316 OUR FEDERAL LANDS 



very much greater national opportunities we possess, 

 but it is not possible under present conditions. Even 

 permission for sportsmen to tax themselves for pur- 

 chase of swamp lands for the nation to perpetuate 

 the breeding of aquatic birds has been held up for 

 years in Congress by several politicians representing 

 the prejudices of local rural communities. 



Whatever may be done for local birds in state 

 and private lands, it is nevertheless true that the hope 

 of the future is in lands remaining under federal 

 ownership. Besides the refuges, nearly all small, 

 only in National Parks, which total less than twelve 

 thousand square miles in area divided among twenty 

 widely separated reservations, is shooting wholly 

 prohibited. National Forests, which will always re- 

 main our greatest wild life preserves, are subject to 

 the game laws of the states in which they are included, 

 under the theory that, no matter where found, native 

 birds and animals are the property of the state. In 

 National Forests, hunting occurs in season. They 

 have shown some wild life recovery during recent 

 years, but this can only last under present laws until 

 civilization crowds their borders more closely, bring- 

 ing more hunters nearer their prey. It is here that 

 development of game administration by co-operation 

 of states and the nation would count heavily. The 

 end sought would be a constant game supply under 

 conditions of increasing demand. Students believe 

 this possible under unified control. 



How necessary efficient co-operation has be- 



