The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-18
HUNTERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL.

Emphasizing the destruction of
property and human life caused by
careless hunters, a warning issued by
the federal forest service urges all
sportsmen on the national forests to
use the greatest possible care to pre-
vent forest fires and to avoid such
accidents as the one which caused the
death of a forest ranger, named Clark
on the Cabinet national forest in Mon
tana last year. Mr.. Clark, it is said,
was mistaken for a bear by care
less hunter who fired without waiting
to be sure what he was shooting at.
And the warnings and suggestions
of the forest service in respect to hunt
ing in the national forests apply with
equal force to all variety of hunters
turnout the country, whether they
operate in the wooded sections and
hunt deer and such game, or whether
they pursue this the hunting sport in
the fields and confine it to bagging
game birds.
To show that such accidents as re-
suited in the death of Mr.. Clark are
not uncommon, the warning in ques-
ton quotes an estimate of the bioloS-
ical survey that between $50 and 200
persons are annually killed in hunt
ing accidents in this country and that
this number is increasing. Further
more, it is stated, is per cent of all
the forest fires in the national forests
are caused by careless hunters and
other campers.
The national forests, it is pointed
out, contain the best hunting grounds
in the country. The number of game
animals is increasing on account of
the protection from forest fires and il
legal killing which is afforded by for
est officers. On many of the forests,
deer, elk, mountain sheep and other
species are fairly plentiful, while small
game is usually abundant. Bear,
mountain lion and other predatory
animals are found on most of the for
ests and the killing of these meat
eaters is encouraged because they prey
on domestic stock and the herbivorous
game animals.
The value of the forests for hunting
grounds depends largely upon whether
they are protected from fire, says the
warning. Forest fires destroy the
range and breeding places of the game
and often kill large numbers of the
animals themselves, while a great
many more are driven out of the coun-
try by the flames. Furthermore,
streams flowing thru burned-over
areas are subject to such extreme
variations of flow and are often so
choked up with deposits of sediment
that fish can not live in them
Each year, it is stated, sees an in
crease in the numbers of persons who
visit the national forests for hunting
and other recreation purposes. Every
effort is made to encourage this use
of the forests. Maps showing the re-
creation resources have been issued
up new country to visitors.
The best indication of a mans fit.
ness to be in the woods, the warnins
points out, is the care which he show.
in handling firearms and fire. Non,
but the most inexperienced tenderfoo
will shoot without getting a plair
view of his game, while the man whC
let's his campfire escape or who care
lessly drops lighted match or no
tobacco ashes betrays at once hi
ignorance of the fundamental prin
ciples of woodcraft. Such men, say
the warning, should keep out of tn
woods. And it might well have added
off the fields and plains also. Many .
prairie fire has been started by a care
less hunter.