The morning call., 1893-02-12
Tie GUN.
Close of the Season-HOw to Pre-
serve the Game.


serve the Game.
Sportsmen who have been putting off
days shoot from month to month will have
to bestir themselves if they expectto do any
field shooting this year, as the season will
terminate with this month.
The close season will begin with the first
of next month. when il will be unlawful to
kIll duck, quail, partridge, etc
The season. so far as duek-shoOting Is
concerned. has been a very poor one. except
ing in such places where ponds were baited
and dee0ys used for the slaughter of the
feathered game.
Quail-shooting has been good in many
places, and as a rule birds have been found
plentiful! ia the adjoining counties to San
Francisco.
If the representatives Of the Sportsmen's
Protective Association, wh) are now at Sac
ramento working for the passage Of game
laws, meet with success, the lovers OF hsld
sports need not fear, in future, an English
law in an American land.
There are few SpOTtSmen, indeed, who do
not approve Of the protection of game dur
ing a season when Il is unlawful TO kill the
same. But on the other hand there are
many lovers Of shooting who strongly Op-
pose laws made specially for the delecta-
ton OF those who would be delighted il
aviary for their particular pleasure.
The spOrtsmen who are now attempting
TO have game laws read so that only men Of
means can enjoy a pleasure which should
be open 10 all lovers Of the chase are not by
any means protectors OF game.
They contend that something must be
done 10 stop the indiscrimiBate slaughter of
birds and animals mentioned in the game
laws. This can be done by the appoint
ment Of fearless and honorable men as
game commissioners. The great trouble is
that tie game laws have not been carried
out properly. otherwise there would not be
such udiscriminate slaughter, as Mr..
Emeric says, during the close seasons.
The spOrtSmen of San Francisco are not
found shooting IN the uplands or marshes
when the season is out.
II there is any damage done the game Of
the State when It IS under the ban of the
law, 1t is committed by residents Of the
land on which the game abounds.
The preteXt OF Mr.. Emeric that unless
metropolitan spOTtsmen are denied the
privilege Of shooting Ia the rural districts
there will be 10 game left 10 shoot In a few
years hence, is about as manned an excuse
by which TO iDjure local spOTtsmen as could
be imagined by a modern Monte Crislo.
The law as II IS at present Is very clear on
the subject OF game protection and would
answer the purpose admirably il only car
lied out. Trespassing upon inelosed lands
is mjsdemeanOr.
Then IT, as Nh Emerie says, som ething
must be done TO stop the riff-rsf Of the San
Francisco hunters from tTespassing upon
the property Of farmers who reside within
easy reach of this city, why do not the lat
ter cause the arrest of the TIff-Taffers of San
Francisco for tres pass?
Ne. the aim OF the Contra Costa County
landowner Is 10 prevent duck-ShOoters from
entering upon unincIosed marsh lands that
are not used Tor either grazing or cultiYa-
ton purposes IN their present state.
A few wealthy gun clubs nave leased these
- barren lands upon which are erected costly
Lighthouses that are furnished with every
thing imaginable IN the way Of comfort that
money can procure. GanekeeDers are en-
plOyed TO keep outsiders "off the grass" and
for the purpose Of battling ponds with grain
Tor The allurement OF the feathered visitors
from the north.
Occasionally a resident Of the locality of
the preserves happens into the domain
with his gun TO kill a few duck for supper.
The sound Of the fTearm. unfortunately
for the shooter, scares away the fOCks Of
birds that are feeding in the preserved
ponds preparatory to the arrival of the
preserved hunter TO the place Of slaughter.
a gamekeeper chOck full Of hot words, but
void OF fights, charges GOWN upon the
TancheT and orders him to yacate. II the
latter should refuse to be intimidated by
the game warden. the latter remains near
his gun he manages TO keep birds well out
of range Of the unwelcome sportsman.
When the quackers are not disturbed by
the farmers sons ''the preserYers" have
royal sport Win few exceptions all shoot
from what is called blinds, as this is the
more easy and deadly way Of killing ducks.
A glance at the books kept by the gun
clubs which have leased marsh lands in the
vicinity Of Suisun viii show where several
members have killed as many as 800 birds
in days shoot This is what Mr.. Emerie
calls game protection, because the birds are
killed Oy gentlemen who have been born to
shoot and enjoy life.
As previously stated, the game law as it
now stands is good enough il carried out
properly by the officers VINO are appointed
for that purpose. If the officers are derelict
In their duty and Will neglect to prosecute
offenders, Mr.. Emeric's suggestion OF
changes might reach from San Francisco 10
China, and still the game supply would not
Increase.
The law as 1t stands is good enough. II
game must be protected then let too much
cooking alone; appoint the right men in the
right place and all will be well.