Help Save the Buffalo 



When we took charge of Recreation we 

 appointed a committee of influential men to 

 inaugurate a plan for the preservation of the 

 buffalo. On this committee we have eminent 

 men of many professions from all parts of the 

 United States: John Burroughs, the delightful 

 writer on nature subjects and a celebrated 

 naturalist; Caspar Whitney, editor of Outing, 

 explorer, hunter and traveler; George Bird 

 Grinnell, editor of Forest and Stream, author 

 and friend of the red man; Frank Doubleday, 

 publisher of Country Life in America; Charles 

 D. Lanier, of the Review of Reviews Company; 

 John Muir, after whom the Muir glacier of 

 Alaska was named, and who has fought a good 

 fight for the preservation of the forests; Howard 

 Eaton, the well-known Western ranchman; 

 Dr. Henry Van Dyke, of Princeton College, the 

 celebrated author of many poetic and delightful 

 books; Hamlin Garland, the famous Western 

 novelist; Prof. Martin J. Elrod, of Montana 

 University; Dr. Albert Shaw, editor of the 

 Review of Reviews; Robert Underwood John- 

 son, associate editor of Century Magazine; 

 Robert C. Morris, the eminent lawyer, scholar 

 and traveler; Melville Stone, W. E. Palmer, 

 D. H. Hall, Homer Davenport and other well- 

 known men. 



As we have stated before, of all buffalo herds, 

 we are particularly interested in the Flathead 

 Reservation animals, and think the Pablo- 

 Allard herd by far the most important to pre- 

 serve. We have recently received word from 

 Howard Eaton that sixty calves were born in the 

 herd this year, which brings the number of the 

 animals on the Flathead Reservation to a total 

 of 350. This is grand! These bison know how 

 to take care of themselves in rain and sunshine, 

 winter and summer. They are not the degen- 

 erates to be found in the Eastern preserves. 

 We have no personal acquaintance with the 

 halfbreed owners of the herd, and no selfish 

 interests of any kind in this movement, but hav- 

 ing personally visited the Flathead buffalo herd 

 we're deeply impressed with its appearance, its 

 sturdy, vigorous character. 



We want all of our readers to take an interest 

 in this affair, and to turn the tide of popular 

 feeling in favor of the purchase of this particular 



herd of practically wild animals. We know the 

 sight of them would appeal to the personal 

 enthusiasm of any real sportsman, naturalist 

 or outdoor man. They are now loose and in 

 practical freedom, roaming over their native 

 heath; but the owners contemplate breaking 

 up the herd and moving the most of it to Canada. 

 Now, while we have a great interest in affairs 

 Canadian and a warm affection for our brothers 

 over the line, it would be a disgrace to the people 

 of the United States to allow these splendid 

 animals to be moved out of their native coun- 

 try. Money is needed, and we appeal to all 

 good Americans that have the means and the 

 inclination to help save this grand herd of 

 buffalo to make known to the committee, 

 through a letter to Recreation, their willing- 

 ness to help. Write at once. The Flathead 

 Reservation is to be thrown open to settlement 

 in June. 



Your Opinions Asked 

 Below the readers will find a series of ques- 

 tions from the American Bison Society, and we 

 would appreciate it if our subscribers who are 

 interested in the preservation of these beasts 

 would send in to Recreation their answers 

 to these questions: 



1. Is it safe to assume that the bison can be preserved for 

 the next 500 years through the efforts of private individuals, 

 or private corporations? 



2. In view of the uncertainty of human life, of the changes 

 in fortune and in policy toward existing herds of bison, is it 

 possible to secure permanency in the maintenance of buffalo 

 herds not owned by States or the National Government? 



3. In order to provide against local failures and possible 

 ourbreaks of contagious disease, it seems desirable that sev- 

 eral bison herds should be established, in widely-separated 

 localities. How many herds do you think should be so estab- 

 lished ? 



4. What would you recommend as the most suitable loca- 

 tions for the herds which you think should be established, 

 due regard being paid to the fact that Congress can not now 

 be induced to buy or lease any lands for bison ranges? 



5. Do you believe that any State in the great plains region 

 of the West could be induced to establish and maintain, on 

 State lands, a herd of bison? (Montana has suitable ranges, 

 if the State Government would be willing to devote a few 

 thousand acres to such a purpose.) 



Hoping that you can spare time to consider the above 

 questions, I remain, Yours very truly, 



W. T. Hornaday, President. 



A Suggestion for Millionaires 



Man has been going on for countless ages and 

 contentedly waged a war of wanton waste and 



