The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-09-27
HUNTING SEASON NOW ON

State Commissioner in Open Letter
Has Heart TO Heart Talk with
Those Interested in Hunting.
To the Sportsmen:--
II is now the season during which
the shooting Of game birds and an
imals Of the state is lawful. Before
you start on your fall hunting trips,
it is desired that you consider the fol-
lowing propositions:
The Landowner and the Sportsmen
Title to the wild life is vested in
the state or the nation depending on
the species), but whether or not you
will be permitted to hunt on most of
the land in the state rests with the
landowners. 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 de-
eide whether your actions will en-
courage the landowners to refrain
from posting, or whether by reason of
acts of vandalism and thoughtlessness
TO say nothing of negligence on your
part), the landowners in self protec-
ton will be compelled to keep you off.
If your record is good what will you
do to force guilty persons to under
stand that they are threatening the
existence of your sport. 1t 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 condition
than when they found it.
Wild Life-Future of the Sport.
1t is elementary that the destruc-
ton of more wild life each year than
comes into existence, means rapid and
complete determination. Your slogan
should be, put back two for every one
taken. To do this--kill vermin, feed
the birds in the winter, observe reas-
enable bag limits, and throw your in
fluence on the right side. Be inter
ested in preserving the 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
slogan of putting back two birds for
every one taken out (ard this applies
equally to quadrupeds and fish,. Their
violation means a greater loss to you
than to Others because it is your sport.
The warden is working for your in
tefest. 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 which
you desire. 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 other time. |
Give your partner few Of the shots.
Don't try for hundred per cent.
The man never lived who could do il |
day in and day out
Forest Fires
Every square miles burned over
means great loss to the land owner
who from now on you are going to
protect. Ii means less breeding
ground for game and less shooting
ground for you. Report fire to the
nearest town forest warden or to a
fish and game warden II you can reach
him sooner Help fight it. Break a
match in two before you throw il
away.
Think This Over
When you gather in camp on the
night before" or compare notes at
The end Of the day, let the above prop
,sitions sink in. Our desire Is to
make Vermont more and more attrac-
tive to live in each year, and among
,thcr things to increase and pcrpetu-
ate your sport. We wish you good
uek and wholesome recreation when
Gou 20 hunting.
Linus Leavcns, Commissioner.
Cambridge, VI, Sept II, 1917. Z