(1) To prevent unauthorised persons from shooting in the reserve; this
should not be difficult, for news travels with amazing rapidity in
savage countries, and a ranger would be sure to hear of any white man
shooting within fifty miles of his camp.
(2) To prevent as far as possible the killing of game by natives, either
with firearms, pits or deadfalls. This would be far more difficult.
(3) To check the sale of guns and ammunition to the natives by Dutch,
Portuguese, or Arab traders.
(4) To see that no one is allowed to trade for ivory or skins within the
reserves, and as far as possible to see that the natives are not in
possession of these commodities.
(5) To keep himself acquainted as far as possible with the amount of
different kinds of game in his reserve.
Sportsmen would be licensed to kill only a certain number of certain
animals, at the discretion of the ranger. The latter would then be able
to make sure that no particular kind of game was being unduly
persecuted. For instance, if he thought the stock of kudu, let us say,
on his reserve was getting too low, he would issue no licenses to kill
kudu until he thought fit.
No white settlements would be allowed within the reserve, except the
camps of the ranger and his assistants, and no trading would be allowed
except by special permit from the ranger.
I am afraid my scheme will seem Utopian to most people. At the same
time, I am convinced that only by some such drastic measures as I have
outlined can the destruction of great game by traders and market hunters
be checked, and the wild places of the empire be maintained for the
enjoyment of British sportsmen.