The Somerset reporter., 1900-01-11
Fisheries and Game.

document.
Twenty hearings were held b. the
commissioners upon request Of ctizens
OF the State for the erection Of fshways
In dams, and to regulate the times In
which, aud the circumstances uuder
which inland fi-h might be taken in Ger
taln streams. ponis aud lakes.
Ten other petitions Of like nature are
on file yet To be acted upon.
The $500 appropriated by the Legisl4
ture for that purpose has been used .
procure mounted specimens Of birds aud
wild animals of the State From the
large number OF citizens who come to
the State House specially to see these
specimens there would seem to be no
doubt that the people are In sympathy
with this movement.
The commissioners say they have
operated to their fullest capacity the
four fish hatcheres and feeding stations;
that these have been more than ordinari-
ly successful; that they have lost less
land-locked salmon and trout during the
period from the time of Matching to the
time of planting, than in any previous
year; that the competition for the prod
uct Of these hatcheries is very keen
among the people; that they have en-
deavored to treat every section Of the
State fairly in the distribution of the
fish. There WAS taken during the fall Of
1899. so 900 landlocked salmon eggs,
100000 trout eggs, and 10000 brown
trout eggs, which are now in the various
hatcheries in the process of beiug
Matched.
That more people have come to Maine
during the past year to fish aud to hunt
than ever before in any one year, have
caught more fish, killed more game in
open season, except moose and Caribou.
than ever before in a single year. The
supply of fish seems to keep pace fairly
well with the constantly increasing de-
mand
The Legislature Of 1899 enacted law
that it should be lawful from the first
day of September to the first day Of
October to take one deer for food pur-
poses only, to be Consumed in the To-
cality where taken by the person taking
the same in oxford, Franklin, Somer-
set, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Aroostook.
Hancock and Washington counties.
When on fishing or hunting trip and
camping out in these counties, on pay
ment of So by resident and ST by a
resident; but a nonresident, however,
taking a deer as aforesaid must be In
charge of registered guide, or when
hn mi ha
State with intent to camp and kindle
fires thereon, during the months of June
to November. Four hundred and eighty
eight licenses were sold to nOn-residents
and l91 to residents of the State. Two
hundred and four licenses were sold for
the shipment of 10 pounds of fish by one
person, at 81 each, 81 licenses for the
shipment of deer to the home of the per.
son killing the same, without the owner
accompanying 1t, at SO each, and two
licenses for the shipment of moose, at S.
each. under the same conditions.
The number of deer killed in Septem-
Der by virtue of these licenses was very
small in comparison, and a good many
purchased licenses who did not use
them, and the appropriation for fish and
game got the benz ii of the sum paid
The commissioners say: ut is doubt
full If an additional deer was killed in
consequence of this law that would not
have been killed illegally without it,
September is an open mouth for fishing
the last half of it for hunting partridge
and thousands of people are following
the rivers, lakes and ponds and camping
around them in all northern Maine dur
ing this month, almost always having
one or more rifles in the party. 1t is i'm
possible to police this vast territory will
wardens and the result has been thai
deer have been taken constantly for food
purposes during September, and tht
State got no benefit from it. 1t is moi
believed that ten additional men were il
the woods in September in consequence,
of this law, and that the danger from
forest fires cannot possibly be greater il
consequence.
Total number of guides registered
1850, u of whom were non.residents
3l6 more than last year.
Total number of days these guides
have been employed in their business
600, II 099 more days than last year
Number of residents employing guides
COP, 1872 more than last year.
Number of non.residents employing
guides $500, 1884 more than last year
Number of moose killed PIG, II les;
than last year.
Number of deer killed 1873 an ap
parent falling off from last year of 1,42l
1t should be borne in mind that the
hunting season is lG days less this veal
than last The number killed last veal
being 1000 which averaged about l0(
per day during the open season, so tia
the number killed this year during the
time for killing deer was l79 more thar
last year.
Total number of bears reported killed
30.
Total number of pounds of fish report
ed taken l4l 4l2.
The law court has not yet announced
its decision upon the coustitutionality Of
the guide law.
No. of sporting camp licenses, 1872.
Amount of capital invested. 5000, 900
Number of guests entertained at these
camps, l2,0l2.
No. licensed hunters and trappers, 81
No. licensed dealers in deer skins. 20
No. skins reported bought by these
dealers, l,340.
Average price paid per skin, Bic.
Number of licensed retail dealers il
deer, 43.
10. of deer reported sold by thest
dealers, l2l.
Twenty dogs have been killed which
were kept or used for DIGGING deer.
There have been the usual number o.
prosecutions for infractious of the gam,
laws, and more for illegal moose killing
than any year PREVIOUSLY.
There are Yet people in Maine, and :,