Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-07-06
CONCERNING DEER-sLAYING.

L
| A Sacramento Sportsman who Believes
| in Game Protection.
1t is encouraging to find now and then a
citizen with sufficient public spirit to
prompt him in taking up the cause of
game protection. The subject is one that
is too generally ignored or overlooked by
the average Californian, as being of too
little importance to warrant their giving it
a thought. And yet one of the great at.
fractions that California has possessed for
the tourist and pleasure. seeker-to say
nothing of large class of her own citizens
has been the wild game of her forests
and the trout that teemed in her brooks.
These should be protected to an extent
that will prevent their determination by a
few vandals. Says the correspondent re-
| ferred to-:
EDS. SUNDAY UNION: Please to allow me, a
reader of your excellent journal, small space
| in your columns. In your issue of July 4th was
| an article on Ell Dorado deer. In it was said
| IF Ell Dorado does not do something to protect
| her wild game from determination by hide
hunters and hOodlum shooters, the day will
| come when they will wish they had done so.'
Now, as a sportsman, would like to gay
word or two. That such state OF affairs exist.
not only in Ell Dorado county but throughout
| the State, none can deny. That something can
| and must be done is conceded by every lover OF
| the sport. But should Ell Dorado county enact
the ordinance ascribed to her recently, pro-
| hibiting the hunting and taking of deer for a
period of three years. it would result in no prac-
teal benefit whatever. Such an ordinance
would exclude the true sportsman onlJ. Does
any. fair minded man think for moment that
movement of that kind would prevent the
| mountain residents or hide-hunters from con-
tinuing their infamous calling? Would they
| not rest more secure than now, conscious OF the
| fact that the very men whom they feared re-
main at home respecting the law and thus CIV
ing them better opportunities to kill as they de-
sire, with but little fear OF apprehension?
We have laws restricting deer killing, but
can say, without successful contradiction, that
where one arrest and conviction is had, three
thousand violations exist With the law as it
is, it is almost impossible to convict.
When the next Legislature meets an effort
will be made to enact more stringent measures,
and to have the law worded so plainly that 'he
who runs may read
We want the fl les increased ten-fold. We
also want clause in the law allowing a GER
tain number only to be killed by each individ-
nal hunter. we also hope to prove the neces-
sity of having Game Wardens and an appropria-
ton by the State to maintain them. There is
certainly cause for alarm, and every true
sportsman will appreciate any movement that
will successfully protect the noblest game of
California. ]. c. MoRRILLE.
There is much force in what Mr.. Nor
rifle writes concerning the non effective
ness of local laws to protect game, but that
is because local officials take no pains to
enforce them. For this reason the State
should take entire charge of the matter of
game protection, but the Legislature
should do more than it has ever done in
the past to see that the regulations are
enforced
If the District Attorneys in the various
counties, the Sheriffs, the Constables and
Justices of the Peace will not do their
| duty in the matter-and experience has
shown, with few commendable e4cep-
| tons, that they do not-then the Legisla-
| ture should provide for Game Werdens, as
other States have found it necessary to do.
| There might be one State Game Warden,
with power to appoint deputies in the diff
the game laws might be placed in the
hands of Board of Wardens. But there
should be some Capitalization of power on
the subject. 1t is not wise 10 make game
protection secondary matter to the prop
| agation and protection of the fishes of the
State, with no funds provided to prosecute
violators of the law.
In the past and even at the present
| time, those who have persisted in violating
| the game laws have had little or no fear of
the Fish Commissioners, for they knew
the latter's hands were tied-that they
have no money at their disposal with
| which to follow up the law-breakers and
| prosecute them. The Fish Commissioners
| have done all that lay in their power to
| uphold the laws and punish the lawless,
but they have had very little substantial
| aid from the police officials of the different
counties, except in few cases.