When the CPR started carrying our first tourists into the mountains it created a phenomenal trade in animal souvenirs and heads.
The curio shop in Banff called Luxton's sold many of these mounts and souvenirs. Tourists were so enthralled with wild animals Luxton's even had a live black bear chained up in front of the store.
In one season the Brewster trading company of Banff prepared 112 bighorn @95$ each, 4 deer@25$, 1 moose@100$, 1 elk@100$, 1 antelope@20$. There were also a number of unmounted sheep, caribou, 4 large grizzly and 3 black bears. Jim Brewster was renowned mountain man that guided hunters in the parks well before the first outfitters' licences. He is said to have been responsible for 150 successful grizzly hunts over the years too.
The New provincial government banned the sale of Animal souvenirs in 1905
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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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