The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-05
A Stiff Game Law.

The commonwealth of South Dakota
has just passed a game law which is
model Of severlty-at least, on paper.
In addition to the usual prohibitions
and seasonal limitations it declares
Illegal the shooting or killing at any
time of any song bird or insect-eating
bird, except crows, blackbirds and
sparrows; forbids the use of swivel or
other gun except such as is commonly
shot from the shoulder; bans the en-
ployment in hunting of artificial light
or battery, trap, snare, net, bird lime
or medicated grain or food; outlaws
the wanton destruction Of birds nests
and the eggs thereof; requires the
hunter to secure the consent of the
owner or occupant before hunting upon
inclosed, occupied or cultivated land
and limits the legal fruits of hunting
skill to twenty-five birds a day for
each hunter
For every bird killed out of season
or contrary to the specifications of the
act, and for every nest or egg de-
stroyed the fine is $40. For each vio-
lation of the provision against the use
OF traps, etc, a fine is provided OF not
more than 800 for each animal so shot,
killed, trapped or taken. Not more than
500 and not less than $25 is the pen
atty for violation of the provisions
| prohibiting hunters from shooting on
the lands of another without first OBJ
| tanning consent or for killing more
| than twenty-five game birds in one
| day. Every person who has in hfs pos
| session any of the birds or animals
| mentioned after fifteen days from the
close of the respective seasons during
which it shall be lawful to hunt or kill
| the same, is also declared to be guilty
| of misdemeano~ and punished by a
fine. 1t is further made unlawful for
| any person or common carrier to trans
port out Of South Dakota any game
| mentioned in the law. The possession
| OF such game by any common carrier,
| it is provided, shall be deemed pre-
| sumptive evidence Of violation of law.
| In no case will any person be per-
mitted to take out of the state, at any
|
ty-five birds. Any person violating this
| portion Of the law is to be punished by
a fine of not less than $40 nor more
than $50 for each offense.
Game wardens, sheriffs, constables or
other officers are charged with the duty
of enforcing the provisions OF the new
law. They are to arrest all violators
thereof and to prosecute all offenders
They are authorized to make arrests
without warrant. They may also
seize all the birds shot, killed or taken
during the period when such act is not
permitted. Each game warden may
appoint not more than ten deputies,
who must be residents of his county.
| The jurisdiction of the wardens and
their deputies extends 10 ali parts OF
the state. The warden or a deputy is
entitled to one-half of a fine recovered
in any case of conviction, the remainder
to be placed in the county game fund.
Any person making complaint and fur
nishing evidence which convicts any
other person of violating any part OF
the law is entitled to one-half the fine
collected, the remainder going into the
county game fund.
But this is not all. Every hunter in
South Dakota must take out an annual
license, the cost of which is So Those
who are convicted of hunting during
the open season without a license are
subject to a fine of not less than $40
nor more than $50. Under the new law
a search warrant may be issued when
II is believed that game killed in vio-
lation OF the law has been concealed
and under this the officer armed with
1t may break open "any building, car,
apartment. chest, box, locker crate
basket or package" in search OF hid
den game. Those convicted OF resist
ing an officer while he is attempting
to enforce the law are subject to a
fine of not less than $40 nor more than
$50 In all convictions the costs are to
be taxed against the defendants, as In
other criminal cases, and the court
! shall order as a part OF the judgment