
FOUNDERS OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETY 

Dr, WILLIAM BRUETTE, Editor 

Member of Audit Bureau of Circulation 
THE OBJECT OF THIS JOURNAL WILL BE TO 
studiously promote a healthful interest in outdoor 
recreation, and a refined taste for natural objects. 
August 14, 1878. 
MORE ABOUT VERMIN 
UCH has been said and written relative to 
vermin control in relation to game propaga- 
tion and protection, and while at times it 
may appear that the amount of discussion devoted 
to this subject is out of proportion to its impor- 
tance, we are among those who are strongly of the 
opinion that the cause of game conservation, pro- 
tection and propagation cannot successfully be 
carried on without constant, efficient and effective 
control of predatory birds and animals. Two out- 
standing facts constantly confront us: 
a. It is generally agreed by those in position to 
know that each year many times more game 
is taken by predatory birds and animals (ver- 
min) than is taken by all the hunters combined. 
b. Scientists quite generally agree that in locali- 
ties where vermin abounds to excess, it should 
be controlled. 
If, as has been frequently stated, but one wild 
duck in sixty lives to maturity, and other species 
of game birds and animals suffer early mortality 
in proportion, due to the depredations of predatory 
birds and animals, then it is certainly patent that 
more effective vermin control will result in an in- 
creased supply of game. This conclusion permits 
of no argument. 
“Where vermin abounds to excess it should be 
controlled” is a trite and true saying credited to 
one of our leading authorities on game conserva- 
tion. However, so far who has come forward with 
a workable plan which could be generally followed 
and which would accomplish the desired objective, 
viz., efficient and effective control of vermin? 
FOREST AND STREAM is thoroughly convinced of 
the necessity for a continuing interest in this sub- 
ject by those most interested, i. e., sportsmen, 
farmers and State Game Departments, and we 
offer the following plan of operation, which with 
necessary modifications will be found suited to the 
needs of most every community. 
1. Sportsmen’s clubs should be organized in every 
community for the purpose of advancing the 
cause of game conservation, propagation and 
protection. 
2. Where vermin abounds to excess, this should 
be reported to the State Game Commission by 
the sportsmen’s clubs. 
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3. The Game Commission should order an im- 
mediate investigation by the nearest game 
warden, who in turn should, as quickly as pos- | 
sible, return a statement of facts as he finds 
them to the commission. 
A. Where it is shown that vermin abounds to 
excess the warden should be instructed at 
once to organize one or more local vermin con- 
trol drives. He should call upon all organized 
sportsmen’s clubs to participate. He should 
arrange with farmers in the localities affected, 
to participate and to permit sportsmen on 
their lands for the purpose outlined. 
5. One or more local wardens should be con- 
stantly in evidence during the drive, supervis- 
ing the operations, and making certain that 
song, insectivorous and game birds are not 
molested. However, with true sportsmen in- 
terested and the proper initial organization 
work perfected, there need be no fear of this. 
6. Farmers will appreciate the cooperation ren- 
dered by sportsmen in helping rid their farms 
of predatory birds and animals which prey 
upon their poultry and crops, and will be glad 
to reciprocate by allowing sportsmen to hunt 
upon their properties in the game season. 
Thus, better feeling between farmer and 
sportsmen will be engendered. 
7. Several such drives, in districts affected with 
an excess of vermin, can be held, until the 
vermin is brought under control. Wardens 
should report results of each drive to the State 
Game Commission, and each year the number 
of drives and total amount of vermin killed 
in the state should be published by the com- 
mission. ‘ 
8. Campaigns such as this, will strengthen game 
commissions in the eyes of sportsmen and 
farmers, will insure increased supplies of 
game, will result in better relations between 
farmers and sportsmen, will enlist the sup- 
port of farmers and sportsmen for State 
Game Commissions and local game wardens 
and their programs, and, all in all, will mater- 
ially advance the cause of game conservation, 
protection and propagation. 
A campaign carried out along these lines will 
restore game to many localities from which it has 
long since been driven by the excessive gathering 
of vermin, and will increase the supply of game 
in sections where game is still to be found. It will 
also increase the usefulness of the State Game 
Commissions and the game wardens, and increase 
the respect of the sportsmen for both. Further- 
more, in bringing sportsmen, farmers and game 
commissions in close contact it can easily be seen 
that the effect upon game propagation will be bene- 
ficial. It is to be hoped that experiments along 
these lines will be tried out in several states dur- 
ing the coming year, and, if so, we know they will 
be viewed with great interest. 
MY KINGDOM FOR A GUN! 
HEY have taxed my dog, my cat, my car, my 
horse and mule and hens and hogs. My cows 
are branded with a health seal and my pro- 
fession is taxed for liability insurance. The seal of 
approval by the So-and-So Department of the In- 
terior is placed on all my products. I dare not pro-- 
