DISAPPEARING GAME 191 



poachers. I was in Mr. Holland's office in the 

 State Capitol one day when a poor mountaineer 

 guilty of sheep killing was brought in. They 

 had caught him red handed, and I understand 

 that he was severely punished and others had 

 preceded him. 



In order that a game commissioner prosecute 

 the duties of his office satisfactorily and effect- 

 ively not only he, but his wardens and depu- 

 ties, should be especially qualified for the posi- 

 tion they fill; no matter how well qualified or 

 energetic he may be, he labors under a severe 

 handicap unless his wardens are also efficient 

 and energetic and free from political taint. 



Speaking generally of all our States, the com- 

 missioner himself should be a sportsman and 

 something of a naturalist — a man who not only 

 loves the wilderness and the living things of 

 the forest, but knows from observation some- 

 thing of the habits of animals, birds, and fish. 

 He should have sufficient knowledge of these 

 things to decide when a range is well enough 

 stocked to admit of hunting, or when and how 

 to restock a depleted range. A man of this sort 

 could be trusted with power, under certain re- 

 strictions, to close and open hunting seasons by 

 proclamation, as necessity demanded; or at 

 least to make recommendation to the legisla- 



