The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-03
UNIFORM GAME LAWS
WANTED BY SPORTSMEN
Effort to Make Them Alike
in Nearby States.
TO HOLD LOCAL MEETING
District Game and Fish Protective As
ISOLATION to Draft Proposed
Changes Shortly.
TO HOLD LOCAL MEETING

Ofhcers and members of the Came
and Fish Protective Association of tho
District of Columbia will meet on jan
uary II in the Office of DR. Walter Har-
ban, 1872 New York Avenue. for the pur-
pose OF advocating uniform game laws
Tor Virginia. Maryland. and the Dis
trict. In Virginia and Maryland each
county has its laws, which usually vary
and confuse huntsunen.
The idea of the Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association is to frame a model
set of laws to serve as a guide TO other
States. thus celebrating the prevailing
confusion. The laws TO be drafted AT
the meeting viii tend more than ever to
protect game. The association recog-
nizes the fact that there has been an
Rppreciable falling of in the sport in the
past two years around Washington. and
next season gunners may have many
restrictions placed upon them. This viii
be done Tor the purpose of repIenishinp
the supply. and in several years time
nuntsmen should be rewarded by much
better sport
To Protect Game.
Partridges. for instance have shown
a greater decrease in numbers than any
other game bird or animal. and an effort
will be made to preserve them next
year. A strenuous effort will also be
made 10 protect squirrels and wood
duck. which can easily be domesticated
The domestication of squirrels has
been successfully tried by the District
government within the past year. A
dozen or so were placed in the Capitol
grounds, and they have become so tame
they viii take nuts and other food from
persons hand.
II is the opinion of Major Sylvester
Game Warden of the District of Column
bla, that all birds, with the exception
OF sparrows, should be preserved as far
as possible He is in favor of the elm.
ination CT this bird, If il can be accom-
pllshed, as ii destroys property and
grain and drives away song birds, such
as the robin.
Several years ago many birds of plu
mage were killed for millinery purposes
and they became so scarce it was neces-
sary Tor the authorities TO prohibit
shooting them at any time in the usua
season. As result birds of this kind
are again accommodating rapidly.
II the local Game and Fish Protectiv,
Association is successful in persuadinl
Maryland ana Virginia to make laws
uniform with those of the District, /
Will earn the gratitude of the huntsmer
of both States and of the District. II
Maryland. for instance. the lowIanC
counties close seasons on kinds of gam,
that are shot in the highland counties
in Washington county there is no sea.
son. and game may be shot at will.
To Watch Fish Laws.
The present fish laws will probably b.
preserved. with possibly one or tw,
minor changes. Under them no man /.
allowed 10 drag a net for bass or fist
of the shad or herring species within
the limits Of the District. as the river
from the Great Basin to Jones Pond,
distance Of about seven miles, is tn,
greatest breeding ground in the Poto
mac
Dragging nets was once allowed. ans
the supply of bass was almost exhaust
ed, as during the breeding season the,
are in dormant condition, and ar,
easily taken. An effort will also b,
made TO prevent saWmills and Other
such factories and mills from beinE
erected along the river in the District
The streams are being rapidly de
spoiled Of their beauty and the fish rem
dered unit for use by refuse from sew
ers and sluices- The association will
invite officials. legislators. protective as
sociations. scientific and educational in.
stitutions and the press to cooperate
with il 10 save the streams which We
remain uncOntaminated and in red en
ing those already polluted.