Game Laws 



frequently altered. In illustration of the va- 

 garies of lawmakers in this respect, it is to be 

 remembered that the law of 1879, passed by 

 the Legislature of the State of New York, 

 was a complete and well-studied statute, made 

 after much consultation, and meeting the ap- 

 proval of all the societies of the State, as well 

 as the market men, and operated in the main 

 satisfactorily to all. Since that date members 

 of the Legislature from the different localities 

 introduced bills making some exception or ad- 

 dition to the act, to benefit their little town or 

 locality, to prohibit fishing in certain waters, 

 to protect certain other animals, to provide 

 certain restrictions as to weapons of chase or 

 means of fishing, or times and seasons ; or 

 giving powers to county supervisors to legis- 

 late in addition to the general legislation of 

 the State. Two hundred and fourteen such 

 acts and ordinances have been passed since 

 1879, until the general law has been obscured 

 and brought into contempt. These acts and 

 ordinances include, among other curiosities, 

 the protection of muskrats and mink, the 

 preservation of skunks and other vermin, the 

 prohibition of residents of one county from 

 fishing in another county, and protecting parts 



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