FISHERIES, GAME AXD FORESTS. 2 15 



in hunting deer, with dogs and still-hunting, and know of no place where the deer are 

 not increasing rapidly. I do not believe in floating for deer, but think it will be im- 

 possible to pass a law prohibiting it. Enforce the present law, and deer will increase, 

 even though floating is allowed. 



Mr. Eugene Hathaway, Harrisville, Lezcis Co., N. Y, {State Game Protector.) — It 

 seems to be the general opinion about here that if hounding could be stopped the 

 deer would increase. I would advise that hounding be stopped, say, for five years. 

 We could tell bv that time if any benefit was derived from it. 



Mr. M. F. Cronin, Aiden Lair, Essex Co., X. Y., {Hotel Proprietor.) — The present 

 law in regard to deer hunting is about right. If hounding is abolished the sportsman 

 will be deprived of deer hunting almost entirely. 



There is no doubt that the inhabitants of this country are doing what they can 

 to protect the game, and by so doing they are deriving great benefits from the 

 numerous sportsmen who visit this country. The deer have increased fully one-third 

 within the past four years. It is a positive fact that cut of every five deer started by 

 dogs there is but one killed on an average. 



If there are to be any changes made, I would advise an additional ten days to the 

 hounding, and abolish night-hunting entirely. 



Mr. Eugene S. Bruce, Axton, Franklin Co., X. ]'., {Lumberman and Superintendent 

 Ampersand Preserve.) — Townships Twenty-six and Twenty-seven are in the Ampersand 

 Preserve of which I have charge, and we do not allow any does killed ; in night- 

 hunting, however, the hunter is more apt to get a doe than a buck. The sentiment in 

 this locality, among the better class of sportsmen, is to prohibit hounding entirely. 



But if hounding is to be allowed, the time should be changed to the month of 

 October, as the present season commences too early. In August and September the 

 and young fawns are around the water, while the bucks as a rule are back on the 

 mountains and do not usually come down until the month of October. 



Personally I am in favor of prohibiting hounding entirely, and think an act to that 

 effect would do more to preserve the deer in the Adirondacks than any other change 

 in tne law that could be made. 



Mr. Frank Wasliburn, Lewey Lake, Hamilton Co., X. Y, {Guide}} — The deer in this 

 part of the Adirondacks are increasing largely. Through the section that I guide in 

 there are more than double the number of deer that were there five years ago. At 

 that time, in the same locality, a man would travel all day to start one or two dogs, 

 where now it is no trouble to start as many as he can lead before noon. I think that 

 this is proof enough that deer are increasing. Another proof is, if they were not more 

 plentiful the hunters could not kill so many more than they used to. 



