April 22, 1886 ] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



245 



THE UTICA ASSOCIATION. 



THE sixth annual meeting of the Utica Association for the 

 Protection of Fish and Game was held April 14. 

 President I. J. Gray presided and John D. Collins acted as 

 secretary. President Gray read his annual report, which 

 was as follows: 



To the Members of the Utica Fish and Game Protective 

 Association: 



The report of our treasurer shows a balance on hand at the 

 close of the year of $48 35, and that we have expended 

 during the year the sum of $84 85. That the amount ex- 

 pended in but a small degree indicates the work performed 

 by the officers of the association, is shown by the report of 

 our secretary; indeed it will appear that the board has been 

 more than usually active, while it has kept in view the 

 greatest possible economy, I am gratified to be able to say 

 that the members of the board of directors have each and all 

 shown much zeal and considerable self-sacrifice in behalf of 

 the cause. 



I think I can safely say that this applies with much force 

 to our secretary, as the excellent and convenient synopsis of 

 our game laws — almost entirely his work — and drafts of new 

 game laws and amendments of the old, newspaper discus- 

 sions of protective measures and an extensive correspon- 

 dence will prove. 



Much of the work of the association, from its very 

 nature, can not appear on the surface to give proof of its 

 extent and value. 



Much has been accomplished — but infinitely more re- 

 mains to be done, and as the people become awake to the 

 need and value of protection, we must become more aggres- 

 sive. The unprincipled market hunter, increased facilities 

 for killing wild animals, the destruction of their haunts by 

 the agriculturist and the manufacturer, all combine to 

 diminish the domain of the sportsman; and he already 

 dreads the coming of the day when he will "feel like one 

 who treads alone some banquet hall deserted, whose lights 

 are fled, whose garlands dead, and all but he departed." 



The time has come when we should demand that our game 

 animals should be exempt from slaughter for gain. We can 

 not begin the agitatiou of this subject too soon, and I hope 

 this association will take the initiative here and now. 



1 must not close this communication without again making 

 an appeal for a large increase of membership. Can it be 

 that the interest of the citizens of TJtiea and vicinity is to be 

 measured by the pittance of less than $100 of dues annually 

 paid into the treasury of the association for fish and game 

 protection? There should be at least $500 collected an- 

 nually in dues alone. The State protectors are doing much, 

 but they can not cover the ground. We need private de- 

 tective work. They are not sufficiently mobilized, nor are 

 they in sufficient numbers. Every man in Utica who is in- 

 terested in the cause of protection should become a member 

 of this association, and pay his dues promptly. Our battle 

 is going on bravely, but we need, and must have, reinforce- 

 ments. 



The report was adopted and ordered placed on file. Sec- 

 retary Collins then mad his annual report, which was as 

 follows: 



To the Members of the Utica Fish and Game Protective 

 Association: 



This association is now entering upon its sixth year. Tt 

 was organized as you will recollect because the so-called 

 State association ana local clubs were not managed according 

 to the needs of fish and game protection. Their manage- 

 ment was degenerating into mere tournaments of prowess, 

 dexterity and contests of destruction. 



Protection and preservation as such had become a mere 

 incidental matter. Our earlier efforts though crude were in 

 the right directiou, and under the management of your 

 trustees its efforts have gradually been perfected into a 

 system strictly of the business affairs which relate to replen- 

 ishing, restocking, detection and prosecution of violators, 

 the supervision of laws before the Legislature, and the draft- 

 ing, preparing and consideration of new laws for enactment 

 as may from time to time seem to be necessary to the pur- 

 pose of protection. 



The dues upon membership which have been each year 

 contributed constitute the only revenue of the association. 

 As the reports of officers will show, these funds, although 

 limited, have been judiciously husbanded and so prudently 

 expended to the purposes intended as to warrant good 

 results. 



In the administration of our corporate affairs the duties of 

 your trustees have not been those of pastime or pleasure. 

 They hold no festivities, entertainments or tournaments of 

 any kind. On the contrary their duties have been wholly of 

 labor requiring the exercise of judgment, discrimination, 

 wisdom and consideration. 



In this respect your board have been effectually* aided by 

 the legal advice and assistance contributed by those members 

 of the board of that profession. The most important duties 

 of the board are of a legal nature, particularly as to detec- 

 tions, violations, prosecutions and framing of laws. 



In former years it was necessary to employ and pay 

 counsel, an expense which crippled our resources, and left 

 but little for other purposes. This expense during the past 

 two years has been avoided by the advice and efforts 

 which the legal members have contributed without charge 

 beyond their actual expense; bestowing their service gratis 

 and paying their annual dues like other members. The re- 

 sult of this has been a larger surplus to devote to the purpose 

 of restocking and replenishing, also to publish and distribute 

 an abbreviation of the game laws, to the purpose that the 

 law will be better observed and enforced by being more 

 widely known. 



The association has already acquired a reputation and es- 

 teem over the whole State. The success within our own 

 and neighboring countries has been equally beneficial, 

 well worth our contributions, by promoting public regard 

 for protection and a more general observance and sanction of 

 protective laws. Observance has been the rule where form- 

 erly ic was the exception. Such of us as are sportsmen will 

 no doubt appreciate the benefits. When we take a day off 

 at considerable expense and effort, we wish some assurance, 

 and our pleasure depends on the success we meet. 



In this connection your board of trustees would feel them- 

 selves guilty of neglecting an important duty if they were to 

 suffer this meeting to pass without bringing to your notice 

 the invaluable aid to our efforts which have been ably con- 

 tributed by the press. The Morning Herald and Eveninq 

 Observer and the Forest and Stream of New York have 

 each during the past year been magnificently bountiful in 

 allowing us their valuable space and by articles written in 

 the dissemination of information bearing upon this subject. 

 That this has been done without money and without price is ' 



a matter we should not only appreciate and esteem, but 

 should tender them an especial mention of our gratitude. 

 The Daily Press has also shown us the same spirit of cour- 

 tesy and has contributed its full share in the promotion of 

 our objects. The benefits which these newspapers have ac- 

 corded have been such in some instance as your trustees 

 would not have felt at liberty to accept without paying for 

 them except under the circumstances of our voluntary con- 

 tribution of funds and services in objects of a public nature. 

 We have accordingly assumed that their contributions are in 

 the same spirit which prompts our own and that they are 

 fully awake to all matters of interest. Too much has been 

 said that the protection of fish and game is for purposes of 

 sport and recreation. We do not so entirely esteem it. If 

 sport and recreation were the only objects for cultivating 

 and protecting fish and game, we should consider our efforts 

 and expenditures trivial and trifling. 



In the discharge of our duties, we have discovered that the 

 popular notion of "sport" has been a hindrance rather than 

 an aid to our efforts. It has been a leading consideration, 

 when in fact it is only a matter of secondary or incidental 

 importance; so that protection has received not only an in- 

 different attention, when it is entitled to an important con- 

 sideration, and place among the affairs of state. 



Fish and game constitute a source of wealth and supply. 

 They come like our fruits and cereals with the season, but 

 without husbandry and without care. 



They are self-producing and self-sustaining — are wild in 

 their nature; are capable of self-replenishing to a degree of 

 present waste ; unlike cattle and sheep. Whoever gathers 

 them into possession becomes the owner at common law; 

 hence the need of restrictive laws. The Adirondack wild- 

 erness has lately become a public park, as to State lands. 

 This region embraces millions of square miles of forest, lake 

 and stream. It has a capacity for feeding and sustaining 

 tens of thousands of deer, with vast amounts of other game 

 and valuable fish, which by the common law are public 

 property and a public source of wealth and food. In this 

 view the subject is one of importance in the economic and 

 domestic affairs of the state. Beside it, the matter of "sport 

 and recreation" is insignificant. This source of wealth and 

 food is iu proportion to the plant. If the plant be large, the 

 annual supply is vast— small and of little consequence if the 

 plant be small. When this plant has become so far reduced 

 that its self-producing power is not sufficient to supply the 

 annual waste and ravages of the vicious and law- defying, 

 no laws can avail to prevent total extinction. The "goose 

 is dead that laid the golden egg." The question is now, 

 before too late: 1. What is the self-sustaining capacity of the 

 Adirondacks? 2. What measures are necessary to bring 

 the yet remaining plant up to the sustaining capacity? 3. 

 What efforts can we make to bring it to the proper notice of 

 our legislators, and gain their impartial ear, amid the din 

 and clamor of loud-mouthed pot-hunters and job seekers 

 that infest legislative halls — a state of things incompatible 

 with that mature consideration and preparation which all 

 good laws so necessarily require? 



From all indications around us we are gratified and en- 

 couraged by the assurance that public opinion is steadily 

 advancing to a better comprehension of this subject and its 

 importance. But the work is by no means completed. 

 There is still more before us. Our game laws are yet im- 

 perfect, and can be greatly improved in time when public 

 sentiment has become more matured. The greedy spirit of 

 the pot-hunter, and the selfish and inconsistent clamor of 

 impatieut and enthusiastic sportsmen with new rods or 

 guns, arc obstacles yet in our way, asking for more liberal 

 or loose laws to accomplish personal aims or conveniences. 

 These constantly need our watchfulness, lest our legis- 

 lative work may be undone by inattention, since bills of this 

 nature are constantly offered. Our present Legislature is no 

 exception in this respect. It is rather to be siguahzed by an 

 over amount of effort to annul good laws. 



In respect to our song birds, there is a vast field of labor 

 before us, which needs the combined effort of every mem- 

 ber, not only of the association, but of community. Our 

 song birds are depleted to an extent that will seem mar- 

 velous to the unreflective mind. Yet it is a fact that can be 

 witnessed the coming season. If we will notice the number 

 of ladies who wear the plumage of birds we will wonder that 

 any be left. 



The prevailing fashion in this respect is one of giddy 

 thoughtlessness, of the fact that every birdskin or wing worn 

 upon bonnets cost the life of a bird. The avarice of mer- 

 chants knows no bounds in supplying them to all who have 

 money to pay for them. As a consequence we may soon ex- 

 pect insect ravages only equalled by the grasshopper plagues. 

 Tne combined efforts of community are needed without 

 delay, to discountenance this dangerous fashion, worse than 

 folly, and to teach our ladies the direful consequences of 

 their indulgence in this sort of decoration. Another form of 

 destruction is by parents allowing their boys to have guns, 

 and who go about the fields on holidays killing every bird 

 they meet. If the small boys must have guns they should 

 be taught to spare the birds. 



Ladies are cordially invited to co operate with us in this 

 work, as it must be from their influence and example that 

 practical benefit must come. 



The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that 

 the thanks of this association and of its members be ten 

 dered to the Utica Morning Herald, the Utica Daily Observer, 

 the Daily Press, of this city and to the Forest and Stream 

 of New York city, for their efficient aid to the efforts of 

 this association and in behalf of the preservation of fish and 

 game. 



The following officers for the ensuing year were unani- 

 mously elected: President, Colonel I. J. Gray; directors, I. 

 C. Mcintosh, John D. Collins, Frank I. Meyers, W. ' C. 

 Harris, W. K. Gilmore, Dr. C. M. Hitchcock, ' Willi am 

 Townsend. The vice-president, secretary and treasurer are 

 appointed by the board of directors. 



The Forest and Stream takes strong ground against 

 the building of a railroad through Yellowstone Park. 

 A committee of the Senate has reported favorably on 

 a bill granting the right of way, and the Forest and Stream 

 tears the report into shreds, and shows that there is nothing 

 in it except a mere pandering to rich monopolists. This is 

 about the way such things are generally done. It is not a 

 difficult matter for rich capitalists to lobby any scheme 

 through Congress. We are sorry to say it, but it i3 so neverthe- 

 less. Yellowstone Park is too far away for us to feel any 

 interest in this particular case, but we are opposed to it upon 

 principle. The public lands belong to the whole people; to 

 the poorest as much as to the richest man in the country and 

 should not be surrendered to the speculators and grasping 

 monopolist to be despoiled.— Sardis, Miss., Southern Reporter 



SPRING WILDFOWL SHOOTING. 



Editor Forest and Strewn: 



Occasionally the suggestion is made that there ought to be 

 a national prohibition of spring wildfowl shooting; but, so 

 far as the writer is advised, there has been no general agita- 

 tion of the subject. With all due deference to the men who 

 have so ably and gracefully conducted journals especially 

 adapted to the tastes and interests of the sportsman in this 

 country, it does seem that this is one important subject that 

 has not received the consideration its importance merits. It 

 is a well-known fact that on some of the migratory lines of 

 duck, geese and brant more birds are killed iu the spring 

 than fall. When it is considered, first, that the killing of 

 one wildfowl in the spring is equal to the destruction of from 

 two to a half dozen in the fall, there is good and sufficient 

 reason for asking that the spring slaughter should stop. 

 When the further argument is .added that the spring birds 

 are comparatively unpalatable, there is really no reason why 

 any sportsman should shoot them. 



Of course the pot-hunters and keepers of spring resorts 

 will oppose any legislation interfering with their trade. But 

 these are probably the only parties who will object to an act 

 of Congress prohibiting the shooting of any wild game fowl 

 in the spring of the year. National legislation is the only 

 way to reach this matter. It is useless for Indiana, for in- 

 stance, to prohibit the shooting of duck in the spring when 

 there is no such inhibition in Kentucky, Illinois or other 

 adjoining States. But if Congress would pass a well consid- 

 ered act, the remedy for the evil of spring shooting would be 

 complete. Its effects would soon be apparent. In less than 

 four years the number of wildfowl in this country would be 

 doubled, and with thereafter twice or three times the fall 

 duck shooting there is now, the birds would still be 

 abundant. 



This is a matter worthy of the serious attention of sports- 

 men and of the journals devoted to their interests. It is also 

 a popular movement. A well-known and widely-circulated 

 journal like the Forest and Stream can render sportsmen 

 a real service by taking up this matter, pressing it upon the 

 attention of Congress and securing the passage of an act 

 preventing the annual spring slaughter of the wildfowl in 

 the United States. Jap. 



New Albany, Ind., April 12. 



GROUSE AND THE SNOW CRUST. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



My experience and observation has been so directly oppo- 

 site to that of "Dry Snow" that I am perfectly willing to 

 stand up and count one in opposition to his conclusions. 



That ruffed grouse do perish, and in no inconsiderable 

 numbers, from being crusted in the snow, is to my mind 

 beyond question. I know it. I know it because I have 

 found them beneath the crust dead ; found them beneath the 

 crust alive., dug them out and secured them alive. Let me 

 relate my first experience in this matter. My boyhood was 

 passed in Ossipee, N. H. The winter of my 'thirteenth year, 

 early in January, there was an exceptionally heavy fall of 

 light, dry snow, followed, however, by hail" and two hours 

 of pouring rain late in the evening. The next morning there 

 was a crust that would bear me up. and twenty-four"hours 

 later, a crust upon which heavy teams moved without diffi- 

 culty. Several days after the crust formed I went to the. 

 woods with my father after a load of fuel. Near a grove of 

 small hemlocks my dog commenced to bark, and made 

 frantic endeavors to dig down into the snow. Going to him 

 we could discern a dark object beneath the crust, and a few 

 blows of the axe brought to view a dead ruffed grouse. A 

 few yards away we dug out another, which was alive but 

 so nearly starved that it died before I could get it to the - 

 house. That same day, under a low, bushy pine, where the 

 crust had not formed so solidly, we found yet another grouse 

 which had picked its way up through tne crust until a tiny 

 hole was made, through which the bird had thrust its head, 

 and there, unable to withdraw its head or further use its 

 beak, had died of starvation or cold. 1 remember that the 

 poor prisoner's head was sadly bruised, and remember also 

 that my eyes grew strangely moist. 



I know not what part of the globe "Dry Snow" tramps, 

 but certainly he is not a New Englander, or has lamentably 

 failed to see all there was in the woods, for I have found 

 ruffed grouse helplessly imprisoned beneath the crust in 

 Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 



I have hunted in more than half of the States of the 

 Union, and am convinced beyond a doubt that wherever 

 snow falls to any considerable depth, grouse do cover them- 

 selves in it, though the number that perish in consequence 

 of this habit is of course largely confined to those States or 

 localities where sudden changes of the temperature is con- 

 ducive to hard crusts. 



With all deference to "Dry Snow," it is respectfully sug- 

 gested as unwise to make war upon animal instinct, or hotel 

 Providence responsible for a snow crust. Birds and" beasts 

 do not always exercise their instinct and experience judi- 

 ciously. J. Frank Locke. 



PrLLSBUBY, Minn. 



jEKTti Island Club. — The members of the new Jekyl 

 Island Club are: Gen. Lloyd Aspinwall, New York; Com 

 John C. Barron, N. Y. (yacht Athlon); C. N. Bliss, N. Y. • 

 Francis Bartlett, Boston; Erastus Corning, Albany; w! 

 Bayard Cutting, N. Y. ; John Claflin, N. Y. ; John Eugene 

 Du Beguin, Georgia; William B. DeWolf, N. Y. ; John De 

 Koven, Chicago; Wirt Dexter, Chicago; Lewis Edwards 

 N.Y. ; Rudolph Ellis, Philadelphia; Newton S. Finney.N. Y. : 

 Com. L. A. Fish, N. Y. (yacht Grayling); N. K. Fairbanks, 

 Chicago; Marshall Field, Chicago; Walter Roger Furniss' 

 Philadelphia; G. E. Gray, San Francisco; Jas. B. M. Gros' 

 venor, Providence ; Ogden Goelet, N. Y. ; A. Lawrence 

 Hopkins, N. Y. ; Henry B. Hyde, N. Y. (Pres. Equitable 

 Life Ins. Co.); B. S. Henning, N. Y. (Pres. Florida Railroad 

 System); Judge Henry E. Howland, N. Y. ; A. Foster Hig- 

 gins, N. Y. (Pres. Carroll's Island Club); Oliver K. Kin«- 

 N. Y. ; Franklin M. Ketchum, N. Y. ; L. M. Lawson, NY"; 

 J. Mason Loomis, Chicago (yacht Viking); J. Pierpont if or- 

 gan, N. Y. (yacht Corsair); E B. McCagg, Chicago- H 

 Victor Newcomb, N. Y.; Com. R. L. Ogden, San Francisco; 

 Dunbar Price, Philadelphia; Thos. W. Pearsall, N. Y ; 

 Fairman Rogers, Philadelphia (yacht Magnolia); ' William 

 Rockefeller, N. Y. ; John A. Stewart, N. Y. (Pres. U S. 

 Trust Co.); George Sard, Albany; Rob't. D. Smith, Boston"; 

 Joseph Stickney, Philadelphia; J. L. Stackpole, Boston: 

 Samuel Thome, N. Y. ; A. E. Touzalain, Boston (Pres. 

 B & A. R.R.); William K. Vanderbilt, N. Y. ; John Wveth, 

 Philadelphia ; E. K. Willard, N. Y. ; Edmund W. McClave, 

 N. Y. Officers: President, Gen. Lloyd Aspinwall; Vice- 

 President, Judge Henry E. Howland; Treasurer, Franklin 

 M. Ketchum; Secretary, Com. R. L. Ogden; Attorney, 

 Alfred J. Crovatt. 



