

SHOOTING ACCIDENTS 49 



life, and with the exception of the musk ox and 

 polar bear, have shot about every other kind of 

 mammal that we have in the temperate zone of 

 North America, from a whale down to a shrew, 

 and I do not remember ever having lost one single 

 opportunity for a shot, by waiting to make sure 

 of what I was going to shoot at. 



Surely there must be some means of putting a 

 stop to, or at least of lessening this yearly sacri- 

 fice of human life. The sportsman that knows 

 that he is too excitable and nervous to control 

 himself should stay at home. I would suggest 

 that placards in big type, pretty much in the 

 same style as "Fire Notices", be put up by game 

 wardens and bush rangers in the most conspicu- 

 ous places in the woods, and at railway stations, 

 all over the country. Something like the follow- 

 ing might be printed on them by the Govern- 

 ment: 



"NOTICE TO SPORTSMEN 



Remember that you have a dangerous weapon in 

 your hands and not a broomstick. 



Don't forget that there are others in the woods 

 and around you whom you may kill or wound by 

 your carelessness. 



Because you are out in the wilds, don't blaze 

 away at everything you see. If you want target 

 practice go to the proper place for it. Don't 

 shoot at anything before being positively certain 

 what it is. 



