RESTRICTIONS AS TO TIME OF KILLING GAME. 



Restrictions as to time of killing game may be grouped under two 

 general heads: Close seasons proper or the part of the year in which 

 game is protected, and close terms in which protection extends over 

 several years. In the latter case the species so protected are to all 

 intents and purposes temporaril}^ removed from the game list. 



CLOSE SEASONS. 



No question in game protection is more impoi'tant than that of the 

 seasons during which birds and animals shall be protected, yet, strange 

 to say, there is none in which State game laws show greater diver sit}^ 

 and noE e in which the}^ are more subject to change. Lack of uniformity 

 often defeats the purpose of provisions intended to allow game an 

 opportunit}^ to recuperate and introduces needless confusion. More- 

 over, it makes compliance with the provisions of the Federal law 

 difficult for shippers and game dealers, who must consider the open 

 seasons in both the State in which their game is killed and that to 

 which it is shipped. Further confusion results from diversit}^ in delin- 

 ing the seasons. Some laws give the open seasons, others the closed, 

 and in these statements ma}" be found all possible varieties of inclusion 

 and exclusion of the dates named. 



An attempt is here made to bring together in one table all the close 

 seasons for game prescribed b}" the various States and by the Prov- 

 inces of Canada. For the sake of simplicity, a uniform method is used 

 both in the arrangement of species and statement of seasons. In each 

 case big game is first considered, then follow squirrels and rabbits; 

 then upland game birds, such as quail, grouse, pheasants, turkeys, 

 and doves; then shore birds; and finally water fowl, such as ducks, 

 geese, and swans. In the statement of seasons only close seasons 

 have been given, and in stating these the plan of the Vermont law, to 

 include t\iQ first date but not the last, has been followed consistently. 

 The Vermont scheme has the advantage of showing readil}" both 

 the open and close seasons, since either may be obtained by read- 

 ing the other backward. Thus, when the close season is stated as 

 December 1 to October 1, the open season begins October 1 and ends 

 December 1 (in each case the last date being excluded). 



In some States certain days of the week constitute additional close 

 seasons throughout the term in which killing is permitted. Sundays 

 constitute a close season for all game in Maine, Massachusetts, Connec- 

 ticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Allegany 

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