The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-09-23
Views of Another Sportsman.
Bossier Banner. Benton. La

Local. Editor Bossier Banner, Benton, La.
| Dear Sir: There seems to be no let up on the
KNOCKS and cuffs for our new Game Commission
ana game laws though it is the first and only time
the game OF our State has ever had any kind of
protection whatever. 1t certainly had none under
local conditions as tried by the police uries of the
several parishes for untold years. The present
commission and some of the laws NAV not be what
they should be (and | admit there can and will be
Improvement in both) but unless all of us lend our
eofts to the full protection of what have left it
Will be only very short time before there will be
no necessity for either laws or commissions, for
there Will be no game to protect.
/ AS 1t has been, and is to some extent even now,
one or two we'll equipped market hunters move
their tents to one of lakes with their live de-
coys, blinds and eght-shot pump guns, and with
no idea OF the rights of others, kill ducks in
one week than fifty ordinary sportsmen during an
entire season. And still the license is the same,
when should be at least twenty five times greater
Another thing. Occasionally | have friend
from some other state visit me, and would like to
take him out for afternoon to shoot over my
pointers, but the price is too dear. The law de-
mands OF each guest S25 for each parish, and |
hunt some in both Bossier and Caddo, thereby
MAKING 1t necessary for my guests to secure a
| license in each parish-if we hunt
| However, with all the drawbacks we don't want
to 60 back to the negro with his ''coon dog'' and
one. barrel gun ''corn rowing entire covey Of
quail nor the ''game hog'' with his six shooter
Now, lett all get together, plant wild rice,
look after the quail more and that all game has
fair chance, and our future boys and girls will be
able to have at least little sport that older
left, for with just little protection quail will always
be with us. Yours truly, WILL MERCER.
| Gillian, La, September 49, 1909.
Mr. Mercer refers to the cost of license, which
he thinks in the case of the market hunter should
be at least S25. We agree with him, and are in
formed that it is the purpose of the Game Commits
sion to suggest to the Legislature at its next session
such changes in the game laws will exact of the
market hunter this amount for license. Also, the
amendment will require of the trapper of fur bear
ing animals and the market fisherman reasonable
sum for cense-much in excess of ST, perhaps.
1t does seem little hard that friend relative
Tin many instances former residen) who visits
from another state cannot hunt here without pay
! ing $50 for license. But law cannot be irreg-
ular, and line must be drawn somewhere 1t
occurs to us, however, that former citizen Zone
who is a sportsman and in no wise hunter for the
markeD who is back in the State for short visit
should be allowed to hunt upon paying the sum
demanded of a resident for license.
| It has often occurred to US that it would be q
good plan to plant wild rice our shallow lakes to
attract ducks. No doubt if thepractice general
in the entire community duck shooting would be
much better throughout the season, and we do not
see how the rice could ruin stream for fishing
purposes During the fall is the time to plant. We
now have prices from Minneapolis firm, and
several sporsmen in this place would willingly join
! in the proposition if permission can be secured to
/ plant in lakes convenient to ALL The prices are:
% pounds, Sc; 30 pounds, Sill; 100 pounds or
more, 20 cents per pound This does not include
transportation charges Mr.. Mercer will please let
US hear from him again as to this.