The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-22
A PLEA FOR GAME PROTECTION.

Seattle, July Is. 1870.
To the Editor: You will show the nu-
nerous sportsmen OF this state sredI
favor by giving publicity to the following
exrcsure of the outrageous and reckless
killing of both fur and feathered game
which IS and has for the past two years
been carried on throughout the state re-
gardless of any law whatever.
Since JOSIAH Collins. who Is recoS nlzeu
as one OF the most active and enthusiastic
sportsrnen OF the state. owing to the very
limited time at his disposal ceased MS
strict vigilance and prosecution or game
law violators some two years ago me
nefarious practice of shooting and selling
game with no regard for breeding season
or law, has been steadily increasing I'M
til. at the present time, II mas reacheu
such a stage that a person can enter al
most any firSt-class restaurant In the clty
and obtain a game dinner for the asking
Men have been seen walking the streets or
our city without taking the trouble of con-
cealing their unlawfully killed game, ana
certain markets in this city have even
gone SO far as to engage hunters, whom
they have sent out for the purpose of kill
ing deer, which. being shipped to them
they have unlawfully disposed OF.
II is not the farmer who occasionally
kills a grouse or duck for breakfast, or
the camper who once in a while tries his
luck in the woods or swamps. who do the
stopped so long as 1t IS against the law,
but 1t is the man who makes 1t his bust
ness to rise at break of day every morning
and hunt until dark the year round; who
goes out in the morning with the intention
OF killing no matter how, when or where.
as much game as he possibly can for pc
cuniary proht-the professional market
hunter.
A market shooter. as rule, Will do al
most anything for money. If he comes
across a hen grouse with her little brood
he would not hesitate moment. but I'M
mercifully shoot her down. leaving the
helpless young to die of starvation
He will. when shooting ducks. approach
them on the water In the dark OF night
with a headlight on his boat, throwing
from his murderous weapon a cloud of
shot in their midst, as. bewildered and
dazed, they approach within easy shoot
ing range, and such thing as the killing
of doe with fawn is nothing unusual with
him.
Even the Indians recognize the breeding
season I'm animals, but the white market
hunter or poacher recognizes nothing
These men, who are usually first
class shots, have already killed
hundreds and thousands of young
grouse and ducks. and Will ON
tinue TO do so unless stopped so long as
they can find market for their unlawfully
killed game. But the sportsmen OF Seattle
have awakened from their stupor and are
resolved that a stop shalt be put to the
warton destruction OF our game birds and
animals.
Not only are certain restaurants and
market shooters being prosecuted for
their wrongdofng, but others are under
strict surveillance. and a call has already
been issued for a meeting of sportsmen
for the purpose OF organizing a state
sportsmens association for the protection
OF game and fish.
This association will be composed of
sportsmen's clubs and individuals
throughout the state. and its chief object
will be the passing and enforcement Of
good laws. the propagation OF different
species of game birds and the holding OF
annual wing shooting tournaments Such
organizations exist I'm almost every state
in the Union, and every man who be-
Heves In the protection of our game and
the enforcement OF our game laws should
show Ids sympathy with the movement by
personally attending the meeting and aid
ing in the organization OF the association.
The meeting wifi take place at the Hotel
Northern. this city. at 7:so on the evening
OF Satl-Siay. july q. Respectfully.
c. F. GRAFT