The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-23
FISH AND GAME LAWS.
Ccmmissiorcr Titcomb Discussed Them
with LegiaIatOr.

with LegislatOrs
Fish and Game Commissioner Til
comb was speaker at the Farmers 4
club meeting TX the state house Thurs
day night. lie outlined the policies oil
his department, called attention 10 the
need Of stable laws rather than freE
duently tinkefed laws, and gave theE
different points Of view on deer laws.
the six-inch trout law, the fishing Ii
renSe, and other problems
Mr.. Titcomb called attention to thet
market value Of "a quantity Of fish Oh
y piece Of game, saying that l,v con-t
scrvative estimate the food value o.
The fish and game killed annually M
Vermont is over $500. 900; in addition
there are the returns from private pro
serves. the value of the recreation. andI
more than all else the income from the5
sportsman and tourist.
When the city business man looks
for country place he is influenced by|
such factors as convenience of access
| accommodations versus price, and his
favorite form of recreation, Mr. Tit i
| comb pointed out. If he is an angler
he usually tries to locate his family
| where he can enjoy such recreation.
The fishing resources of the state
| therefore, adj greatly to the land vail
ues. The policy of the state in keep
| ing the lakes wcll stocked with fish
under the protection OF wholesome
laws, has much to 10 with the creation
and maintenance Of high prices on
shore property.
| Why are 50 many bills relating t.
fish and game introduced IT each SEES
sion? asked the speaker. The game
laws were coditied in lGI2-why not
let them alone Tastes Of sportSmen
vary SO widely that many legislators
are requested by their constituents 70
| change the laws. The next session
another faction wants them repealed.
Some would repeal the buck law and
have n shorter season. because many
does are killed and left to rot on the
ground. 1t is true that over l50 docs
fawHs o. unmaturcd bucks were found
by wardens during open seasons and
doubtless many more are left to ror
where they fall.
a shorter open season would NEAR
more danger TO the hunters because
more would be in the woods At on,
time. If no protection Is afforded T,
does it means determination in n few
years.
Mr.. Titcomb advised letting the dee
law alone.
The deer in the more settled dis
tricts. he said. viii decrease even undo
the present law. At best it is goo,
compromise.
Mr.. Titeomh was asked his views ol
many questions. He regards it as IN
consistent TO protect the fox whic
devours the game birds rs Well as III
I ! oultrv but he does not advocate traT
i ping for foxes except during the tran
: ping season for other fur-bearing 81
4 imals. Farmers should he allowed I
1 exterminatc all noxious animals al an
t time.
He regards the six-ineh trout la
II as of great economic value because
Il Gives the fish opportunity to bree
once before being killed. Withol
r such n law inhabitants from cit.cs au
e villages viii motor to hill towns an
4, skin the brooks. \ number limit Noul
e not compensate for the repaal o. Il
e six-inch law but would help to son
= extent.
y 1t is true that the law is not q
It served in many communities. Whe
it Is observed the fishing has improve
IL and j. better in the vicinity Of eiti,
q like Rutland and Burlington than
n more isolated territorv.
i Mr.. Titcomb would not advocate
II fishing license unless the people 4
n ready for il. Some states hlrea,
q have such law. The advantages ar
= support OF propagation and protect,
- of fishermen as we'll - hunters. Fun
!, TO maintain hatchcries i'm every count
= ANY such license should cxem
: women and children under u and
! years and Lake Champlain should II
similar legislation for the lake.