Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-10-12
MISLEADING AND INCORRECT
Mr.. Pierce Fears His Views on Fish and
Game Are Not Understood.

Editor of Reformer:
The articles that have appeared in the Re.
former from time to time relating to the fish
and game laws and state fish and game com.
missioner, in connection with which my name
has been used without my knowledge or CON
/ sent, have been both misleading and incor-
rect in regard to my views on the subject. /,
| therefore, take this opportunity to state my
exact position in the matter.
! 1t was my pleasure to be- chairman of the
| Joint committee on game and fisheries in the
/ Legislature Of 1904. The work Of the com
mittee at that time is well known TO the peo-
| pie of the state. The committee took it upon
themselves after learning the views of those
interested in the fish and game laws and af-
ter taking into consideration the different
fish and game bills that were presented, to
offer a substitute bill which became law
Land was practically a complete revision Of
the fish and game laws of the state, and
am of the opinion that the same were greatly
improved by our work at that time and only
n few changes will be needed now. While
serving upon the committee several of my
constituents from Windham county requested
me to use my influence in having the open
season on trout in this county be from April
/ TO July l. This matter | brought before
the full committee and also arranged for sew
eral of the sportsmen Of the county to come
before the committee and present their
views on the subject. The committee refused
to recommend such measure. Personally
am Of the opinion that the present open sea
son on trout is the correct one for the state
as a whole and should be continued on our
statute books 1t is well for us to legislate
in this matter in the interests of the thou
sands of summer visitors who spend their va
cations in Vermont and who leave in the
state large sum of money annually, as well
MS for our own personal interests. Remove
these environments entirely, which the peo'
nle of the cities come here to enjoy and are
willing to pay for, and you viii lessen IN
great measure the present influx OF visitors
from our cities. Consequently it will result
in a financial loss to the people of the state,
If the laws are closely observed, there VIII
,,e pIentv Of fish and game for all.
7 would make the open season on partridge
one month shorter, having the season close
Dec. instead of Jan. 1. This would mean
Greater protection and an increase IN the
number of birds from year to year.
One question presents itself to us at this
time Shall Vermont require licenses from
nonresident hunters on all protected gamer
T am of the opinion this should be done, as
7 understand all states bordering on vermont
reauire such licenses. Unless vermont
orrands its present game laws our doors are
omen to nonresident hunters to come INTO the
stote and hunt all game except deer when is
now nroyided for, without providing them-
seIves with q license the same as is required
Inv the neghboring states from when thev
.oap,e LET rs meet the situation by enactlng
q law TO conform with laws Of nelghboTihg
states relating to licenses for NONRESIDENT
hunters as far as possible
There are other measures relating TO hsh
and game that without doubt VIII De prousn'