Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-30
LEGISLATION to Protect Birds
and Big Game in Many States
More Than 24O New Laws Have Been Enacted
during 1915-Nine Closed Seasons Brought
into Accord with the Federal Statute

More than 240 new game laws were en-
acted during 1915-a larger number than
in any previous year except 1911, accord
ing to farmers bulletin Co., Game Laws
for 1885, issued by the United States
department of agriculture. Forty-three
States held regular legislative sessions,
and in all of these States except Ari-
IONA, Georgia and Nebraska some
changes were made in the statutes pro-
tecting game. The largest number of
new game laws passed in any one state
was 6l in North Carolina; but in Califor-
mia. Connecticut. Maine New Jersey
Oregon. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin the
number reached 10 or more. Several
measures were vetoed, including a gem
.eral 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 fcder
al regulations. In at least nine States
changes were made which brought the
seasons into substantial agreement, viz.
California, Connecticut, 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 regula-
lions under the federal law. Uniformity
was also secured by provisions In the
laws of Connecticut, Maine New Mexico,
North Dakota, Washington and Wiscon-
sin, prohibiting hunting between sunset
and sunrise. On the other hand, Della
ware adopted a resolution opposing the
migratory bird law. and Ohio and Rhode
Island, which had harmonlzed their sea-
sons of 1914 changed the seasons on
waterfowl this year.
AS result Of the decision OF the Su-
preme Court of the United States on
January 10. 1914 sustaining the alien
hunting law of Pennsylvania, legislation
prohibiting aliens from hunting or own
ing shotguns rifles was enacted in at
least four States-Nra ssachusetts. New
Jersey North Dakota and West Virginia
but certain exceptions based on prop
erty qualifications were made in Massa-
chusetts and New Jersey
MOOSE PROTECTED IN MAINE.
years We're provided for certain kinds Of
big game and also for game birds Hunt
Ing mountain sheep was suspended in
Idaho Montana and Washington, and
goats We're protected until 1918 in Mon
tana. Moose were protected for four
years in Maine. the first absolute close
season on this species for g, ycars-snce
the suspension of hunting from 1873 to
Mt friy I'D f;,,it
lection In New Mexico and Montana In
Michigan. New Mexico and Oklahoma
prairie chickens were protected for sew
eral years. Michigan extended complete
protection also to quail. imported pleas
ants. grouse and wood ducks for five
years. Minnesota protected doves. wood
cock, plover and wood ducks until 1918
New Mexico gave protection to pleas
ants, bob-whtes, pigeons and swans
Oklahoma protected doves. grouse, wood
ducks and curlew. Several birds were
removed from the game list and protect
ed through the year. oklahoma gave
such protection to peicans. gulls and
herons. Tennessee declared rlng-neclS
pheasants, bullhats. robins and meadow
larks to he non-game birds. In a few
cases protection was removed from GER
t"lil SpecleS-notaoly the turkey puHHard
in Delaware. Florida and North Carolina,
owls and starlings in New Hampshire.
and cormorants in Illinois and North
Dakota.
For the first time in 10 years moose
hunting is permitted in Wyoming, and
for the first time since 1907 prairie chick
en- shooting is permitted in Indiana.
NOVEL FEATURES OF NEW LAWS
Among the novel features of the laws
this year may be mentioned the decla-
ration in the Florida law that ownership
OF game is vested In the respective coun-
ties; the provision in the California law
protecting spike bucks. or deer with UNI
branched horns, instead of deer with
horns of a certain length: and the Wy