252 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



El^ and Aoose 



Reports indicate that the number of wild elk in the Adirondack^ has 

 increased steadily since the first herd of twenty-two was liberated in June, 

 1901. The animals are so widely distributed through the Adirondack coun- 

 ties, and have so separated into small bands that it is no longer possible to 

 state accurately their number. It is estimated, however, after making allow- 

 ance for probable fatalities, that there are no less than 200 elk now in the 

 woods. The animals appear to winter well, and the experiment of intro- 

 ducing elk into the woods is no doubt a success. During the last session of 

 the Legislature an Act was passed giving the Commission authority to 

 acquire live elk by gift as well as by purchase. As no appropriation is avail- 

 able, donations of elk to the State would prove highly acceptable, if only for 

 the purpose of infusing new blood into the present herds. 



Owing to the lack of an appropriation, it has not been possible to pro- 

 cure additional moose. The friends of the movement to restore this animal 

 to the Adirondacks insist that not enough moose have been purchased and 

 liberated to make the experiment a fair one. They point to the success 

 which has attended the introduction of elk as an evidence of what might 

 be done if a sufficient number of moose could be set at liberty. 



TI)e r^lac^ §ear 



Sportsmen, headed by Mr. H. V. Radford, of New York, last winter 

 secured the passage of an Act which gave the Black Bear legal recognition 

 as a game animal for the first time in the history of the State. Under this 

 law the bear is protected during the months of July, August and September, 

 the time when its pelt is without value. The law also provides for the filing 

 of a report with the Commission by each hunter killing a bear, so as to show 

 the place and date and the sex and weight. 



The reports received by the Commission from the time the law went 

 into effect (May 9) to December 31, are shown in the following table: 



