The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-28
GAME SLAUGHTER
BY SOUTHERNE
STOPPED U nd Err
FEDERAL CLAUSE
New Restrictions Insure
Better Hunting In Years
to Come, M'Cutcheon

Minot, n. D., Aug. 2s.-E. B. Nc
Cutcheon, secretary treasurer of the
North Dakota State Sportsmens as
from E. w. Nelson, Washington. D.
c., chief Of the bureau of biological
survey announcing that the newly
adopted regulations for the enforce
ment of the recent federal migratory
bird law absolutely prohibits The
sale of wild game in the markets.
Under state laws today, no less
than Is states permit to some ex-
tent or other. the sale Of migratory
waterfowl. Only one state (Louisi-
ana) sells a market hunters license.
In that state a resident for $40 may
purchase license to slaughter
ducks and geese and sell them on
the open market. 1t is no uncon-
mon sight to see wagon loads Of
northern ducks and geese sold on
the open market. The conservation
commission Of that state seemed to
favor such slaughter and sale and
through the columns Of the press
mildly condoned it.
This has all been wiped out now
by the recent federal regulation.
Sportsmen of the northern states
Will certainly appreciate this an
nouncement as 1t means in a few
years large increase in the water
fowl.
| That this law will stand the test
of the highest court is a forgone
conclusion. For number of years
there was some doubt as to the
constitutionality of the first federal
game law. Imminent lawyers who
are ardent conseryationists worked
a long time to draft a law that would
stand the test of the courts. Fin
| ally it was decided to draft q treaty
| between United States and Canada.
After years of delay from one cause
or another it finally was enacted.
| Then followed legislation in congress
| to put in into effect. This is now
law and the regulations prohibit
game sales. This does not prevent
sale of game for scientific or breed
ing purposes or wild game raised in
| captivity only the later must not be
killed by shooting. -.e
| The North Dakota Sportsmen's
association have worked for such a
Federal law for many years and
have taken an active part in the a6-
vocation Of the treaty. Later when
the present legislation was before
congress they were represented by
a direct representative at Washing
ton who worked and talked for
them. This is the greatest victory
ever won by organized sportsmen in
the United States. .,r. -
One Of the federal regulations al
low for the killing of rs ducks per
day and limit the geese to eight,
| The present state law permits the
killing of 10 each. just exactly how
the conflict will work out has not
as yet been decided, but doubtless
the next legislature will conform to
the United States regulations. Now
that Uncle Sam is official guardian
of the migratory birds, the question
of state rights becomes less and less
and the power and authority Of The
United States will increase.
l. Lest some may not be entirely
clear as to what legally constitutes
a migratory bird let me say that
the native prairie chicken and
grouse are not classed as migratory
birds by the bureau of biology and
are not protected by federal laws,
though g. strong attempt has been
made seceraT times to have them IN.
cluded, and sportsmen should keep
up the fight. stated Mr.. McCutch
| con today. ~
, Mr.. McCutcheon has been secre-
tary of the Game Protection and
Propagation department Of the North
Dakota State Sportsmen's associa-
ton for some time and for many
years active in the cause of game
protection. Among other things in
which the society has been interest
ed has been the exposing Of condi-
tions On louisiana and also helped
to kill the SultZer bill aimed at the
indiscriminate slaughter and sale CT
/ wild animals in Alaska. ~