Second. The regional forester agrees: 1. (a) To place all funds transferred under this agreement from the State to the Forest Service in a cooperative fund and to use these moneys only for the development and management of the fish and game resources within the nationalforest boundaries located in the State of South Carolina. (b) To provide the department annually by July 30 an itemized statement showing the disbursement of the funds for the previous fiscal year. 2 (a) To provide the department prior to March 15 an annual fish and game management plan and trapping plan, recommending the number of man-days fishing, number of fish to be taken per man-day, number of hunters, number of trappers, bag limits, seasons, and the streams, hunting, and trapping areas to be open or closed, the number and species of fish to be stocked, the places and methods of stocking, the number and species of game animals and birds to be stocked, and the places and methods of stocking, and to cooperate with the department in the execution of such mutually agreed upon plans. 3. To cooperate with the department in establishing bag limits and season upon the national-forest areas. 4. To provide recommended and approved State game wardens, with Federal game warden authority, and to instruct each individual given this authority in detail as to the use of the authority. 5. To cooperate with the department in the preparation of instructions and duties of game wardens. 6. To require Forest Service employees deputized as State game wardens faithfully and adequately to fulfill the duties connected with the appointment. 7. To provide the department annually by July 30 a list of recommended Forest Service employees to act as deputized game wardens. 8. (a) To provide, where necessary and desirable, State game warden dwellings on lands owned by the Federal Government within the boundaries of the national forests and to maintain the same and to prescribe conditions of occupancy and use. (b) To construct on properties belonging to the United States within the national-forest or purchase-unit boundaries all development pertaining to the fish and game resource. 9. To provide, within his authority and as he may deem necessary, equipment, personnel, and knowledge to develop the fish and game resource upon the areas described in this agreement. 10. (a) To cooperate with the department in stocking the streams within the area covered by this agreement and in accordance with the recommendations of the Bureau of Fisheries and in cooperation with the department with fish from both Federal and State hatcheries, and in accordance with the availability of the fish from the said hatcheries. (b) To cooperate with the department in stocking wild animals and birds of different species and in various places in accordance with the annual management plan. (c) To provide at his discretion for restocking purposes free of charge deer trapped on the Federal Pisgah Preserve in North Carolina to cooperatively managed areas which are understocked and which are designated in the annual management plan. 11. To provide the department reports and copies of vital correspondence directly related to this cooperative agreement. It is mutually agreed That nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting or affecting in any way except as to fish and game conservation the authority of the regional forester in connection with the proper administration and protection of the national forests in accordance with the purposes for which the lands contained therein were acquired and reserved. Nothing in this agreement shall be construed as obligating the regional forester to expend or as involving the United States in any contract or other obligation for the future payment of money in excess of the appropriations authorized by law. Nothing in this agreement shall be construed as obligating the department to expend or as involving the State of South Carolina in any contract or other obligation for the future payment of money in excess of the appropriations authorized by law. This agreement shall apply to all national-forest lands within the boundaries of the Sumter and Francis Marion National Forests located in the State of South Carolina. Amendments to this agreement may be proposed by either party upon 30 days' notice to the other and such amendments shall become effective immediately upon approval by both parties. This agreement shall become effective as soon as signed by the parties hereto and shall continue in force until the close of the calendar year 1947, unless terminated at an earlier date by either party upon 30 days' notice in writing to the other of his intention to do so. In witness whereof the regional forester and the chief game warden by virtue of the authority in them vested have hereunto subscribed their names as of the date and year above written. DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, Chief Game Warden. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, By JOSEPH C. KIRCHER, Regional Forester. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGIONAL FORESTER OF REGION 3 AND THE STATE GAME DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA This cooperative agreement, made the 9th day of October, A. D. 1935, by and between the Arizona State Game and Fish Commission, acting for and on behalf of the State of Arizona, and Frank C. W. Pooler, regional forester, acting for and on behalf of the United States Forest Service; Whereas it is to the mutual advantage of the parties to cooperate for the purpose of securing better enforcement of the game laws of the State of Arizona, and of assuring the practice of improved game management on the national forests in Arizona: Now, therefore, this agreement witnesseth: 1. Forest officers employed on any of the forests in Arizona, who in the judgment of the regional forester can be of assistance in the enforcement of the State game and fish laws because of the character of their field work may be appointed deputy State game wardens. 2. All forest officers who are appointed deputy State game wardens shall take prompt action to report to the proper State officer all cases of State game law violations coming to their attention, and to secure evidence, make arrests and prosecute cases of violations where no State officer is available and where delay probably would result in the offender escaping. Such forest officers shall also assist State officers in the planting of fish in waters within the national forests of Arizona by furnishing information, and at times actually assisting in the plantings. The above-stated cooperative work will be done by forest officers to the extent consistent with their other official duties. 3. Upon receipt of applications for the use of lands embraced within a national forest in Arizona, for fish cultural stations, game farms, or experimental plots, special use permits will be granted to the State game department, provided such use does not interfere with proper forest administration or higher public use. 4. Forest officers will assist State officers in organizing and conducting biggame patrols, hunters' checking stations, and big-game hunting plans, and in trapping big-game animals for transplanting on Arizona forests. 5. Forest officers will assist State officers in posting the boundaries of State game refuges in Arizona forests where this can be done in connection with their regular work. 6. Transplanting of big-game animals, other than turkeys, to an area of national forest land will be done only where the State game department and the Forest Service mutually agree to such transplanting. (a) When such transplant is proposed, the State game department and the Forest Service will determine whether or not the animals are needed to aid in the establishment of a satisfactory breeding herd, whether the area is suited to the species of animal proposed, and whether or not there is a proper supply of forage to take care of the animals to be transplanted and their natural increase. (b) If game animals are to be transplanted to a given area, the numbers of each species to be transplanted will be determined by the State game department and the Forest Service. 7. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State game commission and the Forest Service that in the establishment of a State big-game refuge on an Arizona national forest or enlargement, reduction, or change of boundaries of an existing one, no such action will be taken until after a thorough investigation by all parties concerned shows the advisability to the end that no such action be effected without the mutual consent of the State game department and the Forest Service. 8. When an area on an Arizona national forest is recognized by the State game department and the Forest Service to be fully stocked with big-game animals, the State game department will take early action to have a number equivalent to the natural increase of the game removed each year. 9. If an area is recognized by the Forest Service and the game department to be overpopulated with big-game animals the State game department will take early action to have the numbers reduced to the extent agreed as necessary to properly protect the game range. 10. The State game warden will issue a permit, as provided by section 40 of the 1929 Compilation of Arizona Statutes, to a designated forest officer or officers to collect for scientific purposes specimens of animals, birds, and fish. The Forest Service agrees to make available to the State game department any and all data so collected. 11. The State game warden will notify the supervisor of the forest concerned of any special permit issued for the taking of game or fish out of season, and of any change in the local open or closed season when such involves the taking of game or fish on or contiguous to that forest. 12. Regularly employed deputy State game wardens will notify forest officers of any fires that they see on or contiguous to a national forest, and will render any possible assistance in extinguishing them, and temporary employees and voluntary deputy game wardens will be urged to render similar assistance. 13. This agreement shall remain in effect until terminated by mutual con sent of the parties or upon 90 days' written notice of either party to the other. In witness whereof the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed the day and year first above written. Attest: ARIZONA GAME AND FISH COMMISSION, By LYNN LOCKHART, Chairman of Commission. By FRANK C. W. POOLER, Regional Forester. ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROGRAMS S. L. LEWIS, State Game Warden. The subject will be discussed by regions in order to localize more the accomplishments and programs of different national forest localities. Region 1 (Montana and northern Idaho).-During the past 2 years a Division of Wildlife Management has been perfected to cooperate with the Division of Range Management in the study and emphasis of game-management problems, and on public education. Show-me trips on the work conducted on several forests where there were serious game overstocking problems and management programs were outlined. Plans were made for the removal of 4,000 elk which drifted in from Yellowstone Park to inadequate winter range on the Gallatin Forest. The winter range problem in this region is undoubtedly largely controlling in the numbers of big game that may be properly accommodated. The problem pertains mostly, however, to lands outside of the national forest boundaries. Winter range studies have been carried on each year from which to assemble information on food, habits, numbers, concentrations, and conditions of game animals. A specific agreement among the Forest Service, the Montana Fish and Game Commission and the Anaconda Sportsmen's Association in the introduction and handling of elk in the Anaconda region points to the possibilities of reaching better mutual understandings and more efficient management of the big game resources on other areas in that territory. Region 2 (Colorado, western Nebraska, southwestern South Dakota, and a part of Wyoming).—Intensive wildlife population surveys were made on 15 forests which showed that there were more big game than were previously estimated excepting in the case of mountain sheep which, in spite of closed seasons and legal protection, appear to be steadily decreasing. Local communities took an interest in this work which was the first of its kind undertaken on such an extensive scale in any western region. Migration and drift studies were also initiated. Thirty fawns were tagged on the Holy Cross Forest and some deer on the Big Horn Forest. Fifty-six beaver were trapped and transplanted. States in this region are now launching beaver-transplanting programs on their own. A notorious alien beaver poacher was apprehended, fined, and ordered to leave the country, which he did. A handbook was prepared dealing with the classification, life history, and habits of all species in that territory. Subcommittees on wildlife and range management have been made a part of the Colorado Agricultural Clearing Committee. Preliminary factual data were completed on two forests and less complete data has been gathered on 10 others. A school of instruction on beaver transplanting was conducted by a representative of the Biological Survey which representatives of 10 national forests attended. A fish and game commission has been set up by the Colorado Legislature with broad powers which is greatly facilitating cooperation and permitting wildlife administration to conform more to the conditions and needs of different localities. The 1938 plans and programs will continue the wildlife surveys; inaugurate an extensive stream and lake. program; work upon coordinated planning of fish distribution from Federal and State hatcheries; cooperate with the Colorado Commission in better law enforcement; transplanting of live beaver and turkey; and cooperative studies on winter feeding by the State for deer in an effort to help find a solution for discontinuing such feeding and providing more natural conditions. It is found that most of the disease and mortality occurs with animals that concentrate on the feeding grounds. The management of the Absaroka elk herd on the Washakie National Forest, Wyo., has become a special problem due to interference with privately owned ranches. The matter is being studied cooperatively with the Wyoming Game Commission, the Biological Survey and others in an effort to find a practical way to ease that situation. New cooperative agreements are being developed in both Colorado and Wyoming to conform to the new Colorado Game Commission and to a thorough overhauling of the Wyoming game law by the last legislature. Region 3 (Arizona and New Mexico).—This region was instrumental in having a special elk season approved by the State of New Mexico. A Wildlife Administrative Handbook was completed and good progress made in game management plans. Special surveys were made of ranges and refuges and recommendations submitted to the States. The administrative study of gambel quail was continued and 132 masked bobwhite were introduced from Old Mexico in December 1937, and were planted on their former ranges in southern Arizona and New Mexico. Studies in wild turkey have been started. A cooperative study of improved and unimproved trout streams was made and prepared for the third North American Wildlife Conference and for publication in the proceedings. Four miles of heavy stream maintenance were accomplished and 200 miles of 40 different streams were given routine surveys. Fish collections were made on eight streams for identification. In 1936, fish surveys were made on 41 streams and 2 lakes. This region has incidentally improved trout streams by fencing more than 50,000 acres of stream bottom to protect banks from destruction by grazing. Game-management plans were prepared for 10 forests and a special census was made of mountain sheep on the Catalina mountains in a cooperative effort to further and better protect that herd. The plans for 1938 will continue along the lines of 1936 and 1937, with special emphasis on the development of localized wildlife-management plans. Region 4 (Utah, southern Idaho, and most of Nevada).-Special deer and elk hunts were held in the fall of 1936 in areas of game congestion on four forests in Utah and Idaho. Both males and females were taken in six forests. An antelope hunt was conducted on the Lemhi. An airplane count showed 18,035 elk on the Teton after a removal of 546 head by the State by special contract in 1935. Fish-stocking plans have been prepared for all forests with the cooperation of the Bureau of Fisheries. In 1937 special elk hunts for both sexes were conducted on preserves on five forests, and deer hunts on three. Fifty-three hundred deer were planned to be taken on three congested forests, game wardens and forest officers going in and taking the difference between planned numbers and those taken by the hunters. Those taken by forest and State officers were turned over to charity. This idea originated with the Utah State Sportsmen's Association, which had previously objected to the removal of does. Idaho and Utah have each projected $40,000 for 1938 for acquisition of lands needed for big game. Data were collected on deer weights and measurements, and 74 checking stations were operated, of which 7 were handled by the State and 6 by sportsmen's organizations. One hundred and forty beaver were trapped and transplanted in Idaho. Plans for 1938 will follow the same general lines as those for the past 2 years. Region 5 (California and western Nevada).-Among the wildlife activities in this region the following are briefly enumerated: 1. Deer-kill records were made on 12,500 legal bucks, weights were made on 3,500, and antler measurements and other data recorded in a form for use in a pamphlet or bandbook which is being edited for printing. 2. Coyote and deer relationships studies were started on the Los Padres Forest. 3. Winter-range studies were made on the Modoc. 4. Fawn tagging and age studies of deer. 5. Doe-fawn relationship studies. 6. Studies of the use of supplemental feeds for critical periods. 7. Game census drives on 10 forests. 8. Strip counts on the Modoc. 9. Black bear transplanted from the Yosemite on the Los Padres Forest. 10. Quail studies on desert areas. 11. Eight important irrigation-project ditches screened. 12. Two check dams constructed on the Eldorado. 13. Twenty-seven trout-planting experiments conducted. 14. Nearly 9,000,000 trout fry distributed in 1937. 15. A special area closed and protected for the California condor, which was nearing extinction. The 1938 program will continue on whole the plans and programs of 1936 and 1937. Region 6 (Oregon and Washington).-In 1936 this region checked in 2,945 elk hunters and checked out 2,611 with 561 elk. The hunters spent 14,115 days and reported seeing 22,367 elk, 34,783 deer, 29,424 grouse, 162 bears, and 1,401 coyotes. Winter game counts that year were made on 12 national forests showing an increase of about 23,000 animals over previous estimates. There were 453 beaver transplanted to 93 national-forest sites in Oregon and 79 to 13 sites in Washington. Sixty-two percent of those transplanted established themselves and others located on sites of their own choosing. The 1937 records show further definite progress in wildlife management and especially in the field of cooperative endeavor. A few itemizations are as follows: 1. Organized winter surveys on 11 forests and less intensified surveys on the other 9. 2. Deer hunts and kills were checked on seven forests and other important data collected. 3. Post mortem examinations of Olympic elk taken in connection with the 1937 hunt, which bagged 811 animals. 4. Two hundred and forty-six beaver transplantings to 43 sites of the national forests of Oregon and 65 to 20 sites in Washington. A check on these plantings showed 75 percent of them to be definitely successful. 5. Creel census on streams and a number of lakes and a manuscript thereon prepared to be published in a scientific journal. Plans and programs for 1938 will continue in general the work of 1937 and 1936. Region (Northeastern States).—This region has recorded special progress in wildlife management during the past 2 years, particularly in the field of cooperative endeavor with the States and the development of 5-year management programs. Among its special activities have been the following: 1. A total of 80 miles of fishing waters were improved in 1936 and 1937 bringing the total to date up to 103 miles. 2. Plans were completed for a trout hatchery on the Monongahela. 3. Special studies of deer concentration on the Allegheny, and the effect on the weight and size of deer. 4. Compilation of the field management standards for a regional wildlife handbook. 5. Management plans for three cooperative management areas in the White Mountain Forest. 6. Five-year work program for fish and wildlife management on the Allegheny. 7. Approval of cooperative agreements with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, separate organizations, and with Virginia. Kentucky is awaiting State enablng legislation. A memorandum of understanding covering cooperative management on 100,000 acres of the White Mountain area in New Hampshire has been tentatively approved by the New Hampshire director of fish and game. |