The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-29
SPRING SHOOTING or DUCKS.
Strenuous Efforts BEING Made 20 Repeal
the Law OF 1908 FOrbldding II.

Strenuous Efforts BEING Made 20 Repeal
the Law OF 1908 FOrblddlng II.
ALBANY. April 2s.-In 1908 the Legislature
passed a law forbidding the spring shooting
Of ducks in this State for the first time.
Il was the most important piece Of game
legislation which had been enacted in many
years, for ducks are the only wild birds
which have not been practically extermi-
mated by the pothunters and marketmen.
Since the law was enacted there have been
annual attempts TO repeal it by the resi-
dents Of Long Island. who do not seem to
comprehend that it is anything but local
question, and do not seem TO realize that
the shooting Of ducks in the spring, when
they are going TO their breeding grounds,
is the most ruthless kind Of slaughter Of
wild birds
Early in this season bill was introduced
by Assemblyman Hubbs and Senator Burr
to permit spring shooting Of ducks again.
When a hearing was had on the bin before
the joint committees on Forest, Fish and
Game, the Federal Government sent Mr..
Palmer here from the Department Of Agri-
culture at Washington TO oppose the meas
ure He said that the Federal Government
had been en- gagged for years in attempting
10 secure legislation in the States along
the Atlantic coast forbidding q spring
shooting of wild birds, and that since the
State Of New York had passed its law Maine
and Rhode Island had done similarly, and
an act was pending in the Pennsylvania
Legislature (Which has since passed) to
the same effect; that some Of the Southern
States had shortened their open season,
all led by the important attitude OF New
York State, and that New Jersey and Con-
neCticut would come into line as soon as
they felt sure that the position Of New
York on the question would not change;
that the position was Of the utmost i'm
portance. because the waters around Long
Island stituted one Of the great refugees
for ducks on the Atlantic Coast on their
annual migration, and that the slaughter
Of them there meant their ultimate eXteTmi-
nation.
II was resolved in both committees 10
refuse TO report the Burr-Hubbs measure
repeating the law, but recently a bill has
been introduced by them in each house
modifying the orig inal plan by permitting
spring shooting three days each week
from March IS until May /, which is the
period OF the spring flight, and In their
desperation they are willing 20 modify
il still further to two days or one day II
they can only obtain the privilege To shoot
ducks in the spring. During the last week
strenuous endeavors have been made to
the Assembly.
Besides the selfish reason Of pothunters,
railroads, hotelkeepers and marketmen
in the vicinity Of Long Island, partizan
politics has entered into the matter and
Il has been urged that Gov. Odell in last
falls campaign promised the Long Island
leaders that II they would elect Republican
Senators and Assemblymen he would see
that such a measure was passed this ssio J..
At least one prominent New York leader
in some stump speeches il said 70 have
repeated the promise Of the Governor.
and Senators Malby and Raines are re-
ported TO be wabbling on their feet be-
cause Of this partizan reason.
Every sporting journal Of prominence
in the country, every institution Of learning,
all sportsmen who shoot for sport and not
for the market and the better sentiment
Of the whole state is aTrayed against the
measure, but private interests and partilan
politics, which are so potent in legislative
matters, are pushing il with the utmost
yiUnF