FOR A LEAGUE OF AMERICAN SPORTSMEN. 



Scranton, Pa. 



Editor Recreation: In your October 

 number I note an interesting letter propos- 

 ing a " League of American Sportsmen." 

 The idea is good, and I should like to see 

 such an organization in the field as soon as 

 it can be effected. It would be a most ef- 

 fective means of preventing the taking of 

 game out of season, and would make an 

 end to the wanton slaughter of game by 

 alleged sportsmen. 



One great difficulty in securing convic- 

 tions, for violations of game laws, is the 

 apathy of local sportsmen in making com- 

 plaints. They dislike to prosecute those 

 known to be guilty, because they happen 

 to live in the same neighborhood. 



Such an organization as is proposed 

 would take the place of private individuals, 

 as prosecutors, and would be far more of 

 a terror to evil-doers than any machinery 

 that now exists. Game hogs, and violators 

 of game laws, would be careful not to let 

 their doings be known in communities 

 where numerous members of such an asso- 

 ciation were known'to live. 



Besides aiding in the enforcement of 

 present laws, the L. A. S. would be a power 

 in the framing of better laws, and in look- 

 ing after the more effective preservation of 

 game. 



Devotees of the rod and gun need little 

 to engender a fraternal feeling. No class 

 of men meet more nearly on a level than 

 true sportsmen; yet such an organization 

 would be valuable even in this respect. 

 Considered from any stand-point, business, 

 pleasure, fraternity or game protection, 

 such an association would be beneficial. 

 Let us get together and organize, as soon 

 as possible. W. A. Ballard. 



Editor Recreation: Mr. Lydecker's 

 plan for a L. A. S., as outlined in the Oc- 

 tober Recreation, forcibly appeals to me. 

 Nothing is more effective than judicious 

 organization, based on co-operation. Pri- 

 vate capital is doing much for fish and game 

 preservation; but the Corbins and the 

 Vanderbilts cannot do it all, even with 

 legislative aid. Here is a scheme whereby 

 personal interest may be commuted into 

 the equivalent of capital. 



There are several reasons, why this prop- 

 osition, in its general aim and scope, is to 

 be most warmly commended. In the first 

 place, it is comprehensive. Not very much 

 can be accomplished by desultory, or mere 

 sectional, work. Then, it is based on the 

 correct principle — that, in order to get your 

 statutes properly enforced, you must first 



get general public sympathy with their pur- 

 pose, if not with all that they carry in in- 

 dividual cases. In the next place, but right 

 in this connection, it would have a stimu- 

 lating effect on public sentiment, and would 

 elevate the " honor " watchword among 

 sportsmen. An esprit de corps would be es- 

 tablished that would be far more powerful 

 in results than most legislation. Finally, it 

 would tend to unify legislation on broad 

 lines of experience, rather than of experi- 

 ment. 



Edward W. Wild, Keene, N. H. 



Passaic, N. J. 



Editor Recreation: I have read with 

 interest, the paper in October Recreation 

 regarding a League of American Sports- 

 men, and it seems to me the suggestion is 

 worthy of careful consideration. Anything 

 which will help to protect the game, and 

 to strengthen the growing sentiment in 

 that direction, is sure to meet with the ap- 

 proval and support of all thoughtful sports- 

 men. 



A movement of this sort, once started, 

 would be carried along by its own momen- 

 tum. The community of feeling among 

 sportsmen is proverbial, and many, even 

 from selfish motives, would probably iden- 

 tify themselves with it. 



If the plan were also to include the pres- 

 ervation of our song birds, the general pub- 

 lic would also contribute their moral and 

 material support. The gun clubs, all over 

 the country, would most likely lend their 

 aid, and, in fact, there seems no limit to the 

 possibilities of such an organization. 



No better medium than Recreation 

 could be suggested for spreading the gospel 

 of game protection. Its stand on that ques- 

 tion has already been taken and it reaches 

 a great and growing class of intelligent 

 readers. 



I am in favor of the plan, and ready to 

 enlist in the ranks. 



Arthur F. Rice. 



Editor Recreation: I heartily endorse 

 the proposition of Mr. Lydecker for a 

 League of American Sportsmen. In view 

 of the prevailing passion for the destruc- 

 tion of all living creatures, every movement 

 calculated to promote the preservation of 

 our native fauna should be hailed with de- 

 light, by every lover of nature. Such a 

 League as is now proposed could, and as- 

 suredly would, accomplish important re- 

 sults in the line of protection and preserva- 

 tion; and my only wonder is that such a 

 movement as is now proposed was not in- 



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