Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-02
THE PROSPECTS.
Work Of tho Maine Specimens Fish and
Game Association.

1 The Maine Central for October con-
tains the following article on the work
OF the Maine Sportsmen's Fish and
Game association, by Secretary e. c.
Farrington:
Your favor asking. me regarding the
1 work Of the Maine Sportsmen's Fish and
Game Association, ITS work and the pros
pect for game the coming open season,
was received. and in reply am pleased to
say that the interest taken by the assoc
caon anr Pabop and q ra onr State in the
| SANITY growing and q better apprecia-
| ton Of its value to the State is being
shown. There has been large increase
| we able to come in touch with ali sec
| tons and of all interests in the different
portions of the State; Aside from giving
| game commissioners, We were able and
| assist them thereby in their arduous
work. very, little has been done. except
| could be obtained bearing upon the work.
| ing of the new laws and new methods.
put in force by the Legislature of 1895 A
view of recommending changes where be-
lievcd defective. and considering what
new legislation would be advisable has
been a part of the work of the officers of
| the association. Before the meeting of
| the Legislature the various committees.
| especially the COMMITTEES on legislation
| will be in session and in consultation we
| expect, with the fish and game commits
sioners. when all matters of future legs-
lation will be most carefully considered.
| The result of this committees work will
| then come before the convention of mem
bers. and their final judgment adopted as
the basis of action before the legislation
| That there should be some radical
changes yet. in our laws. those giving the
subject most attention will agree.
Those not fully familiar with the Illegal
killing of game during the summer close
time would be astounded at the numbers
of moose. caribou: and deer thus
sslanghtered;;, And this destructive war
the legislature of 1895. had shown by its
| legislation that they regarded our fish
ana game interests OF great consequence
the part of the State to decide whether
i will allow the poacher and nonresident
, ,a,w-breaker to set at defiance the laws of
the State. Not that there has been
greater slaughter than heretofore for
| mere is abundant reason to believe that
and continued effort has been made to
| get at the real facts of the illegal killing
OF large game. aud also small game. in
order that the whole question of game
| protection might be understood.
No one can complain but what the law
| mas been enforced with greater vicor
| than ever before and as consequence
less Illegal killing has been the result:
| but that the State is confronted with
most difficult problem. how best to keep
and increase its game. cannot be ques-
toned. The increase of fish has been
satisfactory. and will continue to in the
future although to get early beneficent
results in waters now available. but not
well stocked with trout and salmon. addi-
tional Matching and feeding facilities
must be provided. With two new hatch
cries which would hatch ana feed 900 900
lsh not only could the present good fish
ing waters be made to give an increase.
but al the waters fitted for fish culture
IN the State. could within six years be
made fishing grounds which would bring
thousands of visiting summer tourists in
to sections now quite unfrequented by
them So far as | know. the. fish and
dulse in in the way of fanciful or extreme
ideas as to what should be done. and the
association certainly are looking only TO |
what they believe to be for the best inter-
ests of the State. and hence ii NAV he |
expected that this whole matter will be
laid before the next legislature in a bust
ness way; in fact 1t is Il business cues |
ton. and needs the same consideration |
that any vital interest for the welfare |
of the State demands
There is plenty of large game. that is |
caribou and deer. with rs good q showing |
OF moose as last season. and sportsmon |
can rely on getting their quota as easily |
rs ever before l. would not be surprised |
if the numbers killed this season exceed |
by several hundreds any former season. |
ana now 1t is easy to reach remote places |
where the game is abundant. This will |
scatter the sportsmen and all will have |
splendid opportunity to secure their |
game.
Probably woodcock shooting will be
about as in former seasons. much de-
pending upon the flight birds. The re-
norts from every section of the State in
dictate that the duck shooting will be bet
ter than last year. which was an excep-
t,onally good one. Black and wood duck
have appeared in large numbers. and the
september shooting has been all one
could ask. Partridges are very plenty
and give abundant evidence of the wis
dom of the law making close time as late
as Sept 10th. In sections near the large
summer resorts it is claimed the Illegal |
killing of partridge and woodcock HIS
been carried on to an alarming extent. IT |
is becoming the settled conviction among
those giving these game matters serions
attention that the market or sale of
small. and PERHAPS al, game should he
prohibited. Can the State afford to raise
moose. caribou and deer for the market
AT live and ten cents per pound? IT Is not
that We have not most game in abun-
dance. but how shall the State preserve
IT. and make it of the most value and
revenue. now and in the years to conc |
New phases of this question must claim
the attention of the legislature and new
and additional Legislation. if Maine is to
continue TO be the resort of an increasing
number of tourists and sportsmen. and |
her Snnrting interest are to continue to
add millions of dollars TO its revenue.