188 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
[March 7, 1903. 
bits, and grouse, woodcock and quail in Orange county. 
Assemblyman Cadin's (Int. No. 215), permitting the 
use of tipups and set lines in Cross Lake, Onondaga and 
Cayuga counties. 
Assemblyman Moran's (Int. No. 470), relative to fish- 
ing for non-game fish in Cayuga Lake and tributary 
streams. 
Assemblyman Reynolds' (Int. No. 550), _ making the 
close season for woodcock, grouse and quail in Rensse- 
laer county from December i to September 30, both 
inclusive. 
The following bills are on the order of third reading in 
the Assembly: 
Assemblyman Doughty's (Int. No. 613), providing that 
there shall be no open season for English pheasants prior 
to 1905. 
Assemblyman Fowler's (Int. No. 116), for the protec- 
tion of fish in Chautauqua Lake. 
Assemblyman Fowler's (Int. No. 160), fixing the' close 
season for skunk, muskrat and foxes in Chautauqua 
county. 
Assemblyman McNair's (Int. No. S49), fi.xing the close 
season for black and gray squirrels from December i to 
September 15, both inclusive. 
Assemblyman Bridgeman's bill (Int. No. 479), to allow 
the spearing of fish in the creeks of Otsego and Orleans 
counties, has passed the Assembly and is in the Senate 
committee. 
Assemblyman Denison's bill (Int. No. 371), providing 
that there shall be no open season for deer in that portion 
of Oneida, Lewis and Jefferson counties west of the 
Utica and Black River railroad from Utica to Ogdens- 
burg, has passed the Assembly and is in the Senate com- 
mittee. 
Assemblyman Reeve's bill (Int. No. 182), providing 
that the close season for trout on Long Island shall be 
from August 31 to the last Friday in March, has passed 
both branches of the Legislatiire and is now before the 
Governor. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
The Illinois Game Law. 
Chicago, 111., Feb. 20. — ^A member of the House of 
Representatives who is somewhat interested in the 
matter of protective legislation, dropped into the For- 
est AND Stream office to-day. He was asked some 
leadmg questions in regard to the Wheeler bill, which 
is referred to in these columns. The gentleman in 
question stated that the Forest and Stream view of 
the situation was fairly correct, and that the lower 
part of the State would now, as in the past, no doubt 
be opposed to any sweeping changes in the game law. 
"The Wheeler measure is in some ways an ideal law," 
said he, "but unfortunately in politics, as in all other 
walks of life, we cannot always live up to ideal stand- 
ards. The main thing in getting game legislation is 
to do what we can. The sportsmen would like to see a 
great many changes, but I think I may say there will 
always be the same opposition which has met us in the 
past, and which arises at the instigation of men who 
care nothing whatever for the wild game of the coun- 
try and nothing for the unselfish side of protective 
measures. As to the fate of the bill I cannot say, but 
it will undoubtedly meet a considerable fight on the 
floor of the House." 
The representative above quoted asked what if any 
would be the fight made upon this measure by the 
South Water street lobby. I doubt if anyone can 
answer this outside of Springfield. That the lobby 
will be there goes without saying. That clause stop- 
ping the sale of Illinois ducks will never go through 
without a hard fight on the part of South Water 
street. 
On the whole, there is no special reason for self- 
congratulation on the part of the sportsmen of thjs 
State at the present writing. It is true that the old 
Illinois State Sportsmen's Association never cut much 
real figure in protective legislation, although it did a 
great deal of talking and took itself with a great deal of 
seriousness, no doubt honestly believing that it had 
very much Aveight in the affairs of the State councils. 
Yet now that this association is practically dead — 
killed by no more severe blow than that which cut off 
its live bird shooting— we have practically no body of 
sportsmen in this State which takes the least concerted 
interest in matters of State legislation. One or two 
sportsmen in any State usually take the practical lead 
in such matters. This is the case in Michigan, in Min- 
nesota, and to some extent in Illinois. I know of one 
or two gentlemen in this State who do not care to have 
their names mentioned, who have always been agencies 
of strength at Springfield, and who have stood out for 
good game laws. I certainly hope more from the in- 
fluence of these few individuals than I do from that of 
all the sportsmen's associations of the State of Illinois. 
It all comes down to the statement that as sportsmen 
we do not after all want to protect the game so much 
as we want to protect ourselves. 
A 'Woman Warden, 
It seems that Miss Emma Kellogg, a young lady 
of Colorado, is in search of the office of deputy game 
warden for the counties of Routt and Rio Blanco, two 
of the best game counties in Colorado, and covering a 
region where it may be supposed considerable oppor- 
tunity for a game warden exists. Miss Kellogg will 
have the best wisVies of the gentlemen of Colorado. 
She seems to be not without qualifications, it being as- 
serted for her, perhaps by her press agent, that at one 
time she lassoed a young bear and took it home alive. 
There are elements of improbability in this story, 
which, however, ought not to be unduly pushed into 
prominence. It seems that Miss Kellogg is in the 
habit of hunting mountain lions, deer and elk, and that 
upon one occasion, when treed by an elk, she dropped 
lightly out of the tree upon the back of the irate ani- 
mal and, grabbing him about the antlers, rode him for 
a considerable distance through the forest. I do not 
find a similar experience chronicled regarding any of 
the State wardens of our Western districts. Commis- 
sioner Lovejoy, of Illinois, never rode a live elk, and 
neither di4 Sam FuUertpn of Minnesota, or any of the 
other gentlemen engaged in this line of industry. They 
might consider it undignified. The feat on the part 
of the Colorado young lady warden may be condoned 
upon the ground of youth and enthusiasm. If Miss 
Kellogg wishes to be game warden there would seem 
to be no reasonable doubt of her attaining her pur- 
pose. 
The New Minnesota Game Measure. 
It is something of a relief to turn from the con- 
fusions and bickerings of some of our Middle West 
States in game law matters to the clear headed 
methods of our sister of the Northwest, the State of 
Minnesota, which has so long been a model in game 
law matters. I hardly think it likely that there will be 
a multitude of "game bills of diverse and conflicting 
natures in the Minnesota Legislature. They have a 
way out there of trusting these things very largely to 
the conservatism and wisdom of the State game and 
fish commission. In this way they get good laws, and 
they enforce them. I imagine that the advice of the 
State executive agent, Mr. S. F. Fullerton, has been 
very largely followed in the- drafting of the bill just at 
hand. In a personal letter received to-day, Mr. Ful- 
lerton remarks that this bill will be introduced in both 
the House and Senate, and he believes that it will pass 
virtuall}^ as printed, as the sentiment of the State is 
very strong in favor of giving the commission every- 
thing they want. There may be some demur over the 
appropriation, which reaches the snug sum of $50,000. 
Upon the other hand the revenues from licenses, etc, 
of the commission are stipulated to go into the general 
revenue fun of the State. Even with an appropriation 
of $50,CG0, Minnesota would not have so large a fund 
as was probably used by the State of Wisconsin last 
year, it being believed that the latter State had $70,000 
at its disposal, gathered from the different sources pro- 
vided by law. 
Mr. Fullerton says: "You will see several new fea- 
tures in this law which we do not have in our old law. 
It embodies two of my pet hobbies, making it an of- 
fense to buy game as well as to sell it; and allowing 
non-residents coming here and paying the license fee 
to take home some of the game they are fortunate 
enough to get. I believe that this is nothing but just 
to the men who come and pay a license fee of $25. 
They are generally a class of good citizens, and while 
we have run across some of the other kind, I believe 
thej' are the exception and not the rule. 
"You will see we have adopted the coupon system, 
and also a general license law for residents, as well as 
non-residents. The resident license under this bill will 
be $1 and the non-resident $25. This, I believe, will 
give the little $2 Higginses and the 50 cent Smiths a 
chance to 'test the law' and expend their 'fun^.' etc. 
"We have cut fifteen da3's off our trout season, mak- 
ing it end on the 15th of August instead of on the ist 
of September, as a great many of our trout spawn 
about that time. Then we cut fifteen days off our 
quail season, making it open on the iSth of October 
instead of on the 1st. I think, however, it will be ex- 
tended fifteen days into December, making it the same 
length as under the old law, but running between dif- 
ferent dates. 
"We have gone over the old law entirely and 
strengthened it to meet the requirements of several of 
our judges who have passed on its constitutionality. 
We have tried to frame it so as to stand the test of the 
courts, and so that every layman can understand it. 
"You will also see that we have cut off all shooting 
before the ist of September. Woodcock and upland 
plover hunting were only used as a blind heretofore. 
The3^ could be shot on and after July 4, but now no 
one will have that for an excuse." 
Mr. Fullerton, in closing his personal letter, men- 
tions a big haul which the wardens of Minnesota have 
just made from a. commission man, Ertz. Mr. Ertz is 
charged with dabbling in illicit game for two or three 
months, and the wardens now think they have him 
where he can't get away. This incidental comment is 
pretty good answer to the charges of double dealing 
which have been made by a Chicago paper against the 
game commission of Minnesota. 
Review of the Bill. 
A careful review of the Minnesota measure above 
referred to shows that it embodies all the modern and 
accepted ideas in regard to game protection, and that 
it has avoided practically all the dangerous loopholes 
which render practically void so many of our recent 
and proposed game laws. The Minnesota game law 
is in advance of the time, but not in advance of Min- 
nesota. It is a matter of shame that Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Illinois and Michigan cannot show the same sense, 
simplicity, straightforwardness and get-thereness 
which has so long been visible on the part of the State 
of Minnesota. 
The fundamental law of this .measure is specified in 
the statement that the fish and game belong to the. 
Stat-e, and that no person can acquire property in it 
at any time, except that he may use it under certain 
conditions as expressly specified. 
The above is the great law of the State, which says 
that it is greater than the individual. The law of sport 
is immediately thereafter recognized in the section 
which provides that none of these specified birds or 
animals may be taken in any way except by shooting 
them with a gun held to the shoulder of the person 
discharging the same. 
Night shooting, sink-box shooting, and other de- 
structive devices are prohibited. The farmer is taken 
care of under a section which prohibits any person 
from going into growing or standing grain without ex- 
press permission. 
Any game had in possession contrary to law is de- 
clared contraband and subject to immediate seizure 
upon discovery by any of the peace officers of the 
State. 
Section 20 is a very interesting one. It changes the 
old law which made it legal to sell at auction con- 
fiscated game. It answer beyond peradvanture the 
unjust charges made by the so-called sportsmen's pub- 
lication above mentioned. In short, it instructs the 
game and fisji commissioners to give any confiscated 
game to the charitable institutions of the State. This 
closes a loophole which, under a dishonest adminis- 
tration, might work to the detriment of the game laws. 
It is a loophole which has been, under early adminis- 
trations in this State, the cause of a great many in- 
stances of crooked work. It is quite in keeping with 
the progress of Minnesota to see this clause proposed 
for her statute books and at the hands of these very of- 
ficers who would be most benefited by the old law, 
were they indeed the dishonest persons which they 
have been accused of being. 
The tag and coupon system qualifying the possession 
of game and making such possession legal under differ- 
ent conditions is a good idea. It is precisely the same 
idea which has been advocated for the control of the 
trusts, which some people think threaten the interests 
of this country. In short it is the remedy of publicity. 
The State comes out openly and says that it owns the 
game; that sportsmen may have it under certain con- 
ditions; that there must be no trickery about the pos- 
session of this game; that everything must be open to 
the public, so that there may be no mistake. In short, 
it is the intention of this measure to lift all the veil of 
secrecy, deceit, treachery and ill doing which have only 
too often, in different parts of the Union, rendered our 
game laws practically inoperative. 
The establishment of the resident license brings 
Minnesota into line with two other Western States 
which have proposed the same thing. This is no 
doubt a sop to those who cry that the non-resident 
license is "unconstitutional." This resident license 
clause will probably defeat any game law in Illinois. 
It will not defeat a game law in Minesota. They all 
seem to have the peculiar quality of believing in game 
laws in that part of the world. They do a little think- 
ing and really try to protect the game and not to pro- 
tect themselves. It is just the other way here in Il- 
linois. 
The non-resident license of $25 is the same figure 
established by other States which have big game, as 
well as birds in sufficient numbers to invite sportsmen 
tourists. 
The clause permitting a licensed hunter to take home 
some game with him is one which testifies to the com- 
mon sense of the framers of the law. To pay a license 
and then not be permitted to bring out any of your 
game is a hardship against which the sportsmen of the 
country rebel more than they do against the license fee 
itself. The section rendering it a misdemeanor for 
transportation companies to handle illegal game is one 
which might mean nothing in another State, but is apt 
to mean something in the State of Minnesota. 
The "stop the sale of game" idea we find, of course, 
in Minnesota, for Minnesota was one of the - first to 
realize its wisdom. This is modified in one clause, 
section 56, which forbids the sale of any trout or bass 
at any time prior to January i, 1908. This puts the 
evil day off for a time at least, and by that time an- 
other law may continue the motion in that regard. 
Another, a more liberal, and as it seems to me, bet- 
ter clause of the law, is the one which extends the 
moose season from ten da}^s to twenty days, the dates 
suggested being November 10 to November 30. A ten 
day moose season is practically prohibitive. The sea- 
son of twenty days amends the matter very nicely, and 
the other phases of this law sufficiently protect moose 
and caribou to enable the stock of game to stand a 
twenty-day season. It is not likely that any more 
moose will be killed under this law than under the old 
law, but more will be killed legally. 
Sweeping Six Inch Limit. 
Another interesting feature of this law is that pro- 
hibiting the having in possession of any fish, except 
minnows for bait, which are less than six inches in 
length. This is broad, simple and definite. You can- 
not have little bass, little trout or any other little fish 
in possession if they measure less than six inches. 
This ought to stop the destruction of sunfish and little 
perch around the summer resorts, something which is 
an abomination in the eyes of all thinking observers. 
The leaving of these little fish in the lakes and streams 
around the summer resorts would offer better food to 
the big fishes. The latter will also be protected by 
section 59, which forbids the sale of any fish taken in 
a county which has a population of 150,000 or over. 
This is meant to protect Lake Minnetonka, White 
Bear and others of the summer resorts lakes near the 
big cities, which of late have, been practically fished out 
by market fishers who supply hotels. 
The foregoing is but the most casual review of the 
measure proposed, which is full and explicit in all re- 
gards. It will serve to show how thoroughly the State 
of Minnesota is in touch with modern ideas of game 
protection and how much she is in earnest about hav- 
ing a good law and enforcing it. The likelihood is 
that this measure will be accepted almost_ without 
change. It is a law which works no hardship to any 
right-thinking man. It means that the State of Min- 
nesota will have for yet a little while her wild fowl and 
wild game. To be sure we outsiders will have to put 
up our $25 to go and enjoy this pleasure. It is bet- 
ter to do that than to go to a State and find nothing 
there to enjoy. Moreover, I think that after awhile 
we will come to the idea that it is pretty near right to 
pay the price for a seat if you want to stay in the 
theater. The show is open throughout the glorious 
fall months in Minnesota, and for one I would rather 
pay $25 for a continuous performance of that kind than 
$3 a night for anything you can get in the city. Good 
luck to the Minnesota law. ' 
E. Hough. 
Hartford Building, Chicago, 111. 
When you've got a thing to say. 
Say it! Don't take half a day. 
When your tale's got little in it, 
Crowd the whole thing in a minute! 
Life is short— a fleeting vapor— 
Don't you fill the whole blamed paper 
With a tale which at a pinch 
Could be covered in an inch! 
Boil her down until she simmers, 
Polish her until she glimmers. 
When you've got a thing to say, 
^blv it! Don't take half a day! 
—Atlanta Constitutioij. 
