To-day, the cash rewards of the market-hunter who can reach a large city with his product are dangerously great.  Observe the following wholesale prices that prevailed in New York city in 1910, just prior to the passage of the Bayne law.  They were compiled and published by Henry Oldys, of the Biological Survey.

Grouse, domestic per pair $3.00
Grouse, foreign " " $1.25 to 1.75
Partridge, domestic " " 3.50 " 4.00
Woodcock, domestic " " 1.50 " 2.00
Golden plover per dozen 2.50 " 3.50
English snipe " " 2.00 " 3.00
Canvasback duck per pair 2.25 " 3.00
Redhead duck " " 1.50 " 2.50
Mallard duck " " " 1.25
Bluewing teal " " .75 " 1.00
Greenwing teal " " .75 " .90
Broadbill duck " " .50 " .75
Rail, No. 1 per dozen " 1.00
Rail, No. 2 " " " .60
Venison, whole deer per pound .22 " .25
Venison, saddle " " .30 " .35

All our feathered game is rapidly slipping away from us. Are we going to save anything from the wreck?  Will we so weakly manage the game situation that later on there will be no legitimate bird-shooting for our younger sons, and our grandsons?

All laws that permit the killing of game for the market, and the sale of it afterward, are class legislation of the worst sort.  They permit a hundred men selfishly to slaughter for their own pockets the game that rightfully belongs to a hundred thousand men and boys who shoot for the legitimate recreation that such field sports afford.  Will any of the sportsmen of America “stand for” this until the game is all gone?

The people who pay big prices for game in the hotels and restaurants of our big cities are not men who need that game as food.  Far from it.  They can obtain scores of fine meat dishes without destroying the wild flocks.  In civilized countries wild game is no longer necessary as “food,” to satisfy hunger, and ward off starvation.  In the United States the day of the hungry Indian-fighting pioneer has gone by and there is an abundance of food everywhere.

The time to temporize and feel timid over the game situation has gone by.  The situation is desperate; and nothing but strong and vigorous measures will avail anything worth while.  The sale of all wild game should be stopped, everywhere and at all seasons, throughout all North America, and throughout the world.  To-day this particular curse is being felt even in India.

It is the duty of every true sportsman, every farmer who owns a gun, and every lover of wild life, to enter into the campaign for the passage of bills absolutely prohibiting all traffic in wild game no matter what its origin.  Of course the market hunters, the game-hogs and the game dealers will bitterly oppose them, and hire a lobby to attempt to defeat them.  But the fight for no-sale-of-game is now on, and it must not stop short of complete victory.