The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1919-12-13
PENNSYLVANIA TRIED
WITH MARKED EFFECT
Would Spell End of Pot Hun
ter and Fish Hog and Stop
Future DepredatiOns

Suggestion we cIIuOLoS hCSll lily OAASS
and not so many years ago as time is
computed, this parish was veritable
sportsman's paradise. Feathered
game and the four-footed tribes We're
in abundance everywhere and it was
simple matter to bag birds and an
imals in any quantity. That time,
thanks to the game hog, has passed
and only the recollection of success
full days afield with dog and gun now
remain as a poor reminder of what
we once had at our command.
The innumerable.strea and lakes
of this well watered country were
plentifully supplied with fish of all
kinds. Owing to the depredations of
the fish hog the finny tribe has be-
come somewhat scarce, though not in
the same degree as the game that
once abounded everywhere. But the
growing scarcity of fish is becoming.
more noticeable every season and it
has finally impressed the fact on the
wise men of this country that unless
something is done to remedy existing
evils, St. Landry parish will be as
free of fish and game as some of the
very thickly settled states of the ex-
IRENE east or the middle west.
The state game and fish COM
mission has accomplished wonders in
the matter, but it can not do every
thing without the assistance of the
individuals throughout this parish and
the state at large who wish to see the
game and fish preserved as a great
asset for the future. Such work
would not require such herculean
effort, after all, but unless steps are
taken at once along the line suggest
ed, the days of the game birds and
animals as we'll as the fish will be
numbered pretty soon.
Our contributor has the following
to say anent this interesting subject
and we commend it to the thoughtful
consideration of the real sportsmen
of St. Landry parish and the state Vt
large:
It is suggested that the sport low
ers of st. Landry parish get together
and effect the organization of a
sportsman's club, which will have for
its object the propagation and con-
servation of game and fish in the par
ish wilds and streams.
The streams and lakes of the par
ish-fine, clear, fresh and flowing
should be veritable fisherman's par
adise, Astounding in the varieties of
game fish for the devotees of rod and
reel, as well as all the market fish.
This sportsman's club should have
for its object the stocking of the
streams; to see that proper laws are
enacted protecting the streams and
lakes; that preserves or sanctuarles
are set apart where fish and game
may propagate without danger or
fear; that proper wardens are pro-
vided, and that these wardens do their
duties and see that the laws of con-
servation are carried out.
Such a parish club should have at
least one thousand members, every
one of whom should be an ex-officio
warden, pledged to report violations,
and to abtsain from any violations
himself.
Annual dues of, say, 81, payable to
the secretary, serving without pay,
would accomplish much toward stock
ing the streams taking care of the ex-
penses of interesting proper legisla-
tion and bestirring the game and fish
commission to going its limit for St.
Landry parish. An executive COM
lmittee could select one or more sane
tuaries, say, of thousand acres each.
With the consent of the landowners, a
wire, breast-high to a Pnan, could be
strung about the acreage, which
would permit game to enter and
leave as it choose. Both birds and
animals soon learn of these quiet
spots and select them for breeding
places.
Only a few years ago in the state
of Pennsylvania the scarcity of game
became alarming. A statewide or
ganization was effected, such as is
suggested for this parish. Dues were
fixed at $1.50 annually, and in a short
time the membership grew to almost
half a million. Legislation was in.
terested and laws and funds provided
mot all at once, but gradually, a;
the citizenship began to realize the
value of the effort. AS consequence
that state now has some twenty great
preserves, where all game is free Of
molestation. Laws have been passed
fixing the time and amount of game
that can be taken. The state collect.
almost three-quarters of a millior
dollars in hunting licenses; the por
hunter is thing of the past and thu
sportsman who shoots and fishes a!
sportsman is always sure of limi