Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-01

belong 10 the citizens Of the State: and
that there is no money for guides or
bonnifaces in the nattves--eight- tenths
of them carry their own lunch
"Now this writer is native of Maine
and we will say nothing about his refer
ence to our alleged frugal habits.
Maine game is, let 1t be understood,
primarily for the people of Maine; they
own 1t, they can do as they choose with
it. through enactment of the Legis,a-
ture; they may let non-residents hunt
and kill it or not, and on sueh terms as
they see fit. We don't keep It exactly
for sweet Charity's sake. 1t may be
that the people of the State may want
all the game, and will keep it all for
themselves, as some other States do.
But we want to say word about the
classes that have not cOme-not any
considera BILE number to be sure, but on
account of the noise they have made
about their staying away one might be
misled as to their numbers. LIST. tine
kickers, represented by a few in a near
by state, and championed by a so-called
sportmans paper over in Bangor, who
are reported as resolving not to come
to Maine to hunt because Maine like
ell other States and countries that have
any game, has license law to hunt big
game-the laws of the State above re-
ferred to won't let them hunt big game
there, anytime-and resolving to go to
Canada because, We suppose, it is
further, costs more, and the license fee
is double what it is in Maine, and game
not so easily procured or as plenty as
here. But their number has not been
at all proportionate to the noise they
have made about it. We have missed
these estimable gentleman. and hope to
have them with us another year, but
with true hospitality we have sped the
departing guest and welcomed the
(new) coming guest
1t was persistently represented by
those who wished to keep as many
hunters as possible from coming, on ac-
count of their hostility to this law,
that Maine was all burnt over by for
est fires and the game had nearly been
burnt up Again, the prevalence of
smallpox had a tendency to keep hun
ters from coming, as we'll as the finan-
cial situation.
1.-THE so-called Ohio and Indiana
parties have not come in any consider
able numbers. Where there were hun
dreds of them last year and year be-
fore, there have been but scores, and
these of the very best. this year.
Again, the market hunter has not
come this year-the one who came not
to hunt but to buy two deer cheap and
take them to Boston or other cities
and sell them for the profit there was
in it, and their number was considera-
bic. Again, the nonresident work.
man in the. numbering camps has not
hunted to any great extent, this year.
1T is not exactly fair to compare
this year with last year, for last yeai
was the banner year-a phenomenal
year-every condition for hunting be-
ing well nigh perfect.
Nevertheless, when you deduct the
Ohio and Indiana parties, the number
who have hunted without q license fol-
birds and bears, there has been no
great falling off, as we have said be-
fore, of legitimate. desirable sports
men. The abundance of deer would
apparently safe stand more hunters
but nobody believes that larger
number of moose can be safely killed
yearly.
1T is well known that we tried to
100 :r2do1 license, FOR birds, deer
and moose. but We're overru!ed. We
are still OF the opinion that there
should be a small fee to hunt birds
larger one to hunt deer. and a still
larger one to hunt moose.
1.-THE annual reports IF the regis
tered guides made in accordance with
law, show that they have earned more
money, guided more men and more
days than last year, this being so, ano
there are their reports to prove it or
file in our Office, what becomes of the
complaint made that the guides have
suffered because of this law?
I'VE want to reiterate that the COM
missioners are greatly pleased with
the great success of this law. Oui
woods have been safer. There has
been but one case Of accidental shoot
ing. and this was not MISUNDERSTANDING
man for a deer. by non resident
as against nine fatalities last year
We have had better class of hunters
as whole, than ever before. ana they
appear to be we'll pleased with this
law.
I'VE have received many warm COM
mendations of this law from visiting
sportsmen. ! happen to have now ir
my pocket a letter from Philadelphia
gentleman, which is a fair sample OF
scores of letters l have received.
will give it to you in full, name and
all:
The Clinton, Philadelphia, Pa
Nov. 2, 1908
My dear Mr.. Carleton:
1 am so glad that you so manfully
support the license law in Maine, as
per your sensible article which ap-
peared in the Friday issue of Oct Goth
Maine Woods"
L, too. have hunted a good deal
throughout Maine, Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick. etc, etc.. and l think the
only fair thing is to have all hunters