Mountain advocate., 1915-11-19


pioneers came to Kentucky by the
wilderness road they found land fer
tile beyond their widest hopes,
Astounding with game and fish, upon
which they were dependent for food
and clothing. In reaching Kentucky,
Boone and his followers found that
the Indian tribes to the north, south
and west had preceded them. To Ken
lucky the Indians made annual pilgrim.
age to Kill their winter supply of game,
which was found in great abundance
and of splendid quality. At that time
there was game In plenty for all, but
the Indians looked with disfavor upon
the presence of the white man, rcaliz.
ing that il meant the destruction Of
their favorite hunting grounds should
they be left to occupy the land, so they
stubbornly resisted by every possible
means the advancement of the foreign
hunter
The Indian did not kill TO excess and
was determined that his happy hunting
ground should not be destroyed. Their
stubborn resistance made the name
and early history OF "kaintuckee' typ
zeal OF its Indian name. Dark and
Bloody Ground"
The pioneer. hke the Indian. tooh
only of this supply tor food and raj
ment, but with civilization grew the
sport of hunting for pleasure. aud 50
wantonly was game destroyed by this
class OF citizens that thoughtful and
,lt..t
II game was to be conserved for future
generations, 1t was necessary to enact
laws protecting them during the breed
ing season.
The first game laws in Kentucky, Of
which there is any record, were passed
in 1922, and were Tor the prUte ctiOn III
fish. In fact most of the early laws
were measures for fish protection. At
that time all laws in the state upon
this subject were local or county laws
and remained SO until the adoption Of
the present Constitution. Since that
time all laws enacted upon this sub
ject have been state measures, apply
ing alike to each county in the state
To the county authorities were charged
the enforcement OF measures OF this
character.
To the average citizen there was
little necessity for the enforcement Of
these measures: in fact. there was SO
little public sentiment for the enforce
ment of these laws that they We're
openly violated without fear OF prose
cution. To those who gave the subject
thought. ii was apparent that il was
necessary to create "A new law and en-.
trusting to and charging others and
specially named officers with their ell
fOrcement.
A bill was introduced in the 1910 ses-
sion OF the Legislature providing for
the creation OF Game and Fish Com
mission, but was defeated. A similar
measure. possibly wider in scope, was
introduced in 1912 and enacted into
law, which became effective III 1912
This law IL found In its entirety in
Chapter 80, Acts 1872.
To this Commission and its agents
are entrusted the enforcement OF the
law and the restocking or ields and
streams with game and fish. Authority
was given to the Commission To APP.
point wardens throughout the state to
enforce the law Chapter 80, Acts
1912, made no changes in the then ey.
listing game laws, except that il pro
vided that all hunters when hunting of
their own land or that Immediately ad
joining their own, with the permission
OF the owner. should first secure a
hunting license. for which they were
to pay the County Court Clerk 81. The
clerks were allowed 10 retain 10 cents
for each license, directing that the
remainder be sent to the Treasurer of
the State, to be placed to the credit OF
the Game and Fish Protection Fund.
The law provided thar five thousand
(S5,O00) dollars should be appropriated
Tor the maintenance Of the department
turing its first year This sum, how
ever, to be in the nature OF loan, and
directed that the Commission should
return this sum--or as much thereof
as used-to the Treasurer from the
first monpys collected from the sale of