Evening journal., 1909-03-09
DELAWARE GAME.

G PORTSMEN throughout the State are
much interested in the proposed change in
the law regarding game and the bill that has
been presented in the House by Representative
Hail. The measure in brief provides for the APP
pomtment of a Game Commissioner, who shall
have charge of the game of the State and do the
work that has been done chiefly by the Game
Protective Association, an organization OF
sportsmen that has been concerned in the preser-
vaton of the game of the State
Among other things the measure provides for
the doubling of the license fee required of non
resident gunners who visit Delaware 1t also
provides that any resident Of the State Who de
sires to shoot game in Delaware shall pay fee
of ST., while the outsiders must pay $40 Only
certain amount of game may be shipped from
the State.
In some states are laws which absolutely pro-
hibit the sending OF game from the respective
states and we are inclined to think that such
laws are wise. Doubtless there will be some OBJ
lection to that part of Mr. Halls bill which pro-
vides for license fee of ST for residents of the
State, but we think that when this phase of the
bill is thoroughly considered it will seem rea-
sonable. Surely a man must be poor sort OF
a sportsman who would not be willing to con-
tribute to the preservation of the game of the
State ST. for authority to shoot on his own prem
ises The design of the bill is to prevent men
from cunning as a vocation, to prohibit their
killing of the birds for market purposes
In any consideration OF the game laws the
opinions of the Sussex county members of the
Legislature will have great Weight, because by
far the greater part of the game in Delaware is
in Sussex county. We, therefore, think that
the Sussex members should give the question
much thought. They should be desirous of pre-
serving their game in every possible way, and
they should be willing to shut off the reckless
gunncrs who simply wish to shoot quail and
other game for market purposes.
There is no reason either why Delawareans
interested in game should make it easy for
brigades of non-resdents of the State to pour
into Delaware and play havoc with our game. II
they want to shoot here, they should be forced
to pay literally for that privilege.
The suggestion of a game commissioner which
is embodied in the bill is also worthy of consid-
Grafton Members of the Game Protective Asso-
caton. with whom we have talked favor this
part of the bill very strongly. 1t is argued that
the revenue from licenses would pay the salary
OF the Game Commissioner and such an official
would not be a burden on the financial resources
of the State He would be constantly employed
in watching after the game interests, in issuing
licenses and in devising schemes for the protec-
ton and propagation OF game. With man in
terested in game appointed to the place, ne
should be able TO accomplish results that would
please the sportsmen.
Delaware game primarily should be for Del
aware persons Other States have made or are
making stringent laws to protect game for the
benefit of the residents of the respective states
and Delaware in this matter should look out Tor
herself
We call attention to this matter chiefly with
a hope of arousng interest in the game laws and
in the Hall bill. This measure could be amended
il need be- but there seem to be many good
points in it.