100 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



nually by way of the Arctic coast by whalers and traders 

 to San Francisco and Seattle. 



The best fur traders now admit that the musk-ox can 

 only be saved from extermination by the absolute prohibi- 

 tion of its slaughter for commercial purposes. 



In 1914, and again in 1916, I laid before the Commission 

 of Conservation specific recommendations regarding the 

 amendment of the Northwest Game Act to secure much- 

 needed protection of our northern mammals, including the 

 musk-ox :* 



(a) The prohibition of the killing of the musk-ox except 

 under Ucense, which should not permit the taking by bona 

 fide hunters or other duty authorized persons, of more 

 than two skins and two heads under each license. Na- 

 tives or bona fide explorers to be allowed to kill musk-oxen 

 for food for their own use, but not in order to secure the 

 skins. 



(6) The prohibition of the killing of musk-oxen on Vic- 

 toria, Banks, and Melville Islands, thereby constituting these 

 islands permanent reserves for musk-oxen and as centres 

 for their natural distribution to other parts. 



These recommendations have since been put into effect 

 in the Northwest Game Act, 1917, and the regulations 

 thereunder, which provide for the permanent protection 

 of the musk-ox, except in such zones and during such 

 period as may be prescribed under the act, and at the pres- 

 ent time the killing of musk-oxen is everywhere forbidden 

 in Canadian territory. Section 38 of the regulations sets 

 forth the sole conditions under which musk-oxen may now 

 be killed; the section reads as follows: 



38. Musk-ox may be hunted and killed by Indians, Eskimos or half- 

 breeds who are bona fide inhabitants of the Northwest Territories, but 

 only when they are actually in need of the meat of such musk-ox to pre- 



* Seventh Annual Report, Commission of Conservation, 1916, p. 33, 



