Smyrna times., 1917-02-07
SUGGESTS BOUNTY FOR FOXES
State Would Do Well TO Pay $2.OoPe
Head to Rid Farmers of Nuisance

Head to Rid Farmers of Nuisance
Leipsic, Feb. 5.-Editor of The
Smyrna Times, Dear Sir: "Allow me
little space in your valuable paper
in regard to the "Fox Law" which is
now being discussed in all parts of
the state. or course most people
know that there is bill now in the
Legislature to repeal the law which
has protected foxes for the past six
years. This bill does not meet the
approval OF some of the fox hunters,
while some Of them say that foxes are
entirely too plentiful in this state at
present. Six years ago a bill was
presented to the Legislature and
passed protecting foxes. There was
no objection to the bill at that time |
but since then they have increased un-
til they have become a nuisance.
Farmers, poultrymen and sportsmen
are complaining all over the state
about the depredations committed by
foxes. The trappers on the marshes
are also complaining over their de-
stroying the muskrsts by tearing the
houses down and killing the young
rats in the spring before they are old
enough to take care of themselves.
Ask any trapper about foxes and he
will tell you that they travel all over
a marsh when there is snow on the
ground and go to every muskrat house.
Of course they do the same thing
when the ground is bare of snow but
then you cannot see the tracks. There
are about 10. 600 gunners in the State
of Delaware and it seems that they
should have as much right as a few
fox hunters who go hunting now and
then. There is also bill in the Leg
islature to have the resident cunning
license law OF 81. 10 passed again.
1t would be good thing for the Leg
/ slature to pass this bill with an
amendment to it. providing that a
bounty of So. 90 be paid for each fox
killed. Other states pay bounty on
them and why should Delaware pro-
tect them. According to the report
Of the Pennsylvania Game Commits
sion that state last year paid 81 90
bounty on 1863 foxes. 50 The follow
ing verses on "The Destructive Fox"
is timely and to the point:
Mr.. Fox is a cunning chap,
You can seldom catch him in a trap.
The law protects him part of the year
So when he steals he has no fear.
He can smell a chicken nearly mile
And after he catches it he will smile
For he was protected i'll this ate
BY men sent to Dover to legislate
He roams the country the whole year round
And stops where game and poultry abound,
His cunning ways lead him just right
To hunt for game both day and night
To kill and destroy is his delight,
While he roams the country night after night,
You always find him on the job,
! Where there is anything to plunder or rob.
When the foxes have eaten all the game
They will go after poultry just the same,
| He always returns home with the goods
After roaming the country thru marsh and woods
: When he sees a turkey in a tree,
He thinks to himself you just suit me,
. He only has to sneak around
And scare the turkey down to the ground.
When the turkey lights upon the ground,
The fox soon catches him by leap and bound
Good by old turkey it is too late,
Your assassin Is pfetecteu Oy the Ia" Vi the eate
When turkeys are thirty cents pound,
What farmer wants a lot of foxes around,
| To destroy what his wife is trying to raise,
e After working many weeks and days.
If this law is not repealed in this state,
In two more years It will be too late
| To save the game which needs protection
| By each Representative from every sectlOh
| Ii is time for this law to be repealed
or there will be 10 game in wood or field,
And those who are sent to legisate.
should help the farmer before it is too late
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