VALUE OF WILD LIFE TO THE NATION 9 



white-tailed deer, formerly so abundant, to the verge of 

 practical extermination. So far as could be ascertained the 

 species was practically extinct in Vermont by 1870. In 1875 

 thirteen white-tailed deer, comprising six bucks and seven 

 does, were procured by a number of sportsmen of Rutland, 

 Vt., and liberated in the forests adjoining that city. For 

 twenty-three years none were killed, except a few that were 

 illegally shot. They increased in numbers and were suffi- 

 ciently abundant by 1897 to permit the establishment of a 

 short open season, when 150 were shot. Their increase 

 during subsequent years is indicated by the figures given 

 by Hornaday.* ''In 1901, 211 were killed; in 1902, 561; 

 in 1905, 791; in 1907, 1,600; in 1908, 2,208, and in 1909 

 the grand total was 5,261. For the year last mentioned, 

 1909, the average weight of the deer killed was 155 pounds 

 each, which for some reason was far below all preceding 

 years, and suggests an error. f The total weight of venison 

 taken was 716,358 pounds. Computed at the lowest rea- 

 sonable valuation, twelve cents per pound, the total value 

 for 1909 would be $85,962." 



As the deer gradually spread over the State they did 

 some damage to agricultural crops, and it was wisely de- 

 cided to compensate the farmers for such damages. Such 

 a practice is followed in England in the case of damage in- 

 flicted by foxes which are preserved for hunting purposes. 

 During the two years, 1908 and 1909, the total amount 

 paid in damages was $4,865.98, and the value of the total 

 number of deer legally killed during those two years was 

 $107,790, which indicates the soundness of the policy of 

 indemnification. 



The example of Vermont is a valuable object-lesson. 

 There is no reason why a similar policy should not be 



* "Wild Life Conservation," p. 106. 



t In the years 1905 to 1908 the average weights ranged from 196 to 207 

 pounds. 



