Bismarck daily tribune., 1912-04-09
WHY DOES NOT THE game BOARD
Protect BURLE|GH COUNTY GAME?
Appeals for Assistance Dur.
iDq Floods Have All Proven
Futile
Deer are Slaughtered Out Of
Season and No WardeDS
Around

What is the reason that Burleigh
county can not (be offorded protection
for wild game when such proection
becomes necessary? WHAT is the
matter with the state game board and
the game wardens that they can not
hearken to a call for aid, when that
aid becomes imperative? Is the game
board appointed to enforce precau-
tionary measures for the protection
Of wild game, or is it just piece Of
political machinery? Are the game
funds to he used in protecting game,
or it the license money collected as
mere source of revenue to be jug:
gled back into the general funds of
the state? These are some of the
questions which are paramount in the
minds of Bismarck and Burleigh coun-
ty sportsmen.
The recent flood drove scores of
deer out Of tie underbrush along the
river to the prairie land, where they
were without protection. Well au-
thenticated rumors have been heard
that three Of the deer have already
been shot. Where is the game war
den? What use is the state game
fund being put to?
Friday morning H. w. Richholt, E.
E. Jones, and a large number of other
local sportsmen, members Of the Bis
marck gun club learned that deer
were being slaughtered. The animals
were driven from their homes, and
terror stricken were fleeing in all
directions. Game Warden Mclean
of Fargo was communicated with and
asked for patrol who might remain
here until the flood subsided and the
deer might return to their accustomed
haunts. He stated that there was no
money in the fund. The state audi
tors Office informed the inquirer that
there vas a balance of about $4,000
in the game fund.
The local nimrods We're then re-
ferred to T. D. Casey of Dickinson
secretary of the state board Mr..
Casey stated a meeting of the board
would have t. be called. He was in
formed that immediate action was
imperative, and thereon promised to
call up the local men Immediately.
Up to Tuesday morning nothing fur.
ther was heard from him.
There is a deputy warden at Bis.
marck, Fred Carstens, Mr.. Carstens,
however, is not upon salary, and the
only money he has received in similar
cases has been paid him by Bismarck
hunters themselves, who sought to
protect game, and secured his assis-
tance.
Two year ago, when there was a
food, the Bismarck gun club paid the
expenses Of patrol and looked after
the protection of game in this vicinity
of their own accord. This year, they
feel that the state should do its duty,
that the game board should be on the
job, and that the game wardens
"hould perform their official functions.
The state is, or should be, able to
furnish this protection. Last year
approximately $4,000 were turled in
to the state game fund. What use
is this money being put to? In 1911
Bureigh county raised 1922 10y the
sale of hunting permits. OF this
amount $S298O wa; turned over to
the state. Why can not the county
secure protection when it needs it?
The other slope countries are similar
ly situated. They pay in large sums
to the game funds, yet when they
need protection for game, that pro-
tectiOn is lacking. Is the game board
merely an honorary political body, or
is it body that is supposed to per-
form it's public duties when called up |
On? Why are they not doing the !
work they are paid for? Why is the |
Slope country neglected by the game
protection officials? Is it political
jobbery that this aid is lacking? The
Slope pays its share into the game
funds and wants protection when
necessary. Local lovers Of hunting
want to know why they can't get this
protection when they nav their money