Dec 13, 1902.3 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
468 
Mr. Gavitt offered a resolution that the constitution 
be so amended that any individual desiring to connect 
himself with the League could do so by payment of $1, 
and that there be not to exceed tive such members 
from any one county. He thought unanimous consent 
would be necessary for the consideration of an amend- 
ment at this time. 
Mr. Mowry. — Then five individuals could come in 
from a county and outvote the two delegates of a club. 
Mr. Gavitt. — I do not think there would be any 
abuse of the provision, but I would not object to mak- 
ing the number three instead of five. 
Chief Game Protector Pond favored the resolution, 
saying that assistance was needed in every county. 
There are some counties which have no sportsmen's 
association, but if the resolution prevails you will get 
sportsmen from all over the State who will aid the 
League, and not abuse the privilege. They will not 
join the League to oppose better legislation. 
John R. Fanning also favored the idea. JTe thought 
the association was organized on too narrow a scale. 
With an abundance of money in the treasury much can 
be accomplished which can not be without it. He said 
there were bays near Rochester where the game laws 
were violated by netting. He hoped the resolution 
would prevaih 
John C. O' Conor moved that unanimous consent be 
given to amend the constitution in regard to membei"- 
ship. Carried. 
Mr. Mowry suggested that some measure be taken 
to restrict the voting power of individual members so 
that they could not in any county exceed the voting 
power of a club. 
On motion of Mr. Gavitt, the president was author- 
ized to appoint a committee of three to consider the 
proposed amendment. Messrs. Gavitt, Fanning and 
Wolcott were named as such committee. 
Mr. O'Conor spoke at some length concerning legis- 
lative matters. He- referred to the bills passed at the 
last session of the Legislature, 9 of which affected 
game, 13 fish and 2 were general. Section 173, said 
he, relates to the powers of game protectors, and why 
should they not have the same powers in the counties 
of New York and Kings as they do in other counties? 
I would like to have the committee recommend that 
this section be amended by striking out the clause 
excepting the counties of New York and Kings. Mr. 
O'Conor then called attention to Section 141 of the 
game laws. He thought a portion was put in for the 
benefit of cold storage warehouses. The speaker also 
referred to the section relating to wild fowl. He said 
there was great objection to limiting the season on 
Long Island as early as March. It seemed to him 
that with the great opposition from Long Island it 
would be almost impossible to prohibit the shooting 
of wild fowl as early as that, but it might be possible 
to prevent the sale of the birds after March.. I. 
Major Pond was pleased to hear something from 
Long Island. This matter had been threshed out in 
the League, and the conclusion reached that Long Isl- 
and was a kingdom by itself. He said there were good 
results from the cold storage law this year. Repre- 
sentatives of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission 
were allowed to examine goods when the closed sea- 
son began and seal them. The seals were not broken 
during the closed season. Thousands of insectivorous 
birds were found and this put the commission in a 
position to commence action for these birds, which are 
not allowed in possession at any time. So much for 
Section 141, In the counties of New York and Kings 
.^the protectors have only got to go a block before they 
can get a search warrant, but in the rural districts they 
sometimes have to go miles to get one. 
Mr. O'Conor admitted that a portion of Section 141 
was very good. One of the good things we got out 
of the Legislature was the section about insectivorous 
birds. Can the major tell me why a man should give 
a bond to break a law? We want to repeal Section 141 
and strike out in Section 173 the provisions excepting 
New York and Kings. It is difficult to get search v/ar- 
rants. Give the game protectors the same rights in 
New York and Kings they have elsewhere. We want 
the right of search in cold storage warehouses and 
we want it illegal for anyone to have game in posses- 
sion in the closed season. 
Major Pond. — I did not say the department would 
be displeased if the protectors had the power of search. 
Mr. Fanning asked Major Pond how many cold 
storage warehouses there were in the State. He 
thought perhaps a dozen. 
The chair appointed Messrs. Thompson, Forey and 
Wicker as a committee on nominations, and declared a 
recess until 2 P. M. 
At the afternoon session Chairman Mowry, of the 
Legislative and Law Committee, reported a number of 
proposed amendments to the game laws, and the 
League decided to recommend the following: That the 
counties of Sullivan, Ulster and Greene be brought 
under the general law as to ruflfed grouse and wood- 
cock. That the open season for quail shall close No- 
vember 30, except on Long Island, and that the sea- 
son for black and gray squirrels shall end on the same 
date; to amend Section 176 so as to give such special 
game protectors as are in the employ of boards of 
supervisors or of any regularly organized club for the 
protection of fish and game, the same powers of search 
that the regular protectors have; to amend Section 80 
relating to fishing in Seneca Lake, by cutting out the 
four lines about taking fish with spears; to provide 
that Avild dticks and geese shall not be offered for sale 
after March i in any year until the open season be- 
gins; to prohibit the sale of grouse and woodcock 
killed within this State. 
There was a lively discussion over a proposition that 
the club also recommend that the sale of quail be pro- 
hibited. Dr. Jordan, Assemblyman Williams, Messrs. 
Mowry, Forey, Fanning and Grant spoke on the sub- 
ject. It was decided that such a bill could not be 
passed at present. 
Quite a debate concerning spring shooting followed 
the presentation of a proposed new section, to be 
known as Section 143, to provide that there shall be 
no open season for any birds earlier than Sept. 16 or 
later than Dec. 31. It is intended that the law shall 
not be construed to affect bird seasons which may 
open after Sept. 16 or close earlier than Dec. 31. 
President Lawrence spoke of the bay bird shooting 
on Long Island in July and August, and suggested that 
Long Island might be excepted from the proposed sec- 
tion. 
Mr. Mowry thought there would be objection in the 
rest of the State to having spring shooting allowed on 
Long Island and not elsewhere. The Legislative and 
Law Committee reported in favor of the section by sub- 
stituting for "birds" the words "web-footed wild fowl." 
The League decided to recommend such a measure. 
Mr. O'Conor offered a resolution that the League 
favor a bill repealing so much of Section 141 as relates 
to the giving of a bond. Adopted. 
Mr. O'Conor also offered a resolution that the 
League favor striking out in Section 173 the exception 
in regard to the counties of New York and Kings. 
Adopted. 
Mr. Cornwall presented a resolution protesting 
against any change in the laws relating to the St. 
Lawrence reservation calculated to permit netting, ex- 
cept for minnows. Adopted. 
Mr. Gavitt, of the special committee, presented a 
resolution to amend Article 15 of the constitution so 
as to permit individuals to become members of the 
League on payment of $1 annual dues, those represent- 
ing each county to be entitled to two votes, providing 
there is in said county no organization connected with 
the League. Adopted. 
It was decided to recommend that the sale of veni- 
son in the Adirondack Park be prohibted within the 
blue line. 
The committee on nomination, Messrs. Thompson, 
Forey and Wicker, reported in favor of the following 
officers, and the same were duly elected: President, 
Robert B. Lawrence, New York; Vice-President, H. 
K. Wicker, Lockport; Secretary, Ernest G. Gould, 
Seneca Falls; Treasurer, A. C. Cornwall, Alexandria 
Bay; Legislative and Law Committee, Chairman, ,C. 
H. Mowry, F. C. Eddy, W. S. Gavitt, R. P. Grant; 
Auditing Committee, Aaron Mather, W. G. Babcock, 
C. W. Hatch; Biological Committee, James Annin, Jr., 
Geo. B. Wood, .Henry Killick; Organization Commit- 
tee, W. S. Gavitt, W. E. Wolcott, J. H. Forey. 
W. E. Wolcott. 
Utica, Bee. 6. 
Maine and Massachusetts. 
Hunters' Licenses. 
Boston, Dec. 6. — Editor Forest and Stream: The ques- 
tion whether Maine should have a law requiring hunt- 
ers from other States to purchase the privilege of kill- 
ing game in the State is one that interests Massa- 
chusetts sportsmen very much, 
As is to be expected, there is great diversity of 
opinion among them. Some go so far as to say, that, 
in case such a law is passed, they will abandon their 
autumn trips to that State and go to Canada or Nova 
Scotia instead. Your readers are aware that many 
New England moose hunters prefer to ' go to New 
Brunswick and pay $30 for the privilege of hunting 
rather than go to Maine, believing their chances of 
securing a fine trophy in the latter regions a great deal 
better. 
This class of sportsmen will naturally continue to 
pursue the same policy. But will those who consider 
Maine the "paradise for sportsmen" take kindly to 
a license law? 
The question is not altogether a new one, but the 
positive manner in which Chairman Carleton has re- 
cently recommended the enactment of such a law 
brings it to the front just now. I have been to some 
pains to obtain the views of some Boston sportsmen 
in reference to it. One of them recently returned from 
an extended trip to northern Aroostook, tells me the 
woods were full of "so-called sportsmen," as he ex- 
pressed it. He said for his part he would be glad to 
see a law passed requiring a fee of $50 for hunting 
big game. On his trip he said he "found people every- 
where," and he could not get away from them. This, 
bear in mind, was in a very remote part of the State. 
The view expressed by this gentleman represents one 
extreme. That of another who said he should never 
care to pay a license fee for hunting in Maine, repre- 
sents the opposite extreme. 
Several have remarked that they would not object 
and, in fact, would be quite willing to pay a moderate 
fee, provided resident sportsmen were required to con- 
tribute also. It is a matter of common knoAvledge that 
men from large towns and the cities of Maine as well 
as from places without the State, have been going into 
the wilderness the last few years (since deer have be- 
come so numerous) with the idea of bringing out 
game enough to defray a large part of the expense of 
the trip, The venison they bring home finds its way 
into the markets. 
These men, no doubt, are fond of the woods. They 
derive enjoyment and get relaxation from their out- 
ings, and they would resent being called "pot-hunters" 
or "market-hunters," but are they doing their part as 
sportsmen? 
How many of them are members of any game pro- 
tective society or club? How many of them contriljute 
a single penny toward the care or propagation of fish 
or game, either in their ovm State or elsewhere? 
They certainly cannot claim to be ranked as sports- 
men of a high order. Let them show a disposition to 
aid the cause according to their means, be it never so 
little. ^ _ J 
Oce Deef Only. 
I would suggest as a remedy for market-hunting 
that instead of allowing two deer to be deported, as 
imder the present law, only one should be permitted. 
This would certainly be ample for the sportsman to 
distribute among friends. It will be conceded by 
every one that game of all kinds should be so used as 
to confer the greatest good upon the greatest number. 
As a product of great pecuniary value to the State, 
it is her policy to adopt such regulations as to its 
capture and use as will best promote the welfare of 
her citizens as a whole. 
Hundreds of men depend on the patronage of sports- 
men for a living. If a license fee so great as to deter 
the patrons of camps and hotels in the wilderness 
from making their usual trips be charged, the result 
must be a greatly reduced income to the proprietors. 
Among those who have for years been accustomed to 
hunt without paying for the privilege, there is a nat- 
ural feeling of opposition to the change, but if a mod- 
erate sum be exacted from non-residents and residents 
alike, or, possibly, a smaller tax be levied upon Maine 
citizens than upon those from without the State, and 
the proceeds be devoted to improved protection, very 
few would make serious objection, and, in my opinion, 
the business of hotels, camps and guides would be 
continued without serious detriment. 
The raids of large parties from Indiana and Ohio 
upon Maine game furnishes an argument in favor of 
the license system, also, it seems to me, for reducing 
the quantity of game that may be deported. If reports 
of such incursions are reliable, they come near being 
a nuisance, a menace not only "to the game, but to 
human life as well. 
I have heard men say that every deer they had 
killed cost them at least a hundred dollars, and a 
Boston sportsman who recently returned from a trip 
of a few days in company with four others, showed me 
the footing of their expenses amounting to $800. 
The fact that more deer have been shipped out of the 
State this year than ever before at this dale, indicates 
to my mind that they were never more abimdant and 
that there has also been a larger number of hunters as 
well. Deer have unquestionably spread over larger 
areas within the last few years, not only within the 
State, but they have passed over the western boundary 
into New Hampshire, still further into Vermont and 
are now working into Massachusetts in very consider- 
able numbers. Reports of deer being seen in every 
county of this State are coming in almost every week. 
Only last week a doe was captured while swimming 
in Barnstable Bay and liberated in the Lynn (or 
Saugus) Avoods. The time may come when men of the 
old Bay State will find no difficulty in furnishing their 
tables with venison without going several hundred 
miles for it. 
Commissioner Carleton will doubtless have the sup- 
port of the farmers and of men in the lumber busi- 
nes.s. In fact, the Lumbermen's and Landowners' As- 
sociation, at the annual meeting in Bangor, on Dec. 
I, adopted a resolution in support of the measure. 
_ At the meeting of the Maine Sportsmen's Associa:- " 
tion, to be held Dec. 10, the question will no doubt be 
thoroughly discussed in all its bearings, and it is to 
be hoped that a conservative policy will be recom- 
mended. 
Every true sportsman surely desires to see the kill'^ 
ing of both deer and moose kept within such limits as 
to insure their increase rather than a reduction in their 
numbers. 
Indiscriminate slaughter, of does ehould, it seems to 
me, receive the attention of game protectors. The 
number of half-grown deer coming through on the 
trains of late years is surprising. This killing of 
fawns is "murder of the innocents" and should be 
abandoned by all men claiming to be in any sense 
sportsmen. 
I have heard the claim made that Maine is unable 
to afford a larger appropriation for the work of her 
commission. That position is untenable. The same 
claim was made at the session of the Legislature in 
1894-5, but the appropriation was largely increased, 
Tiotwithstanding the objections of opponents. The 
State cannot afford to withhold money needed to keep 
up the work so ably conducted and to carry it for- 
ward to still_ greater completeness. It is to be hoped 
such legislation will be had the coming winter as will 
show that Maine is ready to do her part, and does not 
wish to exact everything from non-residents who 
gladly pay liberally for such entertainment as her 
forests. afford. Henry H. Kimbaix, 
Sec. Mass. F. and G. Prot. Ass'n. 
Massachoietts Law Enforcement. 
Thisr work goe;s bravely on in IMassachusetts. From 
Chairman Collins, of the commission, I learn that 
Deputies Luman and Shea recently got Joe Bugbee, 
of West Brookfield, for attempted sale of thirteen 
partridges. On Nov. 30 they took three men for Sun- 
day hunting; also that a man was arrested in Alarsh- 
field for Sunday gunning. 
He writes further: "I am certain the game laws 
were never enforced in this State as they have been 
this fall. Snarers, ferretcrs and those trying to sell 
game illegally have_^ felt the pinch of the law. The re- 
sult has shown wlTat a trained and centrally directed 
force can do. There is no question but we have 
broken up a lot of illicit work." 
The requirements have been such that the commis- 
sioners have been forced to supplement the labors of 
the regular paid deputies by putting on an increased 
force for special work. 
From Greenfield, 
A large and growing club of two years' standing 
bids fair to be a power in that section of the State. 
The writer had the pleasure of meeting the members 
on the occasion of their second "Annual Game Sup- 
per." Roast 'coon, rabbit pie and ^venison furnished 
a tempting menu, and the occasion was one of rare en- 
joyment. The president. Mr. Charles C. Russell, pre- 
sided with grace and dignity, and among the speakers 
were Dr. Newton, Deputy Wm. Leipple, Mr. Daniel 
Collins and others. The membership of the club is 
about two hundred. 
Ftom Westfield. 
Still the good work goes on. Mr. Charles N. Lewis 
writes from this thriving town as follows: "I have 
worked hard to form a fish and game association here, 
and have got it going in fairly good shape now." 
