Forest and Stream, July 16, 1910

Spring Shooting.

Natural resources -- Conservation - GameSea -- Market huntingTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Lodges

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 8. -- Editor Forest and Stream: In common no doubt with many other sportsmen among your readers, I was gratified to read in your issue of May 28 your reference to the evil effects following from wildfowl shooting in the spring and your statement of the progress made in changing the laws of the various States so as to prohibit this practice. I do not pretend to have any special knowledge of the subject other than that derived from observation and sharing in the wildfowl shooting on the eastern shore of Virginia.

I am a member of a club within easy distance of the shooting grounds on Broadwater Bay, and during the last two years there has been evidently an increase of wildfowl frequenting those waters. It is fair to believe, as suggested in your editorial, that this increase is due to the measure of relief afforded by the checking of shooting in the States that have abolished spring shooting. If we are to preserve our American wildfowl, and this is obviously desirable, entirely aside from pleasure afforded to sportsmen, they must be given some rest from the constant hunting extending from the furthest north to the furthest south. If no duck shooting were permitted along the Atlantic coast later than the 15th of February, there would be no reasonable ground of complaint, and if the sportsmen of the States interested from Maine to Florida would unite in an appeal to their Legislature, there is little doubt that spring shooting would be abolished. This, however, will not be effective in preserving the wildfowl unless some measures are devised to stop netting and night shooting. The wary ducks and geese can protect themselves fairly well during the day except against nets, but at night they are helpless against the murderous assaults of the market gunners. Of course there are laws on the statute books which prohibit such practices, but they need an enlightened public opinion and a brave and determined force of well-paid wardens to enforce them.

If drafts of acts for the preservation of game prepared by experts were given publicity in the columns of your paper and criticism invited, it seems to me the cause of game protection would be materially aided.

WALTER GEORGE SMITH.