Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-17
NAMES HUNTING.
Commissioners Say it Must
Be Carefully Protected.
Deer Found PIentifuIIy as Ever in All
Our l6 Counties.
Artificial Propagation Of Fish Is inestimabiy
Superior 10 Natures Way.

| The annual report of the fish and
| game commissioners for 1896 was pre-
scented Governor Cleaves and council.
Wednesday. The board consists of Hon.
J.. +. Carleton. chairman; Hon. II. o.
Stanley Of Dxfield, and .ion Chas f..
Oak of Caribou. Mr. Carleton was sue
eessor To Hon. Thomas II. Wentworth
| whose term expired, April 3, 1896.
The report is very interesting, and
takes up at length the several branches
OF the game interests SO important to
the States welfare. During the past
year matters have aroused more than
ordinary attention, and the remarks Of
the commissioners viii besrsal with
great interest by all sportsmen and
others who feel the necessity of proper
ly proceedings Maine's rfch fish sand
game. e
The report says. in part:
The work of the board has been
steadily increasing, the past year and
opportunities are continually meeting
the attention of the commissioners.
1t has been our aim to protect and
care for the game and inland fisheries
of the State. realizing that they are of
vast Importance.
AS to moose. the report says, it would
seem from information obtainable that
more moose have been killed. this year.
than in any one year for great many.
This is mainly due to the largely in
creased numbers who have hunted
them We are convinced that, in order
to preserve the moose from extinction.
more stringent laws are necessary. The
bulls are becoming increasingly scarce.
They are hunted in the open season.
Many are klned in August and Septem-
Der and in calling time. and are hid until
October when the heads are brought
out leaving the carcass
Iie rich poacher cares nothing for a
fine, so long as he can secure a good
head. The report speaks of the recent
inning of 800 of one of this class last
October, with the comment that its OBJ
Ject lesson has been good throughout
the country.
In conclusion on this subject the re-
port says: We are aware that q con-
trary doctrine has apparently been held
by some of the State courts to wit.
that game lawfully killed becomes an
article of interstate commerce, and the
State cannot prohibit it's being trans
ported, but the highest court in the ma
ton having decided otherwise, and it's
reasoning is SO conclusive that M
doubt it will be the accepted and estab-
lished law of the land.
This is vital point in the protection
Of our big game, and every goou citizen
Will rejoice that such is the law as es-
Iahlished by the supreme court Of the
United States
In this decision. the court says: THE
Wild game within state belongs to the
people in their collective sovereign ca
'acity. 1t is not the subject of private
ownership. except in so far as the peo-
pie may elect to make il SO, and they
nay. II they see fit. absolutely prohibit
ne taking of it, or traffic or commerce.
n II, II II is deemed necessary for the
protection or preservation of the public
good
Large as the State Of Maine is, extern
lHe as our forests are, as much game
IS we nave. our State is not big enough.
ur forests are not extensive enough
We have not and cannot have game
noush for 75,0OOO0 of people.
something must be done or else in n
cry snort time not a moose will re-
nain-there wil only he the echo of his
asst cali to remind us of his former
or Caribou and deer.the report SAYS:
mere is no question but that at least
1000 deer have been killed in Maine
uring the year 1896, quite proportion
them by our own citizens. This is
OF guess work. but based on actual
cunt Of the numbers TRANSPORTED nv
ne common carriers and records kent
y various sporting camp proprietors
! the State.
Deer are found in each of the 1s
'unties In the State. There seems to
no decrease. IN spite Of the large
umbers killed. In some localities.
owever, due to little attention tn
Iws. the numbers have decreased.
complaints have been made IN