Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-10-11
HUNTING IN VERMONT
Game Commissioner Studying
How II Can Be Improved.
Expert from Bureau Of Biological SUR
vey Advocates a Few Suitable ana
Extensive Tracts in the state
as Breeding Grounds.

For the purpose Of making better
cunning in Vermont, and to increase
the opportunities for those who may
enjoy seeing wild ducks and geese at
long or short range as feature OF
Vermont's wonderful scenery. or at
short range occasionally on the table
as food, Commissioner Linus Leavens
secured the co operation and expert ad-
vice of the bureau of biological survey
of the United States department OF ag-
riculture. For the past week, under
the guidance of Mr. Leavens. r. L.
Patrick, the president of the Vermont
Fish and Game League. and County
warden II. ~ Rowley, DIR. G. W. Field
of the biological survey. In charge of
the federal mammal and bird reserva-
tions, has inspected some OF the loca.
lions now being considered for de-
yelopmcnt as State game and bird res
ervations IN Mr.. Leaven's plans for I'm
proving and maintaining the conditions
surrounding the important wild life
assets Of Vermont
Tho bureau of biological survey IL the
special branch CT tho national govern
ment which rorrelates all the informa-
ton concerning the nirds and mammals
OF North America, for tho purpose Of
deciding which should be maintained
and Increased. as being beneficial to
man. and In what manner this increase
can be more readily and economically
brought about; and further what spe-
c!es should be held in check. lest, by
undue incre6se. thcy still further upset
tho balance OF nature, and cause un-
necessary waste. For example, timber
wolves ana coyotes annually destroy
thousands of cattle and sheep, and en-
tail a loss to cattle and sheep men ag-
gregating several millions of dollars.
loss in which every citizen sharos
| through this waste OF meat. RABIES
among coyotes is responsible for n
great number of deatho Of cattle. sheep.
dogs and men through, wide sections
of Nevada. California and oregon.
Prairie dogs and ground squirrels are
so numerous in the western States that
| frequently fields of corn, wheat and
other grains are completely destroyed.
and over millions of acres from 10 to
20 per cent of the total yield goes for
| feed of these useless animals instead
of supporting sheep and cattle. Through
the agency of the biological survey
these destructive animals have been
extirpated over numerous wide areas
many of these areas larger than the
State of Vermont
| a
tons conducted for many years, the bio
| logical survey has ascertained that one
the most practical methods Of securing the
best possible distribution of game and in
sectivorous birds is to render them secure
from disturbance on their breeding
grounds, and on the feeding places wher
on migrations. 1t has been learned by
experience that when the ducks and
geese come down from the north at the
advent Of cold weather, the natural ten
dency is to loiter along. feeding upon the
wild rice and smartweed in the marshes
the wild celery and pond weeds in the
shallow bays. But with the coming o.
the white man. the development of fire
arms and the settling of the country. thu
birds are now compelled to shorten thes
stops for food, and may make an express
or even a mo stop trip from the mos
northerly point, where they are undisturb
ed to the southerly place where they cal
find food and security for winter. Thu
many ducks and geese pass completed.
over New England and thereby the peo
pie here are unable to enjoy a REASONABLE
amount of recreational shooting and
proper quantity of wild fowl for food. blu
even to secure this are obliged to "g
South" or to depend upon birds shippe'
back north by express, often in violation
of statute and economic laws. Similarl
on the northward migrations ducks AM
geese tend to remain to breed in the frs
. suitable locality which offers food an
safety for nests and young.
A series of reservations or refuge
promise the most satisfactory method @
ensuring the fairest distribution Of oppor
tunity to hunters and bird lovers to EMO
fl,o v1,{Io of
wild birds in Vermont. When the syster
of reservations is completed along tn
paths Of bird migration. SO that at inter
walls of from 10 to 100 miles extensiv
: suitable feeding and breeding grounds ar
: ensured, the birds going south during tn
autumn 'open season" will loiter in tn
refugees and then drift on to the next. ir
stead of making long flights. as at presen
Thus the total time spent In the norther
, States will be increased, for the benefit c
the inhabitants who now see thes
migrants only for a day or two. If ir
deed these birds do more than pause
give us 1.-THE once over" from high in tn
air, the only safe place.
The securing for the people of the Stat
of a few suitable and extensive tracts
, Vermont and the liberating of a few pail
2 of tanned wild mallard ducks in the sprin
, on these reservations will cause othe
wild mated pairs on the way north. seel
ing a safe place to set UP Housekeeping
a to stop and nest in Vermont; thus addin
= materially to the natural attraction of II
C State and helping to revive a decadel
9 industry.
Dr. Field left Burlington Tuesdayevenir
e with Commissioner Leavens for Siaaro
i for the purpose Of making a survey
It the Downer State forest. with the idea
n suggestions to improve it's value as
e productive State game refuge.
y