The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-25
MANY WILD GEESE
0N.RAPPAHANN0CK,
Much Game Shipped Out of.
the State by Pot
Hunters.
GAME LAWS. NOT UNDERSTOOD R!
GAME LAWS NOT. UNDERSTOOD
Blue Hawks May be Responsible,
for the Scarcity OF
cartridges.

Especial to The Times-Dispatoh)
a>UNuNSYliIl4t1 VA; Nov. 2s.-hlr1l
Ferris, Of Bathurst plantation, was
knocked sensefess yesterday by a falling
limb, while cutting wood In the White
Oak Swamp. The limb fell from a. tall
tree near where Mr.. Ferris was cutting,
and, striking another limb. broke, and a
large section Ii Of It fell !. on his head.
He will recover. II! ST ~ ;s1',..
There are more wild geese In this Soc.
ton than There have been for many
years. Every night flock after flock
passes over going toward the Rappahnn-
mock. and, at a later hour, they return
going south Thousands Of them may be
seen in the river near old Fort Lowery
But they are too wary to be approached
during the day, and the law forblds
shooting them at night. It is thought
that this is not. observed by huntsmen on
( the Richmond county shore, since scores
Of guns are heard on that shore during
tho night. It Is tho duty of tho game
wardens to stop this violation Of the
law Tt has been reported to your cor
respondent that large quantities Of game
arc being shipped out Of the State b
tho Rappahannock steamers. This is a
fragrant violation Of the game law I'M
less the game lis sent as a present or Is
tilken by nonresident l,llntsmell who,
have paid their License to hunt In this
State There is good reason to think that
the galno Is shipped BY pot hunters. !"
who live higher up the river. AS the,
law now stands 1T reads as follows:
ut shall be unlawful, except as herein-
after provided" (ths provision refers to
lnon-residents, who have paid hunting IL
censc, taking a limited number OF game
away with thenD ITO ship or transport,
or cause to be shipped or transported
from this state, whether alive or dead.
Wild water foul, wild turkeys, pleasants,
or grouse. woodcock, partridges, quail.
or other game birds or any deer or veni-
sen killed or captured within this State,
nor shall the same 20 killed. captured,
or POSSESSED will, intent to ship or trans
polt from this State" And fixes a fine
OF $50 to the person or corporation vioat-
ing any provision OF this section.
Could there be q codlfication Of the
game laws, and this put into tho hands
OF the wardens, and dispensed among the
teachers of the country schools also,
game would fare better, for which lg-
norance there Is much viola ton Of our
game laws scattered as they arc through
the books from the Colo of ~ to the Act
Of May. 20, 1903, Tho lawyers may know
(?) but tho laity do not.
Noticing the reports from many Of your
correspondents at ITO the scarcity or
birds In various portions Of the State
this season, and the probable CAUSE OF
Ut suggests tplat the uhprlictty of
hawks may be offered as Il cause. There
are fewer4birds here than have been seen
for years. They seemed abundant III the
early fall. But now In fields where
flocks have used for fifty years or more
none can be found. Some say they are
III the woods. This Is hardly trua Your
correspondent has hunted both fel 10 ana
woods with three sweeping dogs Of socd
nose and good bird sense. but tho birdi
cannot bo found-onqy very small fl0cks,
and but few OF them. There arc no
mountains near here for the birds to MI
crate towards. as sugg astcd l,y one Of
your correspondents in an upper coun-
~. There are scores or "blue whistler"
hawks, however, and one OF these liv-
ing In the vicinity Of a covey ot part-
ridges will thin them out faster than any
two sportsmen. for the hawk scarcely
ever misses his bird and II takes about
!, ots,tt