FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 205 



tember. I agree with this, but doubt if such a measure would be sufficiently popular 

 with the general public to secure its adoption, and that we would have a great deal of 

 difficulty not only in passing it, but in enforcing it afterwards. I would, therefore, 

 favor a modification of this proposition — say until the 7th of September. By that 

 time the deer would certainly have changed their coats, and their horns would be out 

 of the velvet. 



The hotel people in the Adirondacks, a number of years ago, were opposed to any 

 extension of the close season, for the reason that they feared it would hurt their busi- 

 ness ; but I think they are now convinced that there will be enough pleasure-seekers 

 going to the mountains during the warm months, for health and change of air, to keep 

 the hotels full, whether there is any deer-hunting or not ; and that after this class of 

 people go, the hotels will then fill up with people coming there for sport. For this 

 reason I think the hotel interests would now favor an extension of the open season to 

 November 15th, and would not oppose an extension of the closed season to September 

 1st or 7th. 



The law prohibiting the shipping of deer by express has done more, in my opinion, 

 to save the deer than almost anything else, as it has largely stopped the shipping of 

 deer to market. I think we should try to enforce this law a little more stringently, as 

 I understand that last year a number of deer were shipped by express when the owner 

 was supposed to be on the same train, but as a matter of fact was not. I would favor 

 a law absolutely prohibiting express companies from transporting deer at all ; if a man 

 wants to take a deer out let him take it as a part of his baggage, in the baggage-car. 



I do not think that a close season for two or three years would be advisable, 

 although it might be well, in lieu of that, to pass a law that no deer should be shipped 

 or taken out of the Adirondacks for two years. This would protect the deer, and I 

 am inclined to think it would be a very good provision. I know that, for my part, 

 although I own a large amount of land there, I would be perfectly willing to agree 

 that no deer should be taken or shipped out of my park for two years. 



Mr. Ernest H. Johnson, Tnpper Lake, Franklin County, N. Y., {Guide.) — Stop the 

 hunting and fishing (out of season) for market, and pass an act making it unlawful to 

 buy or offer for sale any venison in the Adirondacks. It is not the deer and fish 

 caught by sportsmen and tourists that are exterminating them ; but those that are 

 taken out of season by pot-hunters and sold to the hotels. 



I think one-half of the deer throughout the northern forest of Hamilton county 

 died last winter, owing to the deep snow and severe weather. I found a great many 

 that died in April after the snow was nearly all gone. I would urge that the sale of 

 venison within the boundaries of the State Park be prohibited. 



