Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-27
TO THE SPORTSMAN
Commissioner Linus Leavcns Issues q
Communication in which He APP
peals for Fair Play.

Cambridge, Sept. 2l.-Commissioner
Linus Leavens of the department OF
fisheries and game has issued a COM
munication to the sportsmen of ermont
in which he asks them to consider sew
eral Propositions"
To the Sportsmen:
1t is now the season during which the
shooting of the game birds and animals
of the State is lawful. Before you start
on your fall hunting trips. it is desiree
that YOU consider the following propo-
sitions:
The landowner and the sportsman
Title to the wild life is vested in the
State or the nation depending on the
species), but whether or not you Will De
! 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 decide whether your actions
will encourage the landowners to refrain
from posting, or whether by reason OF
acts of vandalism and thoughtlesness, ito
say nothing of the 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 understand
thai they are threatening the existence
Of your sport? 1t is up to the 5o,VV
hunters in Vermont to act as field agents
for the landowners, to assist in prosecut-
ing 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 destruction of more
wild life each year than comes into ex-
~istence. means rapid and complete exter-
mination. Your slogan should be,-pus
back two for every 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 in
terested in preserving the insectivorous
birds. They are of untold value to thu
land. This is one positive way to help the
man over whose land you hunt each year
Game avs and deputies: The game law:
were enacted for your benefit, and re
strict the taking of wild life to make pos
sible your slogan of putting back tw'
: birds for every one taken out land thi
applies equally to quadrupeds and fish
: Their violation means a greater loss t
= YOU than to others because 1t is you
sport.
The warden is working for your In
e terest. He is your servant, but will ap
preciate your help. His interests shout
$ I be your interests. He is e~ndeavortng t
l assist in establishing the improved cor
t ditions Of sport which you desire. To
o many hunters think hat violating tn
fish and game laws and getting away wit
: it is part of the game. The more 20
think this over. we believe the less viii
ing you will be to subscribe to tn
doctrine.
Field department: Don't shoot until yc
S clearly see your game, and not even the
e unless you have your partner locate
II Stop If some building is in line with yo'
shot. The only safe gun is the one apa
in your case. You can't be too caref
with it at any other time. Give yo'
s partner a few of the shots. Don't Il
g for a hundred per cent" The mi
Is never lived who could do 1t day in al
= day out.
al Forest fires: Every square mile burn
" over means a great loss to the landown
20 who from now on you are going TO pr
l. tect. II means less breeding ground I
" game and less shooting ground for yo
t. Report a fire to the nearest town fore
to warden or to a fish n game ward
IS if you can reach him sooner. Help fig
Ill it. Break a match in two before y
~ throw 1t away.
g. Think this over: When you gather
camp on the might BEFORE or compa
at notes at the end Of the day. let I
nd above propositions sink in. Our oes
is to make Vermont more and more
"a tractive to live in each year, and m
~, other things to increase and perpetus
~ your sport. We wish you good luck a
wholesome recreation when you go hun
-. ing.
re LINUS LEAVENS.
CCvn mission