The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-08-19
The State Game Commission.

there is quite deal of misdlrected opposition to the
State Game Commission in many portions of the
State. Concerning questions of administration
there may be room for differences of opinion, but
with regard to the necessity for the protection and
propagation of game birds and animals in Louis
lana there should be no difference of opinion.
1t has been suggected by many critics of the
Game Commission that the law creating the COM
mission ought to be repealed and that the protection
OF game should be left entirely to the respective
parishes. Such a policy would necessarily result
ent varieties OF so-caled regulation there are
parishes in the State. We quite sure that the
Game Commission has made mistakes. 1t is even
possible that the laws governing the commission
and regulating game conservation may need
amendment and improvement.
But because such things may be so it does not
follow that the State should abandon its duty to
conserve this great natural resource and abolish
the Game Commission. There is right way and
a wrong way to correct such mistakes, and in no,
way is the distinction between constructive states
manship and mere destructive opposition more
clearly emphasized than in the manner of going
about such matters. There is saner and more
profitable way of killing rats than the oldfashioned
Chinese method of burning the house.
So, the repeal of the laws enacted for the purpose
of protecting the States game supply is not the
wise and proper way to meet and solve the objec
tons that have been urged against the existing
laws on the subject. 1t does seem to US that some
OF these objections neither we'll considered
wise. A State Game Commission seems to be alb
soutey essential to the successful direction of such
an undertaking; for unless there is uniformity in
such control confusion will result and real con
servation and protection will be given. The older
and more progressive states understand this and
game commissions have done great work in pre-
venting the complete destruction of many of the
valuable animals and birds.
Objection has also been raised to the license of
one dollar year imposed upon each hunter. The
legislature of Georgia is now considering bill to
protect that States game supply, and the license
required in the bill is three dollars for State license
and one dollar for county license. In other words,
one dollar gives the license holder the right to hunt
only in the county in which the license issued,
while under our law citizen of Louisiana who has
paid his license of one dollar to the collector is
privileged to hunt in every parish within the State
without payment of any additional license.
AS we have said, opinion may reasonably differ
with regard to the administrative features of the
law, but there ought to be difference of opinion
concerning the general principle that it is the duty
of the State to protect its game from destruction and
that commission and wardens necessary to the
accomplishment of that object.-NeU Orleans tStates
All very we'll sad
There is objection to the State Game Commission
and, as the States suggests, there has been much
unnecessary and unseemly criticism of that body.
Not only is there objection to the Game Commits
sion, but there some who kick because we have
local game wardens and others who now find fault
! with the game laws.
The laws are not popular because, If enforced,
the game hogs cannot bag much as they would
like to, and must spare the does and the turkey
hens. The local wardens are in the way because
they are making an honest effort to see the game
laws enforced. There is objection to the Game
Commission because that body is largely instru-
mental in directing the work of the local wardens
and because it stands behind every move for the
betternent of conditions and is essentially the
prime promoter in game protection
Who objects to the commission and its rulings :?
The game hog, the man who wants to shoot during
all seasons, the man who wants to trap quail, the
negro who likes to rob their nests, the man who
wants to seine fish, the man who wants to operate
trot lines and the busybody, who never hunts and
rarely fishes, but is kicking because it is his
nature to kick
Who objects to the payment of one dollar for the
privilege of hunting? Not the true sportsman:
but only the crusty man and the game hog, and
again the -busybody helps 'em howl. The dollar
that is paid by the sportsman for his license comes
right back to him in the shape of game protection
and the importation of new species Of game So he
has no kick coming, and aside from this all true
sportsmen have approved of the plan from it's very
incipiency Now, since the sportsman does not
object to the tax, and every man can hunt on his
own property without securing license, and those
who object to hunting on their premises can post
and advertise against it, who has right to kick :?
Don't think dear reader, that there left to
protest for there are few, and right glad we are
that there are but a few here in our home parish.
/ The game laws are not all right. Neither are all
our crimine laws. People are taking unkindly to
the game laws to-day because they are being more
rgidly enforced than heretofore. Old habits fit
tight, you know. The time was when the thought
less man picked up his gun at any time and went
out and killed fine buck Cor doe) or bagged few
squirrels or half dozen quail for his morning
meal of the following day. We are born with love
for the pursuit of game Our forefathers lived that
way and love of the chase is inbred.
But because we have killed unfortunately is
why game is scarce to-day. We are not even as
/ farseeing as the Indian. Where are the great
hordes Of buffalo which he loved so to follow? but
which he only killed as demand for food necessi-
tated. The white man, left free then to kill as he
willed, protected them, didn't he? Well, did he:
And the herds after herds of antelopes, elk, deer
sheep, goats, etc., that flooded the great
/ Western nlains and mountain ranges-where are