Smyrna times., 1924-02-20
TO DISCUSS SOME CHANGES
IN FISH and GAME LAWS
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCES IN
FUTURE DELAWARE SPORTSMEN
One Plan is To Restrict Rowing Dogs
1t Being Claimed That Young Rab-
bits and Game Are Slaughtered

Probably the first movement to-
wards the preparing of legislation to
be submitted to the next Delaware
Legislature will come in a short time
with the holding of a preliminary |
conference of fish and game officials, |
professional, official and amateur, en-
bracing representatives of the four
fish and game organizations function
ing in Delaware and any other inter
ests that may wish to be represented.
At this conference, called by the
State Fish and Game Commission, the
representatives of the various organi-
cations will be asked to make a care
full canvass of their members and pub
tic sentiment in general, and be ready
at a Statewide conference and meet
ing to be held some time the coming
summer, to report suggestions and re-
concentrations for proposed changes
in the fish and game laws of Della
ware, so that the important changes
may be incorporated into bills ready
for presentation to the next legisla-
ture.
This plan of action was decided
upon at a meeting of the Fish and
Game Commission of Delaware held
in Wilmington recently. The activi-
ties of the commission in distributing
Kansas rabbits to replenish the bun
MES of Delaware has done much to
stir up the interest of spOrtsmen who
found rabbits somewhat fewer in num-
Der last fall, especially about the
more thickly settled sections. While
the place of the Statewide conference
in the summer has not been decided
upon, it is likely that it will be held
at Rehoboth Beach, if the suggestion
meets with the approval of the major
ity of those interested. Those attend
ing could thus combine business with
pleasure.
One of the chief items and details
that will effect changes in the game
laws will undoubtedly refer to dogs.
The excess number of dogs maintain
ed by many Delaware farmers is the
greatest enemy of rabbits, it has been
found. They catch the bunnies when
they are young and eat them for food.
| At the present there is no law re-
stricting the CANNES, but if a farmer
was limited to one or two dogs free
of tax and compelled to pay license
fee on all other dogs, the number of
worthless and mongel ours roaming
the woods in half savage state would
be reduced. Such a suggestion, it is
believed by sportsmen, would quickly
result in the rabbits becoming plenti7
full again.
Another question and one which
arouse the greatest amount of discus
sion and bitter argument revolves
about the question Of having closed
season for a year or two. The en-
thusiastic spOrtsmen who guns for the
sport and not the profit or food value
of the game, wants a closed season
with proper regulations to protect the
bunnies. The sentiment in many sec
tions of Delaware is strong for a
closed season and this is one of the
questions that the State Fish and
Game Commission will urge at the
preliminary meeting to be held soon
that sporting organizations shall thor
Oughly canvass for sentiment upon.
If the proposal to have a CLOSED
season meets with too vigorous Oppo
sition, a compromise in the way o.
cutting the present season in half ma!
bring about harmony among the fac
tions. These two points-dogs anC
closed seasOn-are believed to repre-
sent the most important issues.
Fish Laws Important
The need for a better understanding
about the fishing laws is another mat
ter that may be made the subject of
o separate conference, so important
T it's hearing. There have been effort
d for the past forty years to settle tn
question of the rights and dispute
re between Delaware and New Jerse
fishermen, and while at times it lOOE
4 ed as though a harmonious adjus
J. ment of these problems was likely,
ee final understanding has not been e
fected A big dispute at present al
IN pears to be concerning the size of II
mesh Of net used by fishermen
r. these states and the controversy
Il, still unsettled when it comes to a ge
eral agreement. There are 9th
things involved and the need for re
ulations and restrictions, insofar
food fish are involved are necessa
for the welfare Of the industry.
II In addition to the discussion
plans for obtaining the wishes of t
sportsmen and public regarding fl
and game law changes. the membe