362 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



There was a time, and that not long ago, when it looked as though this 

 species would become extinct; indeed, in some localities where they were numerous 

 a few years ago there is now hardly one to be found. Notably is this the case 

 along the wooded shores of Kent's or Mud Creek in the town of Cape Vincent, 

 Jefferson County. There the species has been pretty thoroughly obliterated; and 

 unless the law against spring shooting is promptly and thoroughly enforced, we 

 may bid farewell to the wood duck in that locality. Hon. Elon R. Brown, when 

 he procured the enactment of the law against spring shooting in Jefferson County, 

 performed a meritorious and most creditable act; and now, if the officers to 

 whom the enforcement of the law is entrusted will do their duty promptly and 

 effectively, great good may be accomplished. It is a source of regret that the 

 provisions of the law were not extended to other counties, especially those 

 embraced in the lake and river region. 



It may be considered somewhat out of place to make a suggestion here; but 

 I hope that it is not wholly inappropriate. In view of the fact that the area of 

 cleared land is constantly increasing, and in the same ratio the wooded area 

 diminishing, so also are the nesting places of many of our home breeders, such 

 as the wood duck and other tree fowl, becoming fewer and more difficult of 

 access to the birds. In proportion as suitable nesting places grow less the broods 

 fall off; and these causes, in connection with corpulent game bags filled to 

 repletion by greedy hunters, soon result in ridding us entirely of these species. 



My suggestion is, that a law should be passed limiting the number of ducks 

 and shore birds to be taken at any one time to not more than a dozen. Anglers 

 are limited to taking a certain number of bass at any one time. Why not 

 extend the law to fowl ? Bass are a hundred times more numerous than our game 

 fowl, and yet I have seen as many ducks brought in, the spoil of a single gun, 

 as the angler was allowed bass as the trophy of a single rod. The true sportsman 

 ought to be satisfied with half a dozen brace of ducks, while the pot hunter should 

 be legislated out of business entirely. What really ought to be done, is the 

 enactment of a law prohibiting the killing of any of our home breeding birds, ducks 

 especially, for a term, say, of five years. At the end of that period duck shooting 

 would be a pleasant pastime, and there would be some chance that now and then 

 a choice morsel might reach our tables. 



My attention has just now been called to another fact which may be very 

 properly considered by our lawmakers, and that is, that one of the greatest enemies 

 of the wood duck in this locality is the pickerel, so called here, but properly the 

 pike. These fish are classed among game fish in our waters, a bit of the most 

 inconsistent legislation on our statutes. The pickerel destroys more bass spawn, 



