The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-11-03
State Game Board
 Wars On Vandalism
Open Letter of Special Interest to Rural Property
 Owners-"Secret Service" on Job

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 The state board of fisheries and game recognizes the fact that q minority among those who hold hunting licenses has often abused the shooting privileges extended by private property owners. This thoughtless and sometimes lawless clement also includes most of those who violate the laws which are es- sential to the conservation and restoration of wild life.
 In recent years petty lawlessness in connection with hunting has been increasing, aggravated by ec- onomic conditions and unemploy- | meNt. The situation has become serious, reaching crisis during the first week of the open season when three separate attacks were made on the lives of three game wardens.
 The state board of fisheries and game accepts that challenge ant others which have been made IT. the form of threats. It is now prepared and determined to wage q vigorous and relentless campaign against all forms of lawlessnoss and vandalism both in the direction of fish and game law violations and In the abuse of private property rights hy those who hold hunting or fishing licenses.
 The great majority of sportsmen are law abiding and considerate of the rights of others. They have no sympathy with the lawless ele- ment which has caused serious losses in the game supply and in shooting privileges formerly eX- tended by property owners. They are prepared to join with property owners and this department in q campaign to hceck lawlessness and vandalism in connection with hunt ing.
 In the matter of law enforce- ment, the department has already organized an effective cooperative service with certain sportsmen who have volunteered to serve as game guardians reporting violations or locations where violations occur so that the efforts of the warden ser vice may be directed to such cases or such areas, thus increasing the effectiveness sof that service.
 The game guardian "secret ser vice" has been responsible for the apprehension of many violators. If now numbers about 800 men. It is being enlarged and its efficiency increased constantly. Other plans are being perfected as quickly as possible including the use of radio to maintain constant contact with our wardens In the field, directing their attention quickly to areas where trouble Is reported. The warden service has been fully equipped and instructed to devote It's entire attention to law enforce ment, cancelling all other activities To check abuses of private prop erty by hunters the board offers to establish on suitable aeas special regulations which have the force of law. By means of the regulations our wardens and patrolmen are given additional authority on the area so posted to the end that the lawless element may be controlled or, if necessary. eliminated from the ranks of the law abiding sportsmen.
 The offer includes posters and special attention by wardens and patrolmen for tho areas so posted. In addition each property owner has the right to make an arrest on his own property for violation Of the trcspass laws. The regulations require that each person wishing to shoot on tho posted area shall se- cure permission from the property owner. A property owner may de- cline to issue permit if he has reasonable cause to refuse.
 Other regulations are the same as those which have proven ef- fectlve in preventing abuses on state -leased shooting grounds. They forLid shooting within 500 feet of buildings or toward buildings or livestock, crossing cultivated fields, leaving gates open, bars down. breaking down fences, leaving ears in barways or blocking roads. and carrying rifles using ammunition larger than caliber .22 long rifle:
 Those who violate the regula- tons are subject to immediate sus- pension of their license in addition to arrest in case of violation of the game or trespass laws. There is also maximum penalty of $1O0 fa., nH. ai..a s1Aatapa lfnri haF flo.