Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-02
Facts and Statistics from
Fish and Game Report

having valuable data of the amount Of
each variety Of game taken in the
State, yearly, especially II non-resi-
dents were also required by law to
make a similar return.
At the present time the only definite
information available comes from the
railroad inspecting stations and, as
probably much more game Is now
rail, this information is Of little value
in estimating the amount of game
killed each year III the State.
While the levy Of a small fee would
convey to the mind of the resident
hunter fuller appreciation Of the val
ue Of our game resources and Of his
privileges in direct participation of
their benefits, and while II would az
ford more equitable distribution of
the responsibility of their maintenance,
the need of some form Of registration.
II only for the purpose Of Identification.
is SO pressing that a law carving
merely a nominal fee to cover the &C.
tual expense of such registration would
be of the utmost benefit as a. measure
Of conservation.
Deer Supply .r
1t will be noted from the statistical
portion of this report that 5O41 deer
passed through the several INSPECTING
stations up to Dec. 1. December shin
ments over M. c. r. r. and Sandy
RIVER r. r. not yet at handy
When the number Of deer killed bv
residents and used in their homes. and
the number transported within and
without the State by team and auto
mobile. is taken into consideration. the
conclusion Is warranted that probably
twelve thousand deer were killed dnr.
ing the season
Hunting conditions were moor durino
much OF the season and comparativelv
rev deer were killed before the middle
or November.
Notwithstanding the severe annu.,
ora1n upon the deer supply thew seer,
to be holding their own and nerb. -.
increasing in number, but such in
oIease Is confined to the older and more
'hlchiF settled counties Of the south
ern part of the State.
IL is doubtful whether the aggregate
number OF deer in the other countie.
VI the State is SO large as II was fiva
years ago. although it is difbcu,t ~
make anything like a correct est;n,.+a
owing to the fact that thew chavez
'nelr ha'lnts frequently. and In sectiooS
where they are plentiful one season
'ney may be scarce the next.
AHe law allowing a lumber canon 70
ON oeer IN a season is impossible
% enforcement and should be rene.,.d
me reason that unless more tb,r
- oeer or parts thereof are found ~
:. oho 'iire III or around such camn
=, - practically impossible to nnoI,a
n"l more than the legal number hoo
zen usea' the present law Thus afford
Nis an opportunity to keep on b.rd
constant supply of six deer nroyidoa
evidence of others preyiousIv ,,sod ~
peen destroyed. mas
In the opinion of MANY ba,,t,
terest in the preservatio,, - . on IN
OIL, -. tiis open season should not he
800 any county until October 18th &C
snat OF the game Killed during ,ha
U.s. Two weeks of October is nttarIx
"as'eo' spelling before it can he taLa,
ou. OF The woods or used
me number Of deer hunters 90,
10 increase as rapidly as u has
Ior tne past few years. further 800 '.'
,ioh as to the number which 49, -
iesaiy killed. or the length of tho on oe
"'oi' or both, will be. necessary
Hunting Accidents.
me Following hunting accidents
oeen reported this season. -'0 We
M,s,sE ken for deer. Fatal Not fatal
1Mlstaken for bear,
1areleSsness of self
FFa xn,osia n of another, -
GG.AploSlon of gun.
stray bullet or shot
Lost In woods,
Total, 1c
Analysis Of the above causes of 49,
ing accidents indicates that practico11,,
an OF them We're caused directly bv tho
hunters own carelessness or that 80
able. a0en'iy aVo!d-
IN this connection the passaee NJ .
DUCK law. limiting the killing or door
10 males with horns is worthy of CON-
sloeration. the passage bv other st.ta.
Vi SUCH law having materially Ioss
ened the number of shootino aoo;as 80
and also proving of economic ,,a1,,o 10
the deer supply. -
Ruffed Grouse.
The growing scarcity of this tho
ihost valuable Of all game birds Is
creating much anxiety among the
sportsmen, and the time has come
"hen some decisive step must be taken
NOT only to keep up the supply. but to
prevent the specie from becoming prac-
LEGALLY extinct within a few wears.
These birds are, as is all game bnntad
more and more each year as their COW
ers become moro available, and ouic,<
ana easy transportation affords fro
quently repeated hunting Of MANY of
me pest covers which formerly were
only visited rarely.
ohder present conditions a party of
spoftsmen can readily hunt over q doz-
en- good covers in day. when formerly
only two or three could be visited ow.
ing TO the time used in going from ono
to another.
ohoer the circumstances the sunnlv
OF cartridges in Maine has stea d,,y 10,
creased during the past decade ~
tnough some seasons have found then,
more abundant than others.
Inc winter of 1855 was very savera
on these birds, hard crust on the
snow having caused the destruction of