Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-10-31
THE PROTECTION OF DEER.

THE PROTECTION OF DEER.
Consideration CO.. the results of the re-
cent open season for the hunting of deer
in Vermont has led various contcmpor-
aries to discuss different phases OF the
situation, some Of which have already
been mentioned in these columns The
degree Of tameuess OF deer resulting
from the freedom Of that game from
bounding unquestionably facilitated their
shooting on a large scale. and other con-
sldcrations are brought out by the Ben
nington Banner as follows:
Judging from reports from the different
sections OF the State over a thousand
deer have been killed in Vermont this
fall. ono rnason of course has been
that the conditions were more favor
able for hunting. During the flrs.> few
days Of the open season when most of
the deer We're Killed there was snow on
the ground which made it easier to trace
the deer and also rendering it possible
in many cases. to follow up and secure
a wounded animal instead of allowing
it to crawl off and die in some sheltered
place. The better hunting facilities and
the increased number Of hunters, how
ever does not account for all the in
creased slaughter. 1t is evident that the
Vermont law Is effective in protecting
deer and that the deer are increasing
In this State. 1t is but another proof
of what the Banner has often urged
If the fish and game laws are enforced
and, what is more important, are cordi-
ally and honestly lived up to by the
sportsmen themselves. It will be only
few years before there will be fish
and game enough for all.
The st. Adams Messenger. reversing
the Americanism that the only good In
alan is a dead Indian thinks that the
only good deer is a 1--we deer In other
words It's SAYS that deer are worth moro
TO vermont alive than dead. Here is
what III" contemporary says in part:
The deor hunting season is over and
Vermont is now counting the cost; not
merely in the unusual slaughter OF these
pretty creatures but In the loss Of hu-
man life and injury to limb. say nothing
about the fact that for one whole solid
week the woods have been full of in
ordinary travel on country roads and the
transaction OF ordinary employments in
the fields and pastures hard by have all
been at considerable risk. The simple
fact is that when the deer hunting sea
son begins. the average man and wo-
man OF proper caution are afraid of their
lives If occasion takes them within gun
shot of these places, and they have good
reason to be.
The Messengers has long commended that
the deer are worth more 10 Vermont
alive than dead. This State is too small. |.
It's forest lands too restricted, to ever
make possible the propagation Of wild
creatures in sufficient numbers to af- |
ford such generally profitable hunting
AS 1t is possible to maintain in the Wild
"rness regions OF New York and Maine
Ard by profitable hunting is meant. for
h" most part revenue to accrue to the
public al large from the expenditure of
hunting parties, which Is well known TO
be a very important source of income
to those States. The comparatively few
deer killed In Vermont. the comparative-
~ few deer it will ever be possible to
Kill here are simply the prizes of local
hunters, with very few exceptions. and
a license to every Tom, Dick and Harry
in every Village to arm Themselves with
In the shape of a frearn FROM
an Old Bess to a modern Krae and H.
terally scour the woods for six success
s!ve DAYS and nights to tho ,.rror %
the neishborhood and TIE fright or des-
truction OF every living wild creatur. IN
sight.
From an economic viewpoint notbi,c
whatever is gained by II. From the yie,y
point of hunting as royal sport nracti-
cauy nothing is gained because there is
little or nothing Of such hunting. No H.
tie part of the deer that are taken eyer,
year are creatures that have become
by association with mankind
and that frequent without fear the pas
Us ""' 'N'n '"' "'''"y aFds and or
stance after instance ,s rono,toa ~ ,.iI,