The Virginia enterprise., 1909-04-30

COOK, northern: Lake and st. Louis
counties, and in the dense impene-
trable swamps Of northern rBeltrami
Here the moose may be said
to be making his last stand. Else
where the moose occurs, but in no con.
siderable numbers, as he. shuns the
settlements and all signs and sounds
of civilization. - ,~-~.-.> -.
Fortunately for the future Of the
moose Of this state, there is a consfd-
erable portion Of the extreme north
ern part of three. of the counties
named which is Of such q rough, rocky
and forbidding character THAT It is
now: unsettled, and much of it likely
to remain unoccupied,s being wholly
unslited to agriculture The number
of hunters will naturally increase an.
nually, as the population increases,
and while the moose seems not to be
decreasing under. present
restrictions, yet it's ultimate extermi.
nation is inevitable, unless some diff
ferent plan of protection is: adopted.
1t is believed that the solution of this
problem. in the: case of moose lies in
the establishment of protected areas,
as permanent breeding grounds, large
emo ush to harbor considerable num-
ber' of the animals undisturbed, and
from which the overflow may spread
to surrounding territory and furnish
the, supply for hunters, just as the Vel
low Stone National Park, the breeding
and summer feeding ground of $4,000.
elk, stocks the open hunting grounds
of the adjoining states of Montana
Idaho and Wyoming. Our law at pres
ent provides that no wild animals or
birds shall. be killed on state parks or
forest preserves. Extend this protec
tion to areas corresponding with the
boundaries of national forests at pres
ent existing, or to be established, and
the, question Of the preservation OF
NOISE WILDE in fair way to be solv.,
ed, as government lands already with.
drawn from entry, ultimately to be
proclaimed national forests, include
tho Sc areas best suited in every way
for that purpose.
1t is said that the best big game
hunting country in America today is
that portion Of western Ontario ad
joining northern Minnesota. There
moose and caribou abound in count.
less numbers. These animals recog.
nize no government and no flag and
they know no imaginary boundary
lines. Their protection and preserva'
tion in these areas is therefore an
international problem, and in recog:
milton Of this, and realizing that the
preservation of this game in any
considerable numbers depends upon
the adoption of some plan of perman.
ent protection, our Ontario neighbors
have come forward with a proposi.
tion to join with Minnesota in the set.
ting aside of an area consisting OF
certain contiguous territory of the
province of Ontario and the state OF
Minnesota as an international game
refuge and breeding ground. This
proposition has already met with the
cordial editorial approval of some OF
the most influential newspapers OF
this state and Ontario, as we'll as the
and game protective organizations.
and it is earnestly hoped that an
awakened favorable public sentiment
among the people may find expression
In the great movement now under
way, and which nothing HOW can
check, looking to the conservation of
our natural resources, the protection
and preservation for the people of
generations yet unborn, of the gifts of
nature so bountifully bestowed for
our pleasure and enjoyment, must
play an important part.
Recreation, relaxation, the joys and
pleasures of the great outdoors are
now eagerly sought, and will con-
tinue to be more and more as the peo-
pie return to saner mode of life.
Fresh pure air, the invigorating
winds, beautiful blue skies, the warm
caressing sun invite us to the fields
and woods where singing birds, whist
ling quail, the chattering squirrel and
the shy red deer should be our friends
and companions, and provide the re-
lief we need from the sordid pursuits
of the daily business grind. We de-
plore the enervating effect of the pur-
suit of comfort and luxury, and the
high pressure mode of life incident to
modern society, and fear We are to
become a race of physical degener-
ates The remedy is at hand and the
way plain. It is said, and we should
ever bear in mind, that the taking of
fish from the waters for food is not
all of fishing. The capturing of game
for it's flesh is not all of hunting.
These invigorating pursuits, if per-
mitted to be indulged in by our chill
dren, and those of future generations,
will produce and preserve a more
sturdy race of men and women, broad
shouldered, deep chested, red-veined,
sound of mind and body, worthy citi-
zens of this great commonwealth Of
Minnesota.