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hear our friend, Dr. MacCallum, speak on that subject, and I think it would be 
wise to embody something of that kind in the resolution—that we approve of the 
codification of the bill, except that we deprecate spring shooting of game birds ; 
and I think, also, that the point he makes on the opening of the fall shooting is 
a good one. I think the original bill did call for September 15th, but pressure 
was brought to bear. I expect that this bill will be brought up again, and I 
am in hopes that before Legislature convenes I maybe able to bring to the 
notice of the Sportsmen’s Association of New York the necessity of getting 
these changes carried through. If that meeting is called I mean to try to get 
our Canadian friends invited to it, and they can there express themselves. I 
think the better class of people in New York State appreciate. the fact that our 
game birds are disappearing, and are desirous of doing something to protect and 
preserve them. 
Secretary STEWAR?: When I spoke of approving of this Act I spoke in a 
general way, but we Canadian sportsmen are united in regard to the necessity 
of stopping spring shooting. I do think that this spring shooting should be done 
away with for the reason that Dr. MacCallum has so ably outlined. 
Mr. AMSDEN: Have you laws abolishing spring shooting ? 
Dr. MacCatLum: Yes. For several years we have not allowed it. 
Secretary STEWART: Yet we have to keep our guns unloaded, while 
you are shooting all the time. It is hard to make laws where the frontier is so 
close as at Prescott, Ogdensburg, Niagara and Windsor. I think the necessity of 
stopping spring shooting in the interest of the future should receive attention. 
Mr. WHITAKER: I am nota shooter from Shootersville. If I were, I should 
have to hire somebody to support my family, for I could not devote enough time 
to fish and shoot too. Mr. Stewart must remember that on the great marshes of 
the river St. Clair, which lie in both waters, and which are the home of the wild 
fowl, the law of compensation steps in to the advantage of the Canadian sportsman. 
For, while the Canadian side isa preserve, the people on the American side spring 
shoot and fall shoot and hit them whenever they can, and it is the universal com- 
ment that Canada has the best of it, because the fusilade has driven the birds 
over into the marshes on your side. 
Dr. MacCatium: If the Americans are any sort of shots at all, those birds 
they shoot at do not get over to our side to breed. I would suggest that this 
resolution be adopted: “ Resolved, that this Convention heartily approves of 
the New York Codification Bill with the single exception of the allowance of 
spring shooting. And we in conference assembled wish to ask the New York Com- 
mission to reconsider this point and to adopt as the only shooting season, the 
dates in each year between the 15th day of September and December 15th 
or 30th. 
The CHAIRMAN : Did you offer that as a substitute or as an amendment { 
Dr. McCaL_um: That might be offered as an addenda. It says here we are 
asked to consider the same, as it is applicable in its provisions to our own pur- 
poses, and to indicate what changes may be deemed advisable to suit our several 
wants, etc. Now, as Chairman of our Ontario Fish and Game Commission, I 
naturally look to New York State on account of its location, and climate, and 
advanced civilization, as the most probable place in which to find a set of game 
laws applicable to this Province, and which would assist us very much, and it 
was our suggestion that this should be stated. That was the first step towards 
this conference. We conferred with Mr. Whittaker who thought it would be a 
good thing. First it was to be a meeting of our Commission and that of New 
