The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-08-10
The came Law.

Because of the mistake which was
made in the amended game law as to
aquatic fowl, much confusion has arisen
in the public mind as to the time when
prairie chickens are permitted to be
killed, some thinking that the error as
to ducks, geese and other aquatic fowl,
also applies to prairie chickens, grouse,
etc. This is mistake. The law az to
prairie chickens is exactly the same as
formerly. Theycan only be legally killed
from September LIST, to November list OF
each year. In order that there may be
no doubt on this point, we quote the acr
of last winter, as to the periods within
which the following game shall not be
killed.
Woodcock and bertrams or upland
plover, between the thirty-frst day OF
October and the fourth of July following.
Prairie chickens, or white breasted or
sharD-tailed grouse, between the first day
of November and the FIRST day of Septen-
Der following.
Quail, partridge, ruffled grouse or
pheasant between the first day of Decem-
Der and the first day of September fol
lowing.
Wild duck OF any variety, or any va
riety of wild goose or brant, or any
variety of snipe, or any variety of any
aquatic fowl whatever, between the first
| day of September and the twenty fifth
day OF April following.
The provisions as to woodcock, etc.,
and prairie chickens, etc., are unchanged
The one regarding quail, partridge,
ruffled grouse or pheasant, is changed
from November to December, making
the period within which they may be
killed one month longer. The provision
as to aquatic fowl is the one which has
created the confusion. By an inexcus
able hlunder. the dates are exactly re
versed, by which the open becomes the
closed season. However. by genera
consent, this feature OF the law will bs
regarded as if properly enacted. Thes.
game birds may, therefore, be killed with
in the following periods:
Woodcock, etc.. from the 4th day o
July to the 31st day of October.
Prairie chickens, ETC.. from the LIST day
OF September to the LIST day of December
2Quail, etc., from the LIST day of Septem
Der to the LIST day of December.
Wild ducks, geese, etc., from the Isl
day OF September to the 25th day o
/ April.
/ We are led to make this explanation
because the game season is approaching
and ignorance OF the statutes is no de
| fence.
w. S. Undertake of st. Paul, mem
Der OF the Fish Commission. thus refers
to the matter referred to:
If any persons think that prairie chick.
ems or grouse are included in the part Of
| the law which was enrolled wrongly
| they will make a big mistake and will
probably get into trouble. We have our
| wardens all over the state. They are
| thoroughly instructed as to the law and
| If they tnd any one after anything but
ducks, trouble will follow. As to the
killing of ducks from September to April
| they are instructed not to interfere.
This may not be the legal position, but
it certainly is the only reasonable one,
| and we think that the people of the state
will support us in our efforts to do the
! right thing, which they surely won't do
lie we try to enforce the letter of the law
We want it distinctly understood. how.
ever, that the only clause which is at
| fault is the one relating to aquatic fowl
| and that prairie chickens are not in.
cluded.
In letter of Aug. Sd, to gentleman
in iscity, Attorney General Child says
as to the report that he had held that all
game birds could be killed any time Of
the year.
81 have said nothing to any one, off,
cially or otherwise to the effect that The
law is no protection against the shoot
ing of chickens during the month o.
August"