The morning call., 1890-06-27
DEER AND QUAIL.
Game Animals Which Are Being
Shot for Their Hides.
Skins That Are Now Decomposing on the
Wharf-Deputy Commissioners Who Must
Pay Their Own Expenses

representative OF THE CALL was introduced
yesterday to a sportsman who had arrived from
Menducino County. The game and fish question
was the topic Of conversation, and with this SUBJ
ject the rural visitor was thoroughly conversant.
al understand that there is corps OF deputy
game and fish commissioners In this city," re-
marked the sportsman, as broad smile lit up
his face. al have reason to believe that they are
fond OF home comforts, as they are seldom seen
In my county,"
How Is the game law observed In Mendo.
cino? Have the hunters been killing any deer
this season." asked the reporter.
"Well, you can just imagine how the game
laws are observed up yonder when venson can
be bought for cents a pound now at Ukiah,
Cloverdale, CaZadero and, In tact, at all the
towns along the railroad. Deer are being Killed
every day, ana the carcasSes shipped by market
hunters TO the nearest town. The buyers are
aware OF the watch that is being kept on the
San francisco markets by the officers who re-
main at home. Consequently, there are very few
shipments made 10 this point
sPoRTsMEN ARE HELPLESS.
"Are there no sportsmen in these Inland towns
who would take an interest In the protection OF
game and have the aw-bIeakers arrested?" in
qured the interviewer.
"Oh yes; there are spOrtSmen who live In both
town and country who ofteutlmes demonstrate
with the market hunters and quite frequently the
interviews between the observers OF the law and
the market hunters end with hot words and
threats OF vengeance. II is, In fact, uureason-
able to expect that the spottsmen OF the county
would take upon themselves duty which the
Deputy Game and Fish COmmis StOnerS are sup
posed TO perform. The former derive no benefits
by mourning the eumity OF the law-breakers,
While The latter are compensated by the State for
attending 10 Its game aud fish interests"
A friend
from Mendocino County happened along and the
reporter FASTENED toward Washingt 0n-street
Wharf TO inspect bundle OF deer hides which
he was Informed had been recently seized by
one OF tile Deputy Commissioners.
DEERsKINs FOR RATS.
A wbarfinger. who seemed to be enjoying the
bay breeze ana decidedly b d cigar, pointed
out the bale Of fresh skins, Which lay alongside
two old bales OF deer hides which were confis-
Gated about three months ago and had been
pretty well sampled by the wharf rodents, who
must have considered the delay in their delivery
somewhat OF 4 " skin game proceeding.
The Collector was asked for information con-
corning their seizure, etc, but not having any
knowledge OF game or anything pertaining 10
game, lie referred the reporter to Thomas Tun-
stead, th- deputy VINO made the seizure. The
latter was found after search. and although he
was not apparently IN humor to be inter
viewed. the subject finally caused him to forget
his troubles and The questions ASH ed were freely
answered.
YES" said Mr.. Tunstead. az made the seiz-
ure OF the three bales you have seen on the
wharf last April They were consigned to the
Sawyer Tanning Company OF Napa, but for
some reason which am unable 10 explain they
have been allowed 10 remain on the WHAT ever
siuce. made seizure OF one lot OF hides few
DAYS ago, which were also consigned TO the
same firm at Napa. They now lie alongside the
old skins"
Has there NOT been some understanding be-
tween you or your chief deputy and the Sawyer
lanning Company concerning the removal OF
these hldes?"
/ don't know anything at all about their re-
movdl. ! have done my duty In Selling them
aud for further particulars you must see Mr..
CallundaD, the Chief Deputy, or any Of the Game
and Fish Comm isSIoners."
-" Well, do the Commissioners propose to have
the rats eat them up? Why not sell them?"
Well. now, you are asking me question
am unable to answer. AS L previously stated,
you must Sc the Chief Deputy; he Will probably
give you lhe desired Information"
INTERIOR SEIZURES.
Have you made many seizures Of deer-skins
outside of the city during the close season."
We'll, no; in fact l have not made any.
although have been told that there we're sew
eral SKINS shipped to Ukiah and TO towns on the
coast. l would be only too glad TO visit the
northern towns and Stop this practice OF deer
slaughleIing, II possible but this | cannot do al
my own expense"
why, are you not paid monthly salary. and
does not the commission allow for travelling ex-
peuSesgp
The deputy gave the somewhat surprising In
formation that be was appointed eight or nine
mouths ago Deputy Commissioner at a salary
Il
condition OF tile Treasury he has received up TO
the present time but one months salary.
"You ask about travelling expenses. Well,
whatever sums | have expended In the search
for hides have come cut OF my own pocket"
What has become OF the licenses collected
from the Italian and Chinese fshermen?"
" suppose that money goes into the Fish
and Game Commissioners Fund"
How is it then that the treasury, as you
have previously stated, is in depleted state Pr
Now you stump inc again." answered the
q
" 1 thluk you had better have a talk with MIR.
Callundan or some of the Commissioners on
these subjects"
DEPLE TED TREASURY.
''Can you tell me. Mr.. Tunstead, what has be.
come OF the $1,000 State appropriation, which
was supposed 10 be expended In the importation
OF game-iowlS aud fish?"
The deputy answered In the negative, and In
reply 10 question as to the species Of game
buds which had been imported and distributed
throughout the State said: 81 am aware of but
one KIND of game and that is the monaghan
quails. which were purchased In the Chinese
quarters OF this city ana placed on several
ranches. l understand, however, that the Com
missiUners applied for other kinds OF game
birds and had been negotiating with Eastern
spOrtsmen, with the object OF having several
kinds OF fowl shipped 10 his Coast. Last winter
being an exceptionally severe one II was thought
advisable 10 postpone the shipment OF the BIRDS
until such time the season would permit of
their successful journey over the mountains"
About how much money, then, have the
Commissioners expended on the Chinese Uoss
quails purchased i'll San francisco?"
MoNGOLIAN BIRDS.
Mr.. 1unstead said that he could not answer
this question correctly, but that TO the best of
his knowledge the Commissioners expended
about $40. As far as the birds themselves are
concerned the deputy thought that they would
soon become extinct, from the fact that they
roOst on the ground and become an easy prey TO
the myTiads of "yarmiuts" which infest the in-
terror valleys.
The reporter thanked Mr.. Tunstead for the
interview and then went in search of Messrs
Horace Briggs aud Chief Deputy Callundan.
Although several prominent resorts where
sports generally congregate were visited, neither
Of the TWO gentlemen could be found, and the
fruitless search was Telinqulshed.