The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-17
Hunting Again.

j.
call for them to articles in the Argus some
weeks ago, wherein was applied to all
sportsmen, ''city dudes and gentlemen
whose right to be called thus, was question
ed. To my kind and genial friend Cook,
l must say my trip into your delightful ru-
raj district (though gameless) proved that
all do not fully sympathize with the new
departure thereabouts. Even your own
premises were not placarded. which fact
led me to try to get squirrel. So II
through your neglect to put up signs enough
became trespasser, 1 am ready to settle
up, provided you are going to set the dogs
of law on me.
But, oh, those horrid guns! But one was
heard for weeks; and that to improve on the
old methods to kill pig. Let me suggest
better still-use vitalized air, chloroform,
or electricity. The pigs would 60 off thank
fully and happily, and the non-blood- thirsty
farmer be conscious that not a gun or last
sad squeal is heard.
Let me assure you, my friend, that your
plea for those feathered pets of the farm is
duly appreciated. and your claim that they
be allowed to live and multiply undisturbed
cheerfully assented to. We agree with you
that he who would come into your yards to
kill them against your protest deserves your
appellation of murderer at heart" fellow.
1t is not over quail that we differ with the
farmers, but on general, commOn-sense
principles. We think they would swing too
long club. 1t seems to us that in their
departure" they have departed far from
the old rule and ancient promise, that the
birds and beasts they prohibit us from TAX
ing were given for man to eat, and, as yet,
we fail to find any good authority for the
claim that only those who own the land
were to be the eaters.
We think the general game law sufficient
and right. 1t protects game while 1t should
be, but then, when the free, open weeks
come that special, on-the fence posts-slop
over law comes in and virtually prohibits
the taking of any game through all the year.
The law is unfair.
Farmers, having enough to eat and enough
to do, seldom care to hunt for the game
they would deprive others from taking.
repeat, they seem to be like the dog IN the
manger.
Again, there are in all farming communities
some who are not so fortunate as to be land
holders. Industrious, laboring men, with
families which they support with daily or
monthly wages from formers during the
busy season of haying, harvest, threshing,
etc. When the summer is over their occu-
pations are gone and wages cease. Cold
winter comes, finding them scantily sup
piled with fuel, food and clothing. To tide
over the months when farmers don't want
their labor, during the weeks when hunting
should be allowed, many would add cOnsid'
cradle to their larders by hunting. But the
farmers, after using them at none too liber'
al wages, to fill to overfiowing their spacious
barns with grain and that which will bring
them gold, turn upon them their mo hunt
ing" bill board pictures. And thus 1t is and
to be more so next year, in the Maple River
dominion.
This, we think, is not just the square
thing. The thoughts Of many on this ques
ton were very forcibly though roughly illus
trated at a suit for trespass In one Of the neal
by northern counties last year. Dave, an
owner of very limited homestead, an hon
est, humble, innocent, illiterate man, had fo
years made scanty living for himself ant
family by trapping, fishing and hunting
The farmers there got the mo hunting
craze. Dave did not heed (because he coult
not ready their signs. The season for hunt
ing came, he went, got caught trespassing
was brought before an officer on complain
of farmer, was found guilty of the charges
His rudey made plea in defense was fol
lows:
''Square, Pm not guilty. I'm thinkin
yer 'onor as game was put in the woods b.
the 'lmighty, that no law can't stop me fron
takin' ashare of it, Here's my family on m
hands and don't know nothin'else but hunt
And here's the old woods what's give m.
father an me liviu' for years. l tell ye
square, the world, the waters, nor the wood
haint changed. God 'lmighty haint chang
ed. But the lawmakers what knows moth
in of our wants, says we sha'nt get any liv
in out of the woods"
"But, Dave, you must respect the law,
says the justice.
"The laws agin' right" thundered Dave
''It's agin' God 'lmighty; I'll take Him TO
my Judge. He's not agin' the poor. Thi
law will make trespassers an trespasser
make liars, an liars make thieves an thieve
makes murderers."
Dave, however, was fined, and failing
pay was sent up for sixty days.
Brother Cook, most heartily we appreciat
and thank you for your whole soued invit
and welcome to come and share with yo
natures beauties, fresh breezes and clea
sunshine, and we trust that you wi
remember that your city doomed brotl
ers and sisters do not begrudge yo
any of your ''friends In feathers" w
simply ask you to not begrudge us the pri,
ilege Of passing yearly outing holiday OF
:. of our rush and city dust, with gun an