Democratic messenger., 1910-04-30
CAME AND FISH
LAWS OF md.
Were RemOde|ed At This Years
Session Of The State
Legislature.

The fish and game laws Of Maryland
were materially changed by the Legis-
lature this year. Heretofore some of
the counties had conflicting laws, and
the regulations were confusing. particu-
larly to non-residents. This difficulty
has been overcome to some extent.
Three of the game and fish bills which
were introduced in the Legislature by
Governor Crothers' Game and Fish Com
mission were passed, namely. the bill
for the further protection of wild fowl
in Maryland, the bag limit for the State,
and the State Fish bill regulating the
size Of fish which can be taken from the
waters. The two most important bills
filed by this commission were killed
the resident hunting license of 81, which
would have provided the wherewithal
to enforce the present complex laws and
the three State laws just referred to
were killed in the committee room for
political reasons only, and the law MAX
ing the opening and closing dates of the
cunning season uniform passed the SEN
ate, but was unfavorably reported by
the House committee.
Besides the excellent features en-
bodied in these three State laws" says
Talbot Denmead. secretary Of the Mary
land State Game and Fish Protective
Association, who has codified them.
their chief usefulness lies in the fact
that they are State measures, not apply
ing to small locality, but to the entire
State, and when person wants to know
the law on any subject covered by these
three bills he does not have to examine
the laws of % different counties. but
simply refers to the one uniform, simple
bill"
The following is synopsis Of the con-
tents of these laws:
Section ] of the ducking bill provides
that it shall be unlawful to purposely or
unnecessarily disturb, on their feeding
grounds, or when bedded, or to pursue
or kill or shoot at any wild fowl in or
from any boat of any description within
the State of Maryland, and to shoot or
gather any wounded ducks. geese or
swan in boat propelled by sail or en-
gines. Penalty for violation of same is
not less than 500 or more than 5000
land confiscation Of entire outfit. for
each person on board Of boat from which
wild fowl are unnecessarily disturbed,
chased or shot at.
1t likewise provides that any owner or
owners of boats above mentioned who
use or permit their use for above men,
toned acts. or loan or hire any boats
between October 18th to April lst, must
make inquiry into the use to which same
is to be put. II it is shown that any
power or sailboat be found in or near
the waters where wild fowl are then
using or bedding, having paraphernalia
commonly employed in killing wild fowl,
or il any shots shall be fired from such
boats in the vicinity of wild fowl, or it
shall be proven that sucha boat followed
such wild fowl, it will be prima facie
evidence of violation.
Section2 provides that the open season
for duck, geese. brant or swan shall be
from November ist until April 10th, ex-
cepting Anne Arundel County. and that
it shall be unlawful to have such wild
fowl in possession between April 18th
and November LIST. II is likewise made
lawful to kill teal and other marsh ducks
on the marshes of the State during the
month of September excepting in Dor
chester County. Fine for violating the
provisions of this section, $25 to $50 for