The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-16
NO SPRING SHOOTING
Protective Laws Increase Number Of
Wild Fowl in Connecticut


Wild Fowl in Connecticut
Any attempt to repeal the law pro
tecting the wild fowl during the
spring months is a sad mistake and it
is to be hoped that it will not pre-
vail. | am sure that if protection is
continued during a few years the peo-
pie will have no cause to regret the
act of self denial and will never want
to open 1t up again after having
practical demonstration Of what sci
entific protection will do, not only
for the wild fowl. but in the matter
of dollars for the average duck shoot
er as well as sport for sportsmen.
The encouraging conditions prevail
| ing in Connecticut at the present
time as the direct result of stopping
spring shooting Justify me in saying
that the same conditions would OBJ
tain the entire length and breadth of
the United tates and Canada If uni
form laws regarding spring shooting
were enacted.
During a period of nearly forty
years of my own observation of wild
fowl life on the Connecticut river
have not for many years seen or
heard of so many ducks as have been
on the river during the past year
Black ducks have been more numer-
GUS and in larger flocks during the
past year than | have known of for
many years past
Broad bills were on the river in
immense numbers all the time last
fall and | have seen hocks, estimated
to contain more than one thousand
feeding within sight of my house
1t is estimated and by careful com
putation, that larger numbers Of
black ducks were shot and shipped
from along the Connecticut river the
past season, than have been shot pre-
viously during a period of five years
altogether.
With all of these encouraging signs
pointing to an abundance OF wild fowl
again, which will afford opportunity
for royal sport for four months of the
year, we are not now hearing the
clamor for longer open season.
Those who were for selfish rea-
sons, most persistent in asking our
legislature for a longer open season
have had presented to their actual
view, an object lesson, which cannot
be disputed, and they are convinced
OF the wisdom OF prohibiting spring
shooting of the wild fowl for all times
and we are confident from these re-
suits obtained during the brief two
years of protection, and Of the great
increase which Is sure to follow the
coming fall, that no serious attempt
win be made at the next session OF
the Legislature to lengthen the open
season.
II certainly is nothing more or less
than selfish motive on the part of a
few hunters to think for a moment.
Of shooting wild fowl during their
breeding period.
Arc the great mass Of people OF
the State going TO stand for the exter.
minatlon OF such desirable species
for food and sport as the Wild ducks
just to crafty the greed of a very
small number Of irresponsible hunt
ers?
We have records from reliable
sources that a larger number OF black
ducks were bred in this State last
spring, more than ever before, and
that being a fact II Is proof that the
increase will be proportionately larg
er the coming, and where the duck
was left TO nest in peace last spring
those which survive this spring vii
return To nest again.
We know positively. that Their,
were large quantities OF the blacl
: duck after the close OF the open sea
son. Jan. 1, and we know that n tn,
season had extended into Februarl
or May, as formerly, that they woul,
have been hunted strenously unit
they had either all been killed Of
driven away. One Of the best law
ever enacted In the State OF Connec
y ticut for preservation OF the will,
game OF the State was when the lee
islature Of 1907 made the close sea
son for Wild fowl TO begin Januar.
first. and we confidently expect tina
Il will continue to be the law for
great many years to come.
r. Hart Greer.
Secretary OF the County State Flsl
and Game Commission.