The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-27
KILLING OF DEER.
A Game Law Which Was
Knocked Out.
The Supreme Court Decides in Favor
of the Hunters-What the
Tanners Say.

The decision rendered by the Supreme
Court on Tuesday, relative 10 deer-kiIling
and the having in possession Il deerskins
at any time. caused discussion among
sportsmen who are interested in the pro-
lection of deer.
II was a test case, Instituted by three
men, who were arrested some time ago In
Hum boldt County for having deerskins in
their possession out of season. They were
tried in one of the lower courts, found
guilty and sentenced to pay fine of S10C
or be imprisoned for fifty DAYS. The case
was appealed on the ground that the hunt
ers were Illegally held, and the Supreme
Court decided that the ordinance covering
the case was defective in its lane uage or pur-
pose and that no offense known to the law
being charged the petitioners should be
dismissed.
This decision will open to hide-hunters
a business which, in this State, has been
followed, Of late years by comparatively
few men. The arrests that have been
made within the last few years, have been
a means Of stopping the slaughter of deer
by "2.ket hunters ana as a result the
large game, which was rapidly becoming
extinct, gradually Increased in numbers.
and the spOTtsmen of the State cOngraIu-
lated themselves on the fact that the de- I
family would not 20 the way OF the ante
iOpe and elk.
Unless some active measures are soon
taken by spOrtsmen with a view of con-
tinuing the preservation of deer, 1t can be
safely said that two years Of slaughter by
hide-hunte rs will exteTmin ate the game
animals that are Indigenous to this State.
With reference tn The Supreme Court
decision Christopher Hellwig of the He'll
wig Tanning Company said yesterday that
the decision was right and proper aud that
grand Industry should not be ruined for
the sake of few sportsmeD.
The sale of deerskins In this city,
said Mr.. Eellwlg, has been verv extensive
and if it were entirely cut of by Ordi-
nances hundreds of people would be
thrown out Of employment.
II was arrested about year ago by the
Fish and Game Commissioners for having
deerskins In my possession ana the case
was tried in the Police Court, believe.
Well, l was found guilty and fined SIS. The
firm, of which am member, notified the
Commissioners that an appeal would be
taken and rather than fight the case to the
end the Com missioners returned the SIS
fined and that was the end oft. Since then
l have purchased deerh deS regardless of
where they had come from aud l can how
you thousands of skins which are now in
our possession"
J. c. Rued of the firm of Rued 65 Co.
Was O1 Tue Same OpiAIOu dS MI. deliWlg,
and stated that he was very much plea sed
with the decision, which would open a big
industry and give employment to numb ers
of gloVemakers and tanners.
Il have two ranches" remarked the
speaker. ''both of which are well posted
with signs warning hunters off the prem
ises.
Now. sir, those deer on my ranches are
bigger thieves than ever entered upon
private property. In the Santa Cruz Noun
tains, where my vineyard lies, you would
be surprised TO see the amount of destruc-
ton the deer commit. They gain an en-
trance by leaping a seven-foOt fence which
l have had constructed around the orchard,
and the amount of damage they do tn my
young fruit trees is something dreadful
Il am in favor of having all deer that
abound in the neigbb0rhood of vineyards
and orchards killed off,
Probably Mr.. Rued viii take down the
notices he has had posted on his lands
against hunters trespassing thereon now
that the Supreme Court has decided that
bide-hunIers can Kill and skin deer ad
liOitum.