The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-28
STATE GAME AND FISH COMMITS.
SION URGES SOME AMENDMENTS
VERY SOON.
INDIAN GAME SLAUGHTER
COMPLAINT is MADE THAT THE
REDS ARE KILLING TOO
MUCH.
Ill HATCHERY PURCHASE.
FISH
1t Is Advocated by the Commission
ON the Ground of
Economy.

handsome picture of the state fish
hatchery at Willow brook is the from
t1spiece of the sixth annual report Of
the game and fish commission. which
came from the printer yesterday IN
the report, which is addressed to the
governor, it is remarked that the wear
has been memorable for the more than
usual success which has attended the
efforts Of the commission to enforce the
laws. It's regrets is expressed, however,
that in some localities, public sentiment
is opposed to the operation of the laws
and jury trials of offenders have failed
in many communities. The game law
amendment of 1895 is praised for it's
efficiency, but it is urged that an aG-
dftional amendment be made at the
present session Of the legislature to
remedy thedefect made apparent by the
recent decision of the supreme court
denying the commission the right to
seize game shipped from a neighboring
state, on the ground that the sub
Ject matter is not embraced in the title
Of the law, as required by the corr
stitution.
The passage of uniform game and
fish laws by Wisconsin, the Dakotas
Iowa and Minnesota is urged, and it
is suggested that a second conference
now might be more successful than
the first, which was fruitIess. On spring
shooting the report says:
This commission is unanimously Opposed
to any shooting in the spring, and we think
that public sentiment strongly supports this
position 1t is contended that, where some of
the Western states hear us permit spring
shooting 1t is a hardship to prohibit it here
but 1t must be remembered that this state
is especially favored as the breeding ground
Tor most all OF our aquatic birds, and that
when the flight birds reach this Northern
state they are paired off and are wholly unfit
for food, and the shooting of them at that
time and under those conditions is pro-
nlgate waste that can never be repaired,
This commission therefore recommends and
strongly urges that the open season for all
the feathered game of Minnesota be made
from the LIST of September to the LIST of De-
cember in each year.
The amendment passed at the last session
OF the legislature making the shipping Of
venison to commission man or sale market
IN itself misdemeanor, did not meet the
want it was intended to fill. Game dealers
in the country ship and consign to them
selves here, and in this way by giving an
order to some party here to receipt for the
shipment in their name, evade the law
Some 5000 pounds of venison have been so
shipped in violation Of this law, and in many
instances innocent parties have unintention-
ally been made to suffer through the inabil-
1ty Of the wardens to distinguish between
game shipped home by sportsmen in the
field and that shipped by the dealers for pur-
poses of traffic. This law should be amended
so as to better fit the situation.
The commission feel that this law, while
good IN ITSELF is only the beginning and
that we must eventually come to the closing
OF the market to all game for at least five
years,
''Somo legislation is needed in regard 20 the
ind'ans. They kill much more game than is
killed by white men, and in the interests of
a set of INSCRIPTIONS traders who are in the
business for what they can make and have
no regard for law nor order. Trading posts
are established all along the border of the
reservations and the Indians are encouraged
to Kill game whenever they can get it, al
ways finding ready market with these trad
ers at such prices as said traders choose to
make. The destruction of rufed grouse alone
by Indians in the northern and eastern nor
tons of the state is something enormous.
1t is estimated that 10000 have been shipped
over the Iron Range railroad this year. One
trader claims to have shipped $4,000. There
is no compensation accruing to the state of
Minnesota for game thus killed by the In
dams, who are beyond our control. They
are not c1tzens-pay no taxes; and If ar
rested and convicted can pay no fines and
the counties where offenses are committed
refuse to imprison and feed them. Some
years ago Correspondence was had with the
interior department at Washington in an en-
deavor to reach conclusion as to what were
the Indians rights and the rights of the
5tdIey THESE claiming, under early
treaties right to shoot and fish at all times
over the territory in Minnesota that had
from time to time been ceded by treaty No
expression Of opinion suggestion could be
gotten out of the interior department in re-
gard to the matter, and as any further work
in this direction would necessitate the spend
ing of some money which we could i'll spare
the matter was dropped. II the right that
these Indians claim was originally granted
to them by treaty, 1t at q time when
there were no market interests whatever, and
no value in game other than what 1t was
worth as food to the parties securing It. and
the purpose for which they now kill game
simply for trade and barter-was not at all
contemplated at that time"
The value Of the Itasca state park as n
game preserve is referred to and its enlarge
ment is urged.
The commission charges that some of the
railroads seem to have combined with the
game dealers in an effort to defeat the
enforcement of the laws, which has caused
great deal Of trouble for the wsrdens.