OF THE LARGE AMERICAN MAMMALS 205 



Northwestern Alberta: Grizzly bear, big-horn and moun- 

 tain goat. 



Under existing conditions I regard the above-named 

 hunting-grounds as practically all in which it is right or fair 

 for big-game hunting now to be permitted, even on a strict 

 basis. Nearly all others should immediately be closed, for 

 large game, for five years or longer. 



Of course, such a proceeding, if carried into effect, would 

 provoke loud protests from sportsmen, gunners, game-hogs, 

 pot-hunters and others ; but I wish that we had the power to 

 carry such a programme as that into effect! Then we would 

 see some game in ten years; and our grandchildren would 

 thank us for having made effective some real big-game pro- 

 tection at a critical period. 



Except in the few localities just mentioned, I regard the 

 big-game situation in the United States and southern Canada 

 as particularly desperate. Unless there is an immediate and 

 complete revolution in this country from an era of slaughter 

 to an era of preservation, as sure as the sun rises on the mor- 

 row this generation of Americans and near-Americans will 

 live to see our country swept clean of big game, outside of the 

 hard-and-fast game preserves, and places like Maine and the 

 Adirondacks. 



Even two years ago I did not believe this; but I do now. 

 It is impossible to exaggerate the wide extent or the serious- 

 ness of this situation. In a country where any and every 

 individual can rise and bluster, "I'm-just-as-good-as-i/ow-are," 

 and bellow for his "rights" as a "taxpayer," there is no 

 stopping the millions who have a legal right to kill whenever 



