26 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Changes Suggested in the Forest, Fish and Game Law. 



During the session of the Legislature of 1907 a very large number 

 of bills were introduced in the Legislature intended as changes, modi- 

 fications and amendments to the Forest, Fish and Game Law. Most of 

 them were local in their character. This was no exception to the general 

 rule, as it has prevailed for many years. Many suggestions have been made 

 for a complete and thorough revision and rearrangement of the law, and 

 the same seems to be much needed. As it now stands it has been built up 

 and built on to by every succeeding Legislature since the passage of the 

 Act known as Chapter 20, Laws of 1900. Many of the provisions of the 

 law are not in consecutive order in relation to subjects, and there are many 

 obsolete, inoperative and useless sections now in the law. It is very difficult, 

 even for a lawyer, to determine what the law is on account of the uncertainty, 

 because of the inaccurate statement of the law and its conflicting provisions. 

 Many exceptions to the general law have crept in through the efforts of 

 persons in very many different localities in the State to have the open 

 season for grouse, woodcock, quail, squirrels or rabbits to suit their own 

 convenience or ideas — all of which have been changed or rearranged at 

 different times. It seems very desirable to have the law as general as 

 possible, and once established, that it should remain in that form. 



The law in relation to fishing is mixed and complicated, and has as 

 many variations and exceptions as there are lakes, ponds and streams in 

 the State. Many exceptions to the general law have crept in, undoubtedly 

 without much consideration of the importance of having the law general. 

 In places there are many sections where there should be only one. There 

 are localities in the State where under the law small-mouth black bass may 

 be caught prior to spawning and on the spawning beds, while in other places 

 the open season commences at a later date. Game fish especially should 

 never be taken until after spawning time. In many of the sections the 

 wording of the law practically prevents successful enforcement, all of which 

 shows the need of practical consolidation and rearrangement. 



Suggestions have come to the Department from many sources that such 

 a revision should be undertaken by this Department, and in view of these 

 suggestions, I have undertaken to revise the whole body of the law bringing 



