The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-31
THE NEW GAME LAW.

Harrisburg Letter in the Sun.
Governor Hastings has approved the
new game bill, and it Is now a law. Those
versed in all matters relating to the sub
ject of game say this is one of the best
measures for the protection of game in
the United States. 1t represents the joint
labors of the State Sportsmen's associa-
tion, with membership OF about 5000,
and the board of game commissioners.
About six years ago the State Sports
mems association, at the instance of
James II. and II. M. F. Worden, of Har-
risburg, assisted by State Zoologlst War
ren began to agitate for an Improvement
in the game laws. Statistics were collect
ed by these men and their friends to
show the necessity of action. The data
collected gave conclusive proof that IL
the state of Pennsylvania did not soon
enact better laws for the protection of
her game and insectivorous birds these
creatures would be eXterminated by pot
hunters. snarers, egg hunters, and hat
bird taXidermists Early in the present
year, when Governor Hastings appointed
the members of the game commission, a
meeting of this body was called promptly
at Harrisburg. A consultation was had
with representatives of the State Sports
mems association, and 1t was determined
that the two organizations should unite
and work earnestly for the passage of the
bill which has now become law.
To give briefly some idea of the great
destruction of animal life in this state,
1t can be stated that the statistics col
lected through the efforts of the State
Sportsmen's association, the game COM
mission, and the state Zoologist, show
that about 100000 worth OF game, birds,
and mammals is killed annually in Penn
sylvania and exposed for sale in market
places. The killing Of insectivorous birds
of bright plumage for women's headgear
has also been carried on to a ruinous
extent, taxidermist In, one of the large
cities having collected In four years fully
10000 bird skins for the millinery trade.
Men skilled in all the arts of the poachers
of the Old World have introduced various
kinds of snares and traps which have
been used so successfully in certain sec
tions of Pike and other counties in this
state that ruffed grouse and several 9TH
er kinds of birds have been almost wholly
exterminated thera One firm in Susque-
hanna county, from last September to
Dec. 81, purchased 5000 pheasants, l,5O0
quail, 10000 squirrels and a larger num-
Der OF rabbits. In the northeastern sec
tion of Bradford county. three market
hunters In 1896 killed and shipped to the
markets OF the Empire state 1000 pheas-
ants, and in the western part of Brad
1Ofd county one pothunter in the same
year killed over 500 of these birds. In
Venango county pothunter in the sea-
| son of 1896, slaughtered and marketed 700
ruffed grouse. professional hunter in
Luzerne county in 1896 is said to have
killed S04 pheasants within a radius OF
thirty miles of Wilkes-Barre and to have
| sent them to the New York markets.
This same man in 1895 assisted during
a portion OF the cunning season by two
OF his sons, killed over 1900 of these
game birds. In the county OF York there
were marketed from FIVE townships last
year 1880 quail, $500 cotton tails, and
5000 wild ducks. The value OF the game
killed last season and sold In the county
OF Dauphin is said to have been SIS,
The bill which has Just received the
| governors approval will certainly do
away with the trade of pothunters and
snarers, as well as the murderous occu-
patton OF the hat bird hunter. Section two
deals with the protection Of song and
insectivorous birds and provides that
| persons who desire to collect birds, their