FISH AND FISHING. 



49 



Deer and grouse were plentiful about 

 our camp; in fact, the deer came around 

 the camp every night. Often during the 

 day they could be seen going to the river, 

 drinking, and then walking quietly away. 

 The evening we broke camp a deer came 

 up and drank from one of our basins. 

 We left it there. 



C. G. Shepherd, Lathrop, Mich. 



IOWA MUST BE EDUCATED. 



A number of men here who are law- 

 abiding citizens in other ways, openly vio- 

 late the game and fish laws at all times 

 and seem to think it no more than their 

 right. Recently when the State game war- 

 den, George E. Delavan, suddenly dropped 

 into Spencer and made 24 arrests for 

 shooting fish at Trumbull lake, our worthy 

 citizens were indignant. They seem to 

 like our game warden about as much as the 

 Tennessee moonshiners like revenue of- 

 ficers. Out of the 24 arrested 2 of the 

 boys pleaded guilty and paid their fine for 

 shooting 7 pickerel at 916 each, costing 

 them $112. S. J. Green, Ed Inman and 

 Henry Brisbin were next taken before the 

 judge. They pleaded not guilty, and were 

 tried by the State's attorney. Although the 

 evidence was strong and convincing against 

 them the jury found them not guilty. The 

 jury was composed of a lot of old fogies 

 about town, who had probably never caught 

 a fish in their lives, and cared nothing: 

 about the enforcement of our game laws. 

 What can be done for game protection in 

 a community like this where nearly all of 

 the people sympathize with such violators? 

 Convictions in other cases could not be se- 

 cured even if the cases were pushed. 



Every one in Spencer knew that all of 

 those violators were guilty, for tl- y have 

 been in the habit of getting fish that way 

 every year for the past 10 years. They 

 not only shoot fish, but they use c 1 namite, 

 seine and every other despicable method, 

 which no true sportsman would use. We 

 have the Sion river and several other fine 

 streams about Spencer, and every spring 

 many fish run up ; but as the water gets 

 low in the summer they are nearly all 

 seined out and good fishing is ruined. 



Trumbull lake is 4 or 5 miles long, 4 to 

 15 feet deep, and is full of game fishes. 

 E. R. F., Spencer, Iowa. 



ANSWER. 



Answer. — Get your neighbors to join the 

 L. A. S. and we will soon teach them to 

 respect and obey the laws. — Editor. 



pickerel, pike and other game fishes which are still out of 

 season. The prisoner refused to answer the judge's ques- 

 tions as to where he obtaiued the fish and it was impos- 

 sible to say posiiively whether they were caught in this 

 state or shipped in f om an outside point. Alter due de- 

 liberation Judge Siivara fined the man $50 and gave him 

 until tiiis evening to furnish the cash, in lieu of which he 

 will be required to go to jail. The fish were held pending 

 a decision s to whether they should be condemned. 



The police have given it out in strong terms that they 

 purpose to enforce the game laws to the letter and 

 that a special effort will be made to arrest and convict 

 those who are reported to be seining the river every night 

 or using other illegal methods of catching fish. Tie 

 police are determined that poaching must be stopped. 



If the officers in other towns and cities 

 were as efficient as those of Johnstown the 

 game and fish would soon increase rapidly. 



I enclose clipping from our daily paper. 

 In the case against Ralph Sherwin he was 

 held for shooting 74 pickerel instead of 3, 

 as stated. 



Robt. Bourne, Burlington, Vt. 



Four Shelburne pond fishermen were in City Court yes- 

 tei day afternoon charged with shooting pickerel in viola- 

 tion of the statute, which provides for the protection of the 

 pond for a period of years from January i to May i. lhey 

 we'e L. A. Allen, Irving Isham, Austin McKenzie and 

 Ralph Sherwin. Irving Isham and L. A. Allen w ere found 

 guilty of 2 offences and fined as provided by law $5 for 

 each fish. An appeal was taken and Isham bailed Allen 

 and Allen bailed Isham in the sum of $50 each. 



Austin McKenzie was fined $10 and costs for 2 fish and 

 also appealed. Bail of $50 was furnished. 



In the case against Kalph Sherwin testimony showing 

 that he was seen to shoot 3 pickerel was introduced bv 

 the State and no contest was made. He was fined $45 

 and an appeal was taken. 



These men escaped too easily, but this is 

 good work, and they will probably observe 

 the law hereafter. — Editor. 



The enclosed clipping is from the Min- 

 neapolis Journal. What do you think of it? 

 A. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 



Fergus Falls, Minn. — Deputy Game Warden Bushnell 

 returned from Clitlieral', Tuesday, where he went to ap- 

 pear against the 23 fishermen whom he arrested on the 

 charge of violating the fish laws. He brought home 6 

 gill nets, but was able to secure only one conviction, and 

 that m.n was released on the payment of a $5 fine. Mr. 

 Bushnell is very mucn discouraged and Ins about con- 

 cluded the game laws can not be enforced whi e sentiment 

 remains as it is in this county. 



It seems discouraging, but the L. A. S. 

 is rapidly educating the public, and senti- 

 ment in favOr of enforcing the game and 

 fish laws is daily growing stronger among 

 the best class of people. Every angler in 

 the country should join the League and 

 thus support wardens in enforcing the 

 laws. — Editor. 



NIBBLE?. 

 The following interesting item recently 

 appeared in a Johnstown (Pa.) paper: 



The police arrested a fish dealer last evening who was 

 peddling fish. He had a wagon well filled with bas^, 



I have been on a trip to Pond Eddy, Pa., 

 after trout. The hunting and fishing there 

 are all I could wish. Ruffed grouse, 

 squirrels and rabbits are numerous, with 

 an occasional deer, fox or bear. There 

 are 3 good trout streams within a mile and 

 a half of the hotel. The streams are 

 rocky, with deen pools. I was there 10 



