The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-20
DICE Of the People
The Gnmc Laws.


To tho Editor OF The Times -Dispatc h:
Sir.--J read in Mondays issue Of your
paper with satisfaction the letter from
farmvllie. over the signature of w.
Z. r. 1t is quite the best solution of
the question of game protection l have
read so far. 1t points out the injus-
tees against the man who loves &c
shoot, ayd also offers valuable suS-
zion and projection. l nope our rep
resentntives In the Legislature may
see III TO act on some of these sus-
gestions. 1t does seem that SportSncn
aould be respected to the extent oil
the Commonwealth showing a willing
ness to trust them a little, and not put
all hunting seasons into ono for fear
we will shoot turkey and quail in
inclined to do such things will do so
anyhow, law or no law. If we ara
allowed to shoot squirrels In June. we
are not going out to kill the turkey
hens and bring home the brood In the
hunting coat to stock the farm or
hennery, as some make believe. The
months OF June and September are
proper times TO hunt squirrels, as the
II would also be much better to have
our turkey season open October 10
and close fifteen days earlier. This
would really mean only fifteen days
of hunters do not care for turkey
hunting when 1t is lawful to hunt
quail and rabbits. Robin shooting
does not amount to much for sport.
but ! hoSe we may have the month
Of March for open season. and tho
bullbat law repealed altogether. As
pointed out by w. p. r.. both these
birds-the robin and bullhat-are
migratory. and the insect destruction
by them does not amount to a great
deal. An arrangement Of the game
law according to the above sugges-
lions would give lis little chance for
an outing at shorter intervals, and
not have the whole business jammed
into one short season,
AS TO the ureRutherfoord bill,
sec but one objection, and that is
the ones it IL aimed at it VIII not al
feet, viz. those who hunt now and
do not pay amy taxes OF any kind will
still hunt and pay no tau. The ones
who are already heavily taxed Will
pay the bin. AS an illustration OF the
point. it is now lawful TO pay taxes on
all dogs, but l am convinced that the
ones who have the most dogs. hunt
the most. and allow their dogs to de-
stroy the most game. pay the least or
no taxes at all. This is a law OF long
standing. and Is not enforced Then
how are these same people to be made
to pay hunting license?
However. If the money Is to be used
rs suggested by W. p. r., to furnish
hawks. owls, foxes. etc. and for pay
ing premium for their scalps also
furnishing feed for birds in winter. !
am willing to pay the extra tax AS
to the economic value of birds ms in
sect-destroyers, there are some things
In connection with the theories OF our
eminent scientists that do not pan out
Do not the Northern States boast OF
their game laws and conservation OF
birds, where the robin and bullbat.
with their voracious appetites for the
insect breed. have had full sway for
a long time, and are not shot at all
yet pray tell me where is 1t that OBJ
noxious insects are much worse?
have never been on n hunting trib in
the North. but know that insects OF
various kinds are so bad that they
XIII cattle in the field. and my hunting
comrades have told me that whIia mn
there one had to go gloved and yelled
to keep from being eaten up; also TO
carry along good sized brush 10