The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-09
GAME IN ABUNDANCE
THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA
Bill for Protection Considered Unnec-
eSsary by Game Ohlcials-Op-
posed Splitting Department.
WANTS WARDENs RETAINED.
Special Meeting win BE Held Monday
to Consider Bill Proposed by Senn-
tors Goodrich and RoOert son-CsaIne
Organizations lime Up,

Good news TO the spertsnen
throughout the state IS contained In
the numerous letters received 10y the
department OF inland game and fish
cries from the various county war
dens. in which were stated that the
game, despite the fact that the winter
has so Tar been one OF the worst in
the memory OF the oldest citizens. and
other reports TO the contrary. would
be more plentiful this coming season
than 1t has Been for several seasons.
These letters practically all state
that, with few exceptions, the birds
have remained intact IN many sec
tions this In partially duo 20 the fact
that the farmers and sportsmen have
scattered grain In suaicien- quantities
TO safeguard the lives OF the feathered
game. With a continuance of the con-
ditions as they have existed thus far
there Is no fear for the existence OF
the game in Virginia. Ia the opinion
of the officials of the game depart
ment. II was stated that there would
be more game 10 start with this spring
than has been the case for several
years.
BIN Unnecessary.
The report that large covies OF quail
had been found frozen. and starved
were exaggerated. In the meantime,
in the face of these reports the oiii-
cials OF the department feel no hest-
fancy In replying to the hundreds Of
letters received relative to the clos
ing of the season, as provided for in
the bin now before the legislature,
that there Is no necessity for the pas
sage OF such q bill,
This bill. it was stated, would work
great hardships on the merchants
who purchased large supplies of
shells and other ammunition for the
hunting season, which would necss-
sartly entail an unnecessary conftsca-
ton of the same.
The bill providing for the abolish
ment of the county wardens has been
referred to the committee on general
laws, patroned in the house by Messrs.
Hunter and Conway, This bill Will
be strenuously opposed by the game
department. who have asked for con-
ference on the bill. which Will be con-
sidered next Thursday.
Cannot Enforce Laws.
The game department thinks that
such a measure would make ii an inn
possibility to enforce the game laws
by special and ex-officio wardens, who
have no authority to enforce or prose-
cute the said laws,
On Monday at 10 o'clock A. NJ the
game and fish department will hold a
special meeting tn consider the bin
proposed by Senators Goodrich and
Robertson, which provides for the
division of the department into two
separate parts--the game and the fish
departments. A similar bill has been
presented In the house by Represen-
tatives Brown and Willis. The inland
game department. the Farmers union
and institute. the Virginia Game and
Game Fish Protective association and
the Audubon Society of Virginia are
on record as opposed to any changes
in the game laws affecting the admin
istration. A representative from each
of these associations will appear be-
fore the committee to fight the meas
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