The Republican journal., 1902-04-10
Preservation of Large Game.

During the last few years many pub
lic-sprited men have realized the neces
Sity for the preservation of big game.
and numerous Stat4 and federal laws
have consequently been passed with
this object. In general this purpose
may be accomplished by two methods:
~ the protection of winter and sum
mer ranges of game; and (2l the regula-
ton of the slaughter and sale of game.
The Importance of the preservation of
natural game ranges has usually been
understood: but several attempts have
been made to restrict the sale of game
by hunters and to limit the number of
animals which may be killed by one
hunter during given season. The
large prices which are to be obtained
Tor the meat of big game. as well as for
the SKINS, heads, antlerS and tuSkS, have
made hunting very profitable to men
who are thoroughly acquainted with
the natural habits of these animals.
Statistics cannot be obtained for ex-
actly determining the number of game
killed by hunters as compared with the
number dying of starvation on account
OF the lack of range. Death by starva-
ton, however, is apparently a more
serious problem than slaughter BY
hunters, whether legal or Illegal. The
evidence which can be obtained regard
ing the starvation Of big game during
winter IS extensive and convincing. 1t
IS only necessary to travel for a few
days through any region in the Western
states where such animals are plentiful
TO ana carcaSSeS in considerable num-
bers, Some of the animals have evil
IDENTIFY been killed for their tusks. but
1t Is practically certain that a much
larger number have died of starvation.
All hunters know how frequently elk
and deer are found i'll halt-staryed
condition i'll the midst Of winter. espec-
Tally when the snow is deep 1t is easy
Tor unscrupulous persons to slaughter
them III such circumstances. They
may then take from the slaughtered
animals such portions as they wish,
leaving the rest upon the ground It is
impossible, however, for any large pro-
portion OF the game suffering in winter
to DE observed by hunters or settlers
| raNel Is not possible during that
season except by means OF snow shoes:
and sportsmen from the Eastern States
are not. as rule, DESTROYS of undergo
ing the expense and hardship incidental
to life IN the woods at such times.
In order to call attention to the
extent Of the loss of large game bv
starvation. it may be well to cite a few
instances which occurred at Jackson
llole, Wyoming. The number of starved
elk which are actually found by
settlers III that neighborhOod may be
from 800 to 1000 in single season.
Large numbers of elk come down into
the valley in Jackson Hole during the
winter; but that district is only d small
poftlon or The winter range for game.
II uldTeds of men have testified that
they have seen elk during the winter
in Tile last stages OF starvation: and
tHeSe men know, from personal observa-
ton, that a large number of elk die
every winter, especially where the
summer range of game has been too
closely grazed by domesticated animals,
ana where, in consequence, the game
has been driven down to lower attitudes
early in the fall Whenever, as is
frequently the case. carcasses are found
huddled together in sheltered spot
where the available food material
such as bark, twigs of trees. and tall
dead weeds-has been completely de
voured the evidence is overwhelming
mat the animals died of starvation.
" mere game are caught in a deep fall
OF snow and crust is subsequently
formed, it is evident that the difficulties
OF obtaining enough forage to maintain
llfe are almost insuperable. BARLEY
Vernon Wilcox in the April Forum.