The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-10
Rabbit Squirrel Grouse and Hungarian Partridge Opens Tomorrow
FEWER GAME LAWS,
MORE PROTECTION
Record of States Holding
Legislative Sessions Show
Progress.
AID FOR RUFFED GROUSE

wAsHINGToH. ID. c.. Nov. 9.--George
A. Lawyer and Frank L. Earnshaw have
finished their compilation OF game laws
for 1918 for the Biological Survey OF the
Department Of Agriculture. Their review
Of game legislation in 1918 shows:
Fewer game laws were enacted in
1918 than In any year since 19o0-about
fifty laws having been passed. Eleven
States and all the provinces OF Canada
held regular legislative sessions. These
States included Georgia. Kentucky.
Louisiana. Maryland, Massachusetts,,
Mississippi, New Jersey. New York.
Rhode Island, South Carolina and Vir-
ginia. In Georgia, Kentucky and Missis-
sippi no game lie sislation was enacted
In some States unsuccessful efforts
were made to repeal or modify existing
protective laws for the duration of the
war. and while the laws we're slightly
relaxed in a few instances, the seasons
as a rule were left unchanged or were
shortened to give better protection TO
game that has become greatly reduced
in abundance.
The United States Food Administra-
ton, after carefully considering recon-
mendations received by IL on this sub
ject. reached the conclusion that the
maximum supply Of food can best be OBJ
tained by constantly increasing the
breeding reserve of game under present
laws and even more progressive laws
| directed toward that end.
More Protection for Big Game.
Existing laws for the protection of big
game were continued in all the States.
! In Nova Scotia the close season on moose
and deer expiring in 1918 was continued
indefinitely on Cape Breton Island and
on caribou and COW moose throughout
the province. Ontario heightened the
open season ten days on moose and carl
bou by opening 1t October l instead OF
October 10. and increased the limit on
deer from one to two for resident OF
the province. New Brunswick placed a
close season on caribou until 1921 and
prohibited the sale OF deer and moose.
Full protection WIS given buffalo. elk or
wapiti, and musk OK in the Northwest
territories and while the open season
was shortened two weeks on caribou and
sheep 1t was extended two weeks on
deer. moose and goats.
Close Season on Game Birds.
Owing to the great scarcity of ruffed
grouse, now seriously threatened with
number of States to close the season on
| this species for a term OF years. Upon
petition the game commissioners of Mich
| igan and Pennsylvania have closed the
season by regulation, and In New York
| the season was shortened to one month.
Ontario extended the close season on
ruffed grouse until 1890, and Nova Scotia
extended 1t on ruffed grouse and birch
partridge until 1922. Alberta opened the
season on grouse and Hungarian part
ridge. but confined the shooting season to
| the month OF October. Grouse are pro-
tected In New Brunwick until 1921.
The close season has been extended on
wood duck In New Jersey to October 1,
1921 indefinitely on swans, wood duck
| and elder ducks in Ontario and Nova
Scotia, and on elder ducks in Quebec.
Migratory Birds Legislation.
On July 3, 1918. a law was enacted by
, Congress to give effect to the migratory
bird treaty. Upon Its passage regula-
lions we're prepared and adopted by the
Secretary Of Agriculture. and on July 81
were proclaimed by tho President
| These regulations fix the open seasons
on migratory game birds, prescribe max
imum bag limits throughout the United
| States. permit only two days bag limit
OF migratory game birds to be exported
| from a State by one person In calendar
week. and authorize under permit the
propagation OF migratory waterfowl In
| captivity for commercial purposes.
The regulations do not permit the sale
OF migratory birds. except waterfowl
raised IN captivity, anywhere in the
United States. This new law also grants
the powers necessary for its proper en-
forcement, and permits the several States
to make and enforce laws and regulations
not inconsistent with the act or to give
further protection to migratory birds.
On May IL. 1913, Canada took flna,
action to give effect to the migratory bird
treaty by promuleitlng comprehensive
regulations under the migratory birds
convention act. 1t Is interesting to note
that these regulations prohibit all hunting
in late winter, after January Is and be.
fore September l, except that the oper
season on shore birds In the Maritime
Provinces opens August 10.
TIE season for hunting is further re.
stricted to a period not exceeding three
and one-half months. Seven of the
Canadian provinces already have made
their game laws conform with the terms
of the Dominion regulations.