The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-02-21

pH'hNhoNu iVi i'oJ III d iSPo
resources of the United State,
Modification would apply to
what is known as flight states, n
which includes Washington Only
certain number of decoys would
be permitted.
Flight states" are those To-
ralities where the only hope
of stopping few birds on
their way south lies in the
siren calls OF well-trained
quackers and honkers
states where natural foods are
lacking.
Ducks Unlimited is behind the
recommendation and also is
stunchly in favor of permitting
feeding in those states or sections
that do not enjoy natural advan-
tages attractive TO wild waterfowl.
Also. there seems very favor
able chance of the modification
being realized. it is reported.
HEARINGS HELD
During 1888. the house commit
tee held hearings at Washington
on the migratory waterfowl stu
alton. Invited to testify were fed
eral and stage game officials, rep
resentatiyes OF conservation and
sportsmen's organizations, includ-
Ing Ducks Unlimited.
White live decoys are not essen
tial to the sport of wildfowling in
some sections of the country in
other areas the federal ban on
their use practically eliminated
. possibility of any sport worthy OF
: the name.
Ii amounted to virtual pro-
hibition of wildfowling. par
ticularly in Massachusetts,
where peculiar local conditions
make use OF live decoys ne
cessity to successful cunning.
Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma.
Texas. Oregon and Washing
ton also were among hard-hit
states.
The Cape Cod section of Massa-
chusetts once was one OF the
greatest goose shooting areas in
the east. A narrow peninsula OF
sand dunes jutting out across the
main flyway of geese migrating
down the Atlantic coast, Cape Goa
is dotted with small ponds 10
which low-flying hookers could
only be attracted by live callers.
II was one of the few places IN
northeastern United States where
goose shooting was obtainable.
BAN CLOSED CLUBS
Prior to the ban on live decoys.
hundreds of duck clubs ana
goose stands" flourished on the
Cane. many with substantial in
vestments IN equipment and prop
erty. Today practically every
goose club has been forced TO dis
band. property abandoned - al
though federal and private agen-
cies are unanimous in agreeing
there has been no scarcity OF
Canada geese. An increased daily
bag limit on geese was provided
In federal regulations last year.
Ducks Unlimited. through a
brief submitted 10 the house
committee by President Louis
n Egan, recommended that
use of limited number oil
live decoys be permitted. In
its report TO congress the
committee states:
1T has been felt by many
sportsmen and sportsmens or
carnations Of the county that the
federal regulations for shooting
migratory birds were too drastic.
That instead of safeguarding the
birds they were promoting vide
spread lack Of law observance and
consequently greater loss OF MI
gratory birds.
LIMITED NUMBER
Full opportunity was given ior
discussions pro and con Of TINS
subject and number Of WIT
nesses were heard A question
nsire was also sent game COM
rnissioners of each state 10 asceF-
tain the attitude Of organizations
on the question
After consideration Of the evi-
dence on the subject, particularly
because Of the fact that without
the use Of I've decoys spoftsmen
in number Of states find il prac-
ticslly impossible 70 get any legal
shooting. the committee IS Of the
opinion that in the PRONUNCIATION
Of federal shooting regulations for
the 1883 season consideration
should be given 70 permitting the
use Of a limited number Of live
decoyx