366 



With Rod and Gun in New England 



and their beneficial impress on the condition of our fish and game is plainly 

 apparent. 



The following extract from the Report of the Commission for 1895, 

 will be read with interest : 



" The law protecting quail during the entire year of 1894 has had a 

 marked influence on their increase. They are reported plenty in all sec- 

 tions of the State this fall, showing conclusively the advantage of a shorter 

 open season. 



" The ruffed grouse, or partridge, partly through climatic conditions 

 and partly from stringent enforcement of the law, has also been more 

 abundant than for several years past. 



" The open season for these birds commences the 15th of September, 

 and for quail the 15th of October. Owing to the lawlessness of many 

 sportsmen, this practically makes the open season for both birds the same, 

 and renders it almost impossible to enforce the law for the protection of 

 quail. The open season should be the same for all our inland game. 



" An instance, and a marked case, showing the results of protection, is 

 found in the Middlesex Fells. This section, containing several thousand 

 acres of wild, uncultivated land, was formerly one of the best shooting 

 grounds in the State, but its close proximity to Boston, giving easy access 

 to both native and foreign-born sportsmen, led to its depletion. Two years 

 ago, when the Metropolitan Park Commission took possession, there were 

 a few partridges in it ; probably not one but had been shot at at least a 

 dozen times. The two years' protection has made a great change. No 

 shooting or snaring is allowed in the park, and the increase of game is 

 remarkable. The same increase all over the State would provide recrea- 

 tion for overworked men, and also supply a considerable amount of very 

 desirable food. 



" The laws of Maine for the protection of fish and game, especially 

 for the large game, are stringent and well enforced, and the consequence 

 is that hundreds of thousands of dollars are annually expended in that 

 State by sportsmen and tourists from other States. No small amount of 

 this comes from Massachusetts, which, by well-regulated laws strictly 

 enforced, could, at least much of it, be retained at home. Certainly 

 healthy recreation and excellent food could thus be provided for those who 

 have not the means to go to the wilds of Maine and New Hampshire. 



" The last Legislature of Maine placed thirty thousand dollars at the 

 disposal of her commissioners for the protection and propagation of fish 

 and game. As a financial investment for the benefit of the State, this 

 appropriation was not called in question. 



" If we may judge by the numerous communications received by this 

 Board from all parts of the State, public opinion is ahead of legislative 



