484 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1959 
for the state. But in another sense, the state has always been greatly 
interested in hunting and trapping and their produce. The control 
of the capture of birds for falconry (these birds, especially gyrfalcons, 
were also, as in Iceland, the objects of diplomatic negotiations) and the 
strict control of fur trapping in Siberia (called “Yassak,” meaning 
“a tribute paid in furs”) are examples of this interest. All these 
measures have contributed toward regulations of a conservationist 
nature and toward limitations on hunting. It was in this manner 
that the first natural reserves were organized in Russia, such as the 
Seven Isles, which lie to the north of the Murmansk coast. This 
reserve was founded in the 17th century in order to protect the eyries 
of eyrfalcons. Mention should also be made of the forest sanctuary 
of Bialovez, which dates from the 16th century. The number of 
Siberian furs that had to be furnished to Moscow was also controlled. 
On the frontiers of the Grand Duchy of Muscovy in the 16th century 
there were organized forest preserves called “Zasseki” (forests used 
for defensive purposes). Under Tsar Peter the Great, oak forests 
in European Russia were also protected, except against the needs of 
Russian naval forces. The protection of the European bison—already 
in practice because of the hunting interests of the Grand Dukes of 
Lithuania—was established as early as 1541. It was in the 18th 
century that many “Zakazniki,” reserves for the protection of game 
animals, both mammals and birds, were organized. The trapping of 
beavers was strictly controlled and was forbidden in northern Russia 
by the 18th century. In the same century no hunting was allowed 
in the districts of St. Petersburg and Moscow (to the advantage of 
the hunting of the Imperial Court, though their sport was erratic 
and rather infrequent). 
From this we may conclude that the history of the protection of 
game dates far back. We have only given fragments here. It is 
necessary to add that in the areas where hunting was largely carried 
on by the natives (Siberia, Turkestan), these people had always given 
attention to the conservation of game. These animals served not only 
as the objects of sport, but as a means of subsistence. In these regions 
many localities were considered, by tradition, as sanctuaries, 
The situation by 1917 was not at all reassuring. The hunting law 
of 1892, which was in effect at this time, considered only the interests 
of the large landowners; the questions of hunting in the north, in 
Siberia, and in Turkestan were not being considered seriously. It 
was only in 1912, 1913, and 1916 that measures were taken for the 
protection of the sable (Aartes zibellina) in Siberia, when the num- 
bers of this valuable animal were diminished to a dangerously low 
point. 
It should be mentioned that already in the 18th century the law of 
June 17, 1763, forbade all hunting in Russia between the Ist of 
