Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-12
THE LAWS FOR GAME.
Digest OF the Requirements Of Illlnois
With Reference Thereto,

With Reference Thereto,
Now that the season for game is
about here. brief glance at the game
laws Of Illinois may be interesting
and perhaps profitable. In addition
to the laws regulating the taking of
feathered game in Illinois. there is
also a measure upon the statute
books which forbids the shooting of
even unclean. as well as clean birds.
at any season OF the year. About all
that can be said of game laws, how
ever. is that they protect game birds
but few years beyond the time
when the higher laws which cause
and control civilization will leave
here and there covey of quail, or a
flock of prairie chickens, where once
there were thousands.
The First Game Bill.
As far back as 1871 bill was in
troduced in the New York legislature
for the protection of the ..heath hen"
and from that time until this, each
state in turn has passed game laws
of some sort, but they have afforded
but poor protection at best. Between
the pot hunter and other enemies of
wild fowl, the sportsman who would
enjoy days grouse or prairie
chicken shooting, must look for it
hundreds of miles beyond the Father
OF Waters. What was known in 1891
in the state Of New York as the
'heath hen"-Tetrayo Cupido-or
once common prairie hen, together
with her "sisters and her cousins
and her aunts," have, like the buff
falo. red deer, elk, antelope and wild
Indian. been driven toward sunset
and destruction. Even the once ia
miliar little bare-legged quail (Orytx
Virginianus) that used to welcome
the early settler with it's cheerful
"bob white" has almost totally dis
appeared from the eastern half of the
United States. notwithstanding it
has been the recipient of special legis-
lation for upwards Of three-quarters
Of century.
The Law OF illinois,
The ..lawful" season for it is al
most here, and below will be found
digest Of the laws by which one is
supposed to be guided:
ut is unlawful, according to the
statutes Of the state of Illinois. 10
kill or attempt to kill at any time.
in this state. the following birds:
Robin. blue bird. swallow, martin,
mosquito hawk, whippoorwill,
cuckoo, woodpecker, cat bird, brown
thrush, red bird. hanging bird, buzz
zard, wren, humming bird, dove,
goldiiinch. mocking bird, blue jay,
bulltinch, thrush, lark, cherry bird,
yellow bird, oriole or bobolink, or to
rob or destroy the nests of the same;
and shall, upon conviction, be fined
IS for each and every bird.
1T is unlawful to hunt, kill or
destroy any prairie chicken before
the 1st of November and the 18th
day of September; or any ruilled
grouse, pheasant or quail between
the 1st day of December and the LIST
day of October; or any wild duck,
goose, brant or other water fowl be-
tween the 18th day Of April and the
18th day of September; or any wood
cock between the 18th day of Sep
TENDER and the 5th day Of July Of
each and every year. The penalty
for violating this law is fine Of not
less than s. nor more than $25 for
each offense, and to stand committed
to the county Jail until the fine is
paid.
1T is unlawful to sell or offer for
sale at any time. any wild turkey,
prairie chicken or pinnated grouse,
quail. rutfled grouse or pheasant. or
any gray or red fox or black squir-
rel, which have been killed in the
state OF Illinois. or to export the
same.
Wild ducks and geese may be
sold in this state whether killed
here or noD from September 18th to
April 18th Of each and every year.
"Deer. antelope, wild turkey,
prairie chicken or pinnated grouse,
ruffled grouse and quail may be sold
in this state after October LIST to Feb
ruary 1st Of each and every year as
above stated.
at shall be further unlawful for
any person or persons, at any time.
to sell or to expose for sale or to
have in his or their possession for
the purpose Of selling any Of the
above named game or birds, and it
shall be further unlawful for any
persons, corporations, or carriers to
receive for transportation. to trans
port or convey any of the above
named game in the state OF Illinois"