Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1906-12-27
DISCUSSING THE PROPOSED GAME
LAW.

LAW.
The Sioux Falls Argus Leader oil
Monday contains communica tion
from "L. S. e" of Elk Point on the
proposed new game Jaw. His views
are so pertinent and fair that we re.
produce below the article entire:
ITO the editor OF the Argus Leader
The attached clipping from a recen,
number OF Outing may add something
TO the interest now so widespread
throughout the state in the matter OF
more adequate game and fish laws
and a corresponding better protection
for tbs game.
One of the happiest results Of
spring protection for migratory water
fowl is seen In the increasing freauen-
cy with which the birds are breeding
on the ponds and lakes OF settled farm
ing country. Here the natural enc
mics which work such havoc among
the-setting birds and with the eggs
and young of northern unsettled dis
tricts are in greatly reduced numbers,
and mallards, teal, widge0n, pintail,
black duck, blue bills, red-heads, and
even the mighty canvasback, are lin.
gering among the ponds and quiet
lakes in ever increasing numbers each
spring, Don't destroy such promising
conditions as these, even ii your par
ticular state does sanction duck and
snipe shooting in the spring. Give
the birds the chance which they have
already shown their ability to make
the most OF since the sentiment in far
vor of spring protection has become
widespread. Planting wild rice and
celery in these waters where these
fayorite foods are not already pres Mt,
will prove AN additional inducement
for the ducks TO remain late after the
breeding season and enable you to
gather the harvest OF your patient re-
straint from harmful shooting in the
spring.
mo man long resident OF South
Dakota and familiar with country life
and the habits of wild fowl but who
will at once instantly recognize the
truth and force of the above. No
species of game, fur, fin or feather,
becomes as quickly accustomed to man
and fearless of him when unmOlested
as ducks. 1t is possible in localities
through the state, especially where
artesian wells have made many arti-
fetal lakes and hunting is forbidden,
to approach so near myriads OF ducks
that it would be sin Pile matter TO
kill them with stones. 1t Is true that
in parts OF the state, possibly 10 this
part of it, there is better shooting in
the spring than in the fall, but | am
one farmer who agrees with C. 4.
H. OF Aberdeen that no sportsman
will shoot birds in their mating and
nesting season. law or no law. The
doing away with spring shooting Will
perhaps deprive few men OF a little
shooting, but as the birds are poor,
thin in flesh, tough and unfit for food
after their flight from the south and
| the strenuous life OF long winter
campaign and bombardment. no man
will be greatly harmed. while the
benefit to every lover OF hunting
| throughout the state will be as ten 10
one.
| SIN conclusion | want to say that
the main thing is 70 get the protection
of game In this state on a business
basis. a paid state game warden
whose sole business 10 TO watch the
game and 6sh and county warde ne
Who viii likewise be paid for their
sarvices And no man who is entitled
~ the name OF sportsman will ooleci
10 having the small fee OF VI annually
to foot the bill And. as farmer,
want to add also that all TINS tais
| ! ahont the game laws being made ior
the benefit OF city sportsman y al
rot We have only one or two cities
i 4 the state to start with. and IN them
faw hunters compared to the vast nu'n'
har - neople in the country who h'sT
ana 6ah. The city sport onay
y. ar twtee, as rule, and ~ s's's
eraple expense a. lhsl, while Aisrl