Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-08
AN vUAI MEETING
CONTINUED from page H.

oioh ~ - maui MY uuty TO secure all
facts relating to our fish and game in
terests and report to the associ ,tion, I'M
der our chapter and laws.
From all | can learn, SO much of the
law as applies to the propagation and pro-
lection OF fish, and putting in control
of the commission the matters that
formerly belonged to the Legislature, ex-
cellent results have been attained. Our
supply of fish is increasing, and the con-
tlnuance OF the same policy will in a few
years increase the numbers largely in the
waters now well supplied with them. and
also stock very many ponds and lakes
which once were the abiding place of the
trout and salmon. In this the most san
guine hopes of those favoring the general
law is realized
1t can be safely predicted that the pros
pect for continued improvement in the
supply of trout and salmon gives abund-
ant hope that we shall constantly increase
the numbers.
When we come to consider the game
question, the outlook is not SO cheerful.
The change of the close time on partridges
has had good effect, and taken together
with the enforcement of the transporta
| ton laws, we believe sportsmen have no
| reason to complain as to the numbers
killed,a and it appears that Il good stock has
been preserved for next seasons breeding.
Many claim that neither pRrtridges or
| woodcock should be allowed to be sold in
the markets of the Stare, as the price got
for them is small and the belief is that
| most of that game which find place in
our markets eventually reach the markets
Of Boston. This question will force itself
| upon the attention of those interested, and
be one of the live game questions of the
future.
| When it comes to consider how
| we stand regarding the larger game moose,
| caribou and deer. we ara confronted with
| difficulties which it was hoped the change
| in the law and the increased appropriation
would in a large measure overcome. I
| have letters from leading guides and
| others, written within the last week, which
indicate without shadow of doubt that
| the game mentioned were in greater num-
bers In our forests at the first of October,
| than last year. or ever before and that We
| have now at the close OF the season. not
| lost the natural increase so far as relates
TO deer Caribou are mo1e plenty and it is
| a mooted question whether the moose is
| in as large numbers as at the close of last
| season. We suffered n considerable loss in
| the month of September in moose, and
this disregard of the law may and most
likely will compel the State to make a
close time continual or for term of years
on this particular game.
| From all We can learn, there
still remain difficulties in securing
u rigid enforcement of the law
against the illegal killing of our large
game. Either from fear of prosecution
or from some cause, not as many hunters
went into the woods in early September
as formerly. In sections ftcquented by
moose, hunters for heads, killed quite
number of moose and deer We do not be
| ieve that the law is defective III the man
her Of the appointment OF wardens, nor
that the appropriation was too great, and
| can but believe we shall be able to see the
| law satisfactorily enforced. Every effort
should be made to sustain the commits
| sioners in their work. Whether any law,
backed by a reasonable appropriation, can
be successfully enforced, is yet to be deter
mined 1t is generally conceded that the
| larger portion Of those who make Il bust
| ness of guiding or hunting. are not in
sympathy with the enforcement Of the
game laws If it were otherwise, and this
class of men so desired it would be an
easy matter to have the yi1laters OF law
brought TO punishment, and the State
could easily make her territory one vast
sporting paradise which would add many
millions of dollars annually to our re
sources, and provide lucrative business
for thousands of guides and woodsmen
for the present and future years. That
That this class Of men Incline to pursuing
a policy so adverse to their own interests, is
one Of the strange things connected with
| this question That there would be Il class
that would attempt to illegally kill our
game might be expected, the same as we
expect tho presence Of IA criminal class IN
all communities who have little regard
| for law, but that the very men to whom
come the greatest benefit, the guides other
wise good law abiding cizsps should
place themselves against instead of for
the enforcement OF our game laws, is not
only vcxing, but, If continued, may lead
the State to abandon any special efforts to
protect the large game. Anyone can sec
that considering The large area of our
game territory, to rigidly enforce the laws,
with guides in opposition. small army
would be required and an expense entitled,
which the Stats would not consider
| economy to assume.
I, however, believe in spite of all opposi-
ton, from whatever source, ways and
me ans can and will be devised which will
lead to a better understanding of this
mi after and secure better endorsements Of
the laws. The number of spcrtsmen com.
| ing into the State is nstantly increasing
and extra efforts will need to be made to
make this State the great sporting section