CHAPTER XVI 

 THE SALE OF GAME 



It is universally recognized now by sportsmen and con- 

 servationists that the free marketing of wild game is one of 

 the greatest factors tending rapidly to exterminate our na- 

 tive game resources, and that, with the existence of so many 

 other factors that are beyond our control, adversely affect- 

 ing the abundance of our game mammals and birds, the sale 

 of protected game must be prohibited if the disappearance 

 of such game is to be prevented and its continued existence 

 secured for use and enjoyment by sportsmen and nature- 

 lovers dwelling in our cities and countryside. 



The sale of game for food is only justified in the case of 

 game from private or government game farms and pre- 

 serves. The utilization of non-agricultural areas for the 

 propagation of game is to be strongly commended, with a 

 view to augmenting the domestic meat supply. But the 

 sale of such surplus and propagated game is an entirely dif- 

 ferent matter from the sale of wild game as it now exists in 

 our woods. Let us propagate game by all means for those 

 who desire it and are unable to obtain it by other means 

 than purchase, but do not allow the market hunter to profit 

 at the expense of the wild life, as he will if the sale of game 

 is permitted. 



The sale of wild game is unnecessary, as those who need 

 it for food are able, as a general rule, to obtain it legitimately 

 by taking out a hunting license. Most of the game that is 

 sold is consumed not by people who need it but by those 

 who do not need it and demand it only to gratify their 

 jaded appetites. The fight against laws prohibiting the 



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