Page 323 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

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NEW LAWS NEEDF. I) IN THE STATES
West Virginia:
Considering the fact that West Virginia contains no plague-spot city for the consumption of commercial wild game, that the sale of all game is prohibited at all times, and the game of the state may not be exported for sale elsewhere, the wild life of West Virginia is reasonably secure from the market gunner,—if an adequate salaried warden force is provided. Without such a force her game must continue to be destroyed in the future as in the past to supply the markets of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, BaltimoreandWashington. Thedeerlawisexcellent,andthenon-game birds, and the dove and wood-duck are perpetually protected.
One fly in the ointment is—spring shooting; which for ducks, geese and brant continues from September 1 to April 20. Unfortunately the law enacted in 1875 against spring shooting has been repealed, and so has the resident hunting license law (1911).
In view of the impossibility of imagining a good reason for the repeal of a good law, we recommend
That the law against spring shooting be re-enacted.
That the resident hunter's license law be re-enacted, and tlie proceeds specifically devoted to the preservation and increase of game.
That a force of regular salaried wardens be provided to enforce the laws.
That the bag limit on quail should be 10 per day or 40 per season, instead of 12 and 96; and on ruffed grouse it should be 3 per day (as in New York) or 12 per season. One wild turkey per day, or three per season is quite enough for one man. The visible supply will not justify the existing limit of two and six.
Wisconsin:
In spite of the fierce fight made in 1910-11 by the saloon-element game-shooters of Milwaukee for the control of the wild-life situation, and the repeal of the best protective laws of the state, the Army of Defense once more defeated the Allied Destroyers, and drove them off the field. Once more it was proven that when The People are aroused, they are abundantly able to send the steam roller over the enemies of wild life.
Alphabetically, Wisconsin may come near the end of the roll-call; but by downright merit in protection, she comes mighty close to the head of the list of states. Her slate of "Work to be done" is particularly clean; and she has our most distinguished admiration. Her force of game wardens is not a political-machine force. It amounts to some- thing. The men who get within it undergo successfully a civil service examination that certainly separates the sheep from the goats. particulars address Dr. T, S. Palmer, Department of Agriculture, Wash- ington.
According to the standards that have been dragging along previous tothismoment,Wisconsinhasagoodseriesofgamelaws. Butthehour for a Reformation of ideas and principles has struck. We heard it first in April, 1911. The wild life of America must not be exterminated
according to law, contrary to law, or in the absence of law ! Wisconsin
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