126 Second Annual Report of the 



The few recommendations that I have cited of changes in the 

 conservation law relating to fish and game are given for the pur- 

 pose of illustrating how easily the law can be amended so it will 

 be as perfect as any law can be made. 



Non-Sale of Native Game. 



The measure prohibiting the sale of native game is without a 

 doubt one of the best laws ever enacted in the State of New York 

 for the preservation of our native wild game. It not only pre- 

 serves our native game, but closes to the pot hunters the 

 greatest market in this country, namely, New York city, 

 which in past years used at least one hundred thousand wild 

 ducks and snipe alone. These birds had been shipped to New 

 York markets from other states and sold therein during the close 

 season for wild duck and snipe in New York under bond by the 

 dealer. This bond permitted the dealer to sell game, provided 

 a waybill was produced when an inspection of his premises was 

 made, showing that the game came from without the State. 

 Under this system it was easy for a dealer, after buying one ship- 

 ment from without the State, to sell all the native game he wanted 

 to, provided they were not in excess of the number of birds desig- 

 nated by his waybill. There was a good deal of sentiment against 

 the law which permitted the sale of wild duck or snipe, which at 

 some time or other during their migration were found in our 

 State, where they could not be taken. The situation with refer- 

 ence to the sale of grouse or quail was somewhat similar to the 

 conditions in regard to duck and snipe. This is all done away 

 with by our present tagging system, which distinctly classifies the 

 game that may be sold, placing it in such shape that it may be 

 easily recognized, even after the head and feathers have been 

 removed. The law provides that the tag must remain on the 

 carcass until it is consumed, and the hotels and restaurants cook 

 the birds with the tag attached. 



The only objections to the tagging law have come from the 

 people whose entire interest is killing game for market purposes ; 

 and while a great many people are beginning to realize the fact 

 that game is a valuable asset to the people, there are always a 

 few who will object to the law which curtails their selfish 

 interests. 



