Little Falls Herald

SHORTER HUNTING SEASON ON PRAIRIE CHICKENS AND OTHER WILD FOWLS AMONG CHANGES

Chaska Herald: The Herald has been asked quite frequently since the close of the legislature regarding the changes in the state game laws, enacted during the past session, and after reading the law supplement we are firmly convinced that every sportsman in the state should become conversant with the new laws.

Wild game and fish are given further protection from sportsmen in order to save the wild game life from becoming extinct in this state, which under the old order of things, would have been a probability in a few years.

One of the most important changes of the game laws was the shortening of the hunting season for shooting water fowl and other game birds. It will begin on September 16 instead of September 7, as formerly. The season for prairie chickens will close on October 1, and the bag limit for upland birds, except quail, is reduced to five birds per day and 15 in possession of any, or all kinds combined. A daily limit of 10 quail is permitted, and a season bag limit of 25 prairie chickens or 30 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.

An amendment was adopted requiring the purchase of small game hunting licenses by all persons over 14 years of age. The present law exempted minors from its requirements.

Shooting of game from automobiles or any other kind of motor vehicle is strictly forbidden. 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, falling in open water. Articles illegally used in taking game and fish are contraband and may be seized and provisions made for the sale of such articles as may have a lawful use, and for payment of money so received into the state treasury.

Birds which are considered injurious and may be destroyed are as follows: Black birds, crows, English sparrows, goshawks, sharp shinned hawks, Cooper hawks and great horned owls. Birds found destroying or injuring game birds on state game farms, or in state game refuges or destroying or injuring fish in state fish hatcheries can also be killed.

The game and fish commissioner is authority to take fish by any means, which may be found to be smothering in shallow lakes or sloughs, or which may be found to be in immediate danger of destruction.

In regard to inland commercial fishing, this act has been so amended that county commissioners may, if they see fit, close their respective counties to this commercial fishing at the annual July meeting of the board. This action of the boards will be considered final. It is unlawful for the commissioners to solicit or receive for their respective counties any percentages of the proceeds of such fishing.

Muskrats which show a tendency to injure highways or other property will be killed and town boards have the power to designate persons to destroy the rats. Spring shooting of muskrats between February 15 and April 15 following is absolutely forbidden.

License is also required of persons who wish to fish for clam shells, and the method of taking same is regulated with a view of conservation of the supply of shells for button manufacturers.

The legislature also passed an act which divides the state into two zones for the opening of the fishing season for brook trout and black bass. The dividing line is the township line which crosses the state east and west, passing through or near Browns Valley, Morris, St. Cloud, Princeton and Cambridge. In the southern zone the trout season opens on April 15 and the black bass season May 29, as formerly. In the northern zone this has been changed, the trout season opening May 1 and the black bass season June 15. Lake trout in inland waters less than 16 inches in length cannot be kept. The closed season on trout is made to cover all species of trout in inland waters, including brook trout, steelheads, rainbow, lake trout and salmon. The limit on yellow perch is removed, but sunfish and rock bass must measure at least five inches in length.

Hunters who have been in the habit of shooting grey, black and fox squirrels at any and all times should bear in mind that these animals are now protected by law from March 1 to October 15. Raccoons are also protected for the same length of time. Otters are protected indefinitely.

Artificial lights for spearing buffalo, white fish, or sturgeon, pickerel, dog fish, eelpout and garfish classed as rough fish may be used from November 1 to November 15.