The Penn's Grove record., 1915-01-22

HUNTERS AGAIN MAKE DEFENSE.
Laxity on Part Of Wsrdens Is 5Iamsa
for the Forest Fires.

Laxity On Part Of Wsrdens Is 6IamSa
for the Forest Fires.
President Ernest Napier OF the State
Fish and Game Board. in a letter sent
TO the Forest Park Commission, lays
to the Forest Park Commission lays
the blame for the great devastation
wrought by the forest fires of last fall
to a great extent upon the commits
sion. That the disastrous fires could
have been prevented had the fire war
den service OF the Forest Park Com
mission been given more careful con-
sideration, is the opinion Of the com
mission.
The Fish and Game Board in its let
ter vigorously opposes the suggestions
OF the forest commission to the effect
that an open season for deer and rab-
bits in New Jersey be declared to the
end that the State may rid itsek OF
this game and thus be free itself az
the same time Of the danger Of fires
from gunners. Mr.. Napier's letter
states that II such a course we're to
be adopted the State would soon b
without game Of any species, as the
hunters would shoot every wild crea-
ture within its confines.
Il have before me your communica-
ton, dated December IT," the Fish
and Game Boards letter runs, "and
also a copy of the resolution from the
State grange. transmitted to US IN
der date of January 4. beg TO ad-
wise you that the Fish and Game Com
mission is not at all in sympathy with
the recommendation your board sug-
gests. After the careful investigation
which you claim to have made as to
the cause of the recent disastrous for
est fires. we presume you gentlemen
can prove beyond question that the
gunners were largely responsible for
the same, and if you have such proof
we take it that you viii (as certainly
should be done) prosecute most vigor-
ously the offenders.
"On the part OF board, we do not
believe the gunners are responsible
for all the fires, by any means, and
your own figures show that you have
had more forest fires in the months
Of April and May for some years past
than occurred during the cunning sea-
son. In April and May, according to
our fish and game laws, a gunner -
no allowed In the woods or fields
You are probably aware that a Very
small percentage Of the licensed gum
ners OF the State hunt at any time
and a comparatively small number
hunt rabbits. We fail to see where
your recommendation. allowing the
pursuit of these animals, say three
hundred days Of the year (as il would
be impossible to exterminate rabbfts).
when we allow them to be hunted
for but some thirty-fve days during
the entire year would reduce the like
lihood of fires occurring If. as stated
in your various communications, the
gunners are responsible for these con-
iagrations.
I'VE further believe that it is both
uncalled for and CRUEL in the extreme
for you to attempt to take away from
the citizens of this State the enjoy
ment of outdoor life, which is the only
relaxation for many a Woodworking
business man and mechanic, while
we are trying our best to promote out
door life by making it worth while for
them to spend their spare time in u
woods and fields, or enjoy the fishing
in our lakes and streams, thereby
benefiting the health, adding to the
happiness and making better citizens
Of our peaple.
1--WE nave reports from our regular
paid wardens, who are not allowed to
be engaged in any other business:
also reports from deputies and extra
men employed during the hunting sea
son, which clearly demonstrate to US
that the conclusion which you have
reached is entirey wrong and out OF
place, and we further believe had your
fire warden service been more dill
gently n intenigently taken care Of
by the men employed in this line OF
work there would have been no de
struction Of the forests. and, conse-
quently, no such extreme large figures
Of area devastated consisting Of large
scrub cakes and stunted pines).
"We are as deeply interested in the
protection of our forests and covers
as is your commission, or any other
body in this State, and are perfectly
willing to stand by our commission
most energetically in CARRYING out
such protection to the limit. but when
you ask US to cooperate with you in
securing legislation that, in our hon
est opinion, We believe entirely I'M
necessary and unca1led for. and which,
if carried out, would ultimately make
New Jersey a gameless, birdless State
flor such liberty as you propose 10
certain classes, residents of this and
adjoining States, mean a permit to
kill anything n everything we now
have in the shape Of wild life) we
must respectfully decline TO be in any
may connected with such a movement
and in so doing believe we are taking
a position which stands for the best
interests and best welfare OF the peo-
pie of this commonwealth"