The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-30
THE GAME LAWS
OF VIRGINIA
They Are Being Dsregarded by Peo-
pie All Over the State, Says
Secretary Hart.

Mr. NJ D. Hart, secretary Of the slr-
GINA Division, League of American Sports
men, was seen yesterday by a Times
reporter, and said:
I'VE have had requests from sportsmen
to publish in their respective local papers
a notice offering ten dollar reward TO
any officer of the law for arrest and con-
viction OF gane-law violators. Ihls IS
the amount paid deputy wardens OF the
league for such work. This, while not
bad idea, would be paying State officers
for performing duties which they are al
ready sworn to- Some reports state that
entire hocks of young wild turkeys are
being killed before they are half grown
by hunters claiming TO be squirrel hunt
ing. Others report quail being killed by
men claiming they are only working their
young dogs. The consequence is that those
OF us who walt until the law allows Us
to hunt find no game. We have written
these parties that we would appoint deputy
wardenS wherever and whenever the
names Of good men endorsed by the
sportsmen in their vicinity desiring the
position We're forwarded to US, but hardly
thought an officer Of the law, who did
not now uphold the dignity of the law
though sworn TO do so, was the kind of
man TO offer extra fees to.
The trouble now confronting us is that
wish to accept positions as deputy war
dens.
Mr.. Franklin Stearns. chief warden,
has been very careful in selecting the
deputy wardens already appointed. Those
appointed are sportsmen OF discretion.
Had he cared to appoint all applicants for
this position, he could have enrolled a
large number.
He did not want to appoint extremists,
/ ,>,.a, C~llD
and who would have a neighbor arrested
for shooting a bird out of season for a sick
wife, but men of discretion who followed
the spirit OF the law. Deputy wardens are
instructed TO first caution those believed
to be ignorant Of the game-law. but if
| caught after being told, to proceed against
them at once. Nine times out OF ten a
caution is all that is necessary.
Virginia is far behind in game-aws
Other States have found it necessary to
pass nonresident license laws, non-ex-
sort laws, but Virginia throws her hunt
ing fields open to the world to come. kill
and eat. ship and sell what is left There
are some people who think this kind OF
thing can so on forever. If a stop is not
called in ten years. YOU will be able to
find more quail in the State OF New York
than yG>4 can in Virginia, and instead OF
our New York friends coming down here
10 uuilt, we VIII De gong UP II1ere paying
nonresident tax, and be allowed to
bring back, not ship. to our wives about
fifty quail per man. When you get some
thing for nothing anywhere but in old
Virginia. let the best of US know
Our hospitality, so far as our game fields
are concerned. has been very much i'm
posed upon. I wrote to nearly every
prominent sportsman in Virginia last
cpring to join us in the work of game
protection. If half OF them had joined
the league. we would have enough money
now in our treasury to shut off these
darkies, who are squirrel hunting in
blinds, by offering a reward q must adj
nit to poorly paid constables and other
State officers, who are dependent upon
these lawless citizens for their continuance
| i'll Office
Give the league a membership of ,ool
in Virginia and we will close the markets
| OF every town in the State. pay every
! constable in Virginia ten dollars for ar
! rest and conviction Of those breaking the
| game-laws. and our members Will helm
! TO secure these convictions.
4 will. be glad to forward the constitu-
ton of the league to any sportsman IN
, terested in game protection