144 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Throug'h the irresistible desire of the Indian to kill everything 

 he can, whether useful or not, when he gets into a band of ani- 

 mals he shoots as long as they are in range. Fortunately he is 

 a very poor marksman, or there would not now be much game 

 alive in Alaska. 



Naturally the question arises. How are we to stop this wanton 

 destruction of animal life? My own recommendations for 

 game-laws are as follows : 



Miners, prospectors, and natives should have the right to kill 

 male animals solely for their own use as food while in camp at 

 all seasons of the year ; but against all other persons a closed 

 season should be enforced, except for a limited period in the 

 autumn. During the open season any person should be allowed 

 to kill two animals of each species, but when the animals or parts 

 of animals so killed are shii)pcd or transported, they should be 

 accompanied by the owner. The greatest protection to the 

 game of Alaska, however, would be the prohibition of the sale 

 of meat and hides of all wild Alaskan vmgulates. To accomplish 

 this, it should be made a misdemeanor for railroad, steamship, 

 express or freight companies, or private individuals, to receive 

 or ship meat, hides, or horns except upon permit issued by the 

 Secretary of the Interior, or an agent appointed by him. 



Alaska is an immense territory, and the question arises how 

 w^e are going to enforce game-laws? 



The revenue cutter service could give great aid, and collectors 

 of ports could be instructed to act upon all violations which come 

 to their notice. Salaried game-wardens, having no private in- 

 terests whatever in Alaska, should be appointed, and it would 

 be their business to Avatch and prosecute all violators of the law. 



With the native;, the Church is stronger than the government. 

 It would seem, therefore, that a very effective way to reach them 

 would be through the priests and missionaries. Representatives 

 could be chosen to visit the missions, and through the priests and 

 missionaries explain to the natives that game-laws have been 

 passed, point out to them their objects and the necessity of abid- 

 ing by them, and ask their assistance. In this way a great deal 

 of ffood migfht be done. 



