SECOND BIENNIAL STATEMENT 201 



Mar. 18. — A census of the prong-horned antelope species in New 

 Mexico was completed, through the joint efforts of the State 

 Game Warden, the New Mexico State Game Protective Associa- 

 tion, and the U. S. Forest Service. In 1914 the State Game War- 

 den estimated the number at 2,000. In 1910 the Biological 

 Survey made an estimate of 1,300 head. Both these estimates 

 were quite near the actual facts. The census recently com- 

 pleted reveals, after the most careful canvass possible, 1,740 

 head, in 38 herds, occupying ranges aggregating about 2,500,- 

 000 acres. "The condition of 30 of the 38 herds is not known, 

 but of the remaining herds 7 per cent are reported decreasing, 

 or stationary in number." See "The Pine Cone" for April 

 1916.) 



March 24. — The very objectionable deer law of New Jersey, enacted 

 in 1915, permitting the killing of female deer and fawns was 

 repealed. Its sponsor, Senator John A. Ackley, took a leading 

 part in securing its repeal. The cruelty and destructiveness of 

 the law proved to be intolerable. 



April 8. — Fifty elk from the Yellowstone Park were liberated in the 

 Adirondacks, by the New York State Conservation Commission. 

 Forty-four were set free at Carlos Clearing, Saranac Lake, and 

 six at Long Lake West. 



April 14. — The Rhode Island legislature enacted the Wilbur bill, 

 providing in an adequate manner for search without warrant, 

 and with force if necessary, of boats, vehicles, cars, receptacles 

 and packages of all kinds believed to contain game or birds 

 killed or possessed contrary to law. The search of a building 

 requires a warrant. Commissioners and their deputies shall 

 not be required to furnish sureties to cover court costs, "or be 

 liable for costs on such complaint." 



Hawks (except fish-hawks) owls, crows and crow black- 

 birds may be killed at any season by any person on his own 

 land. 



April 2 0. — The regular annual attempt of the guides and other resi- 

 dents of the Adirondack region to repeal the New York buck 

 law, and provide for the killing of female deer and fawns in 

 the state of New York was successful in the Assembly, but was 

 defeated in the Senate. Thereafter, during the closing hours 

 of the session, and through the efforts of Assembly Speaker T. 

 C. Sweet, of Oswego County, the Kasson repeal bill was re-con- 

 sidered, and by a "quick roll-call" was rushed through the 

 Senate, and passed by that body.. 



April 2 4. — Through the judicious and tireless efforts of Dr. M. Llew- 

 ellyn Raney, Librarian of Johns Hopkins University, assisted 

 by Talbott Denmead and J. Hammond Brown, the Maryland 

 legislature passed the following laws: — 1. — The Audubon 

 model law. (Bobolinks, however, remain in the game list.) 

 2. — Closed season on deer and elk for six years. 3. — Present 

 bag limits reduced; and limits imposed where formerly they 

 were lacking. 4. — Export of all game prohibited, except water- 

 fowl. 5. — Power-boat hunting restricted to one corner of the 

 Chesapeake, and confined to use over decoys. 6. — Right of 

 search without warrant given to officers, and the privilege of 

 swearing out a search warrant granted to everybody. The 

 gunners' license bill was defeated by a vote of 51 to 4 3. 



