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by ducks to the rice fields and to public statements that hunters would be welcomed by the rice growers to aid in keeping the ducks out of the rice fields, these statements having caused a great deal of annoyance and loss to numerous rice growers and property owners in the rice growing region. These newspaper statements have lead hunters to believe that they would be welcomed by the growers to enter their lands and shoot ducks. The advertisement given has been so widely diffused that shooters have come from Vancouver to San Diego. The majority of them have been disappointed due to the fact that the first comers have been aggressive and disrespective of property rights. In numerous places where no duck damage was done the hunters, nevertheless, entered the lands and did more damage than the ducks could have done. Naturally the hunters were drawn to the rice fields most convenient to highways and railroads, whereas, some of the worse damage done by ducks occured  [[sic]] on lands inconveniently located for hunters. The larger growers of the State feel than an effective means is at hand to protect the fields against ducks in the form of bombs and lights. They also feel that if shot guns are necessary more effective work can be done at smaller cost by employing men to systematically guard the fields. The following resolution was therefore adopted: 

"THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Rice Growers recognizing the above conditions, feel that they are the ones best able to protect the crops and therefore, insist on the right to protect the crops against damage done by wild game by the best method obtainable and recognizing the principles of the privacy of property want no laws passed which would in any way mitigate against the present trespass laws.

(Signed) ERNEST E. BEHR
  Sec."

The publicity given the subject this season brought thousands of hunters on the opening day from points as far south as Los Angeles and north to Oregon to Colusa, Biggs, Williams, Gridley and other towns. They were met with "No Shooting" signs and in some cases with guns. Many returned home disgusted, as our letters show.

For the reasons above stated we fail to see how an earlier season would work to the advantage of the farmer. We believe that the solution of the duck and rice problem is placed in the hands of the rice grower and that by the intelligent use of the bombs made for the purposes (which have proven so effectual under severe tests) the grower will be able to save his rice crop from injury. It is