14

Early settlers lived off the land during a time of drought known as the 'Rabbit Years'.
1910
Olds NWT Canada

15

NATURE IN THE WILDERNESS
from "Lone Pine" John F. Inglis (copy at Mountain View Museum)
"To add to the deluge of rabbits that invaded Alberta in the nineties prairie chicken too were numerous. A few wood partridge, some times called the fool hen, or ruffed grouse added to the game birds to a small extent. The wild duck of course were seasonable but plentiful from early spring until they left us late in the fall for the south on their annual furlough to a more balmy climate.
"...This wild game abundance to a great extent solved our meat problem the first year or two on the homestead except for salted sow-belly that dad insisted on having in the house at all times as a treat, but his offspring were not so platonic and questioned its palatable appeal in any superlative sense. All the game I have mentioned was obtainable to the early settler without restriction for a minimum of effort, and paying for his ammunition.
"Added to the land game, we had fish in our streams and lakes within easy distances. Pike, grayling, mountain trout and suckers, all to be had for the fishing in either the Little or Big Red Deer Rivers, plus their tributaries, the James, Raven, Bearberry, and often in the spring, good runs of spawners were found in much smaller streams than those mentioned.

The 1890's were called the "Rabbit Years" until 1898. The settlers trapped, and killed the rabbits until they virtually dissappeared. For more on the rabbit trap see the James Murray storyline.

16

Settlers enjoyed a harvest of native fruit they soon learned to cultivate in their own gardens.
1905
Olds NWT Canada