Graham guardian., 1913-08-22
ENFORCEGAME LAWS
An Appeal to the People to
Save Game Animals
and Birds

The following article from the
pen of r. F. Mcbride, of Pima, i.
timely and will be interesting t,
everyone who believes in preserving
our game animals and wild birds;
During the recent efforts of the
Legislature to institute laws adequate
for the protection of our wild game
there has been a great deal of dis
satisfaction expressed by different
individuals, but believe that al
the broad, aensible thinking people
will agree with me when say thai
the law which protects our wild
game is one that is necessary.
Ten years ago, before Wa had 6
! game law, or at least before there
was any effort made to enforce such
! law, the game in our mountain.
was almost extinct. II was a very
rare thing, indeed, for anyone Il
find o deer in the Graham mountains
but at the present time think | an
safe in saying, the deer have in
creased ten fold, and it is now 6
very easy matter for a hunter tc
get a deer nearly any day.
! Thirty years ago, when this valley
was being settled, the black tai
deer roamed in abundance in the
foothills and not unfreduently were
found in the corn fields along the
river, while wild turkeys and other
game birds were plentiful in the
mountains higher up.
Where did they go? What be.
came of them? There can be only
one answer: They were unwise,y
slaughtered and wasted because
there was no law to protect them
So long ago that some of US can
not remember. the mountains and
plains of this western country sup.
ported enough buffalo, elk, moose,
antelope, mountain sheep and other
game animals to have furnished the
United States with meat forever If
they had been properly protected;
but civiIiza tion(?) crowded their
abode, and civilized(?) man slaught-
cred and wasted them until they
have become almost extinct, and
the present generations are starving
for the meat that was criminally
wasted by our ancestors.
The present game law, while it
may not be all that is required, is
sufficient to protect our game if it
is Loyalty supported by our citizens.
The State legislature has made a
special effort to arrange for the
enforcement of the law by the ap-
pointment of a state game warden,
whose duty is to provide for the
protection of game. The warden is
a man who is very much enthused
in his work, and he has appointed
deputies in each precinct to issue
hunting licenses and special wardens
all over the State 1.-TWO in Graham
county,, to assist in the enforcement
of the game laws; but without the
united support of our citizens there
can be but very little success.
The law not only protects game
animals, but it also provides protec-
tion for song birds and other useful
birds: and why shouldn't they be
protected? What is there more
inspiring than a beautiful canary, a
dainty colored oriole. a shiny red
bird, or a beautiful spotted mocker,
as he sits in the branches along our
shady driveways and sings his happy
song as we pass along?
Music is enchanting and song is
inspiring. Faint hearts have been
stirred to deeds of valor and bravery
by song. In time of battle; the tide
of victory has been turned and the
fate of nations and destinies of peo-
pie have been saved by the sound of
sweet music, and what music is more
sweet or song more beautiful than
that which issues from the throat of
our wild western song birds?
Parents, don't let your children
trap the birds nor rob their nests.
Citizens of our commonwealth as
sist us in protecting them from the
snairs of the nomadic natives, who
trap and sell them for a small amount
of money, thereby ridding our coun-
try of the beautiful and useful birds
which help so much to create hap
piness and joy in the land, and to
make our homes pleasant,
Help US, and our game animals
and useful birds will increase and
...stl x...n A., f~,,.k - a,.s