and the Maritime Provinces. 



331 



were raised for this purpose. Ten animals were purchased at Dannemora 

 and two or three from other sources. Three more were presented to the 

 Rutland sportsmen by the late Governor Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury, Vt. 

 In all, seventeen deer were turned loose in Rutland county. Legislation 

 was obtained, making a closed season on deer throughout the State for a 

 term of years. As soon as the term expired, further legislation was 

 obtained to continue the closed season, and this operation was repeated as 

 often as necessary until the legislative session of 1896. During the closed 

 season a reward of $50 was a standing offer for evidence furnished leading 

 to the conviction of any person violating the law. On one occasion a 



Rescue Take. 



conspiracy was entered into between two poachers. One of them killed a 

 deer and the other one complained of him, receiving the reward of $50, which 

 was just equal to the fine for killing. Meantime the carcass had been dis- 

 posed of. After this episode, the penalty for killing was made $100 and 

 the law was pretty generally observed. Under the fostering care of the 

 Rutland county sportsmen, supplemented by State legislation, the deer in- 

 creased rapidly. Occasionally acquisition to this introduced herd would 

 be made by deer from New York State seeking refuge from hunters or 

 dogs. 



In northern Vermont the deer had not been entirely exterminated 

 when the long-closed season went into operation. Essex county is com- 



