by themselves and they should see to it that occu¬ 
pants of their cars should conduct themselves with 
a proper regard for the rights of others. It should 
be said that it is only the slovenly practices of a 
few that cast bad reflections on the many automo- 
bilists who conduct themselves properly along the 
countryside. 
LENGTH LIMIT OF TROUT 
I N those states where the brook trout legal length 
is five inches, there has been much agitation to 
increase it to six inches, and in those states 
that have six inches as the minimum length, the 
agitation has been to increase it to seven inches. 
As the matter is more understood, sportsmen legis¬ 
lators are giving heed to fish culturists and others 
who have made a study of the subject that rarely 
do trout at five inches spawn. Trout spawn in the 
second fall of their existence, when they reach six 
inches. 
Even at six inches, it is pointed out that trout 
have not come to their full maturity and that a 
seven-inch trout is capable of reproducing better 
than a six-inch trout because it has reached 
greater maturity. That is the reason the six-inch 
law states have seen new bills introduced in winter 
sessions of legislatures to change the^ six-inch law 
to read seven inches as the minimum length. 
The contention of those who desire the five-inch 
law to be retained on the statute books is that when 
fish are so caught and then given their freedom 
the hook tears the mouth so that the fish die. If 
an angler catching a brook trout, unaware of its 
size, wets his hand before taking hold of the fish, 
he will do very little if any damage to the mucous 
coating of the fish, providing he takes hold of the 
fish properly and disengages the hook. It is only 
when the protective coating is removed that a 
fungus growth forms on the fish. There is little 
truth in the story that undersized fish die when 
taken from the hook and returned. It is true, fre- 
quently, however, when the fish are carelessly 
handled. But an experiment tried by game wardens 
proved that of 180 fish taken and released from 
the hook and placed in cement tanks, only three 
died. So much for that. 
Let anglers take heed of the protective coating 
of trout and disengaging the hook and “dead trout 
will not line the banks.” Meanwhile let anglers 
consider that a seven-inch trout is a better asset 
than a six-inch trout and the time will not be so 
near when introduced fish will have to be freed 
because the “natives” have been exterminated. 
“RATTLERS” AND COPPERHEADS 
W HILE reports regarding the prevalence of 
poisonous snakes and especially of acci¬ 
dents resulting from being bitten by them 
have been grossly exaggerated, it may be just as 
well to issue a word of warning to sportsmen with¬ 
in the vicinity of New York City, more particularly 
in Westchester County. Though the fact is not 
generally realized, both “rattlers” and copperheads 
may be found in this locality. 
Page 501 
While the bite of either one of these snakes may 
prove fatal, nevertheless an occurrence of this kind 
would be deemed of sufficient importance to be dis¬ 
played in prominent headlines in every paper in 
the country. 
Be that as it may, a poisonous snake bite is a 
matter of no small importance and may at least 
result in anything from a slight indisposition to a 
serious illness. 
Though “rattlers” are particularly fond of 
sunny spots on rocky ledges or of crevices along 
stone fences, and copperheads of marshy lowlands 
and hollows, keep your eyes and ears open where- 
ever you are. 
Wear high hunting boots and carry a little per¬ 
manganate of potassium with you. If bitten apply 
the latter to the spot where you were punctured 
after you have opened it with a knife. Apply a 
tourniquet between the spot and the heart. 
Don’t be scared—there is no occasion for it. 
Just sub-consciously keep on the “lookout” when 
you are hunting, fishing or camping. 
SPORT THAT PAYS DIVIDENDS 
T HE best part of the fishing season is now on 
the ebb tide. In the interim before the com¬ 
ing of the full tide of field and wild fowl 
shooting, what can a sportsman do to follow 
profitably and pleasurably his avocation? 
September brings relief from the heat of sum¬ 
mer. The atmosphere takes on a mysterious haze. 
Here and there a swamp maple exchanges its sum¬ 
mer verdure for a coat of brightest scarlet. No 
man can be blamed for the perennial itching trig¬ 
ger finger of sporting tradition that is bound to 
attend the coming of the autumnal season. 
Here, then, is a suggestion to all good sportsmen 
who long for the sharp crack of nitro powder— 
who love to close their left hand around the tubes 
of their favorite gun. 
Go into the field—there is fair game there at 
all times—one need not await the 15th of this 
month or the 30th of that. 
There are crafty creatures that haunt the covers 
by foot—that fly through the air with terrific speed 
—that crawl upon the earth in stealth. They know 
no code, save that of vandalism. 
We refer to that class of animal, reptile and 
bird life known as vermin. Its ranks consist of 
crows, hawks, owls, weasels, red squirels, and black 
and water snakes. 
Man upsets the balance of nature to some extent 
by field sports—is it not logical then that man 
must, according to his ability, compensate for this 
by destroying the natural enemies of game? 
We already have plenty of conservation laws; 
what we now need is more individual conservation. 
Let every reader take his gun into the field, and 
in the time that shall elapse before the publication 
of the next issue of Forest and Stream, account 
for as many crows, weasels, hawks and other ver¬ 
min as possible. 
By so doing, he will quicken his hand and eye, 
but best of all, he will engage in that form of con¬ 
servation that will benefit not only himself but his 
fellow sportsman as well. 
