Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-09-02
THE ACT OF 1878
Special Game Law For Pike.

arise as to the open season for game
in this County, we summarize for
the benefit of honest sportsmen the
Act which should govern all in
their pursuit of game in Pike.
Deer may be killed only in Octo-
Der and November, and shall not be
pursued with dogs or killed in the
water when driven thereto by dogs.
Dogs pursuing deer may be killed
by any person, and if so killed the
owner has no legal redress.
Grey and black squirrel, Sept. 1
to Dec. IS.
Rabbits, Oct. Is to Dec. is.
Wood duck, Oct. / to Jan. 1.
Woodcock, July to Dec. Is.
Quail, Oct. 10 to Dec. 1.
Pheasant, Sept. Is to Dec. Is.
All insectiverous and song birds
are wholly protected, and it is un-
lawful to destroy the eggs or nest
of any wild bird, except such as are
predatory and destructive to game.
1t is unlawful to take with snare,
trap, net or device whatever OF
have in possession after it is so TAX
en- any of the game above mention
ed.
Pickerel may be taken from June
1 to Feb. Is, and fishing with nets
or baskets or placing explosives in
the waters is at all times prohibited,
A person may have game in his
possession for a period of ninety
days after the time limit but he
must prove that it was lawfully
killed.
Violations of the Act are made a
misdemeanor and carry a penalty of
not less than IS nor more than $50,
or Imprisonment not less than one
or more than six months or both OF
either at the discretion of the court.
So long as game laws are on the
statute books, we believe in their
rigid and impartial enforcement
That they are openly and notorious
ly violated is asserted, and is nc
doubt true. Not a season passes
for instance, that the woods are moi
full of hunters bounding deer, an6
this without any apparent regard
whatever for the law.
We believe that the most effec,
tual way to protect game in any
section would be to enact a trespass
law giving the land owner the right
to arrest any person found on his
premises without permission, and
to make the penalty sufficiently Sc
we're to deter any one from assum-
ing the risk.
There is no reason why former
owning a few acres of wood land,
or a stretch of trout stream, should
not be able to protect his premises
He pays the tax, and yet is utterly
powerless to prevent marauders in
search of game from wandering and
shooting or fishing at their own
sweet will over his land.
If our representative this winter
wishes to confer a genuine benefit
on his constituents he can do nc
better than to expend his time and
talents in securing for the farmer:
and land owners of the county the
same protection for their lands a.
is now enjoyed by the Blooming
Grove Park Association.
Let him waste no energy in at
tempts to modify or change oul
present laws regarding the manner
of taking fish. They may be wrong
and eels may be destructive of spawI
but he can make little headway
against the combined strength o
Pennsylvania and New Jersey fisf
commissioners. A good trespas'
law, however, might be passed anC
such would be operative to protec
game against irresponsible pot hun
ters, and also afford farmers ant
others a right which they should
enjoy that of exercising control owe
their landed possessions.