Gilpin observer., 1913-09-04

I Of preserving the scattered
remnants of the great game
herds which once roamed the
untroddsn ways has become
more and more apparent. Public opin-
ion. led by few enthusiasts. has
been aroused; game preserves have
been organized and, in the majority OF
countries. the depreciation
and senseless slaughterings of edu-
Gated and uneducated butchers have
been stopped. Nowhere has the need
for such reform been greater than In
North America. With the bison prac-
tically exterminated and the existence
OF the wapiti (why will American
naturalists persist in miscalling these
fine deer "elk?"). the mountain sheep
and the pronghorn antelope seriously
threatened. 1t was none too soon. In
British Columbia the matter has been
taken in hand, and 1t is with this
great province that propose to deal.
writes Frank Wallace In Country Life.
There are two men whom future gen.
erations will have to thank for the
preservation of the large game OF the
province. One is Mr.. A. Bryan Will
iams the provincial game warden.
and the other Mr.. A. ]. Bouser. attor-
ney.general for British Columbia. BY
dint of unremitting exertions they
have procured the establishment OF
two efficient game reserves and
large annual expenditure for their
preservation. l think I am right In
saying that when l was hunting in
British Columbia in 1906 the govern
ment spent literally nothing on the
preservation of their game beyond the
wardens salary and those OF the rang
ers. Last year $4,000 we're expend-
cd. a fine testimony to the energy OF
these two gentlemen.
Privileges Modified.
The area Of the province is roughly
700 miles long by 400 miles wide.
Section IL of the game protection act.
1898, of British Columbia reads as fol-
lows: THE provisions of this act
shall not apply to Indians or resident
farmers in unorganized districts Of
this province. with regard to their
own or their families immediate use.
for food only. and not for the purpose
OF sale or traffic" The privileges Of
prospectors and Indians have now
been modified ard are only granted
where absolutely necessary: that Is,
deer may be killed when food is act
ually needed and only In unorganized
districts. Lilloet Is unorganized but
the Indians here give very little trou-
BILE. and the Chilkotens, who were a
source OF anxiety at one time. hardly
come into this country at all. except
in the berry season. Indians are now
,imited to deer. and are not allowed to
kill moose. sheep or goats.
Under the game laws Of the prov
ince open. or close seasons may be
declared at any time for any species
Of game In any district. Wapiti are
absolutely prohibited everywhere at
present. as are moose in the Fernie
and Craubrook districts and sheep In
the Okanagan. Yale and Similkameen.
Game is not allowed to be kept in cold
storage, and II Is illegal-a vital point
ITO buy or sell or offer to buy or
sell the heads of mountain sheep. elk.
moose, or caribou. or the teeth Of
wapiti or elk" This latter provision
is aimed at such organizations as the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
which. across the border, to the last
ing shame of all true American sports
men. has done more than anything
else during recent years to hasten the
determination OF one Of the noblest of
the cervidae.
The Yalakone reserve now covers
an area Of ground about 25 miles by
15 miles at its widest part. and Is In
form rough triangle. 1t includes the
north fork OF Bridge river. and en-
braces all the beaver colonies in that
district. The deer (mule deer, Ma
zama [Dorcelaphus] nemionus) are
very tame in this reserve. and Mr..
Williams tells me he saw five good
stays together there short time ago.
They know the limits Of the reserve
quite we'll, and never cross the river
when Jumped near the trail, which
runs parallel about 200 yards of. but
trot ahead and swing back into the
reserve. A wounded ram. too. always
makes for the reserve, Just as stag
who knows the pound in Scottish
forest will make for the sanctuary.
The sheep are increas sing rapidly, and
a party of farmers recently passed
close to three fine rams who never
even stopped feeding. such security