So Great Was the Slaughter by Buckley T. Foster

So Great Was the Slaughter uncovers the gripping, untold story of how Arkansas teetered on the brink of ecological collapse—and the unlikely coalition that pulled it back. As market hunters decimated wildlife to feed booming urban centers, a diverse alliance of sportsmen, conservationists, and scientists rose to challenge entrenched political and commercial interests. Through meticulous research, Buckley T. Foster chronicles the birth of modern wildlife conservation in Arkansas, offering a powerful narrative of environmental reckoning, grassroots activism, and the enduring fight to preserve nature’s balance.

Winner of the 2026 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award

So Great Was the Slaughter reveals the untold story of Arkansas conservation pioneers who saved the state’s game and fish populations. As Arkansas entered the twentieth century, the national demand for meat combined with the ability to ship millions of animals to hungry cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and Chicago had driven many species, including bison and passenger pigeons, to extinction in Arkansas. Many others, including deer, bear, turkey, quail, and fish, were in danger of disappearing.

In response, an unlikely coalition of Arkansas sportsmen, hunters, and conservationists created a vision for conservation legislation, game laws, and the establishment of fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges. With support from influential outsiders like E. A. McIlhenny and the United States Biological Survey, they waged a long battle against entrenched political and commercial interests.

Buckley Foster’s meticulous research reveals how these pioneers fought to save the state’s wildlife resources from destruction and laid the foundations for sustainable, modern wildlife management in Arkansas. So Great Was the Slaughter will fascinate hunters, conservationists, historians, and those interested in the history of wildlife conservation and conflicts between market hunters and sportsmen in the United States and the American South.