Class ^llh::^_4^ AME AND FISH EGISLATION N NEW JERSEY 1 !^HARLES E. Brewster Game and Fish Legislation in New Jersey /,5 BY CHARLES E. BREWSTER, Game Law Expert, Bureau of Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture. 1911 PUBLISHED BY THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. B. C. KUSER, President, Trenton WM. A. LOGUE. Treasurer, Bridgeton PERCIVAL CHRYSTIE, ; High Bridge ERNEST NAPIER, East Orange TRENTON, N. J. MacCrellish & Ouigley, Printers, Opposite Tost Office. 1911 ^^ )¥■ V? '^Xf Letter of Transmittal To His Bxcellency Woodrow Wilson, Governor, and to the Members of the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: The Board of Fish and Game Commissioners of New Jersey made a request to the Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture, which has charge of federal game preservation, for aid in collecting information concerning the fish and game of our State, and succeeded in securing the services of Charles E. Brewster, game law expert of that bureau, to prepare a report on present fish and game condi- tions within the State, on previous legislation on fish and game, and to include such suggestions for im- provement in the laws as in his judgment seemed desirable. We deemed it necessary for the Board to secure this expert assistance from the National Govern- ment so as to recommend the most improved methods for effectively checking the decrease of fish and game, and thereby save these valuable assets to the State. On account of the rapidly growing extension of our residential sections and enormous increase of the population of the State, coupled with the fact that at either end of our State we have the great cities of New York and Philadelphia, which annu- ally send into our State thousands of hunters and fishermen, it is apparent that the most energetic efforts of the Board of Fish and Game Commis- sioners are required to keep wild life in our woods, streams, lakes and salt water bodies. We sincerely hope that these disinterested recom- mendations from the highest authority in our country, presented on the last pages of this publica- tion, will have your most careful consideration. Very respectfully, B. C. KUSER, President, W. A. LOGUE, Treasurer, PERCIVAL CHRYSTIE, ERNEST NAPIER. The Board of Fish and Game Commissioners. Unite^d States Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Bioi^ogical Survey. Washington, D. C, November 8, 1910. Hon. B. C. Kiiser, President New Jersey Game and Fish Commission, Trenton, N. J. Dear Mr. Kuser: I am forwarding to you this day the report on game and fish conditions, present laws on that subject, together with such suggestions as my investigation has shown to be desirable. I have made the matter of game farms just as prominent as I could possibly do. The State of Maine has demonstrated the value of its game and fish from a financial standpoint by being able to show, through its commission, that in excess of seventeen millions of dollars a year is re- ceived by its people for the game and game fish taken within that State. The State of New Jersey has been rather slow in conserving this great natural asset, and the entire extinction of some species of its native game and a marked depletion in all of its game animals and birds make it seem desirable that vigorous action be taken by the State to re-stock, by means of game farms, these depleted sections. The noting of all of the game and fish laws of your State by year, chapter and page, with full titles of the acts, and in the more important ones short notation of their contents, will, I believe, be of interest and value to every citizen of } our State interested in its game and fish. The State of New York last year published in their game law compilation the chapter and page references to all of its game laws, but did not give titles. I trust that my report will meet with your approval and be of real use to your Board in its future work. Assuring you of my willingness to assist you in any possible man- ner looking towards the betterment of your game and fish conditions, I am. Very truly yours, C. E. BREWSTER. Game and Fish Legislation in New Jersey^ The legislation relating to the conservation of its game and fish by a State that very early in its history recognized its value presents a most interesting study. Fev^r, if any, of the natural assets of New Jersey have returned a greater cash value to the citizens than have the game, fish and oysters. The earlier settlers in the territory now comprising the State of New Jersey found game and fish in great abun- dance : deer, wild turkeys, grouse and quail were native to that region, while geese, swan, brant ahd ducks found food conditions so favorable that they made long visits to the marshes and waters during their migrations to and from their northern nesting grounds. Wolves and panthers were also native to this region, and the first enactment noted in the statutes of New Jersey was an act to provide for the payment of a bounty for the killing of wolves (Grants, Concessions, &c., of the Province of New Jersey, 1675, P- 102). The right to hunt on all lands of the Province not sur- veyed or planted, and to fish in the inland and coast waters, is provided for in the Concessions and Agreements of 1678, and remained undisturbed until 1722, when an act was passed fixing a season for killing deer, and prohibiting the carrying of guns by persons not qualified to hunt. The General Assembly of 1771 repealed this law and enacted another, restricting hunting on waste and unimproved (7) GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. lands to qualified voters, their children over i8 years of age, and freeholders ; forbade the use of traps for taking deer, the use of a set gun, and provided for the public read- ing of the act at the opening of each quarter sessions court. This act remained on the statute books until 1846. With the advent of the white man, creating a market for the skins of deer and fur-bearing animals for commercial purposes, it was early found necessary to regulate this traffic, and in 1679 the export of Indian-dressed deer skins was forbidden under penalty of a fine as well as forfeiture of the skins. This statute is the first enactment relating to game in New Jersey, as well as the first law prohibiting the export out of a State or Territory in the United States. The first local game law was enacted in 1772, and forbade the killing of deer for five years in Morris township, under a penalty of a fine of six pounds, half being paid to the in- former. In 1798 hunting and fishing on Sunday was forbidden, and slaves found so hunting were ordered whipped. The year 1813 marked the incorporation of the first fowl- ing and fishing association in this State (act of February 5). The first law placed upon the statute books protecting game during certain seasons of the year was passed Feb- ruary 21, 1820, and protects all game except wild turkeys, pigeons and water-fowl. In 1829 muskrats were protected from April 20-Decem- ber I, being the first act placed upon the statute books of the State relating to fur-bearing animals. In 1846 the game laws were revised into one general act, and all inconsistent laws repealed. The act of March 6, 1850, provided protection to insec- tivorous and song birds and their eggs. GAME AND PISH LEGISLATION. An amendment to the game revision of 1846, enacted February 14, 1852, forbade hunting or shooting water-fowl from any boat or floating device placed more than three rods from the shore or ice line, or from hunting them with a light at-night. FISH, OYSTERS, &c. Oysters were first protected in New Jersey in 1719, and fishing was regulated in the eastern part of the Province, north of the mouth of the Raritan river, May 10, 1768. In 1783 an agreement fixing the jurisdiction on the Delaware river, made by Concessions from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, was ratified by the Assembly, and in 1799 an act regulating the fisheries in that river was approved by the Governor, June 13, given immediate effect, and remained undisturbed until 1808. The various legislative acts relating to game and fish are given by titles, with a brief summary of the contents of some of the more important ones. GAME. 1675. November, General Assembly held in Elizabethtown. Sec. 21. Provides bounty of 15 shillings for each grown wolf killed in the province. (The Grants, Concessions, &c., of the Province of New Jersey, p. 102.) 1678. Chapter 6 of the Concessions and Agreements. "That all the inhabitants within the said province of West Jersey have the liberty of fishing in Delaware river, or on the sea coast, and the liberty of hunting and killing deer or other wild beasts, the liberty to 10 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. shoot or take any wild-fowl within the said province; provided always, that they do not hunt, kill, shoot or take any such deer, wild beasts or fowls upon the lands that is or shall be surveyed, taken up, inclosed, sown and planted, except the owners of such lands or their assigns." 1679. Acts of General Assembly, November i. Prohibits the export of any dressed deer skins from deer killed by Indians, under penalty of the forfeiture of the skins and fine equal to the full value of the skins. One-third of fine to informer; balance to public fund. 1682. Chapter 5, p. 261. An act to encourage the killing of wolves. Fifteen shillings paid for each wolf killed and head presented to town clerk. 1682. April, p. 448. Laws of West Jersey. Sec. 15. Pro- vides a bounty of 10 shillings for each wolf head presented to court officer. 1697. Chapter i, p. 557. An act to encourage the killing of wolves and panthers. Provides for the payment of a bounty of 20 shillings to any Christian and 10 shillings to a negro or Indian for each full-grown wolf killed in the Province, and 10 and 5 shillings, respectively, for whelps. 1692. Chapter 5, p. 314. An act for the further encourage- ment of the killing of wolves. Bounty increased to 30 shillings (except in Somerset county, 22 shill- ings). 1695. Chapter 2, p. 356. An act concerning the killing of wolves. Bounty law repealed, leaving to each town or hamlet authority to adopt methods for destruction of wolves in their respective districts. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 11 1709. P. 19. Act for destroying wolves, panthers, crows and blackbirds. 17 13. P. 79. Act encouraging the killing of wolves, pan- thers and red foxes. 1722. P. 141. Act to prevent the killing of deer out of sea- son, and against carrying of guns and hunting by persons not qualified, 1730. P. 16. Act to encourage the killing of wolves and panthers. 1744. P. 138. Act to encourage the destroying of crows, blackbirds, squirrels and woodpeckers in the coun- ties of Gloucester, Salem and Cape May. 1751. P. 3. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to en- courage the killing of wolves and panthers." 1751. P. 15. Supplementary act to the act entitled ''An act to prevent the killing of deer out of season, and against the carrying of guns and hunting by per- sons not qualified." 1751. Chapter 242, p. 192, approved October 23. A sup- plement to an act entitled "An act to encourage the killing of wolves and panthers." 1751. Chapter 245, p. 192, passed October 2;^. A supple- mentary act to the act entitled "An act to prevent the killing of deer out of season, and against carry- ing of guns and hunting by persons not qualified." 1753- P- 47' Act to repeal and explain part of an act en- titled "A supplementary act to the act entitled 'An act to prevent killing of deer out of season, and against carrying of guns and hunting by persons not qualified.' " 1757- P- 53- Act to regulate Indian affairs, and to prevent the setting of deer traps within the colony of New Jersey. 12 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1760. P. 61. Act to regulate the size of traps to be here- after set in this colony. 1763. P. 4. Supplementary act to the act entitled "An act to regulate the size of traps to be hereafter set in this colony." 1765. P. 25. Act to explain and amend an act entitled "A supplementary act to the act entitled *An act to regulate the size of traps, &c., and to prohibit the watching for deer with a gun in the night time, and other purposes therein mentioned.' " 1769. P. 96. Act for the more effectual preservation of deer in this colony. 1771. Chapter 540, p. 343, approved December 21. An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns. Sec. I. Forbids any person hunting or carrying a gun on lands not his own without the written permission of the owner or legal possessor, under penalty of forty shillings, to be paid to owner, and the costs of prosecution. Sec. 2. Makes it unlawful to hunt or watch for deer or drive with a dog any game on lands of an- other without his written permission, under same penalty as above. Sec. 3. If trespasser be a non-resident, a fine of 5 pounds is provided and gun to be confiscated. Fine to informer. Sec. 4. Deer season fixed Sept. i-Jan. i ; pen- alty for violation, 40 shillings. Sec. 5. Unlawful to expose for sale any green deer skins or fresh vension during closed season; penalty, 40 shillings. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 13 Sec. 6. "And, whereas, great numbers of idle and disorderly persons make a practice of hunting on the waste and unimproved lands in this colony, whereby their families are neglected, and the pub- lic is prejudiced by the loss of their labor, be it therefore enacted, that from and after the first day of January next no person or persons whatsoever (except such persons as are by the laws of this Colony qualified to vote for representatives in General Assembly, in right of their freehold, and their sons being of the age of i8 years or upwards, and living with their parents or parent, or being freeholders) shall, on any pretense whatever, hunt upon the waste or unimproved lands in this Colony ; and if any persons or person, not qualified as aforesaid, shall presume to hunt as aforesaid, he or they so offending shall forfeit and pay for every such offense the sum of 20 shillings * * *" Sec. 7. Forbids the setting of any traps for deer, under penalty of 5 pounds and forfeiture of traps and three months' imprisonment. If violator be a slave, and his fine is not paid by his owner, he is to be publicly whipped with thirty lashes and committed until costs are paid. Sec. 8. Provides for the payment of 10 shillings to person finding deer trap and carrying same to any magistrate. Sec. 9. Forbids the making or repairing of any deer trap, under penalty of 40 shillings. Sec. 10. Forbids the setting of a set-gun, under penalty of 6 pounds, or six months' imprisonment. Sec. II. One-half of all fines to be paid to prose- cutor; balance to poor fund. 14 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. Sec. 12. Nothing in act to restrain owners of parks or tame deer from driving or killing them at any time. Sec. 13. Provides a penalty for any magistrate having knowledge of a violation of this act and not prosecuting same within two months from date of receipt of knowledge. Sec. 14. Provides for the public reading of act at the opening of each quarter sessions court. Sec. 15. Provides for right of appeal upon filing bond for costs and forfeitures. Sec. 16. Makes unlawful watching for game with a gun in the night time and within 200 yards of a public road or path, or shooting any deer run by dogs at night ; penalty, 5 pounds. Sec. 17. Section 6 not to apply to native Indians. Act not to prevent inhabitants of Essex, Bergen^ Morris and Sussex counties from setting traps for bears, wolves, foxes and other wild beasts, except deer. Sec. 18. Repeals all previous regulations. 1772. Chapter 571, p. 384, approved September 26. An act for the better preservation of deer in the township of Morris. Act makes the killing of deer unlawful for five years in this township, and makes it unlawful to hunt with firearms or dogs in Great Swamp, in said township. Penalty, 6 pounds, one-half to in- former; balance to poor fund. Dogs found hunt- ing in Great Swamp may be killed by any person. 1798. P. 307. An act respecting slaves. Provides for the flogging of slaves found hunting on Sunday. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 15 1798. P. 329, approved March 16. An act for suppressing immorality. Made unlawful to shoot, hunt or gun, or make use of any seine or net to take fish on Sun- day. 181-3. Act of February 5. Incorporation act of the fowling and fishing association of Upper township, Cape May county. 1818. Act of February 11. A supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," passed November 21, 1771. This act repeals sec- tion 4 of former act, and fixes deer season from Sept. i-Jan. i. 1820. Act of February 2, p. 673. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," passed December 21, 1771. This act fixes open seasons, as follows : Deer, Sept. i-Jan. 2 ; wood- cock, June 25-Feb. I ; moorfowl, grouse, partridge, quail, rabbit, Sept. i-Feb. i. Not to apply to per- sons gunning on own lands. 1822. P. 29, approved November 28. A further supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game." 1829. P. 26, January 21. An act for the preservation of muskrat fur. Muskrat protected (except when found doing damage), Apr. 20-Dec. i. Fine, $4 and costs for each animal unlawfully destroyed; half to informer, balance to poor fund. 1830. P. 104, February 22. A further supplement to "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," passed De- cember 21, 1771. 16 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1837. P- 4^> March 5. A further supplement to an act en- titled ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game and to prevent trespassing with guns," approved December 21, 1771. Gives land owner right to seize any non-resident found hunting on his lands and take him before a magistrate. 1838. P. 216, February 27. An additional supplement to the act entitled ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," passed December 21, 1771. Protects partridge, moorfowl, grouse, quail and rabbit, Jan. lo-Nov. I ; woodcock, Jan. i-July 5. 1848. March 3, p. 145. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," revised and approved April 16, 1846. 1849. P. 156, approved February 28. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespass with guns," approved April 16, 1848. 1850. P. 236, March 6. An act to prevent the destruction of small and harmless birds. Night hawk, chimney swallow, barn swallow, martin, woodpecker, claip or high hole, catbird, wren, bluebird, meadow lark, brown thrasher, dove, fire bird, or summer red- bird, hanging bird, ground robin, or chewink, bobo- link, or ricebird, robin, snow or chipping bird, sparrow, Carolina lit, warbler, bat, blackbird, blue jay and small owl and their eggs protected all the year. First insectivorous and song bird law. 1852. Chapter 18, p. 38, approved February 14. Supple- ment to the act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and game, and to prevent trespassing GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 17 with guns," approved April i6, 1846. Protects water-fowl from being hunted with boat, or other floating device placed more than three rods from shore, bank, or ice line, or from being hunted at night with a light. 1853. Chapter 96, p. 243, approved March 3. A supplement to the act entitled ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespass with guns." Deer protected for five years in Bergen, Ocean and Atlantic counties. 1857. Chapter 7, p. 16, approved February 17. An act to prevent wilful trespass upon lands. 1859. Chapter 90, p. 251, approved March 9. A supplement to the act entitled ''An act to prevent the destruc- tion of small and harmless birds," approved March 6, 1850. 1859. Chapter 162, p. 465, approved March 16. A supple- ment to the act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game, and to prevent tres- passing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Open seasons fixed for partridge, moorfowl, grouse, quail and rabbit, Nov. i-Jan. i ; woodcock, Sept. i-Jan. I. 1859. Chapter 222, p. 635, approved March 23. A supple- ment to the act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game, and to prevent tres- passing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Pro- hibits hunting water-fowl on Barnegat bay, Mana- squan river, between sunset and daylight, and from April 15-Oct. 15. 1861. Chapter 49, p. 94, approved February 28. A supple- ment to the act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game, and to prevent tres- 18 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. passing with guns," approved April i6, 1846. Fixes season for woodcock July 5— Jan. i. 1862. Chapter 36, p. 51, approved February 18. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game, and to prevent tres- pass with guns." Deer protected for five years. 1862. Chapter 99, p. 204, approved March 13. A further supplement to an act entitled *'An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to pre- vent trespass with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Protects wild fowl in Cape May county April i- Dec. I. 1862. Chapter 130, p. 253, approved March 19. A further supplement to the act entitled ''An act to prevent destruction of small and harmless birds," approved March 6, 1850. 1864. Chapter 211, p. 324, approved March 22. A further supplement to "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with dogs or guns," approved April 16, 1846. Special bird and rabbit season for Middlesex county. 1865. Chapter 483, p. 903, approved April 6. A further sup- plement to "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. 1866. Chapter 277, p. 681, approved March 26. Supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game, and to prevent tres- passing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Pro- hibits all hunting and fishing on Sunday. 1867. Chapter 373, p. 836, approved April 9. An act to re- peal the act entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled 'An act for the preservation of deer and GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 19 other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns/ " approved April i6, 1846, which act was ap- proved March 13, 1862. 1869. Chapter 300, p. 831, approved March 30. An act to ' prevent the destruction of insectivorous, small and harmless birds. Protects all non-game birds except the eagle, crow, raven, and all hawks and owls that prey on other birds — exceptions, when taken for scientific purposes, or when found destroying crops. 1869. Chapter 422, p. 1094, approved April i. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns." Quail and ruffed grouse protected for three years, except when hunting on own lands or by written consent on lands of others. 1870. Chapter 238, p. 26, approved March 14. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to pre- vent trespassing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. 1870. Chapter 379, p. 835, approved March 17. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to pre- vent trespassing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Water-fowl protected in township of Brick, Ocean county, Apr. i-Oct. i. 1871. Chapter 85, p. 317, approved February 28. Supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of deer and other game," approved April 16, 1846. Water-fowl protected in Cape May county except Nov. 15-Mar. 20. 1872. Chapter 212, p. 516, approved March 13. A further supplement to an act entitled *'A further supple- 20 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. ment to *An act for the preservation of deer and other game/ " approved March 17, 1870. 1873. Chapter 313, p. 58, approved March 21. A supple- ment to an act for the preservation of deer and other game, approved April 16, 1846. 1873. Chapter 377, p. 75, approved March 2y. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''A further supplement to an act entitled 'An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing v^ith guns,' " approved April 16, 1846, which supple- ment was approved March 14, 1870. 1873. Chapter 440, p. 542, approved April 2. An act to re- peal an act entitled *'An act for the preservation of deer and other game," approved February 28, 1871. 1873. Chapter 470, p. 553, approved April 3. An act to in- corporate the "West Jersey Game Protection So- ciety." Act gives society authority to enact by- laws for the protection of game and game fish in Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May Counties, and provides penalty for their violation. 1873. Chapter 598, p. 151, approved April 14. A further supplement to ''An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns," approved April 16, 1846. Use of fer- rets in hunting rabbits prohibited. 1873. Chapter 621, p. 747, approved April 4. An act for the protection of game and fruit in the county of Hunterdon. 1874. Chapted 240, p. 280, approved March 17. A further supplement to "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with dogs and guns," approved April 16, 1846. Pro- GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 21 tects deer for five years in Burlington and Ocean counties. 1874. Chapter 524, p. 137, approved March 27. An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish. An act of 32 sections ; fixes open seasons for deer, Oct. 15-Dec. i; squirrel, July I-Jan. i ; rabbit, Nov. I— Jan. i ; plover, Aug. i-Jan. I ; woodcock, July 4-Jan. i, Nov. i-Jan. i ; ruffed grouse, Oct. i-Dec. 15; wild turkey, prairie chicken, until 1880, and rail or reed bird, Sept. i- Dec. I. Forbids killing any insectivorous bird, except for scientific purposes, or the destruction of eggs or nests of any bird except predatory birds, or trapping any game bird. Protects game fish at certain seasons, and regulates manner of taking them. 1875. Chapter 17, p. 171, approved February 10. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act to amend and con- solidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. 1875. Chapter 141, p. 30, approved March 17. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to amend and con- solidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. 1875. Chapter 370, p. 79, approved April 8. A, supplement to an act entitled ''An act to amend and consoli- date the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2^, 1874. 1875. Chapter 394, approved April 9. Supplement to an act entitled "An act incorporating the West Jersey Game Protective Society." Prohibits non-residents from hunting or fishing for brook trout in Cam- den, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. Cape May counties without complying with the by- laws of the game protective society, under penalty of $50 for each offense. 1876. Chapter 30, p. 53, approved March 16. A supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. Wood or cummer duck protected Jan. i— Sept. i. 1876. Chapter 116, p. 157, approved April 15. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish." 1876. Chapter 132, p. 226, approved April 20. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to amend and con- solidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 20, 1874. 1877. Chapter 46, p. 64, approved March 8. A further sup- plement to an act entitled '*An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. 1877. Chapter 123, p. 187, approved March 9. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish." Prescribes a method of procedure for the better enforcement of the game laws of this State. 1879. Chapter Sy, p. 169, approved March 13. An act to authorize the formation of associations and so- cieties for the more effectual protection of game and game fish. 1879. Chapter 109, p. 194, approved March 14. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of deer and other game, and to prevent trespassing with guns." 1879. Chapter 184, p. 293, approved April 4. An act for the protection of game and game fish. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1880. Chapter 60, p. 81, approved March 3. Supplement to an act entitled ''An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2"/, 1874. 1880.' Chapter 134, p. 174, approved March 10. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to amend and con- solidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. 1881. Chapter 59, p. 70, approved March 3. A supplement to "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. Deer protected for three years. 1881. Chapter 78, p. 81, approved March 7. An act to pro- tect and propagate grouse or prairie fowl. 1881. Chapter iii, p. 216, approved March 17. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874, and the supplement thereto, approved March 8, 1877. 1881. Chapter 143, p. 2yy, approved April 2. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to consolidate the several acts relating to game and fish in this State." 1881. Chapter 149, p. 301, approved April 2. A further sup- plement to an act entitled ''An act to consolidate the several acts relating to game and fish in this State." 1881. Chapter 173, p. 216, approved March 24. An act to amend and to partially consolidate the several game laws of this State. 1881. Chapter 193, p. 370, approved April 14. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2y, 1874. 24 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1883. Chapter 16, p. 24, approved February 8. Supple- ment to ''An act to amend an act to partially con- solidate the several game laws of this State." 1883. Chapter 71, p. 88, approved March 8. An act to repeal an act entitled ''A supplement to an act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874, approved March 3, 1881. 1884. Chapter 114, p. 176, approved April 14. An act to empower fish wardens to enforce game laws. 1885. Chapter 56, p. 65, approved March 9. A further sup- plement to an act entitled ''An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2y, 1874. 1885. Chapter 84, p. 98, approved March 16. An act to provide a uniform method of procedure for the re- covery of penalties for the violation of the several laws relating to game and game fish. 1885. Chapter 180, p. 238, approved April 10. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to empower fish wardens to enforce game laws." Provides for a more rigid enforcement of the Sunday laws. 1885. Chapter 207, p. 271, approved April 20. An act for the preservation of birds. Gulls, herons, all in- sectivorous and song birds protected — except Eng- lish sparrow. 1886. Chapter 40, p. 52, approved March i. A further sup- plement to an act entitled "An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2^, 1874. 1886. Chapter 85, p. 113, approved March 22. An act for the protection and to limit the time and manner of killing European pheasants and other game birds GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 25 of foreign origin. Imported game birds protected three years. 1886. Chapter 88, p. 118, approved March 22. A further supplement to the act entitled ''An act to amend , and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2"/, 1874. 1886. Chapter 122, p. 438, approved April 5. An act to fix the time for shooting hare or rabbit in the county of Atlantic. 1886. Chapter 208, p. 312, approved April 28. An act for the preservation of squirrels. 1887. Chapter 179, p. 246, approved May 6. An act to allow certain persons to trap hare or rabbit. 1888. Chapter 45, p. 71, approved February 21. An act for the better protection of homing pigeons. 1888. Chapter 74, p. 106, approved February 28. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act to amend and con- solidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 2y, 1874. 1888. Chapter 168, p. 213, approved March 23. An act to prevent the shooting, trapping or hunting of Eng- lish hare for the term of three years. 1888. Chapter 252, p. 368, approved April 2. An act to divide the counties of this State into two sections, to be known as game sections, and to fix the time for shooting certain game birds and animals therein. Northern section comprising the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somer^jt, Sussex, Union and War- ren ; southern section, balance of State. 1889. Chapter 13, p. 25, approved February 25. A further supplement to the act entitled "An act for the pro- tection of game and game fish," approved April 4, 1878. 26 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1889. Chapter 113, p. 162, approved April 3. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish." 1889. Chapter 225, p. 359, approved May 6. A supplement to an act entitled *'An act for the protection, and to limit the time and manner of killing European pheasants and other game birds of foreign origin," approved March 22, 1886. Given three years' pro- tection from date of act. 1889. Chapter 290, p. 455, approved May 13. A further supplement to *'An act to amend and consolidate the several acts relating to game and game fish," approved March 27, 1874. ($300 paid Chas. A. Shriner and John W. Griggs for compiling game and fish laws of the State.) 1892. Chapter 42, p. 61, approved March 8. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the appointment of commissioners for the better protection of the fish- ing interests of the State of New Jersey," approved March 17, 1870. Act provides for three commis- sioners to be appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, to hold office five years, and to expend $3,000 each year for propagating pur- poses, and to appoint with the consent of the Gov- ernor a ''Fish and Game Protector"; also county wardens. Total expenses under this act not to ex- ceed $12,000 annually. (First act making provi- sions for salaried wardens.) 1892. Chapter 150, p. 259, approved March 24. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection and to limit the time and manner of killing European pheasants and other game birds of foreign origin," approved March 22, 1886. GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 27 1893. Chapter 27, p. 44, approved February 28. An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, animals and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation hereof. An act of 57 ' sections, providing open seasons, regulating methods for hunting and fishing, possession, sale, &c. ; penalties for violations, &c. 1894. Chapter 100, p. 154, approved April 26. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, animals and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violations hereof," approved February 28, 1893. 1894. Chapter 209, p. 316, approved May 15. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act for the ap- pointment of commissioners for the better pro- tection of the fishing interests of the State of New Jersey," approved March 17, 1870. Four commis- sioners provided for, not more than two to be of the same political party. 1894. Chapter 313, p. 470, approved May 22. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, animals and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation hereof." 1894. Chapter 314, p. 471, approved May 22. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the protection of cer- tain kinds of birds, animals and fish, and to pro- vide a procedure to recover penalties for the viola- tion hereof." 1895. Chapter 148, p. 37, approved March 14. An act to prevent trespassing with guns. 1895. Chapter 224, p. 440, approved March 22. An act to amend an act entitled ''A further supplement to an 28 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. act entitled 'An act for the appointment of com- missioners for the better protection of the fishing interests of the State of New Jersey,' " approved March 17, 1870, which supplement was approved May 15, 1894. Provides for the appointment of a game and fish protector at $1,200, and 25 wardens at $600 per annum, and prescribes their power and duties. 1895. Chapter 255, p. 474, approved March 22. An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation hereof. A general revision of the game and inland water fish laws containing 49 sections. 1896. Chapter 67, p. 104, approved March 23. An act to repeal an act entitled "An act to incorporate the West Jersey Game Protective Society," approved April 3, 1873, and certain amendments and supple- ments thereto. 1896. Chapter 130, p. 185, approved March 30. An act to provide for the appointment of deputy fish and game wardens. Provides for the appointment by commissioners of deputy fish and game wardens — no compensation from State. 1896. Chapter 169, p. 247, approved April 14. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, animals and fish and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation hereof," contained in Chapter 255 of the Laws of 1895, p. 474, and approved March 22, 1895. 1896. Chapter 217, p. 364, approved May 12. Appropria- tion for Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : GAME AND PISH LEGISLATION. Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Fish and game propagation, 5,ooo Commissioners' expenses, 800 Total, $26,500 1897. Chapter 41, p. 109, approved March 29. An act to provide a uniform procedure for the enforcement of all laws relating to fish, game and birds, and for the recovery of penalties for violations hereof. An act of 18 sections, and provides manner of procedure, and makes it the duty of sheriffs, con- stables, fish and game wardens, and the fish and game protector to seize all fishing apparatus found in unlawful use — informer entitled to one-third of all moneys collected. Double penalties to be as- sessed for second or subsequent convictions. 1897. Chapter 171, p. 340, approved May 4. A further sup- plement to an act entitled ''An act for the appoint- ment of commissioners for the protection of the fishing interests of the State of New Jersey," ap- proved March 17, 1870. Commissioners given au- thority to fix the allowances for expenses of pro- tector and wardens, not to exceed appropriation. 1897. Chapter 203, p. 419, approved May 18. Appropria- tion for Board of Fish and Game Commissioners: Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Stocking waters with food fish, . . . 5,000 Commissioners' expenses, 800 Total, $26,500 1898. Chapter 94, p. 152, approved March 27,. An act for the protection of reed birds, rail birds and marsh hens. 30 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1898. Chapter 214, p. 495, approved June 13. Appropria- tion for Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : Protector and warden service, . . $20,700 Stocking v^raters with food fishes, . 5,000 Commissioners' expenses, 800 Total, $26,500 1898. Chapter 415, p. 525, approved June 14. An act con- cerning trespassing on private lands. 1899. Chapter y6, p. 189, approved March 22. An act to repeal sundry acts relating to associations not for pecuniary profit. Repeals Chapter 87, approved March 13, 1879, to authorize the formation of asso- ciations and societies for the more effectual pro- tection of game and game fish. 1899. Chapter 86, p. 211, approved March 22. Repeals homing pigeon act of February 21, 1888. 1899. Chapter 148, p. 332, approved March 24. An act for the preservation of deer and ring-necked pheasants. Protected for three years. 1899. Chapter 180, p. 483, approved March 24. An act au- thorizing the New Jersey Board of Fish and Game Commissioners to issue certificates to properly ac- credited persons permitting them to collect birds and their nests and eggs for scientific purposes. 1899. Chapter 219, p. 581, approved March 24. Appropria- tion for Fish and Game Commissioners : Protector and warden service, ... $20,700 Commissioners' expenses, 800 Total, $21,500 1900. Chapter 70, p. no, approved March 21. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, and to pro- GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 31 vide a procedure to recover penalties for the viola- tion thereof," approved March 22, 1895. 1900. Chapter 73, p. 133, approved March 22. A further - supplement to an act entitled *'An act for the pro- tection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation thereof," approved March 22, 1895. 1900. Chapter 108, p. 297, approved March 23. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, and to pro- vide a procedure to recover penalties for the viola- tion thereof," approved March 22, 1895. 1900. Chapter iii, p. 300, approved March 23. A supple- ment to an act entitled *'An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, and to provide a procedure to recover penalties for the violation thereof," approved March 22, 1895. 1900. Chapter 198, p. 526, approved March 23. Appro- priations, Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Propagating purposes, 2,500 Commissioners, 800 Total, $24,000 1901. Chapter 76, p. 176, approved March 20. An act for the protection of birds and their nests and eggs. Protects non-game birds, except blackbirds, Eng- lish sparrows, crows and hawks, except fish hawk, their nests and eggs ; defines what are game birds, and provides for issuance of permits for scientific collecting. 1901. Chapter 120, p. 261, approved March 22. An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and 32 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. fish, to regulate their method of capture, and pro- vide open and close seasons for such capture and possession. An act of 31 sections, fixing open sea- sons, methods for hunting and inland water fishing, sale, forbids hunting on Sunday, protects song and insectivorous birds, their nests and eggs, provides penalties, and repeals inconsistent acts. 1901. Chapter 208, p. 463, approved March 22. Appropria- tion for Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Propagating purposes, 4,000 Expenses for game commis- sioners, 1,000 Total, $25,700 1902. Chapter 73, p. 237, approved April i. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession," which act was approved March 22, 1901. 1902. Chapter 112, p. 354, approved April 3. An act to provide for the destruction of foxes, and the pay- ment of premiums therefor. Three dollars bounty provided for each fox killed. 1902. Chapter 116, p. 359, approved April 3. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture and to provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession," ap- proved March 22, 1901. 1902. Chapter 207, p. 657, approved April 9. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act to provide a uniform GAME AND PISH LEGISLATION^. 33 procedure for the enforcement of all laws relating to fish, game and birds, and for recovering the penalties for violations therefor," approved March 29, 1897. 1902. Chapter 216, p. 669, approved April 9. An act for the protection of marsh hens, to regulate their capture or killing, and provide open and close seasons for such capture or killing. 1902. Chapter 246, p. 706, approved April 10. An act for the protection of beavers. Made unlawful to cap- ture or kill at any time. 1902. Chapter 247, p. 706, approved April 10. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession," ap- proved March 22, 1901. 1902. Chapter 248, p. 707, approved April 10. An act for the protection of deer. Deer protected for three years. 1902. Chapter 255, p. y2y, approved April 10. Appropria- tion, Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Propagating purposes, 4,000 Commissioners, 1,000 Total, $25,700 1902. Chapter 263, p. 780, approved April 22. An act to require non-residents to secure license before hunt- ing or gunning within the State of New Jersey, and providing penalties for violation of its provi- sions. Provides for $10 non-resident hunting license, with an additional issuance fee of fifty cents. 34 GAME AND PISH LEGISLATION. 1903. Chapter 147, p. 230, approved April 8. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection of certain birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close sea- sons for such capture and possession," approved March 22, 1901. Made unlawful to permit dogs to run at large on lands inhabited by rabbits or game birds, except Nov. i-Mar. i. 1903. Chapter 176, p. 349, approved April 8. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act concerning trespass- ing on private lands," approved June 14, 1898. Amends act regulating hunting or fishing on pri- vate lands. 1903, Chapter 246, p. 526, approved April 14. An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and pro- vide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Revision of 1903). An act of z^4 sec- tions, fixing seasons for game and fish, methods for taking, possession, sale, penalties, &c., and re- pealing all conflicting acts. 1903. Chapter 273, p. 742, approved April 20. Appropria- tion, Board of Fish and Game Commissioners: Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Propagating purposes, 4,000 Commissioners' expenses, 1,000 Printing game laws, &c., 750 Total, $26,450 1904. Chapter 68, p. 178, approved March 28. A further supplement to an act entitled ''An act concerning disorderly persons" (Revision of 1898), approved June 14, 1898. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 35 1904. Chapter 217, p. 380, approved March 29. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revision of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter 220, p. 383, approved March 29. An act to amend an act entitled *'An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revision of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter 231, p. 404, approved April 5. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revision of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter 233, p. 406, approved April 5. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revi- sion of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter 236, p. 411, approved April 5. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revi- sion of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter 239, p. 414, approved April 5. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate 36 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revi- sion of 1903), approved April 14, 1903. 1904. Chapter i, p. 515, approved April 12 (special session). An act for the protection of pigeons and other fowl, and constituting the violation of its provi- sions a misdemeanor. Prohibits use of live birds for trap shooting. 1904. Chapter 247, p. 461, approved April 4. Board of Fish and Game Commissioners' appropriation : Protector and warden service, ... $20,700 Propagating food fishes, game animals and birds, 5,ooo Expenses of commissioners, .... 1,000 For printing laws, license blanks, &c., 750 Total, $27,450 1905. Chapter 86, p. 183, approved March 31. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to provide a vmiform procedure for the enforcement of all laws relating to fish, game and birds, and for the recovery of penalties for violations thereof," approved March 29, 1897. 1905. Chapter 87, p. 184, approved March 31. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide a uniform procedure for the enforcement of all laws relating to fish, game and birds, and for the recovery of penalties for violations thereof,' " approved March 29, 1897. 1905. Chapter 227, p. 450, approved May 8. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 37 their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession," which act was approved April 14, 1903. 1906. Chapter iii, p. 175, approved April 12. An act to , repeal an act entitled ''A further supplement to an act entitled *An act concerning disorderly per- sons (Revision of 1898),'" approved March 28, 1904. 1906. Chapter 317, p. 699, approved June 19. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act to amend an act en- titled *An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, to provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession' (Revision of 1903), approved April 14, 1903," approved April 5, 1904. 1906. Chapter 320, p. 704, approved June 22. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act to provide for the destruction of foxes and the payment of premiums therefor," approved April 3, 1902. 1907. Chapter 32, p. 66, approved April 10. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and to provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Re- vision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. Fixes season for reed birds, Sept. i-Jan. i. Prohibits hunting reed birds at night, after sunset and before sunrise. 1907. Chapter 224, p. 451, approved May 27. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Re- vision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. 38 GAMB AND PISH LEGISLATION. 1907. Chapter 262, p. 674, approved October 2. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act to provide a uniform procedure for the enforcement of all laws relating to fish, game and birds, and for the recovery of penalties for violations thereof," approved March 29, 1879. 1908. Chapter 76, p. 116, approved April 2. An act to license unnaturalized, foreign-born, resident hunters, and providing a penalty for its violation. Fee, $10; clerk fee, 50 cents. Owners or lessees of farm land, if residing on said land, may hunt on same without procuring said license. Penalty, $20, to be recovered under the uniform procedure act. 1908. Chapter 94, p. 141, approved April 6. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regu- late their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Re- vision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. Pro- hibits taking of water-fowl from any boat, sink- box, or other vessel or construction in which such person might lie in wait. Fixes season for goose, duck, brant, swan, Oct. 15-Jan. i in Passaic, Sus- sex, Morris, Warren, Essex, Hudson Somerset, Hunterdon, Union and Bergen counties, and in re- maining part of State any water-fowl, except goose or brant, Nov. i-March 15; goose and brant, Nov. I -March 25. 1908. Chapter 202, p. 407, approved April 13. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. seasons for such capture and possession," approved April 14, 1903. Allows game or birds, when per- mitted to be exported where killed, to be brought into New Jersey, but prohibits the sale of such ' game. 1908. Chapter 204, p. 409, approved April 13. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act to amend an act entitled 'An act concerning trespassing on private lands/ " approved April 18, 1903, known as Chap- ter 176, p. 349, pamphlet laws of 1903. Makes it unlawful to hunt on private lands without the con- sent of the owner or person in possession. 1908. Chapter 222, p. 435, approved April 13. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Revi- sion of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. Provides seasons for woodcock ruffed grouse (partridge), quail, English or ring-necked pheasant, prairie chicken, wild turkey, rabbit and squirrel, Oct. 15- Dec. 2, in the counties of Passaic, Sussex, Morris, Warren, Essex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Hudson, Union and Bergen; and in balance of State, Nov. 15-Jan. I. Permits owners of game preserves to have killed or captured on said preserves English or ring-necked pheasants from Oct. i-Jan. i. 1908. Chapter 243, p. 478, approved April 13. An act to license non-residents of the State of New Jersey to hunt, pursue and kill game and fowl. Fee, $10; clerk fee, 50 cents. Permits export from State of 15 birds and 10 rabbits a day, if exposed to open view. 40 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1908. Chapter 244, p. 480, approved April 13. An act to repeal ''An act to require non-residents to secure license before hunting or gunning within the State of New Jersey, and providing penalties for viola- tions of its provisions," approved April 22, 1902. 1908. Chapter 281, p. 584, approved April 15. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regu- late their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession," approved April 14, 1903. Provides that game im- ported into the State in the original package may be kept in cold storage in close season, under a bond of $5,000. 1909. Chapter 187, p. 279, approved April 20. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regu- late their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Re- vision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. Protects wild does and fawns, under penalty of $100 for each offense. Prohibits hunting deer with rifle or any firearm or shotgun of smaller caliber than 12- gauge, or to load same with a bullet or other missile larger than that commonly known as buckshot. Penalty, $500 for each offense. Permits hunting in daylight only, and forbids use of dogs for hunt- ing deer, under penalty of $100. 1909. Chapter 192, p. 286, approved April 20. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Revi- sion of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. Makes GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 41 open season on rabbits, Nov. 15— Jan. i. Fine for violation, $20. 1909. Chapter 270, p. 493, approved April 21. An act to license citizens of this State to hunt and pursue , wild animals and fowl. Fee, $1 ; clerk fee, 15 cents. Applicant to have been a bona fide resident for one year previous to application for license. (Occu- pant of any farm in the State and immediate mem- bers of the family of said occupant residing on said farm shall have right, without such license, to hunt on said farm during open seasons. Mem- bers of the immediate family do not include any employe or tenant of said occupant.) License expires December 31 following the issuance, is non- transferable, and licensee must mave in possession and exhibit same on request of any warden or other officer or other person requesting to see the same. 1910. Chapter 51, p. 73, passed March 29. A supplement to an act entitled "An act for the protection of cer- tain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close sea- sons for such capture and possession (Revision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. 1910. Chapter 65, p. 91, passed March 31. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection of cer- tain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close sea- sons for such capture and possession (Revision of 1903)/' approved April 14, 1903. 1910. Chapter 172, p. 285, approved April 9. An act for the protection of the wild or passenger pigeon. 1910. Chapter 189, p. 312, approved April 9. An act to pro- hibit the hunting of rabbits or hares with ferrets. 42 GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1910. Chapter 227, p. 353, approved April 9. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession (Revision of 1903)," approved April 14, 1903. 1910. Chapter 308, p. 559, approved April 12. Appropria- tion, Board of Fish and Game Commissioners: For fish and game wardens, in- cluding the fish and game pro- tector, for compensation, $15,600* For salary of Secretary, 1,800 For clerical services and inci- dental expenses, 3,600* For expenses of the fish and game wardens and fish and game pro- tector, 5,100* For expenses of Fish and Game Commissioners, 1,000 For printing game laws, license blanks, etc., 1,000* For expenses of operating, main- taining and repairing the steam launch "Protector," 1,500 FISH. 1765. P. 44. Act to regulate the method of taking fish in the river Delaware, and to prevent obstructions in the navigation thereof and for other purposes therein mentioned. 1766. P. 27. An act to prohibit the setting of nets, seines and other devices in the river Raritan or South * Disapproved. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 43 river, to obstruct the fish going up at the proper seasons of the year, and to preserve the fry and young brood of fish from being destroyed in said rivers. 1768. F. 39. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the method of taking fish in the riv^er Delav^are, and to prevent obstructions in the navigation thereof, and for other purposes therein mentioned." 1768. Chapter 474, p. 309, passed May 10. An act to regu- late the fisheries w^ithin that part of the eastern division of this colony, from the mouth of the Raritan river northward. 1769. P. 8. Act to prohibit the setting of nets, seines and other devices in the river Raritan or South river, to obstruct the fish going up at the proper seasons of the year, and to preserve the fry and young brood of fish from being destroyed in said rivers. 1771. P. 30. Act to revive and continue two acts therein mentioned ; "Act to regulate the method of taking fish in the river Delaware, &c., and a supple- mentary act to the same." 1776. An act prohibiting the use of nets less than three inches in mesh in Newark bay and the Passaic and Hackensack rivers. 1783. An act prohibiting the use of nets less than three inches in mesh in Newark bay and the Passaic and Hackensack rivers. 1783. Passed May 2^. An act to ratify and confirm an agreement made between commissioners appointed by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania and commissioners appointed by the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, for the purpose of settling the jurisdiction of the river Delaware * '^\ 44 GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1786. Passed November 2. An act to regulate the mode of fishing in Hackensack river in the county of Ber- gen. 1786. Additional legislation on this subject, February 20. 1799. Passed June i. An act to regulate the fisheries in Raritan river, and to repeal a certain act men- tioned therein. 1799. Passed June 13. An act to regulate certain fisheries in the river Delaware. 1804. February 22. An act to regulate the said fisheries in South river, in Middlesex county. 1808. P. 541, passed November 26. An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses. 181 1. Passed November 4. An act providing for a fee of $10 for a fishery carried on for profit. 1 81 3. P. yy, approved February 5. An act to incorporate the owners of certain fisheries in the upper and middle townships, in the county of Cape May. 1814. Passed January 20. Amending act of November 26, 1808, regulating fisheries of the Delaware river, and providing for the disposition of fines and for- feitures thereunder. 1816. Passed January 26. Amends act of November 2, 1786, entitled "An act to regulate the mode of fish- ing in Hackensack river, in the county of Bergen," and forbids use of nets (except hoop nets) in New- ark bay. 1 81 6. Passed February 5. An act relative to fishing in the several creeks in the county of Salem. Act regu- lates use of nets in Penn's Neck and Alloways creeks. 1817. Passed February 11. An act partially to repeal an act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries within GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 45 that part of the eastern division of the colony, from the mouth of the Raritan river northward." i8ig. February 9, p. ii. A further supplement to an act entitled ''An act to regulate the fisheries in the -river Delaware," passed November 26, 1808. A general act regulating net fishing in the Delaware river, but not to be operative until approved by the State of Pennsylvania. 1819. P. 18, February 15. An act to regulate fisheries on island and bars in the river Delaware. Operative only when approved by State of Pennsylvania. 1820. P. 93, January 28. An act for the better regulation of fishing in Cohansey Creek. 1821. P. 14, November 27. An act to regulate the packing of herrings for exportation. 1822. P. 70, November 15. An act to incorporate a com- pany for carrying on the whale and seal fisheries from the port of Perth Amboy, and for banking purposes. 1823. P. 50, December 2. An act to regulate the fisheries in Mulica's river. 1825. P. 6, November 8. A supplement to the act entitled **An act to incorporate a company for carrying on the whale and seal fisheries from the port of Perth Amboy, and for banking purposes." 1825. P. 65, December 7. An act for the better regulating of the fishing in Newark bay and in the Passaic and Hackensack rivers. 1826. P. loi, November 21. Joint resolution directing At- torney-General to institute quo warranto proceed- ings against the New Jersey-Delaware Oyster Company. 1826. P. 88, December 21. An act concerning fisheries. 46 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1828. P. 42, February 5. An act to explain an act entitled "An act for the better regulating of the fishing in Newark Bay and in the Passaic and Hackensack rivers." 1828. P. 155, March 5. An act relating to the fisheries in the Hudson river, within the limits and jurisdic- tion of the State of New Jersey. 1832. P. 148, March 12. An act for the extinguishment of every right, title or claim which the Delaware Tribe of Indians, formerly residents of New Jersey, and now located at Green Bay, in the territory of Michigan, now have, or ever had, to any part of the territory of New Jersey, or its franchises. Ap- propriated $2,000 as remuneration for the Indians' title to the fisheries of New Jersey reserved by them when they ceded their lands. 1833. P. 52, February 2. An act to regulate the fishing with seines in Barnegat bay, north of Barnegat Inlet, in the county of Monmouth. Forbids seining under the ice or the use of seines longer than 130 fathoms. 1833. February 15, p. 108. An act supplementary to an act entitled ''An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," passed November 26, 1808. 1833. P. 4, October 30. An act to incorporate a company for carrying on the whale and seal fisheries from the port of Newark, in the county of Essex, in this State, for the purpose of manufacturing oil and candles. 1835. P. 129, March 2. An act to regulate the fishing, at certain times of year, on the Passaic river, in the counties of Morris and Essex. Use of nets pro- hibited, except March 15-May i. GAME AND PISH LEGISLATION. 47 < . 1836. P. 115, February 17. An act to regulate the fishing at certain times of the year in the Passaic river, in the counties of Morris and Essex. 1836. P. 225, March 2. An act to regulate the fishing with seines in Barnegat bay, north of Barnegat Inlet, in the county of Monmouth, passed February 2, 1833. 1836. March 5, p. 254. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act to regulate shad fisheries in South river, in the county of Middlesex." 1836. P. 255, March 5. An act relative to fishing in Old- man's creek, in the counties of Salem and Glou- cester. 1837. P- 349' March 6. An act to regulate and protect the fisheries in the north and south branches of Shrews- bury river, in the county of Monmouth. 1838. P. 224, February 28. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the shad fisheries in South river, in the county of Middlesex," passed February 22, 1804. 1839. P- ^4' February 6. An act to regulate the fishing in the rivers Passaic, Pompton, Rockaway and Whip- pany, in the counties of Morris, Essex and Passaic. 1839. P. 75, February 26. An act to incorporate the owners of certain fisheries in the Upper, Dennis, Middle and Lower townships, in the county of Cape May. 1842. P. 53, February 18. An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barnegat bay. 1843. P. 29, February 3. A supplement to an act entitled "An act for the better regulation of fishing in Co- hansey creek," passed January 28, 1820. 1844. P. 65, February 6. An act to regulate the fisheries in Raritan and South river. 1844. P. 129, February 27. A supplement to the act to in- corporate the owners of certain fisheries in the 48 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. Upper Dennis, Middle and Lower township, in the county of Cape May, passed February 26, 1839. 1845. P. 95, March 13. A supplement to the act entitled ''An act relative to fishing in Oldman's creek, in the counties of Salem and Gloucester, passed March 5, 1836. 1845. P. 152, March 22. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," passed November 26, 1808. 1846. P. 163, April 17. An act relative to fishing in the Rancocas creek, in the county of Burlington. 1850. P. 290, March 7. An act to protect fish in the Swart- wout pond, in the county of Sussex. 1852. Chapter 44, p. 143, approved March 5. An act to pro- tect fish in Collver's or Round pond, and in the Long pond, and in Lake Hopatcong, in the coun- ties of Sussex and Morris. 1852. Chapter 71, p. 156, approved March 6. A further supplement to the act entitled "An act relative to fishing in Oldman's creek, in the counties of Salem and Gloucester," passed March 5, 1836. 1852. Chapter 90, p. 212, approved March 12. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," passed November 26, 1808. 1853. Chapter 100, p. 252, approved March 4. An act to protect fish in the waters of Black river. Rock- away river and the Stanhope reservoir, within the boundaries of the counties of Morris and Sussex. 1853. Chapter 124, p. 311, approved March 5. An act to protect fish in Budd's lake, in the township of Rox- bury, in the county of Morris. GAME AiVD FISH LEGISLATION. 49 1853. Chapter 186, p. 429, approved March 11. An act rela- tive to fishing in White lake, in the county of War- ren. 1854. Chapter 83, p. 188, approved March 2. A supplement to an act to protect fish in Budd's lake, in the town- ship of Roxburg, in the county of Morris, approved March 5, 1853. 1854. Chapter 115, p. 302, approved March 3. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to protect fish in the waters of Black river, Rockaway river and the Stanhope reservoir, within the boundaries of the counties of Morris and Sussex," approved March 4, 1853. 1854. Chapter 137, p. 365, approved March 16. An act to protect fish in the waters of the Wallkill and its tributaries, in the county of Sussex, in this State. 1854. Chapter 172, p. 426, approved March 17. An act to regulate fishing in Shark river, in the county of Monmouth. 1854. Chapter 184, p. 445, approved March 17. A supple- ment to an act to protect fish in the Collver's or Round pond, and the Long pond, and in Lake Hopatcong, in the counties of Sussex and Morris. 1855. Chapter 196, p. 554, approved March 30. An act to repeal the act entitled "An act to protect fish in the Swartwout pond, in the county of Sussex." 1857. Chapter 154, p. 410, approved March 20. An act to repeal part of the act regulating the fisheries in the Mullica river, passed December 2, 1823. 1858. Chapter 69, p. 169, approved February 26. A further supplement to the act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," passed November 26, 1808. 50 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1858. Chapter 134, p. 321, approved March 12. An act to regulate the fisheries in the Manasquan river. 1858. P. 491, approved February 26. A further supplement to the act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," passed November 26, 1808. 1859. Chapter 70, p. 178, approved March 8. An act to prevent fishing with nets, &c., in Ryerson's pond, in the township of Pompton, in the county of Pas- saic. 1859. Chapter 105, p. 283, approved March 15. An act to regulate fishing in Manasquan river, in the coun- ties of Monmouth and Ocean, and also Wreck pond, in the county of Monmouth. 1859. Chapter 190, p. 548, approved March 23. An act to extend the charter of the ''General Association of the Upper township in the county of Cape May." Amending act of February 26, 1839. i860. Chapter 76, p. 186, approved March i. An act to prevent fishing with seines, gill nets or fikes in Long pond or Greenwood lake, in the county of Passaic, State of New Jersey. i860. Chapter 80, p. 192, approved March i. An act to prevent fishing with seines, baskets, nets or fikes in the Passaic river, between the mill dam at Little Falls and the mill dam at Chatham, in the counties of Essex, Morris and Passaic. i860. Chapter 191, p. 491, approved March 22. An act to protect fish in Hunt's pond, in the county of Sus- sex. i860. Chapter 199, p. 536, approved March 22. An act to regulate the length of nets and seines to be used GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 51 in Lower township, Cape May county, and in Cape Island Sound. 1861. Chapter 34, p. 61, approved February 25. An act to regulate the length of nets and seines to be used in ^ Middle township. Cape May county. 1861. Chapter 150, p. 450, approved March 15. An act for the preservation of fish during the spawning sea- son, and to prevent fishing with nets, fikes, seines or baskets in the Raritan and Millstone rivers and their tributaries. 1862. Chapter 140, p. 267, approved March 20. An act to regulate fishing in Cheesequake creek, in the county of Middlesex. 1862. Chapter 141, p. 267, approved March 20. A further supplement to the act entitled "An act to protect fish in Budd's lake, in the township of Roxbury, county of Morris," approved March 5, 1853. 1862. Chapter 142, p. 268, approved March 20. An act to prevent fishing with seines or gill nets in the Pas- saic river, between Dundee dam and the Passaic Falls. 1863. Chapter 199, p. 407, approved March i. A supple- ment to the act entitled ''An act to prevent fishing with seines or gill nets in the Passaic river, be- tween Dundee dam and the Passaic Falls," ap- proved March 20, 1862. 1864. Chapter 164, p. 263, approved March 15. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to prevent fishing with seines, baskets, nets or fikes in the Passaic river, between the mill dam at Little Falls and the mill dam at Chatham, in the counties of Essex, Morris and Passaic," approved March i, i860. 52 GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1864. Chapter 305, p. 516, approved March 29. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act to regulate fishing in Manasquan river, in the counties of Monmouth and Ocean, and also Wreck pond, in the county of Monmouth," approved March 15, 1859. 1864. Chapter 388, p. 679, approved April 8. An act to prevent fishing with seines, or other nets, in Budd's lake, in the county of Morris. 1865. Chapter 415, p. 758, approved April 14. An act en- titled "An act to prevent fishing with seines, baskets, nets or fikes in Bound, Maple Island, Par- son's, Woodruff and Wheeler's creeks, in the coun- ties of Union and Essex, for the preservation of fish. 1867. Chapter 256, p. 535, approved April 3. A further sup- plement to an act regulating fisheries in Mullica river. 1867. Chapter 473, p. 996, approved April 12. An act en- titled "An act to prevent fishing with any gill, drift, seine, fike or other net or nets in certain of the waters within New Jersey. 1868. Chapter 361, p. 815, approved April 7. An act for the further protection of the fisheries in Maurice river, Cumberland county. 1868. Chapter 398, p. 920, approved April 9. An act to regulate fishing in the creeks and sounds in the Lower township in the county of Cape May. 1869. Chapter 124, p. 300, approved March 9. An act to regulate fishing in Cohansey creek, in the county of Cumberland, and for other purposes. 1870. Chapter 343, p. 43, approved March 17. An act for the appointment of commissioners for the better protection of the fishing interests of the State of GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. _ 53 New Jersey. Governor authorized to appoint two commissioners to inspect fisheries of State and recommend such legislation as seems necessary for the improvement of the fisheries. 1870. Ghapter 327, p. 700, approved March 17. An act to regulate fishing with seines in Atlantic county. 1870. Chapter 395, p. 833, approved March 7. An act to repeal the third section of an act entitled ''An act regulating fisheries in Mullica river." 1870. Ghapter 452, p. 993, approved March 17. An act to regulate the fishing with seines in Dennis town- ship, county of Gape May. 187 1. Ghapter 36, p. 208, approved February 14. An act to repeal "An act to regulate fishing with seines in Atlantic county." 187 1. Ghapter 107, p. 348, approved March 7. An act for the better protection of the fisheries in Maurice river, and in Oronoken, Dividing and Autuxent creeks, Gumberland county. 187 1. Ghapter 220, p. 40, approved March 15. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes," approved November 26, 1808. Provides for the appointment by the Governor of one war- den for each county adjoining the Delaware river, to hold ofiice three years, and to receive $3 per day for time spent under the direction of the commis- sioners of fisheries. 1871. Ghapter 384, p. looi, approved March 29. An act to regulate fishing with seines in the county of Gape May. 1872. P. 115. A proclamation by the Governor of New Jersey. (Relating to fishing in the Delaware river.) 54 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1872. Chapter 78, p. 10, approved February 28. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses," approved November 26, 1808. (Subject to like legislation by State of Pennsylvania.) 1872. Chapter 206, p. 32, approved March 8. An act for the preservation of fish in the waters of the Raritan and Sandy Hook bays and their tributaries. 1872. Chapter 551, p. 102, approved April 4. A further sup- plement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses," approved November 26, 1808. Appro- priates $3,000 for propagation of shad in the Dela- ware river, provided Pennsylvania appropriates a like amount. 1873. Chapter 258, p. 369, approved March 14. An act to prevent seine fishing in the waters of South Shrewsbury river and Pleasure bay. 1873. Chapter 361, p. 62, approved March 26. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act for the appoint- ment of commissioners for the better protection of the fishing interests of the State of New Jersey," approved March 17, 1870. Act provides for the appointment by the Governor of three commis- sioners to hold office five years. 1873. Chapter 585, p. 686, approved April 4. An act for the protection of fish and fisheries in Cumberland county. 1873. Chapter 603, p. 157, approved April 4. A further sup- plement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses," approved November 26, 1808. GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 55 1874. Chapter 232, p. 1093, approved March 17. An act to incorporate the Keystone Pleasure Fishing Club at Mayville, Cape May county, New Jersey. 1874. Chapter 317, p. 61, approved March 21. An act for - the protection of fisheries in this State. 1874. Chapter 470, p. 116, approved March 2^. An act to further define the duties of the fish commissioners of New Jersey. 1874. Chapter 475, p. 121, approved March 27. An act ap- propriating two thousand dollars to enable the Commissioners of Fisheries to stock the streams, etc., of the State with food fishes, &c. 1875. Chapter 153, p. 299, approved March 17. An act for the better protection of fish in the Raritan river and its tributaries. 1875. Chapter 345, p. 60, approved April 8. An act for the preservation of fish in certain waters within the State of New Jersey. Provides for the appoint- ment by the Governor of a fish warden for each of the counties of Passaic, Essex and Morris. 1875. Chapter 380, p. 86, approved April 9. An act to pro- vide for stocking the lakes, ponds and streams of this State with food fishes. Appropriates $3,500. 1875. Chapter 394, p. 569, approved April 9. Supplement to an act entitled ''An act incorporating the West Jersey Game Protection Society." Prohibits non- residents from hunting or fishing for brook trout in Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumber- land and Cape May counties without complying with the by-laws of the Game Protection Society, under penalty of $50 for each ofifense. 1876. Chapter 100, p. 127, approved April 13. An act for the preservation of fish. One warden to be ap- pointed for each county by Governor. 56 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1876. Chapter 139, p. 2^s> approved April 20. A supple- ment to the act entitled *'An act relative to the fisheries in the waters of the Hudson river within the limits and jurisdiction of the State of New Jer- sey, passed March 5, 1828. 1876. Chapter 146, p. 237, approved April 21, An act for the protection of black bass in the rivers of New Jersey. Possession, taking or sale prohibited dur- ing the months of April, May and June. 1876. Chapter 160, p. 269, approved April 21. An act to provide for stocking the lakes, ponds and streams of this State with food fishes. Appropriates $2,500. 1876. Joint Resolution No. 2, p. 418, approved March 30. Joint Resolution relative to the rights of the State of New Jersey in that part of the Delaware river which runs between the States of Delaware and New Jersey. (Claim of Delaware to jurisdiction of entire river from shore to shore to be contested, and Governor directed to institute proceedings in the U. S. Supreme Court to determine boundary lines.) 1877. Chapter 60, p. 84, approved March 8. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the preservation of fish," approved April 13, 1876. 1877. Chapter 93, p. 147, approved March 9. An act to provide for stocking the lakes, ponds and streams of this State with food fishes. Appropriates $5,000. 1879. Chapter 66, p. 90, approved March 6. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $5,000. 1879. Chapter 75, p. 112, approved March 11. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of fish," approved April 3, 1878. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 57 1879. Chapter 123, p. 209, approved March 14. An act ex- tending the charters of the owners of certain fisheries. 1879. Chapter 124, p. 210, approved March 14. A supple- , ment to an act entitled ''An act for the preserva- tion of fish," approved April 5, 1878. 1879. Chapter 125, p. 211, approved March 14. An act for the protection of the fishing interests of this State. 1879. Chapter 158, p. 255, approved March 14. An act for the further protection of fisheries. 1880. Chapter 107, p. 138, approved March 10. A supple- ment to an act for the preservation of fish, ap- proved April 13, 1876. 1880. Chapter 141, p. 190, approved March 11. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $5,000. 1881. Chapter 144, p. 176, approved March 22. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $4,000. 1881. Chapter 186, p. 234, approved March 25. An act for the protection of fish. 1882. Chapter 41, p. 44, approved March 3. Supplement to an act regulating fisheries. 1882. Chapter ^y, p. 109, approved March 17. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of fish," approved April 5, 1878. 1882. Chapter 104, p. 136, approved March 17. An act relative to fishing in the North and South Shrews- bury rivers and in the waters of Sandy Hook and Raritan bays. 1883. Chapter 83, p. 99, approved March 13. An act per- mitting the catching of fish by set lines and fish weirs in those tributaries of the Delaware river above tide-water which are obstructed bv dams. 58 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1883. Chapter no, p. 127, approved March 22. A supple- ment to an act entitled ''An act for the preserva- tion of fish," approved April 5, 1878. 1883. Joint Resolution No. i, p. 265, approved February 8, Joint Resolution to Congress asking relief and pro- tection to citizens along the seacoast of New Jer- sey from steam yacht menhaden fishing with purse seines. 1884. Chapter 40, p. 70, approved March 10. A supple- ment to "An act for the preservation of fish," ap- proved April 5, 1878. 1884. Chapter 50, p. 78, approved March 12. A supple- ment to an act entitled '*An act relative to fishing in the North and South Shrewsbury rivers, and in the waters of Sandy Hook and Raritan bay," ap- proved March 17, 1882. 1884. Chapter 71, p. 103, approved March 2"/. A further supplement to an act entitled ''An act to regulate fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses," approved November 26, 1808. 1884. Chapter 96, p. 135, approved April 8. An act to pro- hibit fishing with steam and other vessels with shirred or purse seines in any of the waters within the jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey. 1884. Chapter 118, p. 179, approved April 15. An act to provide means to increase the fish production in the waters of this State. Appropriates $3,000. 1884. Chapter 128, p. 189, approved April 16. An act to repeal the first section of the act entitled "An act for the protection of fish," approved March 25, 1881. 1884. Chapter 131, p. 192, approved April 16. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to further define GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 59 the duties of the fish commissioners of New Jer- sey," approved March 27, 1874. 1884. Chapter 135, p. 198, approved April 17. A further supplement to an act entitled *'An act to regulate fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other pur- poses," approved November 26, 1808. 1885. Chapter 3, p. 13, approved June 28. A supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the protection of game fish," approved April 4, 1878, and other game laws of this State, providing for the payment of fines into the county treasury. 1885. Chapter 81, p. 96, approved March 16. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act for the pro- tection of fisheries in this State," approved March 21, 1874. 1885. Chapter 106, p. 123, approved March 24. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $2,000. 1885. Chapter 145, p. 181, approved March 31. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of fish," approved April 13, 1876. Wardens to be appointed by commissioners instead of by the Governor. 1886. Chapter 17, p. 26, approved February 15. An act to amend an act entitled "Supplement to an act regu- lating fisheries," approved March 3, 1882. 1886. Chapter 181, p. 242, approved April 16. A supple- ment to an act to repeal the first section of an act entitled "An act for the protection of fish," ap- proved April 16, 1884. 1886. Chapter 184, p. 252, approved April 20. A supple- ment to the act entitled "An act for the protection of fisheries in this State," approved March 21, 1874. "SO GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1886. Chapter 206, p. 311, approved April 28. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of fish," approved April 25, 1881. 1886. Chapter 262, p. 388, approved June i. A supplement to *'An act for the preservation of fish," approved April 5, 1878. 1887. Chapter 42, p. 55, approved March 28. A further supplement to an act to repeal the first section of an act entitled ''An act for the protection of fish," approved April 16, 1884. 1887. Chapter 82, p. 114, approved April i. An act to amend an act entitled "A supplement to an act en- titled 'An act for the preservation of fish,' " ap- proved April 5, 1878, which said supplement was approved March 5, 1882. 1887. Chapter 88, p. 120, approved April i. An act to pro- vide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $3,000. Joint Resolution No. 3, approved May 6. Joint Reso- lution authorizing the appointment of a commis- sion to ascertain the value of the shad fisheries on the Delaware river, below Trenton, with a view to their purchase by the State. 1888. Chapter 34, p. 47, approved February 15. An act to amend an act entitled "A supplement to an act entitled 'An act for the preservation of fish,' " ap- proved April 5, 1878, which said supplement was approved March 17, 1882, approved April i, 1887. Joint Resolution No. 5, p. 556, approved February 2y. Joint Resolution relating to the preservation of fish in the waters and seas in and contiguous and near to the State of New Jersey, within the juris- diction of the United States. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. '61 Joint Resolution No. 6, p. 557, approved February 28. Joint resolution to equalize the right of fish- ing in the navigable waters of the United States which border on any State or Territory. 1888. Chapter 54, p. 577, approved February 21. An act for the preservation of fish in the Hackensack river and its tributaries or branches within the counties of Bergen and Hudson. 1888. Chapter 227, p. 327, approved March 29. An act to provide for the appointment of commissioners of fisheries of the State of New Jersey. Three com- missioners to be appointed by joint Senate and General Assembly, to hold office for five years — not more than two to be of the same political party. 1888. Chapter 262, p. 397, approved April 3. An act to provide means to increase fish production in the waters of this State. Appropriates $2,000. 1888. Chapter 298, p. 450, approved April 17. An act rela- tive to fishing in the river Delaware. 1889. Chapter 175, p. 286, approved April 18. An act regu- lating the appointment of the commissioners of fisheries of the State of New Jersey. Provides for the appointment of commissioners by Governor, with the consent of the Senate. 1890. Chapter 61, p. 98, approved March 24. An act for the protection of mammose or young sturgeon in the Delaware bay, river and their tributaries. Un- lawful to take any sturgeon less than three feet in length. 1890. Chapter 140, p. 221, approved April 7. An act for the protection of shad and game fish in the river Delaware. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1890. Chapter 234, p. 408, approved June 3. An act to pro- vide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $2,500. 1891. Chapter 53, p. 95, approved March 9. Supplement to an act entitled ''An act to further define the duties of the Fish Commissioners of New Jersey," approved February 27, 1874. 1891. Chapter 141, p. 275, approved April i. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection mammose or young sturgeon in the Delaware bay, river, and their tributaries," approved March 24, 1890. 1891. Chapter 171, p. 325, approved April 4. An act pro- viding for the establishment in the State of New Jersey of fish and shell fish cultural and biological statures. 1891. Chapter 186, p. 361, approved April 14. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act to provide for the better protection of the fishing interests of this State," approved April 5, 1878. 1891. Chapter 216, p. 410, approved April 14. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the preservation of fish in the Hackensack river and its tributaries or branches within the counties of Bergen and Hud- son," approved February 21, 1888. 1891. Chapter 230, p. 425, approved April 16. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $5,000, $1,000 to be used for propagating shad in the Dela- ware river. 1892. Chapter 235, p. 376, approved March 30. An act for the preservation of fish, and to prevent fishing in private waters of this State between the first day GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. '63 of December and the first day of the following April, in every year, under certain conditions. 1893. Chapter 25, p. 39, approved February 28. An act to amend an act entitled '*A supplement to an act , entitled 'An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barnegat bay,' passed February 17, 1842," passed April 21, 1876. 1893. Chapter 131, p. 244, approved March 13. An act for the protection of shad fisheries in the Delaware bay, eastward of the channel. 1894. Chapter 23, p. 30, approved March 22. An act to repeal an act entitled "An act to amend an act en- titled 'A supplement to an act entitled ''An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barnegat bay,'' passed February 17, 1842,' passed April 21, 1876," which amendatory act was approved February 28, 1893. 1894. Chapter 49, p. 61, approved April 12. An act con- cerning trespassing on private lands (to fish). 1894. Chapter 94, p. 592, approved April 26. An act for the preservation of fish in the Hackensack river and its tributaries or branches within the counties of Ber- gen and Hudson. 1894. Chapter 188, p. 290, approved May 14. A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'A supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barnegat bay," passed February 17, 1842,' passed April 21, 1876." 1895. Chapter 214, p. 401, approved March 21. An act to provide means to increase the fish production of the waters of this State. Appropriates $5,000. 1895. Chapter 215, p. 402, approved March 21. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection 64 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. of shad, sturgeon and game fish in the river Dela- ware." 1895. Chapter 235, p. 456, approved March 22. An act for the protection of sturgeon. Sturgeon protected July I-Jan. i, subject to like legislation by the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania. 1895. Chapter 252, p. 470, approved March 22. An act to prevent the propagation of carp. 1895. Chapter 434, p. 829, approved June 25. Appropria- tion, Board of Fish and Game Commissioners : Fish and game wardens, $20,700 Commissioners' expenses, 800 Total, $21,500 1896. Chapter 66, p. 104, approved March 19. An act to repeal the first section of an act entitled "A fur- ther supplement to an act entitled 'An act to regu- late fisheries in the river Delaware and for other purposes,' " passed November 26, 1808, which fur- ther supplement was approved April 4, 1873. 1896. Chapter 103, p. 151, approved March 26. An act to regulate fishing by steam and other vessels with shirred or purse seines in the waters of the State of New Jersey, and to require a license for such fishing. License fee, $25 for sailing vessels with tender to $250 for steam vessels of more than 100 tons register provided for. 1896. Chapter 175, p. 254, approved April 14. An act per- mitting the catching of catfish and eels by set lines and fish baskets, and fish weirs or eel pots in the streams tributary to the Delaware river above the Trenton Falls. 1896. Chapter 209, p. 354, approved May 12. A supple- ment to an act entitled **An act for the better pro- GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. tection of fish in the Raritan river and its tribu- taries," approved March 17, 1875. 1897. Chapter 197, p. 414, approved May 18. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act for the preserva- tion of fish in the Hackensack river and its tribu- taries or branches within the counties of Bergen and Hudson," approved April 26, 1894. 1898. Chapter iii, p. 183, approved March 25. An act for the preservation of oysters. Protected for three years. 1898. Chapter 170, p. 404, approved April 19. An act to amend an act entitled ''A further supplement to an act entitled 'A supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fishing in Barnegat bay," passed February 17, 1842,' which supplement was ap- proved April 21, 1876," and said amendatory act approved May 14, 1894. 1899. Chapter 65, p. 171, approved March 21. An act to authorize the catching of suckers with hooks. 1899. Chapter 119, p. 261, approved March 23. An act to repeal an act entitled "An act to prevent seine fishing in the waters of South Shrewsbury river and the waters of Pleasure Bay," approved March 14, 1873. 1900. Chapter 92, p. 175, approved March 22. An act to amend an act entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled 'A supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barne- gate bay," ' " passed February 17, 1842, which sup- plement was approved April 21, 1876, and said amendatory act approved May 14, 1894, and which further supplement was approved April 19, 1898. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. igoi. Chapter 90, p. 205, approved March 21. An act to authorize the Board of Fish and Game Commis- sioners of this State to co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania in assisting to restore sturgeon fisheries in the Delaware river and bay, and make an appropriation therefor. Appropriates $750. 1901. Chapter 153, p. 322, approved March 22. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of shad and game fish in the river Delaware," approved April 7, 1890. 1901. Chapter 161, p. 333, approved March 22. An act to acquire rights of fishing common to all in fresh water lakes in certain counties, to acquire lands adjoining thereto for public use and enjoyment therewith, and to regulate the same. 1901. Chapter 167, p. 361, approved March 22. An act to amend an act entitled ''An act for the protection of mammose or young sturgeon in the Delaware bay, river and their tributaries," approved March 24, 1890. 1902. Chapter 103, p. 280, approved April 3. An act for the protection of food fish in the State of New Jersey. 1902. Chapter 179, p. 573, approved April 4. A further supplement to an act entitled "A supplement to an act entitled 'An act for the preservation of fish in the Hackensack river and its tributaries or branches within the counties of Bergen and Hud- son,' " approved April 26, 1894, which supplement was approved May 18, 1897. 1903. Chapter 35, p. 57, approved March 13. An act to repeal an act entitled "An act relative to fishing in Oldman's creek, in the counties of Salem and Gloucester," approved March 5, 1836, and the sup- plements thereto. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 67 1903. Chapter 136, approved April 7. An act concerning the capture of carp by means of nets or seines in the Hackensack river and its tributaries or branches within the counties of Bergen and Hud- , son. 1903. Chapter 166, p. 289, approved April 8. An act to au- thorize the Board of Fish and Game Commis- sioners of this State to co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania in assisting to restore the sturgeon fisheries in the Delaware river and bay, and mak- ing an appropriation therefor. Appropriates $750. 1903. Chapter 245, p. 525. approved April 14. A further supplement to an act entitled ''An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to regulate fishing with seines in Barnegat bay/ passed February 27, 1842, which supplement was approved April 21, 1876, and said supplementary act approved May 14, 1894, and which further supplement was approved April 19, 1898," and which further amendatory act was ap- proved March 22, 1900. 1903. Chapter 250, p. 637, approved April 14. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of food fish in the State of New Jersey," approved April 3, 1902. 1904. Chapter 42, p. 67, approved March 29. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession" (Revi- sion of 1903), approved April 14, I903- 1904. Chapter 234, p. 408, approved April 5. An act to regulate fishing for sturgeon in the Delaware bay, river and their tributaries. 68 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1904. Chapter 237, p. 412, approved April 5. An act to re- peal parts of sundry acts to regulate fishing and the length of nets and seines in the county of Cape May. 1905. Chapter 42, p. 6/, approved March 21. An act to ratify and confirm a compact agreement between the States of New Jersey and Delaware respecting the Delaware river and bay, and to authorize the execution thereof. 1905. Chapter 224, p. 421, approved April 29. Board of Fish and Game Commissioners' appropriation : Protector and game warden service, $7,800 1905. Chapter 233, p. 457, approved May 11. An act to amend section 2 of an act entitled "A further sup- plement to an act regulating fisheries in the Mullica river," approved April 3, 1867. 1905. Chapter 235, p. 458, approved May 11. An act to authorize the Board of Fish and Game Commis- sioners to co-operate with the department of fisheries of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the propagation of shad and other food fish and game fish for stocking the river Delaware, and mak- ing an appropriation ($2,500) for that purpose. 1905. Chapter 239, p. 462, approved May 11. An act ap- pointing three commissioners on the part of the State of New Jersey to confer with three commis- sioners to be appointed on the part of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of the compact betw^een the States of New Jersey and Delaware respecting the Delaware river and bay, defining their duties and powers, and appropriating money to pay the necessary expenses thereof. Joint Resolution, p. 563, approved February 14. Joint Resolution relating to the boundary con- GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. troversy between the States of New Jersey and Delaware. 1906. Chapter 57, p. 83, approved March 30. An act to regulate the length of nets and seines to be used ' in fishing in Upper township, in the county of Cape May. 1906. Chapter 63, p. 90, approved March 30. An act for the protection of Malaclemmys Palustris, com- monly called diamond-backed terrapin ; to regulate their method of capture, and provide open and close seasons for such capture and possession. 1906. Chapter 271, p. 561, approved May 18, 1906. A fur- ther supplement to an act entitled ''An act for the punishment of crimes" (Revision of 1898), ap- proved June 14, 1898. 1906. Chapter 284, p. 600, approved May 21. Board of Fish and Game Commissioners' appropriation: Protector and warden service, . . $20,700 Propagation purposes, 5»ooo Commissioners' expenses, 1,000 Printing, &c., 750 Repairs to launch 'Trotector" (Art. 283, p. 576), i'579 Total, $29,025 1907. Chapter 131, p. 302, approved May 7. An act pro- viding uniform laws to regulate the catching and taking of fish in the Delaware river and bay be- tween the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey. An act of 26 sections. 1907. Chapter 211, p. 468, approved May 15. An act to prohibit fishing through or under ice in any of the waters of this State. 70 GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 1907. Chapter 232, p. 565, approved June 8. An act to regu- late the construction and use of dams in the waters of Paulins' Kill, in the counties of Warren and Sussex. Provides for a fish ladder, and allows 60 days after passage of act to provide them in dams already in existence. 1907. Chapter 259, p. 671, approved September 25. A fur- ther supplement to an act entitled "An act for the appointment of commissioners for the better pro- tection of the fishing interests of the State of New Jersey," approved March 17, 1870. 1908. Chapter 30, p. 44, approved March 25. A supple- ment to an act entitled "An act making appropria- tions for the support of the State government and for several public purposes for the fiscal year end- ing October 21, 1908, approved June 15, 1907. Ap- propriates $2,000 for use of commission to investi- gate Delaware river fish conditions in connection with commissions of New York and Pennsylvania. 1908. Chapter 155, p. 232, approved April 10. An act to regulate the taking of suckers, catfish, carp and eels in the waters of the Delaware river above Trenton Falls by use of fish baskets. Provides for a $1 license to operate fish basket, and fixes season for its use, Aug. 15-Dec. I. 1908. Chapter 184, p. 374, approved April 11. An act to amend an act entitled "An act for the protection of certain kinds of birds, game and fish, to regu- late their method of capture, and provide open and closed seasons for such capture and possession," approved April 14, 1903, which said act is known as Chapter 246, page 526, of the pamphlet laws of 1903. GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 71 1908. Chapter 241, p. 47^, approved April 13. An act to regulate fishing for sturgeon in the Delaware bay, Delaware river and their tributaries. Regulates fishing and provides that the mesh of a net shall be ' be not less than 13 inches in length, stretched measure. Minimum length of sturgeon taken not to be less than 5 feet. Joint Resolution No. 2, p. 726, approved March 25. Joint Resolution providing for the creation of a. commission to co-operate with the authorities of the State of Pennsylvania and New York in regard to the propagation, protection and catching of fish in the Delaware river, and to inquire into any causes of pollution of the waters of said river, and to recommend legislation in regard to such propa- gation, protection and catching of fish in the Dela- ware river, and to obviate the pollution thereof. 1909. Chapter 245, p. 402, approved April 21. An act to en- courage the propagation of fish and to regulate the catching, taking and destruction of fish in the Delaware river, above Trenton Falls, within the jurisdiction, respectively, of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the State of New Jersey, and providing penalties for violation of its provisions, and to repeal acts inconsistent therewith. An act of 20 sections. 1909. Chapter 251, p. 428, approved April 21. An act to encourage the propagation of fish and to regulate the catching, taking and destruction of fish in the Delaware river, below Trenton Falls, within the jurisdiction, respectively, of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the State of New Jersey, and providing penalties for violation of its provisions, 72 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. and to repeal acts inconsistent therewith. An act j of 20 sections. > igio. Chapter 156, p. 266, approved April 8. An act regu- lating fishing in the Mullica river and its tribu- \ taries. COMMISSIONERS. It is doubtless true that a law placed upon the statute books of a State will be respected and observed for a time by a majority of its citizens ; but unless those who violate this law are punished through the police power of the State, the majority becomes the minority, and the law a dead letter. And in none of the minor offenses is this more noticeable than in the police regulations for the protection of game and fish. The remedy seems to be in the appoint- ment of special officers clothed with ample authority and charged only with the enforcement of these laws. This system has rapidly grown until every State in the Union, except Arkansas and Georgia, now has some kind of war- den service. Personally, I believe in the non-salaried, non- partisan, honorary board, with ample authority to appoint wardens, or discharge them for cause; to establish hatch- eries for the hatching of desirable food and game fishes for planting in the waters of the State ; to locate game farms for the propagating of desirable game birds and animals for re- stocking such localities as are suitable and have become depleted from natural causes, or by reason of excessive and improvident hunting; and with authority under certain con- ditions to shorten seasons or close them entirely for a limited period. They should be reimbursed for any legitimate ex- pense incurred by them in the discharge of their official duties imposed upon them. Citizens willing to give their time to the conservation, propagation and protection of GAMB AND FISH LEGISLATION. 73 the natural resources of a State may safely be trusted by its people to intelligently, conscientiously and honestly dis- burse any funds placed in their hands. WARDEN SERVICE. The warden service of a State is no better than the policy of that State indicates by the legislative provisions made for its maintenance. The early practice in many of the States of appointing county v^ardens, leaving their com- pensation to local boards, proved entirely unsatisfactory, and most of the States now have an organized department, with salaried wardens, who have authority in any part of the State. This is the system now in force in New Jersey. Unfortunately the compensation as fixed by the Legisla- ture is entirely too small to secure the best possible service. The duties of chief warden are many and exacting— he rep- resents the Board, and is charged with carrying out the policies adopted by them ; he has entire and sole control of the field work, and the efficiency and results obtained by the wardens, as well as the general discipline of the department, are in his hands. He should be paid a salary commensurate with the great responsibility imposed upon him. A salary of not less than $2,000, with expenses limited to $1,000 per year, should be provided for your chief warden or protector. He should devote his entire time to the duties of his office, and should be held responsible for the good conduct and efficiency of his subordinates. The best class of officers cannot be obtained for $50 a month. The wardens should be paid at least $900 a year, with an expense allowance suffi- cient to cover their legitimate expenses, and they should be barred from engaging in any other occupation, and compelled to devote their entire time to the service of the State. Ex- 74 • GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. perience has demonstrated that by assigning the wardens for duty in districts remote from their home county the best results are obtained, and local influences reduced to the minimum. The State is now well supplied with boats for patrolling its waters, and the effective supervision of com- mercial fishing is simply a matter of keeping these vessels engaged in patrol and inspection work. Within the past few years the automobile has come into general use, and with the magnificent roads throughout the State the sports- men have not been slow to make use of this convenient means for covering greater distances in their hunting trips than was formerly possible. In order that the wardens may be able to satisfactorily perform their work under these changed conditions, two or three runabouts could profitably be employed. The State of Michigan has adopted this plan with marked success. DEPUTY WARDENS. The present law provides for the appointment of deputy fish and game wardens, but no provision is made for their compensation. It would seem desirable, if this section is to remain in force, that some sort of compensation be fixed for this class of officials. A stated part of the fine collected when the information leading to a conviction has been fur- nished by a deputy warden would unquestionably secure better results. SPRING SHOOTING. Fully a generation ago sportsmen with foresight realized that unless spring shooting was abolished there would come a time when water-fowl would be so reduced in numbers GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 75 that their extinction would be the logical result. Subse- quent events showed that there were good grounds for ap- prehension, since at the present time the more-sought-after varieties of water-fowl have decreased in many of the famcms hunting grounds throughout the country to about 20 per cent, of their original abundance. If the slaughter had been kept up uninterrupted for twenty years more, the extinction of the majority of the water-fowl would have been insured. Fortunately, however, the better class of sportmen and other public-spirited citizens rallied in a num- ber of our States and the provinces of Canada and fought a winning fight against selfishness and ignorance, and saved the day in their respective States. Gradually other States fell in line, so that at the present time water-fowl on prin- cipal breeding areas in the United States and Canada are given adequate protection during the spring and summer months. As a consequence, in the last few years, there has been a notable increase in the number of ducks and geese during the fall migration. These results have en- couraged the friends of conservation, but at the same time they cannot but feel incensed at the action of the few re- maining States that are so selfish and short-sighted as to permit the spring shooting of birds, the increased abundance of which is wholly due to the conserving laws of the neigh- boring States. It seems, therefore, that in the few back- ward States the time is ripe for sportsmen and others in- ■ terested in game protection to unite and demand a close season during the time when the birds are hurrying to their nesting grounds, and when, in many cases, they are unfit for food. When the birds are fully protected in spring over their nesting grounds in the northern States, it will be a comparatively easy matter to induce the States where the birds winter, to give them better protection by shortening the season and limiting the bag. 76 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION New Jersey is so situated geographically that its in- fluence is easily felt, and no advance toward extending the protected area can be made until the pernicious law allow- ing spring shooting is abolished. It is alleged that Penn- sylvania took a step backward and reinstated spring shoot- ing mainly because the Legislature saw no justice in pre- venting its inhabitants from shooting on the dividing waters when the gunners of New Jersey were in no way restricted. Every State that has a close season in spring reports better shooting in autumn. This marked increase in the number of ducks observed in fall, due to sane laws, should not be used as an argument against the abolition of spring shoot- ing, but should act as an object lesson and incentive for demanding universal protection for water-fowl. GAME FARMS. Too much cannot be said in favor of the establishment of State farms for the breeding of desirable game animals and birds for liberation. Many of the States are now expend- ing more money in this work than is spent even in warden service, and, while the wisdom of neglecting our splendid game birds, like the pinnated and ruffed grouse and bob- white quail, in favor of the more showy pheasants and other imported birds, may well be doubted, careful experiments intelligently conducted will easily demonstrate what birds will best survive local conditions after liberation. Deer farms are receiving considerable attention throughout the country, and it has been shown in numerous instances that they can be successfully raised within enclosures at about the average cost of sheep. If it is deemed desirable to per- petuate this game animal in your State, this means should be taken to insure such perpetuation. At Lee Summit, GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. Missouri, a gentleman is annually raising more deer for the market than were last year killed by the hunters of New Jersey. Breeding animals may be purchased from the Cleveland Cliflfs Iron Company at from $20 to $30 each. A number of years ago this company enclosed 13,000 acres of heavily timbered land on Grand Island, Michigan, and now have more deer than the land will furnish food for, the island being entirely denuded of underbrush, while the timber is browsed up as high as the animals can reach, and it is necessary to feed them during the winter months. If does and fawns were given protection at all times, and the increase from a few deer kept in captivity liberated at about a year old, it would continue to insure splendid sport to the sportsmen of the State. The law should be changed, and dogs should be kept out of woods frequented by deer at all seasons of the year. A number of States have within the past few years de- voted considerable attention to the breeding of native game birds, and have shown the entire feasibility of stock- ing depleted covers by this method. Of these, several are successfully raising the bob-white quail in captivity, and Professor Hodge, of Worcester, Mass., has experienced no difficulty in breeding ruffed grouse. Early in the last cen- tury Audubon demonstrated that prairie hens could be reared in confinement with little difficulty. Recent legisla- tion prohibiting export out of their respective States of any game birds, except a limited number by non-resident licensed hunters, makes it impossible to procure live birds for breeding purposes, except in a few of the southern States ; these southern birds appear entirely unsuited to our northern climate, and rarely, if ever, survive the first severe winter. The only State where quail suited for breeding purposes in New Jersey can be secured is Oklahoma, where, 78 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. by permit from State Game and Fish Warden J. S. Askew, Chickasha, it may be possible to obtain a limited number of birds under the provisions of Article 3 of the game law of 1909. The State of California is taking up the breeding of wild turkeys and some of the other native game birds. If a sufficient number of stock birds can be obtained, your State could very profitably establish a farm for the raising of quail, ruffed grouse, pinnated grouse, and other native birds, and one for pheasants and other foreign species. Re- cent experiments in Michigan with the Hungarian partridge (Perdix cinerea) have been very satisfactory, and the birds seem to survive the severe winters of that State even better than the native bob-white quail. BAG LIMITS. While laws limiting the amount of game which may be killed by a hunter in a day or season are of comparatively recent origin, now very few of the States have failed to adopt this method for curbing the work of the "game hog." One of the first statutes of this kind was enacted in Iowa in 1878, and limited the number of game birds to be killed in a day to 25. The objection is often urged that such a law is impossible of enforcement, but experience has shown it to be one of the most effective features of modern game preservation ; no State that has enacted this provision into law has ever repealed it ; when declared illegal, the incentive to make large bags is removed among law-abiding sports- men. SHORE BIRDS. The shore birds, many of which are confined to narrow strips along the seacoast during spring and fall migrations, have suffered severely from over-shooting, and a number GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 79 of the larger species are nearing extinction. For some un- accountable reason, these birds, with few exceptions, have been denied protection throughout their vernal and au- tumnal migrations. They are ruthlessly slaughtered as soon -as they arrive within our limits, and the persecution does not cease until they have passed beyond. Spring shooting in a great measure is accountable for the destruc- tion of these interesting and valuable birds, and unless action is speedily taken for their protection, the shore birds will be a thing of the past. Until recently the interest in these birds was as objects of sport or of aesthetic value, but careful examination has shown that they are important factors in lessening the abundance of the mosquito pest. In many instances mosquitoes have formed more than 50 per cent, of the stomach contents of various species of shore birds. The State Entomologist of New Jersey, Prof. J. B. Smith, states that salt marsh mosquitoes were found in the stomachs of a number of species of shore birds. It seems almost absurd that it is necessary to recommend protection for birds that feed on such a pest as the mos- quito. One would think that as soon as the fact was known the birds would be given complete protection and con- sidered benefactors, especially in a State like New Jersey. REVISION. The present compilation of the game and fish laws of New Jersey contains original enactments dating back to 1675. Many of these acts have been amended from time to time until little of the old act is left except the title. Many of the laws are without a penalty clause, and are, therefore, inoperative. A careful revision should be made and all of the game and fish laws incorporated into as few acts as possible ; this would eliminate a score or more of acts now on the statute books. 80 GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. FISH. The depletion of fish in the inland waters of the State is a source of regret, and immediate steps should be taken looking to their repletion by the establishment of a State hatchery for the propagation of such game fish as are suit- able for the lakes and streams. Brook trout, rainbow trout, pike, perch, crappies, &c., can be satisfactorily hatched, while ponds properly constructed for keeping black bass dur- ing their spawning season will insure a supply of fry for planting each year. Many of the States annually expend more for the hatching and distributing of inland water fishes than has ever been allowed the New Jersey Com- missioners for the entire support of their department. A size limit should be placed on trout, bass and other game fish ; the number to be taken by any person in a day limited to a reasonable number, and a close season covering their entire spawning period provided. COMMERCIAL FISH. It will be admitted without argument that excessive or improvident fishing will entirely destroy one of the most valuable assets of a State with large bodies of water or long coast line within its jurisdiction, and in no State is the depletion more noticeable than in New Jersey. Fish are permitted to be taken at all seasons of the year, no re- strictions, either as to time, size or method of capture, hav- ing been provided. No fish of commercial value as a food product should be permitted to be taken during their spawn- ing season ; a size limit that will insure their having repro- duced at least once should be prescribed, the use of pound nets should be licensed by exacting an annual fee of at GAME AND FISH LEGISLATION. 81 least $200, and limiting the length of the lead permitted to be used, or there should be the entire abolishment of this method of fishing. If permitted at all, their use should not be allowed within three miles of any inlet or shore. Striped bass should be classed as a game fish, and their taking, except with hook and line, prohibited all the year. The mesh of all nets used should be of a size sufficiently large to permit the escape of the undersized immature fish, and all nets used should be registered with and licensed by the Board of Fish and Game Commissioners. HUNTING LICENSES. The license system has now been extended to cover resi- dent as well as non-resident hunters, and the resultant funds, added to those received from the issuance of net licenses, should produce revenue sufficient to cover the entire expense of propagation and protection of game and fish herein suggested. The sale of protected game, or the export from the State, should be prohibited all the year, except in the case of non-resident Hcensees, who might be permitted to take a limited number of birds out of the State once or twice a year, under their hunting license. UNIFORM LAWS. Local game and fish laws have been so often demon- strated as ineffective enforceable and protective measures that most of the States have abolished the practice, and many of the recently adopted State constitutions have in- corporated a section prohibiting the enactment of local acts whehe a general law can be made to apply. This is a step in the right direction. LB H '1 !911