West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-28
state Forest and Game Warden Issues
RepOrt

me fourth biennial report of j. A.
Niquesney, state forest. game and fish
warden. just published and furnished
to the press, contains l60 pages OF in
teresting information.
The report deals first with tabulated
data showing number OF prosecutions
made during the biennial period from
june 80, 1914. to June 30, 1916, to be
4S9; fines assessed S6,S300O: commit
ted to Jail. "a; number of forest fires
occurring during the two years, 634; (;
total acreage burned. 339.S54: esti-
mated damage TO forest products,
S429 1855; cost to counties for fight
ing these fires, $l4.745l7; total fish
planted in streams during biennial
period, i.S06.S $50; number of free liz
censes issued TO hunters, l62,5T5;
state wide licenses. 3.131; non-resi-
dent, 80; nonresident fishing licenses.
564; total revenue collected TO June
so, 1916, for licenses sold, S11,741.
The second part OF the report con
tains discussions of the various sub
Jects embraced in the report and
points out that West Virginia pre-
sents ideal attractions not only from
the standpoint of hunting and fishing,
but presents beautiful forests and
scenic drives unexcelled by any state
in the union. with good roads cross
ing the state it is suggested that hun
dreds OF tourists will be attracted and
take advantage OF the great opportuni-
ties furnished for recreation and
health.
resident hunters license OF S1.OO
is recommended i'm order to supply
funds for better protection to game.
fish and forests and especially to
stock up game sanctuaries in each
county and thus insure an adequate
propagation and distribution OF game
throughout the whole state. IL is
stated that thousands of acres of land
not suitable for any other purpose
should be stocked with deer and that
an acre or two OF swamp or waste
land on each farm can be turned into
ponds for raising fish and be made
more profitable than any part of the
farm.
The protection of forests from fire
by a systematic cooperation OF state,
.ederal government and private owner
ship has saved millions OF dollars
each year. Before any organized ef-
tort was made to discover and con-
lrol forest fires, four or five millions
of dollars were lost annually I'm forest
products, which has been reduced to
an annual loss OF less than two hun
ired thousand dollars. 1t has been
.ound that by a system of Lookout sta
lions. patrol routes supplied with
telephone communication that fires
IAN be discovered and extinguished in
heir early stages before they have
lone great damage.
BY protecting the forest land from
ire, the haunts of the game and birds
are also protected and thousands of
Eggs which were formerly destroyed
are now hatched which accounts for
the rapid increase of the ruffed
grouse and many other birds.
The concluding part of the report is
by Earle A. Brooke. consulting orni-
biologist, and gives a detailed account
Of the game birds Of the state, illus
trated by many beautiful pictures
aiken from real bird life i'm West Vir-
ginia and fully describes the habits
and value of our many beautiful and
attractive game birds
Parties Interested may obtain a copy
of the report by addressing j. A. vi
quesney, forest, game and fish warden.
8elington, West Virginia.