The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-26
ABOUT THE GAME LAW.
A Sportsman Who Does Not Agree
with All of It's Provisions.

with ALI of It's Provisions.
Editor Morning Ne,os: desire to say
something in reply to the movement of the
Georgia Game Protective Association, ana
principally in behalf Of the rice planters.
To them certain species of wild duck is
a curse, robbing the planter of thousands of
dollars. | see no clause in the game law or
any move on the part of the game
association to make exceptions to
these depredators. The game associa-
ton says that no wild fowl must be shot
after April /. At that time the rice plant
ers are putting in their seed rice for the
next seasons crop, and the great migratory
flight of ducks from the south on their way
to the north to their breeding grounds be-
gins. They stop over here, especially
species known as the 'blue BILL" COM
monty called 'raftn duck, and depre-
date on the newly flooded fields,
des roying thousands of grains. If the
fowls were kept off thousands of dol
lars would be saved by the planters
who hire men and boys and supply them
with guns and ammunition to shoot the
depredators. The Georgia Game Protective
Association is now trying to secure the
passage of a bill prohibiting the killing of
these pests of the planter, and allowing
them to get fat at his expense, and then fly
thousands of miles away to ''lean" it off.
Between the August freshet on the one
hand, and the "Aprii duck" on the other,
our planters during recent years have been
almost totally ruined. and now the Georgia
Game Protective Association is endeavo.-
ing to protect the ducks and allow them to
depredate at will.
A mans conscience ought to be his game
law, and man with no conscience ought
not to be the posssssor of gun.
Another species of migratory ducks that
should be made an exception In the law is
the duck that makes its appearance here in
March and April, and is likewise great
destroyer of the newly sown rice, the ''spring
teal" Were they not shot III April our
game consumers would miss a great deli
cacy, and would be deprived of many an
enjoyable dish. The other game mentioned
is within reason and justice, viz: quail,
woodcock, wood-duck, summer duck tur-
keys and deer, but exclude raft duck"
teal, and the amateurs delight the hard
headed "hard-head, d" whose head is as hard
as it is for the average Savannah sportsman
to hit.
consider myself a sportsman and pro-
tector of game as much as anyone, although
may be termed a professional and de-
stroyer. For fifteen years my whole life,
time and study have been wrapped up I'M
my present pursuit, and ought to be con-
sidered an authority on game and game;
individuals for their own benefit, regardless
of what it may cost Others of much mora
Importance to the community than fer
gentlemen sportsmen. 1t is not presump-
ton on my part that | express dlssahs-
faction with the game laws of our state,
but justice to all parties is the
motive that prompts me. The "blue bill"
and ''teal' should be excluded from the
list, and the rice planters shown some con-
Gi0ArQtiOn Instead of Ol1ihitsuor
shooting, the state ought 30 hire men and
furnish them with guns and ammunition To
drive the raft duck" off the planters do
mains, and rice would be more abundant
and cheaper. l do not write this through
any selfish motive, for next seasoa l will
probably make my home among the fred
heads" and 'cannies," and leave the weary
raft ducks" and hard heads" to the I'M
erring aim, adroit maneuveriug, and re-
lentless and tender mercies Of Savannah's
gentlemen sportsmen.
r. WARD ALLEN.