RANGE OF ELK IN EUROPE AND ASIA 297 



The right to hunt in Russia is vested in the 

 land owner, but he is generally required to pay a 

 moderate license fee. In a large portion of the 

 northern and eastern elk territory of European 

 Russia, however, the residents are not required 

 to pay the hunting tax. This exemption was made 

 in consideration of the poverty of many of the 

 people. The privilege of hunting on public lands 

 in these sections was also easily obtained. The 

 beneficiaries of these exemptions and privileges at 

 once concluded that they were subject to no 

 legal restrictions, and a class of idlers became 

 professional hunters, destroying game with 

 ruthless hand. These conditions, in conjunction 

 with improved firearms, and an increasing number 

 of forest fires, caused a marked decrease in the 

 amount of game in many portions of the Russian 

 elk range.'"^ Whether more recent legislation has 

 bettered these conditions the author is unable to 

 say. 



Until quite modern times hunting in most parts 

 of Europe was a special prerogative of royalty and 

 the nobility. Even today most of the best terri- 

 tory is in the hands of wealthy individuals who 

 jealously guard their exclusive hunting privileges. 

 These conditions have always produced a large 



»4Martenson, pp. 164-165. 



