Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-14
COMMITTEE HEARINGS.
Petitioners for Changing The Game Laws
Make Their Pleas.
Desired By the Commits
sioners.
The Committee on
Fish and Game

Fish and Game
gave a hearing TO the petitioners for change
in the game laws, yesterday. L. W. Nose,
Esq of Bangor appeared for the Fish and
Game Commissioners. He said that after
care fully considering the workings of the
law they would recommend few important
changes.
Mr. Vose then proceeded TO take up the
game laws section By section by section ex
p aiming the needed changes. The amend
ment to section 3 provides that the killing OF
COW moose shall be entirely prohibited at all
seasons of the year under penalty of slOo
The amendment to section 10 provides that
any dog which has known to have been en-
gagged in the hunting of deer or to be kept
for that purpose may be killed and that any
person having in his possession dog for
such a purpose should be fined not less than
so nor more than 500, and the law was
previously construed 50 that dog could be
killed only when caught in the act.
Mr. Darling of Lowell made an urgent ap-
peal for the repeal of the dog law. He said
that the only part of the State where deer
can be killed without dogs is in the burnt
districts OF Hancock and Washington coun-
ties Unless the use of dogs is allowed
spnrtsmen will case to visit the Moosehead
and Rangeley region. Should the dog Law
be repe alel the guides would have an inter
est in pfotectiag the game in winter and the
present indScrimate slaughter would BE-
stopped The existing law is so stringent
that il is not enforced. In answer to ques-
tons by MIR Nose he said employ large
humber of guides. | shaut sag whether they
own dogs or use them. The deer are more
plenty there itap in any other part of the
8 ,L,a La. 81 | ,bnk door uaulI
be more plenty than now. By using dogs
and driving the deer into the water, thew
% ould be shot dead and not wounded as 10
n1w to, often the case. Mr.. Daring esti-
mates that there are now 10000 deer in the
State. Another gentleman said that there
were probably not more than fifty moose in
the ate and recommended that their killing
be entirely prohibited tor five years. Mr..
Vose then went on with the list of changes.
The amendment to section / provides that
when any person is found in close time In
possession of any part of any deer, moose,
or caribou he shall not be precluIed from
giving evidence that they were killed in open
time.
The amendment to section ~ provides
that tiomesticated deer and their offspring
shall not be Included in the three deer which
every man is allowed.
The amendment TO section IS provides
that whoever during close time, buys OF sells
any moose, caribou or deer or any part there
of taken or killed in violation of law with
intent to sell tr ship the same for his own
cunsum ption; and whoever carries or trans
ports from place to place any such animal
or part thereof, during close me or in open
time, except animals or parts thereof IN
possession of the persons who legally caught
or killed the same, open to view and labelled
or tagged with the name of such person
plainly written or printed thereon shall for
felt the sum of 500 for each moose and $40
for each deer or caribou or part thereof, and
any person aiding another in such transporta-
ton by taking such animal in possession OF
permitting his name to be used on the tag
shall be liable to the same penalties. Any
person who by false repre- sensations, induces
a common carrier to take any such animal
or part thereof, shall be liable to flue not
exceeding $50 and imprisonment not ex-
ceeding 30 days.
Another amendment provides that game
seized may be sold for the benefit of the
county if the person charged with violation
of Law shall agree to pay bis fine. if convicted
he shall be allowed 10 retain his game.
An amendment to section Is provides that
besides county wardens all officers having
jurisdiction under the game laws shall have
the powers enumerated IN the section.
An amendment TO section l6 restores the
moiety law. 1t provides that the fines for
violation of the fish game laws shall be
paid to the courts which shall give them into
the hands OF the county treasurer, who shall
give the warden or other officer the half
To which be is entitled; also that one-halt
of all fines and penalties collected on ac-
ton for debt, shall be paid into the county
treasurer neglect to be punished by severe
fine and imprisonment.
An Amendment TO section IL provides
that all wsrdens or officers having jursdic
ton under the game laws shall wear badge
and -hall be allowed to arrest all illegal
hunters without process.
The question OF close time of deer was
then discussed, and Mr.. Vose read a com
munica,ion from c. B. Hazeitine of Belfast
ard others recommending large appropris
tons tor the protection of game. strict
non expectation law, and shortening of the
open time in December. Mr.. Hubbard of
Boston then presented some staff sites r,la-
tive to the revenue which Names fish and
game bring her. He found that the average
cost OF IS hunting trips to Maine, tue parties
numbering ISIS persons, left in the State
about ST., 500. They killed only seven
moose, four caribou and two deer. They en-
pl1yei LOT guides paying about 81 80 day.
II numDsr of guests stopping AT tae kIneo
House has doubled during the past nine
years and the increase at the Chesuhcook has
been greater. Every moose killed costs
$500 TO the tourists. If a guide kills ten
moose in winter he gets about $500, while
if these same ten sre allowed to propagate IN
ten years there will be 2l0 of them, which if
shey bring only 500 each will bring TO the
State s2l 900. This money does not all 90
into the pockets of the northern part of the
State. By drawing tourists here the taxable
property of the State is increased, and taxes
in the remaining portions tend to be lessened
Representative Madigan of Houlton then
presented petit on of many Aroostook PEG
pie asking that September be not made part
of the open time for deer, that the dog law
be not repealed, that the open time for ruff
ed grouse begin September Is, that retaha-
in 49,. 81, 81