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28 North American Natural Resources: Timber and Forest Products
animal a person may kill on a given hunt, and a maximum number that one hunter
may kill each year. This helps control the population of the animal and also helps to
manage the other natural resources in the forest. Most game is hunted only during a
particular season, to ensure the cycle of life is not disrupted and the population of the
animal is not too greatly affected.
Other, smaller animals can be trapped for their fur, such as raccoons, foxes,
weasels, and opossums. Others are trapped for perfume. Believe it or not, a certain
part of a wild beaver, called a castor, is used to make perfume. Animals are also
trapped if they are considered to be pests. Foxes, beavers, bobcats, and raccoons can
all do damage to crops, households, livestock, and property. One way to control those
pests is to trap the animals. Those wishing to trap animals, for any reason, need to
secure the proper permits and licenses from their state or local government.
Forests are home to some of the most beautiful and biologically rich bodies of
water. Lakes, streams, ponds, and rivers all dot the forests of North America. Those
wishing to fish in these waters must obtain a fishing license from their state or local
government. (For more on water resources, see
Marine Resources
and
Freshwater
Resources
, two of the volumes in this set.)
The opossum is the only marsupial in North America.