News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-12-02
FISHERMEN'S LICENSE
Recommended by Commissioner John w.
TitcOmb

| Recommended by Commissioner John w.
Titcomb
John W. Titcomb of Lyndenville is
distributing his biennial report as State
Fish and Game Commissioner of Yer
mont, for the two years ending June 30.
1914. 1t is 1872 page booklet, contai n
ing information for sportsmen and others
who are interested in fish and game as
an asset to the State. Mr.. Titcomb has
the following to say concerning the new
| game code which is considered far sup e.
rier to any game law which the State has
ever had: "The chapter of game laws
enacted by the Legislature of 1912 has
been on trial for Is months. No chap,
| ter of game laws will suit every body and
| there are some defects in the present
| laws. From the law enforcement point
of view it has not as yet shown any de-
fects which will permit offenders to es-
cape on technicalities. This is one of the
| reasons why it has been possible to turn
into the treasury more fines than ever
game are more than holding their own"
Mr.. Titcomb estimates that the fish
! and game annually taken in Vermont
helps out family larders to the amount
of $500 600 He is in favor OF a combina-
ton tishermen's aud hunters license or
else fishing licea, e of so cents in adj
dition to the present gun license.
RECOMMENDATION
Mr.. Titcomb's recommendations fol-
low
make survey of every public pond
and lake IN the state; decide de tlinitely as
TO policy for each and have the policy
made as binding as possible for an iDdt fl
nitely long period of years.
"Extermlnate The cudrser fishes which
have got iuto some of the trout ponds
10 to so acres in area, aud restore their
pristine condition.
Increase the nun Der of fish hatcher
les and field stations.
Keep the trout streams free from pol
lutlng substances injurious to fish or to
their spawning grounds.
"PuG the warden system on a salary
basis; have fewe: wardens. but raise the
standard of efficiency.
MAKE some OF the wardens game
keepers as well to see what can be done
to increase the stock OF game birds.
"Have more stringent laws in regard
to dogs running at large at all seasons of
the year. This recommendation should
be viewed from the humane standpoint
as well as with the object of protecting
wild animals, including ground nesting
birds, during their respective breeding
seasons.
Encourage fish and game farms as Of
fering legitimate and profitable indus
try. The propagation of game birds Of
fers especial inducements at the present
market prices.
There is a large and increasing table
market for all kinds of game which can
be raised under emi-domesticated condi-
tons. Venison can be produced at more
profit than beef on some of the wild
lands.
"Have one or two large game refugees,
especially for deer and elk. This will
prevent repetition of the condition ex-
listing when it was necessary to import
deer from the State of New York to re-
stock the forests. Under the present
laws game refugees may be established by
the Commissioner. All that is lacking
is funds.
ITO defray the expenses involved a
gun license of $100 is suggested. At
present the hunters are paying the bills
for protecting both fish and game. A di-
vision of the burden would be more just
ana would result in funds sufficient to
carry out these accommodations"
During the last fiscal year trout and
fingerings to the number of 1854, 040 |
were put out by the State hatchery.
They had a commercial value of S.
OPS. SO. The State paid during the past
two years $2,7l3.75 for damage done by |
deer. The State received in fines from |
fish and game violations during this |
period, Sl0, 4lo.3l. courts suspended /
fines to the amount of 81 1902 and remit
ted fines to the amount of 1920 0e. |
The iucome from hunters licenses dur
ing the two years was S25, 46440. The
department received "a 295. 40 from deer
killed and other sources. The
were such that there was
deficit July l, 1914, of sl,S29 81.
Under the head, ''Some of the Pro-
tected Birds in Vermont and What They
Eat, MIR. Titcomb gives in his report
of various valuable birds
and there are pictures of several. The
report also contains list of the lakes
and streams in the State.
WARS AWFUL ToLL:-If the Germans
have lost ], 25o, 900 men in killed. wound
ed and missing as estimated, they have