42 THE AMERICAN MOOSE 



are also present in considerable numbers in the 

 regions drained by the Yukon and Tanana Rivers 

 and their tributaries. In the latter sections 

 moose are probably decreasing in number, while the 

 moose of the Kenai Peninsula are possibly slowly 

 increasing, this condition being due to the possi- 

 bility of stricter enforcement of the game law.'' 



Quoting a report on game conditions on the 

 Kenai Peninsula prepared by Special Game Warden 

 L. F. Shaw, the Governor says: 



"'According to a native legend, a century ago 

 there was not a moose to be found on the Kenai 

 Peninsula. Then they appeared in numbers, 

 coming from the Iliamna country [west of the 

 peninsula], and gradually increasing from year 

 to year until they were exceedingly numerous. 

 Wolves, their most persistent natural enemy, and 

 severe winters were about the chief factors in 

 their destruction, as the peninsula was but sparsely 

 settled. 



"'Then came the stampede for gold in the 

 late nineties to the Cook Inlet country. The 

 stampeders settled on the western side of the 

 peninsula, founding the towns of Hope and Sun- 

 rise. At one time there were over looo people in 

 the two settlements. The people depended for 

 a meat supply almost wholly on the moose and 



