Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-05-28
LOOKOUT. FISHERMEN.

In his last charge to the jury Judge
McReynolds did not enter exhaustive
| " into every detail of the fish and
game laws of Tennessee, probably be-
cause other matters we're more press
ing. However, he, at other times,
has stated the law ON the subject more
specifically, but this has got a lot OF
people deceived in the matter, who
proceeded to misinform others, and
thus the fish laws are being violated.
Some are making nets, some fish bas-
kets, some gigging, and some selling
the fish after capturing them by these
devices.
AS we have said all along, the only
legal way to catch fish in Tennessee
outside of the three big rivers, the
Tennessee, the Cumberland, and the
Mississippi, is to use a hook and line.
Nothing else will do. 1t is not even
lawful to get into the water and drive
the fish out on dry land, or assemble a
bunch of thirsty COWS and get them to
drink a stream dry to get the fish. To
get fish lawfully in your possession for
frying purposes for your own use, you
must catch them with hook and line.
We had an idea that you could sell
your catch in your own community,
but you can't do even that without a
license. Hence we advise our friends
to burn all traps, nets, baskets, gigs,
seines, etc, and if you can pursuade
the fish to leave their element in such
quantities with hook and line that
you can't use them yourself, and de-
sire to sell them, get license to do
so. Thus avoid trouble and expense,
William Burnett, who is special fish
warden for this county, is sworn to
do his duty in this matter. He has
no grudge against any one who is vio-
lating the fish laws, but his duty is
imperative. To fully acquaint fisher
men with the law he requested us to
publish the following letter from the
Department of Fish, Game and Forest
ry, Nashville, Tenn:
"Repying to your letter of May
18th with reference to violations of
the fish laws, you are advised that it
is your duty to arrest anyone violat-
ing the laws relative to the Game,
Fish and Forestry laws regardless of
the fact that the Judge only charged
the Grand Jury for dynamiting. The
laws are on the statute. and we ale
not responsible for their being there,
but we are responsible for the en-
forcement of the laws, and it is the
duty of all special wardens to enforce
the laws.
"There are no special laws for your
county, and if you will read Chapter
4S9, Acts of 1907, on page 81, of the
which we are mailing you
under separate cover, you will find the
laws applicable to your County, and
all other counties of the state.
ut is positively violation of the
fish laws to gig, or to shoot fish with |
q gun, and if you know of anyone
who has been getting fish in this
it is your duty to arrest them
and take them before some Justice of
the Peace and try them. We are glad
you are also looking after the dynami-
;ers and seiners, as well. 1t is also a
for one to market their
ish without first having procured IL
.ense from this department. If you
Inow of any person doing this. arrest
lin. The fine for violations of this
aw is not less than $95 90, nor more
he $50. 90 for this offense, and to each
et or device used in the violation of
his part of the laws, but constitutes
separate offense."
1t is up to Warden Burnett to en-
Orce the law now, fair warning hav-
ng been given. He should arrest all
iolators without fear or favor, re-
ardless of high or low estate, and
lake them pay fines, He should not
estate in the matter because the vio-
ators may ride in an automobile and
Tear broadcloth, but treat them as I
Ough as he would handle the one who
reads his. shoeleather to the fishing !
rounds and wears cotton check shirt |
18th patched shoulders. Let's have !
,stice in the matter, and everybody {
and up to the rack. {