Evening journal., 1912-12-10
eAME AANn AANn lEs l.rEss eeeess.ssE R 4 n.

Delaware:
Editor, EVENING JOURNAL:
Dear Sr--l have read with interest your recent ar
ticles and editorials behalf Of game protection II
has been my honest opinion for that there
than there was killed during shooting know
this to be the case on my own property During the
summer there at least dozen litters of young
rabbits destroyed by hounds running nights.
believe that this phase Of the subject dealt with by
an editorial in your paper might far toward hay-
ing the Legislature pass law against running rabbits
out Of Il would certainly be appreciated by the
lovers Of shooting and will farther toward protection
than closed season. for the latter will not protect de-
struction by dogs.
we take pleasure N printing Mr.. Carpenters letter
and giving hearty in far it relates
to the running Of rabbits out of season. We ALSO
pleased to recall to his mind the fact that August
last printed the following editorial under the head
ing Protect the Young Rabbits"
If the Delaware Game Protective Association de-
sires to do good work just will cause the ar
rest and prosecution in each county OF rev OF the
hundreds Of men and lads who in the fields daily
and running their hounds after young rabbits Thous
ands OF Immature rabbits doubtless already have been
killed by such hounds and other thousands will be
killed between now and November unless something be-
done 10 break up the cruel and unsporsmanike prac
ce lt is useless for those appointed to protect game
birds and animals in our Statee to plead ignorance
OF conditions There are few rural sections in which
the baying Of the hounds canot be heard both day
and night AS rule their owners are not far away
There is law against the running Of dogs out of sea-
and the owners of the hounds know It. That law
is being dehed openly and nagrantly in all three
ties. few arrests followed by maximum punishment
would 80 far toward making that law respected.
There is general complaint relative TO the scarcity
OF game in Delaware and much talk OF conservation
done just is TO round and punish those who
engaged in the wanton destruction Of the young rab
bits II is folly to talk of game conservation when such
work is being done openly In the rural sections of New
Castle Kent and Sussex counties.
We feel that the protective spirit OF that edi-
toria the sentiment Of Mr. Carpenter and all
others who deplore the wanton and awess destruction
of young game. That destructive work goes on year
after Both men, who know better, and boys who
should be taught better, engage in it. They expert
pleasure sending hounds into coverts and
fields to scent out and down and destroy weak
and immature rabbits that have little chance for es-
cape. the hounds get the trail Almost invari-
ably the young rabbit is chased until Il falls exhausted
and is torn TO pieces and devoured by the hounds In
fact many young rabbits destroyed before they
the nest
Mr. Carpenter unquesonably is right when he says
that rabbits are killed out OF season by dogs than
killed in by hunters The question which
naturally presents itself is what is TO be done to put
end to such deplorable condition Moral suasion has
been tried but experience has demonstrated that
or boy who so devoid Of the true sporting instinct as
to find pleasure in directing the work Of hounds in
running down and deyourng young rabbits, is not
amenabe to reason. Sharp and decisive prosecution
and punishment alone will meet the situation
Because of personal reasons, such drastic steps will
not be taken, rule by individuals. Personal COM
plants and prosecutions in game cases usually give
ties The proper and practical way to deal with the
issue is through the Delaware Game Protective Asso-
citation, or kindred Organization BY the inter-
vention of such organization the personal feature
prosecution is eliminated the aim sought is
compshed without leaving undying between
neghbors as an aftermath such repressve crusade
We think that. with such Mr. Carpenter
aroused fully upon this truly important conservation
question the Delaware Game Protective Association
should asked bestir itself and exercise the
activity In protecting young game against dogs and
those who them, that it displays in protecting both
young and old game against gun-carrying meat-huners
who have the erontery to term themselves sportsmen
Fairness compes the admission that many young rab-
bits killed out of by dogs which range the
coverts Of their own voton and without the
agement their owners With such It admittedly
will be difficult TO DEAL unless law be passed COM
pelng the owners Of hounds to keep them tied up at
night when they do most of their hunting. That how
ever, is but small part of the trouble There is
law against any person taking hound out in the
fields and coverts in the closed and encour-
aging permitting It TO rabbits That law
is being violated openly and aagrantly every year in
all the rural sections OF State and the violaors
who encourage the bounds in the work Of destroying
young game escape both prosecution and punishment
There already is enough law in our books to reach
every Of them II those whose duty it is to hunt
out and bring to punishment vioators OF the game
laws would do their duty thoroughly when game
is young as they do when IL has attained full growth
and strength and is better equipped to hold It's own
against both dog and It is time for the enun
citation of an uncompromisng policy of protection for
young game in State AS a few arrests have
made and the prosecutions have been conducted to
successful conclusions the destroyers in all
tions will realize that the game protectors busi
ness With that realization Will come abandonment
Of pernicious and destructive practice that is
disgrace to the State
Conditions that exist in the hunting field in Della
ware this also indicate that hunting Of birds
and rabbits should be permitted in 1918. There few
sections in which complaint is not made that game is
scarce If the Legislature will declare all of 1918
closed season, and If proper steps be taken 10 pre-
vent the killing OF young game by hunting dogs, there
should be splendid sport Delaware in the fall OF 1914
West Presbyterian Church in this city Is one of the
prominent and useful religious institutions IN
State The installation OF pastor there is mat