In the years following the first world war the Saskatchewan Government attempted to conserve its beaver population by ordinary “close” and “open” seasons, in the hope that the beavers would increase during the close seasons and trapping become possible once more. This policy caused rapid reduction of the beaver population, until soon there were vast areas, previously abounding with beavers, where the only signs of past plenty were wrecked dams and abandoned lodges. The policy was also detrimental to the way of life of the thousands of trappers. These men adopted “trap and get out” methods, perhaps making, and spending, several thousand dollars during an open season, but being left destitute and dependent on the State during the close seasons which followed.