Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-11
The Urgent Necessity for a Uniform
System Of Game Laws.
SUPPRESS THE MARKET HUNTERS,
Is the Desire OF the National
Game, Bird and Fish Protective
Association-An Incident of
the Recent Holiday Season
Which Shows How Destructive
to Game the Market Hunters
Are.

CHICAGO. January 10.-The National
Game, Bird and Fish Protective Asso.
citation is meeting in this city aud II
the moves proposed by the organization
are carried out sportsmen all over the
country will be the gainer
President w. B. Bortree in speaking
of the outlook, said: 1--WE must have
uniform game laws. Only three States
in the Union, Minnesota, Maine and New
York, make any pretentlons TO protect
their game and fish interests. Pennsyl-
yania has some laws, but they are full
of loop holes and will not stand in the
courts. Pittsburg sportsmen tried to
enforce them once and were glad TO let
go.
"Our wild game is fast disappearing
It took but two years to exterminate
wild pigeons, the principal instrument
OF destruction being the pot hunters
traps. Now the wild duck is threat
ened with extermi mination, and unless
the law puts peremptory stop to the
practice, our other game will soon be
wiped out. Guns are Increasing all the
time. Manufacturers are deyiSlng new
and more destructive weapons, the
powder has been wonderfully improved
upon, and IT is possible TO kill more
game in day than was possible 10
week with the old weapons l notice
by the papers that 1,s00 head of
deer were received in the local markets
during the holiday season. All were
slaughtered in : narrow strip OF terri
tory in Northern Michigan. The mar
ket hunters drove the herd into corner
and exterminated it. A great bulk OF
this game is now stored in the cold stor.
age warehouses in this city. The de-
mand has not been equal to the supply.
Tons of wild fowl are also stored away
for future consumption. This Is not
right. The market hunter is deadly
foe TO our fish and game Interests and
should be suppressed.
We expect TO attempt through the
various State associations TO Introduce
new species OF game birds into the
respective States. The ring-necked
pheasant, now SO plentiful in Oregon,
Inrives wonderfully in our climate
Another game bird that | would like to
see introduce into this country is the
caper ailzle, species Of grouse OF large
size and fns flavor, found in portions OF
England and Sweden. The bird Is very
prolific, and with proper care our for
ests could soon be stocked with fine
quality of game birds.
Another object OF the association Is
the establishment OF permanent head
quarters in America. With headquar-
ters once established there would be
some show OF securing the proper legis-
lation In the various States. WHAT l
would like TO see is the passage OF
uniform law by the various States In the
Union. Once this was done sportsman
the country over would take pains TO
see TO IL that officials were appointed
that would enforce the laws. with
proper game laws there would be no
danger Of the destruction OF particular
species OF game.
There is In this big State OF Illinois
but one game warden. There were. l
believe, two or three others, but their
commissions ran out and Governor Alt
geld neglected TO appoint others In their
place. What this State, which should
take the iniative In this direction, needs
is a force OF from forty TO ttty deputies
stationed all over the State. There Is a
bill before the Pennsylvania Legislature
providing for a system Of wardens. SIX
years ago the State Of Michigan passed
a law prohibiting the shooting OF quail
at any season OF the year. What IS the
result? Quail were never more plentl-
full. II Illinois enacted similar law
regarding prairie chickens our hunters
wosld In time enjoy royal sport AS II
IL prairie chickens are scarce, aud soon
the species will be blottsd out"