Pa. Gpme Newe 
Vol. VI, No. 7                                             History    of
Manage- 
October, 1935                                                           
 ment 
'DIAN         M-                 THE 
FIRST GAME LAW 
Two hundred years ago the Indians in 
Kentucky set aside game refuges for bears 
*nd created what may have been the first 
game law in America, says Vernon Bailey. 
retired naturalist of the Biological Survey. 
Bear fat, bear meat, and bear skins were 
the most prized returns of the hunt. Large 
areas were set aside as "belved      bear 
grounds" where only a limited number of 
animals could be killed each year, so that 
a permanent supply of these animals would 
be maintained. Mr. Bailey believes it might 
be well today to follow the example of the 
Kentucky Indians, and establish "beloved 
bear grounds."