4i- 4- t a. GRIM commissionBEHR] Vol. V PORTLAND, OREGON, FEBRUARY, 1950 No. 2 "PRONGHORN ANTELOPE" RECEIVES BOOK AWARD 1950 ilplec:(49 Re teopt4 The National Association for Conser- By ROBERT C. HOLLOWAY, Chief Biologist vation Education and Publicity recently announced presentation of its 1949 award The angling regulations for 1950 were adopted by the Oregon State for "outstanding service to conservation Game Commission on January 28. Tentative rules were formulated two through a technical book" to Arthur S. weeks earlier and the interval in between provided an opportunity for the Einarsen for his book, "The Pronghorn sportsmen to present objections to them and to submit additional recom- Antelope." Awards of the Association, which is composed of conservation edu- mendations. A complete outline of the angling laws and a map showing cation and public relations personnel of zone boundaries can be found elsewhere in this issue. Several important state conservation, fish and game depart- changes have been made in the regulations as they applied in 1949. These ments, are usually made at the annual changes will be discussed in some detail below. meeting held in September but the judges had not reached their decision at that Trout several years. An additional two months time in regard to the book award. The trout season will open on May 1 in of trout angling will be possible in tide- Mr. Einarsen's book was nominated for all parts of the state, except that in Zone water of the coastal streams because the consideration by the information and ed- 1 (Coastal waters) and in the northern late opening date of June 15 in that area ucation department of the Oregon State part of Zone 2 the season will begin on has been eliminated. Also the season will Game Commission. April 15. A closing date of October 15 be longer in the fall providing an oppor- "The Pronghorn Antelope" is based will apply in all areas except Zone 4, the tunity for the angler to fish the fall cut- largely upon studies carried on in Oregon Rogue River drainage, where the general throat runs while the general trout bag for a number of years. Mr. Einarsen has trout season will end on September 30. limit of 10 per day and 20 per week ap- been director of the Oregon Cooperative The sea son on coastal waters will be plies. Wildlife Research Unit at Corvallis since much longer this year than it has been for 8" Minimum Length Limit its beginning in 1935, and one of the first A minimum length limit of 8 inches research projects assigned to him by the See Page 5 for summary of angling will again apply to all coastal waters in- Oregon State Game Commission was the seasons and limits. cluding the lower portions of the Rogue antelope problem. and Umpqua rivers. This regulation when placed in effect in 1947 met with a storm of protest from all sides. Anglers accus- tomed to keeping anything over 6 inches long did not take to this type of restric- tion. There are many anglers who still protest such a size limit for one reason or another, but an acceptance of this min- imum size limit and in some instances an actual enthusiasm for it has become ap- parent among many individuals and sportsmen's groups. The Game Commission has attempted on many different occasions to explain the necessity for and reasons behind the 8-inch minimum length limit. Repetition may not be out of place at this point to bring again to the attention of the anglers the reasoning back of this law. The young cutthroat, steelhead, and salmon remain in fresh water for varying periods of time before migrating to the ocean. Some may never migrate at all. Many of these young fish reach a size in excess of 6 inches before going to the ocean, some 'attain a size of more than 8 inches. Should these fish be cropped before they have an opportunity to move on to the rich feeding grounds in the ocean where Anglers spending a sunny and profitable day on the Upper Deschutes river. (Continued on Page 4) Page 2 FEBRUARY, 1950 r THIS AND THAT ELK REPORTS OVERDUE January Meeting of A tract of approximately 4,840 acres in With the closure of the Baker county The Game Commission eastern Oregon has been leased by the elk season on December 31, elk hunting Oregon State Game Commission for win- returns were received at a better rate by In addition to the hearing held on the ter big game range, valuable especially the Game Commission office. Hunters are 1950 angling regulations, regular busi- for deer. The land, owned by the Pilot again reminded that the deadline has ness considered by the Game Commission Rock Lumber Company, is located in passed for turning in their reports and at its meeting on January 13 included the Umatilla, Morrow and Grant counties. anyone now refusing to report may be following items : * * * denied an elk tag for the 1950 season Negotiations for a lease of several hundred acres of land from the Chewau- The second annual interstate antelope within discretion of the Commission. Of can Land and Cattle Company in Lake meeting of representatives of the Oregon, the 13,183 hunters reporting by the end of the first week in January, 6,848 made county for planting of grain for migra- Idaho, California and Nevada game de- tory waterfowl were authorized. partments was held January 24 in Lake- kills, 5,930 no kills, and 405 did not hunt. The staff was instructed to proceed view. The Fish and Wildlife Service also The deer kill reported to date is 43,000. with preparations for revision and clari- was represented. As the antelope herds fication of the game code for submission move from one state to another, it is im- February-March Calendar to the next session of the legislature. portant to coordinate the information Commissioner Hill was re-elected chair- from all four states for proper manage- Species Open Season man for the ensuing calendar year. ment of the species. Salmon and Steelhead over 20", until T. R. Conn was recommended as wild- * * * February 28, coastal area. life representative for the Lake County The fastest tagged salmon recovered Salmon and Steelhead over 20", both Grazing District Advisory Board, in ac- to date is the salmon caught this summer months inland waters. cordance with request of the Lake County 20 miles up the Columbia river by an As- Spiny-rayed Fish, both months. Sportsmen'sAssociationandLake toria fisherman, William M. Pice. The Predatory Animals, both months. County Izaak Walton League. fish had been tagged on July 21 by the Mink, Muskrat, Otter, Raccoon, until A letter was read from Hansell Farms, California bureau of marine fisheries near February 15. Athena, submitting a claim for game San Francisco and was caught 22 days NOTE : For exceptions consult hunting damages but the Commission, having no later in the Columbia river. The fish had and angling synopses. authority to consider payment of such travelled a distance of 660 miles or an claims, took no action. average of 30 miles a day. Oregon State Game The request of the Umatilla County * * * Commission Bulletin Fair for an exhibit was referred to the The 1950 Angler's Guide, official com- Published Monthly by the staff for consideration. pilation of the angling regulations, is now OREGON STATE GAME COMMISSION being printed and will be sent to license 1634 S. W. Alder Street P. 0. Box 4136 agents for general distribution within the Portland 8, Oregon Land and Water Policies to next few weeks. * * * MIRIAM KAUTTU Be Discussed at Conference Editor Take of rainbow eggs from brood fish Land and water problems, including being held at the Game Commision hatch- river development, watershed manage- eries, Oak Springs, Rock Creek and Roar- Members of Commission ment, range management, and grazing Carl C. Hill, Chairman Days Creek controls, will be thoroughly discussed at ing River, has approached the 10,000,000 Donald Mitchell Taft a session of the forthcoming 15th North mark. Baker * * * Delbert Gildersleeve American Wildlife Conference in San J. H. Van Winkle Oregon City Francisco, the Wildlife Management In- Nearly all district game agents had Loyde S. Blakley Bend stitute reports. completed their sex ratio census and fawn Administrative Staff Meeting on Tuesday afternoon, March ratio work by the first of January. C. A. Lockwood .... State Game Director 7, in the Fairmont Hotel, this general ses- * * * P. W. Schnieder ... Asst. State Game Dir. sion will be under the chairmanship of F. B. Wire Secretary Dr. Wilson M. Compton, president of Two sportsmen's groups, the Milwau- F. C. Baker Controller kie Sportsmen's Club and the Newberg George Kernan Engineer Washington State College. Six of Amer- Rod and Gun Club have taken advantage H. R. Mangold. Chief, Supply & Property ica's foremost experts on the subjects of the Commission's offer to furnish mul- C. B. Walsh Chief, Information and covered will present their views at this tifiora rose bushes to be planted on areas Education session and, as at former sessions of this sponsored by the clubs. A demonstration Stuart J. Couper Assistant Chief kind, both sides of major issues will be planting will be held on the Newberg C, J. Campbell Chief, Basin aired. Those attending will be given Club grounds. Investigations ample opportunity to address questions * * * John McKean Chief of Operations, to the speakers at scheduled discussion Game Division periods. Because this is the first such Con- A postseason census of upland game A. V. Meyers Federal Aid Big Game ference ever held west of Denver, western birds in alternate counties indicates a R.