The sun., 1919-05-11
CONSERVATION OF
WILD LIFE NO FAD.
---- - .,. - 81. \
principle as Old as Man; What
Modern Methods Aim
to Do. w.
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NOW ECONOMIC FACTOR
Country Now Awakened TO I'm
portance of Enforcing Laws
on Statute Book.
NOW ECONOMIC FACTOR
nv e, r. PRANTNER.

Oh cbthtuto DSSAs
nv Il, r. PRANTNER.
Conssrvation-the protection or pres
.,,o,,on-of wild life 10 no modeyn. In,
s.,,u,Ion. much less present fad. slrns
,,s DAYS man began recording M ac-'
,,,s and impressions II has been rrac.
,,csd IN one form or another. The pages
., history are replete with discussions
and references to the animals OF the cir.
water and forest.
=, is also true that the profession Of
rro,ectins Wild life Is not of recent
nIr,n (for during the reign OF William
tbs Conqueror the Kings forests were
cared for by "rangers"). but what mny
~ termed scientific or intensified con-
ss,vation had its inception within the
msrory Of the present generation.
The generally accepted basic prin-
,,nle OF conservation Ia to ,,eyote the
surplus of our wild life to the use OF the
neopIe after making due allowances; spr
subsequent sufficient reproductiontf In
other words II Is the maintenance -ofsa
suitable brood stock which win produce
quantity from which the people may
r.nt their food supply and furnish Them
Win a certain amount Of sport without
impairing tho investment or the prin-
t!ple -
In ancient times Invariably all Wild
liza was the property OF the crown in
ire same manner as an ordinary. chattei.
sueh as a COW OF q pigeon. The ruler
,the CROWN was vested with the absolute
boyer 10 determine who might be or who
should not be permitted to go forth In
quest Of II. -.- 10. .... - :, e..
ownership Of wfld Life.
It is interesting to follow the various
stages that the ownership Of wild life
tas gone through. Conhning ourselves
10 the English speaking world we note
gradual shifting from absolute crown
ownership to something akin 70 "com-
munal" ownership, as at present exem-
Piled in our State ownership. It appears
that as governments became more dem
ccra,c 1.-The ownership Of Wild life
changed from individual (crown) owner
ship to a joint ownership " all the
people.
Under our system of democratic gov
eminent the title to all wild life 10 lodged
in the State, IN its sovereign capacity. to
be devoted to the uses of all its people.
IN order that wise and benencent use
may be made of It the State has deereed
that certain OF the species must not Be
taken at anv time. while others may be
taken during certain fxed periods. These
periods are commonly called the "open"
and the closed" seasons.
Many persons still cling to the fai-
laciouS belief that Wild life 10 the prop
.rty OF the captor. This h true in linn
tied degree only. Before an individual
becomes the absolute owner Of an AMI
nal protected byilaw he must have COM
Piled With certain prerequis!tes-the time
Of hunting. the manner Of taking and the
number taken. These limitations are
Slaughter and for the additional reason
that human experience has demonstrated
that they are vital to continued existence
thereof in sufficient numbers.
Four Glasses of wild Life.
Roughly wild Hfe may be divided into
four ciassee-first, those animals which
properly may be termed Economic aids'
q the country and more particularly Of
the farmer second. those suitable for
human consumption third, those Of COM
nerc'al value (fur bearing mainly. and
fourth. the vermin. Those animals in
Tie first three divisions are protected
during certain periods, while the last IN
not protected at all.
The reason for protecting at all times
ire animals included in the first group 10
t!at they are insectivorous birds--aidU
q the farmer--or that they are song
BIRDS These In the second group, mainly
used for food purposes: are protected
during specified seasons of the year to
insure proper reproduction, I'd prevent
determination. Those IN the third group,
mostly fur bearing, are protected TO al
low reproduction and to permit the fur
% De taken when It Is in prime condi.
conservation being as ancient as man.
Emo II therefore presents no new prob
le'hs except that OF a more universal OBJ
serVahce by recognition OF the under
EiEg principles and a stricter applica-
uon OF the administrative and penal pro-
visions,
Frailty OF Human Nature Factor.
having fixed in our minds few OF the
commentary principles IL is well TO
"s'uer the means which are applied
actual practice. The frailty Of hu-
.In nature Is most important factor.
.oF Wherever a bird flies, a fish swims
Puadruped romps the law Is vio-
49,. go NO person has yet devised law
t neh IS sef-operative or ono that en-
"ys universal respect and observance.
Inc state OF New York has q body or
- organization that Is exclusively
s-s'gea with the care of It's wild life
sna IS called the Conservation Commits
ZION, II Is enjoined with the adminis-
uau9h OF the law and II enforces tho
Ps"aI provisions thereof through a. body
~ protectors. l45 in number, who de-
os 'heir entire time to the protection
NV 70 The supervision OF our wild life.
80, :, ~ also vested with very wide discre-
,.,ona'y powers TO prevent the extermifia-
"on OF species
IL is only In recent years that the
conservation OF Wild life has been recoSs
nIed as an economic factor. Hereto
lore y was considered Joke and the
Tvs governing u a dead letter, sort of
:" ornamental non-observant force, r..
Nc,ed by those 30 inclined and vio-
"na by all others with imrunity. 49,
ihs country has finally awakened. 20
&c e Importance OF enforcing the laWn
p'yteetng Wild life. Tho gigantic
'S,ues' which were quickened by the
.ous.hs OF the public conscience and the
tesuon OF a healthy public opinion.
ave attained an impetus herstofore un-
'o"n' Now the enforcement OF these
Tvs Is regarded IN the same light a.
theft. - '''e awe s~''''-
40 comTgnicy may boast OF az Eccd
satured and actual Compliance, In "a
~ as human nature Will permit. with
Ia or1g. n - a..