Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-23
HUNTERS MUST
PAY GUN TAX

So-called nimrod artists whose bags
during any one days shooting are
usually confined to sick bird or
pair of rabbits will find hunting high
next season, especially if these same
ninrods happen to hail from other
lands and are not registered as citizens
of the United States.
All this comes about through the
new state gun license, which takes ef-
feet on the 1st day of July and makes
the following rates for any who hunt
elsewhere than on their own land: For
residents of the state, one simoleon;
for United States citizens, non-resi-
dent, ten dollars; and for foreigners of
any description, twenty-five dollars.
This applies to male and female alike,
and there will be no chance to evade
payment If the county clerk. game
warden, mountain rangers and others
interested can help it.
County Clerk Keyes is the man who
must see to it that the licenses are
issued, and 1t will be up to the game
wardens and rangers to nab those who
prowl around with a gun over their
shoulder without it. The tax will take
tangible shape in the form of a little
metal tag, which must be attached to
the person in plain sight when hunt
ing trip is in progress.
All the money taken in from this
source will be turned over to the game
wardens' department and used in pros
ecuting ViolatorS of the state game
law. In the past the warden has been
handicapped through lack of funds
and inability to employ a sufficient
number of deputies, but the new tax
is expected to remedy this to GER
tain extent.
All kinds of formalities must be
gone through before a person can Sc
cure the coveted tag which will entitle
him to hunt over unreserved land
without being molested by the warden
or his assistants. First the applicant
must present himself to County Clerk
Keyes or one of his office employees and
give his name and address, After he
is looked up in the dope book and
found to be what is attested to he
must stand the fire of pair of eyes
which note the color of his hair, gen.
: eral description and general Bertil-
Ion account of how the taxpayer looks.
Il After all this is gone through then the
g money is forthcoming and the license,
n in the shape of a tag, is issued.
a. County Clerk Keyes is expecting
some trouble in issuing tags to hunters
| who live in the remote sections of the
country and in order to facilitate mat
ters will employe extra deputies while
the rush is on. These deputies will be
empowered to issue tags and collect
1.-the fee, and rushing business is ex-
.aspected.
20 If it will stop the present condition
3 IF affairs, say these sportsmen, the tax
y will be most welcome. At present COM
a. ,laints are rife in the game warden g
eoffice that Chinese and Italians of the
'fa Dwer class repeatedly go out in the
: Vlelds and shoot meadow larks and
9 pbins without limit and also slaughter
mani the quail and doves they get a
tleI Ilance at. Unless they are citizens the
'erio5 fee will look mighty big to this
ressass of criminals, and they are apt
ld ! stay away from the fields altogether
The tourist crop usually gets the
n @st shooting because the members
"A Hereof journey out on week days
n len most of the natives are confined
lA1n their offices. This gives the visit
ys55s clear field and the local sports
h,ltersn figure it is well worth the SIC
litatioK to the pilgrims to be allowed a
anee at the game in California.