Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
INTERESTIN GAME LAW
THE POLICE TAKE PRELIMINARY
STEPS TO WARN eUNNERs.
Motor Boats Not Allowed for Pursuit
of Ducks-Special Permits for
Rabbit Hunters.

Frequent Inquiries are made Of the police
concerning the provisions Of the game laws
as they apply to shooting in the District Of
Columbia, and SO many copies Of the law
have been sent out that Maj. Sylvester has
found 1t necessary to order additional copies
printed. Maj. Sylvester, who Is the District
game warden, will also have the laws
printed on cloth and posted in conspicuous
places in all sections Of the District likely
to be frequented by gunners.
Lieut.. Sutton Of the harbor precinct has
had the members Of his crew make trips
about the river in the launch Richard
Sylvester and notify persons along the
river front of the provisions Of the law. 1t
Is believed that this precautionary meas
ure will be the means of preventing some
the enthusiastic gunners from getting in
trouble. There are not many small birds
to be found upon the marshes about the
city now, but wild ducks will probably be
plentiful in the near future.
Duck shooting will be permitted only
upon the marshes of the Anacostia river, or
Eastern branch, north of the Anacostia
bridge, and on the marshes of the Potomac
along the Virginia shore east of the Aque-
duct bridge. The law does not legalize
shooting on the marshes about Giesboro
point or along the District shore south Of
Giesboro. In no case Is shooting permitted
within 200 yards of dwelling or bridge.
An important section of the act which Is
intended for the guidance of gunners on
the marshes is one which specifies the kind
Of boat to be used. This section says that
No person in the District of Columbia
shall at any time hunt, pursue or needlessy
disturb any wild duck, goose or other water
fowl on any of the waters of the District
of Columbia with any boat propelled by
any means other than oars, under a penalty
of ten dollars or Imprisonment in the work.
house for not more than thirty days, or
both, for each offense.
Game Birds Protected.
There are many persons in the District
who are fond Of shooting birds and rabbits
There is nothing in the law that viii per-
nit the killing of quail or other game birds
this season, but rabbits may be killed under
a special permit issued by some person
designated by the District Commissioners.
This person has not yet been named, and
consequently no such permits have been
Issued. The section of the law wnic refers
to the shooting of rabbits provides that no
person shall at any time or at any place
in the District Of Columbia trap, catch,
kill injure, pursue, or attempt to trap
catch, kill, injure or pursue any squirrel
or any chipmunk. or shall shoot or hunt
with a gun any rabbit or other wild animal
without special written permit SO to do
from such officer as the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia may, by regula-
ton or order from time to time charge
WITH Inat Quty, unUer a penalty OF 10 OF
Imprisonment in the workhouse for not
more than thirty days, or both, for each
squirrel or chipmunk trapped, caught,
killed, injured or pursued, or for each rab-
bit other animal killed.
Some of the truckers in the county are
complaining of the destruction of their
crops by rabbits, and are anxious to have
the destructive animals killed. Under the
law the Commissioners are empowered to
give permits for the destruction of crows
and other birds that destroy crops. 1t is
likely that there will be many applicants
for permits to kill rabbits soon as per-
NIT officer L. designated.