Page 311 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

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NEW LAWS NEEDED IN THE STATES 289
the strangle-hold of the gun-makers of Hartford and IHon, and cast out theodiousautomaticandpumpguns. Itwasapitchedbattle,—thatof 1912, inaugurated by Ernest Napier, President of the State Game and FishCommissionandhisfellowcommissioners. Thelongerthecontest continued, the more did the press and the people of New Jersey awaken to the seriousness of the situation. Finally, the gun-suppression bill passed the two houses of the legislature with a total of only fourteen votes against it, and after a full hearing had been granted the attorneys of the gunmakers, was promptly signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson. Gov- ernor Wilsott could not be convinced that the act ivas "unconstitutional,'" or
"confiscatory" or "class legislation."
This contest aroused the whole state to the imperative necessity of
providing more thorough protection for the remnant of New Jersey game, and it was chiefly responsible for the enactment of four other excellent new protective laws.
New Jersey always has been sincere in her desire to protect her wild life, and always has gone as far as the killers of game would permit her to go! But the People have made one great mistake,—common to nearly every
—
ofpermittingthegame-killerstodictatethegamelaws! Always
state,
and everywhere, this is a grievous mistake, and fatal to the game. For example : In 1866 New Jersey enacted a five-year close-season law on the "prairie fowl" (pinnated grouse); but it was too late to save it. Now thatspeciesisasdeadtoNewJerseyasisthemastodon. Themoralis: Will the People apply this lesson to the ruffed grouse, quail and the shore birds generally before they, too, are too far gone to be brought back? If it is done, it must be done against the will of the gunners; for they prefer to shoot,—and shoot they will if they can dictate the laws, until the last game bird is dead.
In 1912, New Jersey is spending $30,000 in trying to restock her birdless covers with foreign game birds and quail. In brief, here are the imperative duties of New Jersey
Provide eight-3^ear close seasons for quail, ruffed grouse, woodcock, snipe, all shore birds and the wood-duck.
Prohibit the sale of all native wild game ; but promote the sale of preserve-bred game.
Prevent the repeal of the automatic gun law, which surelj^ will be attempted, each year.
Prohibit all bird-shooting after January 10, each year, until fall. Prohibit the killing of squirrels as "game."
New Mexico:
All things considered, the game laws of New Mexico are surprisingly up to date, and the state is to be congratulated on its advanced position. For example, there arc long close seasons on antelope, elk (now extinct!), mountain sheep, bob white quail, pinnated grouse, wild pigeon and ptarmigan,—an admirable list, truly. It is clear that New Mexico is wideawaketothedangersofthewild-lifesituation. Ontwocounts,her lawsarenotquiteperfect. Thereisnolawprohibitingspringshooting,