RESTRICTIONS AS TO TIME OF KILLING GAME. 
Hostrictions as to time of killintj^ gainc may he grouped under two 
fi^eneral lunids: C'lo.se seasons proper or the part of the year in which 
*ifame 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 temporarily 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 diversity 
and none in which they are more subject to change. Lack of uniformity 
often defeats the purpose of provisions intended to allow game an 
opportunity to recui)(U-ate and introduces needless confusion. More- 
over, it makes complijuice with the provisions of the Federal law 
difficult for shippers and game dealers, w^io 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 diversity in defin- 
ing the seasons. Some laws give the open seasons, others the closed, 
and in these statements may be found all possible varieties of inclusion 
and exclusion of the dates named. 
An attempt is here made to bring together in one t^ble all the close 
seasons for game prescribed by the various States and hy 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 l)ig game is first considered, then follow squirrels and rabbits; 
then upland game ])irds, such as quail, grouse, pheasants, turke3'^s, 
and doves; then shore birds; and finalh^ 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 the^fi/\st date ])ut not the last, has been followed consistently. 
The Vermont scheme has the advantage of showing readily 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 
Deceml)er 1 to (){'tol)er 1, the open s(»ason begins October 1 and ends 
December 1 (in each case the last date ))eing 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 ganuMn Maine, Massachusetts, Connec- 
ticut. New Voik, New Jerse}^ Pennsylvania, Delaware, Allegany 
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