South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-29
I'M THE BIG
IOUTEDNOORS
GUSTAV Ut. MEYER

There is considerable argument
lately among the fishermen regard
ing the comparative value Of the
various laws covering the protection
OF fish. Some claim that the law
prohibiting the sale of game fish is
the most valuable, others claim that
the limit placed upon the number 10
be taken IS of most value. and still
others claim for the law which reg
ulates the size as being the one OF
IN ost importance These are the
three most important laws of all the
regulations regarding fishing in this
state OF the three 1 much prefer
the last one above mentioned re-
garding the size OF fish 10 be taken.
The reason for favoring this law is
because il if properly observed VIII
produce the quickest returns. This
is easily figured out especially by the
bait fishermen at this season for
there is not one of them but Will
catch more undersiZe fish than those
that the law permits one 10 take.
To those who replace the underslZe
rsh il would be logical 10 reason
that the following season would pro
duce as many OF legal size as what
he caught this season which were
! ndersize because of the fact that
the undersiZe fish caught are nearly
all within one seasons growth OF the
legal limit This ratio would be
about three 20 one or even more
than that This s the law that pro-
tects the fish that will be ripe next
season and therefore il is my opln-
ion that II is the most important
one. Il brings the quickest returns
and should be most rgidly enforced.
However. its effectiveness will de-
mend much upon the spirit OF tho
fishermen who 1 believe IS becoming
more and moro respectful OF TINS ms
favorite pastime each season.
one of the most hopeful signs IN
ssb and game protection Throughout
Indiana is the rapid development OF
a better class OF sportsm anshlp IN
angling and hunting. The protec-
ton Of game and the enforcement OF
game laws are matters OF grow II
and education. Formerly game anu
hsh were abundant. The state was
unsettled and little or no attention
Nd IN game laws. This IS the case
49,, AZ the present time in some
sections OF the state. ct IN 'he
ADVANCE of civilization it becomes
NECESSARY TO have game laws ana 10
live m to these laws. Inc eTec-
tiveness OF game protection is gov
erred by the interest of the people
80 the shirt of those who hunt ana
esb MANY people wink at the
taIes Of an angler when he contlu-
ualIv boasts OF the number OF Hsh
ba catches and the size or the dig
ones that get away. IheN also Iooh
with suspicion upon the hunter VINO
bracs about the number OF squlrrelS
he shoots. The majority OF peopIe
i-1ovv that a true sportman does not
iudca the success Of his day OUT oy
the size Of his game bag.
There are several thi7gs IN the
ADVANCE Of civilization and in the
ranid development of fire arms and
esEinr tackle that help 10 discourage
GOOD craftsmanship. The htteen
book devices in artificial bait lures
FOR the angler and the modern up 10
date purnp gun for the hunter mas IL
ali over the old-style gun because
n is a cheaper instrument Win Tar
greater killing capacity. Inc SUD
stitltion OF the pump and AUTOMATIC
shotgun for the single ana ooG
barreled shotgun encourages Sreal
deal Of carelessness among hunters
II takes a deal OF training 20 mars
= real sp0rtman out Of hunter with
n y
- Ike a useful American citizen
ont ~ A boy whose father has LEFT
~, an independent fortune.
ire modern rapid-fre guns en-
courage hunters 70 take greater
chances in killing and 20 oe less care
fnl in shooting. a hunter who
knows he has but one or two shots
is rore careful 20 aim than II he
can pun the trigger As res1
large number Of squirrels and other
game are wounded 20 get away and
Ale in some fence corner. Organlza
ions of sportmen should frown upon
tboza who PERSIST IN taking undue
advantage OF game and those who
VII not return undersize fish. The
real purpose OF the game laws IS 20
n-otect the game and Ssh. II the
laws that we now have 1ac never
been made We would have scarcely
any game or fish al all. II would