Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-22
DUCK HUNTING BAN
PROPOSAL SCORED.
BY TWO SENATORS.
TydingS and GOIdshorough
Say Maryland Opposes
Closed Season Plan,
DECISION ON CONDITIONS.
Is DUE OVER WEEK END
Bureau Of Biological Survey. Has
Suggestions of Drastic Action,
to Save Depleted Fowl,

Decision on whether to close The
duck hunting season. TO limit il drasti-
cally or 70 allow shooting under colldi.
lions that were fixed last year is. eI-
pected TO be made by the Bureau o1
biological Survey, Department Of Agri-
culture, over the week enc, 1t was
learned today.
no inkmg as to what. the decision
would be was forthcoming from the
coLserVationists Of the bureau today.
The bnreau has had under consider
alton for some time several suggestions
for drastic action TO conserve the sup
ply 81 waterfowl. whose numbers ar
believed 10 have been deeply cut by tht
drying up 81 the natural breeding
grounds in the sloiIghs. ponds and prai-
RE lakes of Canada and The Northwest
cr1 part Of the United States.
Maryland Senators Protest.
The proposal for. q. closed season has
1t was stated today. been given serious
consideration By the bureau There
have been other Suggestions. however
that have ranged from cutting the sea
son to one month OF shooting to the
further cutting Of bag limits and es-
tablishruent Of more "regt days when
no shooting shall be allowed.
The bureau said today It had, re-
ceiYed communications from Senators
'TEdinEs and Coldsborough OF Mary
land informing II that the people Of
Maryland vigorously are opposed 10 q
closed dick hunting season this yeaI
on account Of the depression.
duck Season Provides Income.
The Maryland. Senators pointed out
that there are HUNDREDS Of rtTerrncn
and bay fishermen WHO derive their
principal income during the duck
hunting season IN attending duck hunt
ers and renting blinds ard that these
men pay taxes on thousands of dollars
worth Of equipment, which would be
useless 70 them Il the season were
closed. IN vte% OF the present economic
conditions. the Senators hare pointed
out, II would be an extreme hardship
on THESE men % close the duck hunting
season.
Maryland annually derives a large
revenue from the hi,ating of the nl!l-
lions Of ducks that annually migrate 70
the shores 81 Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries.
Ii addition. the Maryland stores an
nuaiiy d. a large businsss with The
sportsman buying equipment for duck
hunting T1tS Business would be lost.
i was pointed out, II the season were
clCSEc.
Emergency Asserted.
Informally it was stated at The Bu-
realI Of Biological Survey To-Day that the
bureaus problem is not the considera :
ton Of the economic aspects 81 q closed
season on ducks. but INC conservation of
the ducks
It vas stated that a grave emergency
noW exists which may be fklt for years
along the shores or Chesspeake BAY
Some advisers OF the bureau as re
stated that, a fali open season would
do permanent damage 70 the 17ocks Of
ducks that come. to this section an
nuaIiy and would necessilste fiiv.her
drastic restrictions for years. to cone.
Others incline 70 the opinion that
the ducks may have found other breed
ing grounds Il substitute for those il
Canada and the Northwest which have
dried up. due TO The 10 years 81 pro-
gTessiye drought.
There was a rumor about the Depart
rnent 81 Agriculture that some. sort Of
compromise would be reached which
would be designed to dFastleally eut
the take II game ana at the same
time provide tne hunters with some
shooting,