Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-19
PROTECT THE GAME.
What Veteran Boston Sportsman says II
Need in Maine.

Boston. Jan. ls.-Protection for tffe
game in the Maine woods mas come up
again as a burning topic all over New
England among sportsmen. and, for that
states. The Maine Legislature is at the
problem in view of the unexampled
slaughter of the past sea son. considering
the propriety of still further restricting
lowing from the pen of Mr.. David II.
Blanchard may be of interest. coming as
II does from sportsman who has passed
30 years during the hunting season in the
Maine woods:
Some effective legislation ought to be
adopted in the State of Maine to prevent
the determination of moose ard caribou.
II is the opinion expressed by the best
Informed hunters and guides that there
are not 10 bull moose remaining IN the
States. ! would like to see law passed
10 prevent the killing Of any moose for
five years. under a penalty of fine and
imprisonment. Such a period of exemp-
ton from danger would not be too long
for needed recuperation.
The newspapers of New England have
extended invitations to people every
where to come TO Maine for hunting and
fishing. and the railroads now take their
passengers to the very hearts of the for
est. 1t has SO become possible for much
larger class in our communities than for
merly to visit these hunting grounds. for
fatigue. delays and expense have been re-
duced to a minimum. And the peril 10
tremendously augmented.
''rhe hunters who follow the moose in
the snow will pursue him till the last
moose or caribou is taken. if they are
permitted. These winter hunters bring
very little money into the State. and any
fair consideration of the subject ought to
convince one that the advantages TO re-
sseult from preserving this noble. game
far outweigh any benefit to he derived
from the December visits of the hunters.
1T would be the part of discretion to
shorten the open time for hunting of all
game. partridge included; say to the in
terval between Sept. 20 and Dec /, in
stead of to the end of December. as 1t is
now established. Even with this addi.
tional restriction, the protection will
probably prove insufficient: and the
sportsman who cannot he satisfied with
30 days of hunting should simply be in
vited to go to some other state for fur
Their sport
IF it is possible to pass law to pre-
vent carrying any firearms into the
woods during the close time, it would be
more efficient legislation than , some
gun weighing seven to nine pounds at
that time unless he intends to use il. 1t
is idle to suggest that he carries it for
protection. for there is no animal in the
State of Maine of which he need be
afraid. Even a bear will attack no man
unless first wounded. or unless cubs are
molested. The best way to prevent an
improper use of the gun is 10 prohibit
its being carried at all during the closed
period.
THE Legislature would be wise to
make more liberal appropriation for tsf>,
protection of fish and game. There is
much work to be done to enforce present
laws. and the State owes it to herself
that they should not become imperative
or only occasionally operative. Present
supplies of game and fish should not be
diminished. and the appropriations by the
State ought to be sufficient to prevent all
fishing through the ice. and to protect
trout and salmon on their spawning beds
as thoroughly as possible"