II 



GAME CLUBS, PARKS AND PRESERVES 



ONLY a few years ago the word poacher was un- 

 used in America. Since there were no game 

 parks or preserves there was no poaching. Every one 

 who desired to shoot went where he pleased and shot 

 birds and big game, often kiUing many times as much 

 as could be used, and leaving wagon loads of fine 

 grouse and ducks and thousands of splendid elk, bison, 

 deer and other quadrupeds as food for the wolves. 

 Paradoxical as it may seem, the big-game animals as 

 well as the birds, which were threatened with exter- 

 mination, are indebted to their destroyers for their 

 preservation. A very few years ago there were no 

 laws to restrain the indiscriminate slaughter which 

 went on at all seasons, until it became evident to 

 sportsmen that the day was not far off when there 

 would be no game in the land. To the sportsmen 

 the game is indebted for the many good laws in the 

 statute books to-day, which provide for short open 

 seasons, small bags, and the killing of male animals 

 only, and which prohibit the destructive methods of 

 pursuit referred to in the preceding chapter. 



A few years ago there was no such thing as a sport- 

 ing-estate, game-park or club in America. To-day 

 many parks and game refuges have been established 



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