Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-11-26
Totals,

he llltItdHt vi hfNl hllliu III 4HbD
over 1902 is more than 81 per cent, TO
say nothing about the illegal slaughter
OF does. There seems to be a much
larger increase of deer killed during
the present season in some counties
than others, which is easily accounted
for from the fact that many hunters
from adjoining states made their
camping grounds in Windsor, Wind
ham, Orleans and Addison. For many
years Essex county was supposed to
be one of our best counties for sports
men, but that county has fallen back
by illegal methods pertaining TO the
fish and game laws of our state.
The commissioner says sit was
reported TO me by those who respect
the laws that in Essex county the open
season continues throughout the year.
There are reported the following hunt
ers from other states, New York, 4;
Massachusetts, y; Rhode Island, 2;
Canada, that all were successful in
killing deer and taking them ont of the
state. There were also reported 6 from
New York state who were not success
full, 9 from Massachusetts, and 80 from
New Hampshire. No doubt some OF
these parties captured deer and they
were taken from the state without be-
ing reported to the commissioners. II
is very evident 10 your commissioner
that this increase in slaughter of deer
or even the same ratio kept up, will
soon deplete the stock. Every day re-
ports come to my Office that wounded
deer are discovered, which means a
large addition 10 the number slaughter
ed already reported. Wardens
throughout the state, where such re-
ports come from, are instructed TO
hunt them up and put them out OF
misery
The commissioner complains that
there is disposition on the part OF
the majority of would-be law-abiding
citizens to shield their fellow men who
persistently violate the fish and game
laws, instead of entering complaints or
reporting violators TO the commission
ers. All reports of violation of the
fish and game laws come with reluc-
lance, and hedged about with conditions
which defeat their purpose and render
the intent valueless. 1t is every mans
duty, and more especially that of war
dens and all members of the Fish and
Game League, TO aid in the compul-
sorry observance and enforcement OF
our fish and game laws. The person
ality OF the offenders should not be
considered. The commissioner says he
receives such communications as this:
MIR. So and So, shot a doe accident
ally; he is a poor man with a large
family, works hard, and the people
say he is honest
'.In the first place. he declares there
is no accident about it, A sportsman
should know what he is shooting at,
and has no right to shoot at deer I'M
less he can distinctly see his horns. In
the second place, man that shoots a
deer without horns, or horns not Wis
ible. even if il is a buck deer, is not
an honest sportsman and should be
prosecuted under the law"
There have been reported during the
ten DAYS of the open season, 81 does
illegally killed, and in nearly every
case no clue TO the perpetrators. He
hes followed up every case where he
could get any substantial evidence and
many more could be apprehended ii it
were not for the sentiment OF shielding
a friend or a neighbor. who has con-
tributed a nice piece of doe venison
for the sole purpose of securing 81
lence lie does not think one-half OF
the number OF does illegally killed has
been reported.