Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-22
FISH AND GAME,
Views of President Vickery of
Fish and Game Association.
Believes in Commissioners Who Init
mately Know Wardens and Work.
hopes Tor Sufficient Appropriations II Monty
Has 10 Be Borrowed.

give, In detail, his ideas of the fish and
game interests of Maine
Mr. Nldkery is an enthusiastic sports-
man, spends more time in the brush and
woods than any other man In Maine, and
his views are entitled to a good deal of
credit, as what he does or says, he believes
to be for the best interests of the State,
and he is fearless in making his assertions.
MIR. Nickery's answer was as follows:
Yes, / have been elected to succeed
MI Hersey as president of the Fish and
Game Association. Under President
Hcrsey's administration, the association
has been power for good in shaping
legislation, and in advancing the best in
terests OF the State. If | can succeed in
hlilng his place as aoceptably to the
sportsmcn of Maine, as he has, | shall be
content.
This question of protecting and keep
ing up our supply Of fish and game is one
Of great magnitude, and should be
handled with the same care as we handle
cur own private business interests.
will first speak of our fish interests. We
have for many years had a fish and game
commission of two, their efforts mainly
being directed to restocking our lakes and
streams, and they have well succeeded In
that direction. Messrs. Stillwell and
Stanley did their work well in that direc-
tion, but they did not have an appropria-
ton large enough to do much in the
direction of protecting our fast increasing
large game The fish interests are now
we'll attended to under Commissioner
Henry Q. Stanley. And 1 take this oppor-
tunity to thank Governor Cleaves In the
name of the sportsmen of Maine for re-
appointing Mr.. Stanley, Notwithstanding
the clamors of Others for his place Mr.
Stanley has had good many years ex.
pericncc in fish culture. l know of no
man in Maine that can fill his place, and
so long as he is physically able to serve
tsi iiC shOulo bC hti'b Oll tiIt COllllHieNiUil
to take care of the fish side of the ques-
ton.
so much for the fish part of the com
mission, and l reluctantly turn to the
game side as You have asked me for my
honest opinion on this subject and
must give it to you honestly as | see it, if
give it at all There are three men on
the commission, as the land agent is ex-
offico Il member The land agent gets
cannot be expected to devote any consider
able part of his time to the business.
But | know that he has rendered valuable
aid to the commission, and believe he
will continue to do so, so far as his other
duties will permit.
1.-THE man who fills the office of game
commissioner must take on his shoulders
large contract. if he fills the bill and
renders that service to the State that his
few men in Maine who can fill the bill.
If broke my leg | should not call
lawyer to set it, neither would ! call In a
doctor to defend case in court for me-
So 1t is in this case-no man can really
fill the office of game commissioner, unless
he is true sportsman, and goes into the
woods ana becomes acquainted with the
people who reside and do business there.
He must be fearless in the discharge of
his duties, and secure the proper mediums
through which to enforce the game laws.
I know that some people, who call them
selves sportsmen. believe all the proprie
tors of hunting camps and guides are
thieves and outlaws, but my experience
has taught me that the reverse is the
truth in regard to two-thirds of our
men there, who know nothing but wood
craft, who are as honest as any in the
cities and towns outside They are fast
becoming educated in the matter of the
preservation of game. They now realize
that the large game of our forests Is their
stock in trade, and that the cxtermina
ton of moose, caribou and deer means
ruin to their business.
THE game commissioner if he ever
stops crust hunting, has got to employ,
as Wardens, these same men who make
guiding their business. There are Il
plenty of them in every section, who are
honest and will do their work thoroughly,
if the game commissioner will only 90 into
the woods, mingle with them, and care
fully select them.
| THE time fer wardens to put IN their
best work is in close time, not in open
time. During open time our woods are
fnll of real sportsmen, who are check
on outlaws. During the months of
August and September, and especially in
September, a large amount OF game is
illegally killed, and left to rot on The
ground by fishermen from out of the
State. The most that they save is Il pair
of horns or a skin as trophy to carry
hack to show their friends. But the
greatest amount of illegal killing is done