The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1941-10-23

OPOll ~
| Wags- %
| BY Chuck Rattle
Farmers Post More
Land Against Hunter
Gull Out Poor
Sports In Hunting
Ask Farmer To
Hunt on His Land
Foresee Rules For Hunting
Unless Cleaned Up
Athletics Get Shakeup-
Lousy Pome On
Bill Pollock
Into this office has come an end
less stream of farmers to get post
ing signs for their land this hunt
ing season. The great trek has
been as the pheasant season open
ed. From indications known
to us here I'd say that more post
ing is being done in this area than
ever before. Now it may not
be important that so much posting
goes on. But we happen to know
some of the background for all
this vast posting. Gentlemen,
hunting is faced with a situation.
Farmers have come in here
with varied tales. One man
reported the death of a two
year-old mare that broke up
team of full sisters. The death,
IL Is fair to explain, was by
rifle shot and therefore not Of
the rank and file of hunters. .
It happened on the opening day
of the squirrel season. A
farm wife, in to get some post
ing signs, said that at times
It was dangerous to be out
about in the yard. =. Another
has said that shots have been
discharged nearby while he was
working in the field. An
other told the tale of how the
day after he had posted signs,
they were torn down. -.
Now whether most of you realize
1t or not the farmer has a trem-
endous case. Worst aspect of
1t is it gives all hunting and all
hunters the black eye that some
individuals deserve. This fact,
however, is evident. From the
there are more and more
taking to hunting that observe no
rules of the rights of others.
As their ranks grow, unthinned by
education or culling, the situation
is going to continue to get more
difficult for the real sportsmanlike
hunter. :.
7 don't know exactly what to
suggest. But I'm reasonably
sure Of this much after talking to
dozens of farmers in this office.
That is: that the hunters who
are really interested in the sport
had better begin culling their own
ranks of these violators. e. . 1t
is only common sense that dictates
a man should ask a farmer If he
can hunt on his land. Anyone with
the simple elements of good be-
havior should know that in dealing
with dangerous weapons it is well
to know the lay of things, where
other people are going to be.
I'd suggest these rules of
courtesy. O Ask permits
sion of any farmer before
hunting on his land, posted or
unposted. .. (2) Find out
where he will be working or
any members of his family, (3)
explain to him where and for
what you're hunting. az
stay on the roads he has pro-
vided for access to farthest
corners of the farm, (5) II I'M
certain ask him to point out
the way in which he wants you
to go to the various parts of
his farm.
That may sound like kid stuff
and very elementary. 1T IS.
But with so many failing to
observe these simple, but effective
ways of cutting down the danger,
It seems imperative they be reiter-
ated.
I will tell you something else.
Unless real sportsmen begin
now to Gull out the poor sport
within the ranks Of them
else will probably
do it with higher authority. :.
Unless the situation Is cleared, I
can see, from the pressure Of farm
area operators and owners, a sys-
tenn of regulations coming that will
be burdensome. Start now with
the education of younger, rising
hunters. . It's a shameful prac-
tice this fragrant disregard for the
rights Of others. That license
for the state entities hunter only
to the right to shoot-not to the
right to break all rules Of trespass-
Ing and safety. think the
should be dumped in the
laps of those hunters who are real
sportsmen. 1t is their future In
E,.,.oo4 Gil