Fin, Fur and Feather Only Small Percentage of Rabbits Taken By Hunters In fall frustrated hunters often ask, “Where are all the rabbits we saw this summer?” A partial an- swer lies in the fact the cottontail is becoming more nocturnal in its habits and often stays in its burrow during the daylight hours. A more complete answer lies in facts uncovered by studies that show the high percentage of rabbits present in mid-summer die before the end of the year, but from causes other than hunters’ guns. In this state vehicles on highways and ma- chines on farms, great horned owls, crows, dogs, cats, opossums, rac- coons and other predators take a high toll of this popular game an- imal. So do floods, drought, warb- les and diseases. Rabbit tagging information and studies made in various areas of Pennsylvania indicate not more than 25% of our cottontails reach one year of age. The rabbit mortality story was clearly told in a leaflet recently received from Iowa State College. Biologists carefully checked rabbit losses from July 8 to Decem- ber 31, 1952, or’ a 186-acre farm in Decatur County, Iowa. The report tells that on this piece of farmland the cottontail popula- tion was 284 on September 1 of that year. On October 1 the number was 238. “On November 1”, says the report, “the non-human hunters were getting in their first licks, and the rabbits had declined to 184. On December 1 . . . the rabbits had declined to 102—Iless than half the September 1 figure.” By January 1 the rabbit popula- tion on the farm had dropped to 41. This despite the fact only 10 of the cottontails present the first of Sep- tember were killed by hunters, ac- cording to the biologist’s check of shooters on the property. This comprehensive Iowa report explains what happens to most Pennsylvania cottontails, also. There is seldom a scarcity of native brood stock in our natural habitat in spring. In the Keystone State the rabbit management problem is how to ensure the survival of new crops of rabbits until hunting season rolls around. Wildlife people believe the answer to increased rabbit survival, therefore better hunting, lies largely in more escape cover, additional na- tural protection from wild and dom- estic predators. This is difficult of accomplishment these days because most of our cottontails are found on privately - owned agricultural land that is intensely farmed. Auto Makes Unusual Game Bird Kill Game Protector George A. Dief- fenderfer, Luzerne County, reports an unhappy and seldom seen incid- ent as follows: ‘Making an early evening return from State Game Lands No. 91 recently my attention was called to a mature woodcock which fluttered off the road as our car approached. As two food and cover corpsmen and I stopped to investigate she flew into the alders along the road. Looking around we soon found the reason why the bird was reluctant to leave. In the mid- dle of the road were the crushed remains of two little woodcocks that had been killed by a vehicle. From the size of their downy bodies we agreed they were less than two days old.” Cautious Squirrel Uses Highway Overpass This interesting little wildlife story is told by Game Protector Bruce P. Yeager, Montour County, who says, “While on patrol in my district last month I was delighted to note an incident that happened along a well traveled highway. A gray squirrel came out of the woods and, stopping along the berm, view- ed the heavy auto traffic. It then climbed a telephone pole and cross- ed the road above the speeding autos by carefully crawling over a cable. When it reached the other side the squirrel scampered down the pole over there and went safely into the nearby woods.” Harveys Lake Mrs. Howard Higgins, Mrs. Lee Shepperson and daughter, Peggy, of Danville, have returned after spend- ing several days with Mr. and Mrs. John Cowan and family at Snow Hill, Maryland. Mrs. Joseph Rauch and sons spent last week in Harrisburg, visiting Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kuchta. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kuchta bof Clarks Summit, visited Mrs. John Kuchta and Mary on Sunday. Mrs. William Park and son, Gar- ner, of Register, Pa. visited Mrs. Herman Garinger on Tuesday. Miss Thelma Vargan of Puerto Rico, has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. John Stenger and family. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Garrity and son, of Brookings, 'South Dakota, have returned home after visiting Mr. and Mrs. Robert Payne and family. STATE POLICE SAY Many serious accidents oc- cur during the summer vacation rush. It is the duty of every motorist to be doubly alert and make every effort to take care of both himself and the other driver. Quite a bit of the world’s trouble is produced by those who don’t pro- duce anything else. Acme Joins The National Observance Of The Super Market Industry’s Prices in this Ad effective thru Saturday, August 6th Blue Star Turkey, Chicken or Beef Pies . $4.00 Veal Roast 49. Local Dressed Veal Chops Loin or Rib Shoulder . 9° 1. §O¢ Super Specials Lima Beans 6::69¢ Farmdale Golden Crushed Corn 6:69° Farmdale Green Peas 6:79 Lancaster Brand Rib Roast Short C 7-Inch Cut Ip. . Standing Acme Quality Minced Bologna ' 39° Fancy bo Young Ducks ~~ w 49° Ground Beef 135 3-51, Dressed Whiting 2 5. 20¢ Bo. Box OF arecadler BRAND Porterhouse, Sirloin, Rib 220 AAA MIMI BROILED "STEAK Choose a Sirloin, Porterhouse, or Rib Steak cut 1l-inch thick. Slash the fatty edge of the steak, but do not cut into the meat. Preheat broiler compartment, but not broiler pan. Place steak 3 to § inches from heat. (Well done, 5 inches, Medium to Rare, 3 to 5 inches.) Total broiling time, 15 to 20 min. When one side is done, salt and pepper, then turn with tongs. EY Wy Tuasseniem \ MMIII I ries ideal Pineapple Chunks 3 - Goodland Red | ov Kidney Beans 6: Ideal White Potatoes 6: Bakery Jreats Supreme Corn Top Bread... 17¢ Delicious Virginia Lee Farm. Fresh Juicy, Ripe, Flavorful Bartlett Pears 2-25 Large, Delicious Golden GCantaloupes 2-39 ¥ n Lemon Pie or Home Grown Fresh, Crisp Gold N Snow Cake Sweet Corn Green Peppers C Fresh c Large Picked Doz. Tender hig 6 - For 25°¢ oo Ears Finest Bargain Ever Offered 0-IT-YOURSEL ENCYCLOPEDIA Vol. NOW Cc e 11 & - 99 Don’t Miss a Volume of This Popular Mechanics 12 Volume Set EACH ONLY Finest Butter In America LOUELLA BUTTER 5. 66° HE Philadelphia Cream Cheese 5: 35° RR SEE 23% i 2 RRR Sweet Cream America’s Club Crackers by Keebler Pio, 33
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers