The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-07

WE want no more excuses from
W you hunters about seeming
conditions. The ground is well
soaked, the cold spell has killed all
remaining vege alton, and if your
dogs can't smell birds or rabbits now
they must have bad colds.
In these days, when the finding of
three or four cOveys is considered
good cDoT., it's tough to have the
DIGS charge into them when you are
out Of range. And of course locat-
ing singles is difficult under the best
Of circumstances.
WE want to humbly inquire how
w it is possible for quail to
secrete themselves so we'll after they
are first flushed. Often in the last
few years we have watched the
covey rise, seen them make for cover
and We chcd them fan out and drop
alon0 come fence row or in the edge
vi the woods.
But when we get to the spot a
minute or two later they are gone.
Vanished. Evaporated. Nor can the
dogs find and follow trail that
would indicate that they have run
as soon as they ahghted. Some
hun,"rs say that birds have the
power to tuck in their feathers, as
it werc, drawing themselves up into
a little tight knot and hiding in
thick grass or leaves so that little or
no DO Y scent is given off. 1 know
that on some occasions 1 have
stepped on birds or unwittingly
kicked them from leaves or depTes-
sions in the ground before they
flushed. Often the dogs had been
right on top of the spot few sec
onds before.
Ole timers advise that the best
way to overcome such conditions is
to wait for half an hour before
working out the place where the
covey vas seen to light. The theory
is that the birds will relax and be-
gin to move about, thus leaving
much more scent for the dogs.
It's a good idea if you have the
patience. Personally we are apt to
bust right over to where We saw
the birds come down.
livery sportsman will be inter-
Z ested in an announcement
made today by George TheySon.
Evansville, president of the State
Co1~e-yation Committee. in regard
to changes in conservation laws to
be submitted to the General AS
Semb y converting in January.
II you do not agree with the pro-
.posals, remember that they are not
the suggestions of state conservation
officials. but the result of long study
on the part of representatives OF
sportsmen'S clubs throughout the
state. They were drawn up by these
men. hunters and fishermen like
,yourselveS, to better field and stream
sport in Indiana.
One of the principal measures to
be sponsored before the Legislature.
MIR. TheySon said, would confer au-
tho.lty on the Commissioner of the
Department of Conservation to regu-
late the taking of fish, game and
fur-bearing animals by suSpending
open seasons entirely or in part or
by decreasing bag limits.
All laws now in force and per-
tanning to open season and bag
limits would be continued in effect,
the regulation of seasons and bag
Limits being within the statutory
provisions. This would make pos
sible open seasons in sections of the
state where game was plentiful and
shorter season or reduced bag
limit in sections where it was
scarce.
A second proposal would provide
for an open season on prairie chick
ems and cock pheaSantS in such
counties Of the state as may be de-
signated by the Commissioner Of
the Department Of Conservation,
and also deSignates a maximum
open season and bag limit.
Other proposed changes in the
present laws. as outlined by Mr..
sTheyson, include: To prohibit the
sale Of rabbits and change the
opening Of the rabbit season TO cor
respond with the opening Of the
quail season there now is a diff
ference of one day in the opening
dates: to make unlawful possession
and use of a mechanical ferret or
device for driving rabbits from their
denS; to increase the fine for shoot
ing wild deer and turkey and max
ing jail sentences compulsory upon
conviction for second offenSe: to
grant fur-buyers 80 instead of Is
days to file reports; to prohibit the
pulling of moss and vegetation from
lakes and streams and provide for