New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1911-06-03
NEW IBERIA, La, SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1911

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tide flows, abound in the most
lrrious oysters. The bottom OF
Nermilion Bay, fronting the prop
erty, comprises some Of the most
valuable as well as extensive oys-
ter bottoms on the coast. In the
territory several species of ducks
breed annually. Deer abound on
many parts of the reserve, and
during the winter season it serves
as haven Of refuge and feeding
ground for countless thousands of
water fowl. covering more than a
score of species. II is also infest-
ed with half a dozen or more val
uable fur-bcaring animals. In
fact, in no other territory known
to me have ! found such "A wide
range of valuable species Of wild
life, including birds, fish, shell
fish. animals and turtles.
"Louisiana is greatly favored
during the winter season with the
visits of an immense number OF
migratory birds. Fhe marsh lands
Of the state bordering on the gulf
coast become congeSted with
myriads Of water fowl, where they
find their winter resting and feed
ing place. In no other place
known to me is it so easy to slangh
ter immense numbers of water
fowl as in Louisiana.
GA large number Of the species
Of water fowl breed in vast un-
inhabited region of marshy lands
lying westward of Hudson Bay
and not far from the Arctic Cir
cle. Early in September, with the
advent of the first severe frosts,
these birds commence to move
During the entire
journey. as soon as they pass the
Great Lakes. they are continually |
by gunners of all types.
Upon their arrival at their winter !
refuge in Louisiana they find an
army Of trained gunners awaiting
them. and up to March they ar
continually hampered by sports
men of all classes. Again, during
their way northward during the
spring migration, flsillade OF
firearms greets their appearance
in almost every locality through
which they pass. In short, during
the whole period of migration
from September until the follow
inc June they find no haven Of
refuge which is safe from rude dis
turbance and in many eases ruth
less slaughter.
"Tn my opinion, the continuance
Of this persecution will eventually
unaatlaa disappearance of the val
gratory game birds from
"The plan devised by Mr. Nell
benny and myself. which seems to
meet with general approval, is to
establish a line of refugees along
gulf coast then to establish seve-
raj line6of refugees leading north
ward along the lines Of migratory
Tight extending all the way to the
Arctic Circle and subarctic breed
ng grounds of the wild water
owl. The Nippigeon Forest and
Jane Reserve, comprising some
our million acres, affords hand
;ome beginning in western Cana
Ia. 1t is expected that Canada
will establish mammoth wild
owl breeding reserve west OF
hudson Bay. 1t thus remains for
he various states comprising the
,reat water shed Of the Mississippi
o supplement the efforts Of II
canadians toward game preserva-
ton by establishing refugees where
yer practicable along the gulf
cast and throughout the Missis-
ippi Valley. extending to the
.reat Lakes. and linking on the ;
,reat system Of refugees which will
xtend to the Arctic Circle.
"Our gift to the Game Commits
ion of Louisiana is the commence
nent of the carving out OF this
,rand plan to afford all species
# our migratory water fowl u
continuous line of regues extend
ng from the gulf coast to the
hores of the Artic Ocean.
Already a proposal to various
yame clubs along the route OF mi
grafton is being made suggesting
hat they set aside a certain pro-
portion of their hunting grounds
IS refugees where no shooting will
De allowed at any time. and so far
rs these suggestions have been
made they have been favorably re-
.eived and we expect that the plan
will eventually be carried out in
manner.
SsTl, - ;,,,,oortouoa of thtc move