The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-19

Washington, D. C.-Not so long ago most farmers believed that the natural wildlife resources of Amer ica were the principal concern of the hunter, trapper and angler. They liked some forms of wildlife because they destroyed rodents, or fed on insects and weed seeds. On the other hand, the farmers waged bitter warfare against other species of birds and animals because they believed they destroyed crops and were otherwise a menace to profit able farming.
 Many farmers posted their lands forbidding treSpassing and hunting because hunters often shot their stock, tore down fences and acted like anything but true sportsmen.
 The old order is changing now, and rightfully so. Despite the huge areas of this country owned by fed- eral and state agencies, the farmer still retains the bulk of the land. Therefore, as a class, he is poten- tially our foremost conServationist.
 The modern farmer realizes that game on his lands means cash in the pocket in two ways. First let us take up the direct cash the far mer obtains from. game birds and animals.
 A "No Tresspass" sign does not necessarily mean that the farmer is opposed to hunting. More often than not it indicates that the far mer would like to know who is shooting over his lands, and to re- ceive adequate payment for grant, ing the privilege. In these days of all too scarce and overhumted pulp lie shoting grounds, no right think ing sportsman, will object to paying fair price for good hunting. Think what the private clubs charge their membersl
 Farmer-sportsman cooperative ar- arrangements are already working well in at least one state. The plan operates something like this:
 Groups of farms are organized into game management units. Ex- perience indicates that for profit able and convenient management the units should contain not less thah 600 acres or more than $500 acres, though the actual area is de- termined after consideration of To- cal conditions, type of land, and the number of landowners participating in the enterprise. e
 When 8 unit has been established the state game department posts the combined propertie sand pro- tects the area against poaching and unauthorized trespass. State game technicians inspect the unit and ad- wise the landowners what to do tc | improve food and cover and how tr control natural enemies of game They also indicate any other steps necessary to prepare the land tt produce this crop without disturb ing too much the regular work oi the farm. The state may some times furnish eggs or game to re- stock areas that have no native breeding stock.
 When there is 8 sufficient sur plus of pheasants, quail or rabbits to permit shooting without dimin' ishing the numbers necessary fol breeding stocks, the states game technicians make 8 survey of th' unit and determine how many O each species may be safely taken.
 For example, when game man agement unit is found to have 30l pheasantS, 800 quail, and 800 rab bits as 8 surplus over the number required to produce the next year crop, the State game departmen furnishes the farmers of the asso
 citation with 300 pheasant tags, 50
 quail tags, and 300 rabbit tags-eacl
 tag legalizing the taking and pos 1 caccinia nf na1a hird or nfhar gam