222 THE ANGLER AND HVNTSMAN 



That wild game will flourish where domestic stock can not 

 earn a living is well known to anyone conversant with wild 

 life. Nevertheless, the restriction suggested would, if 

 adopted, seriously interfere with the game refuge plan; and 

 there are other remedies which would fully protect the in- 

 terests of stockmen. 



"The areas of western mountain range unsuitable to 

 the grazing of domestic stock are comparatively small and 

 scattered. The term ; unsuitable' is in itself a relative one. 

 Suitability is largely controlled by the factors of accessi- 

 bility, water and type of vegetation; and the first two fac- 

 tors are frequently subject to human control. Areas which 

 are unsuitable for stock, owing to difficulty of access and 

 lack of water, and which may nevertheless be adaptable to 

 the propagation of wild game, are frequently made acces- 

 sible by trails and bridges and usable through the develop- 

 ment of watering places. 



"It is safe to say that most wild animals do not inhabit 

 the most rugged and inaccessible regions through choice, 

 but from necessity. They are driven thither by their ene- 

 mies above all, by their arch-enemy man. Elk and deer 

 once were abundant in the plains and foothill region east 

 of the Rockies. Rough topography is unquestionably a 

 strong factor in the protection of game animals from ex- 

 tinction; but the very things which render it unfavorable 

 for stockraising lack of water, lack of feed, difficulty of 

 travel likewise render it unfavorable for the propagation 

 of game, though less so than in case of domestic animals. It 

 then follows that if the question at issue is the preservation 

 of a breeding stock of game, and the propagation of a supply 

 for hunting, favorable conditions must be afforded for 

 these purposes. If the stockmen are really concerned about 

 game conservation they must apply to game breeding the 

 same line of reasoning they apply to stock breeding, allow- 

 ing of course for the difference in habits between the two 

 classes of animals. They must recognize the necessity ol 

 pro Adding the three essentials of feed, water and practicable 



