94 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



cept for a little remnant still in a wild state near Great Slave lake and a 

 few herds in national reserves. The next in order for extinction is 

 the prong-horned antelope. In the United States there are practically 

 no antelope left outside protected areas and there is no state in the 

 Union where killing is permitted. They are making their last stand in 

 the plains of southern Canada, and Saskatchewan and Alberta have 

 recently passed laws prohibiting their killing. This is a matter for 

 congratulation, but it is to.be feared it is too late; the antelope is 

 peculiarly intolerant of approaching civilization and, I fear, is doomed 

 to follow the bison. 



_ ^ Then there is the mountain sheep, which once extended 



Present . . . , , , , i , i i- 



Scarcity of m its various species throughout the whole length of 



Big-horn jj^g Rockies, from the Arctic ocean to Mexico. The 



most noteworthy species, the big-horn, does not exist to-day in the 

 United States except in protected areas, with the single exception of 

 Wyoming, where, unfortunately, killing is still permitted. It is pleasing 

 to note that in Canada you have taken precautions for preserving the 

 big-horn. You have two splendid parks which will ensure the per- 

 petuation of the species, but it must be remembered that the big- 

 horn sheep is the most highly-prized trophy of the sportsman in 

 the North American continent, and the whole world of sportsmen 

 has its eye on the little tract in the Brazeau country and in the moun- 

 tains north of Yellowhead pass to which they must go to get 

 trophies. In spite of that, some people of Alberta during recent 

 years considered themselves terribly aggrieved because they were pre- 

 vented by the enlargement of the Park from going up into the moun- 

 tains and getting sheep for meat when they wanted them. Taking a 

 sheep as worth $10 to $15 to a settler for meat, compare that with 

 the figures given you ($1,000*) as to the value of that animal, even 

 from the straight business viewpoint, when sought after by visiting 

 sportsmen. The argument is irresistible. These people are not rascals, 

 they simply do not realize the situation ; they need education. 



,, . . As to the goat, it is in a much better state because it 



Mountain . , ■ , , ■ ■, , ... 



Goat Easy is not so highly prized, but, nevertheless, it is in serious 



to Kill danger, particularly because it is so easy to get, once 



one has climbed up to where it lives. It is not as shy and crafty as 

 the sheep and, when the mountains are opened up, it will not survive 

 very long. There is only one portion of the United States where hunt- 

 ing of the goat is permitted, namely, in Idaho and Washington, and, 

 even there, it ought to be stopped. 

 *See page ISO. 



