DeLand news. [volume] (DeLand, Volusia County, Fla.) 190?-1921, 1909-12-24
PROTECT THE GAME
Florida Is Far Behind Other States in
This Respect,

ing to the Ft. Myers Press, Is worthy q
the consideration of those Interested II
the preservation of game in Florida.
Il notice your request for expressions
upon our game law licenses. 1t re
minds me of the fellow who locked tn,
stable door after the horse was stolen
The reckless and cXtravagant, mannct
in which our game has Been destroyrt
is a sad comment upon the citizenship
of Lee county. The truth is, our dee,
and turkey are almost gone, ana unless
some stringent rules are adopted, ant
strictly carried out it is only inattcl
of 4 very short time when they VIII he
all gone. Now, at this late day, ",
hear the hue and cry, How shall
we protect our game Al would answer
and say. that it can't be done unless We
quit killing the goose that laid IN,
golden egg This is the fact III NUT
shell,
During the open months as pre-,
Scrbcd by the general law, is the period
when does should should not he killed
or chased. Turkey hens should lay
their eggs and hatch them in peace and
Quictudc. Still, III face OF this TACT
hunters are allowed to play havoc
with them. They enter the game range
with gun and dogs chase and XII them
ndiscriminatcly, and soon they Will be-
come extinct,
Il believe there is a remedy. II our
County commissioners would exercise
their usual good Judgment and tiN a
rule making it 4 penal offence tor any
man to xiii a doe (a female drer), or
turkey hen. at any time and rule ont
the dogs, they will strike the keynote
of protection and preservation OF one
of the greatest gifts of God to man.
Our special game law contcmplates pro-
lection, not destruction, Rules OF this
kind might be considered drastic and
burdrnsomc; but it must I've remembers
ed that the case is bad one, ana
will require heroic and drastic remedies
to cure it, | care but little about the
license, which is the main point at
issuc. Really, the better plan would
be to make every hunter. resident or
non resident. pay license and show
where they live. There are lots OF
complaints about this nonresident
license fee. usually paid under protest,
then they 60 for the game, feeling that
they are commissioned to get their mo-
news worth The home hunter actual
resident claims that it is IN outrage to
turn non-rcsdcnts in upon the game
with the best guns and ammunition in the
world and the best trained dogs that |
are possible to secure. and they lose |
their respect for the law, claiming that
it is unjust and Unfair, and act ar-
cordngly.
These are the pcrplcXing conditions
confronting our worthy officials who
desire to do the very best they can.
| am firmly of the opinion that II the
rules indicated above, together with
the rules already adopted, were en-
forced. our game would be better pro-
tectcd and preserved, and there would
be more satisfaction and harmony.
Pass a rule to kill the bucks and gobblcrs
and rule out the dogs. Let every
hunter register and pay license fee.
small it might be, but sufficient to pay
the wardcn's and clerk and court fees
Limit the number to be killed and re-
ported down as low as might be reason
able, and good results will come.
Ruling ont the dogs will touch
a sensitive chord, but it should not
be deemed unreasonable Dogs, the
most faithful to his master OF al the
brute creation. were designed for more
noble purpose than to chase and man
gle the most ,imid and harmless
animals OF creation. Your writer has
known the tender. harmless deer wound
ed and chased by dogs, caught and
practically eaten UP alive; little tawns
caught and killed, and the does heavy
with Young. chased to the extent OF ,
absolute destruction to the young -,
and possibly the mother. 1t is wrong ,
in the sight Of man and high heaven.
The writer would not abridge or
diminish the rights OF man i'll the broad
fields of game, which lie out 50 in
riting in Ice county; but would vel :
,omc the hunters, the tourist and all ,
nan>ind to come and enjoy 70 their !
learts content the great blessing OF ,,
game once So ahundan, in our county; ,
,ut with the distinct understanding
hat hunting must We done on principles
# justic, and humanity. with an eye
'ver to its protection and Preservation. y !
The suggestions made by Mr.. Hendry !
IRE in full conformity with the law |
VI New York State In the Adiron- v
lack mountains, deer are almost as t
plentiful as cattle in Florida, They G
re protected; every man must have +
reputable citizen vouch for his [
haractcr before he can secure 4 license |
O carry gun there; the license is only :
II 90 to a resident. and S2o CO to 4 non 6
cSident; bat the carrying OF a gun be-
ore or after the open season is
uspicious act, and causes one 10 he =,
watched !,
As refult OF the wise laws in New -
ier where food for deer is 80 t
many Stgrve to death il :,
the woods are SO full Of -
cut holes in the earth
ms Just like cattle