Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-08-28

numbers who are employed during four
month period and the unemployment situa
ton would be worse instead of better !
such regulation was adopted at this time
1t would also cause depreciation of thous
ands of acres of shore fronts owned By
ducking clubs throughout the Atlantic Coas
States which, in majority of cases, have
expended large sums on their properties
and buildings and have invested thousands
of dollars. With a closed season or q
thrty-day open in any one month, these
properties in a majority of cases would not
bring the amount of State and county taxes.
Forty-seven States of the Union are de-
pending upon revenues furnished by those
who procure hunters license for mainte-
nance of their game departments. In a
great many Atlantic Coast States thousands
of sportsmen are wild-fowl hunters and if
there is a closed season or a thirty-day
open season in any one month, large
amount of revenue will be lost to the game
departments under whose supervision the
enforcement of the law depends. | also
oppose closed season or thirty-day open
season in any one month. This would cause
concentrated slaughter. Every duck hunter
would make an extra effort to 60 each day
of the month if possible. Such action would
open the field to dishonest hunters and
game boot-leggers and pot-hunters. Due to
the inadequate Federal enforcement. with
the small force of United States Deputy
Conservation Officers for the enforcement
of the Federal regulations in the forty-eight
States, it is impossible for said TO rces to en-
force the regulations which exist at present.
| also believe that Federal regulations pro-
viding for a closed season or thirty-day
open season in any one month on wildfowl,
to which the law-abiding sportsman would
feel himself obligated to abide by, would
assist the pot-hunter in carrying on his
unlawful methods of killing and selling
wildfowl, and would be similar to the boot
leg game at present-the more regulations
the more boot-leggne. When we promul-
gate regulations or enact legislation which
cannot be enforced, we create an increased
disregard for law by the better class of
citizens whom we try to regulate. There
is not State in the Union that has an
adequate force for the enforcement of the
game laws at present and if revenues are
to be taken from the State enforcing bodies.
naturally the loss Of said revenues will mean
decrease in field enforcement officers.
Therefore, | desire to 60 on record in
Offering the following propositions which
believe will remedy conditions and to which
the sportsmen of this country would abide
by:
First-In opposing closed season or
thlrty-day open season in any one month
on wildfowl but suggest that the Federal
regulations provide an open season for the
hunting of wildfowl permitting only three
days shooting week, November 18th to
January 18th, inclusive.
Second-Prohibit the use of the auto
matte and pump guns, unless said guns
are so arranged as not to carry over two
shots at any one loading.
Third-Prohibit the shooting of any wild
fowl on the water, or in bedded flocks,
whether said birds be on baited areas or
not. provided, however, hunters be per-
mitted to shoot wildfowl which had been
crippled.
Regarding the agitation to prohibit the
use of bait will say. | am opposed to the
shooting of wildfowl in fiocks on baited
areas, or on the water, however. do not
oppose the use of bait. as it does seem to
be humane act to feed anything which
exists by food. and at this time with the
conditions as they are, with the Federal
Government claiming an over-supply of
grains in the country, feel it would be a
slap in the farmers face to prohibit the
use of bait for wildfowl as thousands of
bushels of grain. especially corn and wheat
are used annually. not only by the duck
ing clubs. but by individuals for the wild
fowl and the purchase of same would help
to use up some of the surplus and benefit
the farmer who needs relief so much at
this time.
E. LEE LECOMPTE,
State Game Warden.