The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-08-13
LETTER FROM MR.. THOMAS
Game Commissioner Explains Deer
Damage Cases


Game Commissioner Explains Deer
Damage Cases
The following letter was written by
II. c. Thomas of Stowe, state fish and
game commissioner to Fred n Whit
ney. editor of the Northfield News. 1t
WAS OF written for publication but
at Mr.. Whitney's request Mr.. Thomas
it to be printed:
Stowe. VT, July -. 1909
My dear Whitney: | am just in re-
celpt of copy of your valuable pa
per. Relieving 10 complaints of per-
sons whose crops and trees have been
damaged by deer. will say that after
receiving rune Gus complaints ~
1904 and 1905. and personally investi-
gazing some of these complaints, you
will note in my report Tor 1906. D. a.
a copy of watch | have mailed to you
under separate cover. | stated that
the farmer should be protected or re
imbursed for actual damage and viii
from the commissioner.
| attach to this communication an
affidavit of an actual claim which was
allowed July 2Sth. and you can readily
see why a claimant might be dissatis-
fed. The claimant saws 10000. The
chairman OF the board of selectmen
and county warden, after making an
investigation, say $54 90 and the com
missioner approves of this claim for
$54.00 as the law provides. The com
missioner is not able to judge of the
fairness of the adjustment of this
claim and is governed wholly by the
sworn testimony of those whose duty
il Is 10 Investigate all claims and are
supposed to be lust and honorable
both to the state and claimant giving
the farmer a square deal every time
Many have come to ME personally
and many others have written me that
deer had damaged their trees or crops
After giving them copy of the laws
and calling their attention to the sew
eral sectors covering procedure, they
make no effort or attempt to get dam
aga. but complaint against the com
missioner. Sometimes a local paper
takes the subject in hand and "ham-
mers" the commissioner without even
knowing the provisions Of ,hv law or
how such claims are adjusted Meth
er will they try to get information
from either the ldjLstors or the COM
missioner.
Actual loss should be allowed and
promptly paid. However. it is not at
all times Satisfactory to the farmer of
a normal disposition. He is aggrava
ted on account of the loss more than
by the method OF adjustment. The
oInount Of mort of these claims are
agreed upon be ween The claimant
and the apni aisers before submitting
the same to the commissioner for his
but are ALWAYS approved and
promptly sent TO the state auditor.
in connection with the subject J
will add verbatum, that all may read
and know Sections 1888, 5J39 and
500
Sec. $3.50. A person who suffers
lOss of or damage to crops. fruit
trees or shrutbery by deer may, with
in ten days after such damage occurs
inform IN writing the chairman of the
board of selectmcn of the town where
IN the damage was done or loss suffer
ed, who shall proceed to the premises
where the dan lage was done on loss
suffered, and determine whether the |
same was inflicted by deer; and, If |
ne does so determine, said selectmen |
shall call in the county fish and game |
warden: and il said warden also de |
ermines that the damage was caused |
Dy deer. said selectmen and warden |
mall dcterlaine and aopr;lise the |
AMOUNT thereof and return a certif1- |
,ate thereof hTder oath to the auditor |
If accounts who shall draw an order |
n favor of such person for the amount |
stated in such certificate. In case !
,did selectman and warden fail to
agree as to the amount of such danI-
lee, they shall appoint dIsinterest
ID person wno, With said sci ctman
md wardenF shall apDraise the amount |
If such damage and return certi-
lcate thereof, under oath. to the aud
tor of accounts. A certificate of the
mount of such appraisal shall be APP
,rOved by the fish and game ccrlms-
icner before the auditor of accounts
hall draw an order therefor.
Sec. 1888. Said selectman shall
eceive out of the treasury of the
own for such service one dollar and
welve cents a mile one way for nee
,ssary travel; and in case it is neces-
iary to select third appraiser as pro
'ided in the preceding section, said
shall receive the same fees
Is selectman, to be paid by the town.
Sec. 3540 Upon the failure of said
ielectman to perform the duties pre-
,cribed in the second preceding sec
ion, the party suffering the loss or
lamage may recover the same of such
own in an action founded ON this
statute with costs.
Since | have been commissioner.
md as long as | continue to serve in
hat capacity / shall try to protect the
'armero from loss by any damage done