Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-07

pelltlOnS from all parts OF the State
presented to them to put a close time
on streams. tributaries, lakes and
ponds, in order to successfully restock
these waters. This with the very gen.
eral call for young fry. proves conclu-
sively that the people of the State are
greatly interested and awake to the
importance of the matter.
Take. for instance. the Rangeley re-
gion. There has never been such a
rush there as this year. The same at
Moosehead lake, Notwithstanding the
hard times. and that the numbers have
fallen off elsewhere, and the universal
opinion is that this is but the begin
ming. At least 10000 people have visited
the Rangeley this season, and / can
not estimate the number at Moose
head and other places, attracted here
by our fishing and hunting.
Enthusiastically the current is set
ting strongly our way, and it would
seem to be the part of wisdom and
business prudence to use every induce
ment to continue it in this direction.
Il am very favorably impressed with
the idea advanced by Hon. j. Manches-
ter Haynes of Augusta. one of our
should set apart large area of our
northern forests for a game preserve
where no hunting should be allowed at
all at any time--that there the moose.
the caribou and the deer should be al
lowed to roam and increase without
molestation.
Il know it is said that deer are on
the increase. That may be true in GER
tain localities, but they have largely
decreased in other sections.
Il am almost ashamed to admit that
there is such great amount of killing
OF game in the summer,but l have shut
up my Office. devoted my whole time
to the work and worked my wardens
necessarily, all l have money to hire.
and we have been unable to stop it,
The Legislature must step in and give
us additional laws, such as l have in
dicated
We shall also ask rs make the pen
atty for illegal killing of moose abso-
lutte imprisonment--no fine about it,
The rich poacher cares nothing for
the fine so long as he can retain his
spoils; absolute Imprisonment will de-
ter many.
I'VE shall also ask for a shortening
of the open season on moose giving one
month, November. when moose may be
legally killed,and there is quite a senti-
ment to open a part of September for
killing deer, taking off from Decem-
Der a corresponding length of time l
We must change our laws some
what about the marketmen; several of
these have been caught trying, to ship
game surreptitiously out of the State |
They at least ought to be required to
procure license to deal in game and, |
If caught violating the law, prohibited
from doing further business.
Il do not know how these changes
will suit but | have an idea that they
will be eminently satisfactory to all |
true sportsmen.
Il want IT understood that our fish |
and game is furnishing a food supply |
in great quantities to our own people |
All the fresh meat many and many a |
poor man has is a deer or a moose or |
a caribou.
Another thing,a good market is Gre |
ated for the farmers in all the fishing |
and hunting sections of the State fo~ |
their surplus products, at greatly en-
CHANGED prices.
The fact that a violator of our game
laws can be brought from another
state to answer to the charge of killing
game illegally will vastly aid US in the
enforcement of our laws.
The commissioners invite advice,
suggestions and information. We want
to do all that can possibly be done, and
we are constantly learning how better
to perform our duties and accomplish
what is desired and expected