Part 37 (2/2)

The object of the act is to protect the game of the territory so far as possible from the mere ”killer,” but without causing unnecessary hards.h.i.+p. Therefore, Indians, Eskimos, miners, or explorers actually in need of food, are permitted to kill game for their immediate use. The exception in favor of natives, miners, and explorers must be construed strictly. It must not be used merely as a pretext to kill game out of season, for sport or for market, or to supply canneries or settlements; and, under no circ.u.mstances, can the hides or heads of animals thus killed be lawfully offered for sale.

Every person who has travelled in Alaska knows that these laws are violated daily. An amusing incident occurred on the _Dora_, on the first morning ”to Westward” from Seward. Far be it from me to eat anything that is forbidden; but I had _seen_ fried moose steak in Seward. It resembles slices of pure beef tenderloin, fried.

It chanced that at our first breakfast on the _Dora_ I found fried beef tenderloin on the bill of fare, and ordered it. Scarcely had I been served when in came the gentleman from Boston, who, through his alert and insatiable curiosity concerning all things Alaskan and his keen desire to experience every possible Alaskan sensation,--all with the greatest navete and good humor,--had endeared himself to us all on our long journey together.

”What's that?” asked he, briskly, scenting a new experience on my plate.

”Moose,” said I, sweetly.

”Moose--_moose!_” cried he, excitedly, seizing his bill of fare. ”I'll have some. Where is it? I don't see it!”

”Hush-h-h,” said I, sternly. ”It is not on the bill of fare. It is out of season.”

”Then how shall I get it?” he cried, anxiously. ”I must have some.”

”Tell the waiter to bring you the same that he brought me.”

When the dear, gentle j.a.panese, ”Charlie,” came to serve him, he shamelessly pointed at my plate.

”I'll have some of that,” said he, mysteriously.

Charlie bowed, smiled like a seraph, and withdrew, to return presently with a piece of beef tenderloin.

The gentleman from Boston fairly pounced upon it. We all watched him expectantly. His expression changed from antic.i.p.ation to satisfaction, delight, rapture.

”That's the most delicious thing I ever ate,” he burst forth, presently.

”Do you think so?” said I. ”Really, I was disappointed. It tastes very much like beefsteak to me.”

”Beefsteak!” said he, scornfully. ”It tastes no more like beefsteak than pie tastes like cabbage! What a pity to waste it on one who cannot appreciate its delicate wild flavor!”

Months afterward he sent me a marked copy of a Boston newspaper, in which he had written enthusiastically of the ”rare, wild flavor, haunting as a poet's dream,” of the moose which he had eaten on the _Dora_.

In addition to the animals commonly regarded as game, walrus and brown bear are protected; but existing laws relating to the fur-seal, sea-otter, or other fur-bearing animals are not affected. The act creates no close season for black bear, and contains no prohibition against the sale or s.h.i.+pment of their skins or heads; but those of brown bear may be s.h.i.+pped only in accordance with regulations.

The Act of 1908 amends the former act as follows:--

It is unlawful for any person in Alaska to kill any wild game, animals, or birds, except during the following seasons: north of lat.i.tude sixty-two degrees, brown bear may be killed at any time; moose, caribou, sheep, walrus and sea-lions, from August 1 to December 10, inclusive; south of lat.i.tude sixty-two degrees, moose, caribou, and mountain sheep, from August 20 to December 31, inclusive; brown bear, from October 1 to July 1, inclusive; deer and mountain goats, from August 1 to February 1, inclusive; grouse, ptarmigan, sh.o.r.e birds, and water fowl, from September 1 to March 1, inclusive.

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, whenever he may deem it necessary for the preservation of game animals or birds, to make and publish rules and regulations which shall modify the close seasons established, or to provide different close seasons for different parts of Alaska, or to place further limitations and restrictions on the killing of such animals or birds in any given locality, or to prohibit killing entirely for a period not exceeding two years in such locality.

It is unlawful for any person at any time to kill any females or yearlings of moose, or for any one person to kill in one year more than the number specified of each of the following game animals: Two moose, one walrus or sea-lion, three caribou; sheep, or large brown bear; or to kill or have in his possession in any one day more than twenty-five grouse or ptarmigan, or twenty-five sh.o.r.e birds or water fowl.

The killing of caribou on the Kenai Peninsula is prohibited until August 20, 1912.

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