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Show EDITORIAL DON'T PASS THE BUCK The 'Buck Only' hunt is a reality, and despite a few negative glances from the F&G Biologists - almost everybody every-body thinks that it is going to help build up our deer herd. However, it will take much more. It will take the vigilance vigi-lance of every single legitimate sportsman to keep the 'Buck Only' law effective. Unfortunately, there are those among us - yes, they call themselves sportsmen, too - who think the laws are meant for others. For instance, last week a deer was found near Indian Peaks with the hindquarters missing. The rest was left for scavengers or to rot. Nearly every week throughout the year someone, rancher, ranch-er, F&G personnel, or sportsman, finds the remains left by poachers . The 'Buck Only' hunt won't stop this type of wanton killing of game animals out of season. Neither will it stop the thousands of doe that wlll.be shot during the regular season, and left in the field untagged, to rot and spoil. There Is only one way to stop this unnecessary killing. Law enforcement people can't do It by themselves. Sportsmen Sports-men all over the state must give them a hand. Poachers and doe shooters will only consider the risk too great if they suspect every person in the wild will testify against them. It's easy enough - if a person is so inclined - to watch for F&G personnel. It's even fun to brag in the local tavern or over coffee about how they were outsmarted. But if sportsmen in Utah are really serious about our dwindling deer herd - they should give the F&G an assist - make doe shooters and poachers think there are law enforcement ..' personnel behind every, tree, behind every bush, in every car. ,- It's not necessary to make an actual arrest. Just get the vital statistics. Positively identify the individual. Get name, address, and license number if possible. Then report Immediately, or as soon as possible to the nearest conservation conser-vation officer. Can you imagine how much game could be preserved if the law-breakers couldn't even trust their hunting partners or neighbors to not turn them in? And why not? If we don't finally come to these extremes, there won't be any game left. Game belongs to everybody, hunter, rancher, city dweller, and poacher. Anyone who takes ' game Illegally is stealing from you - and everybody else. The same holds true with antelope, elk, and upland game birds. Until the sportsman accepts the responsibility of helping F&G personnel enforce the laws, all game animals and birds are threatened. Only you and I can stop the law breakers. It's time to start right now! If you want good hunting Don't pass the Buck! "Red" |