The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-08-26
Effect of the Application of
Stringent Game Laws in
Michigan.
LESSON TO OTHER STATES.
Beaver Again Plentiful-DuckS
Are GOing-PrOtectiOn of
Game Fish.

Game is more plentiful in Michi-
gan this year than at any time dur
ing the last ID years, according to
Chase S. Osborn, former state game
warden of Michigan, says the Chi
cago Inter Ocean.
"All forms of animal life are on
the increase in Michigan, said Mr..
| Osborn. deer are becoming so
plentiful that there are frequent
complaints from farmers in the
wilder parts of the state that they
are destroying their crops. The
prospects for the fall shooting were
never better, not only for the deer,
but all the game animals and birds
native to the state are plentiful this
season.
Quail has increased remarkably in
the southern peninsula, although
unknown in the northern peninsula,
A few years ago quail were very
scarce, but they are now so plenti-
full that it is possible to make bag
of 100 day in many localities. They
are not seen north of Mackinac
Island, and but one lone bird has
been seen there.
"The cause of this great increase
in game in Michigan is the passage
of stringent protective laws by the
Legislature and the cultivation
throughout the state of q sentiment
in favor of the protection and preser-
walton of game. No state in the
union has better game laws and
many of the newer western states
are copying them.
Deer can be shot only from No
vember Sth to November Both
inclusive, and partridges from
October 1st to November Both.
While | cannot say that part
ridges have increased, they are hold
ing their own in the state. They
are the prey of all predatory ami
mails, such as the lynx, mink, mar
ten and weasel, and the last seasons
have not been favorable for them.
Their eggs have. been wet by rains
during the breeding season, and
have failed to hatch, and the natural
increase has been retarded.
Perhaps the most interesting
fact in regard to the animal life of
the state is the return of the moose.
Four of them have been killed con-
trary to law recently, one by 13-
year old Chicago boy. Until this
year moose had not been seen in
Michigan for 40 years. / got track
of seven that crossed the ice from
Canada last winter, but would hard
ly believe the information until i
began to hear of them being killed.
1t is against the law to kill moose
in Michigan at any time now, and
the moose will probably increase
along with other animal life.
Beaver have become plentiful
again in Michigan. When / was
game warden l saw that they had
become almost exterminated, and
secured the passage of law pro-
tecting them at all times. The re-
suit is that while they were as
scarce as Buffalo in the west at that
time, they have multiplied rapidly
under protection. They seem to
realize that they are protected, and
can be seen now building dams be-
side railway embankments and road
ways.
Gwen the bears are protected in
Michigan. The black bears are
harmless, and it is against the law
to shoot them except when their fur
is in prime. A bears pelt is worth
from $40 to $50, SO that some one
gets a benefit every time one gets
killed.
''The large, gaunt timber wolves
are also plentiful-entirely too
plentiful. The Legislature has in
creased the bounty to help exter-
inmate them.
Ducks are about the only. game
! not on the increase. Ducks seem to