Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-05-05
NEW GAME LAW.
Recent Legislature Makes Important
Changes in Fish and
Game Laws.

In considering the work of the. re-
cent session Of our legislature and
looking over the bills passed, the
Iowa State Fish and Game Protective
association may feel reasonably well
satisfied with what was accomplished
as result of their efforts to bring
about additional laws relating to the
protection of fish and game.
Chief among the new enactments
are the license laws. On July 4th
will go into effect the resident hunt
er's license law which provides a
license of $1.OO for resident hunters;
owners, occupants and tenants being
permitted to hunt on their own land
without license. The nonresident
hunters license has been changed to
a statewide license, the fee remain
ing at $1.00. The age limit was fixed
at Is years. A fish license was also
passed and is now in force, which
provides for seining in the boundary,
license fee is required, corresponding
to the kind and size of nets used. The
taking of bass. croppies and pike is
therein prohibited, and there are
other restrictions which will be
found beneficial and entirely satis-
factorily. While the limit of catch
with reference to certain game fish
is 40 for one day, the limit as to
bass, croppies and pike is made 20.
The sale of game birds and ami
mails. excepting rabbits, is prohibits
ed. The limit applied to the pos-
session of ducks is now so, ..-l, {
One of the most salutory steps
taken by the legislature was in plac-
ing deputy game wardens on a per
diem basis, giving them the power
of sheriffs and constables in the per-
formance of their duties, and elimin-
ating informant fees in all prosecu-
tiOns. 1t was found that the prac-
tice Of allowing informant fees has
been much abused, and so little good
has come of it that the association
earnestly urged the repeal of this
feature of our present law.
License fees will put into the treas
ury large sum Of money annually
for use in carrying out the fish and
game laws. Other states have had
splendid success with similar enact
ments. and Iowa cannot fail but
soon realize the wisdom and pro-
priety OF keeping IN progress with
her sister states, in protecting her
game birds, animals and fish
The open season for bass, pike,
crappies, pickerel. catfish or other
came fish, or the time in which you
can legally catch them, is from May
10 to Nov. 10 Trout can be legally
caught from April . 70 October 1.
Fishing license for non-residents is
$40. for residents of the state 81 PER
year
Licenses are granted for seining
and netting in the Mississippi, Mis-
souri, and Big Sioux rivers and Des
MoineS river ESQ much as forms the
boundary line between this state and
MissourD and for the purpose Of
taking all kinds of fish except bass.
crappy and pike of any variety.
Trammel net expressly prohibited.
1t is unlawful to shoot and kill
more than 25 game birds in one day.
1t is unlawful to have more than
25 game birds in possession, except
ducks, which is limited to Sc.
1t is unlawful TO buy, sell or offer
for sale any protected game bird or
animal, except rabbits.
1t is unlawful to catch more than
40 game fish in one day, limiting the
to 20 if either bass, pike or
crappy.
Prairie chickens or pinnated grouse
can be killed only in September, Oc-
tober and November Woodchuck
may be killed from July 10 until the
first of January. Quail. pheasant or
rufiied grouse and wild turkey have
excellent protection, and it is pro-
hibitory to kill them only during the
month of November and the first fif-
teen days OF December. Wild geese,
ducks, brant, rail. plover, sandpiper,
marsh or beach birds are open for
slaughter seven and one-half months
Of the year. From April 10 to Sept.
l they are protected. Squirrels may
be legally killed from Sept. to Jan.
l and rabbits have no protection at
all, and may be legally hunted and
killed at all times.
Doves and harmless birds can not
be legally shot or trapped at any
time and monaghan, ring neck, Eng
lish and Chinese pheasants are in the
same class.
Beaver, mink, otter or muskrat
may be killed in January. February
and Mo roh on6 IN NOuav,,ho. c~a ~