558 GAME BIRDS. WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



The Viewpoint of the Hunter. 



Were it possible to enforce a close season on all wild birds 

 and animals certain species would become so numerous in time 

 as to destroy the crops and drive human beings from the land. 

 In India, where animal life is considered sacred by the natives, 

 and where few people shoot animals or birds, hundreds of 

 thousands of people have been killed by wild animals and 

 venomous serpents. The progress of mankind has necessitated 

 competition with the other animals for the possession of the 

 land. There could have been no settlement of the prairie 

 States, and no agriculture there, had not the vast herds of 

 bisons been destroyed. They would have broken down the 

 farmer's fences, ruined his crops and driven him from the 

 country. In regions like New England where we have ex- 

 terminated the natural enemies of the deer, and where we 

 now protect deer at all times, they are increasing so much 

 in number that eventually it may become necessary to kill 

 many of them to protect the crops of the farmers. Unless 

 this is done the deer may become so numerous that many 

 will starve during our long winters. I once studied the con- 

 ditions on an island where protected deer had increased so 

 much that they had destroyed nearly all shrubbery and had 

 eaten the foliage from the trees as high as they could reach. 

 No crops could be raised there unless surrounded by a high 

 wire fence, and many deer died each year from weakness or 

 disease. It would have been better for all concerned had more 

 of these deer been killed each year and utilized as food. Many 

 elks die from cold and starvation on government game pre- 

 serves. 



No man can exist without destroying enormous numbers of 

 the smaller forms of animal life during his lifetime. Theodore 

 Roosevelt has said that no one, except a vegetarian, consist- 

 ently can object to the killing of animals for food ; nor can the 

 vegetarian if he is shod or gloved with leather, or uses furs, 

 glue, animal fertilizers, feathers or any of the many animal 

 products which contribute to our comfort or welfare. Neither 

 the vegetarian, the humanitarian nor any who abhor the taking 



