Catoctin clarion., 1910-01-27
FOR PROTECTION OF GAME.
DENNIS FOR 81 GUN TAX.


From Careless Gunner.
Declaring that campaign of education
will be necessary to secure the passage
of the bill. providing for the imposition OF
a 81 gun tax, Mr.. Oregon Milton Dennis,
former State Game Warden and ex-sec-
retary of the Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association, discussed
the past efforts to have such bill pass
ed in this State. He urged the passage
of the measure, which, he said, would be
of great value to the farmer.
'The proposed bill is not new to the
Maryland Legislature" he said. "Dur-
ing each of the three preceding sessions
such bill was introduced and defeated,
largely through the misunderstanding OF
the farmers, who conveyed their objec-
tions to their respective Delegates. The
only way the bill can be passed is by
honestly showing our farmer friends that
the passage of bill tending to protect
birds is to their financial advantage.
"This course has been pursued by the
United States Biological Survey in charge
of game protection by the publication of
various treatises and bulletins, but un-
fortunately these publications do not
reach the farmers to any great extent.
"The farmer should appreciate that
the preservation of birds is direct and
and ever present asset to him-to his
crops on the one hand and to his fences
and orchards on the other. The passage
of the proposed bill will limit the use of
guns by youthful and careless hunters.
Both of these results may be secured by
the imposition of a gun tax. as that will
lessen the number of careless hunters,
and at the same time provide a record of
those holding them, thus making identi-
fcation easy in cases of trespass and
damage to property.
"Of the as States Maryland and Penn
sylvania are two of the IL States which
have no gun license laws, "a States hav-
ing such laws in operation.
"Pennsylvania is in the fight for the
passage of gun license tax and has just
had issued through DR.. H. A. Surface
an appeal for its passage. His reasons
and arguments are directed to the farm
er, discussing the proposition from an
economic and agricultural viewpoint as
to the value of the birds to the agricul-
turist and the orchardist, and emphasiz-
ing the danger to his life and limb and
to the safety of his stock and to the de-
predations and damage by the careless
and thoughtless trespasses and hunter in
tearing down his fences and leaving open
his gates, permitting his stock to wander
at large and, in many cases, giving him
endless worry and trouble in finding and
reclaiming it.
"In discussing the enforcement of
game laws it should be kept in mind that
game wardens have no jurisdiction in the
enforcement of trespass laws. While
most of the States under the Game War
den act confer on wardens police powers
and the right to arrest without warrant,
they have nothing to do with the enforce
ment of the law against trespass. These
laws are absolutely distinct, and the ma
chinery for their prosecution is entirely
different from that used for prosecution
of game laws.
'Tn no case will the jurisdiction of the
game warden extend to the cases of
trespass. In trespass case the farmer
| - n NJ Tho procnI-
ure is often difficult because of the in
ability to get the name of the trespasser.
With the passage of the gun license law
and proper register and identification
of the person to whom the license is
issued trespass for hunting over the lands
of the farmer will be minimized.
81 understand the proposed gun license
law will provide a license fee of 81, good
for the whole State, and that it will con-
tain the holder name and address. Upon
request the hunter will be obliged to show
his license, which he must carry with
him, to the land owner, lessee, tenant or
employe connected with the land on which
he hunts. The proposed law should con-
tain provision absolutely forbidding the
carrying of firearms by unnaturalized
foreigners and boys under 16 years of
age. 1t should also provide that no one
should enter the premises of another to
hunt without the written permission of
the owner, lesse, tenant or employe.
1.-The natural inquiry by the farmer is
of what especial benefit will the passage
of gun license law with 81 license fee
be to him. The direct benefits to the
farmer will be these:
"Prevention of personal injury to farm.
ers engaged in work which requires them
to be concealed.
prevention of injury to young trees
by the shot from guns.
prevention of destruction of insecti
vorous and game birds which are the
farmers ever-present allies in the de
struction of injurious insects, thus insur
ing increased crops.
Prevention of damage to fences by
| unscrupulous hunters while pursuing bird
or game.
Prevention of damage to stock from
shot or by the careless hunter leaving
down bars and gates opsn, thus permit
q ting cattle to wander off and frequentl.
I shot by accident.
Limitation of the class of hunters t.
responsible and legitimate sportsmen.
"As matter of fact, the game bill