Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-07-23
COMMISSION HELD
HEARING MONDAY
One-Buck Law Favored by
Local Sportsmen Fish
ing Season Likely to
be Earlier.

In pursuance of notice previously
given, w. E. Barber of the State Con-
serya lon Commission held a hearing
at the court house Monday evening
for the purpose of deciding upon con-
templated changes in the game laws.
Quite representation from all over
the county was present and was in.
viJed to make suggestions which
would aid the state in furthering
the aims of conservation.
The matter of a closed season for
mink and muskrat was first taken
up. This is favored by the commits
sion as the only means of saving the
muskraL from complete extinction
within few years. Another reason
why the state is in favor of protect
ing them is that last winter several
lakes which produce no rats, lost all
their fish and it is attributed to that
cause. We are not well enough in
formed on the habits of fish to know
whether this is fact or theory. Back
in the days when rat hide did we'll
to bring eight or ten cents, there
were many small lakes in Wisconsin
where none but the greenest of boy
trappers ever set trap, which were
literally alive with fish that didn't
die in winter. We would sooner be-
lieye that the exceptional climatic
conditions of last winter killed the
fish. The water power dirt dam
owners in the state will not hail
with JOY the prospect of furnishing an
unmolested home for two or three
years to the inveterate enemy of dirt
dams. Mr.. Barber favored a raise in
the trapping license fee which is
now one dollar, which sounds reason
able in view of the present price of
fur pelts.
The mooted question of whether
deer should be fully protected for a
term of years, or confined. to Kill
ling one buck with horns, then came
up. The state favors the eastern
state method of a closed season of a
year or two and after that buck
law with shortened and earlier
hunting season. Local sentiment.
felt that ample conservation coula
be accomplished by enforcing one
buck law this year
Mr.. Barber explained why the bass
law was changed; which law has I'M
dergone good deal of criticism from
many fishermen. He said expert
ments conclusively showed that al
though the spawning season was
practically over by June lst, the
parent fish remained on guard at the
nest for days and while so doing, one
after the other would readily bite at
bait thrown accidentally or other
wise, in the desire to save their Off
spring from harm.
Some unexpected light was thrown
on the change in the law which
opens the fishing June l, which last
year and this year prevented many
tourists from spending Memorial
Day on a fishing trip as in former
years. Returned soldiers asked the
legislature to change the date in the
hope of having the day more gener-
ally devoted to the soldier dead at
home and in foreign lands 1t should
be, but as Mr.. Barber said, the next
legislature will likely change the
date back to the old time, as the
effect was hardly what might have
been expected.
Questions concerning bag limits,
legal weights and and measurements
were discussed and some minor
changes recommended.
Mr.. Barber, as might have been
expec ted, from the position he holds,
alluded in warm terms to the great
advantages of proper system of re-