The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-08-19


toned which are less than the length
mentioned for each. No one contends
that the except by pole and line
makes it legal to sell game fish. Yet
this Is all in the same paragraph.
"Have In Possession" Is Vital Point.
THRIFT shall be unlawful to have
in possession any of the fish men
toned which are less than the length
mentioned for each.
This third prohibition is the crux
Of the whole matter. 1t is the prohi-
bition upon which the state and fed
eral authorities base their prosecu-
tions They hold man cannot help
catching small fish with pole and line,
but If he keeps them-has them in
his professionalism he is liable to
arrest and fine. Or If he offers them
for sale he is subject to the law.
No Limit on Trough Fish,"
The next section, AZ, deals with the
rough buffalo, carp, cat and
sunfish, etc. This section has the Eek
cept by pole and line" provision in
an entirely different place from sec
ton Al and the result is that these
rough fish OF whatever size can be
kept and held in possession of the
fisherman when caught with pole and
line. Section AZ says:
1T shall be unlawful to catch. take
or kill by any means or device what.
soever, Or to sell or offer for sale, or
have in possession (unless caught
with hook and line) any of the follow
ing named fish below which are less
than the length mentioned for each:
Buffalo, eighteen inches; German
carp, fifteen inches: suntish, four
inches; blue or channel catfish, thir-
teen inches; bullhead cat, seven
inches; turtle or terrapin, seven inch
SHE'LL
Note that the unless caught with
hook and line" comes ;fter the "or
have in possession" and the section
reads straight and clear that a fish
erman may keep ell the rough fish
mentioned that he can catch with hook
and line, no matter how small these
rough fish may be.
What Senator Daley Intended.
1t is stated on the best authority
that, Senator Daley OF Peoria, father
Of the bill, intended to maintain the
size limit on game fish except that he
wanted to change, the size limit on
black bass from IL to 10 inches. This
being the intent Of the law, and the
reading being capable Of the construc-
ton the officials place upon 1t, all
fishermen should be content to return
to the water understood game fish,
and avoid any chance Of prosecution.
Hunting Laws Boiled Down.
Mr.. Merrill, in discussing the hunt
ing laws of the state and nation,
pointed out some peculiar things
therein and stated that the officers,
state and national, after discussing
the matter thoroughly. have boiled
the law down to this:
The open season for waterfowl is
from September j to December Is.
The open season on coots and gall
mules is from September to Decem-
Der /.
The open season on black-breasted
and golden plover, jacksnipes and yell
iowlegs is from September l to De-
cember Is.
All Of these dates are inclusive,
and these are the only open seasons
in any year on these fowl as the law
now stands.
Illinois has spring shooting sea.
son on ducks. The federal migratory
bird law forbids spring duck shoot
Ing Until tn, federal law is changed,
hunters who shoot ducks after Deem
Der Is and before September ] will
be prosecuted by the federal officers.
Anyone can get q copy Of the latest
revised game and fish laws by adj
dressing the fish and game commits
sion at Springfield.