Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-08-11
Hundreds Have
"A Good Time AT
Old Settler Meet


Annual Affair at Grind.
stone Lake.
Many from far and near went to
Grindstone lake Sunday to attend the
annual Old Settlers picnic which was
sponsored by the Grindstone Lake
Conservation club. A large and elab-
crate parade, sports program, stands
speaking and merry-go-round fur
niShed a good time for both young
and old during the day.
The speaker of the day was Guy
w. Cravens, deputy Commissioner OF
Conservation. Mr. Cravens was in
troduced by District Game Warden
Supervisor John E. Salvador and he
gave a very interesting talk on the
work of his department. He told of
the effort of the department to get
at what the various parts of the
state need and want, of the facts as
pertain to the various sections rela-
tive to wild life, through the estab-
liShment of an advisory council, COM
posed of members from the several
organizations along sport lines in the
state. With this advice it is to be
hoped the department will be obliged
to work in very intelligent manner.
Mr.. Cravens also told of the merit sys-
tenn in the department as concerns
wardenS, explaining the reasons for
the move, questions, and the manner
in which the plan is working out
He told of what the present officials
found relative to the bull head rack
ct" in the northern part of the state
and how the department sent in spe-
cial wardens who at once began pick
ing up nets and offenders until now
the racket has been minimized, with
prospects of doing away with it
entirely. Mr.. Cravens said the six
months probationary period for the
game wardens appointed has ended
and several changes have been made
Explains Fish Propagation.
The speaker gave glimpse on the
work of fish propagation, among 9TH
er things telling of the propagation
of muskellunge, new undertaking
that has not been considered until
recently. This game fish will fur
nish more fun and excitement over
other kinds in about the ratio of SO
to l, and is one of the big reasons
why fishermen come from far dis
tances to this state to fish. Mr.. Crav-
ems mentioned the matter of fishing
license fees for non-residents and
expressed the belief that in view of
the fact Wisconsin sells a non-resi-
dent license for So, this state should
do the same thing, but that under
the present law the 81 fee has to be
collected until the legislature changes
the same.
Mr.. Cravens explained that can
didate for public office had accused
the department of waste of funds
stating that Minnesota liberated less
than 5000 pheasants last year at a
cost of $35 each and that Wiscon-
sin liberated many times that amount
at cost of 35c each. The facts, as
Mr.. Cravens pointed out, were that
Minnesota liberated last year about
1865 pheasants at a cost of $1.76
each including experimental work
There were also liberated about 1897
quail and 429 chukar cartridges.
This year, the speaker stated, the
department will liberate close to
$4,000 pheasants, 10000 quail and
1000 chukar partridge and the cost
per bird will be less than one-half
of what it was last year. This is
because business principles are being
applied to the operation of our bird
propagation program.
Tells of Commercial Fishing.
Mr.. Cravens covered an interest
ing topic in the matter of commercial
fishing, explaining how commercial
fishing in the Lake of the Woods
could not be abolished as far as Min
nesota is concerned, though many
would like to have it done, because
of the fact the commercial fisherman
managed to get joker into the pres
ent law covering this matter in that
this state cannot abolish it until Can
ada abolishes it at the same time,
which almost prevents the abolish
ment. However, the law gives the
Commissioner the right to specify
where the nets can be used, which
gives the officials a club to hold over
the fishermen. He said that through
the work of the department, COM
mercial fishermen in the north lakes
have formed a cooperative organiza-
ton for the propagation of pike fry,
with dues paid according to the num-
Der of nets used, these dues being
fund for the establishment of
hatchery with 20O,OO0,000 capacity
each year, half of which must go into
lakes in the state, the other half to
be released into Lake of the Woods.
The plan seems to be working sue
cessfully. Another explanation was
in reference to the wild rice harvest
in the northern lakes, telling of the