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
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