72 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



lands to consider that well-being above all else. And it is con- 

 vinced that the multiplication of game animals, especially deer 

 and rabbits, would do- a positive damage to the small trees. 

 Furthermore, the prohibition of gunning where game was un- 

 usually plentiful would surely attract many non-resident hunters 

 to the lands immediately adjacent, and thereby aggravate the 

 risk of fire. It would also be extremely difficult to> enforce such 

 a law or regulation, because the reserves have no physical boun- 

 daries or fences and are traversed by public roads on which any- 

 one may lawfully carry a gun. In view of all the circumstances 

 the risk of arousing antagonism in sections where it is de- 

 si raj^le to gain support for its work, the greatly increased danger 

 of forest fires, the probable damage to young tree growth the 

 Forest Commission decided that the reserves in general should 

 not be closed; but, in order to give the proposition a fair trial, 

 it has offered ,to set apart 500 acres of the Lebanon Reserve and 

 2,000 acres of the Stokes Reserve if the Fish and Game Com- 

 mission will clearly mark the boundaries and undertake to 

 guard the sanctuaries. It is expected that an agreement along 

 these lines will soon be made. 



