232 FOREST OUTINGS 



bear is everywhere abundant. He is little appreciated as a game animal in 

 this region and has apparently multiplied greatly in the last 10 years. In 

 the national-forest region the grizzly is found only on the mainland areas 

 and more especially at the heads of long fiords and isolated bays. Perpetua- 

 tion of this species in large numbers is an important feature of Alaska game 

 administration. 



The Alaska brown bear is the largest of the bear family and also the 

 largest land carnivore on earth. Regarded as one of the outstanding big- 

 game animals of the world, it attracts the same class of sportsmen who 

 hunt lions in Africa and tigers in India with camera and gun. A recrea- 

 tional resource of romantic appeal as well as local economic value, this 

 game animal appears to be increasing in Alaska. Its range covers at least 

 one-fifth of the Territory but on the national forests the Alaska brown bear is 

 confined to three large islands in southeastern Alaska, two islands in Prince 

 William Sound, to the Kenai Peninsula, and to the outlying Afognak Island. 

 As the national-forest land is the most accessible of the entire range, 

 adequate safeguards for the animal are considered doubly important there. 



Moose and mountain sheep are found over a large portion of Alaska 

 but on the national forests they occur only in large numbers on the Kenai 

 Peninsula. The Alaska species of these animals are especially prized by 

 big-game enthusiasts and consequently are subject to careful administra- 

 tion. Like the Alaska brown and grizzly bears, both these species are true 

 wilderness animals and their perpetuation requires protective measures 

 against too great a contact with civilization. 



Pleasure Grounds . . . The same need exists in Alaska as in the con- 

 tinental United States for community outdoor play and pleasure. Because 

 of the steep topography of most coastal town sites, such areas cannot as a 

 rule be established within town limits but must be placed on adjacent 

 national forest lands. Attractive national-forest areas have been set aside 

 for groups of summer-cottage sites and leased to town residents. Camp and 

 picnic grounds have been developed and fitted with shelters, tables, fire- 

 places, water systems, and simple play paraphernalia. 



Winter sports, especially skiing and skating, are definitely on the up 



