The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-16
SPORTSMFN FAVOR
STOPPING SALE
OF DUCKS

There is q steadily growing senti-
nlent among the sportsmen who enjoy
q day on the marsh after ducks that at
the next session OF the Legislature the
laws should be amended 70 prohibit the
sale OF these birds. Unless the de-
structive work OF the market hunters
IS curbed 1t is evident that in few
years the sight of ducks within a rea-
sonable distance OF this city Will be a
rare one.
While the sportsmen are undoubted-
" in favor OF stopping the sale Of ducks
they are not agreed in the matter of
reducing the bag limit The most ar
dent OF the game protectionists want
the legal limit reduced from fifty birds
10 twenty five. The only argument the
proponents OF the plan of leaving the
limit where il is at present is that it is
seldom that a man can get fifty ducks
and that when he can he should not be
deprived OF the opportunity of doing
so. This is rather faulty reasoning. as
3 bag OF twenty five ducks should sat
isfy any sportsman after day afeld.
Il is claimed that the restaurants of
this city could dispose OF $4,000 ducks
a day IL they could secure them One
railroad brought 10000 ducks recently
TO this city from Sacramento, that be-
ing the district covered at present by
the market shooters. One firm is said
20 have received fortytwo bags of
ducks, each bag containing fifty birds.
or a total of 21o0.s While ii is con-
trary TO law for one firm to have so
many birds in its possession the depu-
ffestof the Fish and Game Commission
who are charged with the enforcement
Of the game laws seem unable TO check
the gross violation of the statutes.
Many OF these birds are caught in
ts-ts along the Sacramento RIVER. A
haul as high as one thousand birds is
made at one time. After being caught
rhe birds are usually marked with shot
ia hide the illegal manner ia which
they have been taken. Judge Shortall
f5,ed two men S25 each some days ago
for taking ducks In this manner. The
Offenders had 1e2 ducks in their posses
sion.
II II were not for the difficulty OF
access Lake County would be the para
disc OF the sportsmen. AT the present
time ducks are plentiful in the vicinity
of Lakeport. The range of choice is
n wide one, as spring, teal, mallard
sanvasbacks and geese are all avail
able. The quail are also thriving in
that county, being so plentiful that
the people seem to care but little for
dav after them, although a city
snortsrnan would think himself in the
seventh heaven of bliss If he had a
chance at them, especially If provided
with a good dog.
T. J. Kapian and J. Harry Scott spent
several days at Lakeport recently, and
are enthusiastic over the sporting pos
s3biiities Of Lake County. They were
IN the picturesque county on other
business. and did not have all the shoot
ing that they desired
Tho shooting on the Sonome County
marsh last Sunday was the best Of tho
present season. Seven members OF
f,,e Alameda County Cur Club are cred
tied with having secured limit bags. and
al on the marsh had as many birds
70 bring home as they wanted The
serne conditions prevailed AT the ma
saritv Of the preserves.
The storm OF Monday has probably
scaffercd the ducks over the country
and IL is not expected that the shoot
ing will be good this week. Some men
went to the great preserve on Tubbs
island on wednesday and had a blank
5av. the birds having disappeared. II
is thought that they have gone to the
Sen Joaquin VALLEY, where they will
lind feed TO their liking.
The preserve OF the Empire Gun Club
a. Monterey should attract the birds in
numbers. and the members will prob
ably have some exciting sport today.