The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-12-13

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 10
More than two hundred forty new
game laws were enacted during 1915
Ia larger number thanh any prev
fouss year except 1911, according to
Farmers Bulletin 692, Game Laws
for 1915" Forty-three states held
regular legislative sessions, and IN all
OF these states except Arizona, Geor-
gia and Nebraska some changes were
made in the statues protecting game.
The largest number of new game laws
passed in any one state was 81, IN
North Carolina; but in California,
Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Ore
gon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin the
number reached 10 or more. Several
measures were vetoed, including n
general game bill in Idaho, the first
bill appropriating the hunting license
fund in Pennsylvania, a bill protecting
bears in California, and three sections
Of the game bill in Washington. A
number Of bills were introduced for
the purpose of harmonizing the state
laws on migratory birds with the
federal regulations. In at least nine
states changes were made which
brought the seasons into substantial
agreement, viz, California, Connecti-
cut. Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire,
Tennessee, and West Virginia In
Illinois the seasons for all migratory
birds except coot and waterfowl, and
in Washington for the smaller shore
birds, were made to conform with the
regulations under the Federal law.
Uniformity was also secured by pro.
visions in the laws Of Connecticut.
Maine, New Mexicos North Dakota
Washington, and Wisconsin, prohibit.
ting hunting between sunset and sun.
rise. On the other hand, Delaware
adopted asresolution opposing the mi.
gratory-bird law, and Ohio and Rhode
Island. which had harmonized their
seasons in 1914, changed the seasons
on waterfowl this year.
AS result Of the decision Of the sl-
preme court of the United States on
January 10, 1914, sustaining the alien
hunting law of Pennsylvania, legisla.
ton prohibiting aliens from hunting
or owning shotguns or rifles was en-.
acted in at least four states-Massa
chusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota
and West Virginia-but certain excep
tons based on property qualifications
were made in Massachusetts and New
Jersey.
Close seasons extending for several
years were provided for certain kinds
OF big game and also for game birds.
Hunting mountain sheep was suspend
ed in Idaho, Montana and Washington
and goats were projected until 1918 in
Montana. Moose were protected for
four years in Maine, the first absolute
close season on this species for thirty.
five years-since the suspension OF
hunting from 1878 to 1880. Antelope
were given indefinite. protection in
New Mexico and Oklahoma prairie
chickens were protected for several
years. Michigan extended complete
protection; also to quail, imported
pheasants. grouse, and wood chucks
+, for five years. Minnesota protected
doves, woodchuck, plover, and wood
protection to pheasants, bob-whites
pigeons and swans. Oklahoma pro
tected doves, grouse, wood ducks and
curlew. Several birds were removed
from the game list and protected
such protection to pelicans. gulls and
neck pheasants, bullbats, robins. and
4
| In few cases protection was removed
| from certain species-notably the
turkey buzzard in Delaware, Florida
and North Carolina, owls and star
! lings in New Hampshire. and cormo
rants in Illinois and North Dokota
For the first time in twelve years
moose hunting Is permitted in Wyom
| ing, and for the first time since 1907
prairie-chicken shooting is permitted
in, Indiana.
Novel Features of State Laws.
| Among the novel features in the
laws this year may be mentioned the
declaration in the Florida law that
ownership of game is vested in the
respective counties; the provision il
| the California law protecting spike
| bucks, or deer with unbranched horns
instead of deer with horns of certain
| length; and the Wyoming experiment
of allowing the killing Of fifty bull
moose under 500 licenses instead O
an indefinite number during limited
season. Methods of hunting were re
stricted in Michigan by prohibiting
/ the use Of automobiles in hunting par
! tridges, and in Indiana by prohibiting
the use of searchlights or other arti
fetal lights attached to autos for hunt
ing game on or near highway. Sew
eral new restrictions on shipments an
peared for the first time. Illinois
| prohibited importation from points
outside the state of any game excep