The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-05-23
BEGINNING OF NEW INDUSTRY
Sale Of Wild Game to be Prohibited
in Massachusetts

ff ''e~NNNf'N~~
The most important game legisla-
ton ever enacted in New England
has now become law. The people of
Massachusetts tired of legalizing the
determination of migratory game
birds have now stopped it so far as
that state is concerned. Formerly
the game laws were so drawn that
such birds were protected only when
they were out of the state. In recent
years, the shooting seasons have been
shortened, so that the birds have
some protection. A few years ago
the sale of grouse and woodcock was
stopped and now the sale of all game
birds will be prohibited January l.,
1918.
The principal causes of the extinc-
ton of game birds are spring shoot
ing and the sale of wild game, both
of which have abeen eliminated from
the Bay state. A determined, sus-
tanned and successful effort 10 pre-
vent the repeal of the present law
forbidding spring shooting was fol-
lowed by well organized and deter
Ullltu DQlAlt " sup iiV oQlC VI
game The fight was led by the
National Association of Audubon So
cieties, assisted by the Massachusetts
Audubon society, the Massachusetts
Fish and Game Protective Associa-
ton, practically every other Game
Protective association in the state
and many scientific societies, among
which the Boston society of Natural
History took leading part. The
MASSACHUSETTS State Grange, was
very active and effective; Mems
Clubs, Women's Clubs, professional
men, and people in all walks of life,
were at last aroused TO save the birds
and the people were successful.
All bills permitting spring shooting
were defeated. The non-sale law
was passed by large majorities and
Governor Foss approved it. In thus
following the lead of New York
which passed a similar law last year
Massachusetts has closed another OF
the great northern markets, only a
! few of which are now. open TO the
sale of wild game. This great move
ment extending from state to state
must soon result in the closing of all
the great markets, for which at least
so per cent of our game birds are
killed annually. In stopping the sale
of game we eliminate the market
hunter and save millions of game
birds, shore birds and wildfowl from
the annual slaughter both north and
south. This movement, however vii
not stop the sale of artificially pro
pagated game in the market, but will
encourage the raising of certain kinds
of game on the farms of the country
and the sale of hand-reared game il
the markets under restrictions i'm
posed by the commissioners on Fish
cries and game.
The rearing of game for the marke
is a new industry in this countr!
which will develop eventually to tire
mendous proportions. because the de
mand is unlimited.
There are farms now in England oil
each of which eight TO ten thousan,
pheasants or wild ducks are rearet
annually. There are many thous
ands of game farmers Their,
and more than twenty thous
and game keepers. There is a grea
demand there for eggs for Matching
birds for propagating purposes, ant
young birds for game preserves. an,
all the surplus birds are taken by tn
market demand. Those who ca
raise game birds here will soon fin
it a remunerative industry. Woo
ducks and some species OF pheasant
are selling for twenty-five to thirty
five dollars per pair for proagatin
purposes Pheasants' eggs sell a
from three to six dollars per dozer
The demand for Mallards is increai
ing. The man who can solve tn
problem OF producing quail or grou-
in large numbers has a fortune with
in his grasp There is a good d.
mand for Guinea hens, Belgian hare
and deer The task is not easy bu
success will be well rewarded an
the time will come when private Ell
terprise will produce more game /
this country than nature ever coul
supply.