PAGE TEN
Gin, Gun
Wants Weasels Eliminated
Dear Fin, Fur and Feather:
Summer before last as we sat at
our breakfast table, we counted
twenty-two rabbits frolicking around
on our lawn at our iCentermoreland
farm.
Two weeks later there wasn’t one
to be seen. On two occasions I saw
a weasel loitering in the tall grass
at the edge of the lawn. It disap-
peared when I approached with my
You can’t have hunting or rab-
bits when weasels are around. The
question is, “What can be done
about it ?”’ Won't you sponsor, talk-
up and write-up weasel killing clubs
out Centermoreland way? It would
do a lot of good.
Respectfully
John R. Hughes
24 Park Place
Kingston, Pa.
® I have discussed your let-
ter with a number of local
sportsmen and they all agree
that the return of the bounty
on weasels might encourage
youngsters to trap or kill them.
‘In this connection it was in-
teresting, however, to get the
comment of local game protec-
tors. One said that a friend
who trapped twenty-three
weasels last season, has caught
none this year although he has
twenty-five traps set. The $1
bounty, as you probably know,
has been off for about eight
months.—Editor.
State Hunter Casualty
Report for 1954
The Game Commission has com-
pleted the record of Pennsylvania's
casualties by hunter firearms in
1954. The figures are based on re-
ports required by State Law of per-
sons involved in human shootings
while hunting or trapping for any
species of wildlife.
In the Commonwealth last year
21 persons were killed in the hunt-
ing field by sporting arms. Injured
in some degree by hunters’ gunfire
were 508. Two persons were injured
by hunters’ arrows.
Encouragingly, the 1954 fatal
shootings numbered 13 less than
the previous year, when 34 persons
(an exceptionally high number for
the State) met death in the hunt-
ing field through the discharge of
their own weapons or that of an-
jured, 510, was one higher than in
1953.
Injuries or deaths due to heart
failure, those that occurred enroute
to or from the hunting field and
others caused by any incidental hap-
pening, are not included in this
report.
Proving that hunting, as a rule,
is a safe, healthful”sport when the
common sense rules of safety are ob-
served, most of the near-million
hunters in Pennsylvania enjoyed
their sport last year without a
mishap.
As usual, the facts surrounding
so-called hunting accidents indicate
that in most instances a basic rule
of safety was violated, either by the
shooter or the victim.
Proof of this are these items tak-
en from the 1954 Pennsylvania rec-
ord. Nine of the fatalities were self-
caused; 73 of the injuries were by
the weapon in the hands of the
person hurt. Two persons were kil-
led and 12 were injured by guns
placed in a dangerous position. Guns
accidentally discharged in the hands
of hunters caused the death of 6
persons, caused injury in 64. The
“hunter slipped and fell (with safe-
ty off)” category, accounted for 5
deaths and 25 woundings. (Shot in
mistake for game caused 5 fatals,
13 non-fatals,
Surprisingly 7, or one-third the
persons killed by hunter gunfire
last year, were in open fields and
two others were on public highways.
Three hunters met death in day-
light, none in dusk, dark or fog.
Ten met their end during clear
weather, removing the “did not see”
excuse. The injury rate ran cor-
respondingly high.
Classified as to persons shot while
hunting certain birds or animals,
the following: Deer, 3 persons shot
fatally; 29 wounded. Bear, no fa-
talities; 3 injured. Upland small
game, 14 killed; 433 injured. Wood-
chucks, 3 fatalities; 32 non-fatali-
ties. Predators, 1 person died; 1
was wounded.
The shotgun caused 13 hunter
deaths and 445 injuries. The rifle,
8 fatals and 57 non-fatals.
So the record goes, pointing to
the fact most of these casualties by
hunting arms need not have been.
Any firearm can bring pleasure,
pain or death, dependent on the
handler.
Two divisions of Pennsylvania's
1954 hunter casualty report are
thought-provoking. They show that
youngsters between the ages of 12
and 21 years caused 8 of the deaths
and 77 of the injuries. The number
of youths killed in that age bracket
was 4; the number wounded was 43.
Unfortunately, about all the gun
training niany boys receive from
parents is the admonition, “Be care-
ful, don’t shoot yourself or anyone
about boys who have been trained
in the careful use of guns. There
is often cause to worry about the
“experienced” hunters in whom
familiarity with firearms has bred
contempt.
There will always be human
casualties in the hunting sport. But
educators, sportsmen and wildlife
administrators are increasing their
efforts in the program to teach the
rudiments of gun handling indoors
and the application of the princi-
ples in the open. Understanding of
firearms’ potentialities, in respect
to humans as well as wildlife, and
the practicing of emotional control
while hunting will pay dividends in
lower-than-would-have-been hunter
casualties in the future.
PUBLIC SALE
Having sold my farm, I will offer at Public Auction the following
Personal Property, located in the Village of CENTERMORELAND,
and ten miles south of Tunkhannock and one-fourth mile off Route
292. (Watch for Auction Signs) — on
Tuesday, March 22, 1955
Beginning at 12:45 P.M., Sharp
John Deere Model 40 Row-Crop Tractor
(A -1 CONDITION)
Complete with 3-point Hitch, Load and Depth Control System with
the following John Deere Equipment: No. 412 Two-Bottom Tractor
Plow, Integral Spring-Tooth Harrow, 2-row Quick Latch Cultivator,
7-ft. 3-point Tool Bar, 7-ft. No. 5 Caster Wheel Power Mower. All
the above equipment was purchased in late 1952 and has had
excellent care.
No. 14 ‘A’ New Idea Manure Spreader, on Rubber
NO. 4 NEW IDEA SIDE RAKE and TEDDER, No. 5 L.H.C. Ensilage
Cutter, with Hay Attachments; LH.C. Metal Push Bar Hay Loader,
LH.C. Potato Planter, I.LH.C. 2-section Harrow, I.LH.C. Corn Harvester,
Dump Rake, Hay Tedder, Ransom Potato Digger, Ontario 9-hoe
Grain Drill, Oliver Weeder, Corn Sheller, Grindstone; Buzz Saw,
50-ft. Rubber Belt, 2 sets Block and Tackle, 36-ft. Extension Ladder,
Single Ladder, Platform Scales, I.H.C. 1-ton 6-speed Farm Truck,
DeLaval Stainless Steel Milker Pail, new type; 2 pair Beam Scales,
Bobsleds — The following horse-drawn equipment: Plows, Cultiva-
tors, Hillers, Weeders, Marker, Whiffletree and Harnesses.
Chicken Crates, Bushel Crates, Chains, Kettles, Bars, Vise, Spool
Barbed Wire, Cyclone Seeder, Weed Burner, Cross-Cut Saws, Cant
Hook, Oil Drums, Bags and many other Small Tools too numerous
Household Goods
Heatrola, Studio Couch, Winthrop-type Desk, Glider, Sideboard, 2
Oak Beds, Kitchen Chairs, Rockers, Clocks, Picture Frames, Butter
Bowls and many other items.
TERMS OF SALE—CASH. :
LELAND GAY,
Centermoreland, Pa.
M. L. BUNNELL, Auctioneer, :
Springville, Pa.—Phone 7521
3
Idetown
Douglas Black, who is a student
pastor of the Princeton Presbyter-
ian Seminary, Princeton, N. J., will
be the guest speaker next Sunday
at all three points of the Lehman
Charge.
Official Board will meet in the
Church on Friday evening. Rev.
Clayton Bostic, in charge.
after spending several months with
relatives and friends in Bethesda,
Md.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Smith, of
Pottstown, spent the weekend with
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Williams. Mrs.
Smith is doing general duty in the
Pottstown General Hospital.
Mrs. Elmer Hoover spent several
days recently with her daughter,
Roxie, who is secretary in the Bap-
coming College on Friday night.
Mrs. Frances Hizzard of Lehman,
and Luella Carrs, of Dallas, were
recent visitors at the home of Mrs.
Thelma Lamoreux.
Mrs. Mae Newberry of Fernbrook
was guest of honor at a birthday
dinner which was held at her home
on Sunday.
STATE POLICE SAY
“Good Vision Is Vital”
Dr. A. S. Lisses
OPTOMETRIST
5 Main Street Dallas
DALLAS OFFICE HOURS:
Mrs. Walter Smith spent the Mrs. Thelma Lamoreux attended The driver who takes safety Tuesday: 1:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 3:15 PM, W-Barre Office
weekend with Mrs. Alice Smith of | the capping exercises of her niece, rules lightly may end up with Wednesday: 7:00 to 8:15 PM. 54 So. Main
Wilkes-Barre. Jean Hendershot of Luzerne, at the | a heavy heart after an accid- Friday: ~~ 1:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 8:15 PM. | yours 9:30 to 6
Mr. and Mrs. George Casterline |nursing class at Williamsport Hos-| ent. No jury can clear a guilty Saturday: 2:30 to 4:00 — VA 3-3794
returned to their home on Thursday | pital. The capping was held at Ly- conscience. :
ARR
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