. Their nature is not can- nibalistic and they do not devour their own kind; their jnain food being vegetable matter mixed with insects and crustaceans of both land and water varieties. While the crappie is not classed as a game fish, yet he gives good sport to the angler and is very satisfactory in the frying pan. To the true fisherman, who delights above all other sports^ in the light rod and humming reel, no word has a greater lure than that magic one, "Trout." The locality which can offer a tempting field for the trout fisherman is sure to have a niche in the hall of fame in the sport world, and to bring to it every season, the out-of-door lovers from every section of the country. Colorado is reaping a veritable harvest from tourists, and furnishing great sport for the home angler. This state has established nine hatcheries, which are maintained by legislative appropriation, this being found necessary to meet the constantly increasing de- mand. The waters of that state have become so far famed and popular that during the past season a special train was run daily out of Denver, known far and wide as the "Daylight Train," which passed through Wagon Wheel Gap and stopped at Creede, Avhere the fishing was superb. This enticing sport seems to have no rival in the estimation of those Avho love the camp life among the moun- tains where gambols the "speckled beauty.'" — the fish that never fails to arouse the spirit of the angler. The far famed and greatly admired brook trout has habits :!nd peculiarities Avhich belong to him alone, though in some Avays he resembles strongly the mountain trout Avhich is his cousin. Alike, these tAVO members of the trout family are gamey, wary, and most delectable. The distinct difference AA'hich distinguishes them lies in the coloring, marking and in their habits of spaAvning. The brook trout has clearly defined spots on the side, which are a clear red in color, avI ile on the mountain trout the spots are dark broAvn or nearly black. One argument in favor of the brook trout, wherein he is especially beneficial and valuable, is based on the fact that this fish Avill breed and spawn Avhere planted and will there remain, unlike the mountain and rainbow trout Avhich go to the headAvaters for tho spawning season. The brook trout spaAvns in No- vember, the eggs hatching during the winter months, even under the ice. The young fish coming out early in the spring have the advantage of a substantial groAvth before going into winter quarters, Avhen they are large enough to escape from the attacks of other cannibalistic fishes that might otherwise destroy them. Another point of value lies in the fact that eggs of this fish are not as subject to freshets that Avash tlie eggs ashore, where many of them are destroyed or become REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 38 worlliK'ss. Still ;iii(«tlu'r pdiiit (if diiriTciK-e hctwt't'ii the brook Irout and others of iiii< raiiiily. lies in tlic t'st Life-size. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 39 are his constant and alert enemies by roosting in trees, but during the day he haunts the lands near farms, in the fields and bosques. The blue mountain quail is found more on the open mesa, hiding under the inalpais, cactus and sage brusli. Both these species of quail which abound in New Mexico, are much sought after by the sportsman who finds no greater pleasure than in a full bag at the close of a day's hunt. The law on quail is, with gun only, October 1st to December 31st. Limit: thirty in possession at one time. The bob white is distinctly an American bird and he has a popularity that is nation wide. Famed for his beavity and sought as a great table delicacy, the bob white has no rival among the game birds, being of great economic value as well, as his food consists of seeds and insects and he seldom does any injury to crops. Bob white is a liandsome fellow with his white throat and showy golden brown leathers, distinctly marked Avith lines of black and white, with ash colored tail. This bird has about him a most fascinating quality and seems to bear an atmos- phere of cheer. He is naturally affectionate and can, with care and proper treat- ment, be domesticated, though of course, he is at his l)est in his favorite and native haunts. There are scarcely any among the smaller game birds possessing the peculjiarly attractive qualities that belong to this charming member of the bird family. Tlic l)ob white has been very little known in N'ew Mexico heretofore, not l)eing a native to this locality; l)ut realizing the fact that he is a great favorite among sportsmen, and being satisfied that he would thrive here, if given a chance, J imported a few, during the year 1911, having exchanged them for our native quail, the laws prohibiting the shipping of game or game birds out of most of the other states, except in exchange for other game birds. The price of the bob white, purchased from game bird breeders is so high, as in the case of pheasants, that I have not deemed it wise to procure them through this channel. The few that have been brought here, through the medium of exchange, give promise of doing well, and under the protection given by the game laws, I have reason to expect a rapid natural increase, so that in the future his cheerful note will become one of the delightful features in the fields and woodlands of the state. The bob white is jirotected until March 18, 1914. PHEASANTS. The price of ])heasant.i, ranging from five dollars for English, and forty dollars for Mongolion, per pair, has seemed to me almost prohibitive and I have not deemed it wise to go extensively into the purchase of these birds, though their beautiful plumage renders them unusually attractive, and their position in the world of game birds has made them extremely popular. However, by way of experiment I purchased, last year, thirty-one pheasants and intrusted them to the care of Captain M. S. Murray of Eoswell, deputy game warden, who built breed- ing pens, purchased some bantams, and is endeavoring to raise them for distribu- tion. The success achieved by Captain Murray, and the present condition of these birds is indicated in the following letter written August 9th. 1911 : 40 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. "Mr. Tliomas P. Gable, Game Warden, "Santa Fe, New Mexico. "Sir: "In reply to your letter of Ttli inst. I would state that the pheasants that were purchased for the purpose of propagating in this section of the country: All the birds purchased are still living and in good health. About fifty young birds were hatched, and apparently in good health. "The hatch was much longer in coming than in other parts of the country where 23 or 24 days are required, usually. Some of those here re- quired 29, 26 and 28 days. In addition, I believe they require more of a range to wander over than I have at present. I am practically convinced that the best way is to turn the birds loose in the mountains and let thein get next to natural conditions. * * * * j ^j^ convinced, however, that this is the place for them, especially in the mountain country, as feed is abundant and shelter good. There are several places about here where a pen could be turned loose next spring and allowed to do for themselves. This, I l^elieve, is the solution, as far as I can see at present. Other parties here who invested in the same variety, have not had as good success, not even hatching a chick, "the eggs not being fertile. I regret that a better showing could not be made, but I have not lost heart. I believe next vear, when the birds are acclimated, they will do much better. "Very respectfullv, "M. S. Murray. The following letter from William French of Cimarron, bears out the l)elief of Captain Murray that pheasants should thrive in New ]\[exico. and eventually become a popular game bird : THE W. S. RANCH Cimarron, New Mexico, Colfax County. "Thos. P. Gable, Esq., "Territorial Game Warden, "Santa Fe, New Mexico. "Dear sir: "Replying to your letter of Januarv 4th, would say tliat I turned fifty pheasants loose here on the Ponil about ten years ago, twelve males and twenty- eight females, as near as I can recollect. There are still quite a number around this neighborhood, principally on tlie Cimarron river, as I think they do not like it where the brush is too thick for them to fly out . There are some on the Ponil, but not so many as on the CUmarron. Of course, they have a great many enemies, both human, as well as wild animals, but they have done well enough to show that when they are protected for a time they will increase and do well in this country. "Yours very truly, "WiLLTA:\r Frexch." REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDP:N FOR NEW MEXICO. 41 '.riie })liL'a-^ant is protecteil uiilil Maivli IS. l!il j. [ have also purchased and released twenty-two guineas dnrinii- the ])ast year, as an experimental trial in fur- nishinu' a new aanie hird in the state. GROUSE. The grouse is an inhahitant of the transcontinental coniferous forests from the northern border of the United States, east of the Rocky JMountains, to Labra- dor and Alaska. The male is an especially handsome bird, the markings being very distinct, and in the spring the brilliant red eondjs above the eyes add to the beauty of the cock as lie struts along the trunk of a fallen log and drums in a peculiar way, similar to the eastern partridge. This grouse nests in May or early June and lays about a dozen butf colored eggs, handsomely marked in chest- nut and brown. This grouse is strictly a bird of the forest, and does not appear at any tinu\ to come into contact with agricultural products. The flesh of this l)ird is highly flavored, tender, juicy and regarded with great favor, but, as often liappens with all game birds, the flavor of the flesh of the grouse, at certain sea- sons, is afl'ected ])v the character of its diet. ADIOS. In some respects the grouse is a difficult bird to ]irotect as he takes no jire- <-aution in protecting liimself. Of one peculiar trail possessed by the grouse. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt writes: ''The mountain men call tliis bird the fool-hen; and most certainly it de- serves the name. The mend)ers of this particular llock, consisting of a lien and her ihree-parts grown chicks, acted with a stuj)itlity unwonted even for their kind. They were feeding on the ground among some young spruce, and on oui' •approach flew up and ])erclied in the branches, four or five feet above our heads. There they stayed, uttering a low complaining whistle, and showed 42 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. not the slightest suspicion when we came nnderneath them with long sticks and knocked them off their perches." The grouse in New Mexico are hecoming more plentiful owing to the rigid pro- tection, largely due to the careful attention of the deputy wardens, assisted hy the forest guards. The law on these birds is, with gun only, October 1st to December 31st of each year. PTARMIGAN. This bird, now fast disa]>pcaring, is naturally a dweller of the colder climes, and is found more numerously still in Alaska and the mountains of British Co- liimbia. It ranges, to some extent, however, as far south as Colorado, and northern New Mexico, though seldom seen, and is regarded as sufficiently in the novelty class to be pointed out to'tonrists as one of the sights seen only in the west and far north. "The ptarmigan breeds in the higher altitudes, even reaching a height of 13,500 feet and often wanders to the lofty summit peaks one thousand feet higher. They nest early in June, and in winter they descend to the lower altitudes when the sexes separate into different flocks. The food of the ptarmigan consists largely of buds, insects, some kinds of flowers and sometimes small beetles." The flesh of this bird has never been considered of the choicest class, though it is said to be quite palatable. The ptarmigan, which is a trusting creature, takes no precaution in protecting itself, and is given the l)enefit of the closed season. WILD TURKEY. This splendid bird, distinguished as our biggest game Ijird. is designated under our license law in the big game class. The following quotation from a bulletin, issued by Sylvester D. Judd. assis- tant in the biological survey, sets forth clearly the condition of the wihl turkey at the present time and the cause of his elimination : "The wild turkey, onr biggest game bird, was forjuerly abundant over a wide area. It has been exterminated throughout much of its former range, and unless radical measures ai'e taken it will become extinct in a few years. In early colonial da3:s it was numerous in Massachusetts, coming aboiit the houses of the settlers in large flocks. It is now totally extinct in New England. It is hard to realize that at the beginning of the nineteenth century turkeys were so abundant that they sold for 6 cents apiece, though the largest ones, weighing from 25 to 30 pounds, sometimes brought a quarter of a dollar. A big wild turkey nowadays would not long go begging at $5. It is their value as food that it made it Avorth while to hunt turkeys to the very point of extermina- tion. So-called sportsmen go out in the late summer ostensibly to shoot squirrels, but really to pot turkeys on the roost. Another practice is to lie in ambush and lure the game by imitating the call note of the hen in spring. The writer has personal knowledge of such methods of hunting in Virginia and Maryland, and they are largely responsible for the extermination now im- minent. Trapping turkeys in pens — a very simple matter — has also accelerated the destruction of the species." REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 43 As with our tame turkey, the raising of the young wihl turkey presents many difficulties as the chicks are very delicate and exceedingly sensitive to the wet. Audu- bon says, that during wet weather they are fed by their mothers with buds of spice brush much as human youngsters arc dosed with quinine. When the young wild turkeys are two weeks old they roost on low branches with the mother, as Ijy tlie time they have reached this stage they have passed many of their early ills. The condition of the wikl turkey in New Mexico is most excellent, and they are WHO AVOULDXT BE A BOY AGAIN? increasing rapidly at the present time, now being very plentiful in the mountain districts. 1 have reports from reliable sources that as many as one hundred and tift} wild turkeys have been seen together at one time this season in Eio Arriba countv, where they are said to be found in great numbers, 't'liey are ap])earing, as well, in districts where they have not been seen for many years past. Of course, the wild turkey is still, as he has always been, the prize for which the huntsman seeks with the greatest zest, and he holds his place without fear of rivalrv, orf the festal board; neither Thanksgiving nor Christmas being considered properly recognized without tlie ])resence of tliis cherished viand as the piece de resistance. ]f ho is of tlie wild vnrictv bis value is greatlv enhanced. 44 REPORT OF GAME -AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. The food of the wild turkey is both animal and vegetable, the latter predomi- nating; though nothing seems to be quite so satisfying to the turkey appetite as grasshoppers and crickets, but berries, seeds and nuts are not scorned. Even where wild turkeys are plentiful they have not caused any trouble to the ranchman or farmer by feeding on their grain. The flavor of the flesh of the wild turkey is often att'ected by their diet, as during certain seasons, when eating berries, especially the juniper, it becomes so strong that it cannot he eaten with relish. The flesb is most palatable when the turkeys are feeding on acorns and pinon nuts. The game law on wild turkey is: with gun onlv, Xovember 1st to December 31st of each 3-ear. Limit: four in possession at one time. THE PRAIRIE HEN. This attractive and alluring l)ird is, I am much pleased to report, growing uiore plentiful in New Mexico, being found most numerously in Guadalupe and Curry counties. They have evidently drifted over the line from Oklahonui, driven out, it is presumable, by the encroachment of settlers as the farm lands were gradual- ly taken up. In former years the prairie hen was very plentiful in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, and oven in the eastern states; Imt now is very rare east of the Mississip- pi, though everywhere they are being most rigidly protected, the open season being very short, even where their hunting is permitted at all. The prairie hen is very highly regarded as a table delicacy, the flesh lieing dark and having a most delicious flavor. Many sportsmen declare that tliere is no better sport than chicken shooting, as this bird is unquestionably one of the noblest of our game birds. This fowl is not as swift of flight as the bob white or ruffled grouse, and his preservation is more difficidt than that of the former, as that l)eautiful game bird is far more prolific tlian the prairie hen, and does not require so extensive a rauire. Like every other Ijird this pretty denizen of the prairie has its own pe- culiar characteristics. "During the nuptial season the}' assemble at daybreak each morning on little mounds and hillocks, where the cocks strut about with droop- ing wings, the large orange colored sacs on the sides of the neck fully inflated, while at intervals they lower their heads and give forth a strange, booming love note that can be heard a mile away. It is one of the most welcome and striking of all the notes that go to make vp the spring bird chorus. As a rule but one brood is rnised in a season, and the young leave the nest as soon as hatched and run al)out in search of food." Xo food seems as acceptable to the prairie hen as the grasshopper, any kind being agreeable, and this clafs of food is varied by consuming beetles and some mis- i-ellaneous insects, together with a small amount of vegetable matter. One notable feature of this fowl which makes it of especial value to the farmer lies in the fact ihat it is a consumer of those pests which are injurious to the farm and garden. On this account the farmers of the east have greatly missed the prairie hen as it hecame extinct in those sections where once it thrived. Efforts are being made nmong them to establish measures for its reintroduction and protection. However, in the winter when snow covers the ground, it visits the cornfield as a favorite place for securing sustenance. The law protects the prairie hen until January 1, 1915 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDExN FOR NEW MEXICO. 45 THE CROW. Tlie crow is now protected aloiiu- with other non-game birds, but in my opin- ion is iinwortliy of this consideration. In some states tlie crows have become so "lestructive that the government receives their heads in lieu of taxes, at a small given price. Two serious charges arc made against tlie crow, as regards its relation to other birds, in that it destroys the eggs and young of domesticated fowls and U even more destructive to ihose of wild birds. The testimony of observers is abundant and unimpeachable regarding these charges. Dr. John 1). Godman, after years of can-ful observation, mainly in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, says: "Where food is at any time scarce, or the opportunity jfor such marauding inviting, there is scarcely a young animal about the farmyards safe from the attacks of the crow. Young chickens, ducks, goslings, and even little pigs, when quiie young and feeble, are carried off by them. They are not less eager to discover the nests of domestic fowls, and will sit verv quietly in .sioht. at a convenient distance, until the hen leaves the nest, and tlicn ilv down and suck her eggs at leisure." Crows are also very destructive to corn, tlie evidence being voluminous and conclusive. Jn addition to destroying corn in the milk, crows are fond of pulling the sprouting leaves, often causing very great damage to the fields of the larmer, who has come to regard this freebooter as a dangerous enemy. Jn my judgment the common i-row should l)e taken from the list of protected birds. OUR VANISHING SHORE BIRDS. Regarding these birds, W. L. ::\IcAtee, assistant biologist, says: "The term shorebird is a])plied to a group of long-legged, slender-])i]led, and usually plainly colored hii-ds belonging to the order LimicoUv. J\Iore than 00 species of them occur in North America. True to their name they frequent the shores of all bodies of water, large and small, luit many of them are equally at home on ])lains and prairies. "Sborebirds have been limited until only a remnant of their once vast numl)ers are left. Their limited power of reproduction, coupled with the natural vicissitudes of the lirccding period,, make their increase slow, and ])e- culiarly expose them to daiigci' of extermination. "In the way of protection a beginning has been made, and a continuous close season until 191. "5 has been established for the following birds: The kill- deer, in ^lassachusetts and Louisiana; the upland plover, in Massachusetts and Vermont; and the piping ])lover, in Massachusetts. But, considering the needs and value of these birds, this nu)dicum of protection is small iiuleed. "The above-named species are not the only ones that should be exempt from persecution, for all the shorebirds of the United States are in great need of better protection. They should be protected, first, to save them from the danger of extermination, and, second, because of their great economic im- portauce. So great, indeed, is their economic value, that their retention on the game list and their destruction by sportsmen is a serious loss to agriculture. "^ 46 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. BIG GAME OF NEW MEXICO. Of all the big game found in the west the elk stands supreme in a class by himself. New Mexico has not known this noble specimen of the antlered tribe for many years, though formerly it was known as the elk's home. When the Indians roamed and hunted at will through this great hunter's territory, and held the lands as their own, as a supposed right of inheritance, they ruthlessly slaughtered the elk, and with no opportunity for natural increase, they were finally eliminated entirely from the confines of New Mexico. Even today the horns of this splendid animal are found in the mountain ranges, which is conclusive evidence that elk were formerly abundant in this region. This imposing and kingly animal, often designated as the "llonarch of the Glen," is not surpassed for beauty and majesty in the game animal kingdom, New Mexico is the natural habitat of the elk, as the winters are not so severe, the feed is abundant and the range unlimited. The climate in this state is in strong contrast with that of Wyoming and other states of the extreme north, where elk abound, and where the long, severe winters, with deep snows, are most disastrous. From the Jackson Hole region, Wyoming, come most pitiful stories of starving elk, where, because their food is covered by the abounding snows or withered by drought, the poor creatures have died in great bands for lack of sustenance. The legislature of Wyoming appropriated money to buy food for these starving ani- mals; likewise, the congress of the United States appropriated a large sum, and the farmers gave liberally of their supply of hay, but in spite of these efforts to aid and sustain them, the elk died, literally by thousands from actual starvation. In the above named state where they are most numerous, elk are regarded as a valuable asset to the commonwealth, from a purely financial standpoint, as nto animal is more attractive to the hunter after big game than the elk, and those coming from distant jjoints from year to year, run into large numbers, more than willing to pay the non-resident hunters fee of $30.00. The habits of the elk are not generally known, yet make an interesting study. The bull elk shed their wonderful antlers each year, usually beginning about the first of March, though sometimes they are shed inuch earlier, and others carry them till May. During the period of shedding and while the new horns are growing the bulls assemble in bands, remaining entirely apart from the cows. Ijater on, about the last of fSepteraber, when the horns are fully grown, a complete change comes over them and their gentle nature develops into one at once .belligerant and irascible. At this time many a battle royal takes place between rivel bulls, and the moun- tains eclio with that peculiar whistle which ends with a deep roar. It is then that each bull endeavors to gather into a herd all the cows he can induce to follow him. Any interference with a Inill at this time by any rival means a terrific fight. One characteristic of the elk is that they have no fear of dogs or coyotes, as they kill them by striking them with their front feet. Realizing the importance of stocking our forests with these superb animals and recognizing the natural conditions so manifest here, I purchased with monies derived from the game protection fund, twelve head of three year old elk, in Eoutt THE ELK. As They Appeared When Broug-ht Into New Mexico, May, 1911. A Snap-shot of a Portion of the S.n ■ November, 1911. ;r ivaii.tif. .\<,ir (iinarron, 48 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. coimtv, Colorado. This purcliaso included nine cows and three bulls^ -which I divided into three separate bands consisting of three cows and one bull each. One of these bands was released in Eed Uiver canyon, about fifteen miles north of Eaton: a second in Gallinas canyon, twelve miles northwest of Las Yegas, and a third in the Cimarron canyon in Colfax coimty. On the accompanying pages will be found a picture of these elk Avlien received by me, and a second showing the present condition and appearance of the bunch which I released in the Ciinarron canyon. It will be of interest to note the com- parative appearance as shown in the picture when the elk were received in May and again when the second picture w^as taken in November. 1911. The ragged- ness and depleted condition in the one is in strong contrast to the splendid, flourish- ing appearance in the other A close inspection of the larger picture will disclose two knobs on the head of the male elk whore the horns are just beginning to grow, while in the smaller picture they are seen in full maturity, each prong in- dicating one years age. The accompanying letter describes the condition of one Ijand of these elk at the present time : THE URRACA RANCH. Cimarron, New Mexico. ''December 16, 1911. "Mr. Thomas P. Gable, "Santa Fe, New Mexico. "Dear Mr. Gable: "I tal\e pleasure in enclosing herewith several very good pictures of the band of elk which I have on the Urraca Eanch . These elk are doing splendid- ly and the two calves which were dropped shortly after their arrival are al- most full grown. I find these animals very thrifty and not at all hard to handle. The bull, as you Avill observe, has become a splendid specimen. It is my opinion that if elk are imported to this section of New Mexico and held a sufficient length of time to become thoroughly acclimated and located, they will make no further effort to wander from this range and that it will be an easy matter to restock the ranges of the state Avhich are adapted to their mode of living. "I think your step in this direction is one of the best things ever done l)y any game warden that we have ever had. It will add immensely, in years to come, to the attraction offered new settlers and sportsmen to the state. I take pleasure at this time also in stating that as a result of your willingness to freely appoint game wardens in this section the game in this vicinity has been well protected and is remarkalily on the increase. Both turkey and deer have been plentiful in this section this fall. Although I have been a careful ob- server, I have discovered no extensive abuses of the law. I think the system Avhicli vou have established is good and I wish vou at this lime everv success RKPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW NEXICO. 49 ill the elVoi'ls yon nrv iiinkiiiLi- to protect and advance the game interests of the new stall'. "Wihi tlie season's hest wishes, 1 remain. "Very truly yours, "Geo. it. Wkb.steh, .Tk. W. II. Baitlett. proprietor of a hig game preserve in Vcrmejo Park, has prohahly t\v''nly-(he or thiily liead of elk. and .hidge A. B. Fall reports that five iiead have been seen in Otero county, located in Indian Creek canyon, which is one of the branches of Three Elvers. It is not known how these elk came to be in iliis locality, nor from whence tliey came. All of the elk released are in excellent condition, six calves having been l)orn, and all are thriving finely. It is my desire and hope to secure from Wyoming at least two carloads of elk for distribution in other parts of the state. The game laws of Xew Mexico make a closed season on elk. THE DEER. Jn respect to deer. I take great ])leasure in reporting that these graceful, hand- some, winning animals are certainly increasing rapidly, the numbers at present being far in excess of those for many years past. This is due, without doubt, to the more strict enforcement of the game laws, compelling a cessation of Avholesale slaughter, the destroying of deer blinds and salt'licks, maintained in districts where deei- abound, and to the watchfulness and energy of the deputy game wardens whd have had the hearty co-operation of the forest officers. There is no more pop\dar nor seductive sport offered the huntsman, than that atforded by the annual camp in the woods and mountains, where, gathered about the roaring night fire, weired tales are exchanged of past experiences, and hopes ex])ressed for good fortune on the morrow. Perhaps there is no pleasure more al- luring to the real lover of outdoor life than he finds in those hours of relaxation, far removed from care, anxiety and responsibility, when, with an untrammeled spirit, he can give free rein to pleasure and enter, without restraint, into the excitement and exhilaration of the chase. It is a pleasure to know that the state of New Mexico offers splendid op]iortunities of just this nature to the true sport lovers both at home and abroad. One point to which I would call attention in the game laws, is that relative to {he killing of deer with horns. This is an excellent provision and shoi^ld be re- tained, it is jirotective in a further sense than to the game, being as well, a saver of human life. The killing of hunters has become a very serious matter in other states, during the deer season, and any provision of law that offers such protec- tion is worthy of retention. In looking for deer in the woods, the huntsman is liable to become excited at the least noise and shoot witho\it investigating, taking it for granted that he lias a deer. If the law compels the hunter to discriminate between a buck and doe, he will slo]) long enough, at least, to find out what he is shooting ;.t. and in 4hat Jiesitalion, lies the i)rotection afforded bv this law. Year by year tlii^ number of jjcople killiMl and maimed by careless hunters is steadily on tlio REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. ')! increase The reports froii! iiiiine wai'dcns in various states are fairly startling. Jn a j-ecent season tli*; total nuniher of accidental deaths reached seventy-four, witi seventy persons injured, some of them so seriously that death was likelv to resnil. Any hiw that has a tendency to lessen this dangerous evil, can but be sahitai'y in its results. THE BEAVER. Undoubtedly, the majority of peojjle in ^,'e\v ]\Icxico are of the opinion that tlie l)eaver is practically extinct in this state. As a commercial factor it is true, thai the heaver ceased to exist some years ago. hnt it does not follow that this in- teresting and industrious litth' animal should pass entirely from tho.se localities which he has x) long known. The heavers are as prolific as nuiskrats and in former years wrw wvy abundant, before the entrance of the trapper who sought him for the value of his fur, which constitutes the heaver's chief worth; but he has other economic uses of great impoitance, as well. His practice is to coustrnct extensive dams at tlie head of streams, therel)y forming ponds, which make fine re.sorts for trout, and in a rainless season, when drought ])ravails, these ponds become avail- able for irrigation ])urposcs. In building these dams the beavers disjilay almost human intelligence, as they prepare their matei'ial by cutting down cottonwood and (puiking aspens, going always abo\e the dam site for these logging operations, and cutting the trunks through wiili their nuirvelously strong teeth which are as effective as a saw. They then float oi- drag the logs down to the point where the dam is to be constructed. After ])lacing the larger logs they chink in the spaces as, in early days, the pioneer used to chink ids log house. Tkccently on a tri]) of investigation which was made in answer to a coni])laint charging damage done by l)eavers, I found a great many pieces of young timber, cut in lengths of from two to four feet, piled on the bank of the stream to be usetl by these cunning mechanics in the chinking process, when constructing the dam. They lay these .small pieces l)etween the large logs, and ])laster in the mud, using their tails as trowels. The dams themselves cause no jiarlicular damage, but are reallv a benefit except in case of floods caused by extended rainfalls or melting snows which cause the Avater to rise to the overflowing jioint, when, in many instances, the adjoining lands are submerged and frequently the channel of the stream is en- tirely changed and valuable lands and crops are destroyed. In streams of the size and character of the ]?io Grande the water is too swift and floods too numerous, 1 presume, for the operation of the beavers, as they have not made any attempt to construct dams there. However, there are a great many beavers on this streaui from the neighborhood of Belen to >hid)udo.. 'I'hey burrow in the bank and build homes, where they rear their families, living on cottonwood and willows found in adjacent territory. In places where they lunc exhausted their favorite food they have become quite troublesome and destructive by attacking orchards, the bark of the ai)ple tree^ being especially favorecL T have l)een requested to issue permits for the trapping of beaver in several instances where orchards were being de- stroyed, and have not hesitated to givt- ihe permission requested, as I regard one 02 RKPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. apijle trjee ten years of age as of more intrinsic vahie than a Avhole colony of beavers. AMiile ' beaver are more numerous in Colfax county, due to the protection given by the ranch owners who realize their benefit as storers of water, yet they are also found in large numbers in Taos, Eio Arriba, San Juan, Lincoln and San ]\Iiguel counties. It is ijrobal)]y true that occasionally applications have been made by parties- for the capture of beaver for the purpose of using the fur only, but in each case I have endeavored to ascertain delinitely the conditions and facts from direct evi- dence, either by personal investigation or by reports from deputies before issuing a permit. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Li is the general purpose of the game and fish laws to protect the wild life in our forests, streams and woodlands from reckless slaughter and eventual annihila- tion. Xot long would these beautiful, charming and valuable auxiliaries to our state's attractiveness and prosperity be left to us were the strong, protective edicts of the law erased from the statute books. It is the highest duty of those entrusted wdth the execution of the law t v prosecute without fear or favor those who wilfully violate it, and to use every endeavor not only to protect our defenseless wild game and fish from destruction, but to retain Avhat Ave already have and prevent its depletion by constant restock- ing and adopting methods of propagation. In the earlier days, when the protection of game and fish was first considered, and experimental methods Avere being tried, the Avhole matter Avas lightly regarded, and not deemed to Ije of much importance. As the subject Avas forced upon the people by the constant and rapid decrease of AA'ild game, the question of protection and ]n'opagation assumed a grave significance and the sentiment has grown steadily, until now the department of game and fish is regarded in most of our states as second to none in importance. Touching this phase of the subject, I quote from the report of Jesse A. Tolerton, game and fish Avarden of Missouri, giving a synopsis of the speech of Dr. T. S. Palmer, in charge of National game preserA'a- tion, AYashington. 1). C. The speech Avas delivered at a gathering of state and federal officials at the fifth annual conA'ention of Avardens and commissioners of the United States. The quotation is as folloAvs : "Dr. Palmer maintained that for the best residts the system should be put on a basis Avhere it Avould Avork automatically, even if the head suddenly resigned or Avas incapacitated for service for any reason. He advocated the building up of a body of men Avho give their Avhole time to the work, (lanie u-nrdpii sliovJd he a profession, not a job, and that the position should be taken out of politics, as the subject was large enough and broad enough to require the best energies and the greatest amount of knowledge that could be put inta it. Each state must learn of other states and foreign countries. Even South Africa leads America in some proldems of game protection." REPORT OF GAME AND FJSH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 53 Further, on this subject we (iiiole from Conuiiissioncr Kelly Evans, a dis- iiiiyiiislied authority on game and fish, as follows: "Under the stress of modern civilization the jack-of-all-trades is rapidly being replaced by the specialist in every branch of business and commercial life. It IS not sufficient for a man to be a respectable citizen, with just enougli knowledge of his profession to enable him to disguise his own incapacity beneath a veneer of self-assurance. To get on in the world, to make good, a man must know his gun — lock, stock and barrel; his business from top to bottom and in.-ide out. The professional man grasps this, and attunes him- self to the situation; the business man realizes it, and, as employer, demands it of his employees. Unfortunately, however, in the machinery for the en- forcement of the regulations, designed to conserve for the people some of the natural food resources of the province, this most iniporrant fact seems to have been neglected, or, at least, overlooked. "The organization of the outside service of the department of game and fisheries is not the creation of any one man or of one political party. It is. on the contrary, the child of circumstance, nurtured by the partizan spirit of political patronage, and handed down from one administration to another. Though of late years a very distinct improvement has taken place, the brief- est study of the system will disclose the necessity for radical reform. •'That the men entrusted by the government with the enforcement of the law on its waters or in its woods .should be expert sailors or woodsmen, as the case may be, and physically capable of discharging their duties, none will be found to deny; as likewise the fact that to employ those who are not, is. in the efficacy of its pecuniary investment, closely akin to casting gold into a bottomless pit. * * * * "That a subordinate olliecr, entrusted with the enforcement of the game and fisherv regulations over a district comprising many miles of lake and Avoodland should be 90 years of age; that an officer of the outside service, occupying a position of L-ome importance, should generally have the reputation among persons in his district of being unused to the handling of a boat, and timid of venturing his person on the water; that a game warden should have no woodcraft, and be afraid to venture alone into the woods ; that another should attach himself to a shooting party and indulge with them in the illegal destruc- tion of game during the closed season — these are, to say the least of it, absurd' - ties; and yet they are but few of the instances brought to tlie attention of your commissioners. * * * * * "In the selection of ollicers for tlie outside service of the dei)artment of game and fisheries it would seem that the principal general requirement^ to be looked for are good character and sobriety, health, energy, strength fearlessness, tact, thorough knowledge of the game laws and fishery regula- tions, and education sufficient to read and write; nm\ that, in ])articular. for the fisli^ries ])rotective service, knowledge of the different fishes, knowledge of the waters to lu' patrolled; and. in jiarticular. for the inland service, know- OBLIVIOUS TO ALL CARES. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 00 ledge of tlio denizens of llie woods, their eliaracteristiL-s and habits, sliould be considered indispensable attainments.'' CLERICAL WORK. 'J'lie ekM'iial work of this department since the license law went into effect has assumed sucli ])roportions as to surprise anyone who has not given attention to the matter. A comjdete change of system became necessary and on many oc- casions additional ofiice help was required to keep n]i witli the work. There are at present 148 collecting deputies who issue licenses. Every book of licenses sent out must be charged to the party receiving it, and this involves tlio keeping of an individual and separate account for each license collector, and each month, as the monies from the sale of the same are sent to the state treasurer, he in turn informs us of the amount which must be credited to the individual accoimt of the person remitting it. Each license collector is required to make monthly reports to this office, the number of licenses issued, and the amount of numey remitted to the state treasui-ci-, which report is compared and must balance with that of the state treasure)-. 'Hie l)Ookkee])ing referred to above is but a small proportion of the clerical work necessary. Every license 'is made out in duplicate, from a wiiltni and signed application, the licensee receiving the original, the du])li(ate or carlioii co])y lacing sent to this oflRce, while the application is retained l)y tlie (h'|)iiiy issuing the license. When one stops to consider that the issuance of licemses annually, is over ten thousand, some idea can be gained of the amount of work that is necessary to handle this ])art of the routine alone. At the beginning of each year when it is necessary to send out the packages of licenses to county clerks and other liceiii^e collectors the same must be weighed, addressed, and either expressed or sent by registered mail, and a receipt for same sent to each individual collector for his signature and r(>turu to this office. This, in itself, is no snudl \tndertaking. The correspondence received by this otHce, and wliich must be taken care of, has assumed ])roportions scarcely helievalile. ^^■hen the license system firsb went into effect, hundreds of letters of inquiry were received and answered, some of them re(|uiring lengthy explanations relative to the new law. an average of fifty to one hundred letters being sent out daily for some time. Tt will be readily recognized that the keeping in touch witli over three hundred deputies, to say nothing of the numerous inquiries from private citizens, both in onr own and from other states, entails a very extensive correspondence. MINORS CARRYING GUNS. Tt seems to iiu' (Hiite ])ro|)er at this lime to eali espeeial attention to the danger of allowing ihildicn under seventeen years of age to carry fire arms. The joke books have h:id a wide range of material for fun making over the "•gun that wasn't loaded,'' l)ut in reality, fire arms in ilie hands of irresponsilde or careless persons, are a source of very great hazard. Kut. aside from the danger involved, there is another important considerati(ui. and that is the deplorabh^ desinielion of our 56 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. bird life. It is safe to say that more song and insectiverous birds are destroyed by boys with twenty-two rifles than by all other agencies combined. In connection with this subject of gun carrying, it is a question if the best method of licensing hunters is not by gun license in place of the present method. The revenue from, the gun license would be increased over the present one, and it would have a tendency to check the killing of game out of season. For in- stance, if the warden discovered some chap out with a gun in the closed season, and would ask him what he v-as doing with his gun in the field, it is easy to imagine the answer, "I am out hunting rabbits." Or, if the game hunter was out during the closed turkey and grouse season, and were called to accomit, it is but natural to say,. "I am hunting predatory animals." A gun license system would obviate this difficulty. Under such a method no minor could carry a gun without legal permission, and this could not he secured without the consent of his parents or guardian. In ni}^ opinion the proper handling of fire arms should be taught in our ])iil)- Hc schools, and the lessons should be given to both boys and girls. In these days, especially in our western states, the ranchwoman, as well as the ranchman, oftea has occasion to use a rifle or a gun, and, in her hands, understanding as she does, their mechanism and use, they are harmless as the rolling pin. Danger in the manipulation of fire arms would be entirely eradicated, if the children were given lessons in their use. The operation of such a department as that of game and fish warden cannot be successfully carried out without the cordial confidence and active co-operation of the people in general, and from them must come, in greater part, the informa- tion regarding violations of the game laws. To render co-operation effective the sentiment of the citizens of the state must be with the cavise of game protection and propagation ; and, on the other hand, the officers of the department must have the confidence of the people. It is a well known fact that any information offered is given in the belief that the name of the informant will not be divulged, and with the understanding that he will be in no way connected with the prosecution. The information given is usually more or less indefinite as to the facts, and it then devolves upon this department to ferret out the evidence and substantiate the statements given. I am very much gratified to l)e alile to state that this office has enjoyed the cordial co-operation above suggested. While the office of warden in- volves duties largely similar to those of the police, yet, being often far removed from headquarters, the deputies are frequently compelled to rely upon their own initiative and depend on their own judgment, as to the course of action they shall pursue. All deputies, when ap])ointed, are instructed as follows: "It is not the policy of this department to lie too officious in interfering with hunters or fishermen to the extent of making this office ol)no\ious. What is de- sired, however, is to pursue, without fear or favor, all tho-c w!io knowingly, wil- fully or maliciously violate the law." The result of many investigations proves that complaints have been made REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 57 from motives oi' malice and a desire to persecute some one for personal reasons and with no wish to further the interest of game protection. Following is a list of doputies in active service at this time. In making these appointments it has been my aim to compl}' with the wishes of the residents in the vicinity where tJie services of a deputy seemed necessary, withoiit reference to their political affiliations, but with a view only to securing men who were com- petent, who would devote the requisite time to the work, and take an active interest in it. Owing to the great distance to the county seats, in some sections of the state, Avhere the clerks are authorized to issue licenses, I have deemed it best to appoint collecting deputies by whom hunters could be readily accomodated, there- by debarring the offer of any excuse for hunting without a license. Many of these deputies, being ardent sportsmen, have sacrificed freely, their time and have ex- pended their own money in the service, with no other return than the twenty-five cent fee, given on the issuing of each license. In this connection I desire to extend to these assistants my most sincere appreciation of their able, faithful and intel- lig-ent attention to their duties. Monarch ot tlu' Glen. 58 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH "WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. DEPUTY GAME AND FISH WARDENS IN NEW MEXICO. Santa Fe County. Willi Gable Fischer, chief tle|nity, Geo. W. Armijo, W. H. Kerr, Elmer E. Sayle, W. A. Bernard, Jose A. Gomez, T. F. Clifton, James Coleman, AY. M. Taber, T. W. Hanna, D. L. Miller, T. J. Dilley, A. D. Catanach, James Leese, Fred V. Plomteaiix, Giis Hunter, J. W. Akers, J. W. Giddings, Bernalillo County. A. E. Walker. Tony Michaelbach, Eayniond B. Stamm, Joe K. Platero, J. Fred Klein, H. B. Hammond, J. F. Mullen, Louis Holt, William Brown, Fred Snyder, Herbert M. Gaines, W. E. Mattoon, L. J. Putsch, Chas. M. Douglas, E. G. Twitty. Douglas Wright, J. F. Hutchinson, Wm. B. Hickman, Eamon Abreu, J. Van Houten, Colfax County. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Golden, lldefonso. Hyer. Cerrillos. Glorieta. Lamy. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Espanola. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Santa Fe. Old Albiujuerque. Old Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquercpe- iVlbuquerque. Old Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Albuquerque. Barton. Albuquerque. Eaton. Springer. Springer. Cimarron. Springer. Eaton. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 59 Win. T. EiltA', .1. A. Black, ^ J. F. Lail, E. 11. Donaldson, J. A. Hurst, 0. E. Jraiilsby, L. J. Edmimds. Geo. H. Webster, Jr., AV. L. Howard, E. E. Manning, Jno. Friend, Xareisso A'aldez, C'ha«. F. Lambert, I). I). Steffel , Abe Ilixenbaugh, 1). Baldwin, A. L. Hobbs, Wade Brackett, Geo. Young, Joseph Eich, Dilo Chacon, Si Hickox, Chap. H. Coulter, Eobert W. Denny, J. D. Williams, " Henry Anderson, E. B." Cropp. Phil S. Baker. Leon B. Eyan. Wm. E. Inglis. Karl Eanev, W. D. Walton, Ed. Flynn, Frank Curtis, E. F. Ballard, B. E. Buffam, J. M. Johnson, B. Cleve, J. C. Eoff, D. E. Patrick, :\r. W. Eyans. Frank W. Grain, A. C. Jones, Chaves County. Yermejo Park. Dawson. Cimarron. French. Dawson. Koclilcr. L'aloii. Cimarron. Cimarron. Cimarron. Cimarron. Cimarron. Cimarron. Cimarron. Eaton. Eaton. Eaton. ]?aton. Yermejo Park. Ponil Pajk. Yermejo Park. Yernu'jf) Park. Eaton. Eaton. P. 0. Trinidad, Colorado. A'ermejo Park. Eaton. Yermejo Park. Koehler. Yermejo Park. A'ermejo Park. Eaton. Yermejo Park. Yermejo Park. Eoswell. Koswell. Eoswell. Elk. Plainyiew. Dexter. Lake Arthur. Dexter. Hairerman. V- ' '^\ REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 61L Win. P. Jo]in?on, Elk. M. S. Murray, Eoswell. R. B. House,' Eoswell. Curry County. f! C. Blumlein, Clovis. F. P. Helm, Ciovis. Dona Ana County. Isidoro Armijo, Las Cruces. Echv. Ehle , Las Cruces. Eenj. J. Viljoen, La Mesa. Cha's. T. Bartlett, La Mesa. Austin Beasley, Mesilla Park, Manuel R. Chaves, Mesilla. James H. Knight, Eincon. J. E. Findlev, Earlliain. F. L. Nation. Lanark. S. T. Eaynolds, La Mesa. T. Eoualt, Jr., Las Cruces. D. W. Taylor, Eincon. J. M. Piersol, Hatch. CO. Bennett, Las Cruces. Eddy County. A. E. O'Quinn, Carlsbad. G. P. Jackson, Malaga. L. E. Klebolds, Knowles. John Stewart, Queen. James M. Wood, Lakewood. C. 0. Merrifield, Hope. Mark A. Corbin, Artesia. Chas. W. Lewis, Carlsbad. Daniel E. Bass, Queen. James Harp, Carlsbad. Doc. N. Vest, Carlsbad. James M. Berrv, Dayton. H. M. Chilooat. Loving. Grant County. E. B. Tenable, Silver City. S. A. Frey, Leopold. A. L. Baync, Silver City. W. E. Watson, Pinos Altos.. Warren E. Huff. Central. 62 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. J. Crockett Givens, B .B. Ownby, Wm. T. Smith, Elza E. Povnter, B. H. Cross^ Cecil E. C. Eeindorp, M. H. Burford, Murray Averitt, Clavton M. Howells. Guadalupe County. F. D. Crespin , Clias. J. Martin, - Jaspar P. Brooks, Eaymundo Harrison, Monroe Williams, E. D. Monsimer, J. F. Harbin, Lee 0. Lester, C. C. Fielder, Henrv Mann, W. D. Close,^ Luna County. Lincoln County. J. G. Eiggle, I. W. Wingfield, Chas. ]\reMasters, August Mayer, Lewis J. Mundell, Joseph Swain, Marshall I). Loveless, Eaymond E. Eogers, James E. Coleman, John L. Bryan, James A. Scott, James H. Kinney, James A. Lafferty, Joseph Long, W. C. Munda, H. D. Murray, W. E. Carter, John y. Hobble, Ealph L. Bateman, Lee E. York, Central. Lordsbnrg. Gila. Fierro. Pinos Altos. Central. Silver City. P. 0. Apache, Arizona. Silver City. Santa Eosa. Santa Eosa. Ft. Sumner. Anton Chico. Vaughn. Isidor. Cuervo. Deniing. Leming. Whitewater. Columbus. Lincoln. Euidosa. Carrizozo. Picacho. Hollo way. White daks. Meek. Lincoln. Lincoln. Xoga] . Capitan. Capitan. Eichordson. ]\feek. Ancho. Tinnie. Euidosa. Ei chard son Gleneoe. Capitan. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 63 McKinley County. F. W. Meyers, (ialhip. Dr. E. J. Davis , Zuni. D. E. Harrington , Guam. Tom Eansome, Gallup. Chas. P. Gage, P. 0. Fort Defiance, Arizona, Clarence Johnson. Gallup. Edward G. .Aliller. Guam. Geo. K. Pradt, Mora County. Grants. Alberto Yaldez, ^lora. E. D. Woodbury, Watrous. F. M. Hughes,' Solano. E. J. H. Eoy, Eoy. Frank A. Eoy, Eoy. Geo. A. Viles, Otero County. Cleveland. John H. Bowman, Alaniogordo. Thos. H. Tucker, Alamogordo. Leo. Eogers, Clouderoft. H. L. ISTewman, Newman. D. S. Mills, Weed. Frank Curry, Tularosa. Sam E. Blocker, Mescalero. Saml. F. IVIiller, Mescalero. Peleg G. Kinney, Mescalero. J. B. WingfieUr, Three Rivers. Jesse A. Brubaker, Alamogordo. Verne Ehodes, Alamogordo. A. M. Neah Alamogordo. James Madison, Alaniogordo. L. L. Jones, Alamogordo. A. N". Bailey, Alamogordo. Fred A. Weir, Alamogordo. J. D. AIlsup. Pinon. Jas. A. Simmons, Clouderoft. T. B. Longwell, Clouderoft. Wm. Jno. Anderson. Clouderoft. J. W. Belk, Clouderoft. Bert L. Hilburn, Weed. James G. Schultz, Pinon. J. H .Wallace, Pinon. D. D. PTarkness, La Luz. Frank ^faxwell. Bent. 64 REPORT OF GAME AND GISH WAHDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Quay County. B. P. Donohoo^ W. I. Benner, A. P. Seigel, M. B. Peyton, W. C. Hawkins, L. D. Hnrst, Rio Arriba County. Elicio Lucero, Max Quintana, C. L. Pollard, F. G. Blake, Emmet Wirt, J. AV. Beck, Carpio Archuleta, Harry P. Hnntington, Elias Clark, L. A. Shartzey, James P. Lease, Geo. Bay, F. C. Irwin, C. P. Mitchell. AV. E. Marsh, JefS Hightower. Andrew Ivelley, Thomas Verner, Theo. Asselhofen, C. M. Wells. G. F. Worden, V. G. Trujillo, W. S. Barnes, S. Shanks, Joseph W. Peid, Eenhen Pankey, W. H. Weston, L. G. Eblen. D. J. Craig, M. L. Burrows, 0. F. Eandall, Roosevelt County. Sierra County. San Juan County. Tuoumcari. Obar. Nara Visa. Tucumcari. Tucumcari. Quay. Tierra Amarilla. P. 0. Ortiz, Colorado. Espanola. Coyote. Dulce. El Pito. Truchas. Chama. Alcalde. Canjilon. Espanola. Chama. P. 0. Ortiz, Colorado. Portales. Portales. Portales. Hillsboro. Chloride. Cutter, Engle. Las Palomas. Fairview. Monticello. Fairview. Kingston. Hillsboro. Cutter. Aztec. Farmington. Farmington. Aztec. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 65 Socorro County. E. II. Sweet, Wni. Borrowdale, Frank John?on. Lee Baldwin, Powell Stacklionse, Jr., J. A. .AreDonakl, ('. B. Clark, W. J. AndrxiR, E. y. Baca. Pete ]\reFarland. Albert C. Wagner, Lee 0. Carson, Wm. Criswell, J. J. Bniton, AY. G. Music. A. H. Douglas, E. F. Bath'is. E. H. Crabb, J. F. Kussell, P. S. Blatchford, B. J. Fischer, Geo. Beyer. Frederick Winn, D. F. Wells. W .H. (loddard, P. W. Lewis. Clinton A. Hodges, F. L. Carter, L. G. Ilavnes, W. S. Day, Benjamin F. Hooteu, II. Basil Wales, W. B. Bunton, Geo. W. :\riller, Poss :\I. Atkins, A. 0. Pevnolds, P. F. Pheinliardt, G. S. Exon. Owen Holt. F. P. Sickles, J^obert F. Peid, Earl B. Young. Herbert B. Fav. Socorro. ]\lagdalena. San Marcial. Peserve. San Antonio. K el ley. ■Mogollou. Aragon. Socorro. Magdalen a. Peserve. Peserve. Peserve. Peserve. Peserve. Peserve, iMagdalena. ]\Iagdalena. Magdalen a. Magdalena. Magdalen a. Alagdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. ]\ragdalena. ^Magdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. Magdalena. ]\Iagdalena. AFagdalenn. Alagdalena. Luna. Posedale. Water Canyon, via Socorra San Antonio. Socorro. Alma. Mogollon. Mogollon. (66 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Sandoval County. Alfred IST. Montoya, Julius Seligniau, J. W. Miller, E. M. Fenton, Victor Mallett, H. E. Freelove, M. Martinez, Edgar C. Kennisoiij Daniel W. Carter, Hipolito Lucero, Juan C. Chaves, San Miguel County. Lorenzo Delgado, Wm. Harper, John A. Rudolph, Luther P. Eaines. Ludwig William Ilfeld, E. W. Smith, W. W. Tipton, G. M. Jones, L. H. Misseman, Sostensen Aragon, Clarence Wright, D. L. Williams. Victor Vigil. W. F. Steadman, F. L. Tracey, S. W. Hill, Pahlo Martinez, Taos County. A. Clouthier, B. L. Ortiz, F. W. Drake, A. A. Rivera, Fidel Martinez. Daniel Martinez, ,B. G. Phillips, E. F. Lawrence, Harrv ]\rartin. Bernalillo. Domingo. Jemez. Jemez Springs. Bernalillo. Senorita. Cuba. Pines. Pines. Jemez Springs. Alo-odones. East Las Vegas. East Las Vegas. Rociada. ' Bell Ranch. Las Vegas. East Las Vegas. East Las Vegas. East Las Vegas. Beaulah. Fulton. Glorieta. Glorieta. Copies. Las Vegas. Rowe. Rowe. Pecos. Taos. Questa. Hodges. Taos^ Penasco- Penasco. Taos. Taos. Tres Piedras REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Torrance County. E. W. Roberson, Julius Meyers^ J. W. Collier, C. L. Burt, C. E. Davenport, S. E. D. Sears, Fred Kroenig, J. H. Sherman, T. W. Carscallen, Stephen Q. Garst, John S. Moore, B. F. Nabours, J. A. Pacheco, J. M. Martinez, Lee E. Byrne, Benjamin F. Brown, L. E. Gallegos, J. M. Luna, J. F. Tondre, Alex McTnnis, Wm. Owens, W. D. Eadcliffe, Samuel C. Young, Union County. Valencia County. Estancia. Estancia. Estancia. Mountainair, Encino. Willard. Mountainair. Tajique. Mountainair. Willard. Estancia. Progresso. Clayton. Folsom. N. Des ]\[oines Gould. Clayton. Los Luuas. Los Lunas. McCartys. Belen. Belen. iBluewater. Captain Fred Fornoff and his efficient corps of mounted police have ren- dered signal service to this department hy tlie alile and vigorous manner in which they have at all times co-operated with me in the carrying out of this Important work. The news])apors of the state have contributed unieb toward the success of tlie game and fi^^ii department in the zealous and hearty assistance they have unfailing- ly rendered in giving space freely to the dissemination of information regarding the law, and detailing the efforts being made to place Xew ^^fexico in her rightful position as foremost among the game states of America. The district attorneys and judges of our courts have shown commendaljle zeal in the handling of cases coming under game law violations, and have ever been ready to take up these matters when brought to their attention. Th'' sheriffs, justices of the ])eace and constal^los have also displayed a willingness to do their part in upholding the law and carrying out its provisions. JUST ONE MORE BEFORE SUPPER. REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 69 Diirino- my inoiinilH'ncv n1' thi>; otfice. tlic records sliow : 10 : Arrests i)!) Convictions. G Ac(|iiittals. 2 Cases Pendinu-. In the matter of estaljlishinji' private g,i\me ])reserves in tlie state and the con- i?tnK'tion of private parks and ponds for the propagation of fish, and the disposal of the same in the market, 1 desire strongly to recommend this method of pro- cedure, as 1 l)elieve it wonld prove to be of great value to the people. In a previous cliajiter of this r<'i)ort. 1 liave set forth the reasons tiiat have led to this con- clusion. Tnder this system, 1 conceive the most satisfactory method to be to issue a license to the proprietor of every ])rivate ])ark or lake: such license to extend over a period of I'roiii two to ten years, the shorter period calling for the larger license fee. There can be no (piestion that tlic estal)lishuient of these ])ri\ate ])reserve« would l)e of benefit alike to the owner and the ])eople. ]Many ranchmen could, with little expense, construct these })onds without damage to the public waters, and from them they wouhl rea]) an additional revenue from their land. This will apply as well to game parks. The l)enefits would not be alone to the ])roprietors, but to the people in the same degive, as they would have, continually in the nuirket, a product now always scarce, and to many pi-ohibite^fii|^BHl «^lli . ^^^Hh ^^£' «f ,^ :-^V Viiillllll^-^ ^^ . . , f ; @i ,*'-'■ "■'Sir . '«<■' ''.. \ lHWPE i^^iy%t ®' ' '^^' ' ' G^?;< fe*"^ ■.'■:;;; '•*'*<*•?',,* '• ■ REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Jiyc'i-rs Kig rosoi'voir Statt'oi'd's reservoir ] leagan's reservoi r Willow lake Sliat'er lake Weil lake Soeorro 100 Texico 100 Tularosa 125 Tularosa 125 Wagon Mound •^00 Wagon Mound 200 Rainbow Trout. Water Taji(jue creek Kio T\darosa Silver lake K'ed river Jlixon's j)ond Location Estaneia Tularosa Tidarosa T^te Park Willanl Fingerlings, yearlings and adults. 1,()J0 2,400 400 l.oOO 400 Black-spotted Trout (Native), ^Yater Chaina river Nuteritus ereek Rio Brazos Aqua Fria ereek Canon Bonito creek Cimarron river C i n 1 a r r one i to cr ee)-: Clear ereek Planning creek Ponil river Rayado river I'ayado creek 'i'ui-key creek Urraea reservoir Xo. T"te ci'eek Einhiulo river Puel)Io river Santa lUirhara river Ifio Queniado Santa Clara creek Tranij)as river Cow creek Pecos river Fingerlings, yearlings Location and adults. Cliama 30,030 Cliatua 9,000 Cliaiiia 9,000 Cimarron 12,000 Cimarron 12,000 Cimarron 12,000 Cimarron 12,000 Cin)arron 12,000 (*iniarron 10,030 Cimarron 62,000 Cimarron 12.000 Cimarron r.r»oo Cimarron 12,000 Cimari-on 12,000 Cimarron 12,000 Eiid)udo 7.530 EmI)udo r.590 Enibudo 7.500 Espanola 20,000 Esjianola 10.000 Espanola 7.000 Glorietta lO.ODO Olorietta 10.030 78 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Santa Fe creek Eaton 25,000 El Eio jSTambe Santa Fe 13,500 Santa Fe river Santa Fe 13,500 Eangel creek Socorro Trout. 13,500 Brook Fingerlings yearlings Water Location and adults, Cham a river Chama 13,000 Clear creek Cimarron 5,000 Ponil river Cimarron 5,000 Eayado creek Cimarron ' 14,300 Eayado creek, west fork Cimarron 5,000 TTte creek Cimarron 5.000 Van Houten creek Cimarron 10,000 Valley creek Cimarron 5,000 Whitney creek Cimarron 5,000 Pecos river Glorietta 33,300 Brown Fork creek Las Vegas 3,300 Gallinas river Las Vegas 3,300 Gallinas river, Elk fork Las Vegas 3,300 Gallinas river, south fork Las Vegas 4,000 Gallinas river, Wesner fork . Las Vegas 3,300 Gallinas river. Young's fork Las Vegas 3,300 Front Springs creek Las Vegas 3,300 El Eio Nambe Santa Fe 3,300 Eed Eock creek Santa Fe 4,000 Eio Grande lake Santa Fe 3,300 Arroyo Hondo creek, upper Serviletta 3,300 Crappie and Strawberry Bass. Water Ward's reservoir Hayne's lake Wilson pond Fingerlings, yearlings Location and adults. Eodes 35 Eos well 35 Eos well 35 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 79 Rock Bass. Fingerlings, yearlings Water Location and adults. Pendleton's pond Elida 125 Honey pond Folsom 125 Lawrence reservoir Lake Arthur 125 Wheelers reservoir Eoswell 125 Downing's pond Sixela 125 ^y niter's pond South Springs 125 L arge-mouth Black Bass. Fingerlings, yearlings W'ater Location and adults. Eio C4rande lake Albuquerque 2-t "\Mieaton's lake Dexter 21 Wheeler's lake Dexter 20 Van lake Dexter 12 Dnlce lake Dulce 300 Lake Smnner Fort Sumner 110 Eamah reservoir Gallup 24 Lakes 13-20 Maxwell 24 Haymakers pond Roswell 12 North Spring river Eoswell 50 Santa Fe Creek reservoir Santa Fe 50 Jaritas reservoir Springer 24 Sunfish. Fingerlings, yearlings Water Location and adults. (Jlen ^lary pond Rhodes 100 Cornforth reservoir ]\Iountain Park 100 RECAPITULATION. Catfish 5 ,478 T»ainl)ow tront 6 ,300 Black-spotted tront (native) 377 .500 Brook trout I'iG ,200 Crappie and Strawherry bass 105 Eoc'k bass 750 Large-month Black bass G71 Sun fish 200 Total 5 IT. 204 80 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. FfSH PLANTED BY THE TERRITORY IN NEW MEXICO WATERS DURING THE YEAR 1910. W^ater Arroyo Hondo Kio i'lieblo Santa Barbara Rio Medio Frijoles Santa Clara Pecos river Gallinas river Los Pinos Eio Qnemado Chama river Santa Fe river Fry; variety. ]\Iountfiin trout ]\Iountain trout Painbow trout Mountain trout ]\Iountain trout Painbow trout Painbow trout Mountain trout Mountain trout Mountain trout Mountain trout Painbow trout 50,000 70,000 50,000 50,000 30,500 30.000 200,000 133,000 50,500 31,500 50,000 30,000 Total number of trout fry planted durino- 1910 8?3.500 FISH PLANTED BY THE TERRITORY IN NEW MEXICO WATERS, DURING THE YEAR 1911. W^aters Fry; variety. Gallinas river Brook trout 45,000 Gallinas river Painbow trout 3,000 Pecos river, upper and loAver Brook trout 79,000 Pecos river, upper and lower Painbow trout 9,000 Pio Medio Bro(jk trout 27,000 Pio Medio Painbow trout 3,000 Ojo Caliente, and El Pito Brook trout 22,000 Pio Lucero and Arroyo Hondo Brook trout 37,000 Rio Liicero and An royo Hondo Painl)ow trout 3,000 Los Pinos river Broolv trout 72,000 Los Pinos river Painbow trout 3,000 Chama river Painl)ow trout 55,250 Brazos river Painbow trout 27,625 El Pito creek- Painbow trout 27,625 Pi Medio creek Painl)ow trout 116,025 Lower Pecos Painbow trout 49,725 Pecos river, central Painbow trout 49,725 Pecos river, upper Painl)ow trout 27,625 Santa Fe river Painl)ow trout 33,150 Total nuuiber of trout fry planted durino- 1911 689,750 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 81 RECEIPTS. As per Statement of Territorial Treasurer, from April 1st, 1909 to J.-jnuary 1st, 1910. lieceived from Lcgisilative aj)i)rc)i)riatioii. Warden's salary $1350.00 deceived I'roni Legislative ap])ro])riation. Contingent expenses. . -147.26 l^eceived from sale of licenses and permits 7710.20 Eeceivcd from lines for violations of Game and Fish Laws. . . . 175.00 Total receipts 9683.46 DISBURSEMENTS. As Per Vouchers on File With Territorial Auditor, From April 1st, 1909, to Jan. 1st, 1910. Salary of Warden $i;550.00 Salary of chief depnty 675.00 For printing 025.60 For telegrams and telephone messages and rent of office 'phone. 83.32 For office supplies^ traveling and incidental expenses of warden. . 428.25 Ladges for use of depnty game and fish wardens 75.00 Typewriter and cover for nse in warden's office 92.50 Postage and hox rent 120.13 Express and freight 17.90 Paid deputy game wardens for s])ecial field duty 583.83 Total dishursements $4051.53 Balance in hands of Territorial Treasurer to credit of The Game Protection Fund, January 1st, 1910 5630.93 $9682.46 RECEIPTS. As per statement of Territorial Treasurer, from January 1st, 1910, to January 1st, 1911. P)alance in Terr. Treasury to credit of Game Protection Fund. .$5630.93 Peceived from Legislative appropriation, warden's salary 1800.09 Peceived from Legislative apjU'opriation, contingent expenses. . . 533.15 Peceived from fines for violation of Game and Fish Laws 1428.60 Peceived from sale of licenses and ]iormits 7745.45 Tolnl receipts $17138.13 82 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. DISBURSEMENTS. As Per Voucher on File With Territorial Auditor, From Jan. 1st, 1910 to Jan. 1st, 1911. Salary of warden $1800.00 Salary of chief deputy 825.00 For printing 407.90 For telegrams and telephone messages and rent of office 'phone. . 209.19 For office supplies, traveling and incidental expenses of warden. . 1071.oo Postage and box rent 117.75 Express and freight 40.35 Paid special deputies for Held work 832.60 Overpaid the Treasurer by deputies and refunded to bal. acct.. . . 22.50 Paid for fish and distributing in various streams 2520.72 Paid for quail and distributing 122.90 Paid for guineas and distrilniting 12.00 Total $: 7982.4(5 Balance in hands of Territorial Treasurer to credit of The Game Protection Fund, January 1, 1911 9155. G7 . . $17138.13 RECEIPTS. As Per Statement of Territorial Treasurer, from January 1st, 1911, to January 1st, 1912, Balance in Terr. Treasury to credit of Game Protection Fund. .$9155.07 Received from Legislative appropriation, Avarden's salary 1800.00 Received from Legislative appropriation, contingent expenses. . . 356.00 Received from sale of licenses and permits 7128.00 Received from fines for violation of Game and Fish Laws 210.35 Total receipts $18650.02 DISBURSEMENTS. As Per Vouchers on File With Territorial Auditor. From Jan. 1st, 1911, to Jan. 1st, 1912. Salary of warden $1800.00 Salary of chief deputy 900.00 For printing 224.85 For telegrams and telephone messages and rent of office "phone. . 202.13 For office supplies, traveling and incidental expenses of warden. . 367.65 Postage and hox rent 93.08 Express 52.51 Paid special deytuty for field work 279.25 REPORT OF GAME AND FlSil WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. Overpaid the Treasurer by deputies and refunded to bal. accl. . . 1.25 Paid for lisli and distributing- in various streams 2820.20 Paid for elk and planting 1400.75 Paid for pheasants and their propagation 151.43 Paid for quail and distributing '. 238.27 Total dislnirsenients $8531.37 Balance in hands of Territorial Treasurer to credit of 1'he Game Protection Fund, Jaiuiarv 1. 1!)12 10118.65 83 $18650.02 A CRITICAL MOMENT. 84 REPORT OF GAME AND FISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. GAME AND FISH LAWS. 'No person shall at any time shoot, hunt or take in any manner any game wliieii is by law protected in this state without first having in his possession a hunt- ing license as hereinafter provided for the year in which such shooting or hunting is done. Hunting licenses shall l)c issued by the county clerks, the state game Vv^arden and such deputies as may l)e designated for tliat purpose by the state war- den. A general hunting license shall entitle the person therein named to hunt game, quadrupeds and l)irds during the open season therefor. A big game license shall entitle the person therein named to hunt game quad- rupeds during the open season therefor. (Wild turkeys are classified as l)ig game under the meaning of the act). A bird license shall entitle the person therein named to hunt game birds other ilian wild turkey during the open season therefor. Any person not a l)ona fide resident of this state, but who is a l^ona fide resi- dent of the United States, shall be entitled to procure a non-resident hunting license. Any unnaturalized foreign-l)oru ])erson who has lived in this state for six months then last passed, shall be entitled to procure a resident-alien hunting license. The state warden and license collectors shall charge and collect the following fees: l^'or each guide license $ 5.00 For each big game license, resident l.OO For each bird license, resident 1.0'> For each general hunting license, resident 1.50 For each big game license,, non-resident 25.09 For each bird license, non-resident 5.00 For each big game license, resident-alien 5.00 For each bird license, resident alien 5.00 For each bird license, non-resident alien 10.00 For each storage permit 1.03 For each importation permit, for sale 2.00 For each transportation permit 1 .00 For each permit, to transport out of the state, deer (etuh) 2.00 For each permit to ship out of the state, each lot of fish 1.00 For each permit to retain game animal in captivity 1.00 For each du])licate license, certificate or jiermit - 1.00 All non-resulents will be required to pay a fishing license of one dollar. l)ut nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent persons under the age of twelve years from fishing during the open season. They will, however, be required to otherwise comply with all the laws as herein specified. The right given by this act to take or kill game or fish is limited to two wild turkeys, six grouse, twenty ducks, thirty other birds, fifteen pounds of trout not REPORT OF GAME AND FJSH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. 85 less than six inches in length, lil'teen })Oiin(ls of l)ass not less than seven inelies in length, for each person in any one calendar day, and no person shall kill, take or have in possession in any one open season more than one deer with horns, nor have in possession at any one time more than four wild turkeys, six grouse, thirty ducks or thirty other hirds nor more than twenty-five pounds of trout or hass and no game or fish shall he held in posesssion by any person more than five days after the close of the season for killing of same, except as in this act otlierwise pro- vided. Xo game shall he pursued, wounded, taken or killed with a steel or hard pointed hullet. and in no instance shall fishing be done between the hours of 9 o'clock p. ni., and -f o'clock a. m.. nor shall any person use in the pursuit, taking, wounding or killing any animal, hirds or fish protected by this act, any net, seine, trap, cage, snare, salt lick, blind, scaffold, deadfall, ])it. snag hook, trot line, arti- ficial light or similar device whatever, ])rovided that dogs, blinds, sinks and decoys may he used in hunting birds; nor shall any person engage in hunting or shoot- ing within the limits of any city or town, except the town or city council may by ordinance fix a line within their limits permitting the same.- OPEN SEASON FOR GAME AND FISH. Deer with horns- — AYith gun only; Octoher 1.3th to Xovendjcr l-")th of each year. Limit, one deer to each person. Wild Turkey — With gun only; Xovemljer 1st to Decendjer .">lst of each year. Limit, four in possession at one time. Grouse — With gun only; October 1st to Decendx'r ;)lst of each year. Limit. thirty in possession at one time. Xative or Crested Quail — AVitli gun only; October 1st to December .'Ust of each year. Limit, thirty in possession at one time. Doves — With gun only; August 1st to October 31st of each year. Limit, liiirty in possession at one time. Snipe, Curlew and Plover — With gun only; Septend)er 15th to ^farch 1st of each year. Limit, thirty in possession at one time. Ducks — Limited to thirty in possession at one time Trout (all species) — With rod, hook and line only; ]\ray loth to October loth of each year. Size limit, not less than six inches in length. Weight limit, 15 pounds in any one calendar day, 25 pounds in possession at one time. Bass (large and small mouth) — AA'ith rod, liook and line only. Size limit, not less than seven inches m length. Weight limit. 15 pounds in any calendar .day, 25 pounds in possession at one time. CLOSED SEASON. Elk, ^lountain Sheep, Reaver and i'ttirniigan. killing cajtturing or injuring prtihihited at all times. .Vntelope. liob-white. Quail. ]Mieasant and Wild Pigeons, killing, capturing or injurii^g jn-oliihited until ]\[arch 18, 1011. Prairie Chicken, killing, capturing or injuring prohihited until Januarv 1. 1915. 86 REPORT OF GAME AND GISH WARDEN FOR NEW MEXICO. CONCLUSION. In closing this report I desire to extend thanks to Hon. George M. Bowers of the U. S. fish commission; Captain W. E., Smith, superintendent of U. S. fish ear number 3; Dr. T. S. Palmer, assistant chief, U. S. biological survey, and A. C. Cooper, of the same department; likewise to the game and fish wardens of other states for many favors received: to the Santa Fe system, and to the Denver and Eio Grande railroad company, which has, when requested, most cheerfully fur- nished a car for the transportation of fish for distril)ution along the lines of its road in this state. In making this report I have had two objects in view : first, to acquaint the peo- ple of the state fully with the work of this department, — what has been done and what, in my judgment, should be done, — and further, to give to those outside the state, the information which has been frequently sought from this office, regard- ing the conditions of our game and fish. I believe, in closing, it would be pardonable in me to say that there is very much more to the proper conducting of this department than is generally believed or Icnown. Having been always deeply interested in outdoor s]:)0rts, I entered into the work with great interest and zest, and have devoted my entire time and best ener- gies to the bringing about of the most beneficial results. THOMAS P. GABLE, Game and Fish Warden. INDEX. Page. Antelope ~'^ Arrests and Convictions 69 Artificial Ponds 30 Beaver ^1 l)ig Ganie - • Birds, Bob White 39 " Blue j\[onntain Quail 39 " Crow ^'^ '' Gambel Quail 3S " Grouse -^1 " Insectiverous 37 " Pheasants 39 " Ptarmigan 42 '^ Prairie Hen -A-t " Shore -1^ Clerical Work o") Conclusion 8^ Deer 49 " ■ Sonorian or Bock 3T Department, Self-Sustaining 1'3 i)e]iut3' Wardens, Instructions to •')'» '' ■'■ List of 5>i Elk 40 Felicitations -"ii 80 Financial Pe])ort * 81 Fish, Black ]iass "29 '' Brook Trout o'3 *' Catfish and Crappies ol " Hatchery ;')•"■> " Planting and Shipping •^"> " Eainbow and Mountain Trout 3.i " Xumber and AVhere Plantetl T 1 Game Preserves, National l-^> Private 17 " '■■ Legislation by States 19 Introduction T 88 INDEX. LawSj Game and Fish 84 " License Sj^stcm 1"3 '' Open and Closed Season 85 Minors Carrying- Gnns 55 ]\Iountain Sheep 27 Predatory Animals 35 Prelude ^ 9 Preservation of Game and Pish 1 L Eecommendations, Bounty on Predatory Animals ■. . . . 69 " Change in Method of Payment 69 '"' Gun License 56 " Handling Fire Arms 56 " Non-Eesident Tax Payer and License 70 Private Game and Fish Preserves 17-69 Screens or Paddle Wheels , 36 Turkey 42 Tiolation of Game Laws 21 Wardens'' Duties (opinion of experts) 52