The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-14
ABOUT GAME LAW
SpOrtsmen See Sections That
Need improvement.
Hunter Club Being Organized
to Push a Campaign.
WARDENS UNDER BOND
Plan Will Be Presented to Next
Session of Legislature.
Other Items of General Interest
to Kansas Readers.

| Pittsburg, Kan, Nov. 14.-Prepara-
lions are going steadily forward for the
organization of the proposed hunters
club in Pittsburg and vicinity. Attor-
ney j. ]. Campbell is at work on a con-
stitution and bylaws of the organiza-
ton, which will set forth the objects
sought to be attained.
In the first place the hunters be-
lieve the money they pay into the state
treasury for licenses should be used
in their interests. With that idea in
view they will work for an appropria-
ton to be used in breeding quail and
the purchase of a tract of land for the
purpose.
There is a large sum of money ly-
Jig idle in the treasury at the pres
ent time which was paid in by the
hunters and the legislature made no
provision by which the game warden
could use it for any purpose.
When Game Warden Dyche was here
recently with the fish car he made the
surprising statement that the work of
the state fish hatchery was kept up
by contributions from the governor s
contingent fund He is not only will
ing, but anxious, that the hunters
should organize and work for the bet
terment of game conditions in Kan
sas.
The Pittsburg hunters organization
will work to have the legislature in
corporate in the game law "a proV1S-
ion recurring the deputy game ward
ems to give bond the same as other
peace officers. Under present condi-
lions a deputy warden may make an ar
rest under a wrong construction of the
terms of the law and find the decis-
ion of the court squarely against him
His blunder may have caused the VIC
tim considerable trouble and expense
but he has absolutely no redress; the
deputy is not under bond ana cannot
be made to settle for his illegal ar
rest and prosecution. Instances of this
nature have happened and are hap
pening and the hunters are tired of
seeing power given to deputy Wardens
with no responsibility attached . Other
officers who have the power of arrest
must give bond and they are apt to
be careful about making arrests that
the law won't back up.
That section of the game law requir-
ing a written permit to hunt on the
premises of another is also CALLING to
the farmers and hunters. AS one
farmer put it the other day: my farm
is my own and I cannot see why
haven't the right to tell a friend to
hunt on it if I want to instead OF
bothering to write out a formal per-
nit" There are many more farmers
feel the same way and some of them
positively will not sign their names to
any sort Of a paper under any circum-
stances; their recollection of the old
lightning rod and other swindles are
still fresh and vivid.
The hunters also believe the game
warden should publish the list of his
deputies and make an annual report
of his expenditures. To state the mat
ter in brief, the local men back of
the project for an organization of hunt
ers and those interested in the sport,
desire to secure the passage Of addi-
tional laws of benefit to everyone in
terested and do away with some Of the
foolish restrictions that only serve to
annoy without doing any appreciate
good