PINNATED GROUSE 245 



ranchmen and farmers throughout the State report 

 birds more plentiful than at any time during the past 

 fifteen years. 



"If we take care of these birds, we will have them 

 for a great many years to come, as we have bound- 

 less acres of territory which will never be cultivated, 

 and which afford splendid breeding grounds for them." 



Missouri is a State where in the past there have 

 been many pinnated grouse, and from this State also 

 we have a good report as to an abundant stock of birds 

 which might easily be increased by proper care. State 

 Game Warden J. H. Rodes' account of things will be 

 read with interest : 



"In twenty-five, if not more, of the 114 counties in 

 this State, we have prairie chickens remaining in 

 greater or less quantities. Originally, as you know, 

 throughout the prairie districts of this State, these 

 birds abounded in very liberal supply, but having had 

 absolutely no protection up to and prior to the enact- 

 ment of the present game and fish laws, which went 

 into effect on June 15, 1905, they were industriously 

 hunted almost to the point of extermination, and were 

 wholly killed off in many counties where they had 

 formerly been found abundant. 



"It was a common practice notwithstanding we 

 had a statute prohibiting it to begin shooting these 

 birds after July i, clear on and through the hunting 

 season, when and wherever they could be found. Now 

 that they are protected during the entire year, except 

 from November 15 to December 15, we hope they will 



