The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-03-14
SPORTSMEN SEEK CHANGES
IN GAME LAWS OF STATE
Lloyd w. Cook, Mt. Lake Park,
Named President of Federation
At Meeting Held On Sunday
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE

Lloyd W. Cook, of Mountain Lake
Park, was named president of the
Western Maryland Outdoor Life Fed
Grafton, to succeed Lee Windle, of
Luke, who was named third vice-pres-
ident, at meeting in Cumberland last
Sunday afternoon.
Mr.. Cook, long active in sportsmen's
circles in this county, is president If
the Youghiogheny Wildlife Protective
Association, secretary to the Garrett
County Sportsmen's Association and
member of the Garrett County Ad-
visory Council to the State Game and
Inland Fish Commission.
Last year the new president served
as secretary of the Federation which
consists of forty-fve sportsmen's
clubs in Allegany, Garrett and Wash
ington counties. Other county men
chosen were Dan Hershberger, secre-
tary of the Grantsville unit, as record
ing secretary; c. D. Mcintyre, Shall
mar, as treasurer.
J. Wesley Kelly, Cumberland, was
reelected executive secretary.
About seventy attended and besides
electing officers also discussed at
length several recommendation for
sweeping changes in the game and fish
laws.
Recommendation submitted by var
ious groups were referred to the exc
cutive committee for study and incor-
poration in a general legislative pro-
gram to be presented at another meet
ing in June.
These recommendations included the
following:
One resolution proposed that the
governor be asked to inaugurate a
campaign against game and fish law
violators to end widespread dis
respect" for the laws. Another sug-
gested that game wardens be en-
ployed and operate similar to the
State Police, in the interest of eAF
cheney. More paid game wardens for
Western Maryland were urged.
Fish and game should be stocked
by the paid personnel of the game
department or under their direct
supervision, resolution proposed, in
stead of by volunteer" individuals.
License To Carry Gun In Woods
Several resolutions were offered to
make enforcement of game laws
easier. One proposed that a hunting
license be required to carry firearms
in the woods at any time.
Other resolutions with a similar end
in view proposed that a hunting
license be required for any kind of
hunting; and that the grounding and
fox be placed on the protected list.
This last proposal is aimed at the
practice of some so-called sportsmen,
who when called for hunting out Of
season, claim they were hunting
groundhogs or foxes, on which there
is an open season at all times.
Another sweeping change urged was
proposal that game wardens be en-
powered to search automobiles with
out warrants, when they suspect
carrying of illegal game.
The recommendation that a state
wide license, selling for $3.50 or $500,
be substituted for the present SIPS
county license and $500 statewide
license is similar to a proposal recent
ly made by State Game Warden E
Lee LeCompte.
The Federation also heard a pro-
rNnca1 fOr tot 10 lnp 1oIrr y
bring about uniform regulations.
Another resolution asked establish
ment of a statewide bounty system in
place of the present county system.
The funds would come from the state
game fund, according to the proposal.
Suggest Wider Powers
Wider powers proposed for the
Commission included authority to
lengthen as well as shorten hunting
and fishing seasons. The Commission
now can order seasons shortened, but
is powerless under the law to lengthen
a season.
A somewhat similar resolution sug-
gested establishment of a blanket
season" from September l to January
l, with the Commission given author
ity to shorten the season on any given
game or in any given section.
Still another proposal advocated
that the Commission be authorized to
revoke the hunting or fishing license
of any person convicted Of violation
of game laws.
Early Squirrel Season Asked
Establishment of an early squirrel
season-from Sept. Is to Oct. 15-was
advocated by many of the delegates,
Season this year was from November
l to November 80 in Garrett and Ale
gany counties, although the rest Of
the state had an early season.
Several important changes were
proposed for Garrett county. One
would require all persons to have a
fishing license to fish in any water.
This apparently was directed at Deep
Creek Lake property owners, who may
fish the lake without license.
Protection Of Garrett county's
dwindling bear population was adj
vocated in a resolution calling for q
year-round closed season on the ami.
I q. L L..