The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-15
WILD CAME AND
THE CAME LAWS
When Panthers and Wolves Were
Numerous.
THE VOLTS DREAD OF IRON.
Every Description of Game Becoming
Scarcer-Fish Also Becoming Ex-
tinCt-Laws to Save and Protect
Them-DifficuIty in Enforcing
Same.


Same
The game and fish problem of the
State of Maryland is one of consider
able import to the people Of the State,
especially, Allegany county. The fact
that game and fish are becoming
scarcer each year, does not lessen the
interest on the subject, bus increases
it rather. The State, through its
agents under the laws, is doing all
she can to check the dimunitiOn.
1t might be matter of interest to
many people to know something of
the laws of the State on the subject,
especially the local laws of Allegany
and Garrett counties. The first was
a general law for the State for the
preservation of wild deer, passed in
1885; five years before Allegany coun-
ty was organized. The next general
law was passed in 1899, chapter 5.
Next the act of 1895, chapter As. This
was for the preservation of deer in
Washington and Allegany counties
by prohibiting them from being kill
ed, except in Augest, September, DC.
tober, November and December. This
law contained severe penalties for its
yiolatian. Later laws added further
limits to the time when deer could be
legally taken. Now the limit is from
18th of October to the first of the fol-
lowing year. The purpose of the early
legislation was to preserve the deer
hunters from killing that game out
of the natural season.
The worst animal enemies to the
deer were the wolves and panthers.
So the next legislation was for their
destruction. Large premiums were
offered for their scalps. AT one time
the rate for wolf $50, and for a pan
Their SIS. No more legislation in be-
half of the deer till the act of 1888,
chapter 203. A local law for Allegany
county of 1862, chapter 239, fixed the
rate of VOLTS scalp at SEQ, and a
panther at S., wild cat $3.50 and a
| fox 500. 1t can here be stated truth
/ fully, that there has not been wolf
seen or taken in Garrett county
where they were formerly so numer-
Gus and destructive, for % years. The
same thing as to the panther. The
last one known was killed while be
was feasting upon a deer he had
killed near the ole Shade Mills
in the county named. The tax
PAYERS therein have been relieved of
a considerable burden on this line.
Holmes Wiley, noted hunter and
trapper in his day, received one year
over 500 for the scalps of an old fe-
male wolf with a half dozen pups. A
large days work. He had a theory
, about the disappearance of the VOL
yes, that when the B. & 0. Railroad
| Company built its road over the
mountains the iron rails drove the
wolves away. They were afraid to
cross or approach the iron track. 1t
is a known fact that a wolf is always
in a great fear of iron, hence the diff
Guilty of capturing in trap of that
metal. The trap needed to be cover
ed with water or something else
to deceive the wary animal. The pres
ent costs for scalps, foxes and wild
cats in Garrett county, is only about
$3.50 per year. Allegany about the
same as in Garrett county.
The high rate for the scalps of VOL
yes al panthers have a two fold
purpose: First to protect game, and
second domestic animals; such as
sheep, lambs, hogs, calves, etc. Wolves
and panthers were lovers of mutton,
venison and the like. A pack of VOL
yes would sometimes kill half flock
of sheep, much more than wanted at
the time, but the insiduous panther
would be cOntented with one victim,
and would hide it away for future
meals.
There has been a great deal of leg
islation in our State both of a gener-
al and local character. The act of
1896, chapter 293. the following for
its title, which will explain it: An
act to provide for the appointment Of
a game warden and deputy game war
dens. And to provide for a more Wig
orous enforcement of the game and
fish laws of this State This is the
first and only law on this subject, and
Col. Jno. w. Avirett, of this city, is
the efficient incumbent. He is having
a considerable amount of combatism
with the violators of the game and
fish laws.