Suggestions for Research 37 



Proposed Research on Alaskan Big Game 



The coastal region of Alaska is at present the main home of 

 American big game. These animals are of exceptional interest, and 

 in spite of the excellent work by several skilled field men they 

 are in reality but little known. There has been no work done 

 by resident naturalists who have lived there the year round devot- 

 ing their whole time to the study of the game. This region is above 

 all the most important region for investigation in America. 



I would suggest headquarters for a field party on the Kenai 

 Peninsula. With the railroad developing from Seward there is 

 urgent need of early study of the game of this peninsula before it 

 is too late. 



It may be objected that the remoteness of the region, and the 

 expense of working at this distance, are serious defects of this 

 project, but importance of the subject, its urgency on account of 

 the railroad, and the little detailed knowledge which we have of the 

 animals, should be kept in mind. 



A naturalist, with two trained assistants, a guide, and camp cook, 

 located at a permanent camp from which local camps could be 

 reached, would permit detailed study of the region and an intimate 

 knowledge of the big game and of the smaller organisms upon which 

 they are dependent. 



So far as known to me no such study has ever been made of big 

 game. It would, if carried out properly, serve as a model for 

 other workers for years to come and would raise the standard of 

 game study to a new and higher level. 



Proposals for Eastern Big Game 



In addition to the Alaskan project it is very desirable also to do 

 some intensive work on the game nearer home. With this in mind 

 the following suggestions are given with the idea of selecting the 

 most suitable : 



1. New York Deer. To make a detailed field study of the sea- 

 sonal changes in habits, food, influence of weather, behavior during 

 the breeding season, care of young, causes of death, normal density 

 of deer population in forests, influence of deer upon the vegetation 

 and allied subjects. 



Such a study could be made on some of the large preserves in 

 the Adirondack's or Catskills (possibly on property belonging to 



