Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-02


cases. They think there SHOULD ..pee'
some means provided to compensate
for the losses. ~
In discussing the way and mea1ts
the plans of taxing non-resitfent
sportsnfen is touched upon. After DIS
cussing all the plans offered the cons
missionerS say: -.
With perfected guide. law.--with -
law allowing the transportation Of fish
and game unaccompanied by the own.
er, under proper restrictions on pay
ment of a fee to the State, and allow
ing the taking of one deer for food
purposes only. in certain portions of
the State, during August and Saptem-
Der, on payment of a fee for each deer
SO taken, with all proper restrictions
so this privilege could not be abused.
and A4osAbly the compelling non-resi>
dents to hire registered guides, we arc
convinced sthat no good reason would
exist for taxing non-residents for the
privilege of fishing or hunting within
our borders
They say that though the guide law
has been greatly and unjustly criti-
cised by many, they think it has
proved great success. Since the en-
actment 1863 men and three women
have been registered, 1443 in 1898. and
1916 in 1897.
The board gives it's idea of the man.
ner in which the guides should act IN
the following:
I'VE think that every person author
lied by the State to act as guide foi
others. to take the States property, its,
fish and game.-should be compelled &c
observe carefully all the laws. and
render the commissioners and wardens
all the service in their power, by IN
formation or otherwise.--in fact.
should be fish and game protectors.
and no person should be permitted to
he a guide who will not do this. 1t can
readily he seen that with this large
number of persons directly interested
in aiding in the enforcement OF the
fish and game laws much better s!s
tenn of wardenship would be carried
on. in fact those who are most con-
yersant with the question of game
protection in Maine thoroughly believe
that without a system of laws requir-
ing the registration of guides, ana pre-
scribing certain duties for them 10
perform to the State. it Will De prac-
ticalIy impossible to do very much to
protect game. more than the enact
mcnt of n6skrictive laws; it has been
said on the part of timberland owners
of the State. that all non-residents VINO
come to Maine to hunt or camp in the
forests should be compelled to hire
registered guides to accompany them
during their trips through the woodA!
The guides, of course. as rule, favor
such q law But a criticism Of selfish
| interest might attach to. this position
/ on the part of the guides. In case of
| the timberland owner selfishness canqot
| be alleged The Mmbermen argue the
| importance of their interests and the
necessity of protecting them. It has
| been shown beyond question that too
| often parties of outside sportsmen who
visit Maine and go into the forests
| without guides. are either ignorant or
careless regarding the laws regulating
| the setting of fires in the woods. The
\ state can most effectively protect not
onlys Its game, but the forests of the
State, yifGnugh the guide registration
! law" Tho guides understand. or can
! be made 10 understand. the proper
places and ways Of building camp
! fires. and can be made to realize the
1 Importance of having these fires ex-
tinguished before leaving the camping
ground and no other class Of persons
can, other than those directly inter-
ested With experienced woodsmen
for guides for all sporting parties, the
/ Wild land owners would feel that they
4 had a reasonable guarantee of safety
4 I'M Mneh hnS
stated in the press In relation to care-
lessness with. firearms and the conse-
/ quent loss Of Human life. That such
4 occurrences are possible in these days
at first might seem almost Incredible.
| Eutz that they no hanpen ought to im-
pressinpop. men WHO, go hunting or
shooting the fact that firearms. are