The Detroit times., 1912-12-04
WANTS LAW TO
SAVE LIFE And
PRESERVE DEER
Head Of State Game Department
: Proposes Amendments
to This End
DECREASE IN DEER DUE
TO SLAUGHTER OF DOES
Gun License Law Would Prevent
Violation Of Law Govern
ing Season

a MARQUETTE. Mlcn.s Dec. 4.--(Spe-
cial IAN amendment making II legal
to kill only buck deer; a gun license
law; rod license law applying to
nonresident fishermen; q deer hunt
ing season to extend from Nov. 10 20
Dec. i: an amendment prohibiting
~spring shooting" or the killing OF
waterfowl during the mating and
breeding periods; these are changes
IN the law that w. r. Oates, head o.
the state game and Ash department,
believes the new legislature should
make effective, II the game Is TO be
preserved and II life Is TO be made
safe during the hunting season
In addition Oates will recommend
amendments to correct minor faults
in, the present laws. For instance,
nonresident hunters are prevented
from taking venison outside Of the
stata. although they pay $25 for the
privilege OF hunting. This was not
the legislative intent. but IL condl-
tion, growing out OF aruling by the
attorney-general
Oates says the proposed amend
ment making II illegal to kill any but
male deer would greatly prolong the
era OF good hunting. Secondly. IL
would decrease the loss of a. human
life. "Of late years the deer have
been rapidly decimated, - the state
warden said In an interview here.
THE kill this season Was one of<the
smallest OF which -we have record
This has been due Ia some measure
70 weather conditions but also TO a
decrease In the number OF deer Ia
the woods. This decrease is largely
chargeable to(the slaughter OF does.
Last year our deputies reported that
so per cent or the deer sent across the
Straits OF Mackinac the early part Of
the season were does The does are
ranging at large until we'll into No
vernber, whereas the bucks are In the
swamps, as the period OF breeding has
not begun. The passage OF a so-called
buck law and the change proposed In
the duration OF the season could not
tail but he reflected by q much larger
natural propagation OF deer"
On the subject Of a gun license law,
Mr.. Oates said ,-fsA Michigan 10 one Of
the seven states Of the country that
permit hunting without collecting a
gun license fee. A dollar rate would
return 100000 for the support OF the
game warden's department and the ex-
tension OF It's work In some states
the fees II much larger than this. The
proposed law would exempt all per-
sons who hunted only on their own
land and would make II an offense for
any person without a license TO be
abroad In the woods with q gun during
an open game season.
The particular advantage to be
gained from q gun license would be
the upbuilding of the game resources
with the money derived from It Mich
igan should breed game birds and In
other ways work to the end OF keeping
up . constant supply OF game birds
and animals. Many states have pur-
sued this work with market success.
The purpose OF nonresident rod
license II similar. The income could
be applied TO propagate Ash and pro
cure more elective proueeuon."
The prohibition OF spring shooting
Of waterfowl has long been advocated
BY true sportsmen and many states
have adopted laws protecting these
birds In the spring months, when they
mate and breed. Wisconsin and
minnesota have such laws, but unfor-
tunately Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
nave not, az the Michigan advocates
OF this reform are reminded whenever
tney attempt to procure legislation tr
this state. Mr.. Oates IL a strong ad.
yocate OF abolishing spring shooting
and Will urge the enactment OF laws
covering the subject.