Evening journal., 1913-07-24
UNCLE SAM SAVES
MIGRATORY BIRDS

shooting migratory birds. authorized
under the recently enacted Weeks-Mc-
Lean migratory bird law, have just
been issued by the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, Bureau OIL
Biological Survey. and constitute be-
yond a doubt the most sweeping ac-
ton in the country's history toward
the protection Of wild bird life. These
new regulations, Of course. take abb
solute precedence over all existing
statutes In the several states with
which they come in conflict The new
regulations which are effective on Oc-
tober /, 1913, are summarized as fol-
lows:
Generally speaking the country is
divided into two zones, northern and
southern. the dividing line running
wholly or in part north of latitude 40
degrees and the Ohio river.
The twenty FIVE states included in
the northern zone comprise Maine.
New Hampshire, Vermont Massachu-
setts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
York New Jersey, Pennsylvania Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois. Michigan. Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota, Iowa North Dakota
South Dakota, Nebraska. Colorado.
Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon
and Washington
The % states included IN the south
ern zone are Delaware. Maryland
District OF Columbia. West Virginia.
North and South Carolina Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Ten
nessee. Kentucky Missouri Arkansas,
Louisiana. Texas, oklahoma. Kansas.
New Mexico. Arizona, California. Ne
vada and Utah.
The shooting season fixed for these
two zones varies according 10 the
four classihcations of migratory birds
that have been made az will he seen
later The zones thus established
takes the place of so similar districts
now existing under the statutes of the
several states.
BY way OF summarization the fol-
lowing statements may be made
First exceptions have been made In
both zones for numerous reasons but
rs most cases the closed seasons take
the average of the existing laws of the
states in the particular zones in which
they are located.
Second There has been more cut
ting down on the closing than the
opening dates of the shooting seasons
as they now exist
Third. I'm most cases three months
of open shooting are allowed for
water fowl. and I'm some cases as
much as three and one-half months.
Fourth. Spring shooting is abso-
lutely prohibited.
Fifth Shooting of migratory birds
between sunset and sunrise Is likewise
prohibited.
Sixth In no case will there he less
than 30 days when birds may be shot
during the period q their greatest
abundance.
Birds that may he shot are divided
by the new regulations into four
classes These. and the open seasons
allowed on them. follow
NORTHERN ZONE.
1-water fowl ...... Sept 1-Dec, 4;
2ARail ................S Sept i-Doc.
3-W WoodcOck ......... Oct. l-Dec.
4-Shore Birds. ...... Sept 1-Dec. n
SOUTHERN ZONE.
! Water Fowl ........ oct l-Jan, 10
2-Rail .....,.....Se Sept. l-Dec.
| s. -WoOdcock .......... Nov l-Jan. |
Ashore Birds. ......... Sept / Dec. Is
No shooting whatever is allowed Of
cranes, or the columbiae doves, pig
cons, etc.
A closed season until September J..
1918. is established for brand-tailed
pigeons, little brown, sandhill and
whooping cranes. swans. curlews, all
shore birds except black-breasted and
golden plover. Wilson or jack snipe.
wood duck, greater and lesser yellow
legs.
Wood duck, i'm addition, arc given a
closed season to September 1, 1918. IN
1 the following states Maine. New
Hampshire. Vermont Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania Ohio, In
diana, Michigan, West Virginia and
! Wisconsin.
Insectivorous birds. including rob-
ins, larks, etc. are protected at all
times i'm all states. and similar pro-
lection is given the smaller shore
birds and other species which hav,
been greatly reduced in number
A novel and important feature IL
the prohibition Of hunting on the
great rivers of the country excep
during November and December. Pro
hihited territory as designated 10y
the regulations in this instance is a.
follows:
/. Mississippi river from New Or
leans to Minneapolis.
2. Ohio river from its mouth &
Pittsburgh
g. Missouri river between its moutl
and Bismark n. ID.
- Under the provisions OF the Weeks
Mclean law three months are give
from the time these regulations ar
made public until they are presente
TO the President for approval and ar
finally adopted II is also provide
that public hearings may be had
deemed proper, and Il is assumed tina
, these very probably will be held
A special committee Of three fror
3 the Bureau of Biological Survey drafi
ed the regulations outlined above. II
members arc r. S Palmer. A. \
Fisher and w. W. Cooke The Depart
ment Of Agriculture has issued tw
pamphlets on the subject. one con
tanning the regulations themse've
and the second an explanation q
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