Page 310 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

288 OUR VANISHING WILD LIFE
ofgameasNebraska. Beholdhowshehasresolutelylockedthedoorsof her empty cage after all these species have flown: Elk, antelope, wild turkey, passenger pigeon, whooping crane, sage grouse, ptarmigan and curlew. In a short time the pinnated grouse can be added to the list of has-beens.
There is little to say regarding the future of the game of Nebraska; for its "future" is now history.
Provision should be made for one or more state game preserves. Spring shooting of shore birds and waterfowl should be prohibited. A larger and more effective warden service should be provided. Doves should be removed from the game list.
Nevada:
The sage grouse should be given a ten-year close season, for recuperation.
All non-game birds should have perpetual protection.
The cranes, now verging on extinction, and the pigeons and doves should at once
be taken out of the list of game birds, and forever protected.
All the shore birds need five years of close protection.
A State Game Warden whose term of office is not less than four years should be provided for.
A corps of salaried game protectors should be chosen for active and aggressive game protection.
Nevada's bag limits are among the best of any state, the only serious flaw being " 10 sage grouse" per day: which should be 0!
Nevada still has a few antelope ; and we beg her to protect them all from being hunted or killed! It is my belief that if the antelope is really saved anywhere in the United States outside of national parks and preserves, it will be in the wild and remote regions of Nevada, where it is to be hoped that lumpy-jaw has not yet taken hold of the herds.
New Hampshire:
Speaking generally, the New Hampshire laws regulating the killing and shipment of game are defective for the reason that on birds, and in fact all game save deer, there appear to be no "bag" limits on the quantity that may be killed in a day or a season. The following bag limits are greatly needed, forthwith:
Gray Squirrel, none per day, or per year; duck (except wood-duckj, ten per day, or thirty per season; ruffed grouse, four per day, twelve per season; hare and rabbit, four per day, or twelve per season.
Five-year close seasons should immediately be enacted for the following species: quail, woodcock, jacksnipe and all species of shore or "beach" birds.
The sale of all native wild game should be prohibited; and game-breeding in pre- serves, and the sale of such game under state supervision, should be provided for.
The use of automatic and pump guns in hunting should be barred,—through state pride, if for no other reason.
New Jersey:
New Jersey enjoys the distinction of being the second state to break