Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-11-17
Fish and Game IN Vermont.

The interest in the preservation OF hsh and
game in Vermont is becoming general, and
several influential persons have been pressing
the matter before the legislature, and other.
wise looking after the success Of the move.
mcnt to provide proper laws for its advance.
ment. There is no doubt but that the pres
ent laws are weak and insufficient. aud that
they are violated with impuuity in many
places in the state. Deer, which used to be
so plenty in all parts Of the state, are now
very scarce, except in the widest and most
unfrequented locations. Trout, that most
beautiful and delicious of fish, though to be
found in the majority Of streams iD the state,
rapidly becoming less, through the use
use Of the net and catching in improper sea.
sons. Other varieties Of game are being
rapidly exterminated, yet these two are the
most important aodcr consideration.
There Is no reason, if proper laws are made
and strictly observed, why Vermont forests
should not TEEN with game, and her streams
with fish, affording noble sport, and pro.
vision for large number Of people at some
seasons of the year. The following remarks
are taken from DR.. Goldsmith's address be-
fore the Vermont association for the pro.
lection of fish and game, which held a meet
ing last week
Turning to Scotland and England he gave
statistics showing that an immense revenue
was produced every year from the rent Of
game and fish preserves and the sale Of fish
and game. Vermont, he said, had about
three million acres in woodland which now
produces no deer, and Scotland with only
two million acres of deerland, got about one
million dollars annual rent. lie argued
strenuousy in favor Of making deer forests in
Vermont, by which our now totally uupro-
ductive mountains could be made to yield
generous revenue. lie believes that in many
instances, more money could be made rals-
ing deer than sheep in Vermont. 1t was so
10 Scotland, and the prices of venison in our
cities, proved that vcnison was far more
costly luxury for the table than mutton.
OF course partidges, rabbits and small game
could be raised at the same time with the
deer. la regard to fish, DR.. Goldsmith gave
some surprising statistics about the vast
number Of salmon aud trout caught in Can
ada, Scotland and England, where attention
has been given to their preservation. lie
contrasted the meagre sports which our
streams offered to-day with the success which
our fathers used to have-irequently catch
ing several pounds Of noble trout before
break fast-a golden age which would again
return with proper care.
1t is, indeed, time that measures should be
taken to secure the return Of the good old
days of fishing aud hunting in the state Of
Vermont. Though in some cases the pre-.
serves would be private, there would be
large tracts where all who have the true
sportsmans instinct, and who would scorn to
capture game in any other than a Legitimate
way, would have an ample field. Such rec.
reations are heathful, strengthening and Gu
nobing. They fit man for his peaceful oc.
equations by giving him these attributes, and
for war and such emergencies by lamiliarzing
him with the use Of weapons, and for the long
marches which arc the lot Of the soldier.
by all means let the legislature 10 every
proper way aid the commissioners in their
noble work, and in ten years from now we
will find Vermont n sportsmaus' paradise;
the scene of many pleasant day spent by
wood or stream and fraught with the mem
DRY of many a wonderful catch or bag.