Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-24
FOR BIG GAME.
Recommendations to Come
Before Next Legislature.
The Open Season Greatly Shortened
for Moose and Caribou.
Imprisonment Penalty Other Points Urged
BY Sporlsmen's Association.

|
Gated every year. People are getting
to be more prospective. Not satisfied
with what is; not content to sit still
and say: 'Oh. let the game take carr
of ITSELF" they not only look at tn
present, but the future and the far fu
ture.
The legislative committee of thu
Maine Sportsmen's Fish and Gam,
Association with the inland fish ant
game commissioners are having &
meeting to discuss and determine. il
possible what is best to be done; what
measures it is best to bring before the
Legislature for the proper protection
of Names fish and game.
1t is a discussion by experts; and
here as in all cases, experts are bound
to differ somewhat. But they all unite
in trying to devise what may be the
best end for the interests of Maine.
First of all comes the question of
the big game. and especially of moose.
which is the biggest of the big in the
eyes of a sportsman.
1t seems no longer matter Of doubt
that the moose will become extinct in
| this State unless something is done. and
that all OF a sudden, and in a decisive
way for their permanent protection.
Some have urged that close time be
put on them for. say five years. This
was modified, and the committee recon-
mends that the Legislature impose that
! the present open season be cut down
from three months, as it stands at pre-
sent, to one month-OctOber Is to
| November Is. This time will hold for
caribou, also.
The open season for deer and game
birds it urges, should also be shortened,
to last from September Is to November
u.s.
There were many opinions offered on
this important matter. The early clos
ing will lessen the opportunities for
crust hunting. Then it will tend to pre-
vent the immense slaughter that takes
place every December. and the latter
part of November, by lumbermen.
The vital point at issue is the penalty
which goes with these changes. The
committee urges that anyone convicted
90 ~, # nf
season be imprisoned. Mr.. Carleton
says that any number of persons have
congratulated him on his proposed
move in this direction, recently an
nounced. including spOrtsmen, guides
and owners of hunters cabins. 1t is
maintained that the fine penalty is not
enough to prevent the rich poacher,
and it is proposed that some penalty
be enforced that will do just that.
Another important recommendation
| was agreed upon-that of licensing
guides; imposing some nominal sum of,
perhaps, the size of So, which will just
about cover the expense of badge, and
other details. With this goes a recon-
mendation that any hunter found en-
ploying unlicensed guides shall pay a
heavy penalty for it.
These licensed guides are to report to
the inland fish and game commission
ers on blanks provided for the purpose,
the names and address of the persons
whom they have guided during the
season; where they. have taken them;
i and the amount of game taken by them
1t is proposed that a law be enacted
that will provide for a fee of $25 to be
paid by every nonresident hunter af-
i ter moose and caribou. No fee is recon-.
4 mended for the residents. M
The committee also urges the follow.
i ing:
No resident shall be allowed to sci
anv big game to be taken from the
\ State; nor can any nonresident take
any from the State except that which
he has killed, or the guide accompany
ing him.
Market men dealing in fish and game
shall be compelled to give bonds ant
procure licenses for conducting thei
business.
All dogs shall be prohibited from tn
game regions.
Relative to this logging Commits
sioner Carleton says he has positive In
formation that 60 dogs have been des
tnyed during the past year for hunt
ing deer.
Any one transporting moose shal
have the carcass tagged indicating it
sex.
Another recommendation of great i'm
portance which the committee vii
bring before the Legislature is
abolish the bounty on bear. 1t is no,
S. a bruin. This is urged because. i
the first place, many like to hunt bea
as well as any animals, and their ex
. (4..,,.,ro<snr ia in consequence ba