Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-04-05
GAME AND FISH LAWS.
\ Correspondent ShOcs HON. the
Game and Fish are Being
ErferM mated.

of Idaho to enact stringent laws
for the protection Of the game and
fish of the state; but these laws
are to all intents and purposes a
dead letter, as our game and fish
preserves are being slaughtered by
theithousand regardless ofthe laws;
and it seems that there is no at
tempt to enforce the law in Idaho
county.
But unless radical measures are
soon taken and the law rigidly
enforced, game and fish will be
things of the past, and the vacation
of the student and the recreation
of the business man who seeks the
mountains and streams to enjoy
their healthful and nourishing
pleasures, will find their main at
traction-thc game and fish--are
only to be had in the most remote
and difficult places only. In many
localities where two years ago
game and fish were plentiful they
are now rarely seen and only OBJ
tanned with great difficulty or not
at all. Game and fish have ena-
bled the hardy pioneer and pros
pector, to subsist in the most re-
mote regions, when it would have
been next to impossible had there
been no game or fish. These peo-
pie unanimously desire the enforce
ment of the law, as they. more
than others, have the opportunity
Of observing the rapidity with
which game and fish are disappear
ing. ] do not mean to infer that
other classes of the people are not
in favor of enforcing the law, for l
am fully satisfied that it is almost
a unanimous desire of the whole
people; and the exceptions are only
the few INSCRIPTIONS persons who
are of no real benefit to county or
state, as they contribute not Il
mite in work, deed or action to the
benefit of either, but roam over the
country under the guise of pros
pectors or trappers, shooting game
on their winter ranges along the
streams where the deep snow has
compelled them to seek their food,
and consequently can be killed by
the score, as they have but small
territory to range over.
This wanton, wasteful, wicked
and reckless slaughter Of game is
done mainly to secure the pelts and
horns, which find ready market.
This INSCRIPTIONS gentry say they
only kill their own meat. If this is
the case, there is no need of game
laws. But does the killing of from
100 to 200 deer, besides the elk,
moose and mountain sheep signify
they only kill what meat they can
and do eat?
No. The law abiding people
must say: "This is only rusc to
cover up their Infamous work and
must be stopped" The elk moose
and sheep are almost exterminated
along Salmon river and its tributa-
ries. In the great Chamberlain
basin where few years ago there
were hundreds of elk and many
/ do not believe from re-
ports and personal observation
that there are 200 elk left and pro-
badly not more than dozen moose,
while along the rocky breaks of the
streams there are few
small punches of mountain sheep
left, with from ten to twenty head
per bunch. This is no exaggeration,
but facts that can be verified by
any one on enquiry or observation.
The fish are suffering equally
and thousands of pounds are
slaughtered by the use of giant
powder or other explosive; and in
many instances but portion of
them are used, the balance being
left to float off with the current.
This is especially and particularly
true of the south fork of Salmon
river; consequently fish are get
ing scarce where once the water
fairly swarmed with them. With
IN the past few days three men
went down from Warrens to the
south fork, and used some explo-
sive and killed several fine salmon
trout, and many smaller fish, but
only the larger ones were taken.
These gentry came very near being
caught in the act, which would
have caused them trouble had they
been. No doubt some will refnte
their statement. but they are the
ones to be watched.
1 have heard it said that the
game and fish could never be ex-
terminated. In answer to this
would refer to other sections of the
county and state, which will show
the absurdity of any such assertion.
1t is no exaggeration to place the
number of deer alone killed within
q radius of 25 miles of Warrens in
the winter of 1894 at 900 head;
and probably as many more
wounded that scarcely ever recov-
er. There is no regard paid to the
law ut any season of the year and
these same persons who slaughter
game Orsanlu hid daGancn To tho