PINNATED GROUSE 241 



THE PINNATED GROUSE TO-DAY. 



An inquiry made in 1906 among the game commis- 

 sioners of States where prairie chickens were formerly 

 very abundant brought out a number of replies of 

 great interest. Mr. E. E. Earle, then chief deputy 

 warden of the State of Indiana, wrote to Forest and 

 Stream as follows : 



"Our supply of pinnated grouse decreased rapidly 

 from year to year until 1901. Prior to that time the 

 open season had run from September I of any year to 

 February i of the succeeding year. Under this law 

 large numbers of these birds were slaughtered every 

 year, they being young, not gun shy, and easily found. 



"In 1901 a law was passed prohibiting the killing of 

 pinnated grouse, or possession of same, at any time 

 between January i and November 10, and prohibiting 

 export of such birds. Under the provisions of this 

 act, which was rigorously enforced, pinnated grouse 

 have increased in numbers, and may be found in great 

 droves on our prairies and marshes. 



"I was in Porter County last March, and one duck 

 hunter told me of having seen in one flock what he 

 estimated to have been one hundred prairie chickens, 

 and such scenes are by no means rare. Wise laws and 

 strict enforcement of same will increase them in any 

 country that is suitable for their habitation." 



Illinois, in the youth of men who are now elderly, 

 was the great chicken ground of what used to be called 



