Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-01-11
"a VOICE FROM THE
COUNTRY ON GAME LAWS.


an even q shot at ribbit must first
procure a license. That would make
Et legal, otherwise he Is liable to
fine. Then we we're told that we
could hunt on our own land. Upon
reading the fish and game law OF
Kansas we were no wiser than be-
fore. Section 8 says no and yes
and does not in plain English say
you may hunt on your own land
license or no license. That means
chat the law, which should be pre-
eminently for the farmers and land
owners, and therefore clear, Is so
worded in that abominable so-called
legal phraseology that the average
znind can not understand 1t clearly
and hence detests and neglects read
eng It.
This game law in some of It's pro-
visions Is an irritation and grievance
90 many as It 10 construed. We are
frequently told the people rule and
make the laws they want in this
glorious country. Well, II they do,
the making part is done by the few
elected to represent US.
Now It seems to me we ought to
discuss the offensive points and
ahereby get clear on what Is needed
and wanted, inasmuch as the future
Arings US nearer the time when again
we vote men to Topeka to legislate
for US. So we must tell them what
wse want done and what we want
andona, II need be, else we~ need
not wonder that the grist from their
mill is not palatable to the mass
or the people concerned.
We wish to point to few places
where we thing changes should be
shade and sincerely desire that others
will do so too, till we have the out
Zines of laws that are clear and just.
In the first place we disagree
from section II, where all ownership
OF wild animals and fowl and fish
a claimed by the state. That seems
m assumption against mans natural
perception, whether made statutable
by court decision or not. Otherwise
che state should control them and
nay damages caused to landowners
~ them. However, we readily adj
,anit the state to regulate Their de-
mtructIon on grounds of general util-
aty as so many people act as II mad
IA destroying. against their very best
amterests, natures balancing powers
given us in the animal and insect
aEOrId.
In the second place game and fish
laws. as a rule, are not made by
&he people who are next to them,
either for gain or loss, as the farm
Or and joiner of waters are, but by
che sporting class. Men that take
delight and recuperation in turning
20 hunt or to fishing. That makes
~ natural that they want protection
and rights along lines Of their in
1erests. Mark that down Mr.. Farm
Ger. That helps to account for the
tact that we have law that is so
Uonfusing that we know not whether,
~ may shoot at rabbit barking
= tree in the front yard without
Alrst feeling for the license in the
Mest pocket.
We next object to that iicenee
ISSUING to the owner Of land for
annting on his or adjoining land,
~ course not against the will OF
Whe neighbor. We consider that IL
acase squeeze for money and as we
ara Mberally taxed, we claim one
INK Is quite enough. Here is man
asith q lot Of boys. They are not
aaunters but they want to take their
igun along for / rabbit. Perhaps the
mhole game amounts to 20 rabbits,
some crows and a hawk in a year.
what does the law there naturally
Aead to? Look around and see. Is
that a just law? Then we think
section 10, requiring the owner of
. license ever to have 1t ready to
show up or Immediately forfeit is
. silly provision II he can prove he
sDwns one. Section SO, requiring a
aEritten permission from the land
sDwner, is none better. Think Of
warmers boys going out hunt
zag together. each compelled to have
= written permission when enter
AAg the land of the neighbor. Worse
Set Is section 40 forbidding hunting
IN the public road without written
Dermission from the landowner.
well. suppose we have the license,