LEOPOLD: THE CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE 797 



suits in the way of game increases. Certain species such as deer and elk, which 

 had been dangerously reduced, responded magnificently when the kill was 

 limited, and this encouraged the conservationists in the firm conviction that they 

 were on the right track. The fact that species whose habitats had been largely 

 destroyed by agriculture and grazing did not respond equally (i.e., bison, prong- 

 horn antelope, bighorn, waterfowl), was generally interpreted as a sign that 

 protection was still inadequate. Efforts Avere redoubled to supply additional 

 safeguards to these diminishing stocks. ^ 



Over the years the structure of legal game protection became more complex. 

 Relatively simple laws were locally modified and refined, and license fees were 

 raised to support constantly expanding warden forces. As an example of this 

 evolution, table I traces the changes in seasons, bag limits, and special limita- 

 tions on the hunting of deer in California. Although the table greatly simplifies 

 legal details, it serves to show the growth of the protection program for a given 

 species in one state. 



Table 1. A Chronological Summary of California Deer Hunting 



Regulations From 1852 to 1950 



(from Longhurst, et ah, 1952) 



Bag limit Hunting Deer 

 Year General seasons (Bucks) license tags Remarks 



1852-82 — — — — Deer protected 6 months of year 



1883-92 — — — — Antlerless deer protected 



1893-94 Sept. 1-Oct. 15 — — — 



1895-1900.. ..July 15-Oct. 15 — — — 



1901-02 Aug. 1-Sept. 30 3 — — Night hunting and sale of meat 



prohibited 



1903-04 July 15-Oct. 31 



1905-06 Aug. 1-Oct. 15 



1907-10 July 15-Sept. 30 



1911-14 July 1-Oct. 31 



1915-18 Aug. 1-Oct. 14 



1919-20 Aug. 1-Oct. 14 



1921-24 Aug. 1-Oct. 15 



2, most of 



1927-45 Aug. 1-Oct. 15 state; 1 2.00 $1.00 



in part 



2, most of 



1946 Aug. 7-Oct. 21 state; 1 2.00 1.00 



in part 



2, most of 

 1947 Aug. 7-Oct. 15 state; 1 2.00 1.00 22 game districts 



in part 



1, most of 

 1948 Aug. 7-Oct. 15 state; 2 3.00 1.00 



in part 



1, most of 



1949-50 Aug. 7-Oct. 15 state; 2 3.00 1.00 Special seasons on antlerless deer 



in part in 3 localities 



