Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-14
GAME WARDEN'S WORK As
OUTLINED IN INTERVIEW

Richard j. Upton, chief warden
was asked the other day whether or
not. violations were on the increase.
He could not say that they were. In
his district the last year So cases for
violations were prosecuted, he heing
the pivot man in several cases where
investigations were necessary and
the cases turned over to counties
north.
Each year there are more people
coming into Maine and it is surpris
ing to see the autos with. from two
to six people. with all the camping
outfits abroad and no goal in sight.
just to keep on going and camping at
night along the highway. This of
course means and is adding more
work to the warden service of the
State. Extra money is needed for
this service, as many men are put
on at the height of the season. |
have personally checked up more
than 100 autos going through last
summer with campinJ outfits aboard,
outside of the many hunters in the
fall hunting season going in and
coming out.
parties who 4 few years ago would
go to a lake and pass their vacations
there. now travel b. auto and in the
same space of time they stop at sew
eral lakes and have chance to see
more of the State and have more to
talk about at home. their vacation
trip in Maine. This section is indeed
q busy one in the height of the sea-
son for most all travelling by auto,
pass this way and try fishing in. the
lakes of this county. for which 1t is
famous. The non residents of the
State are getting better acquainted
with the Fish and Game laws. With
out these laws and enforcement. how
long would our State be the vacation
playground and hunting center? III
each resident of the State would see
that his relatives. or visitors are
equipped with the proper licenses.
when going fishing or hunting things
would be more pleasant for all in
dulging in these lines of recreation.
Eyes, the department has wardens
that are gentlemen and I'll say real
gentlemen. Many of them are cap
able Of meeting people at any angle.
The officers of the Fish and Game
Department, have a right to know
lust what is going on in the fishing
and hunting line and have the laws
OF the State behind them in perform
ing their duties. Oh yes. everybody
16 years of age and over has to have
\ fishing license when fishing. A
Roma fide resident citizen or his i'm
mediate family of the State could
fish in closed waters in accordance
with the laws of this State. without
such license on land owned by him or
on land leased by him and on which
he is actually dOmiciled. The fish
ing and hunting license are combined
for resident citizens of Maine. City
and town clerks can only issue them
to residents Of his city or town.
An unnaturalized foreign born
person. not a taxpayer upon real es-
tate within the State and who has
not resided within the limits of this
State for two years continuously
prior to the time he desires to hunt
or fish, would have to have sep
arate license for hunting and fishing.
The department Is always ready to
furnish law books or information
connected with the department. Oh,
sure, wardens are always on duty.
Some day / would like to have you
take a trip with me and / am certain
you will be surprised as to where you
have been and the number of miles.
on water as well as land. That IS
true, in many cases of violations of
the laws, the persons are not brought
into court right away for cases are
Investigated, and it takes time in GER
tain cases. But when all ready then
the violator Is ordered. or taken into
court. You never can tell for many
nights, wardens work nights. 1t de-
ponds largely on what line they are
investigating. Just right now es-
pecially due TO the condition OF the
ground and ponds the work eases up
a bit but for all that you will find
wardens on their patrol. a..
Eyes. indeed. many deer were
spared this season. Had there been
snow and colder weather it would
have been hard on the deer. As it
was. many good hunters never got
sight of a deer. The deer stuck to
the swamps and thick underbr1sh
days and were on the go feeding
nights. VeryA few deer were killed In
Kennebec county for the same reason.
It was only a short time ago. Christ
mas day. that Warden Alexander had
to rope n deer and get her off the
smooth ice TO good footing. She
seemed to know there was no dan
ger. Yes, the game preserves do
lot OF good. A walk through one
will convince you of that. but be sure