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1. Shortening the time of killing game generally. 
2. Permitting the woodcock to be killed earlier. 
3. Omitting snipe from the birds protected. 
4. Including some additional birds in the game list. 
5. Protecting others, useful and harmless, not before included, at all seasons. 
6. Adding the penalty of imprisonment at the discretion of the court, to reach 
worthless persons. 
7. Forbidding the destruction of waterfowl by the swivel or punt gun. 
8. Protecting waterfowl in the vicinity of Sandusky Bay during the spring. 
These modifications are all believed to be improvements to the present law, and 
as such are recommended to the consideration of the Senate. 
It is contended by some that all persons should be prohibited by statute from 
shooting on the premises of another without permission. This seems hardly 
reasonable or necessary, and it certainly would be too severe to make it a criminal 
offence. Many sections of the State remain unimproved and unoccupied ; of many 
tracts the owner may be unknown or a non-resident ; in most cases the owners of 
land would have no objection, for no iujury could result from it. Upon the whole, 
it would seem better to leave the matter as it is, holding every one responsible for 
any actual trespasses or breaches of the statute. It is certain that such a law 
could never be enforced, especially in the sparsely settled sections of the State. 
It is also insisted by some that all hunting is useless and mischievous in its 
tendency, and ought to be discouraged, if not forbidden. 
If by this is meant the indiscriminate pursuit and slaughter of all birds and game 
at every season of the year, without reference to their harmless or useful char- 
acter, or thdr fitness for food, or if it is sought to discourage the idle and worthless 
who spend all their time in this way, without any proper purpose, or merely in 
pot hunting, there would be no difference of opinion upon the subject. But the 
object of a proper game law is to prevent this. It is to protect the agriculturist 
from trespasses at the season when his crops would be most likely to suffer from 
intruders ; to preserve those birds that make war upon the enemies of the harvest, 
or gladden the homestead by their beauty and their songs. It is to spare the game 
which is choice and delicate for food till it shall have become mature, and its pur- 
suit will combine profit with healthful exercise and recreation. The excitement 
of the chase has always had a charm for man. With savage nations it is followed 
partly from necessity for sustenance ; but no civilized people, if at all athletic or 
warlike, has ever neglected it. It teaches the skillful use of weapons, gives vigor 
to the frame, and elasticity to the mind. Our Eog'ish brethren understand its 
full value, and preserve with care such game as is suited to their country and con- 
dition, to be pursued at proper seasons, and under proper restrictions. To us, as 
