The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-12-01

Wnen Danlel Boone anu MS stufuy
pioneers came to Kentucky by tht
Wilderness road they found land fer
tile beyond their widest hopes
Astounding with game and fish, upon
which they we're 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, realiz.
ing that it meant the destruction OF
their favorite hunting grounds should
they be left to occupy the land, 80 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
ical of its Indian name. Dark and
Bloody Ground"
The pioneer, like the Indian, took
only of this supply for food and raj
ment, but with civilization grew the
sport of hunting for pleasure, and so
wantonly was game destroyed by this
class of citizens that thoughtful and
representative men soon realized that
If game was to be conserved for future
generations, it 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 for the protection oi |
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
lime all laws enacted upon this sub
lect have been state measures, apply.
ng alike to each county in the state /
To the county authorities were charged
he enforcement of measures of this |
character.
To the average citizen there was I
little necessity for the enforcement of
hese measures; in fact, there was so
title public sentiment for the enforce
nent of these laws that they were
openly violated without fear of prose.
'ution. To those who gave the subject
bought, 1t was apparent that it was
necessary to create a new law and en-.
rusting to and charging others and
named officers with their en-.
orcement.
A Dill was introduced in the 1910 Sos
ion of the Legislature providing for
he creation of Game and Fish Com.
mission, but was defeated. A similar
Measure, possibly wider in scope. was
Introduced in 1912 and enacted into
aw. which became effective in 1912
his law is found in its entirety in
'hapter 30, Acts 1912.
To this Commission and its agents
re entrusted the enforcement of the
aw and the restocking of fields and
treams with game and fish. Authority
'as given to the Commission to an
ONT wardens throughout the state Ia
nforce the law. Chapter IS. Acts
w, made no changes in the then ex
sting game laws, except that IL pro.
ided that all hunters when hunting of
leir own land or that Immediately ad.
'ining their own, with the permission
the owner, should first secure a
uniting license. for which they were
pay the County Court Clerk 81. The ]
Jerks were allowed to retain Is cents q
IT each license, directing that the
be sent to the Treasurer of {
he State, t. be placed to the credit OF Q
he Game and Fish Protection Fund.
The law provided that five Thousand q
$4,000 dollars should be appropriated
r the maintenance OF the department
ring Its first year. This sum. how. Q
yer, TO be In the nature of a loan. and
rected that the Commission should Z
turn this sum-or as much thereof Z
used-to the Treasurer from the 0
'st moneys collected from the sale OF y !,