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Show is under permit to the States for waterfowl use. Ducks and geese are using the facilities provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the valley States. During the peak of the season in November 1947, 200,000 ducks and some 10,000 geese made a stop-over on Kentucky Reservoir. At least 30,000 ducks and 4,000 geese stayed over the winter instead of going on to the Gulf of Mexico. In early De- cember 1948, over 140,000 ducks and 15,000 geese were counted on Kentucky, Wheeler, Guntersville, and Chickamauga Reservoirs. On the opening day of hunting, December 10, 1948, at least 15,000 ducks were in the West Sandy area of Kentucky Reservoir. This 3,000-acre dyked area provided 1,800 man-days of hunting with an average kill of 2.2 ducks per trip. In 1949, this same area supported 2,500 man-days of hunting with a kill of 1.5 ducks per man-day. Early in December 1949, 52,000 ducks were counted in the Wheeler National Refuge, and the week before Christmas 100,000 ducks were counted in the mid- dle section of Kentucky Reservoir. The Hiwassee Island State Game Refuge, Chicka- mauga Reservoir, is holding many geese in the Tennessee Valley. When this refuge was estab- lished in 1940, it accommodated 20 Canada geese. Currently, the goose population is in excess of 5,000 birds. The effect of Kentucky Reservoir, because it par- allels the Mississippi River, is felt over the entire area between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. Ducks drift back and forth between the two rivers, and the waterfowl population in the intervening area has increased. This is especially noticeable in the Obion River section. The Tennessee Valley is rapidly becoming an im- portant wintering area for waterfowl of the Missis- sippi Flyway because of (1) the possibilities created through the TVA development and (2) deteriora- tion of coastal areas. Upland birds and game.-The Tennessee Valley has long been recognized as game country. Early settlers found deer, turkey, and smaller game in abundance. With increased pressure upon the land and its resources, game reserves were greatly depleted. Protection has helped bring back deer and turkey. Grouse, quail, and other game are relatively abundant. In the higher parts of the basin, especially in the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina, deer have increased to such a point that the food supply is greatly depleted. Present deer population in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests is about 12,000, about twice the desirable number. The deer range cannot be successfully expanded because of the number of dogs who hunt on their own and keep the deer from migrating. In parts of the national forests, wild boar have been introduced. Although their numbers are rel- atively small, boar hunting constitutes a sport which is coming to be highly sought. Under the auspices of the Pittman-Robertson Act,32 the Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the Forest Service has undertaken a game management program on the national forests. One phase of this involves making small clearings in areas of dense forest and seeding game food plants. A variety of these plants are used, some for seed and fruits such as grasses or berries, others for browse, especially for winter feed. Present game management on the national for- ests is lagging because of inadequate funds. Vari- ous suggestions have been made as to ways of overcoming this difficulty, such as special use per- mits for hunting and fishing, diversion of national forest receipts, or increased State license fees. Conclusions Experience with reservoir impoundments in the valley suggests that such waters can add significantly to the recreational resources of an area by providing additional favorable habitat for fish and waterfowl. The extensive public use of fishing and hunting op- portunities also indicates that the type of fishing and hunting made available has had wide public appeal. Although the experience of the valley cannot be considered a pattern as to what may be expected from reservoir developments in other re- gions, it suggests that there are conditions in which impoundments may have a large permanently favorable effect on fish and wildlife. Extension of conservation activities in the moun- tain areas is needed as a means of reducing erosion and clearing up muddy streams. Water manage- ment programs are needed to improve fishing opportunity of many mountain streams particularly in national forest areas. Receipts under the Dingell Act will provide part of the funds needed. Upland hunting opportunities are increasing in the basin through Federal and State action in the eastern section of the basin. Good game manage- ment on the national forests is promoting more and different kinds of sport. 32 Act of September 2, 1937, 50 Stat. 917, as amended, 16 U. S. C. 669, et seq. 787 |