Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-09-26
SPORTSMEN ATTENTION.
State Commissioner Talks with Men
Who Will Hunt.

It is now the season during which
the shooting of the game birds and
animals of the state is lawful. Be-
fore you start on your fall hunting
trips, it is desired that you Consider
the following propositions:
LANDOWNER AND SPORTSMAN
Title to the wild life is vested in the
state or nation depending on the spe-
cies), but whether or not you will be
permitted to hunt on most of the land
in the state rests with the 1andown-
ers. Your hunters license does not
give you the right to go on any mans
land against his wish. 1t is therefore
squarely up to you to decide whether
your actions will encourage the land
owners to refrain from posting, or
whether by reason of acts of vandal-
ism and thoughtlessness, Ito say
nothing Of neglect on your part), the
landowners in self protection will be
compelled to keep you off.
If your record is good what will
derstand that they are threatening
the existence Of your sport? It is up
to the $4,000 hunters in Vermont to
act as field agents for the landowners,
to assist in prosecuting any violations
Of property rights and to see to it
that the country is left in better con-
ditiOn than vixen they found it.
WILD LIFE-FUTURE SPORT.
It is elementary that the destruc-
ton of more wild life each year than
comes into existence, means rapid and
complete determination. Your slo-
one taken. To do this, kill vermin,
feed the birds in the winter, observe
reasonable bag limits and throw your
influence on the right side. Be inter-
ested in preserving insectivorous
birds. They are Of untold value to
the land. This is one positive way to
help the man over whose land you
hunt each year.
GAME LAWS AND DEPUTIES
The game laws were enacted for
your benefit, and restrict the taking
of wild life to make possible your slo-
gan of putting back two birds for
everyone taken out land this applies
Their violation means a greater loss
to you than to others because it is
your sport.
The warden is working for your in
terest. He is your servant, but will
appreciate your help. His interests
should be your interests. He is en-
deavoring to assist in establishing the
improved conditions of sport you de-
sire. Too many hunters think that
violating the fish and game laws and
getting away with it is part of the
game. The more you think this over
we believe the less willing you will
be to subscribe to this doctrine.
FIELD DEPARTMENT.
Don't shoot until you clearly see
your game, and not even then unless
you have your partner located. Stop
if some building is in line with your
shot. The only safe gun is the one
apart in your case. You can't be too
careful with it at any time. Give
your partner a few of the Shots
Don't try for "hundred per cent"
The man never lived who could do it
day in and day out.
FOREST FIRES.
Every square mile burned over
means a great loss to the landowner
who from now on you are going to
protect. It means less breeding
ground for game and less shooting
ground for you. Report a fire to the
near town forest warden or to fish
and game warden if you can reach
him sooner. Help fight it. Break
match in two before you throw it
away.
THINK THIS OVER.
When you gather in camp on the
might BEFORE" or compare notes at
the end Of the day, let the above prop
ositions sink in. Our desire is to
make Vermont more and more at
tractive to live in each year, and
among other things to increase and
perpetuate your sport. We wish you
good luck and wholesome recreation
when you go hunting.
Linus Leavens, Commissioner.