Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-12
Game and tho Game Laws.

This is . subject Of great importance to
the people of the State of Maine, and
although the matter of preserving the game,
the kind of laws necessary for that pur-
pose, how those laws should be enforced,
etc. etc.. has been q subject for discussion
and the consideration of our Legislators
from time to time fer some years. But the
| subject is by no means exhausted, neither
has all been said that ought to be said touch
ing the matter. / am more forcibly con-
vinced Of this fact since reading the last
report of the Fish and Game Commission
efs.
With all due respect for the wisdom and
| sound judgment of those commissioners, I
wish to present to the reader some points
for consideration which will differ from
theirs, the commissioner expressed views
on this subject. But believe them worthy
Of the attention Of every citizen of this
State, since the preservation or total annihi-
lstion of one of the noblest game animals
of which any state can boast, will BIO the
reward in case of success; or the forfeit
in the event of failure. The commits.
sioners recommend q change iu the
law and so make one more month Of open
time each year, to commence Sept. let and
end Dec. 3lst for the hunting Of moose,
caribou and deer. This proposed change
would not perhaps materially effect deer
and caribou, especially the latter, who seem
to be well calculated to take care of them
selves at all seasons of the year, but no
surer means could be devised by which to
extermiDate the last of what 10 now but
remnant of the most noble OF all noble
game animsls, the moose. II 10 fact well
known to sport'men and hunters, if not to
our commissioners that there is no month
in the whole year when moose can be taken
with so much ease and certainty as in the
msnth of September, except il be the time
of crust hunting in March.
Now who are the parties that are most
interested in this proposed change? I will
apswer this by quoting from the commits
sioners report: MANY sportimen would
then come here in Sept. There is every
reason to believe it. Some come now, and
many will! come il this change is made.
II is just what they have been clam
oring for. for years. The question as
/ understand il, is not to determine
how many sportsmen we can induce TO come
here in single season, no matter at how
great sacrifice of the game in our forests,
but to see how long we can induce them to
come at the issst possible sacrifice. This
game is ours, and we are not obliged to sell,
but should we conclude to do 90, we claim
the right to be a party to the transaction,
and also the right to dictate the terms and
conditions on which We will part with por-
ton, or the whole Of it. Sportsmen want
to come here in September and this is one
of the principle reasons why the change
should not be made.
think that instead Of offering any more
inducements for sports to come during
that month, we should remove all excuses
possible for their coming. One amend
ment to the present law that would recon-
mend for this purpose AMI others is, to
make September a close month for par
tridges. There are several good reasons
why this change should be made, among
which are, Let. it is too early in the season
to commence hunting these birds 80 they
are then small, scarcely more than
half grown, 2nd, many sportsmen
and the result 10 a wholesale slaughter of
the birds while they are in focks and but
half size. Another. and what consider a
very important reason is, the excuse it
furnishes sportsmen for coming at thst
time. They get into the woods on the
pre:ence Of bird hunting, but no sooner are
sbSy tJfetSb W suS AAiChAt5 ShAAt9 VI Tie
forest, than bird hunting becomes q second
ary consideration, for to my positive knowl-
edge many . fine specimen Of our large
game has been sacrificed and the carcasses,
in whole or part, left in the woods to rot.
Under the present bird law we are not
only sacrificing q large proportion OF
our game birds. but many large animals
beside Open time for birds and large
game should begin at one and the same
time, Oct. LIST, then there would be no mis-
understanding person motives when seen
going to the woods ia Sept. with dogs and
gun.
According to the commissioners report |
dfsy moose werskillsd last spring by one
man on the head waters Of the Aroostook, |
and the carcasses left in the woods to rot |
Fifty moose in one season killed By ore |
man. or rather one outlaw, Peter Fontain, |
seems almost incredible, bat have 10 |
reason 10 doubt it. Nov where we con-
.ider that not only one, but scores Of French
aud Indian outlaws come across the border
info Maine every fear, who are - unscru-
pulaus and relentless aa Pete Foatain,
indescfiminstely killing every animal that
comes in their way simply for their hides,
or ~ often happens, from pure eassedness,
Isnt Is time some move wa msde which
will efectuaily stay the hand Of these
ha aha~a 4. ,r.;lI