Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-11
MORE THAN 24O
NEW GAME LAWS
Much Legislation to Protect
Birds and Big Game; Fol-
low Pennsylania's Lead

Washington, Nov. IL. More than
240 new game laws were enacted dur
ing 1915-a larger number than In
any previous year except 1911, accord
ing to Farmers Bulletin 692, Game
Laws for 1915" Regular legislative
sessions were held in 43 States, and
in all of these, except Arizona, Georgia
AID Nebraska, some changes were
S,ade in the statutes protecting game.
The largest number of new game
u VS. passed in any one State was 81,
- 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 gen.
eral game bill in Idaho, the first bill
appropriating the hunting license
fund in Pennsylvania, a bill protect
ing bears in California and three sec
tions of the game bill in Washing
ton.
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 Hamp-
shire, Tennessee and West Virginia. In
Illinois the seasons for all migratory
bird 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
provisions in the law of Connecticut
Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Washington and Wisconsin, prohibit
ing hunting between sunset and sun
rise. On the other hand, Delaware
adopted a resolution opposing the
migratory bird law, and Ohio and
Rhode Island. which had harmonized
their seasons in 1914, changed the
seasons on waterfowl this year.
Follow Pennsylvania Lead on Aliens
AS a result of the decision of tho
supreme court of the United States on
January 10, 1914, sustaining the alien
hunting law of Pennsylvania, legisla-
tion prohibiting aliens from hunting
or owning shotguns or rifles was en-
acted in at least four States-Massa-
cEusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota,
and West Virginia-but certain eXcep-
tions 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 Washing
ton, and goats were protected until
1918 in Montana.
Moose were protected for four years
in Maine, the first absolute close sea-
son on this species for S5 years-since
the suspension of hunting, from 1878
to 1880. Antelope were given inde-
finite protection in New Mexico and
Montana.
In Michigan, New Mexico and Okla
hcma, prairie chickens were protected
for several years. Michigan extended
ckaplete protection also to quail, i'm
ported pheasants, grouse and wood
ducks for five years. Minnesota pro-
tected doves, woodcock, plover and
wood ducks until 1918. New Mexico
gave protection to pheasants. bob
whites, pigeons and swans. Oklahoma
protected doves, grouse, wood ducks
and curley. Several birds were re-
moved from the game list and pro-
tected through the year. Oklahoma
rave such protection to pelicans, gulls
and herons. Tennessee declared ring
neck pheasants, bullbats, robins AMI
meadow larks to be nongame birds.
In few cases protection was removed
from certain species-notably the tur-
key buZzard in Delaware. Florida and
North Carolina, owls and starlings in
New Hampshire and cormorants in
Illinois and North Dakota.
Wyoming Permits Moose Hunting
For the first time in / years moose
hunting is permitted in Wyoming, and
Tor the first time since 1907 prairie
chicken shooting is permitted in In
diana.
Among the novel features in the
laws this year may be mentioned the
declaration in the Florida law that