The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-03-27
Mankato Gun Club Asks That the
Bill Be Amended.
Present Game Law Is Altogether Too
Drastic for Sportsmen.
Particular Section Meets Disapproval
of Local Organization.
People Endorse Appeal and Hope Leg.
isIators Will Do Right.
From Wednesdays Daily.


The following resolutions were adopt
ed by the Mankato Gun club at its meet
ing held March 10:
Resolved, BY the Mankato Gun club:
That we recommend and ask the mem.
bers of the Legislature, to amend sec,
ton u, of S. F. 275, by striking out in
the fifth line thereof the following ''De-
coys on the" for the reason that said
section as the same now reads prohibits
the construction of stationary blinds
such as are ordinarily made of rushes
and willows in the open waters of our
lakes. Such provision would practically
destroy the sport of hunting ducks in
the open water lakes of southern Min
nesota.
Resolved Further, That this club be-
ieves in the enforcement of our game
laws and in a suitable penalty for the
violation thereof. But we are unalter-
bly, opposed to the drastic provisions of
section Is of said bill. We do not be-
lieve in making the violation of the
game laws of this state the only crime
under our statutes in which private prop
erty of the guilty party shall be con-
fscated. When any law gives the right
OF any member of the board of game and
fish commissioners, game wardens,
sheriffs, and their deputies, constables
and police officers of this state without
any warrant or process the right to seize,
abate, destroy and dispose of private
property without due process of law
according TO his own whims as to right
or wrong and not be held amenable to
the laws of this state We believe it is
time TO call halt in such classes of
legislation. We therefore recommend
that section Is be stricken out of said
bill.
Resolved Further, That we are op
posed to any gun license for the shoot
ing of small game: For the reason that
such license works hardship to the
farmer and his boys who do little hunt
ing, many of whom live remotely from
the county seat would necessarily have
to 90 many miles toNget license.
We therefore recommend and ask that
the bill be so amended that no gun IL
cense be imposed for the shooting of
small game.
Resolved Further, That we recommend
that section so of said bill be amended
by striking out the second line thereof
the following words ''mink, muskrat"
and further amend said bill so that mink
and muskrat may be taken in proper sea-
son.
The following is the particular Sec
ton which the Mankato Gun club is OPP
posed to:
"Any and all devices, cOntrivances, ma
terials and substances including cart
ridges, guns, dogs, trunks, boxes, blinds,
fish nets, boats, fist lines and hooks,
fish poles, fish houses, enclosures or
other sheltering structures erected or
maintained upon the ice or in any of the
waters of any lake, pond or stream in
this state. had or maintained for the
purpose of catching, taking, killing, de-
ceiving or attracting any bird, animal OF
fish contrary to the provisions of this
act, and any and all tents, camp and
other temporary structures and all
horses and wagons used had or maintain
ed by any person or persons while en-
gagged in violating any of the provisions
OF this act are hereby declared to be
and are public nuisance, and it shall
be the duty of all the members of the
board of game and fish commissioners.
all game wardens, sheriffs and their de-
puties, constables and police officers OF
this state. without warrant or process
to take, seize, abate, dispose OF or de,
stroy any and all of the same used had
OF maintained as aforesaid. And nc
liability shall be incurred to the owner
or any other person for such seizure
abatement, disposition OF destruction
thereof, and said board of game and fish
commissioners and all wardens and othe
officers and persons, shall be released
from all liability to any persons or per
sons whatsoever for acts done or com
united on property sliced, abated, dis
posed of, or destroyed under and by viz
tue of this section. A