Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-28
RIG maine FORESTS
DRY AS FINDER With
FIRE. HAZARD GREAT
PAPER CO.'S ORDER
NO HARDSHIP ON
RESIDENT HUNTERS

Hon. Willis e. Parsons of Dover
Foxcroft, commissioners OF inland
fisheries and game. in a statement
Monday in regard to the order Of the
Great Northern Paper Company that
all persons who camp or shoot on its
land must be accompanied by a reg
istered guide. said that such an order
works no particular hardship on the
resident hunters.
Practically all hunting parties are
accompanied by some one familiar
with the woods and territory where
they wish to hunt, who can qualify
as guide, and that is the practice
being followed" continued Commits
sloner Parsons.
Extra clerks are assisting the reg
ular force in issuing additional guide
licenses to resident hunters that
there may be no annoying delay.
Care Is also taken as to the qualifi-
cations of all applicants for guides
licenses. and such applications must
be endorsed by one OF the regular
game wardens of the state.
This is being done not in recog-
milton OF any new rights of land
land owners in protecting the forests
of the state. The forests are worth
for their scenic beauty millions Of
dollars to the people and without
the forests there could be no wild
life, which in itself Is one Of the
greatest assets OF, the state.
1.-THE right or residents to hunt and
fish on the wild lands of the state
| under the Colonial ordinance OF 1641.
as amended in 1647. was settled in
this state by the leading case Of Bar
rows vs.. McDermott, 70 Maine 1T. in
| which I was one of the counsel who
argued the case in the law court,
and have been quite familiar with
/ the law. That old ordinance now OBJ
tains as part OF the common law of
! this state as it has never been over
| turned by Legislative enactment and
| probably never will be.
"Just how far the campfire law,
| which imposes n penalty for building
fires on the land of another without
| the owners consent. will affect the
| hunters is a matter for the court
: when it comes before 1t. 1t Is fair
! to presume that anything reasonable,
| incident to hunting or fishing. like
camping or building fires In case the
hunter is overtaken by darkness be-
fore reaching permanent camp,
would be upheld by the court. even
II It did not establish in full the right
| Of every hunter to camp and kindle
fires as incident to the lawful exer-
, else OF his inalienablc right to fish
and hunt on the wild lands Of the
state.
"The law Is we'll settled in both the
state and federal courts that all flsh
md game are the property or the
! state in it's sovereign capacity IN
which they exist. Every land owner
takes title to his land with the IN
cumbrance, if 1t he an incumbrance.
of the support of the wild lie pc
longing to the state then existing ana
which in the future may exist upon
those lands. AS the game belongs 10
tho state It certainly has the right
To saw whe. where and how the game
shall be taken, else Is would be de-
nriyed OF it's full control and owner
ship in such game.
"Coyernor Baxter. alert rs usual TO
safeguard every right of the people:
has called attention to the illega!
nhose of the order Of the Great
Northern Paper company. ana II
would seem to be an opportune ume
| to have the exact rights OF the people
determined in the pursuit or the hsh
and game OF the state.
"In the meantime. believe 'hai
everyone should do his utmost a. Az
t,mes when travelling in the woods.
vhether hunting or not to preserve
The forests. often n lighted cigar
atte thrown carelessly aside. or n ne
riected campfire. starts blaze that
| Sn.trovs thousands OF dollars worth
of timber. and makes large I'M
slightly tract out OF what was once
great attraction and the JOY OF every
lover of nature. ~ ho.r
! ..as "a the carelessness OF the reg
;stred guides Of Maine. They teel
the responsibility of putting out tn, the
e emo and if such responsibility less
guides, taking care to get t. capable tnsse
and trustworthy hunters for these
positions.