Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-29
MILLIONS OF BIRDS.
POLK MILLER SAYS THERE ARE
PLENTY or THEM NOW.
Law THAT SHOULD Be REPEALED.
Hope Expressed That the Legislature
Upon Meeting I'm December Will
ing for Two Years.

Mr.. Polk Miller says that the law for
bidding the shooting of birds 'for two
years from the passage of this act was
fought by him and his associates for two
reasons: First. 1t was passed at time
when one year Of no shooting had pass
ed-the fall Of 1885 This was the year
following the terribly cold winter which
had killed all the birds, and the man who
hunted them would have incurred the
displeasure of all true sportsmen. The
Field-Sports Association, and sportsmen
generally, bought birds for restocking the
depleted sections and turned them loose
They approved of the one-year clause
but opposed the two-year act because II
was passed so late in the session January
26th) that it practically shut off shooting
for three years. Second. Because the
operation Of a law for which there Is no
necessity-there being more birds now
than before the snow and cold came
prevents law-abiding citizens from shoot
lng. while It does not stop people who
disregard law.
THE sportsmen Of the State" said Mr'
Miller. talking TO a Dispatch man, and
tho nonresident sportsmen who nave
hunted in Virginia ever since the war
have turned loose birds enough TO re-
stock Southslde Virginia, even If there
had not been a bird left of our native
stock Many country people are Wloer
the impression that my association hdu
this law passed. and they are heaping
abuses upon us. The truth Is. there mas
never been law on the statute win re-
gard 10 game that / or any member ot
our association recommended. We nave
tried 10 undo some bad legislation and
failed. When we have made Suggestions
they have been ignored. All we have
ever done was TO protect the game py
using our influence with the loo mem
bers Of our organization, telling them 10
Oct good example TO others VINO arc
disposed TO disregard law. we nave eA-
pended great deal Of money for hawk
traps. buying birds, and shipping wheat
to tho country people who had nothlils
to feed the birds with when TIE fnow
covered the ground. We have never
prosecuted a violator Of the game laws
ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE.
DO the people in the country think
you and your organization are response
bic Tor the laws which forbids their XIII
ing birds?"
hoN9 40 Duts fortunately III 70. 49,
are the uuintelligent and own no Janus
They are the people who will shoot any
way regardless OF law. The men VINO
own the land are the sportsman's frienu,
and when they are with US we sre an
right But II is wonderful to see what
powerful influence a pot-hunter exerts
over a member OF the Legislature.
cozen OF such who don't own loot OF
land VIII often outweigh the influence
q hundred OF the largest land owners.
We found this out when we tried 20 get
rabbit law through We didn't care
anything about the rabbits. but we want
% 10 protect the birds In September ana
October. While hunting rabbits the dogs
sestroy thousands OF young birds"
What legislation do you want now?'
The Legislature should repeal the law
Immediately on assembling 80 that
TortsInen can shoot from December 18th
% February LIST. The people are crazy
% shoot birds. and since there are oceans
oi them and there is no need OF laws
iyF protection. the people are going to
shoot
The LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL
4, ne Judge OF Henry county decided
HE law was unconstitutional last