Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-04
MAINE spoRTsMfn.
1 Live Ias6rsst Aiers The ksanebee in the
Work Of The Association.

At that fouelng annual meeting OF the
Maine Sportmen's Fish and Game Associa-
tim At Bangor Tuesday, Kennebec coun-
" men bore q prominent part. In
aaed the organization was largely
aue to the active interest taken by Ken
nebec's sportsmen. Among them there
xere present Col. f. C. Harrington. secre-
..ry of the association, Hon. A. NJ. Spear,
Hon. l.. T. Carleton, Hon. VIM. T. Haines,
Hon. John F. Hill, P. S. Head.
Following is an abstract of Secretary
Farringtons report
After referring to the organization of the
annexation he says: Acting under the in
.truction of tie board of directors cores
nondence was opened with many persons
having the interests of our game and its
neroetuation at heart and by this means
mucb good has been accomplished and pub
lie sentiment aroused.
AT q meeting of the society held in May
Il was voted to pre- sent to the Kennebec as
.ociat;on the sum of $3.50 which was done
and it secured to Them large increase in
the work of stockingthe excellent waters of
Kennebec county, which have long had the
need of additional propagation.
They also voted to build at outpost on
Porus island in Pumadumcook lake and
to nut in an officer there to look after
the protection of game in that locality
In hn uhnr fha
game laws are extensively violated.
Through the active aid of the president.
Mr.. L. Fowles of Boyd lake, was hired
to build an outpost at an expense not to ex-
coed 500 and remain there and patrol that
section Of the country. The work of building
was promptly performed and careful obser-
ystions continued until near the close of
the year. 1t was not the intention to make
our agent a detective to spy upon the hunt
er and by stealth entrap such by prosecu-
ton. as much as to see what violations were
practiced and learn the best methods of
continuing the work in the future. His in
teresting report which is herewith submitted
shows that this course was a wise one,
and we believe has established the fact that
the policy of the association is to bring
about a healthy public sentiment and Sc
cure the assistance of class who had had
little respect for the law. Entering upon
his duties with this in view his efforts
have been crowned with success, he be-
Ing able by conference with large num-
Der Of hunters and woodsmen to lead them
more fully to understand that their interests
were identical with the State and the asso-
citation. He has not only made friends for
the law and its enforcement, but has pre-
vented the illegal killing of the game almost
completely over large territory. We are
also in possession of facts which will in the
future lead to the prosecution OF such per-
sons as will not willingly respect the laws
of the State.
The limit of means is the only reason
why we have not carried out our work more
extensively than we have been able to do.
Every dollar of the money received for
Membership has and Is being expende ex-
clusively for the best interests of the State.
The extent Of our work for another year
will depend upon our resources, so far as
the propagation of fish and game are con-
cerned being determined to exert all the
influence we can to secure such changes In
the glme laws, which the general interests
of all demand, and the Strengthening OF
the hands of the commissioners of the State,
in securing better enforcement than we
have ever had before.
Having .x ,mined carefully into the work
done by the fish and game wardens who are
employed at a salary, the conclusion
reached is that such policy of police work
is wrong in principle and hindrance to the
successful execution of the game laws. In
MANY instances the warden sees that to pur-
sue and bring to justice some OF the WORST
yiolators, will necessitate an expense that
the fines will not repay, even II successful
in getting the fines. 1t is often alleged that
i. affords temptation to some cficers 10
make themselves whole by taking fees to
allow the guilty persons to escape
without prosecution. Whether this be
so or not it opens door for distrust if not
for wrong doing.
We urge the association and all interested
to consider the propriety of distrietipg the
large game sections of the State, and hav-
ing the commissioners empowered with
authority to have such districts patrolled oy
officers with fixed salary and under EN-
poyment the whole year. We believe thar
this method would not be more expense and
would lead to wholesome enforcement OF
the law.
The great number Of special laws (the
larger portion being in act laws against the
trespass on lands where brooks exist pro-
duce confusion and which lead to the Vlo'
lation Often through ignorance OF sucn
laws, should give place to wholesome gen.
eral laws which will be better understood