In the office there is a file cabinet. In that cabinet are reports from previous years on just about anything having to do with Katmai, Aniakchak and the Alagnak River. Every night I read a report or two. Right now I am concentrating on all the bird studies and wolf studies done in the park. Most reports are kind of dull. Then last night I read this report from 1916.
It was written by Charles Madsen-Game Warden. He starts the report off by saying that it is his job to protect wildlife and executing the Alaska Game laws. He then goes on to say "The animals in this district are quite well known, however, the factors tending to their destruction are not well known or understood." His report is actually dealing with all of the Alaskan Peninsula. He talks about the Caribou saying that their biggest threat is the natives. The value of a caribou coat at that time was $1.00 to a $1.30. The natives use to kill the caribou to feed their dogs which made Charles very angry as there was tons of salmon to be had to feed the dogs with. He doesn't give any abundance numbers but he does say that the Alaskan Grizzly has a great fondness of the calf and old caribou.
He talks about there being 100 walrus in the vicinity of Izembeck Bay, farther south of here. This herd he says if full of old bulls which he thinks are outcast of northern herds. Though seeing walrus is rare he says there is an abundance of beach ivory to be found. At today's standard that is quite the find.
There was an abundance of sea lions who made a nuisance of themselves getting caught in fish traps and nets of the natives. They did not eat all of the fish in the nets they just took bites out of every fish. His report states "As these animals generally travel in schools, it is a considerable havoc that they can accomplish during the summer."
He describes the bird population as plentiful when it comes to waterfowl, sea birds, song birds, ptarmigan, eagles and ravens. The coast he describes during the spring and early summer as "literally covered with the eggs of gulls, puffins and eider ducks."
Now you might be surprised to find, as I was that the most important of all the fur bearing animals caught on the peninsula was the red fox. It is reported that 20,000 were trapped in the past year (1915). Though the red fox was not close to extinction at that time the trappers catch was down 50% from previous years.
The land otter was said to be close to extinction at this time. There were only 39 - 40 caught in the last hunting season. His reports states that these creatures are most definitely under the protection of the law.
And last but not least the Alaskan Brown Bear or Grizzly. A creature who is so abundant on the peninsula. He describes the brown bear as "a not altogether reputable animal." In his opinion the only thing that makes them great is the sportsmen tales. Though the numbers of them are high he can't seem to find one that is of good quality. I am not sure what he means by that. But he is his description of the grizzly is: "It's flesh is useless as food; it's pelt is of no great value; and it destroys anything and everything that comes within its reach. It even seems to enjoy an opportunity of getting into a trappers cache or place of residence and tearing to pieces his supplies- and it will be very little that he will leave in a usable condition before he is through. They stock in the peninsula an almost impossibility. They have even gone so far as to carry off and devour the body of a man, who had been drowned and placed upon the shore while word was being sen to the Marshall. " I think 284 and I would have to disagree with him. We know better about a brown bears worth.
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