The sun., 1919-05-18
BUCK LAW Is WIPED
OUT BY COY. SMITH
New Measure Reduces Limit
to One Male or Female
Deer This Fall.
NEW ACT SIMPLY A TEST
Approved by Pratt and Horna-
day-Evidence of Sex Should
Remain on Every Carcass.
NEW ACT SIMPLY A TEST

Gov. Alfred E. Smith has signed the
Everett bill, which wipes out the buck
law, which has been on the statut,
books since 1912 The bill has beer
amended. however, to provide that eyi
dence Of sex should remain upon every
carcass Of deer or part thereof In
order that the Conservation Commission
may check more definitely the relative
proportion Of the sexes killed durine
the next hunting season. This bill, with
the amendment, was passed under an
emergency message from Gov. Smith.
The conclusion was reached as a re.
suit Of the conference held after Gov
Smiths hearing on the bill and attended
by Gov. Smith. Assemblyman Everett.
Dr. william T. Hornaday and Conserva-
ton Commissioner Pratt
The Everett bill, as amended, IL ap-
proved by the Governor and this ap.
prevail Is concurred in by the Conserve
ton Commissioner. The bill IL to be
given a trial this fall with the under
standing that should the new law tend
to exterminate the deer both Gov. Smith
ana Assemblyman Everett viii use their
influence to have the law amended at the
next session OF the Legislature to pro-
vide for the killing of only one buck.
The present law VIII now restrict the
killing TO one deer of either sex, other
law a hunter was permitted to kill dur
ing the open season two bucks.
Views OF Gov. Smith.
In approving the amended Everett bill,
Gov. Smith writes:
Directly following the passage of this
measure through the Legislature, I was
N receipt Of numerous communications
from all parts of the State, both adyo-
eating and opposing it's approval In
view OF the great contrariety Of opinion
e was thought well to order a hearing.
which was accordingly held on April II.
AZ this hearing there was large attend
ance. and the merits Of the bin were ex-
tenslyely discussed both by its supporters
and its opponents.
I'm the correspondence and IN the oral
arguments the chief solicitude of all
parties interested in this measure was to
reserve the wild deer in our forests. In
this purpose. with all good citizens of
the State. heartily concur. The question
involved was as to whether the proposed
measure would result In greater protec-
ton OF the deer, or would have a con-
trary effect
Under the present law, known as the
buck law a citizen is entitled to take
during the hunting season two male
deer but 1t was developed upon the
hearing that in attempting to take the
male deer many does were slaughtered,
and although not taken from the forests,
we're destroyed and permitted to re-
main there
This occurred in many cases by rea-
son Of the inability or disinclination .of
the hunter to distinguish the sex of the
animal until after it was killed. Under
the present law, as many does as bucks
Rave been slaughtered. 1t seemed,
therefore. that a measure which would
reduce from two to one the number of
animals which could be taken and which
would In addition obviate the destruc-
ton Of animals which could not safely
be removed from the forests, was along
the line of preservation Of the species.
and that 1t was desirable to obtain from
actual experience knowledge as to
whether a change in the proposed law
would result in the lessned destruction
Of the deer. especially females.
"A conference was accordingly had
between those favoring the measure and
those opposing It, including the intro
Queer OF the measure. Assemblyman
Everett, the Conservation Commissioner
and Dr. William T. Hornaday. and as a
result 1t was agreed by all parties that
in order to test out the question by
actual experience the proposed measure
should be approved and given a test
throughout the six weeks of the next
hunting season, to develop what its effect
would actually be.
An amendment was insisted upon as
part OF this arrangement that the evil
dences Of Sex should not be removed from
The carcass Of the deer. so that the game
protectors might take a census by sex of
the animals killed. Tho bill was accord
hgly amended and now comes before me
In that form
1t Is therefore approved. as a test.
20 that 1t may be determined from &C
tuaI experience during the next hunting
season as TO whether the existing law
or the measure now under considera-
ton actually tends to the greater pres
eTTaton Of the wild deer In our for
esA The bill is accordingly approved"
Bill Amended Following Confer
Commissioner Pratt's letter, given out
with the Governors memorandum, ad-
dressed to Joseph A. Kellogg. counsel to
lhe Governor, says:
Tho Conservation Commission is
saushed. as result of the extensive
Investigations that It has made regard
ing the actual operation OF the buck
,ew' that It Is the only safeguard OF the
ueeT IN forests that are hunted as ex-
ehs'vely as the Adirondacks. The rea-
sohs Tor the Commissions conclusions
ore stated in a publication entitled
x"btetail Deer in New York. which
Nas already been transmitted to you
oh April IL, In response to a request
from Mr.. Potter.
since the date OF that letter, the
eoYernor held hearing on this bill, at
"nlch great deal of opposition TO the
uuck law was presented by residents Of
tne Adirondack counties. This oppo-
Ht'oh has been growing for many years
. .nu seemed TO crystalline more clearly
".s year than ever before.
:. without going into detail REGARDING
,ne statements which were made at that
.eatlng, / should like simply to state
u,at iollowing the hearing q conference
Aeld In the Governors office be-
S N'',eh the Governor, Mr.. Everett, DR..
".i,iam 7. Hornaday and myself
a, Hlter a considerable discussion of
ule DILL the Governor proposed that he
Ign me bill, and that the killing Of
ooes be given a years trial under pres
NV .lHung conditions. with tho under
sa''ulng that II it should appear that
e kliing OF does tends to extermi-
"ae inc deer he would use his infiu-
nce 70 have the law amended next
one buck.
MT, Everett was In thorough accord
uis idea, and stated that II after
years trial the bill should appear I'M
WISE he would use his own Influence
u nave II amended.
~ furthar 49, A.