Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-09-09
FOR PROTECTION OF GAME.

The following circular letter
from the Game Protective AsSocia-
tion of Virginia is eSpe cialy timely,
ard >i.oull be- r,'sd by every true
friend of game protection in this
State:
AS the fall approaches interest
t1ruughuut the country Il Ia game
protection and propagation in
creaseS. In the absence Of a de-
partmcnt Of game IN this State the
Game Protective Association of
VIRGINIA is doing splendid work
elucsting the public ON the subject
of game protection and propaga-
ton.
The Association, with limited re-
sources, spends its income in print
ed matter and postage. One thou
sand attractive linen posters giving
seasons of various kinds of game
and other valuable information
have just been sent to the railroad
depot agents, county clerks, etc.
In addition TO this several thousand
instructive circulars and copies of
the revised game law have been
distributed. The membership fee
in the Association is S1.OO per
annum, which is spent for objects
above mentioned.
The propagation of wild import
ed game birds, quail and pheasauts
in this State is becoming quite
general. There are many plants
in Virginia whic raise from 10 to
100 pairs of these rare varieties.
which are generally used for stock
ing and should be protected.
The quantities o Chinese pleas
ants in Oregon and Washington,
raised from a few birds brought to
these states by citizen a few
years ago, illustrates what can be
done. The same results can be
had in Virginia, as these birds are
easily raised, and are profitable as
well as pleasant pass-time.
Attention is often directed to the
many enemies of quail and game
birds generally. The self-hunting
dog, foxes, minks, hawks, etc. are
destructive, but the greatest de-
stroyer is the market hunter, men
who devote their entire time from
the beginning of the season to its
close in shooting for market. This
class, both white and black, de-
predatig at will, respect the rights
of no one.
The Legislature last winter
wisely passed an act making it
unlawful to buy or sell pheasants,
grouse, quail or cartridges, wood
cock and robins, therefore, the
market hunter must find vocation
other than that of a common de-
strOyer of birds. The economic
value of these birds to agriculturists
Is becoming recognized. Every
state in the Union, with few ex-
captions prohibits their being
bought or sold. All law-abiding
citizens should see that this law is
enforced, and remember that the
seller is as guilty as the buyer.
The evil of the excessive bag
should be discouraged. The prac-
tice of killing birds as long as they
can be found should be classed as
an offense againstcommon decency.
There should be game Wardens
In every county, town and city in
this state. Scarcely half of the
counties in Virginia have wardens.
The duties of these officers may
not be pleasant at all times, but
supported by the good people of
the neighborhood the task need not
be very laborious. See that they
are appointed in every County.
Very soon this state must have
Commissioner of Game, paid
wardens and a resident hunting
license of say $500, which will
yield $75,000.00 annually, a fund
sufficient to meet all the needs of
the department, and put Virginia
in the class with other progressive
states. Largely over half of the
states and provinces require a resi-
dence hunting license ranging from
75cts. To $500. One state with a
dollar license tax collects in one
year as much as 100000.
The fish interest in Virginia also
deserves decided attention. Our
inland streams and rivers once
teeming with fish, furnishing the
citizens an abundant supply of
food aro pracficaIlv dat,lotod