, 1900-12-31
IN THE FISH AND GAME
LAWS OF THIS
STATE.
Sportsman Makes a Few Suggestions
Discusses the Attitude of Ger
tain Ranchmen Who Presume TO
Own Not Only the Land But the
Streams and the FIsh-The AnoIer
Has Rights.
Laramie. Wyo.. Dec. 81, 1900.

Legislature II is an oppOrtune time to
begin the discussion of matters which
need consideration at the hands of the
lawmakers, and while these are being
discussed it may not be amiss for the
angler and nimrod to look into the
questions which concern the devotee of
the rod and the chase.
In regard to the interests of the lat
ter. the fast disappearance of the ante
lope and other large game from the
plains and mountains would suggest
that more stringent laws should be en-
acted to prevent the complete ex-
termination of the noble game. The
hound is believed to be one of the most
which we now have to contend with,
large numbers having been imported
~ostensibly for the purpose of extermin-
ating wolves. but as a matter If fact
they simply prey upon the few bands
of antelope and deer which still remain
in this vicinity.
50 A'' 'NNi ''SSNSN'h Nhhl lhS III
ing of all large game be absolutely pro-
hibited in certain of the counties-Al-
bany for one-for a short period, in or.
der to permit the game to have a
chance to increase in number. The law
relating to the coursing of game with
dogs should also be made more string
ent. This matter is at least worthy of
consideration.
This is also the season, as the
fishermen are congregated by the fire.
side, when many of the largest catches
Of the biggest fish are made-in the
imagination-and the writer feels
that a few suggestions may not be en-
tirely out of place and may, perhaps.
lead to a discussion which will result
in some good.
Superintendent Campbell of district
No. l makes some good suggestions in
his annual report to the governor, but
does not go quite far enough. 1t is we'll
that the clause prohibiting the carry
ing of fish out of the state should be re-
pealed. as everyone is glad to see the
angler from abroad come in and enjoy
the sport to be had upon out streams.
To forbid them taking a portion of
their catch home with them is an in
justice. AS a rule these gentlemen are
genuine sportsmen and do not resort to
the foul means employed by some local
~so-called sports" They are liberal
with their purse and their coming Is a
direct benefit to the community, fnan--
cially and socially.
The ~20-pound law, though still a lit
tie too restrictive. under the ruling of
the attorney general permitting each
member of a party to have twenty
pounds Of trout in his possession at
II time, is not as obnoxious as at first
interpreted. A little more latitude in
this direction might not, however, be
unreasonable. A party that has spent
several days in the mountains and trav-
eled many miles for a little sport, or
the angler from abroad who has trav-
eled hundreds Of miles for a few days
of real fishing should not be thus close
ly restricted. To allow twenty-five
pounds of trout to the person for a sim
gle day or fifty pounds for two full days
and over would no seem out of place.
Commissioner Campbell recommends
that all young fish above 100, 900 for
each county be sold and the proceeds
devoted to the maintenance of the
hatchery. We do not just agree with
the commissioner on this point. The
state is well able to bear the small ex-
pense of maintaining the hatchery and
we believe that the entire capacity of
the hatchery should be devoted to the
raising of trout for the stocking of the
public waters. One hundred thousand
trout to a county is not an over abund-
ance and many more than that number
could be proitably used. There are
other considerations aside from this
which we will not mention at this time. I
The commissioner also recommends
that a fixed sum be set aside for the
maintenance of the institution and
states that the expenses during the
past two years, including needed re-
pairs, were s5.434.
Now this recommendation is very
good, but here is suggested a point we |
wish to make. The people of the state |
are taxed for the maintenance of the |
hatchery, the distribution of the young |
trout, etc, but wherein comes the &C. |
curity of their interest in the trout af-
ter they are planted? These fish are
placed in public waters, but the waters
flow through private premises. Along
the various waterways Of Albany coun-
ty especially-where is found the finest
trout fishing to be had anywhere-the
land has been entirely taken up and
now artistic signs ornament fence
posts at various places bearing the in
scription, mo Fishing Allowed On
Premises" And II the anglers
vision Is impaired and he fails to see
The notices he is liable to be ~accosted
Just as he has received a nice strike
from a large fish-by a voice ranging
anywhere from a hollow squeak to a
leep baritone, and informed that his
presence is not wanted in the neighbor-
Thaoo ooo,,-on.o - z- /