386 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Dec. 14, 188& 



"CAME PROTECTION FOR THE PEOPCE." 

 — - Wrest and, strmm: 



Congratulating you and the public upon the active ami 

 growing interest, in so many quarters, in the pro! eel km of 

 the game and tish of tie- State, lei me submit for considera- 

 tion, in the framing of provisions either amendatory or in 

 lieu of the present game law, the following, 

 "Hi'tiinit'i,,/ and Stm-ffunttng." 



In February, last year, you formulated, under the above 

 caption, certain questions intended to elucidate the com- 

 parative merits of those methods of hunting in their rela- 

 tion to game preservation, and solicited "concise state- 

 ments" in response. 



The first four inquiries propounded con lined attenl ion to 

 hounding and still-bunting, their respective methods and 

 effects : 



"1. What is the character or the country referred to? 



"*. Wh.it is the prevailing method ol ' ml it leer! 



"3. Describe ln.ini.liin: deer as practiced m II. e s.-cl.ion referred I... 

 and it cftecLs. Does II drive ilea? out of the eountryj 



"4. Describe, in like manner, still-nuutiUK and its effects." 



It. is regretted that what has been written in reply has not 

 been responsive to your inquiries. Very general expression 

 of opinion upon the comparative merits', or rather demerits. 

 of the different methods by several \vrilers, without state 

 tneiits of the fads claimed 'to justify them, has contributed 

 little or nothing satisfactory. If the dispute were to be set- 

 tled by the "greater poll," u decision might, no doubt, be BO 

 facilitated, but not a correct judgment. Opinions, to be 

 authoritative at all, must necessarily be based upon large 

 experience, and would very likely be aggressive and biased 

 by strong partiality for a favorite pastime. 



One of the methods of hunting is concedcdlv more de- 

 structive than the other. Their advocates impliedly admit 

 this, eagerly assert it in their mutual criminations. Can we 

 rely upon this mere badinage for a correct conclusion? If 

 not, what better can be dona? The answer Is, give us (lie 

 facts, and appeal to a candid public for judgment" For the 

 facts, then— soliciting always' criticism and correction: 



1. The character Of the country referred to. It is broken, 

 mountainous, covered with forest; contains innumerable 

 lakes and ponds which discharge their surplus waters 

 through creeks ami rivers traversing it, into principal out- 

 lets to the ocean. This is the Adirondack region, in North- 

 ern New York. 



2. The prevailing methods of hunting deer. The methods 

 are still-hunting, floating, and hounding, each prevailing as 

 season and chances .ire most, favorable to it, floating i einsr 

 most practiced in warm weather where deer are abundant'; 

 still-hunting in fall and winter, and hounding at all limes 

 where it promises most destruction, and as a supplement to 

 other methods when their resources fail. 



"3. Describe hounding deer as practiced iu the section re- 

 ferred to, and its effects. Does it drive deer out of the 

 country?" Answer: Two or more persons confederate under 

 the captaincy of a "guide" or knowing huntsman. He dis- 

 tributes the shooters about on points on islands, or iu boats, 

 where the "runways" are and deer will be likely to lie driven 

 to water, and with* one to a half dozen dogs— as many as he 

 has and can manage — he fakes to the woods to look for 

 fresh signs. He pursues the search until, if possible, be 

 has successively started all the dogs, and then makes his way 

 back. Deer that may be started are driven before the dogs 

 until, from precipitate necessity, or after having exhausted 

 their strength in unsuccessful efforts to escape pursuit, they 

 instinctively take to the water as a last chance for their lives, 

 and such of them as are there intercepted by the watchers 

 are slaughtered. 



In explanation it should be told that the professional 

 "guide," or proficient in this business, despises the hound 

 pure and simple. He has no purpose such blooded thing 

 can serve. From natural stolidity or long familiarity he is 

 insensible to romance of situation and surroundings, and 

 the poetry of the chase. The butting crag, the towering 

 mountain, the blazing splendors of autumnal verdure 'robed 

 in frosi, duplicate in the nether sky of stilly waters, the 

 answering echo, and the charm that cloud and sunshine give 

 to scenic grandeur are no more to him than incitement to 

 dog the mother and her nestling kids, no more to the 

 appreciative Oscars liugcring on the watches than oppor- 

 tunity to bravely rush on helplessness in the water and beat 

 a skull in. And SO, in abomination of all long-eared dogs, 

 the necessities of this method with thoughtful foresight 

 have bred a hybrid, with just nose enough to take fresh 

 spoor, and legs enough to run the game "straight to water." 



The "effect" is apparent. Deer, not able to elude the 

 dogs by flight to remote parts or unguarded waters, are 

 destroyed. Such as escape for the nonoe, driven per- 

 haps miles from favorite haunts, materially, often fatally 

 injured by the terrors and casualties of the' chase, are the 

 victims, to-morrow, of a fate escaped to-day. 



The effect of this method upon suckling does— and the 

 fawns are not weaned until late in the season — may be con- 

 ceived. It beggars description. 



(In parenthesis let me state as germane, to the subject 

 something that came under my personal observation : Late 

 in July, in the vicinity of the headwaters of the Raquette 

 Kiver, a large doe, driven by dogs across a hcavcr-ini adov. \ 

 staggered and fell several limes after Stopping to turn and 

 listen. Where she entered the cover over rock and lichen 

 her dugs dripped bloody milk.) 



In narrating the effects of this method of bunting one 

 must use general terms. Happily, however, general state- 

 ment may be qualified. Manygcntlcmen attracted to the 

 Adirondaeks by legitimate tastes, and for legitimate sport 

 yielding from inadequate appreciation of its infamy to par- 

 ticipation in such "sport," are its witnesses and its de- 

 nouncers. In point of numbers it may be estimated that 

 hounding is as destructive as any other method. 



"Does it drive deer out of the country ?" you ask. No. 

 forsooth they have not that alternative. One of your cor- 

 respondents affirms as his opinion that hounding does not 

 drive the deer out of the territory. He evidently liases his 

 opinion on the fact that no diminution is observed in their 



ii ' i, without considering that a question of identity is 



involved, that no one will pretend to determine, and that 

 other and contiguous territory is also hounded, so that habi- 

 tat of to-day is refuge on the morrow, this alternation en- 

 suing until exterminator. And this distribution constantly 

 equalized, fatally exposes the game in all quarters to multi- 

 plied efforts at destruction. 



"4. Describe in like manner still-hunting and its effects. " 

 Answer: Still-hunting is the pitting against the instinctive 

 wariness and cunning of the deer, the intelligent and prac- 

 ticed artifice of man. It is practiced by stalking on the 

 leaves or bottom, and on the snow, when the moccasin 



presses silently and conditions of weather are favorable. 

 The effects of this method on the game, is most rapid de- 

 struction and as extensive as that of any other method, but 

 unattended by romp and dispersion that unsettles conditions 

 of thrift and procreation. This method is the favorite of 

 the market hunter, and its abuses the result of his cupiditv. 

 So much directly upon the subjects propounded. Some- 

 thing more just here upon the' comparative merits or de- 

 merits of the two methods. 



Still-hunting, by common consent and acquiescence, is as 

 a sport eminently legitimate. It calls into service faculties, 

 qualities, habits, essentially structural to mind and bodv. 

 It offers no inducements in it- uses to depravity of anykinil 

 Nature, in the interest of game preservation, sets effectual 

 limits to its exercise in the character and qualities of its 

 devotees, whose numbers are comparatively limited, as she 

 does in conditions of season and weather, for it is only in 

 maturity and then only occasionally that she exposes her 

 game products to its capture. If not in its method, in its 

 extent it nitty be practically and effectually limited by legis- 

 lation. 



Hounding supplements every other method of destruction. 

 It is the multiple of all the evils and abuses tkreatcninsr 

 game extermination. Nature puts no restraints upon it's 

 method, save by an appeal to sensibilities it has depraved 

 in the gentility of its devotees as in the "guide" whose home 

 has heroine a shanty where he kennels with his doits. 

 There is no season, no hour of day or night, no bottom soft 

 or hard, snow or crust, no condition of weather when the 

 dog may not scour the most secluded game haunts; and 

 there is no quality or condition of humanity, on its legs, 

 that may not share the degradation of this pastime. 



LEOISLATION. 



As you suggest, "the laws are well enough so far as they 

 go, but of themselves they amount to nothing." This sug- 

 gests the remedy. Let the laws go further, and let officers 

 be provided and charged with their execution. 

 Ten additional State game protectors are required. 

 It should be provided that no person, other than a defend- 

 ant in an action, shall be exempt from testifying before a 

 grand jury, in any action or proceeding under the game 

 laws, on the ground that solicited testimony would charge, 

 or tend to charge, or inculpate, or tend to inculpate, the 

 witness in any such action or proceeding, provided, that 

 such testimony shall not be used against such witness in 

 any action or proceeding whatever.' This provision will 

 provide detectives whenever there shall be confederation, 

 and supply a defect that has rendered the proper execution 

 of the law impossible. 



Thus much generally. Some sf the specific, provisions 

 and amendments required are: 



1. One making the possession of all protected fish, in the 

 close season, an offense. A similar provision in the present 

 statutes applies only to trout. 



'J. One providing that placing nets in waters when! any 

 protected tish may enter them Dfl prohibited, and providing 

 that they may be taken and destroyed. 



The present law prescribes the ridiculous farce of their 

 exposure to sale, to be purchased by a combination of law- 

 breakers, for a nominal sum and replaced in prohibited 

 places. 



3. One prohibiting spring shooting. The sportsmen of 

 New York can afford to take the initiative and effect this 

 salutary reform by the influence of their example. 



•I. One prohibiting hounding or pursuing deer with dogs 

 in any part of the State, 



St. Lawrence county enjoys the advantages of such a pro- 

 hibition, and her energetic game club enforces its observ- 

 ance. 



5. One providing that one State game protector shall be 

 appointed for each county in the Adirondack region; and 

 that the several game protectors of the State shall tile, 

 quarterly, wilh the county clerk of the county for which he 

 may have, been appointed, a statement verified by his oath, 

 giving a detailed account of the number of days spent in the 

 discharge of his duty, and where spent, and of the service 

 rendered, and an itemized account of his expenses therein. 

 It especially concerns the success of game and fish protec- 

 tion, that game protectors should be located in most exposed 

 parts, that their only recommendation to office shall be 

 capacity and efficiency, and that they shall hold their places 

 by no otber tenure. 



" Cannot the sportsmen of the Stats of New York set an ex- 

 ample of civil service reform, and lift the appointment of 

 State game protectors out of partisan politics'/ 



Why Not? 



The Adirondack, Dec. 2, 1884. 



Editor Forest ana) Stmtiu: 



Your editorial in the issue of your most excellent journal 

 of Nov, 38 in regard to game law amendments is timely, 

 but will it be beetled? 



For years I have been advocaling just what you now 

 recommend, and 1 think I first originated the thought in re- 

 gard to appropriation and the appointment of at least fif- 

 teen fish commissioners or fish protectors for the dear old 

 woods comprising the Adirondack seclion. But can we 

 with so much red tape around game law papers effect any- 

 thing? The curse of politics seems to stand in the way. 

 When too late politicians and sportsmen will wake up and 

 see the deer and trout extinguished. As you say, "Now no 

 one will say that our game jaws, as they at present stand in 

 the various sections of our country, arc at all what they 

 should be; but if they were properly and sternly enforced 

 they would do a vast amount of good", instead of," as is now 

 too Often the ease, accomplisbingnotliing til all." 



No WOl'ds of more truth ever uttered. This past year, 

 when in the woods, a certain game constable was reminded 

 of certain parties who were operating with set lines, and be 

 took no more notice of it than to a passing cloud. We 

 want men who are not afraid to act when called upon. The 

 commissioner or constable alluded to will be watched dur- 

 ing 1888. Game in the Adirondaeks is fast decreasing in- 

 stead of increasing. My thirty years there, in every sum- 

 mer remaining for months, enables me to make this painful 

 charge. Observes. 



Editor Forest and S/nam: 



Your valuable editorial iu issue of Nov. 23, and the com- 

 munication from the Utica Protective Association, open the 

 campaign in tine style, and St. Lawrence county would like 

 to speak a word in season. We have in this region also a 

 society incorporated and organized for the same beneficent 

 purposes as the Utica association, which society is more or 

 less aliv 



couraging voice 



spots, and upon the members of which your eu- 

 oice will, let us hope, be as the sound of Gabriel's 



trump. It is an up hill business for private individuals to 

 enforce i lie laws of the State at their own cost, and however 

 zealous they may be for a time their efforts are sure to lan- 

 guish if the strain is too long continued, it, may do for a 

 short spurt, for instance, to help the poor State over a 

 financial difficulty, but for a steady iking you can't rely 



Your editorial opens with the leniark that "it is almost 

 time for the tinkering to begin." Let me ask, most respect- 

 fully if it is nit rstki-r almost time the tinker!- 

 done? Some time in the past summer the State association 

 sent out a circular letter accompanied by a list of questions, 

 to which it solicited replies, asking at the same time for 

 suggestions in reference to a new game law. lo the end that 

 information and expressions on the subject mi<rkt be 

 gathered from till patts of the State, and a bill framed 

 which should be simple, effective and likely to receive gen- 

 eral support. It was stated that such a lull would be pre- 

 pared and copies distributed or printed so that we could all 

 have a chance to sec it, the idea being to get a bill that all 

 interested could unite upon and support, "The plan was a 

 good one, but what has become of it? Our society re- 

 sponded promptly, but nothing has since been heard from it. 

 Perhaps the committee appointed by the State association 

 lor the purpose have prepared their bill, if so. it is very 

 desirable that copies should be sent without loss of time to 

 at least all the protective societies in the State in order to 

 secure their approval and active co-operation. If an effort 

 is to be made this eomimr winter t., secure an amended same 

 lftw there is no time to be lo t It i- May important, if not 

 absolutely essential, to its passage that the bill be agreed 

 upon and ready to present to Hie Legislature immediately 

 upon its organization. 



Of course we have our opinions, and very decided ones as 

 to some things which sueh a. law ought to contain, but 

 whether renewed effort, to improve the law shall be made 

 or not, the St. Lawrence Game Club desire's in Hie loudest 

 and most emphatic language to second your efforts towards 

 securing an efficient ami sufficient body of officers, well 

 paid, to enforce such laws as we now have, until we do get 

 better ones. The numbei of eame and h-di protectors now 

 authorized by law leielii, i- ruiinly inadequate lo do the 

 work required, in the distribution of those few officers 

 we have especial reason to complain, as all that part of the 

 State lying north and west of the Adirondack Mountains, 

 say the counties of Franklin. Si. Lawrence, Lewis and 

 Jefferson, was left wholly unprovided for, and there is cer- 

 tainly no portion of the State of equal area which has so 

 many streams, or grittier forests, or more game and fish, or 

 which stands more in need of protection. How much longer: 

 we shall have either game or fish to protect if left to our in- 

 dividual efforts, remains to be seen; not very long, if is side 

 to predict. Our efforts, however, during tire two years of 

 our organized existence have not been altogether fruitless, 

 foi we have awakened a good degree of interest in the sub- 

 ject, brought a number of offenders to justice, and created 

 a wholesome apprehension in the minds of other evil-dis- 

 posed persons, that it is not altogether safe to violate the 

 game law in some parts of the territory above mentioned, at 

 feast, and for all of which we have had the privilege of pay- 

 ing. I was about to say enjoyed the privilege, but that 

 would not be a perfectly accurate expression. We shall, 

 as you express the hope that all such societies will do, con- 

 tinue to work and pay a lit tie while longer in the hope that 

 the State will do its duty and come to the rescue, but we are 

 getting tired and need relief, and that speedily. It 

 is scandalous for the Slate to pass laws and leave their en- 

 forcement to private individuals. You have struck the key 

 note of the whole chorus, and let us keep harping upon it 

 until we have secured a sufficient corps of reliable and well 

 paid officers to enforce ine laws we now have, and get better 

 ones whenever we can. Let the war cry be: "The State 

 must enforce its game laws or go out of the business." 

 L. D. Hoard, 

 President St. Lawrence Game Club. 



VIRGINIA QUAIL GROUNDS. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: 



I have just returned from a most enjoyable trip down to 

 Virginia, where quail do most abound 



I went down on the Old Dominion line and cannot, say 

 too much in praise of the comfort and kiud attention I re- 

 ceived on their steamers, both going and coming— clean, 

 light and well- ventilated staterooms, warm and comfortable 

 quarters for my dogs, and first-class table. Last season I 

 went by rail, but while the. outside trip takes a trifle longer, 

 the absence of many changes and the general comfort more 

 than compensates for the loss of time. 



I arrived at my destination in due time, and found the 

 old, cozy homeslead among the pines as comfortable as ever, 

 a big wood fire burning in the open fire-place, and all hands, 

 dogs included, glad to see me. My traps were soon un- 

 packed, shooting suit and blue flannel shirt took the place 

 of store clothes/and at last we were off. 



Owing lo its being the first cold snap the birds bad taken 

 to the woods, but still my friend showed me enough to sat- 

 isfy my modest desires, and though many easy shots were 

 missed, there were also some killed, and at night, when we 

 strung them in pairs before the cheerful open fire, while the 

 "toddies" smoked on the table by us. they made a "goodlie 

 show." 



1 devoted my week's trip— with the exception of one day 

 when we went on a turkey hunt and got none — to quail. 

 The wildfowl were not yet there, only just putting in an 

 appearance when 1 left. I also killed* a' few English snipe 

 and woodcock. When my time was up my birds made a hand- 

 some bunch, and owing to the cool weather were as fresh 

 and sweet us if shot that morning. When the last day ar- 

 rived I left with regret, bul have many pleasant incidents to 

 look back to through the long winter evenings now at hand, 

 to say nothing of ihe store of good Ileal tit laid up to carry 

 one through the hard indoor work of the coming scasou. 

 Would that more of our business men would take a couple 

 of weeks of hard walking in the cold, crisp, November 

 days. Game is reasonably plenty all tlnough that section. 

 There is hardly a station from one end to the other of the 

 C'hcseapeake & Ohio Kailway, which connects with the Old 

 Dominion line, that does not' offer good sport, and the Old 

 Dominion line takes youto some of thebest shooting grounds 

 on the Atlantic coast. 



My thank.- ...v ..No due to Mr. Harry W. Fuller, General 

 Ps jengei '■'-■ ol the Ofresapoake anjl Ohio Eailway for 

 his great kindin -s while cm my trip. W. Holbebtok. 



1 i 



