The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-01-23
WOULD PROTECT The SkUAKs
Report of State Warden Shows State
Had sixty-four Deputies Watching
Game Year Around With Eighty at
at Work During Short Deer Season.

department and desired legislation are
SET forth in the annual report Of
State Game Warden John A. Shots,
submitted to the governor today.
The following laws are proposed:
To enable the department. to gather
accurate statistics about fish and game
actually taken in the state; harmoni-
Gus laws for the protection of migra-
tory game birds in all states of the
Mississippi basin; prohibition of
spring shooting in every state; prohi-
tion of set or snag lines or hooks in
inland waters; prohibition Of dyna-
4hite in taking fish; authorizing the
warden or deputies to arrest anyone
interfering with officers making ar
rests or in handling prisoners in Gus
tody; providing for new boats for
wardens on Lakes Michigan and Su-
perior; establishing state preserves
or game farms for propagation of
wild animal life; use Of all mon
eys received for hunting licenses for
conservation and propagation pur-
poses.
The total receipts Of the department
in 1912 were $1S5,1O0.18; expenses,
$l25,055.2 %; receipts from the 500
seizures, $2,803.28; fines imposed, $15,-
SS6; costs imposed, $3,233.6o; war
den's fees collected, $907,37; cases of
violations in court, 907.
The value of fish and game taken
in Wisconsin last year is estimated at
/ 81, 625 900. This includes $4,000 mink
at S. each, total value $4,000;
! 100000 muskrat at so cents each,
total value, 100000; 100000 skunks
lat $3.50 value each, total value $780,
600; and other fur-bearing animals
to the aggregate value of $4,000.
! The report says that 123,400 licenses
/ for game animals were issued, the
total value of such game killed being
$S08,500, and 6,387 deer were ship
jped, the total value being $119, $685..
The total value of game animals and
deer was $42S,156.25. Based on an
estimated value Of So worth Of fish
per person, the value Of fish taken
| by 17,429 nonresident fishermen was
4 $52,287; and at So per person for
4 100000 resident fishermen, $4,000
coo worth of fish were taken. The
total value of furs and fur-bearing
animals game animals and fish taken
in Wisconsin last year was $4,105,-
1925.
Commenting OH the fact that $780,
/ coo worth OF skunk pelts were hand
led in 1911, the report says:
''Tha skunk is very valuable in pick
ing up insect pests and while it oc-
caslonally does damage, its services
far outweigh the harm done,
The warden recommends that the
skunk receive some legal protection
The proposal for game preserves is
inspired by the fact that the encroach-
mcnts of civilized communities upon
the deer regions, threatening the ulti,
mate extinction of valuable Species
1t is suggested that with favorable
legislation, otherwise waste land could
be utilized for propagation purposes
for deer The warden recommends
Joint activity in protecting the few
birds that remain and helping to save
them from complete determination; =
and aid in teaching Wisconsin Is
children how to know to enjoy the
beautiful and useful birls without de-
stroying them, and in knowing their
relations IN the economy of nature.
| The report states the department
employed eighty deputies IN the deer
season and sixty-four the rest of the
year. 1t is stated thar the fact of
| fewer arrests and considerations last
/ y 81
lightened view of fish and game pro.
lection on the part Of the people
! The educational work of the depart
ment was done by E. A. Cleasby, a
/ warden, in the lecture field. emphasiz
| ing the Importance of conservation OF
birds, fish and game and their econo
mic value to the people; and ad
dresses by DR.. T. S. Palmer Of the
1 United States Biological survey; +
E. Doty, secretary Of the state civil
| service commission and Prof George
Wagner, University of Wisconsin.
i A large part of the violations Of
law are due to gross ignorance rather
than criminal intent says tht
warden.
1t is noted that the state share Of
/ proceeds from selling of rough fish
now conducted by the department. wa:
81 ,235.S3, and that twelve carload,
are still on hand. Great satisfaction
with the present method Of handling
tie problem is reported.
The work Of the new Wisconsin
State Fish and Game Protective an,
| Propagation League is detailed.