Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-12-10
GAME AND BIRD PROTECTION

The work Of our lawmakers In be-
half OF the birds compares favorably
with that Of the legislatures OF almost
any other state, But the good work
is not yet finished. There are several
important matters which should re-
celye the early and careful cOnsidera-
ton OF our lawmaking body. Among
these the following may be speciiied'
MOURNING DOVES.
Legislation which shall recognize the
fact that the chief value Of the mourn
ing dove (Zennidura macroura) lies,
not In la carcass as an article Of food,
but I'm its services to the Utah farmer
as a destroyer OF vast amounts OF nox-
ious seeds, Not only has our state
placed this most useful bird upon the
game list, but the law provides for an
extended open season." permitting It's
slaughter during a period OF los days,
with no restriction upon the number
that may be taken by one person In
single day. one of our local sportsmen
told me that he secured 40 OF these birds
In less than two hours soon after the
opening OF the season IN August This
ought not 20 be; II full protection Is not
within the range Of possibility at pres
ent, the"closed season" ought TO be ma
terlally heightened and limit placed
upon the number TO be taken by one
person. But Utah ought TO take her
stand by the side Of Montana and Ne
vada and other sister states OF pro.
gfessive spirit and extend full protec-
ton 20 The mourning dove. Some Of the
reasons why this action should be taxi
en- rrA. the dove r not considered first.
class as an article OF tood-at le'
that Is the judgment OF many, and Il Is
a slow breeder Although fairly abund-
ant throughout the state, Il IL not pro-
lllc as are some other game birds, as
Il fears but two young at time, and
even with two broods annually II can
not increase rapidly With slow breed
ing. long open season. and unlimited
bags" by hunters, this most service
able bird Is In a fair way 20 be exter-
minated But the most potent reason
for the protection OF this bird has al
ready been indicated viz, rs great SER
vice TO the farmer. II the farmers OF
our state appreciated this fact, Il would
not be- long before we should have sat-
lsfactory legislation on this matter.
DUCKS.
Another matter which should receive
the attention Of our lawmakers. re-
lates to ducks, The barbarous and in
defenslble practise OF spring shooting
ought to be abolished, the number OF
ducks that may be killed by one person
in a day ought TO be cut In two, and
tho sale OF ducks ought 10 I've prohib-
tied. Spring shooting should be abol-
lshed because the interests Of true
sportsmanship demand Il: because the
ducks which come to our waters In tho
spring are, for the most part, not IN
good condlton--the birds being thin
and the meat blue and tough, and be-
cause the ducks should be allowed TO
pass freely 20 their northern breeding
grounds. or to take up their abode
within our own borders, where they
may Increase the supply Of their kind.
Spring shooting means the destruction
not only OF the birds killed, but OF the
hroods that would have been raised
during the summer For these and 9TH
err reasons such states as New York,
Vermont. New Hampshire, ohio. Mich.
igan Wisconsin. Minnesota, Montana