NOTES ON GERMAN GAME MANAGEMENT

Certain basic principles and practices are, with due modifications,
applicable to game management anywhere, and are worthy of detailed
study. I shall here list what seem to me the chief of these.
1. Quantitative regulation of kill.-The basic idea 1-ore has been
spasmodically used in America-in the Kaibab, the Black Range of
New Mexico, and perhaps elsewhere. It is certainly more widely
applicable, especially in the national forests and on large private
estates and hunting clubs. Is the time not ripe to begin its gradual
extension where conditions permit?
2. Qualitative regulation of kill.-If German experience on the buck-
doe ratio is right, our buck laws are all wrong. A more thorough in-
vestigation of this whole subject, beginning with the German back-
ground, seems in order. Is there any evidence in America of physical
deterioration of deer by excessive shooting of bucks? Could weed-
ing out of inferior animals be promoted by the use of differential
license fees-a high fee for a large buck, medium fee for small or
poor buck, low fee for doe?
3. Feeding.-Is not feeding to save winter losses, more widely
applicable in America? If so, a further study of German methods
and costs is worth while. Expecially important is German experience
in planting natural foods and coverts. The use of natural foods to
prevent forest and agricultural injury is suggestive. The relation of
pure coniferous plantations to the future supply of game feed has
already been mentioned, especially in reference to the forest-planting
program.
4. Communal leasing.-The uniting of communal and small private
holdings to form hunting districts is suggestive of the possibility of
creating cooperative hunting districts among farm owners in America,
for leasing to clubs or individuals. The German methods of adminis-
tering these community hunting districts is worthy of further study.
5. Private initiative and cooperation.-Since so much of German
game management depends on the land owner, the lessee, and the
cooperative efforts of the game protective associations, this field is
recommended for intensive investigation.
6. Research.-In addition to following the results of German game
research, which is doubtless already being done in the Biological
Survey, a study of the methods used by the Institut far Jagdkunde
and other research agencies is recommended.
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