Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-06

Juo5iASIity anu ~ SCCuI6 pAOpCI lldI II
should be done.
The committee will also recommend
you the adoption of law to prevent
he carrying of firearms into the woods
n close time. Such law should have
zen enacted long ago. but it now be-
comes imperative in the interests of
forest and game preservation. 1t will
recommend that the appropriation for
ish culture and propagation and pro-
lection be increased to $4,000. The
sum Appropriated for several years has
been $4,000, but since that was re-
sarded. sufficiently large for this pur-
pose. the hatcheries have increased
from two to nine and now the depart
nent is confronted with the question
whether to close some of the hatcheries
,r let the propagation and distribu-
ton of fish cease to an extent which
would cripple the whole interests.
Something will have to be done if the
State desires to reap the benefits that
ire Of such COMMERCIAL value to it.
The colnmit tee Will recommend the
purchase of d car for the distribution
IL fish Distribution of fish is now
lone; at considerable loss and under
circumstances which are inadequate
and unsatisfactory. The State is in
he business of providing fish and
game, a. paying business too, and to
ripple its plants, or fail to continue it's
productiveness, would seem to be an
un,ound financial policy.
The committee will also recommend
that you urge the passage of law to
make all fire wardens game wardens
and all game wardens fire Wardens.
This needs no argument to make 1T
clear that such should be done.
A uniform open time for taking mink
and muskrats or muskquash may seem
G be Il small matter to consider, but
such is not the case for the fur of
hese animals bring large sum to the
hunter The taking of mink Is al
owed from October 18th to May j,
while the muskrats are not allowed to
De taken except from DECEMBER | to
May 1. ...
The hunting of mink cannot be. pur-
sued, without often catching muskrats
which renders the hunter liable to a
sine Then, again the fur bearing am
mails in the northern part of Maine, are
in a condition to be taken, two or three
weeks before they are in the lower haii
of the State, where October 10 inl4ht
be a seasonable open season. and Octo-
Der first in the more northern sections
This would bring the hunting season on
the same date Of open season Tor deer
hunting.
The committee will recommend that
the law protecting looms be repealed
This bird is Il ravenous fisher and DC,
stroys millions of trout, salmon ana
other fish.
it is evident to me-. that if the State
was divided, so that the more wilder
ness sections might be included in one
a " sion and the remainder or the state
in the other division, our game laws
could be made more uniform and bet
ter enforced. 1t would permit the open
season on all game in the northern sec
ton, Except moose) to commence and
close at the same time, and in the
southern part ne laws Goula + be m hae
practically stopped spring shooting, now
let it stop summer and winter shooting
The two or three special laws which
hunt ducks. ought to be repealed. for
Just as long as .gunners are allowed
afield with guns; just so long will pro
dividing line. between the northern ana
southern sections should be cannot be
very diff ult to determine. although
every particular place cannot be alike
in conditions.
The commissioners on Inland Fish
cries and Game, will no doubt call at
it is hoped by united and loyal action,
our laws may be simplitied and made
easier of salutary enforcement. If the
right spirit is brought to bear in solving
these questions. and the Legislature
made acquainted with the facts bearing
on Them we can trust it's good Judgment
to provide better for the care and main
tenance of our fish and game interests
Mr.. harrington in his capacity as
treasurer gave out the folloWin ing figures
showing the financial condition OF the
associations:
Balance on hand January 18th,
1908, VIZ ou
Received for dues .......... 105 90
Received for membership fees So 00
On excursion account ...... "a 81
Total ........ 1920 40
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for postage .... SIT 90
Paid for Sporting
papers ........... 10 SO
Paid for Printing -. 50 so
Paid on excursion ac-
count ............ 80 25
Paid committee eX-
Salary larry of Secretary
and Treasurer 49,. SO 90 159 81
Deposited in First Ma
tlunal Bank, Augusta $50 GO
The following officers were chosen: