Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-11-20
754 DEER SHOT IN VERMONT.
In Addition 81 Does Are Known to Have
Been Shot IIlegalIy-Recomme
by Commissioner Thomas.

In Addition 81 Does Are Known to Have
Been Shot Illeeally-Recommen
by Commissioner Thomas.
The disposition of great majority of
our would-be good and law abiding cit
iHens and many wardens, is to shield
ones fellow man who persistently Vio-
lates the fish and game laws, instead of
entering Il complaint or reporting vio-
latorS to the commissioners. In 80 cases
out OF 100 he would rather screen a petty
offender from punishment richly deserved
than to be personally instrumental in his
apprehension, which is not noble even
in sentimental theory The offender is
encouraged and emboldened by his escape
and becomes audacious in his subsequent
malefactions, and the would-be benefac-
tor has accessorily lent himself to the
preparation of crime. Why is ii that
nearly all reports of violation of the fish
and game laws come with reluctance,
and hedged about with conditions which
defeat its purpose and renders the intent
valueless. | think the great majority of
rs have been guilty of this foolishness
some time or other, and the fact Is no
credit to us. 1t is every mans duty, and
more especially wardens and all members
OF the Fish and Game League, to aid in
the compulsory observance and enforce
ment of our fish and game laws. The
personality of the offenders should not be
considered. From day TO day | am in
receipt of anonymous communications
making vague statements, or if they
sign their name, make the request that it
not be mentioned for fear of hard feel
ings, but would like to see the law en-
forced. quite number have written Mr..
So and SO shot a doe accidentally; he is
a poor man with a large family, works
hard, and the people say he is honest
In the first place, there is no accident
know what he is shooting at, and he has
no right to shoot at deer unless he can
distinctly see his horns. In the second
place. a man who shoots a deer without
horns. or horns not visible even If it is
buck deer, is not an honest sportsman
and should be prosecuted under the law.
There have been reported to me during
the ten days of open season 81 doe il
legally killed, and in nearly all cases no
clue to the perpetrators. l have followed
up every case, and am still at it, where l
could get any substantial evidence; but
many more could be apprehended If 1t
wasn't for the noble sentiment of shield
ing a friend or neighbor who has sent
you nice large piece of doe venson for
the sole purpose of your silence. To be
conservative l do not think one-half of
the number of doe illegally killed have
been reported.
Through the courtesy and cooperation
of post masters and wardens, for which l
extend many thanks, | am able to report
very accurately the number of deer kill
ed during the last ten days of October;
also append the number killed last year
to show the comparison.
1908.
Addison co. Bennington "a, Caledonia 80.
Chittenden 30. Essex 20. Franklin 49,
Grand Isle .. Lamolle 81, Orange 81, Or
leans g.. Rutland Il, Washington SO,
Windham AS Windsor IFS. Total 754.
1902.
Addison %, Bennington Is. Caledonia s.
Chittenden 9, Essex 90, Franklin ~. Grand
Isle 2, Lamoille 10. Orange 22, Orleans "a.
Rutland 81, Washington 49, Windham 49,
Windsor 1Oi. Total $50.
The increase of deer killed in 1908 over
1909 is more than % per cent. to say moth
ing about the Illegal slaughter of doe
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; counties showing
the largest increase from the fact that
many hunters from adjoining states have
made their camping grounds in Windsor
Windham. Orleans and Addison For
many years Essex county was supposed
to be one of our best counties for sports
men, but the fact that this county APP
pareptly by Illegal methods pertaining to
the HSn ana game laws Oh our state, ner
ratio has decreased. 1t was reported to
me by those who respect the laws in Es-
sex county that open season continues
throughout the year. There are reported
hunters from other states, New York A.
Massachusetts 10, New Hampshire g.
Rhode Island 2, Canada l. that were all
successful in killing deer and taking them
out of the state There We're also re-
ported from New York state &c, who We're
not successful, from Massac husetts, and
33 from New Hampshire. No doubt some
of these parties captured deer, and they
were taken from the state without being
reported to the commissioners. 1t is
very evident to your commissioner that
this increase in slaughter of deer or even
the same ratio kept up. will soon de-
plete the stock. Every day reports come
to my office that wounded deer are dis
covered which means large addition to
the number slaughtered already reported.
Wardens throughout the state, where
such reports come from, are instructed to
hunt them up and put them out of mis-
cry.
II. G. THOMAS. Commissioner.