The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-12-30
GAME LAWS NOT WHAT THEY SHOULD

In this State there is so little game
left that the interest of sportsmen in
game laws has tagged. Game laws
should be made not in the interest of
the leisure class, nor i'll the interest of
the market, but for the benefit of that
great number of Americans who can
turn aside from the rush and struggle
of life for few days enjoyment of
that kind Of recreation which con
tributes most to health, rests tired
nerves, trains in physical endurance.
self restraint, presence of mind, ac-
curacy of observation, quickness of
thought, and in fact those attributes
of mind aud body which fit n man to
be useful citizen in peace and n val :
liable soldier in war Do our game
laws seem to be in the interest of this
great number of men?
Test the nonresident law as to its
relation to these principles. The non.
resident man of leisure can now shoot
in New Jersey for two months and n
half by paying $40. The pot hunter
(if the game were not so nearly ex.
tinct) could afford to do the same.
But thousands OF men who have gone
from New Jersey homes to live IN the
great cities, cannot return for n days
sport even on their own or their faith
atfu nt I'M
fee. The other thousands, who, al
though they mover lived in the State,
would he greatly benefited by slip.
ping away from the desk to enjoy Il
few days with some friends in Jersey,
| are shut out, for $40 added to their
other expenses, is prohibitory. The
added provision that the sportsman
may not take his game ont Of the
State, IN also open to serious objec-
tons. The game after il has been
! shot belongs to him. The rule that "A
man may not take his personal prop
erty over the State line is so contrary
to our American ideas that nothing
but force will make men obey it. The
application of force involves the right
to search baggage without warrant, Il
procedure that is utterly offensive.
The almost total disappearance of
birds in northern Jersey made il I'M
perative to shorten the shooting sea-
son, or better to suspend it for term
of years; but to the surprise aud dis
gust OF our sportsmen the sea
son was moved back to Oct. 10, date
when much of the game is unfit to
kill, when the farmers are too busy
to shoot, and the weather too warm to
make shooting pleasant or healthful.
Our game laws are so lacking in
either equal justice Or common sense,
that the citizens only use them when
! especially provoked to vent their
wrath on an impndent trespasser, or
get revenge on personal enemy.
The first duty of our Legislators is
to prohibit all shooting of game birds
until the danger OF determination il
passed; and in the meantime appoin,
commission to visit the sections
where there may be shooting and
meet the men who know the local
conditions and get ut the facts, aud
then prepare and subm it for publ
discussion system Of game laws
| Such acOmmission wonld probably
find that game cultivation must sup
plement game preservation; that fol
this purpose State parks should be
dedicated with game-keeper who
will give his time to the raising Of
game; and that game is public prop
erty until killed, that therefore the
right to capture does not 90 with thu
land and cannot be either leased OF
purchased; that trespass penaltie,
shonld be limited to actual damage
that private game preserves should
only be obtained by franchise and OF
condition OF some public service, al
an annual proportional contribution
to the game OF the State; that crow
and skunks are the worst enemies 0
game, and there should be bount,
on both, and no obstacle to the trapp
ing Of such creatures. even il few
bits are captured in that way.
The commission wonld pr0babl,
find no objection to tax on gun
with receipt OF such character tina
ii could be worn attached to the from
OF the coat, and a license in tire
grades for non residents for day, 10
week and for the season, each date
and signed by the gunner as well a