Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-19

SWerS are coming IN rapidly, most OF
the parties having replied. The ''pin-
ions as to the cause of the scarcity of
the partridge differ. although most are
united on the risors of winter n the
two bad nesting seasons just paSseH
through. They all agree as to the scare
ity and as a remedy many think re-
moving the close time IN foxes would
he the best thing and some think a
two-year close time on partridge would
help some. The answers vary 50 hat
it would be necessary to give each in
dividual letter to size UP the situation
as they see it, but the above is the
average opinion.
The questions included;
What has been your observation as
TO the relative abundance at present
Of rufficd grouse as compared with tn"
past three or four years?
70 what do you attribute the chief
cause for the apparent decrease in
Plumbers Of this Species Is it in our
opinion,
Foxes or other predatory animals
Disease Risors OF winter" Illecal
killing Bad nesting seasons? %Incrcas-
ing number of hunters? Causes other
than those named"
Which Of the following suggestions
would, in your opinion. he the best
means of increasing the supply of
these birds:
A two-year closed season? A further
shortening of the open season or bag
limit: Removing the close time on
foxes? Have you any other suggestions
as to the best means Of increasing the
supply of these birds?
One w~ell-known Washington county
man in giving his opinion of the scarcity
of the RULED grouse, said he believed it
was much like the cause of the Indians
death. kalais Of East Machias, being
asked what was the cause Of her hus-
bands death, replied: Too much cook
stove" He would make the answer.
substituting automobile for cook stove.
as he believed the auto had done more
to reduce that kind of game than any
thing else.
Letters from 43 guides and sportsmcn
have so far been tabulated, with answers
as follows:
All agree that cartridges are scarcer
than usual. As to cause: o say foxes
or other predatory animals; none attrib-
ute it to disease; ~ to rigors of winter:
6 to illegal hunting; 50 to bad nesting
seasons; 4 TO increasing number of hunt
ers. Among the other reasons given are:
House and wild cats, hawks, owls, dog
hunting. destruction OF the woods by
portable mills. weasels. automobile hunt
ing, scarcity of feed.
Sixteen favor a 2-ycar close time; | a
i-year and ! a l. to Agar close time.
Twelve favor a shorter open season,
J some only the month of october. Five
favor reducing the bag limit. Twenty
favor open time on foxes. One favors
the latter for . years; two say have
resident hunters license: and one says
retain the close time, as pelts are val
uable.'
Among the miscellaneous suggestions
are: Collar and bells for cats: licensing
cats, no hunting with dogs. open time
on skunks and fishers; have wardens kill
cats, skunks, foxes, kingfishers and pred
atory beasts, get rid OF bobcats. have
more summer wardens. bounty on owls.
bounty on all carnivorous animals. same
with lynxCats.
Wardens' Opinions
Letters from 46 wardens have been
: ldDuIdteu, Slio"IHS lHdl % accuse the
foxes, two disease, . the winters, II il
legal killing. 40 bad nesting seasons, >
more hunters; other reasons, auto hunt
ing. skunks, hawks, owls, home cats,
wild cats. wood ticks, ccons, inbreeding.
Causes-Twenty-three favor 2-year close
time, 3 a 4-year close time; l a 1-year
close time; II favor shorter open season.
most favoring Just October; several IA
vor reduction of the bag limit. from a
pair to 3 years: IS favor an open sea-
son on foxes.
Miscellaneous remedies are mentioned,
such as regulating auto hunting; prohibit
Ing dog hunting; increase the bobcat
bounty; get rid of the bob c?ts; license
/ the house cats: put bounty on ha wks and
owls and IS to so on bobcats: kill all
house cats found in the woods; keep
bird dogs out of the woods.