GAME PROTECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



PE.MIGEWASSETT. 



In February, 1898, there was organized 

 in Worcester, Mass., the Worcester County 

 Game Protective Association, with about 

 100 active members. It is composed of the 

 very best element of sportsmen in the com- 

 munity, united in their intention to benefit, 

 as far as they are able, the shooting condi- 

 tions in their neighborhood. It was the ex- 

 pressed sentiment of the members that the 

 efforts of the association should be devoted 

 entirely to the propagation and protection 

 of game birds in Worcester county, and 

 that the fish question should not be entered 

 upon. Some small associations have here- 

 tofore made the mistake of trying to work 

 on too many lines, and the concentration of 

 the Worcester association's efforts on the 

 above mentioned points proved a wise de- 

 cision. 



Half a dozen members subscribed $100 

 each, and by the energetic work of the Sec- 

 retary, Mr. E. F. Swan, something like 

 $1,200 was raised to further the work as out- 

 lined. 



In the spring, about 500 pairs of quail 

 were bought of Mr. Charles Payne, of 

 Wichita, Kan. The fact that these birds 

 made the long journey to Worcester in 

 prime condition, with no deaths worth 

 mentioning, speaks volumes for Mr. 

 Payne's capacity for his business. A New 

 York dealer sent 300 pairs, which arrived in 

 poor condition and a large number were 

 dead. The 1,500 quail liberated thrived 

 from the start; mated, raised good broods 

 and increased the local stock to numbers 

 unknown before. The crucial test of the 

 wisdom of this experiment will be found 

 in the way these birds survive the rigors of 

 a New England winter such as we are now 

 having. Only careful observation the com- 

 ing spring can tell in what measure we have 

 succeeded. 



The opponents of the project will say 

 that, with the feeding grounds covered with 

 snow, a Southward migration to the more 

 hospitable climate of Connecticut and 

 Rhode Island will ensue; but this is theory, 

 and future experience will have to finally 

 decide the question. At any rate, it was a 

 sincere and well carried-out endeavor to 

 improve the existing conditions and de- 

 serves commendation. 



The association sent placards broadcast 

 throughout the county, early in the season, 

 offering $10 reward for information which 

 would lead to the conviction of violators of 

 the game laws. Much assistance was ob- 

 tained in this way. the association always 

 shielding the giver of such aid. Before 

 the opening of the season there were em- 



ployed 2, and at times 3 and 4 wardens, 

 whose special work was against the out-of- 

 season shooters who for years have been 

 openly violating the law at the very out- 

 skirts of the city. No convictions were 

 secured but it is safe to say no season for 

 years has witnessed so little of this partic- 

 ular form of law-breaking. 



Later the wardens' labors were devoted 

 to snarers and the discoveries made were 

 indeed revelations. The numbers engaged 

 in this pursuit in the rural districts, the 

 number of birds shipped to market, the in- 

 genuity and craft displayed by all concerned 

 prove snaring a menace to the future wel- 

 fare of the birds, not lightly to be consid- 

 ered. One conviction was secured and in- 

 formation obtained which will make future 

 operations even more fruitful. 



It has been the aim of the association to 

 demonstrate to the lawless element that a 

 new order of things was to make persistent 

 law-breaking a dangerous pursuit. Thus 

 the association has done a great work and 

 has thereby merited and secured the sanc- 

 tion and encouragement of a large portion 

 of the community. The farmers have been 

 shown that the better class of sportsmen 

 can be of use to them in opposing the hood- 

 lum element distasteful to both. Indeed the 

 co-operation and encouragement of the 

 farmers has been a material aid in the work 

 thus far done. It is through the good 

 graces and the kindness of the farmers that 

 hunting is permitted. What ingratitude, 

 what. folly then, on the part of some men, to 

 antagonize them when by fair treatment 

 they may become allies against a common 

 enemy. 



The first year's work of the association 

 is closed and it is fair to claim that consid- 

 erable has been done for game preservation. 

 Another year the same work, with the sup- 

 port and co-operation of the members, will 

 be even more vigorously carried on ; and 

 it is the intention of those interested to in- 

 troduce the Mongolian pheasants, a work 

 requiring much labor and care. 



The croakers, who always oppose such a 

 movement as has been briefly outlined here, 

 have of course been more or less in evi- 

 dence and they have said the results did not 

 warrant the outlay. 



There is but one reply to make: this 

 work does cost money — a good deal of it, 

 for we have worked alone, unaided by state 

 or other organizations; but we count our 

 days afield so dear to us that every cent 

 spent in the preservation of our game is 

 well spent. The L. A. S. will soon be able 

 to give us valuable aid. 



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