Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-05-16
GAME AND FISH LAW

\ Brief Outline Of the Provisions Of
the Laws as Amended at
Last Session.
A synopsis Of the result of legisla-
ton in the late legislature, relative to
game and fish laws, has been issued
by Commissioner Avery, from which
we take the following paragraphs:
Rewards for Prosecution-The pres
ent law requires the payment of re-
wards to persons other than salaried
game Wardens securing convictions
for violation of the game and fish
laws. This act makes the payment Of
such rewards optional with the game
and fish commissioner.
Shipment of Heads and Hides-Un-
der the present law a special permit
is necessary to ship the head of big
game animal to taxidermist or the
hide to tannery. This is amended
to provide for an additional shipping
tag on the license for use in shipping
heads or hides without going thru the
fOrmality Of securing a special per-
NIT
Shooting from Automobiles-This
act prohibits the shooting of game of
any kind from motor vehicles.
Confscation and Seizure-This act
specifies more definitely what articles
illegally used in taking game and fish
are contraband and may be seized
and provides for the sale of such ar
ticles or materials as may have
lawful use, and for payment of money
so received into the state treasury.
Classification of Birds-This act
corrects the present law in the nom-
enclature of birds, listing those that
are classed as game birds and naming
the birds that are classed as injurious
and which may be destroyed at any
time. Blackbirds, crows, English
sparrows, sharp Skinned hawks, COS
hawks, Cooped hawks, and great
horned owls are classed as injurious.
This act further authorizes the de-
struction Of any birds which may be
found destroying or injuring game
birds on state game farms or in state
game refugees or destroying or injur-
ing fish in state hatcheries.
Authorizing the Taking of Fish in
Shallow Lakes-Thls act permits the
game and fish commissioner to author
iZe the taking of fish by any means
which may be found to be smothering
! in shallow lakes or sloughs or which
are found to be in immediate danger
of such destruction.
Open Season and Bag Limit for
Birds BY this act the open season for
| shooting water fowl and other game
birds will begin on Sept 16 instead of
Sept. Z. The season for prairie chick
ems will close Oct. and the bag linz
| it for upland birds, except quail, is re-
duced to five birds per day and fifteen
| in possession of any or all kinds COM
bined. A daily limit of ten quail is
permitted, and a season bag limit CT
twenty-five prairie chickens or thirty
quail is fixed. The season for quail
| shooting is the month of November
only. A closed season for three years
is fixed for ruffed grouse or partridge.
Inland Commercial Fishing-An act
has been passed amending the present
law so that the county commissioners
of the several counties, may, if they
see fit. close their respective counties
to this commercial fishing at the an
nual July meeting of the county
boards. Such action so taken by the
county boards cannot be rescinded
and no action can be taken at any
other meeting. It is also made I'm.
lawful for the county commissioners
to solicit or receive for their respec.
tive counties any percentage of the
proceeds Of such fishing. The new law
provides also for a graded percentage
to be paid to the state by the fisher.
men based upon the quantity of fish
taken per month.
Retrieving Wounded Ducks The
law forbidding the pursuing and
shooting of ducks in open water was
amended to allow the retrieving of
birds which may have been wounded
when shot from a pass or blind, fall
ing in open water.
Protection of Highways and Other
Property From Muskrats-The law is
amended slightly to allow the game
and fish commissioner to permit town
boards to designate persons to destroy
muskrats which are injuring high
ways.
Aliens Prohibited From Hunting
This act, which was submitted in 1915.
and which failed of passage at that
time, prohibits aliens, that is, persons
| who are not citizens of the United
States or have not legally declared
their intention of becoming citizens,
from hunting game birds or possess
ing firearms of any kind. An excep-
ton is made in favor Of alien sports
men who are permitted to hunt in
Minnesota under this act on the same
terms as nOn-residents.
Small Game Hunting Licenses
amendment was adopted requiring the
purchase of small game hunting H.
cense by all persons over IA years of
age. The present law excerpts minors
from it's requirements.
Fur-bearing Animals Protected-Th
law fixing a closed season for fur
bearing animals is amended as fol-
lows: Otter are protected indefinitely;
black bear. between March 1 and Oct
IS: gray, black and fox squirrel, fish
err. marten and raccoon, from March
l to Oct. Is. This act also prohibits
the shooting of muskrats, between
Feb. Is and April IS, following: pro-
hlbits the use Of steel traps in taking
bear, and simplifies the method of pro-
IN lit =.