RESTRICTIONS AS TO METHODS OF HUNTING. 



Restrictions on methods of hunting- are exceedingl}^ numerous, and 

 apply not only to the use of guns, boats, and dogs, but also to time, 

 place, and conditions governing the killing of game. An attempt is 

 here made to bring together the more important and more general of 

 these restrictions and to group them in logical order. A somewhat 

 arbitrar}^ division has been adopted by placing the prohibitions under 

 two main headings: (1) Restrictions on outfits or implements for hunt- 

 ing, including guns, ammunition, boats, blinds and other deceptive 

 devices, lights for night hunting, dogs, ferrets, and weasels; (2) 

 restrictions surrounding hunting, such as trapping, netting and snar- 

 ing, night shooting, and killing game in snow. Limits placed on bags 

 and requirements regarding licenses, although properh^ belonging to 

 this general subject, are of enough importance to warrant separate 

 consideration. 



OUTFITS. 



Restrictions on guns relate chiefly to size. A number of States 

 prohibit the use of swivel or pivot guns in the killing of wild fowl, 

 and man}^ limit the size of the gun that may be used for shooting any 

 game. The term ' big gun ' as used in this connection may be defined as a 

 gun larger than No. 10, except in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, 

 where the maximum legal size is No. 8. Under restrictions on boats, 

 four divisions are made: (1) Boats propelled b}" naphtha, gasoline, oil, 

 steani, electricity, or similar motive power; (2) sailboats; (3) sneak 

 boats, used in wild-fowl shooting, and (4) skills. Under the head of 

 deceptive devices are included batteries, sink boxes, sink boats, sunken 

 punts, bough houses, blinds, and all other kinds of stationary or float- 

 ing ambush, whether on shore or in the water. Under the head of 

 artificial light are included in two columns restrictions on the hunting of 

 big game with lights, or 'jacking,' as it is commonty called, and laws 

 prohibiting the use of fire or light of any kind in the hunting of wild 

 fowl. The prohibitions in regard to the use of dogs are arranged 

 under three heads: Hounding, practicing, and permitting to run at 

 large. While hounding strict!}^ relates to the chasing of deer and 

 other big game, the term is here used to include also the hunting of 

 birds with dogs. Under practicing are grouped restrictions against 

 the use of dogs in close season, chiefly in training them to hunt birds. 

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