Suggestions for Research 
37 
Proposed Research on Alaskan Big Game 
The coastal region of Alaska is at present the main home of 
American big game. These animals are of exceptional interest, and 
in spite of the excellent work by several skilled field men they 
are in reality but little known. There has been no work done 
by resident naturalists wbo have lived there the year round devot- 
ing their whole time to the study of the game. This region is alrave 
all the Jiiost important region for investigation in America. 
I would suggest headquarters for a field party on the Kenai 
Peninsula. With the railroad developing from Seward there is 
urgent need of early study of the game of this peninsula before it 
is too late. 
It may be objected tbat the remoteness of the region, and tbe 
expense of working at this distance, are serious defects of this 
project, bvit importance of the subject, its urgency on account of 
the railroad, and the little detailed knowledge which we have of the 
animals, should be kept in mind. 
A naturalist, with two trained assistants, a guide, and camp cook, 
located at a permanent camp from which local camps could be 
reached, would permit detailed study of the region and an intimate 
knowledge of the big game and of the smaller organisms upon which 
they are dependent. 
So far as known to me no such study has ever been made of big 
game. It would, if carried out properly, serve as a model for 
other workers for years to come and would raise the standard of 
game study to a new and higher level. 
Proposals for Eastern Big Game 
In addition to the Alaskan project it is very desiralile also to do 
some intensive work on the game nearer home. With tbis in mind 
the following suggestions are given with the idea of selecting the 
most suitable : 
I. New York Deer. To make a detailed field study of the sea- 
sonal changes in habits, food, influence of weather, behavior during 
the breeding season, care of young, causes of death, normal density 
of deer population in forests, influence of deer upon the vegetation 
and allied subjects. 
Such a study could be made on some of the large preserves in 
the Adirondacks or Catskills (possibly on property belonging to 
