LAWS REGULATING THE TRANSPORTATION AND SALE 



OF GAME. 



I._GENERAL DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATION REGULATING 

 SEASONS, SHIPMENT, AND SALE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The term game has been variously defined,^ and is capable of 

 various interpretations, but it may very properly be restricted to a 

 few well-marked groups of mammals and birds. The game of North 

 America is practically limited to four groups of mammals and four 

 of birds. The game mammals are (1) ruminants and peccaries (Ungu- 

 lata); (2) bears and raccoons^ (Carnivora); (3) rabbits and squirrels 

 (Rodentia); and (4) opossums (Marsupialia). Game birds, as defined 

 by the American Ornithologists' Union, comprise (1) Anatidse, com- 

 monly known as swans, geese, brant, and ducks; (2) Rallidse, includ- 

 ing rails, coots, mud hens, and gallinules; (3) Limicolse, or shore birds, 

 comprising plovers, snipe, woodcock, sandpipers, and curlew; and 

 (4) Gallinse, including wild turkeys, grouse, prairie chickens, pheas- 

 ants, partridges, and quail. Certain mammals and birds which are 

 sometimes classed as game should, for various reasons, be otherwise 

 regarded. Among such mammals may be mentioned ground squirrels, 

 muskrats, and woodchucks; among birds, cranes, wild pigeons, doves, 

 flickers, night hawks or bull bats meadow larks, reedbirds, black- 

 birds, and robins. Ground squirrels, muskrats, and woodchucks are 

 not held in high estimation for the table, nor are they usually hunted 

 for sport. Cranes, pigeons, and doves are ordinarily considered legiti- 

 mate game, but are now so rare that in most States they have been 



^Game is defined by Bouvier's Law Dictionary as " Birds and beasts of a wild 

 nature obtained by fowling and hunting," and by the Code of Mississippi as " all 

 kinds of animals and birds found in the state of nature commonly so-called." 

 Michigan, British Columbia, and New Brunswick define game birds as "any birds 

 protected by this act. " Maine declares "the term ' game birds ' as used in this act 

 shall be construed to mean the ruffed grouse or partridge, all species of the pheas- 

 ant, woodcock, snipe, plover, quail, and all ducks enumerated in this act; and the 

 term 'game animals' shall be construed to mean moose, caribou, and deer." 

 (Acts of 1899, ch. 42, sec. 50. ) 



^ These animals are seldom mentioned in game laws. As a rule, bears are accorded 

 no protection, and bounties for their destruction are still offered in some States, 

 but in Quebec they have a close season like other game. 



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