It was thought that hunting would decline and not be done in the first wave of settlers during the 1890's.
Interesting that back at the beginning of the last century (1900's) there had to be laws created because the new settlers and tourist hunters were killing all the game. When the first passenger trains came through it brought in many tourist hunters too.
From 1906 to 1913 there was no open season on buffalo, or the females of elk, moose, deer, antelope, sheep or the young of all big game. A couple years they only had a one day big game hunting seasons.
If they hadn't enforced this law we wouldn't be hunting today. Many settlers made the comment that it was rare to see a deer or other big game during those years.
With today's human population growth I wouldn't be surprised if they had to create similar hunting restrictions. If they closed the season for a couple years the number of hunters would decline considerably. Many urban hunters would lose interest. Many of the the 'new' immigrants hunt because they have a romanticized notion about hunting. Not because they have a family hunting heritage.
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This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
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It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
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