Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-10-27
fish and game are 50 dependent, to be de-

fish and game are SO dependent, to be de-
stroyed.
The fish hatcheries of the State are do
ing excellent work toward restocking our
ponds with desirable fish. But unfortu-
nately the pickerel and black bass have
been introduced into some Of our trout
and perch ponds with this unlocked for
result: They have preyed so extensively
upon the trout and other more desirable
species Of fish that they have prevented
their development to quite a marked de-
gree.
Again dams are built upon our rivers
and streams which will not allow the pas
sage Of the adult fish in the spring Of the
year when they run up the streams to the
small brooks and ponds to spawn. This
barrier is Q serious one, and conditions
would be greatly improved if small,
efficient waterway could be built in each
dam and be kept open during the spawn
ing season.
As for game, in general it seems to show
gradual dropping of in numbers. The
caribou is now practically unknown in the
State with the exception of small band
which is said to inhabit the vicinity of
Mt. Ketahdin. They formerly fed largely
upon the juniper or tamarack. But with
the larch sawf1y ravages throughout the
State some years ago, the juniper trees
were killed off by the thousands. Hence
the scarcity OF food supply probably
caused the caribou to migrate farther
north.
The black bear is plentiful in certain
localities, especially since q bounty on his
pelt is being paid in only two counties Of
the state. His great shrewdness also
seems to enable him to almost hold his
own against his one enemy, man.
The bull moose seems scarcer, due to the
probable fact that his set OF antlers is the
most highly priced trophy Of the Maine
sportmen. On the other hand, the cows
seem to be increasing in numbers. A
result due, no doubt, to the law that pro-
tects them.
The deer by some is thought to be on
the increase. This may be due to
the fact that they migrate from place to
place in search OF food as the supply falls
short. The fact that they do not migrate
frequently would make them appear
very plentiful in certain localities one
year while the following year in the same
vicinity they might be quite scare.
The buck deer is not SO abundant as the
doe, because his head and antlers are also
eagerly sought after by the hunter. Fur
thermore many deer perish in the woods
from lack of food during our severe win
tiers of deep snow.
The smaller game like the red fox, sable,
black fisher, lynx, wild cat, muskrat,
mink, weasel, ETC., are being gradually
trapped off while the beaver, otter, mar
ten, ETC., are now rare in many localities.
There are two chief ways to prevent de-
forestation of our State and preserve it's
water power and its fish and game re-
sources. One is to introduce forestry
principles in numbering. This must come
of itself, and will come when the lumber
men of the State are fully satisfied that
the practice of forestry is an actually pay
ing proposition from financial stand
point of view.
The other method OF forest regulation
would be for the State to purchase tracts
of wild land and create them into State
forest and game preserve. Besides great
ly aiding forest interest of the State such
an example ould be of immense practical
value to private landowners. On this
reserve numbering conld still be carried
out on forestry principles which would
give the landowners OF the State just
what they want-namely, an example OF
the application Of practical forestry, in
numbering, on paying basis. Besides
being forestry reserve, this land could
also be used as a source for restocking any
locality desired. Corbin park in the
White mountains OF New Hampshire and
the Yellowstone national park in the
state OF Wyoming would serve as ex-
ampIes OF the use and value Of such
game preserve.
Too much interest cannot be aroused
along this line and the question should be
continually agitated until the legisla-
ture becomes interested and takes up the
matter and acts favorably on it. Here
then is work for those interested in for
estry. Wild land is cheaper to-day than it
will be in the future. When shall we
have State forest reserve?