The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-01-01
COMMUNICATED.

A trip to the game regions of Northern
Wisconsin would convince the most skep-
tical that something must be done. and
that speedily, to stop the terrible slaugh-
ter of deer.
The principle trouble now existing in
deer regions are these: Ranch men, or
Post Traders, as they are termed, COM
mence killing and purchasing venison of
the Indians as early as August, packing
it in ice in boxes during the warm season
and shipping it to Chicago. This induc-
es the Indians to commence an early
slaughter which is continued far into
January of the following year, In
dams receiving for their pay whiskey,
tobacco, GEOGRAPHICALLY the former.
The does are the easiest to kill in the
early season owing to their iondness for
their young. Thus many fawns are left
mOtherless to care for themselves, their
growth stnnted and perhaps to die. To
avoid publicity of the illegal shipping to
the Chicago market, Post Traders pro-
vide themselves with large boxes or
trunks with lock and key, the trader re-
tanning one key and another being sent
to the commission merchant in Chicago.
Thus no one but the shipper and con-
signee are permitted to view its contents.
From % to so of these trunks could be
seen most any time at the depot at Ellis
Junction on the Mil. & Northern Ry.,
this fall, all of which were used in the
illegal traffic of venison to the Chicago
market. 1t is placing it at a low estimate
to say that 1000 saddles of venison were
sent in this manner to Chicago from
Ellis Junction Station alone during the
past fall, and if the actual facts were
known, the number would probably be
nearer 1000 saddles Combine this with
shipments made 10y Traders at other
station. along this and other northern
roads, all killing, buying and shipping all
they possibly can; all depending upon
this traffic for their living, and what is
the inevitable outcome !-the rapid and
complete extinction of our game. Hun
tiers from other states whose game laws
are more stringent, are crowding in upon
rs, we'll knowing that our laws are a
dead letter-killing ana shipping to other
states and assisting in the work of COM
plete destruction. The express company
(The American) have done more to aid
than to Illustrate the work of these trad
ers and violators of the law. They ac-
cept shipments at any season of the year
and addressed to any part of the country.
If an agent is asked if he will accept a
shipment of venison during the close
season or addressed to parties resident
without the state, his reply is "not as
venison, but if boxed we will take it, +"
and often times they accept it in sacks,
half exposed to view under the title of
Mutton. Think OF the absurdity of
man presenting 40 or 80 saddles in that
northern region and terming it mutton,
when such q thing as sheep was never
known to infest that region. Thus the
American Express Co. assist these poach-
ers in their nefarious work, and it is hard
to believe all the evils that do exist with
out witnessing them oneself.
Judging from the favorable reports of
the game constable system in many of
our Eastern and Southern states, one is
leaa to believe that this system is the
only practicable way of reaching the
existing evils, and our state legislators
would do well by giving this matter
speedy attention. Sportsmen should
lose no time in interesting themselves in
this matter, as if the evils are not cor
rected during the coming season, two
years must necessarily elapse before any
thing in the way of legislation can be
accomplished, and the destruction of
deer in Northern Wisconsin would, in
the meantime, be nearly complete. Let
US have game constable, whose sole
duty it shall be to enforce the laws;
otherwise our laws are dead letter and
further legislation on this subject is
useless. ~