The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-06-25
TO PROSECUTE
ViOlatOrS Of The Fish And
Game Laws
Local Association Takes AC-
tiOn At A Meeting

At the meeting Wednesday evening
of the Knox County Fish & Game as
socation, the following report from a
Joint committee of the Knox county
grange and the association was read:
Numerous complaints have been
made in the past few years of the
high-minded actions of certain hun
ters - surely they cannot be called
sportsmen-who apparently haveno re-
spect either for the farmer upon whose
lands they hunt or for his property.
These violations of the property rights
of the farmer include such acts as the
cutting of wire fences, deliberate shoot
ing of poultry, careless shooting and
wounding of live stock, etc. Many
farmers who have thus been wronged
have borne their loss and allowed such
deeds to go unpublished rather than
bear the trouble and expense of prose-
cutting the guilty party. The result has
been that these acts have been contin-
ued till the time has come when their
consequences are being visited upon
| the heads of all hunters alike. In this
way few men have not only wronged
the farmer, whose property they have
destroyed, but have also wronged the
great mass of hunters, who try to con-
duct themselves as law-abiding sports
men, The time has come when the
few men should be made to suffer for
their own wrongs and the farmer and
the sportsmen have resolved that they
shall pay the penalty If they still per
sist In such acts.
"Realizing that both the farmer and
the sportsman was interested In stop.
ping such violations. the Knox County
grange and the Knox County Fish and
Game association have appointed
Joint committee to consider such mat
ters, and, where necessary, start prose-
cutions for such violations. 1t is the
hope and desire of both organizations
that this notice, which it is desired,
shall reach every person in the county,
will serve the purpose for which 1t Is
intended and that, as a consequence no
further action will be necessary. How
ever, It is only fair to state that funds
are already assured to take care OF
prosecutions, If any should become nee
essary. 1t Is to be hoped that everyone
will realize that both the farmer and
the sportsman are in earnest in THIS
matter and that any violations will
surely be detected and the guilty par
ties prosecuted.
Attention of hunters generally Is
also called to the fact that by law
| they are required to secure permission
of the landowners before hunting or
his premises. While this is a legal re
ouirement it is no more than the re
, spect which is due the farmer from the
0 hunter. Failure to regard this right o
the landowner Is responsible for mucl
of the opposition today on the part o
many farmers against hunting general
r ly. II would seem that hunters woul'
, realize that they are hurting both thei
II Interests and the cause of good sport L
1t general by failing to respect this rlgh
IT of the landowner. proper regar
"A for the farmer and his rights will nc
Il only insure n better feeling betwee
y the farmer and the hunter, but viii d
d much toward insuring that the la
T. abiding hunter will have better ol
N portunity In the future for the EMO,
ID ment of legitimate sport. While tre
passing by hunters is not so serious
II. offense as the destruction of propert
90 vet. by reason OF the fact that the O
81 feuse is so common, II is responsib
of today for much of the opposition, !
ls farmers against hunting generally. A
IN end must, therefore, be put to this pra
tice before proper understanding ca
be had between the farmer and IL
, sportsman 1t Is to be hoped that tn
-, may he accomplished without the ne
a, essity of prosecution
,te In addition to large turnout
"A. members of the association residlr
re. in the city, there were present Messr
IA A. ID. Rightmire of Howard and c.
N. Ebersoe of Fredericktown.
n 1t was decided to purchase III
,Ie form button for all members OF Il
nv organization on which should
mr.. printed the wearer's number as reg
m. tered with the secretary OF the
nm sociation. This would serve as
ed Identification in case of accident
law violation. likening itself unto
automobile license tag, These b'
,,, tons are to be worn when hunting a
nm. fishing.
,,v It was reported that a number
IA hunting and fishing measures
,ts dorsed by the local association h
,,, been passed by the Legislature.