REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT

1965 KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE KODIAK, ALASKA

KODIAK NATI NAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

USFWS photograph by Earl Fleming.

Kodiak Island is the largest of a group of islands situated in the Gu.lf of Alasl;.a. It is separated from the Alaska Peninsula by 30 miles of water, the Shelikof Straits. This island is approximately 103 miles long and 57 miles -vride, with an area of 3, 500 square miles. About 2, 78o square mlles of its southwest portion and all (-,o square miles of Uganik Island constitute the J{odial: National 1-lildlife Refuge.

This refuge was established in 1941 to assure preservation of a nat­ ural unit of habitat for the Kodiak bear, one of the largest carnivore::; on earth. Unlike many refuges ;,;hich were established to bring back form­ er habitat destroyed by man, the Kodiak National. ·HilC!J.ife Refuge still remains unchanged.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT Of THE INTERIOR FISH AND WilDliFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Contrary to popular belief, Kodiak enjoys a mild climate, with tem­ peratures above zero in the winter and sometimes up to 8o° F. during the months of July and August. The average precipitation is 60 inches per year and the snowfall, 45 inches. Extreme variations exist in vegetation and terrain. The northern portion of Kodiak Island has a climax Sitka spruce forest which gradual­ ly recedes to a rolling tundra on the southern portion of the island. The major part of the refuge has extremely rugged terrain and very brushy vegetation consisting of willow, alder, salmonberry, and elderberry. There are open grassy areas and numerous lakes and salmon streams, all of which create ideal habitat for the Kodiak bear. Snowcapped mountains rise to over 4,000 feet in the central portion of the island and descend abrupt­ ly to the turquoise blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

For the nature lover and photographer, many species of wild flowers can be seen throughout the spring and summer. The colorful blue lupines, forget-me-nets, shooting stars, violets, orchids, daisies, geraniums, wild iris, waterlilies, and many others exist in abundance. The plentiful fireweed adds color to the green mountainsides, and later when the colors start to turn, this well-named plant lights up the mountains with its red­ dish, fire-like glow.

Long before the white man came to Kodiak, this group of islands was inhabited by Koniags, a race of Eskimos. At the time the Russians first came in 1763, the Koniags numbered nearly 6,000. Many battles were fought, and the years of looting, plundering, and disease took a heaVY toll of the natives. Today only about 8oo of these people remain, over half residing in five villages on or adjacent to the refuge. Nearly all fish commerci­ ally during the summer months. A few act as guides for hunting the Kodiak bear. Although most natives have adopted the ways of the white man and live in frame houses, it is quite interesting to visit the villages and discuss past history with the older residents. The Russian occupation left a deep mark, and many of the present cultural practices can be attri­ buted to them. Each village has a colorful Russian Orthodox church which is the center of village life. Numerous other old, unoccupied village sites can be found on the refuge.

Of recent historical interest was the 1912 Katmai volcano eruption, which darkened the skies and spread ash over a large portion of Kodiak Island. The eruption lasted three days, causing the people of Kodiak village to evacuate their homes temporarily. The entire area was cover­ ed with ash, and today a layer of this material exists in the soil, in some places exceeding 12 inches. Ash can still be observed on the limbs of large spruce trees.

Before 1923, the only land mammals in existence on Kodiak Island were the Kodiak brown bear, red fox, land otter, weasel, ground squirrel, and meadow mouse. In recent years the deer, snowshoe hare, beaver, and muskrat have been introduced and are well established. Olympic elk in­ troduced on Afognak Island are also well established. The mountain goat,

2 USFWS photograph by Earl Fleming. A bear trail high above one of the lakes on the Refuge. Hundreds of bears traveling over the same trail caused the deep depressions as each trod in the same footsteps. mink, red squirrel, and marten have also been introduced, but their suc­ cess is not yet known. A small herd of reindeer ranges over the southern part of the refuge.

The surrounding seas are inhabited by whales, porpoises, and seals. Several large sea lion rookeries are found on the refuge. A visit to one of the larger ones is a rare sight, as thousands of these large mammals, which sometimes weigh a ton, lie on the rocks. When disturbed, they may jump into the water from cliffs 20 feet high, creating ideal shots for a photographer. Sea otters, once nearly extinct, are often seen along the northern coast.

At present it is estimated that approximately 1,500 Kodiak bears in­ habit the island. During the winter months they hibernate in rock caves, or seek protection under spruce trees or beside large rocks. A few dig deep depressions on high slopes and let snow drift over them. By the first of December most bears have entered their dens; however, one may be seen occasionally as late as Christmas.

3 USFWS photograph by Willard A. Troyer. A large bear track. The hind paw measured 14 inches long and 8 inches wide.

The large males are the first to emerge from hibernation about the first of April, when their tracks can be seen leading from snow-covered banks high on the mountain. Little food is taken during the first few days after leaving the den, but later a few roots are eaten. The summer brings out the green shoots of grasses and sedges which the bears eat with relish, often grazing like cattle.

Cubs weighing less than a pound are born during hibernation. A sow usually has two or tr~ee young but sometimes four. The female with her cubs leaves her den later than the males. About the first of June, the sow can be seen wandering around on some high mountain, several small cubs scampering at her heels. Large cubs accompanying sows are the pre­ vious year's offspring, since cubs remain vrith the mother for t1vo years. During this time she teaches them how to catch fish, what plants and berries to eat, how to hibernate, and to stay away from that dangerous beast - man. A female with cubs is distrus-tful of any other bear. irlhen one approaches, she becomes very aggressive and chases it, or else slaps her cubs with her paws and makes them hurry in another direction.

4 Bears are most easily seen in July and August when they congregate on the streams to feed. Thousands of migrant salmon, swarming up riffles and falls, fight their way upstream to spawn and die. The major portion of the salmon taken by bears are weakened and easy to capture, having al­ ready spawned.

Contrary to popular belief, bears do not slap salmon out of the streams with their paws, but grab them with their teeth, frequently pounc­ ing on them first. The female does all the fishing for her cubs during the first year, and while she fishes, the cubs sit on the bank patiently waiting for mother to get dinner. Upon catching a salmon, she carries it to the cubs and they joyously squabble over the tender tidbits. There is a considerable variation in fishing ability which, in many cases, depends upon the age of the bear. Occasionally, a young bear can be seen wildly running up and down the stream, pouncing here and there with fish skitter­ ing in all directions, but unable to make a catch. When a fish is finally siezed, he seems to almost strut with pride, just lil~e a boy with his first fish. After filling their stomachs, bears often lie out on some sun­ ny slope to rest and sleep. Sometimes they lie on their backs with all four feet in the air.

During much of August and September, streams are forsaken for elder­ berry thickets, since bears seem to prefer berries to salmon. vlhen October frosts arrive, roots, carrion, and frozen berries are eaten.

Bear cubs are frolicsome animals. They sneak up on each other, rub noses, wrestle for hours, stand on their hind legs boxing and biting, or roll over and over, all in a playful mood. Bears sometimes fight furious­ ly, slashing and biting each other, at the same time emitting roaring noises which can be heard for a great distance.

Bears are reported to weigh over a ton, but of the many animals weigh­ ed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, none have exceeded 1,400 pounds, and it is believed that few weigh any more. A very large bear may leave a foot print that is 14 inches long and 8 inches wide. They follow definite trails which can easily be seen from the air.

!4any stories have been told of the ferocity of the brown bear and how extremely dangerous they are, but it has been found that nearly all bears try to avoid man and will run at the first opportunity. Although their sense of smell is keen, their sight is not. Often they come closer to get a better look at that peculiar creature - man - and may circle to get the scent. Once their curiosity is satisfied, they usually depart in haste.

Management of the Kodiak Refuge requires many approach avenues, all aimed at the objective of sustaining the Kodiak bear population in a rela­ tively undisturbed environment. The fame of the Kodiak bear leads to an annual hunter-kill of 150-200 animals. This kill borders on the allowable maximum and requires a continuous system of surveys to determine the effects of hunting and the population status. Yearly counts made on sample areas both from aerial observation and by ground crews over a long period of years,

5 provide an index to population trends. A long term record of the age and size composition of the kill provides a base for evaluating an in­ crease or decrease in female trophies or a change in the average size of bears trucen. A yearly survey of cubs provides an index of produc­ tion several years prior to its effect on hunting.

The relationship of bears to the commercially valuable salmon industry and the growing livestock industry has presented multiple-use problems. The understanding and soluti on of these problems has requir­ ed studies over a long period of years, and the cooperation of many in­ dividuals and agencies. Certain facets of life history have an impor­ tant bearing on management. As an example, the discovery that male bears emerge from hibernation earlier than female bears mruces possible a reduced female kill through shortening of the spring season.

The degree to which bears move about over the island, the age at maturity, and maximum. longevity are important facts which will be found only through the observation of marked bears. The bear-marking program originally consisted of patches of paint applied through t he use of cross-bmw and trail sets. Current techniques consist of trapping and tae;ging the bears by various means. A.ny one of these phases requil~es an exhaustive investigation of techniques. Current marking efforts are confined to the trapping and ear-tagging of bears u...'1.der anesthesia, at which time weight, sex, measurement, and other data are also obtained. Hunting regulations, in order to ftmction as an effecti ye management aid, must be supported by adequate enforcement. A continual and effective pa­ trol system, intensified during hunting periods, is therefore maintained.

Beside bears, other wildlife abounds on the refuge. Hundreds of baJ.d eagles are permanent residents , nesting along ctiffs and in cot­ tommod trees. Green-winged. teal, golden-eyes, mallards, eiders, a few S"'vans and many other waterfowl nest on the refuge. The distinctive calls of the golden-crowned sparrow and Lapland longspur can be heard all summer. Other small birds can be seen, such as the pine grosbeak, song, fox, and Savannah sparrows, Hilson's and yellow "\varblers, violet­ green swal:).ows, "\voodpeckers, kingfishers, and thrushes. \{illow and rock ptarmigans are numerous. The call of the common loon can be heard on nearly every lake. Gulls, as "\vell as sapdpipers, phalaropes, plovers, and other shorebirds, are plentiful.

Nearly every small islet is a seagull rookery, and several large kittiwake colonies, with thousands of birds, are found on or adjacent to the refuge. Large rookeries of tufted puffins and cormorants also occur along the numerous offshore islands of the refuge.

In the fall of the year, mallards, pintails, teal, American widg­ eons, and Canada geese use the refuge as a resting area. Numerous seaters, golden-eyes, emperor geese, old squaws, and eiders winter in the salt water bays. The colorful harlequin duck is a year-round resident, as are the common eider, murre, pigeon guillemot, and oyster catcher.

6 At present, the refuge is open to hunting and fishing, subject to the Alaska Game Laws. Stringent regulations assure that only the surplus animals are removed. Each year about 100 hunters travel to Kodiak from elsewhere on the continent and other parts of the world to take one of these prized trophies. Nonresident hunters hire guides who are available in the town of Kodiak.

Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout abound in the lakes and streams, and salmon and steelhead are available to sport fishermen during migrating seasons. Silver salmon weighing up to ten pounds can be caught with lures, and on portions of the refuge the large king salmon, weighing 20 to 6o pounds, can be taken.

The Karluk River, which drains the Karluk Lake system, is considered one of the best steelhead fishing streams in Alaska. Excellent fishing is available in the fall from September 15 to November 1 and again in the spring during the latter portion of April and the month of May. These steelheads also provide a source of eggs for the local fish hatchery at Kodiak. After hatching and raising to a fry stage, these fish are ship­ ped to various areas in Alaska for stocking lakes and streams.

Salmon spawn in the numerous lakes and streams on the refuge. The main industry at Kodiru~ is commercial fishing for these fish. This in­ dustry annually grosses ten million dollars or more, and several thousand people are employed.

The refuge headquarters are located at Kodiak, Alaska. Morning and afternoon. flights are made from Anchorage, Alaska, by Pacific Northern Airlines. A hotel is available for visitors.

No special permit is necessary to enter the refuge. Several local bush pilots and one local airline furnish transportation to any part of the area. Commercial fishing boats can be chartered for excursions around the island. There are no roads on the refuge.

More detailed information concerning the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge may be secured by writing the Refuge Manager, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak, Alaska.

RL-57 February 196o Kodiak REFUGE ~ LJ ;~~.. =ARTERS ~ '-/~

"r G 0

U.S. GOVERNME:\'T PRL.YfiNG OFFICE: 1960 0-545054

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D.C. • Price 10 cents BIRDS F THE K DIAK NATIONAL ILDLIFE REFUGE

The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 for the conservation of Kodiak brown bears and other important wildlife species. It is administered by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife of the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service, u.s. Department of the Interior. The refuge includes 1,815,000 acres and comprises the greater part of Kodiak Island.

Kodiak Island is approximately 25 miles from the base of the Alaska Peninsula, bordered by Shelikof Strait on the northwest shore, the Gulf of Alaska to the northeast, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. Kodiak and adjacent islands originated geologically as a southwest extension of the Kenai peninsula mountains. The interior part of the refuge is mountainous and ascends to 4,000 feet above sea level. VP2e­ tation varies from tundra type plants on the south end of Kodiak Island to a spruce climax at the north end. Dense stands of alder, willow, elderberry, and cranberry are interspersed by grasslands containing mostly bluejoint grass and fireweed. The alpine area~ like the tundra, are covered by a vegetative mat that includes sedges, lichens, crow­ berry, mountain cranberry, and blueberry. Varied cover types afford excellent cover and forage for birds characteristic of the region. Many rivers drain to the extensive and convoluted shoreline of Kodiak Island. Four large lakes, and many potholes dotting the area, provide habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl.

The entire area of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge is open to public use. Mode of travel to and within the refuge is limited to aircraft or boat, as roads are non-existent. Small amphibious planes are used by sportsmen for access to the major parts of the island. Protected bays provide shelter for boat operations, and big-game hunts are usually conducted from base camps. Hunting and sport fishing are permitted in accordance with regulations of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Although principally a big-game refuge, migratory birds use the area to feed and rest during seasonal migrations. Some species remain throughout the mild winters to forage in salt water bays kept free of ice by tidal forces. The winter waterfowl population numbers at least 200,000 birds along the shoreline and on the refuge proper. Species

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE most commonly seen are emperor geese and scaup, goldeneye, mallard, Black-legged Kittiwake SR-a *Hermit Thrush SR-u and pintail ducks. Other birds common to the area include the belted Arctic Tern SR-c Gray-cheeked Thrush SR-o kingfisher, magpie, raven, crow, black-capped chickadee, dipper, 'Snowy Owl AV-r Veery SR-u winter wren, varied thrush, pine grosbeak, pine siskin, and fox *Ha~..rk Owl SR-u Golden-crowned Kinglet WR-c sparrow. Bald eagles are abundant throughout the year and at least Short-eared O't..rl PR-o Hater Pipit SR-c 150 pairs of this emblematic bird nest in cottonwood trees and along Belted Kingfisher PR-e Bohemian Waxwing WV-o cliffs contained within the refuge boundary. Shorebirds reside in Downy Hoodpecker PR-u Northern Shrike TV-o the moist areas around lakes and potholes, moving freely between these Northern Three-toed Yellow lvarbler SR-c areas and salt water bays. Hoodpecker WR-r Wilson's Warbler SR-a Violet-green S'..rallow SR-a Pine Grosbeak PR-e The following list includes 116 species that have been recorded Bank Swallow SR-r Gray-crowned Rosy Finch SR-c on the Refuge and adjacent areas since 1941. Those marked with an * Black-billed Magpie PR-a Common Redpoll IVR-c are occasionally present in the winter. Those denoted by a#, normally Common Raven PR-a Pine Siskin PR-e v7inter or transient visitors, may remain during the summer in limited Northwestern Crow PR-a lfuite-winged Crossbill PR-e numbers. This list is in accordance with the Fifth (1957) A.O.U. Black-capped Chickadee PR-a Savannah Sparrow SR-a Check-list. Brown Creeper SR-o Golden-crowned Sparrow SR-a Dipper PR-e Fox Sparrow PR-e Status Abundance \·linter Hren PR-e Song Sparrow PR-e Robin TV-o Lapland Longspur SR-c PR - Permanent Resident a - abundant Varied Thrush PR-e 'Snow Bunting PR-a SR - Summer Resident c - common WV - Winter Visitor u - uncommon SV - Summer Visitor o - occasional Birds found on Kodiak Island adjacent to the Refuge TV - Transient Visitor r - rare AV - Accidental Visitor 1tArctic Loon vlV-c Common Eider WR-c Red-throated Loon TV-c King Eider \·JR-o Red-necked Grebe PR-e lfuite-winged Seater PR-a Horned Grebe SR-c Surf Seater PR-e Common Loon PR-e Gyrfalcon WV-o Black-footed Albatross AV-r Common Seater PR-e Whistling Swan SR-u #Peregrine Falcon SR-o Fulmar SR-o Black Oystercatcher PR-e i>Canada Goose TV-o Pigeon Hawk SR-u Pink-footed Shearwater SR-c Black Turnstone PR-u Black Brant TV-u Hillow Ptarmigan PR-a Sooty Shearwater SR-c Common Murre PR-e Emperor Goose WR-o Rock Ptarmigan PR-e Slender-billed Shearwater SR-a Pigeon Guillemot PR-u Snow Goose TV-r Sandhill Crane TV-r Fork-tailed Petrel TV-r Marbled Murrelet PR-u White-fronted Goose TV-o Semipalmated Plover SR-u Brandt's Cormorant SR-o Ancient Murrelet WR-u Mallard PR-e American Golden Plover TV-o Pelagic Cormorant PR-a Cassin's Auklet WR-r Gadwall PR-e Black-bellied Plover TV-c Red-faced Cormorant SR-c Crested Auklet PR-a Pintail PR-e Common Snipe SR-c Oldsquaw IVR-a Horned Puffin SR-c Green-winged Teal PR-u Whimbrel SR-r Harlequin Duck PR-a Tufted Puffin SR-c American ~vidgeon PR-e Wandering Tattler SR-r Steller's Eider vlR-a 1tShoveler WR-r Greater Yellowlegs SR-c Greater Scaup PR-e Rock Sandpiper SR-c #Common Goldeneye WR-a Baird's Sandpiper SR-c #Barrow's Goldeneye vJR-a Least Sandpiper SR-c RL-151-R 1tBufflehead ~.JR-a Western Sandpiper SR-c Issued October 1955 Common Merganser PR-a Northern Phalarope TV-c Revised September 1965 3 Red-breasted Merganser PR-a Parasitic Jaeger SR-u *Goshawk TV-c Glaucous-winged Gull PR-a Golden Eagle SR-r Herring Gull PR-u Bald Eagle PR-a Mew Gull SR-c Marsh Hawk TV-o Bonaparte's Gull SR-c

2 RL-151-R & Wildlife Service

REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT January throu?h December 1965 KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Kodi3k, Alaska

Refuge Staff: Richard J. Hensel - - --- Refuge Manager

Vernon Do Berns -- - - Assistant Refuge Manager Joseph E. Johnson --- - - Boatman & Maintenanceman (EOD 4/12/65) Annie L. Hancock - - -- - Clerk Typist (Term. 9/20/65) Mildred F. Yess - - -- Clerk fypist (EOD 9/15/65)

Seasonal Employee

Earl J. Fleming ------Wildlife Aide (7/2/65 - 12/31/65)

U. S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Fish anJ Wildlife Service Kodiak, Alaska REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT Table of Contents Page

1. GENERAL 1 A. Weather Conditions 1 B. Habitat Conditions 2

II. WILDLIFE 3 A. Migratory Birds 3 B. Upland Gaae Birds 4 c. Big Gaae Aniaals S Table I 10 Table 2 12 Table 3 13 Table 4 15 D. Fur Aniaals, Predators, Rodents and Other Maaaals 16 E. Hawks, Eagles, Crows, Ravens, and Magpies 17 Table S 11 Table 6 19 Table 7 20 F. Other Birds 21 G. Marine Maaaals 21 H. Fish 22 Table 8 24

III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAIHTEHANCS 25 A. Physical Developaent 25 B. Maintenance 26 c. Collections and Receipts 26 D. Fires 27

IV. RBSOURCES MANAGEMENT 27 A. Special Use Per•its 27

v. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS 28

VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS 29

A. Recreation Uses 29 Table of Contents (Cont.) Paae - VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS (Coat.) B. Refuae Visitors JO c. Refufe Participation 31 D. H&mt nf 33 B. Violat ons 33 F. Safety 33

VII. OTHIR ITEMS 34 Page 1

Refuge Narrative Report January through December 1965 Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Kodiak, Alaska

I. GENERAL

A. Weather Conditions. The new year be gan as a plumber's deltght - a large per cent of homes had frozen water lines and even city water lines fr~ze and ruptured. Temperatures dropped to a 3° ~. where thev remained for several weeks, thus making it the longest, cold­ est period recorded in Kodiak for seven ·years. Then came the usual snow, rain, and fo g , until April 15 when another record was broken with a high of 63° F. The warm weather, of course, triggered both bears and hunters from dormancy. The warm spell was short lived, however, and we continued to experience a rather cold spring. As late as July, temperatures were recorded in the high 30°s with some lakes in al­ pine areas frozen and patches of snow still persisting at elevations as low as 1500 feet. August came and went with very little precipitation, but there was a considerable amount of overcast skies and cool weather. By cool weather we mean, for exam­ ple, that on August 25, a quarter inch of ice formeJ in a water bucket at a camp located at Spiridon Lake. Throughout September, foul weather prevailed with low pressure centers moving in from the Paci fie that brought the first snowfall the last of the month. This was followed by two weeks of heavy rains in early October, then turning to conditions characteristic of fall and winter seasons: freezin g conditions, high winds, frozen alpine lakes, the u per mountain /- slopes being blanketed with snow. One wind storm reached gus~s of 120 mph at the White Alice communica- Page 2

tion site located on a nearby mountain overlooking town. Somewhat less forceful in Kodiak, or at simi­ lar elevations, it still did considerable dama ge to aircraft moored at the float pond and in addition, stripped the roof from the new Bureau of Commercial Fisheries installation at Gibson Cove. As October ca.. to a close so did the aircraft float operations except those aircraft types operating off larre lakes and salt water. The first two weeks of November brought beautiful, clear sunny days and gusty wind. This was followed by low pressure systems, making it known that winter was here to stay. Fleet Weather Central, located on the Kodiak Naval Station, has provided the following weather summary:

Snowfall Precipitation(in.) Max. Min. Winds (knots) (inches) This month Normal Temp . Mean Ave. Max. Gusts Dec. (64) 10.5 2.75 5.04 13 61 Jan. 16.4 6.1 6.05 10 44 Feb. 18.5 2.51 4.34 46 Mar. 13.1 8.12 3.37 37 Apr. 21.9 3.90 3.00 11 58 May 1.3 5.42 3.79 10 51 June Trace 11.37 3.19 7 42 July 0 6.33 3.16 7 39 Aug. 0 2.24 4.49 7 38 Sept. Trace 7.30 5.84 7 34 Oct. 2. 1 6. 72 5.47 11 66 Nov. 21.1 3.28 5.04 11 46

B. Habitat Conditions.

1 • Water. Normal to low water conditions prevailed throughout the spring and summer due to low temp­ eratures preventing any rapid runoff by snow aelting at hif~er elevations. In September there was more prec pitation than usual with lakes and streaas approaching flood stage. 2. Food and Cover. The winter-like spring kept ali but the most hearty vegetation from making a usual appearance. Wild hellbore was the first green sign to emerge in late April followed by wildcelery shoots and grass which were available Page 3

) as brown bear forage. The salmon run was poor and late to arrive in streams of Kodiak. These conditions had a profound effect on the season­ al diets of brown bears when coupled with ex­ cessively high water levels that occurred in the fall. The berry crop, compared to past years, was very poor this fall. The late spring and cool summer hampered the fruit from both forming and maturing. After mid-August, a few ereen elder­ berries appeared in bear droppings and that, supplemented with other vegetation. composed major food items. The ranges of reindeer and Sitka black-tailed deer remain the same as in the past reporting periods, whereas the abundance of mice will no doubt have an impact on the carnivorous food chain. II. WILDLIFE A. Miaratory lirds. Large concentrations of old squaw, greater scaup. goldeneye, scoters. and Pacific eider ducks remained in many of the protected bays and inlets throughout the winter. Approximately 1,000 to z.ooo scaup and old squaw ducks remained near can­ neries to feed on kina crab aurry as it was discharaed into the bay and channel near town. Some of these birds became so tame that a person could get within a few feet of them before they would dive from their intruder. Mallards were present throughout the winter in laraer bays and streams that remained open. Approximately 450 mallards and scaup in mixed groups were counted in Terror Bay on January 15. The head of Uyak Bay has excellent waterfowl habitat and supports a win­ tering population of mallards. Spring migrants began arriving by mid-April and con­ tinued to pass through the Kodiak area for nearly a month. A large migration of brant interrupted their northward movement to rest in several large bays close to Kodiak. The first brant recording was 8 birds sighted on April 19 by fr. Branson. B.C.F. Enforcement Aaent, between Chirikof and the Trinity Islands. On May 1, Refuge Manager Berns observed over 750 brant in Kalsin Bay, Middle Bay, and Belles Flats. Page 4

One old-time resident of 1\alsin 1 ~ay re!)orteJ seeing up to 2,000 brant about every day durinr the last two weeks of April. tic said Juring some Jays they were in large flocks anJ on other days they wnulJ be in smaller flocks of 50 to 100 birds. Whether this was a daily mi gration or the same geese waitinp for conditions to enhance their northward movement is a subject of conjecture. Brani were not only at the northern end of the Island but were also tallied on May 11 while makin g eagle surveys in the following areas: 70 in Alitak Bav, 45 in Sukhoi Bay, 25 in Portage Bay, SS in Uganik Bay and 150 at Packers Spit. A few emperor geese winter on Kodiak and Trinity Is­ lands and by early May only an occasional small flock might have been seen. They, too, moved to their breeding grounds and did not reappear until the latter part of October.

We have only received one re ~ ort of Canada geese species having been taken on Kodiak during the 1965 waterfowl season. The party repor~ly, while huntin? in Belles Flats, took five from a flock of perhaps SO birds attracted to a set of duck decoys.

Prob~bly the most spectacular waterfowl species on the Refuge is the whistling swan. There is a winter­ ing population on Kodiak Island, or adjacent frinity Islands, but how m;1ny we do not know. Five swans were seen on the Karluk River on 'larch 24 anJ 25, and are ~robably spring migrants. Incidental to making eagle surveys along the coast­ line and river systems on May 11, several swan nests were noted on some of the smaller lakes and potholes. By late fall numerous family groups of swans were found using the Karluk River after the potholes and shallow lakes froze. On November 8, fifty-seven swans were counted in family groups. Each family ranged from five to eight birds including the adults or 4.3 cygnets for each pair of nesting parents. Because most swan habitat are located from the Karluk Flats southward, we hope to get more information and band a few birds now that we have an aircraft at our disposal. B. Upland Game Birds. The Refuge hosts both willow and rock ptarm1gan. ro the casual observer and hunter the birds do not appear to be abundant, but by late Page S

•' winter they are in large flocks. When the hunter does flush one of these flocks, the hillside liter­ ally explodes with flapping wings. However, very little ptarmigan hunting is done on the refuge because of its inaccessibility except bv aircraft. C. Big-Game Animals. 1. Reindeer. fhe ownership status of feral rein­ deer remains unchanged since our last report. That is, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is attempting to purchase the herd from the Alitak Reindeer Association and classify them as a game animal. On July 11, Refuge and ADF&G personnel, while in the company of a representa­ tive of the Association, flew a total of 8 anJ one half hours in light aircraft to search for reindeer on the southern part of the island. One hundred three reindeer were observed in three groups of eighty-five, fourteen and four animals. ~o calves were observed in any of these groups . The ADF&G censused reindeer apain on September 20 and counted 553 animals . Ephraim Agnot represented the Association and accompanied State personnel on this survey. Wildlife per­ sonnel conducting an aerial survey in 1962 observed approximately 700 animals.

Refuge ~anager Berns inspected three male rein­ deer shot near Karluk River by native hunters on March 23. fhe animals appeared to be fat, in­ dicating they were in good condition. At this time of the year, new antler growth is just beginning to develop with a protrudinu bulbous growth.

2. ~1ountain Goats. Plans were made to make a com­ plete reconnaissance of mountain goat habitat during the month of June but these failed to materialize due to inclement weather. ADF&G Biologist Eide reported seeing one female with a yearling and seven single oats along Wild Creek in the Hidden Basin area on ~ay 14. A goat survey conducted on July 24 resulted in a tally of thirteen adults and three kids in the same area. At this time moderate snow cover in­ creased the possibility of animals blending with the surrounding habitat and thereby reducing the number of sightings.

On August 18, Refuge Manager Berns and Biologist Pa Pe 6

Eide flew Bureau Aircraft ~723 and covereJ the area from Hidden Basin to Crown Mountain. Twenty-two adults, thirteen kiJs and/or sub­ adults were tallied. This ~rea was covered very thoroughly and it is believed very few, if any, animals were missed. One of Kodiak Airways' pilots made a positive sighting of a lone mountain ~oat moving in a northerly direction at Red River Flats. This is near the southern end of the island and does not appear to be goat habitat. Poss ibly the refuge has a larger population of animals than estimated. fhere have been staggered reports of mountain goat siQhtings in the ~la ­ cier area above Kiliuda Bav and the headwaters of Terror River. To date none of these roats have been seen by Bureau personnel . Fisher­ men reported seeing 19 mountain goats in Jap Bay in early October. An aerial survey was made in this area on the twenty-first of that month with ADF&G personnel cooperating, but none of the goats were found . Snow patches made sighting conditions unfavorable so it is possi­ ble that they too, were missed . 3. Dall Sheep. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released a single ewe ncar ~ink Point on September 22, 1964. Twelve more Dall sheep, five pregnant females , one two-year-old female, four yearling females, and two yearling males arrived at the south arm of Uganik Bay on May 15, 18 and 19, 1965 aboard an ADf&G Gruman Goose . These animals were caught on the Kenai Penin­ sula bv shooting them with succenylcholine chloride with a ca -chur gun from a helicopter. Refuge and ADF&G personnel made a flight to Mink Point on ~ay 22, and found seven dead female sheep on the beach within a mile from where they were released. The animals had been partiallv devoured bv foxes, eagles, ravens and mappies, but the cause of death is believed to be from stress rather than predation. One sheep sight­ inr was made near Uganik Lake on the last of May which is located approximately ei ~ ht miles froM the release point.

4 • Sitka Black-tailed Jeer . Althou gh Kodiak IslanJ exper1enceJ a co!J w1nter there were no prolong­ ) ed periods of snow cover to keep the deer from Page 7 ) moving to browse. State personnel made several extensive beach surveys and reported finding more dead deer than in the past years. How­ ever, they felt they spent more time searching for winter kills than in the preceding years which would add to the total. An aerial survey was made by Refuge personnel in mid-January along the coastline from Viekoda Bay to the northeast arm of Uganik including Uganik Island. In 72 minutes of surveying thirty-seven deer were counted, with the major­ ity of them on Uganik Island. The snow conditions were fair and on this flight no dead deer were found. 5. Kodiak Brown Bear. a. Po3ulation Surveys. Composition counts were rna e in alp1ne areas and along salmon streams by using a Piper Supercub aircraft. These surveys were supplemented by ground counts made from an observation post overlooking the O'Mally/Canyon Creek tributary to the Karluk Lake drainage. Only two alpine counts were conducted due to bad weather and not having an aircraft available when flying conditions were permissible. Because of the small amount of information gathered during these surveys, it does not merit in­ clusion in this report. Stream surveys covered Red River Lake, Dog Salmon River, Sturgeon River and the Karluk Lake system. The number and period of bear concentrations on the streams vary due to several factors with the arrival time and salmon abundance being the most important factors for consideration on stream sur­ veys. The Dog Salmon and Sturgeon drainage usually have good chum salmon runs, while the Red River and Lake system have a sock­ eye salmon run. Salmon runs in the Karluk Drainage are fairly consistent from year to year but streams leading into the lake are so short and brush-covered that it is diffi­ cult to observe bears through aerial obser­ vations. Table 1 indicates this difficulty by the low number observed on each flight ) at Karluk. It also indicates that the arrival of the salmon run in the streams Page 8

coincides with the bear movement into that particular drainage. Ground counts were made on the upper Kar­ luk drainage that overlooks Canyon and O'~ally Creeks. These counts were made at hourly intervals be g innin ~ at 0600 and terminating at 0900 and then r e suming at 1800 and ending at 2100 hours . Bv compar­ ing Table 1 to Table 2 one can readily see that more be ars were counted from the ground on this one drainage than from all of Karluk Lake system by using aircraft.

Qoo oc the puzzling questions fable 2 bri n~ s to the reader's mind is the disparity be­ tween tallies of adults and sub-adults. This difference can be explained by: (l) the difficulty of classifying a single bear at times as an adult or sub-adult; (2) the adults are more wary in their feed­ ing habits and feed late in the evening and/or during the night; and (3) s~ort hunters harvest a noticeable segment of the adult population. The same is true of sows with cubs and sows with yearlings. The latter is not as protective of her young and spends a great amount of time fishing. playing in the water and loafing in the open meadows. whereas sows with cubs are more secretive. snend little time on the stream fishing, generallv come out late in the evening, and cubs remain in the hi gh grass along the stream bank making them difficult to see for counting. b. Hunting Jata. Hunting season on the Kodiak Nat1onal W1ldlife Refu ge, Kaspberry. Amook. Afognak, and Shuyak Islands opens on Octo­ ber 1 and extends to ~ay 31 of the followin g year. The are a adjacent to the Refuge opens September 1 and remains open until June 30, with the justification of alleviating some of the bear depredation on the cattle ranche s . Because of the late and poor salmon runs, as well as high water and poor berry crops, there has been heavy cattle predation from bears this year. There have been more si ght­

I ) ings and signs of bears on the naval base and close to the city of Kodiak this fall Pa ~ e 9

than have been for several years. The explanation for these bears moving from their natural home range is lack of food; the dumps and waste areas are drawing them to the only available food sources. At the time of this writing there are an unusual number of sows with young still foraging before going into hibernation. Guides and hunters have commented that bears had very little fat on them this fall. This also concurs with our observa­ tions of skinned animals. During the spring bear hunting season 48 males • 35 females • and 1 bear of unknown sex were taken from the Refuge. Also taken were 22 males, 12 females, and 3 of unknown sex off the Refuge. The average squared hide aeasured 8 • O" for males and 7 • 0" for feaales taken on the Refuge. Males squared 7' 8" and females 6' 8" for bears taken outside the Refuge. See Table 3. Fall hunting on lodiak Island does not receive the aaouat of huntina pressure as does spring hunting. This is understandable because ~ther bia ga .. seasons are open on the Alaskan Peninsula and Brooks Range for 110ose caribou, Dall sheep and bear; ly early 6ctobert these coabination hunts are coapleted and attention is then focused to lodiak Island for brownie huntina. Duriaa tke fall buatiaf seasoa 76 bear skins were sealed by W ldlife personnel as coapared to 1Z3 for the sprina hunts. A total of 76 bears were harvested froa the lodiak Island Group and 37 of these coa· prised the hunter take inside the Refuge. See Table 4. The 199 bears killed and sealed this year represented one of the largest kills we have on record for the Kodiak area. Eleven of the bears t aken within the Refu ge were tagged animals. This brings the total to · SO tagged bears killed of which we have record from the 163 bears captured and t agged since 1958. An additional 10 per cent kill is estimated for unreported bears taken for ) food or defense of property. Table 1. Composition of bear populations found within four drainages as revealed by aerial surveys made alon salmon streams - 1965

Sub- Single Sows Drainage Date Cubs Yearlings Adults Adults w/cubs Total

Red River 7/19 0 2 0 1 1 4 7/20 0 6 0 0 4 12 7/21 0 0 3 1 0 4 7/26 2 2 4 6 2 16 8/4 0 2 6 1 1 10 8/9 3 3 14 4 4 28 8/llAM 5 11 8 5 7 36 8/12PM 7 7 8 8 7 37 II -n -,3 1t1 !l' !'1'1 Average number bears/survey 18.4

Dog Salmon River 7/21 0 0 0 0 0 0 7/26 0 0 2 5 0 7 8/4 2 4 3 2 3 14 8/9 0 6 13 7 3 29 8/12AM 0 13 9 1 5 28 8/12PM 2 16 9 12 7 46

~ 4 >,) 39 36 27 18 124 ~ Average number Cll bear I survey 24.8 .... Q Table 1 (cont.). Composition of bear populations found within four drainages as revealed by aerial surveys made along salmon streams - 1965

Sub- Single Sows Drainase Date Cubs Yearlinss Adults Adults w/cubs Total StuTgeon River 7/19 0 16 12 7 6 43 7/20 2 7 14 16 4 43 7/21 0 12 9 7 5 33 7/26 2 5 7 8 6 25 8/4 1 8 2 6 4 21

5 50 44 44 22 165 Average number bears/survey 33.0

Karluk Drainage 7 I 19 3 7 5 0 4 19 7I 20 0 5 2 2 2 12 7/21 0 4 4 0 5 10 7/26 1 5 2 4 5 17 8/4 1 5 11 1 3 21

5 26 24 7 16 78 ~ Average number ~ 1Q bears/survey 15.6 ('1) ...... -

Table 2. Compositions of bear populations from Lookout Station overlooking Canyon and O'~ally Creeks - Time and daily movement

Sub- Date Time Adults Adults Sows/cubs Sow/Yearling Total

7/21 PM 2 7 9 7/22 AM 3 3 0 0 3 20 7/22 P~t 5 4 1 0 3 23 7/23 AM 1 13 0 1 0 1 1 0 22 7/23 PM 6 14 0 1 0 23 7I 2 4 AM 5 5 0 1 0 0 2 2 27 7/24 PM 8 11 0 1 0 4 3 3 51 7/25 AM 0 11 1 0 2 20 7 I 2 7 P'f 4 16 1 4 2 42 7/28 AM 2 5 0 1 0 2 1 0 17 7 I 30 PM 6 9 0 2 0 4 4 4 57 7/31 AM 2 16 0 1 0 2 0 3 37 8/2 AM 5 16 0 0 1 25 8/4 PM 3 8 1 2 0 19

Total 52 140 21 12 34 54 60 393

Average 3.7 10.0 1.5 .9 2.4 3.9 5.7 2 8. 0 -:l Ql ·ro <11 ...... N t

Table 3. Squared Brown bear hide size and skull measurements - Spring huntina, 1965

ON THE REFUGE \tale Female Hide Skull Hide Skull Hide Skull Hide Skull 7'8 1/2" 7'8 l/2" 8'1" 24 5/8 5' 4 7'6 1/2 21 5/8 9' 2 2 8 1/8 7'6 1/2 21 6/8 5'2 1/2 7'10 8'6 8'0 1/2 22 3/8 (head 8'2 26 6/8 6'5 6'11 1/2 mount) 7'5 1/2 9'0 2 7 2/8 6'7 5'5 1/2 7'5 1/2 23 1/8 5' 1 1/2 21 1/8 7' 7 22 8'1 2 4 1/8 9'6 26 3/8 7' 5 1/2 8'5 6'6 8'4 1/2 22 4/8 6'5 1/2 22 7'0 5'11 1/2 21 4/8 9'3 27 3/8 10'2 1/2 28 6/8 7'8 1/2 21 3/8 5'7 1/2 18 7/8 9'3 1/2 27 6/8 6'4 7'5 21 5/8 7'0 10'0 27 6/8 5' 7 7' 7 5' 4 1/2 17 3/8 9'1 1/2 28 1/8 9'0 27 2/8 7'8 22 7'3 1/2 24 1/2 7'6 1/2 21 1/8 6'5 1/2 8'5 1/2 20 1/2 6'5 1/2 6'0 7' 0" Ave rage 7'2 6'5 1/2 22 7'7 8' 7 8'8 1/2 28 7I 8 7' 9 8'6 25 4/8 7'0 25 3/8 7'5 1/2 23 7/8 6'4 1/2 21 7/8 7'2 24 4/8 5'9 20 1/8 6'3 1/2 26 1/2 6'5 20 4/8 8'0 22 7/8 10'0 27 7/8 7'8 1/2 23 1/8 6'5 1/2 24 9'3 1/2 27 6'5 25 3/4 9'3 1/2 25 7/8 7'2 1/2 2 . 5/8 8'1 1/2 8'0" Average 7'3 1/2 ' ., 10'4 8' 1 !» OQ 7'9 6'1 G 10'4 7'6 1/2 .... (,A Table 3 (cont.). Squared Brown bear hide size and skut"l measurements - Spring hunting, 1965

OFF THE REFUGE Male Female Hide Skull Hide Skull 10'3" 25 9/8" 6'1" 20" 8'5 1/2 24 4/8 6'8 21 6'2 21 1/8 7'5 8'3 27 6'7 9'8 26 7I 8 5'11 7'3 6'2 1/2 7'2 1'2 1/2 7'5 24 3/8 7'0 22 8'7 2 7 4/8 6'4 8'7 7'11 8'9 2 7 1/2 7'8 6'7 1/2 8'1 6'5 6'8" Average 7'7 6'2 1/2 7'5 1/2 7'5 6'4 1/2 9'5 1/2 9'1 21 5'5 17 5/8

7' 8" Ave rage fable 4. Squared Brown bear hide size and skull measurements - Fall huntina , 1965

ON THE. REFUGE. OFF THE. REFUGE.

~1ale Female \1a 1 e Female Hide Skull Hide Skull 11 ide Skull lli de Skull (in o) (in o) (in. ) (in.)

6'7 1/2" 7'11 1/2" 22 1/8 9'6" 27 1/8 7' 7 1/2" 19 1/8 8'5 1/2 24 1/8 5' 11 2 J 7/8 7' 4 1/2 24 4/8 7'6 8'10 1/2 7'4 1/2 2 1 5/3 8'6 7'0 I I 2 8'6 9'2 24 5/8 6'5 1/2 6'6 1/2 8'9 9'1 22 7 I 8 9' 7 27 1/8 7'3 7' 7 8' 0 1/2 21 4/8 6'7 1/2 7'0 8'5 7' 0 8 I 11 7' 3 6' 11 19 1/8 7'2 7' 8 6'4 1/2 23 1/8 9'6 1/2 28 6/8 7'11 1/2 9' 8 7'9 22 6/8 6'4 1/2 8'0 1/2 21 6/8 7'4 6'6 23 5/8 8' 8 22 2/8 18 1/8 8'11 1/2 26 5/8 5' 5 1/2 20 3/8 7' 1 19 2/8 8'0 23 1/8 7'3 1/2 22 6/8 5' 11 1/2 8' 7 23 3/8 7' 9 21 l/8 8'7 1/2 7' 10 1/2 20 2/8 8'9 23 6/8 7' 1 7'1 1/2 7'9 1/2 22 7/8 7' 7 1/2 6'10" Ave rage 8'3 22 3/8 7'6 8' 8 1/2 26 1/8 10'3 1/2 28 4/8 6'6 9' 1 9'~ 1 I 2 28 4/8 7' 5 7'3 1/2 10' 2 28 7/8 6'6 8' 2 1/2 21 1/2 6' 1 1/2 22 5/8

8' 3 7'9" Average 8 I 0 22 2/8 ~ 9'6 1/2 28 1/2 7' 7 1/2 27 7/8 OQ• 8' 7 1/2 25 1/2 ()

pot 8'4" Average U9 7'10 1/2" Avera2e Page 16

J D. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents, and Other ~ammals. 1. Beaver. Beaver trapping has attracted very llttle attention because of low fur orices. The trapping season opened January 1 and ex­ tended to May 15. Beaver habitat is marginal inside the Refuge whereas on the north end of Kodiak Island as well as on Afognak Island the habitat is more favorable for occupancy. People from Old Harbor Village requested that the ADF&G destroy a beaver dam on a nearby stream. Action was taken by the State to blow out the dam with explosives, but no attempt was made to remove the beavers. This took place within two miles of the village, which gives a vivid picture of the interest the natives have toward trapping. fheir chief complaint was that the dam was blocking passage for migrating salmon. 2. Land Otter. Otter signs were abundant through­ out the Refuge and Kodiak Island. 1ost otter trapping is conducted along streams close to the salt water bays, whereas populations on the in­ land drainages are virtually untouched due to their being inaccessible. According to informa­ tion received from trappers,between 25 and 30 animals were trapped in the 1964-65 season. This catch is less than half the number taken the previous season. As was true last year, the sea-food industry offers employment that is both more lucrative and less tiring than facing severe winter weather on a trapline. One trapper collected skulls and reproductive organs last year and is Joing so again this sea­ son. The Refuge staff hopes to prepare a paper on the land otter of Kodiak when enough of this information is collected. 3. Fox. The fox cycle is beginning to build up TrOm its low population in the past year or two. Although the fox is declared by the State as a fur-bearing animal, there is no closed season on Kodiak Island. It seems a shame to allow such a magnificent animal to be taken when it has no value.

) 4. Weasel. Weasels appear to maintain a stable Page 17

population level throughout Kodiak Island. Each winter one or two of them move into the Camp Island field headquarters and make their winter home. They certainly work for their rent as they do keep the mice cropped around the build­ ings. S. Meadow Mice. These rodents were seen everywhere 1n the field this year. Their telltale burrows and runs indicate they are very numerous and probably near the peak of the cycle. It also helps to explain why the fox and weasel popula­ tions are increasing, mice being the main source of food for these larger animals.

E. Hawks, Eagles, Crows, Ravens, and ~agpies. 1. Hawks. Goshawks and duck hawks were the only species observed. One pair of goshawks was known to have nested on Pasagshak Point but the exact location of the nest was never determined so that the birds could be banded. 2. Easles. An aerial census was conducted again thls year using Piper Supercub aircraft and covering all potential eagle habitat on the Refuge. This survey was made on May 10 and 11, requiring 21 hours of flying time. The final tally re­ sulted in 85 occupied tree nests (70 per cent) and 37 occupied ground nests (30 per cent). Also 8 unoccupied ground nests, 94 old or unoccupied tree nests, 62 juvenile bald eagles and 127 adult eagles excluding solitary adults that were incubating were enumerated in the same survey. An aerial eagle nesting survey was made on July 25. The objective of the survey was to arrive at a productivity index by re-checking 35 of the 122 occupied nests located in fay. Sixteen nests were not successful in rearing young, while 19 productive nests contained 26 eaglets. The re­ sults revealed production of 1.4 birds per active nest. The only attempt to band eaglets was made at Karluk Lake. Thirteen young were captured from six active nests and u.s.F.w.s. Aluminum bands were attached to their legs. Banding information is tabulated in Table 5. To date no bands have been returned since the project was started. Although the bald eagle is supposedly a year-round resident of Kodjak, numbers decrease in late fall and winter. Page 18

Table 5. Bald eagles banded at Karluk Lake during 1965

Eaglet Location Ntlllber U.S. F. W. S. Aluninun Band Nunbers

Karluk Weir 1 558-10186 558-10196 2 558-10187 558-10196 Bear Lagoon 3 558-10188 4 558-10189 5 558-10191 Alder Creek 6 558-10194 7 558-10195 Thunb River 8 558-10184 558-10197 9 558-10185 588-10198 Short Point 10 558-10192 11 588-10193 Island Point 12 558-10199 13 588-10200

> Table 6. Productivity of bald eagles on the Kodiak Refuge durin~ the 1963, 1964 and 1965 nestin~ perioJs.

No. Occupied .·o. Abandoned Total \est \ Of Nests ~0 . Youn~/~est Average eaglet Year Nests Nests Sam£ led Active ll 2l 37 per nest 1963 49 27 76 63\ 2n 26 3 1.6

1964 22 23 45 50 \ R 13 1 1. 7

1965 19 16 35 1.4 Table 7. Location and JU.IIIber of bald eagle nests on the Kodiak National Refuge, May 1963 - May 1965 .

Occupied Nests Unoccupied Nests Location 1963 1964 1965 1963 1964 1965 Uganik & Terror Bays 21 17 21 31 24 21 Spiridon & Zachar Bays 21 12 15 36 17 21

Uyak Bay 23 10 18 38 10 25

Karluk Lake & River 12 9 11 26 6 7

Kiliuda to Kaiugnak Bay 14 5 12 8 7 14

Kaiugnak Bay to Sulua Bay 28 11 14 3 12 6

IX>g-Salmoo River & Deadman Bay 13 6 12 11 12 4 Non-designated areas 2 1 7 0 1 2 Totals 151 84 122 156 97 102

N 0 Pa1e 21

There is no doubt that these birds migrate. but where and how far is unknown. Maybe in the not-too-distant future this perplexing situation will be solved by band returns. Some very interesting observations were made of one adult eagle near the F.w.s. subheadquarters at larluk Lake. This particular bird would sit on a dead cottonwood tree and fish the shallow waters near the spot. Upon seeing a fish it would leave its perch. make a half circle and dive into the water. Some of these were either false attempts. and the bird would resume perching. or the fish moved out of range in the short span it took the bird to get into posi­ tion to clutch its prey. On one occasion the bird hit the water with such force that it appear­ ed to have gone completely under. This parti­ cular time the bird could not become airborne again and instead swam about 150 yards to the shore by flapping its winas. After moving onto the shoreline it was noted that the bird still had an 8 to 10-inch Dolly Varden char clutched in its talons. 3. Crowst Ravens and Mafpies. These three species are a undant residen s throughout the year. No attempt has ever been made to deteraine their nuabers. At times they are helpful. especially in locating bear kills when one hikes into the hills for specimens. On the other hand. they usually have cleaned up most of the organs should one be late in arriving soon after the animal has been skinned. F. Other Birds. One new bird was sighted and added to the Refuge list during 1965. This was a coot 1 Fulica A.ericana 1 that was observed on the larluk River in early November. A rather rare sighting of a pair of parasitic jaegers was aade near Upper Station Lake on July 11. G. Marine Maaaals. Becaus of the deaand for seal skins many of the seal rookeries are being heavily hunted. Tugidak Island 1 off the southern end of lodiak 1 has been hunted very hard the last two years by commercial seal hunters } who are starting to coaplain about the dwindling popu­ lation. Page 22

This year the Alaska Departaent of Fish and Game has closed the seal season fro• July 31 to October 15 provided that fishermen be allowed to kill nuisance seals involved in fishery depredation. However. there is still a three-dollar bounty on seal scalps. Approxiaately 7,185 were bountied in 1964 and 8,140 in 1965 in Unit 8. Probably 20 per cent of the total seal kill is not bountied in­ cluding an unknown nuaber that are shot and never retrieved. Sea otter sightings are only reported occasionally. One report by ADF&G personnel concerned the presence of two sea otters near Cape Chiniak in April. None were observed by Refuge personnel either in conjunc­ tion with aerial surveys or while makina boat patrols this summer. Perhaps six or eight sea lions are taken each year as trophies by bear hunters after they have coapleted their bear hunt. They do make fairly good pead mounts. but the skins are usually scarred from fighting or from sharp rocks making them worthless in a game room. Whales were sighted throughout the summer in the Kizhuyak Bay area. An intense plankton bloom caused a tre•endous red tide in the vicinity of Kizhuyak Bay. Prior to the DTOom-Fnis phenomena probably attracted countless crustaceans to the area to feed on the diatoms creating the tide. This. in turn. may have caused these large mammals to frequent the bay in higher than usual numbers. H. -Fish. 1. Sportfish. The Alaska Department of Fish and Caae captured 17 male and 14 female king salmon at and near the mouth of Karluk Lake for egg- . taking on August 16 and 23. The large nuaber of fish used for egg-taking resulted from the fact that several of them were already spawned out. Generally. a female deposits from 4.ooo to 7.ooo eggs. The 7o.ooo e gg s taken were trans­ ferred to the Kodiak Hatchery. Plans are made to release the fry in Fraser Lake or River next June. Refuge personnel assisted a State sportfish biologist in surveying the Karluk River on Aug­ ust 18 to ascertain the population status of } the king salmon fishery. Both agencies are Page 23

/ mutually interested in this Refuge sportfishing resource. This count tallied 978 fish. whereas a second count made a few days later by ADF&G Fisheries Management aaents yielded a count of 1 1 000 fish. The results of these two surveys were parallel. indicating that a reliable count may have been made. These surveys will be taken annually in the future for better management. Silver salmon be gan showing in large numbers over the Labor Day weekend. After the season opened on September 10, the lower extremities of the Buskin, American. Russian. and Sultery Cove Rivers were l1ned with fishermen. shoulder to shoulder, in the evenings and during weekends. On August 12, the first silvers arrived at Terror River. 2. Steelhead Trout. The Navy Conservation Club in cooperation with Alaska Department of Fish and Game attempted to take eggs from 40 steelhead trout at Karluk River in May. At this time the females were not "ripe" enough to be collect­ ed which made their endeavor unsuccessful. From October 4 to 8, Refuae personnel assisted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish­ eries division in taggina steelhead in the Karluk area to gain knowledge of the population. The results were rather frightening according to the letter received by one of the biologists. It reads in part: "In this area from Karluk Lake to Silver Salmon Creek (approximately 5 miles of stream). we caught only one steelhead and observed no others. In the Portage area. we had assistance from the Ellenburg party. but caught and tagged only S steelheads in 10 man­ days of fishing time."

The Refuge ~anager accompanied by two State fish biologist aides spent from November 8 to 1~. taggin g steelheads on the Karluk River. During the seven man-days of fishing only 20 fish were tagged. Because of the very small run this year. we are proposing that the Karluk River and all inland drainages be closed to subsistence fishing except by permit for this important ame species. One "old-timer" related that years ago the larluk Villaae used to get their winter's supply of fish J with a few fathoas of web in the Karluk River. Table 8. ec..ercial saba1 catch on odd years for lodiak Islmd

Year !iJw Red Silver Pink a.. Total 1957 1,023 234,127 35,028 4,690,994 1,152,416 6,113,583 1959 1,837 3l0,087 14,512 1,967,058 733,784 3,041,218

1961 864 407,979 28,579 3,926,023 518,935 4,882,380 1963 286 407,040 57,011 5,480,158 305,061 6,249,556 1965 70S 283,403 11,433 2,832,723 412,319 3,540,583 Plae 25

He said they now have to fish harder and then only get a few fish. It would, indeed, be unfor­ tunate to have such a valuable game fish depleted in this major sportfishing river. 3. Commercial Fish. Because brown bears are so de­ pendent on salmon runs, a few words should be mentioned about them. On the Terror River, the peak count was 6,000 fish with about 10 per cent being chum. Only 500 were counted on Kizhuyak River. Salmon runs were good in the following areas: Alitak, Seven Rivers, Kaguyak, Kaiugnak, Uyak and Deadman Bays. Only Spiridon Bay seemed to have an increase of chu• salmon as compared to the parent year runs. In general, the odd years have a smaller run, especially the two-year cycle of pink salmon. Additional factors possibly contributing to the small run this year are: drought conditions of 1963 and effects of the tidal wave. Table 8 shows catch co•parisons for previous odd years.

III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT ~~D MAINTENANCE

A. Physical Development. A 16 by 20 foot Pan-Abode log-type workshop was constructed in January on the F.w.s. residence lot. This building partially fulfilled our needs and the walls and overhead were soon cram.ed with shelves for storage. The shop was wired and a Kenmore space heater was installed making it a comfortable workshop and laboratory. The new Pan-Abode was given two coats of linseed preservative during the summer. Two campgrounds were established at Spiridon Lake in August. A plank picnic table and toilet were set up at each location. Garbage pits were dug and rocks laid to form a fireplace at each of the camp­ grounds. Signs obtained in late fall will have to wait until spring break-up before they can be flown in and erected. A aas house with a 500-aallon tank on top was built at the float pond to store inflamables. We have aore or less obtained a "squatter's rights" on this B.L.~1. lot as it is the only plot that does not belong to private parties on the float pond. Page 26

B. Maintenance. With the arrival of the Refu ~ e's new Kod1ak Bear II patrol vessel in June , there we r e Jnany "hugs" i"C7 be worked out. A good number of them have been eliminated by the Refuge's boatman and maintenance man, Joe Johnson. Any snare hour and frequently on weekends you may find Joe down on the boat, adding a hoist for the skiff tender, installing locks, hinges, or chanpinp minor items on the en gine and keeping it cleaned. This boat has a 32 foot fiber p. lass hull and is powered with a 170 HP Crusader Marine D-478, four-cycle, V-6 diesel, capable of cruising ~t 13 knots with a full load. The problem of water seepage and runoff freezing to glare ice on the residence driveway was finally, but not fully, alleviated by layinp, soil-field tile that diverted the water over a nearby hillside. · Both 16 foot dories at Karluk Lake were hauled out and repaired for next summer's operation. One had a dangerously loose transom that was renewed and the boat was completely fiberglassed. Three of the outboards were disassembled and ?, iven minor overhaul. Two of them had onl v a few hours runnin r, time afte r comin g out of a commercial reoair shop, but still did not run correctlv. After tearin~ into them we found it was "sloppy workmanship" and many worn parts had not been replaced. A~~in, with Boatman Johnson working on the outboards there is no doubt in our minds that they will run when the starter rope is applied. A radio maintenance man from the Anchorage aircraft was detailed to Kodiak at the end of Aoril to in­ stall the new RF single-side band radio. A new an­ tenna was also erected which will temporarily serve personnel until a new headquarters facility becomes a reality. Good radio communication cannot be over­ stressed with the boat-aircraft travel and the sub­ he adqua rte rs at Camp Is 1 and.. The Refuge has "top­ notch" radio equipment in all of its units, but keep ­ ing it in working order is another problem. c. Collections and Receipts. Three bald eagle carcasses were sent to Gam Management Agent Tremblay in An­ chorage on November 18 to be consolidated with other bird carcasses collected throughout the state. Prior to shipment, each bird was wei ghed, measured and nho­ I tographed. Total length, zygomatic bre adth, len ~ th of the head, (bill i ncluded), and the maximum dis­ tance between toes comprised the measurements taken. Paa• 27

) A forked-tailed petrel, Oceanodroma furcata, with an aaputated right wing and bone protruding was brought in to the Refuge office by some school children. The bird was later added to the Kodiak Refuge bird­ specimen collection. D. Fires. One major fire occurred a half block from the Refuge headquarters during one night in June. This was the four-story Kodiak Apartment building which had the first floor utilized as a Sears cata­ log store and a doctor's clinic. Several people were seriously burned or injured and one person lost his life. A grass fire that fringed the Refuge edge at Kiliuda Bay occurred on April 29. This fire was started by a Navy smoke bomb. The fire burned out after reach­ ing the river along the valley floor to the north and the precipitous snow-covered mountain of the southern edge of the valley. Approximately 90 to 100 acres were burned. A photo of this fire is in the Photo Section.

IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT A. Special Use Penlits. 1. TraTping. Ten trapping permits were issued to ind vlduals for the 1965-66 season. All per­ mits will terminate on April 15, 1966. 2. Tent Ca•r and Trail. One permit was issued to kodiak£ ecfric Association, Inc., for the pur­ pose of establishing a catapiller trail for freighting supplies to Terror Lake. They are testing the feasability of a dam and diversion tunnel from the Terror into the Kizhuyak drain- ge for a hydro-electric plant. The use of the aotorized, tracked vehicles failed before they reached the Refuge boundary. Deep deposits of soft volcanic ash kept two D-8 catapillers with­ in a mile of the starting point for five days before it was given up as too costly. The com­ pany chartered two helicopters to make all their exploratory findings, which proved satisfactory, and has left the valley and mountain top un­ marked fro• unsightly vehicular tracks and trails. 3. Cabin Permits. There are a total of SO cabins, tent frames, and cannery sites under permit on Page 2 8

the lodiak Refuge lands. fhirty of these are issued to fishermen for cabins at gillnet sites; two canneries, fourteen cabins and two tent frames to commercial hunters, and two tent frames for sportfishing and photography. The majority of these sites are along the marine shorelines. To date, there are twelve perait holders delin­ quent in their payments of permit fees. Most of thea are gillnet fishermen. These people go to the "lower 48" after the fishing season and leave no forwarding address, thus making it difficult to trace them through the mail to re­ quest their per•it fees. 4. Grazina Lease. The Bureau of Land Management administers the one and only grazing lease on the Refuge. The lease is not a paying proposi­ tion because of heavy stock losses due to brown bear depredation, and inadequate animal husbandry.

V. INV£STIGATIONS Studies relating to bald eagle ecology were inactive this year, save for the collection of routine inforaation re­ ported upon in Section£, page 17. Investigations this year involved: 1. A continuation of the study of tooth sections to enumerate growth rings as a means of aging brown bears • . 2. A continuation of the study on brown bear repro· ductive biology through gross and histological examinations of reproductive tracts and teste speciMns. ·~ 3. Field observations of marked bears to establish behavior patterns and aini•u• breeding age. 4. Planning a radio tracking to gain insight of specific, geographic aoveaents of bears and denning/ hibernating habits. The .. thod of deteraining age by using tooth sectioning criterion is expected to be finalized early next year and will be reported upon in a forthcoming progress report. Reproduction biology of brown bears received considerable attention this year, and the results will also appear in a special progress report. Page 29

The observations •ade this year on aarked bears will be incorporated into the 1966 special progress report which will deal mostly on the proposed biotele.otry report. The following data was salvaged froa bear kills made by sport hunters and fro• other bears killed as nuisance ani•als: Twenty-three skulls, 11 of which were from known-aged bears; 14 reproductive tracts, 4 of which were from known-aged bears; 10 pairs of testicles; 4 humerus bones; and 3 baculi. These collections have auch value, being evidenced by the worthwhile information ' we obtained on the biology of brown bears. Collections of this nature will continue during the next report year.

VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses. Bear hunting and sportfishina constitute the chief foras of recreation. The present guide-hunter camps consist of fourteen peraanent hunt­ ing camps situated throughout the Refuge, Six of these caaps are on inland lands whereas the reaaining nuaber are along the coastal beaches. In keeping with the Refuge objective of aaintaining the interior as a natural habitat unit, we are keeping the per•anent ca•ps liaited in nuaber. Te•porary tent camps •ay be erected anywhere on the Refuae but not in excess of 90 days. The Kodiak Refuge maintains two recreational cabins that receive heavy use for fishing, waterfowling, and to so.. extent bear hunting on the Karluk River. The cabins are equipped with bunks, stoves and cooking utensils at no charge to the occupants. The re•arks sheets left in each cabin show visitors co•e fro• Anchorage, Juneau, Pennsylvania, Illinois, North Caro­ lina, South Caroltna, and Texas to aention a few. Some of their re•arks are heart waraing with: "a beautiful spot; "loved it here; "the best of everything"; and -etc. We hope to build •ore of these caaps throughout the Refuge so that aore of the public can enjoy the area without either roughing it in a wet, soggy tent or pay­ ing the high price required by the above aentioned guides. Travel to and inside the Kodiak Refuge is li•ited to aircraft. Therefore, facilities for touring, boating, picnicing and related foras of recreation are lacking becau&e of the expense involved in travel. s·portfishing and faM-bird hunting rate second and third for recreat onal use. Again, •ost of this takes p~ace on the Karluk River because of the cabin facilities. , Page 30

The two campgrounds placed at Spiridon Lake will attract more people as they become better known. It does not 0 however, have the king salmon or steelhead fishing so is a poor second compared to Karluk River. B. Refuse Visitors. Date Na11e Address Re2resentins 1/4 David Spencer Kenai BSF'W 1/26 Hunter Fisher Anchorage Civil Service 1/2 7 Mrs. Stewart Auburn 0 Wash. GSA 1/27 John Klingbeil Anchorage BCF 3/8 Loren Dechant Anchorage BSF&W 3/9 Jack Jonas Denver, Colo. Jonas Brothers 3/20 Tom Cantine Anchorage Bur. of Recta- mat ion 3/20 Bob Cross Anchorage Bur. of Rec la- 11ation 3/20 Ray Morris Anchorage River Basins 3/23 Al Krapp Anchorage BSF&W 3/23 Howard Sears Anchorage BCF 4/24 Ray Tre•blay Anchorage BSF&W 4/25 Jack Lentfer Anchorage ADF&G 6/30 Dr. Okoda Hokkaido, Japan Univ. of Hokkaido 7/9 Dr. Williaa Groff San Jose, Calif. Univ. of Calif. 7/14 Larry Evans Salt Lake City, Utah River Basins 7/15 Paul Quick Portland, Ore. • BSF&W 7/15 John Finley Port land, Ore. BSF&W 7/15 Michio Takato Honolulu Hawaii State Di r. 7/15 David Spencer Kenai BSF&W 7/15 Chuck Evans Anchorage BSF&W 7/15 Theron Smith Anchorage BSF&W 7/16 Sig Olson Juneau USFS 7/16 Carl Wilson Juneau USFS 7/16 Bill Overdorf£ Anchorage USFS 7/16 Barney Coster Anchorage USFS 7/16 Lyle Jack Anchorage USFS 7/16 George Plasker Menlo, Cali f. USGS 8/3 Dr. Mitthai Munich, Germany Forester retired 8/19 Buck Stewart Anchorage ADF&G 8/19. Bruce Stollberg Wash., D.C. BSF6W 8/27 Dr. Lawrence Van Mei r Wash., D.C. Di r. ot Economics 9/22 Don Roberts Anchorage ADF&G 9/22 .. Will Troyer Kenai BSF&W 10/19 Jim Fraiser Anchorage FBI

, Page 31

11/112 David Hoopes Juneau BCF 12/9 Ray Tre11blay Anchorage BSF&W Co Refuge Participationo Probably the most important phase of Refuge participation takes place "on the spot" with the public visiting Refuge headquarters or in the fieldo We try to impress the hunters and fishermen with the i•portance of turning in informa­ tion and speci88ns so that their wildlife can be better 11anagedo

January S - Refuge ~anager Berns showed wildlife slides pertaining to Aleutian Islands to the Kodiak Conservation Clubo February 1 to 6 - Refuge Managers Berns and Hensel attended the Alaska Departaent of Fish and Game annual protection officer's conference at Wasilla. Alaskao Refuge Manager Berns received a diploaa for completing an advanced first aid course. February 19 - The •ovie Sea Otters of Amchitka was shown to 150 youngsters ar-the lodiii grade schoolo ~arch 3 • Refuge ~anager Berns gave a slide-illus­ trated talk on shore bird classification and their habits to 60 Kodiak grade school childreno March 10 - Refuge Manager Hensel aet with the execu­ tive coaaittee of the Kodiak Chamber of Coaaerce to discuss the new headquarters site and the organiza· tion of a Chaaber co ..ittee to support the endeavor o

~arch 12 - Refuge ~anager Berns delivered a talk on aigratory bird regulations to 60 officers and enlisted aen of the Uo So Coast Guard Detachaent. March 15 • Manaaer Berns aade a TV appearance for a 15-alnute prograa dwelling on National Wildlife Week's the .. • water pollutiono March 17 - Movies called The Malic Land and The Tru•· peter ~ were shown to fEr lo lak-giide school:--- ~arch 18 - ~anager Hensel provided the profra• for the regular Chaaber of Comaerce aeeting wh ch covered the objectives of the Refuge. proposed outdoor recreaa tion plan and the need of a suitable location for an adainistrative centero April 2 • Managers Hensel and Berns presented a slide Page 32

program at the Chiefvs Club, U. s. Naval Stationp dealing with outdoor recreation on the Kodiak Refuge. Approximately 60 chiefs and officers were in atten­ dance. April 14 - The film Rainbow Vallet was shown to the Hunter's Safety Program sponsoredy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

May 14 - The conservation film The ~15 Four and Rainbow Valley were shown to lSu-ch1 ren-it the todlak grade school. May 19 - Refuge Managers Hensel and aerns attended a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission (Borough Council) to present the inadvisability of withdrawing a one-mile strip around the coastline of the Refuge that was proposed for industrial and agri­ cultural development. May 28 to 31 - Refuge Manager Hensel attended Bald Eagle Sy•posium at Port Clinton, Ohio. July 2 - Refuge Manager Hensel presented a slide lecture on eagle and brown bear research of the Refuge to personnel on board the Japanese research vessel --...-.;...-..-.-Oshoro Maru. July 8 - Refuge Manager Berns gave an illustrated wildlife lecture to 76 members and guests of the Navy Officers'Wives Club. August 25 - Two fil•s, Fishing in the West and Alaska Caribou. were shown to the Air farce-communications Service personnel. September 21 - Manager Berns gave a lecture and showed waterfowl identification slides to the Navy Conserva­ tion Club. September 22 - Manager aerns gave a lecture and showed waterfowl identification slides to the Coast Guard Loran Station.

September 23 - Manager Berns gave a lecture and showed waterfowl identification slides to the Navy CPO Club. November 30 to December 8 - Refuge Manager Berns and Boatman Johnson with two ADF&G personnel made a com­ bination enforcement/waterfowl survey and "I and E" trip on the M/V Kodiak Bear II to Terror, Uganik, Uyak Bayst Larsen Bay Village; Onion Bay, Port Wake­ field and Port Lions. The wildlife films Wildlife Pa~e 3 3

Refuse and Mallard Ducks were shown at each village and tnformatlon as to waterfowl and state hunting regulations were discussed at each visit. Both Refuge Managers Hensel and Berns participated in Toastmasters International during the year, as well as publishing several news releases in the local newspaper, ~odiak Mirror. D. Hunting. Hunting has been discussed under Wildlife In respect to game species. There are no areas on the Refuge closed to hunting. All hunting regula­ t~ons as found.in the Alaska Game~ Guiding Regula­ ttons ate appltcable to thts Ri!Uge. E. Violations. Three Coast Guardsmen were apprehended by Refuge Manager Berns and Protection Officer Ovid McKinley for shooting and attempting to take migra­ tory non-game birds, namely a sea gull. Each man received a $25 dollar fine with $20 dollars suspended and was put on six months probation. The shooting of a brown bear in Zacher Bay during the closed season cost one hunter his license for the remainder of the year and a suspended $500 dollar fine. The defendent claimed the regulations were misleading and persuaded the District Magistrate to his way of thinking. The hide was forfeited to the State. Attempting to take waterfowl without a duck stamp cost two hunters $25 dollars each in the District Magistrate's court. F. Safety. No safety meetings were held as a group. Rather we have made a rule that any unsafe practices or hazzards noted are brought to attention and corrected. New fire caps were put on chimneys of the residence house, fire extinguishers were all checked and weighed, and furnaces as well as the oil hot-water tank were inspected and cleaned. Although previously covered under maintenance, the overflow water diverted to the drain tile along the driveway of the residence should be mentioned here. After freeze-up the rather steep lane becomes a glare of ice which makes it impossible to apply brakes until one is on the aain thoroughfare. Three sets of th Jobst Jet bandage-splints were pro- Page 34

curred and placed in the Refuge aircraft, vessel, and the Karluk Lake subheadquarters. They have appl1cation for broken bones, bleeding, and burns as well as being si ple, safe, and easy to use. The accident safety record was broken in late November when Earl Fleming, a temporary Wildlife Aide, scratched his index finger on a bear skull while cleaning it. Approximately a week later infection set in which re­ quired lancing and soaking in hot packs for several days.

VII. OTHER ITEMS The new Kodiak Bear II nd the Refuge boatman were on loan to River Basin stUGies fro the first of July to early September. Joe Johnson transferred to the Kodiak Refuge i~ April upon closing the Management and Enforce ent station at Ketchikan where he was skipper on the Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear. Joe has had many years of boating experience be1ng a-nilibut fisherman and mink far r on remote islands in Southeastern before joining the Fish and Wildlife Service. With his enthusias on any assignment given hi , and his happy spirits, he is regarded as a welcome asset to the Refuge staff. Joe and his wife Cora find Kodiak to their liking and have renewed any former acquaintances fro their years in Southeastern. Louise Hancock, our clerk typist, ter inated on September 20 when she departed with her husband nd family. Mr. Hancock, who had been eaployed at the Chiniak Tracking Sta­ tion, accepted a si ilar position with his co pany in Georgia. We were reluctant to see Louise go and her talent for baking p can pies which were relished by the crew during coffee breaks. Mrs. Mildred Yess became a ..aber of the Refuge staff re- placing Mrs. Hancock upon her teraination. Refuge Manager Hensel and his wife Mary had an addition to their household on April 21 - Rory, a 6-pound, 12-ounce baby "tiger". Subaitted by:

Vernon D. Berns Assistant Refuge Manager liill~ll!illillil11~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~li~~~~~~ilm 3 4982 00021282 8 Fi ~un· I. 1: l' nl'h' )2 foot patrol 'oat 011 J trta1 n111 i n l"tkt' !\,1..,1 in.~.:ton. l·i~o:trn· ~ . '1

Fi gun ' · •l'.tf'" fi s11 111 ~ for fl't• s.rl•ttlll in tcrnyun <'rut-. l'hirty ft\t' d 11 1 <• n • t 'l''ll :-. ita \'l' hu•r, t:uing on cannery waste in Photo by Ht·rns

ncar the Refu~c in 1\iliuJa Hay military aircraft. · Figure K. AssistautAssi~taut l ~ efugC' i· ~lll:l \!t' f Berns paintir11: ;m · one hokr' , comfor·t station at '"lpiriJ1m Lake. _ l'ho!o l'.v L.v.:"u1s

Figure 1~. l.uide anJ hunter posing a longside of a H'.~· hear shot wit h bm.. · illld a r rn\o. . ----~ ------.-:L .....:...::::__:_....-~~~i: Figure 13. Bear carcass three Jays after it was weighccl approximately 550 pounds before it was

Figun· 14. A bear CJrCijSS \\'35 burieJ hi th $!rass anJ other dd ris by another henr aftt'r hcin'! partly consuned. Often the ht•nr ldll hide in near-b)' unJerbnJsh to guarJ their ''cache'' .