THE ROLE OF THE WILDLIFE REFUGE IN RELIEF OF VERTEBRATE PEST DAMAGE IN AGRICULTURE

Wildlife Refuges in the upper Sacramento Valley of California carry out a very significant role in the relief of wildlife problems to agriculture. The degree and diversity of vertebrate pest control effort by these refuges vary with local conditions and with environmental and budgetary limitations. Both the California Department of Fish and Game and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service consider the relief of crop damage to agriculture one of their most important functions. This is demonstrated by existing programs at the Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges and the California Fish and Game Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Although the emphasis may vary on individual refuges, basically, operations are similar