122 WILD LIFE PROTECTION FUND 



Here is the cold and disagreeable fact: 



The game of our country cannot, by any possibility, much 

 longer withstand the awful onslaughts that noiv are being 

 made upon it, legally and illegally, tvherever any game re- 

 mains outside of sanctuary limits. 



The question whether American sportsmen will go on 

 with their shooting until finally they exterminate their own 

 sport, is a question for them to decide. My task now con- 

 sists only in pointing out conditions and their sure-and-cer- 

 tain results. 



WHAT DO WE SEE ? 



Let us look over the cards, as they lie face up on the table, 

 and see what they reveal. 



First. — We see glorious federal and state laws for the pro- 

 tection of the insectivorous and non-game birds, well ob- 

 served in most places, but in some places shamefully abused 

 by alien shooters. That abuse is because it is an utter im- 

 possibility for any state to put into the field enough wardens 

 to watch every alien who goes out hunting with a license 

 in his pocket. 



Second. — We now see game bird hunting reduced, very 

 largely, to the hunting of ducks and geese, with a very little 

 shooting of six shore-birds, quail and grouse. 



Third. — We see all American quail, ruffed grouse, pin- 

 nated *\nd sharp-tailed grouse on a steep toboggan slide 

 going swiftly toward sure Oblivion. 



Fourth- We see in the near future no wild game remain- 

 ing save waterfowl, rabbits, hares and white-tailed deer, 

 and a trace of introduced pheasants. Anyone who thinks 

 that quail and grouse of any species whatever can by hand- 

 made propagation keep the sport of shooting them on a 

 permanent basis, makes a sad mistake. It can not be done ! 



