Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-04-18
Much Surprised TO Hear Of the Bills
Passing.

Passing.
The Geer bill, just made game
law by the Legislature, is very dis
tasteful TO the sportsmcn. 1t provides
that the hunting season Shall be from
November 10 to December 1, just 90
days. 1t will be unlawful to kill game
during any other season OF the year.
BY this law the sportsmen will have
no opportunity 10 shoot quails aud
woodcock. as the season for killing
this game will have been passed by
the time the regular season opens.
Senator Sieber, during last week tel
ephoned to Akron sportsmen the
statement that the Gecr bill would not
be passed. They are accordingly,
much surprised that it was finally put
through the Legislature.
The law providing protection of fish
during the spawning season, from May
10 TO June 15,. meets with approval OF
sporlsmen, and will be strictly OBJ
served.
Speaking of the passage of the Geer
bill, Durbin w. Holloway, president
of the Summit County Game and Fish
Protection society, said to reporter
for the Democrat, Tuesday evening:
"The law will be very unpopular with
sportsmen. The Legislature making
it a law was almost vicious, and was
in direct opposition to the wishes OF
the sportsmen and farmers"
Reviewing the opposition made by
sportsmen and farmers to the Geer
bill, Mr.. Holloway said: 'In the
first place. the farmers and sportsmen
held meeting at Columbus February
81. A bill agreeable to both the
sportsmen and farmers was prepared
and accepted. The bill provided for
the protection of our game. 1t was
satisfactory to the Game and Fish
commissioners, and they agreed to re-
commend its passage.
"This bill was originally drafted by
the Game and Fish commissioners
and the sportsmen and farmers made
such amendments to IL as seemed ad-
visable. The commissioners were
satisfied with the amendments.
"There was a joint meeting of the
Senate and House. and matters relat-
ing to the game bill were discussed in
general, some of the farmer members
of the Legislature wanted to prohibit
hunting entirely. Principal among
these obiectors was Mr.. Chamberlain,
of HUDSON, who made lengthy
speech in favor of prohibiting hunting.
The sportsmen told their side of the
story, and explained that the object
of their organization was to protect
game; that the society in no way was
formed to antagonize the farmers, but
rather TO cooperate with them in pro-
tecting game. Mr.. Chamberlain final
~ admitted that he saw many good
points in the bill prepared in harmony
with the wishes of the sportsmen.
"Mr. Gcer wanted the spOrtsmen
and farmers to endorse his bill, but,
of course, this was refused.
EVERY sportsmcn who carries gun
is taxed 81 year for the permission
to hunt. Non-residents of the state
are taxed 500 year for privilege TO
hunt In this state. This looks as
though the Legislature had, after the
sportsmcn had agreed to pay the tax,
turned around aud shut the door on
them"
Mr.. Holloway stated further that rs
soon as the roads get good, members
of the Summit County Game and Fish
Protecticc society, would drive around
through The county and in every dis
trict hold meetings at which TO ex'
plain to the farmers the purpose of
the organization, and TO secure their
cooperation. The local society has
$50 members.