The Portland daily press., 1897-03-30
FISH AND GAME LAW.
Changes that Were Made by the Last
Legislature.
To the Editor Of the Press:

10 the Editor of the Press:
Augusta, March 9th, 1897.
Dear Sir:-A statement of the new
legislation enacted by the Legislature
just adjourned relative to inland fish
and game would no doubt be interesting
to your readers. hence have taken the
pains to write 1t out. not copying the
laws as enacted, but stating the SUBJ
stance of each; and permit ms to say
that every amendment, and every new
law enacted had the united support of,
not only the comm issioners, but Of the
Maine State Protective Fish and Game
Association, and of those all over the
State interested in the propagation of
fish and the protection of game. except
the law for bounty on wild cats. This
did not emanate from the commissioners
or the ASSOCIATION.
S26, 600 year for the years 1898
was appropr lated. We all felt that we
should have larger sum, but in view
of the hard times and the condition of
the treas ury, we did not contend very
much for greater sum. We came near
not getting but $50. 600.
Following are the changes In the laws:
The close time on beaver has been ex-
tended for six years.
The Commissioners may give permits
to take game for public park purposes in
this State.
Mink may be killed around fish hatch
cries and feeding stations in close time.
The commissioners may grant permits
to take cells and white fish with eel pots
traps or nets, under such rules and regu-
lations as they may establish.
1t is unlawful to hunt game with any
artificial light, or ducks on the Kennebeo
river and in Merrymeeting bay with arti-
fetal light.
The penalty for Illegal killing of moose
or carbon is imprisonment not. exceeding
four months, no fine about il.
s.sClose time on moose and caribou is
from Dec. LIST to Got. LIST, of each year.
a shortening of the open season of one
month.
on trout and land-lOcked salmon, and
the number Of pounds of these that may
be taken is the same, viz: twenty. five
pounds.
Fishing through the Ice n the night
time is prohibited.
. Use Of fish spawn for bait is prohibit
eu.
OpOOuuOOkb may uo uhou Ill ubuluS.
The evidence of the sex of q bull moose
must be on it while being transported.
Marketmen having an established place
Of business may have not exceeding three
deer at one time in open season to sell at
retail to their local customers-prosided
they procure license from the commits
sicners and shall keep a record of whom
they purchase deer, and the date Of such
purchase, open to inspection by the COM
missiOners.
n No resident shall sell moose, deer
or caribou to be transported, beyond the
limits of the State, or transport any such,
beyond the limits of the State, and none
shall be bought for such transportation
by NON residents or transported after be-
ing purchased beyond the State.
All fines shall be paid into the State
treasury for the benefit of the inland fish
and game fnnd.
Having in possession any jack light,
spear, trawl or net, other than dip net,
in any camp, lodge, or place of resort
for hunters or fishermen is unlawful.
The solid metal bullet cannot be used
in hunting moose, caribou or deer. This
does not apply to the expansive or mush-
room bullet, SO called.
The commissioners, may, on petition
of ten or more tax payers, residents In
the vicinity, adopt nesdful rules and
regulations, to prevent the destruction of
spawning beds OF trout or salmon.
A bounty on wild cats Of 400.
FALL those who engage in the business of
guiding must be registered, paying fee
Of 81. 90 to tn game fund, and make
report to the com missoners when called
upon to do so by the commissioners,
All games seized by wardens shall be
sold aud the proceeds turned into the
State treasury for the benefit of the game
fund.
Proposed legislation that failed:
To repeal the bounty on bears.
Beside this, bill was introduced to
give visiting sportsmen the right to pur-
chase tickets signed by the commission
ers, that would enable them to sh ip
game lawfully killed by them to their
homes without accompanying it. This
bill did not have the unised support of
the association or the commissioners,
and was not reported by the com fnittee.
L. L. CARLETON.