The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1914-11-28
HUN TIERS URGE
GAME Law CHANGE
Bemidji Nimrods Believe Three Year
Closed Season Would Do Much to
Save Partridge and Moose.
PRAIRIE CHICKEN ALSO SCARCE
Action of Legislature Needed Before
Birds Can Be Saved From Exter-
mination- Follow Fate of Buffalo

Scarcity of partridges in the woods
of northern Minnesota is growing
more noticeable every day and nearly
every Bemidji hunter, in returning
from his search of big game, reports
that he has been surprised by the
small number.
Where until last year they had
no difficulty in picking up one or
two dozen birds as supplement to
their big game hunt they saw but
one or two birds or none at all. Birds
have become so scarce that the sight
OF them was a subject for comment
upon the hunters return to camp.
Unanimous Opinion.
The almost unanimous opinion of
sportsmen-notp pot hunters or game
hogs who are not unknown in north
ern Minnesota-is that if the birds
are to be saved from determination
the coming legislature should pass a
bill putting a closed season upon the
birds for at least three years. They
declare that unless this is done and
the law enforced, the partridge will
be practically extinct in one or two
falls in all except the most remote
or the more inaccessible regions. They
say that action by the next legisla-
ture is imperative as delay would
mean wait of two years, during
which time the last of the very de-
sirable feathered prizes would be
wiped out. They assert that post
ponement would be fatal to the birds
in this part of the state and advocate
the institution of campaign by
sportsmen to secure the enactment by
the next legislature of bill making
it illegal to kill partridges for three
years.
Prairie Chicken Also.
They add that it would be we'll to
have the same measure protect
prairie chickens for the same period,
as they are only getting Tfoothold
in this region and that three years
protection would insure an amply
supply of both varieties of grouse for
years to come They state that when
an open season is again allowed the
openings for all varieties of small
game should be simultaneous. Under
the present regulations the season
for prairie chickens opens Sept. and
that for partridge opens Oct. l..
Sportsmen declare that late in Sep
tember or Oct. 1 would be the proper
time to open both seasons, as it
would afford better protection to the
birds and allow ample time for hunt
ing them.
Protect Moose.
In this connection a number of big
game hunters are urging a closed
season on moose for several years.
They state that these lordly animals
are becoming scarce and should be
given an opportunity to regain their
former numbers.
There would be opposition to the
program for closed seasons on birds
and moose, but it would come from
those with selfish motives or from
those who have not stopped to
think" said one sportsmen this morn
ing. But I feel certain that those
who carefully consider the situation
will heartily endorse such action by
the legislature. It is a question of
depriving ourselves of three years
shooting in order that we may have
future hunting in Minnesota If we
don't get closed season we can go
on hunting for several falls by the
result will be that in years to come
the greatest of outdoor sports will be
a matter of history. Prompt and ef-
fective action is needed, and the
sportsmen should lose no time in get
! ting busy if the hunting in Mime
sofa is to be preserved"
Auto a Factor.
The automobile has been a large
: factor in making the heavy slaughter
, of game, as they make the hunting
| grounds readily and quickly accessi
BILE. Machines by the score have run
into the country about Bemidji in