Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-20
COmm'r Parsons
Advocates Increase
In Fees for Resident
Hunters License

Hon. Willis z. Parsons OF Dover
Foxcroft, commissioner Of inland
fisheries and game, in statement
Monday said that if the legislature
deems it wise, for the department to-
go on the fee system, relying for its
support on the fines collected, and
make the license fee not less than
fisherman, children under 6 years of
age to be exempt, it would be a
change which he thinks would be
generally approved.
1.-THE increase in the license fee
would give us more funds for the
support Of our hatcheries and pro-
lection OF game than ever before,
and would make the department self
supporting" continued Commission
err Parsons.
1.-THE bounty on bob cats could be
paid out of the treasury the same as
bear bounties, and not taken out of
the funds of the department. The
building of fish screens could be
provided for by special resolves, and
leave the department in such condi-
ton that practically all fees would
be expended in propagating and pro-
tecting game, with an increased
warden force.
Reduction in Deer
"A strong sentiment exists in favor
OF the passage of u measure limiting
the number of deer that a hunter
may shoot to one. instead of two, as
is the law at present. Deer through
out the state as a rule, are holding
their own, but in those sections
reached by automobile and where
hunters usually go year after year,
the game is growing less and is in
danger of being practically destroy
ed unless the limit is reached.
1.-The real sport wants an outing
and Is satisfied with one deer, or at
least. would be if that were the linn
1T. II only one can be taken, the
hunter will try to get good one
and will not shoot every fawn he
sees. 1t is only the novice who can
not tell lamb in the woods from a.
full sized deer.
Guides have no right to shoot
game for their sports, as they cannot
sell or give away deer to be taken
out of the state, and If they shoot
game for residents. it counts on their
quota. A guide violating the game
laws Is liable to lose his license at
any time. Some sports like to get
two deer so as to have one to sell
when they return home, but the pot
hunters are growing less each year.
Bears Holding Own
what about bears" "Oh, they
are still able to take care of them
selves and very few are killed in the
summer season unless doing dam
age, as 1t IS well understood that a
bear in the fall, when the fur is
prime, Is worth from eight to ten
times as much as the bounty would
be.
All other states which have game
laws protect the bear, making him a
great game animal, and in Pennsyl-
vania last year over 600 bears were
killed by hunters, and that section.
which a few years ago was consid-
cred practically worthless from a
sportsman's view, has become the
greatest bear hunting grounds in
America.
Most any hunter would rather
shoot bear than a moose, and we
really ought to have some large
amman to take the place Of the
NOSE, as probably the present legis-
iature and many to follow will con-
slider 1t wise to keep a close time on
the moose, which is valuable as an
attraction to tourists who visit orr
state. Many of them are interested
IN seeing wild life. prizing highly the
photograph of a cow moose Of a bun
moose. sometimes both being taken
near the camp or some stream where
tney are fishing. and many come to
Maine now for the sole purpose of
enjoying their outing photographing
big game. 'o
Citizens are each year becoming
more interested in our wild life and
approaching what its conserva tion
means now and in the future, and
Whatever the legislature gives US to
work with. the department of inland
lisheries and game will do its best to
give the people a good administra-
tfon Of it's affairs.
so far as the propagation of fish
ana the protection Of game are con-
cerned, we believe we will have the
hearty CO. operation of the rood citi-
zens OF the state as never before
Generally the bag limit for fish and
game sNould be materially reduced
which would do away with so MANY
rules and regulations now found
hecessary for ponds and stree NO IN,
are suffering from thoughtless or
100 eager sportsmen. Too MANY reg.