Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12
HUNTING SEASON


Copyright 1907, by John Elfreth Watkins)
- = IMRODS, now taking down their
~ guns and planning itineraries
for their regular autumn shoot
ing must look exceeding sharp
this season, for the legislatures
Of 1907 have been unusually active In pass
ing laws affecting the shooting Of game,
zig and little. j learn from the federal
biological survey, which maintains a
clearing house for such information. that
$50 statutes affecting game have this year
been passed by our states and the prov
Iuccs II Canada. SpOrtsmen in all of our
states except Georgia. Florida. New Jer-
sey. Nevada and North Dakota VIII have
new laws to learn II they wish TO be on
the safe side and escape fines or possible
Imprisonment
New acts prohibiting the use OF auto
matte guns are among the most novel OF
those passed this year. Hunters going
into Pennsylvania, Ontario or New Bruns-
wick will find serious trouble awaiting
them II they attempt to use these fowling
pieces OF the magazine type. as those conf
rnanweaIths have just prohibited their
use. Before another year has passed THIS
prohibited zone will very probably be con-
siderably widened. In nearly every haunt
OF the American gunner the voice or inc
old school sportsman is raised against the
automatic gun. Bills to prohibit its use
have this wear been before the legislatures
OF New York. New Jersey. Connecticut,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri. Nebraska,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Wash
ingtOn and some of these states are likely
to pass such legislation next spring.
Motor Boats Under the Ban.
The motor boat, too, has been started
upon the downward course OF disfavor by
the old school sportsmen. One Of Della
wares laws of 1907 prohibits duck shoot
ing in Indian river OF Rehoboth bay from
boats not propelled by oars, and this agi-
tation will probably extend into other
states in the course Of the months to fol-
low. In Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
boats. guns and decoys used in hunting
ducks in violation OF law viii be confis-
Gated by the state.
New laws for the prevention of hunting
accidents have also been passed and agi-
tated this year. These are provoked by
the increasing number of casualties re-
sultinE from the poor aim OF unskilled
hunters and the great range OF the mod
ern rite. The rifle is hereafter forbidden
deer hunters in New Hampshire, and the
WiStful-eyCd deniZens of the forest wllds
must be riddled by shotguns-thanks to
those EUnners who have been shooting
their guides and the numerous non com
batants Of the woods. Maine is agitating
n bill excluding firearms of all kinds from
its woods during the entire close season,
and Minnesota has before its legislature
another prohibiting the use OF firearms
within three miles of cities of 10000 pop
ulatiOn or more One of WiscOnsin's new
laws prohibits the use of rifles in hunt
Ing waterfowl, except goose or brant.
Big game Of all sorts comes in for in
creased protection under many radical
laws passed this year. Wyoming. for eX-
ample. has just made head-hunting and
tusk bunting felony, and authorizes the
payment of $500 reward 70 persons detect
Ing violations. 1t Furthermore reduces the
ba{, limit and export limit of big game
from two carcasses to one.
Americans who go after big game up
In Alberta province Canada, must look
out for another novel law of this year re-
quirtnE that all heads OF big game be
stamped by the minister of agriculture
before being sold. This official stamping
will cost IS apiece for heads of elk, carl
bou. moose and wild sheep. and 81 apiece
for those OF deer, antelope and wild goat.
For each big game trophy taken out of
the province s. must be paid, regardless
OF species. and 81 must be forfeited for
each dozen OF birds exported.
This is all good law, and our own big
game states should take notice for our
wild quadrupeds Of the mountains. woods
and prairies are being ruthlessly slaugh-
tered largely to supply trophies to- wealthy
persons passed by the fad for converting
their houses into geological museums. sug-
gesting the prowess of the owner. How
ever. this years laws show good progress
on our OWN part along many lines.
Saving Antelope, Moose and Elk.
Our antelope come In for some much
needed protection. They cannot be hunt
ed anywhere IN Nebraska from now on
indefinitely. and 800 is the penalty at
tached, while Texas will give the same
absolute protection until 1912, and Utah
until 1911. Colorado establishes close sea-
sons for them. and Manitoba gives COM
plete protection to females. Colorado es-
tabliSheS close seasons for both sexes
Antelope hunters may, however, find
new opening In Montana, which now opens
q season from September l to December l.
Moose cannot be shot at any time in
Wisconsin hereafter, according to this
years law. and Manitoba gives complete
protection to females. Up in Nova Scotia
moose hunting is to be allowed only dur
Ing October and November, except on