The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1903-03-27
THE IDAHO GAME Law
Residents Of Washington Say It is Unconsti.
tutional-ldahO's New Game Warden Will
Enforce Il.

Enforce II.
| Spokane sportsmen are taking great in
terest in the new game and fish law oi
Idaho. The new license law charges IL
cense fee of IS for non-residents who fish
or hunt for small game in Idaho, and $25
| for non-residents who hunt for deer or
other large game. Residents may fish
and hunt all Kinds of game for Fl each
year.
The matter of the new law was a ques-
ton for discussion at the Sunday shoot
of the Spokane club, and 7. Ware,
the we'll known sportsman said:
"If the law is enforced it will practically
stop Spokane sportsmen running over
into Idaho for little fishing trip. Every
attorney with whom l have discussed the
matter has pronounced the new law un-
constitutional. This is the opinion of F.
c. Robertson, A. NJ. Winston and George
Forster and Frank Allen. 1t is true sew
eral other states have similar laws, but
they have never been contested in the
higher courts. The American Field Of
Chicago is raising fund to make test
case of all these laws, and if necessary
carry it to the supreme court of the
United States. believe, though, that
Idaho is the only state that discriminates
against non-residents in fishing"
Il doubt the constitutionality of the
new law" said Judge ]. R. Mcbride. 81
have not seen a copy of it, but if it dis
eliminates against non.residents do not
see how it can stand. This principle
was passed upon several years ago by
the supreme court i'll the United States in
case carried up from Nevada. The su
preme court held the law 10 be unconsti
tutional because it discriminates against
non-residents."
State Game Warden w. V. Irons is
planning strict enforcement of the law,
and thinks it will result i'll an effective
protection to fish and game.
He is quoted as saying that heretofore
it has been impossible to properly enforce
the game laws, but the license system
provided for in the new law will furnish
money enough to pay all expenses in
connection with its enforcement.
Male residents of Idaho above the age
of II years may procure for 81 d license
emitting them to hunt for all game and
fish for one year,
a. & 4.
the privilege of hunting and fishing feath
cred game may do SO on payment OF IS
for license. If non-fesidents wish 10
hunt all kinds of game, large and small,
as well as fish it will cost them $25 10 do
so.
Washington sportsmen who have been
IN the habit of raiding Idaho game re-
sorts for years, claim that the license
feature of the bill is unconstitutional in
that it conflicts with section d. article
of the constitution of the United States.
The claim will not hold, because the
same law has been in effect in Wyoming,
Montana, Colorado, South Dakota and
other states for years and has withstood
all legal tests
Another conspicuous feature of the new
law is that it does away with the prac-
tice Of remuneiating deputy game war
fines collected from those on whom they
inform. This has always proved dis
tasteful and many transgressors have es
capped because nobody could be found
willing to lay information against them.
Under the new law deputy game
wardeus are allowed s. day for each
day actually employed, aud are limited
to 90 days work in each year. A deputy
game warden may be appointed on the
petition of 10 or more taxpayers in a
county, and his commission may be re.
voked at any time for neglect of duty.
Deputy wardens are placed under bonds
of $500 for faithful performance of their
duties and have the same power to make
arrests as the state game warden.
The daily catch for single fisherman
with hook and line is limited to 20
ponds of trout, bass catfish, grayling or
sun6sh. Trout and black bass less than
four inches long must not be taken, and
the use of ''snag hooks is barred.
Pollution of streams by sawdust,
chemicals or other substance is prohibited
and the use of explosives or seine nets
for taking fish is not permitted.