ATTEMPTED REMEDIES 



17 



—none of which were new to the picture. An all-time high was reached when he listed thirty- 

 six additional possibilities. A few of the most choice ones are mentioned here for the reader's 

 delectation : driven out by pheasants, shooting from autos, summer boarders, foreigners with- 

 out licenses, and too long a rabbit season. 



■ ^ 



Another of Stoddart's list of causes, entitled "new stock needed", is the hrst indication of 

 the suggestion, common in the late 1920s, that the bugaboo of inbreeding might be at the 

 root of the trouble. Thus was completed such an excellent job of canvassing miscellaneous 

 opinions that no further inspirations have come to light, at least until the period of modern 

 investigation. 



ATTEMPTED REMEDIES 



Conjecture as to the factors possibly responsible for decimating the grouse was and still 

 remains a very popular occupation. To translate even a few of these supposed causes into 

 preventative practices proved to be quite another matter. 



Of course, the first remedy tried was to control the hunting of grouse. It is surprising to 

 note how early this was applied, for a closed season on ruffed grouse, heath hen, quail and 

 wild turkey, was first promulgated in the Province of New York in 1708""'. This was soon 

 followed, in 1721, in Quebec, by an "ordinance to prevent the destruction of Partridge""". 

 The American Revolution brought home rule— and problems, including game ones — for in 

 1791. the hunting of partridges from April 1 to October 5 was prohibited in three counties 

 now a part of New York City. Thus the evils of spring and summer shooting were first 

 controlled over 150 years ago. The temptation to shoot partridges for sale in the closed season 

 was so strong that, in 18.37, a law prohibiting their purchase or sale in four counties, was 

 passed. The application of this law was extended to the rest of New York State in 1862. Again, 

 in 1839, a closed season was voted to include the whole State"". Other states, too, resorted to 

 similar measures as the best way. then known, to bring the grouse back, as is evidenced by 

 Massachusetts' action in 1818, and Ohio's in 1857. 



Other controls followed in time. In 1903. spring shooting was abolished in New York and 

 market hunting was legally outlawed. Many other northeastern states took similar action at 



