372 With Rod and Gun in New England 



game. Existing statutes have been recently amended, and sumptuary laws 

 have been enacted, that were considered by far-seeing and thoughtful sports- 

 men to be absolutely necessary to bring the Granite State into her proper 

 position as a fish and game resort. 



In view of the foregoing, the writer craves the indulgence of such of 

 his readers as might suggest that in these pages possibilities are too often 

 hinted at. 



MOOSE, CARIBOU AND DEEP?. 



As the last legislature passed a law prohibiting the killing of moose or 

 caribou within the limits of the State for a period of five years, it is unnec- 

 essary to devote much space to these animals. 



Moose, although not abundant, are by no means rare in New Hamp- 

 shire, and it is more than likely that the above-named proscription will add 

 largely to their numbers, so that at the end of that time, with the killing 

 properly restricted, the legitimate pursuit of this noble animal will be well 

 rewarded. Although the caribou is a great traveler, given to extensive 

 roaming, with no especial object in view, except apparently to be contin- 

 ually on the move, it is hoped that by including them in the statute above 

 referred to, enough of them might make their habitat in the vast timber 

 regions of the northern part of the State, in such numbers as to enable the 

 hunter of big game to add an occasional specimen of this animal to his 

 trophies. 



In only a portion of New Hampshire is there at present any open 

 season on deer, viz. : Coos and Carroll counties, and a part of Grafton 

 county. Throughout the rest of the State those animals are protected at 

 all seasons until September, 1901. 



During the last year deer have been occasionally met with in the 

 southern portion of the State, and in the central portion very frequently 

 reports are brought in that they have been seen in this or that locality — 

 oftentimes several in company — and it is gratifying to be able to state 

 further that in the northern portion they are very numerous. They have 

 increased very rapidly within a few years, the increase being attributable in 

 the main to the vigilance of the commissioners and their deputies, in shut- 

 ting off the nefarious custom of crust-hunting, which, until recently, was 

 very extensively practised. The writer would not assert that deer are not 

 sometimes taken illegally in the State, but violators of the statutes in regard 

 to them have been so speedily and vigorously dealt with whenever appre- 

 hended, that the laws are more than decently respected. 



There are to-day sections of northern New Hampshire where, accord- 

 ing to the most reliable reports, deer are as plentiful as anywhere in the 

 Maine woods ; but these remote localities are, at present, visited by but 

 few, as the facilities for sport are as yet undeveloped, the region being 



