Milford chronicle., 1929-11-22
STATE GAME LAWS
ARE VERY DRASTIC
Continued from Page u

AOOhSAA0C0 AAOAA ot5O -
aware are regarded as non-residents
and must take out a icense-at a
cost of $3.50. Otherwise their gun
and munitions will be confiscated
by the State, or they may be fined.
For those who disregard the
rights of land owners it may be ex-
planned that the law makes it mis-
demeanor to hunt without the con-
sent of the land owners, and pro-
vides a penalty for trespassing.
Hunting is also prohibited in re-
serves set apart for wild game, nor
may the hunter or dealer legally
sell game-birds or animals--killed
in this State. This provision does
not prevent the importation of rab-
bits from other States, and their
sale here. Delaware rabbits, how
ever, may be trapped or shot in the
county in which they may be offer
ed for sale, but the number is con-
fined to 20 for each hunter or trap
per. The nonresident hunter may
carry or ship outside the State not
more than 20 birds or fowl and 10
animals, which shall be openly con-
veyed for examination and the as
surance given that they are not to
be offered for sale.
Delaware game laws make it leg
al for land owners to trap, shoot or
otherwise destroy birds and ami
mails, provided. they can prove the
game to be ravaging or otherwise
damaging their crops, and also pro-
vide a penalty for persons found
having game in their possession five
days after the close of the season.
Delaware, in common with all
other States, is guarding against
the determination of wild game life.
In addition to the stringent provis-
ions and sharp penalties for viola
ton of the laws, the State is propa-
eating wild game, with the hope of
restoring it approximately to its or
iginal abundance.
In order to render prompt arrest
and disposal of violators of our
game laws the wardens are empow-
cred to designate assistants or dep
uties whenever there is an apparent
need and these may make arrests
without warrants. The law makes
every hunter an aide to the war
dens, for it authorizes justice Of the
peace to pay informers, or those
arrests, one-half the fine of
those they apprehend. These re-
wards, however, do not go to war
dens and peace officers.
One may see the game laws of the
State are drastic enough to deter
any but the most defiant from disre-
garding them, but there are still a
few men with guns who take their
of eluding the wardens. Yet
it just can't be done with safety.
Perhaps the law against trespass-
ing is one of the provisions most |
violated. Posting the land
is not requisite under the law, but |
the consent of the land owner is. |
Trespass, which makes the gunner |
liable to a fine, may consist of |
walking across the lands without |
consent and carrying gun or ac-
companied by hunting dogs. Should |
a trespasser refuse to pay the fine |
imposed his gun and munitions will |
be confiscated. The law thus stres-
ses the rights of the land owner,
and warns the indiscriminate hunt
er.
The State and game wardens may
be counted on to do their full duty
during the season-and at all sea-
sons-and with the power vested in
they they will be able to apply the
laws to fit almost every case Of vio-
Iation. We are assured that they will
be alert and vigilant in detection of
aw violations and visiting penalties
1n the guilty.