Milford chronicle., 1935-02-08
DELAWARE'S IDLE
WILDLIFE RESOURCES
WORTH MILLION
Hunting, Fishing License WOald
Provide Revenue
BY LEONARD K. YERGER


copies of the bill in condensed for
were distributed by the Associate
II to its members and other intefeste
e persons throughout the state wit
IT request for suggestions and crit
10 cisms, all OF which have been cor
sidered and included in the bi
o whenever such changes were foun
y feasible.
}. The suggested program is un
: doubtedly constructive and revenu
to keep the machinery in motto
would be derived from a State-wId
b hunting, fishing and trapping identl
2 licatiOn system with stipulation
that not less than 25 per cent Of tn
gross income which insures to tn
Game Commission shall be expend
ed for the Liberation of wildlife eacl
year. II is estimated this 25 PEI
cent clause would cause at ieas,
S1O.O00,00 worth of wildlife to bJ
liberated yearly based on conditions
as they existed during 1884; the sale
of black bass would be prohibited
farmers and other land owners prop
erty rights are respected; existing
device laws, upland game and wild
land fire statutes would be strength
ened; the use of metal traps for
game animals other than muslIrats
would he regulated; provision made
for public hunting, fishing and
/ camping which would obviously de-
pend upon the quantity of and de-
mand for wildlife the state found 1t
! feasible 10 propagate; dealers in
1 furs or pelts other than muskrats
/ for commercial purposes would be
regulated and the game commission
would be vested with reasonable
power to protect. conserve, and prop
agate our wildlife.
nelaware's potential inland bass
ponds exceed 100 with an estimated
capacity of 300 boats of which about
% per cenl were in operation last
year. Some 200 boats were engaged
in taking ont fishing parties from
our ocean, bay and river resorts
during the past season, each boat
probably averaging two trips per
day for 80 days with an estimated
gross expenditure by sportsmen Of
approximately $4OO.OO0OO. which in
cidentally was the only bright spot :
of the several branches of the sport |
in our state last year. Shooting !
privileges on our bay, RiVers and /
marshes are greatly curtailed await I
ing better waterfowl conditions; 4
and last, but not least, Delaware's I
natural environments for upland I
game birds and animals while Sec
md n nnpn opa nrohah ,,ot ,.,,,. 4
Than 30 per cent developed. There II
fore our natural resources contain II
l vast amount of unspent wealth,
perhaps exceeding Il million dollars
from spOrtsmen other than !,
ourists-public hunting and camp
ng grounds have proven to be a
'reat asset in many states, so it H
hOuld be assumed the potential rev.
nue. OF our natural resources are
United only by Delaware's ability
0 develop and keep them attractive,
0 not only those who hunt, fish and
rap, but also to tourists.
Obviously foresight is required in
anne and fish management Just as I
is in any well-managed business.
therefore If we are to reap maxi
lum benefits all our Wildlife re-
should be harnessed. We
lerefore have idle natural resources
n the one hand and a c0mprehen-
i've game and fish program on the
ther, neither of which can be made
} function properly without the
-her. Considerable money is re-
nired and years of planning is
ecessary under the most favorable
)nditiOns to place the levers of all IlEl
lits in motion and to keep the ma N
fihery functioning smoothly. How b
'er the process of recovery should VA
noticeable in few years but the
'-operation of all public spirited lB
en- could expedite such a program. III
The protection, conservation and
opagation of wildlife Is fundamen-
lily dependent upon natural re- III
urces, wise council, and the CO. II
eration Of interested. parties deal
with or interested in Game and
sh Management" 1t is assured
at our Game Commission is desir-
s Of respecting the wishes Of the n
ljority for the benefit OF all the
liens of Delaware to whom Wild
e belongs, and that our sportsmen
sire to cooperate not only with n
Game Commission but also with n
farmer and other interests con-
Iliing land and water rights. llll
Perhaps there never was a more
perfume time to consider the resto-
ion of our wildlife resources than
the present, when the entire ma
n IS more cOnservation-minded
n ever before since the Indians
control of our wildlife, whose
ito was to take a few and leave
lenty.' Needless to say that was
e conservation, and il translated
scientific practices means, we
uld ind means Of prOpagating
re wildlife each year than we
laximum expenditures from
rtsmen and tourists can never be
aimed Until such time as all of
aware's natural resources are
ored and fostered to supDly
It in the form Of wildlife and inn
'ed recreational conditions, both
which are analogous to the use
outdoor sports. the greatest
'acter builder for boys and girls
refore the proposed compreheD- II
game and fish program should
tly ASSIST the business barometer
hotels. road stands, sporting
Is, gas stations, public carriers. h
lers and. professional guides. Mr.
tsman, and other interestad n