S K As v4^ --4-X- 9 c--^ :^.-w- . Bird and Game Laws OF Rhode Island Revised to JUNE 1, 1922 Issued by the Commissioners of Birds ©Iff §»tatf nf Sboftf SBlanh Bird and Game Laws OF Rhode Island Revised to JUNE 1, 1922 Issued by tlie Commissioners of Birds imnArtY OF congreS""*" ninffi itihint 1 r i ' r t • n • 1 1 iniaitii* w* i n « ff timi INDEX General Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 136 Section 1. Penalty for killing or selling wild birds. 2. Penalty for pursuing with intent to kill wild birds. 3. Penalty for disturbing nests or eggs of birds, 4. Close season for shore birds, water fowl and upland game birds. 5. Open season for same. 6. Penalty for sale of quail, partridge and woodcock. 7. Exemption of English sparrows, English starling, hawks, owls and crows. 8. Close season on certain shore birds, Hungarian partridge and wx)od duck. 9. Penalty for sending birds outside the state. 10. Penalty for trapping quail or partridge and the use of certain kinds of weapons, and hunting one hour before sunrise or after sunset. 11. Possession evidence of killing. 12. Penalty for killing homing pigeon. 13. Penalty for detaining same. 14. Penalty for hunting on land of another without permission. 15. Permitting the killing of birds for scientific pur- poses. 16. Penalty for hunting from power boat. 17. Repealed. 18. Repealed. 19. Fines, how disposed of. 20. Commissioners of Birds, appointment of. 21. Commissioners of Birds, duties of. 22. DiBputy Commissioners, appointment of and theii duties. 23. Powers of Commissioners of Birds and their deputies 24. Search warrants, how procured; disposal of seized game. 25. Penalty for hunting on posted land. 26. Repealed. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Close season on Warwick Neck. (See also Public Laws — Chapter 2003.) 34. Penalty for violation of Sec. 33. 35. Game, birds or animals may not be kept in certain places of business. 36. Penalty for violation of Sec. 35, or for compro- mising any violation of bird and game law. 37. Possession of more than fifteen wild birds pro- hibited. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 2097 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 136 OF THE GENERAL LAWS, ENTITLED "OF BIRDS." Section 3. Penalty for doing wilful damage while hunting, trapping or fishing. 4. Enacting clause. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 381 Section 1. Hunting licenses, must be obtained. Certain excep- tions to s^me. 2. Licenses to be issued by town clerks. 3. Fees for licenses. 4. Licenses, how procured. 5. Licenses must be in possession. 6. Penalty for violation of this chapter. 7. License fees, how disposed of. 8. Commissioners of Birds shall enforce this chapter. 9. Deputies shall not collect portion of fines under certain conditions. 10. Enacting clause. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 2093 PROVIDING FOR FORFEITURE OF HUNTERS' LICENSES. Section 1. Forfeiture of license. 2. Enacting clause. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1229 AN ACT MAKING STATE RESERVATION RE- FUGES FOR BIRDS AND GAME. Section 1. Hunting on Reservations and Parks prohibited. 2. Officials in charge to enforce. 3. Fine, not exceeding $20. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1230 Section 1. Racoon, muskrat, mink, otter and skunk, close sea- son for. 2. May be killed on own land. General Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 137 Section 1. Rabbit, hare and gray squirrel, close season for. 2. Use of ferrets prohibited. 3. Possession of ferret while hunting prohibited. 4. Restriction on hunting deer. 5. Deer, provisions for killing same on own land. 6. Penalty for violation of sections 4 and 5. 7. Commissioners shall enforce this chapter. 8. Commissioners or deputies shall not be required to furnish surety. 9. Commissioners or deputies may arrest without war- rant. 10. Wire snares prohibited and penalties for same. n. Persons injured by violations of this chapter may recover damages. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1076 Section 1. Steel traps, restrictions as to size. 2. Trapping on land of another, written permission necessary. Traps must be visited every twenty- four hours. 3. Traps, how they must be placed. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1513 Section 1. Licenses for propagation of wild birds and gam quadrupeds. 2. Licenses may be revoked. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1663 AN ACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STAT] BIRD AND QUADRUPED PRESERVES AND THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS AND QUADRUPEDS. Section 1. Establishment of Bird and Game Sanctuaries. 2. Hunting on same forbidden. 3. Not to affect provisions of other chapters. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 2003 AN ACT MAKING A GAME PRESERVE IN TH] TOWN OF WARWICK. Section 1. Taking, killing, etc., of wild birds on certain land i Warwick prohibited for four years. 2. Licensed hunter may shoot wild water fowl in ope: season. 3. Penalty. General Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 136 OF BIRDS. (As amended.) Section 1. Every person who shall take, kill, destroy, buy, sell or offer for sale, or have in his possession any wild bird or birds, including grebes, loons, gulls, terns, bitterns, herons, cranes, doves, woodpeckers, nighthawks, meadowlarks, commonly called "marsh quail," and blue jays at any season of the year, except as hereinafter pro- vided, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars for each of such birds. (See Chapter 1255.) Sec. 2. Every person who shall pursue with intent to kill any wild bird, except as hereinafter provided, shall be fined twenty dollars for each offence. Sec. 3 Every person who shall wilfully disturb or destroy the nest or eggs of any wild bird, except as herein- after provided, shall be fined twenty dollars for each offence. Sec. 4. Every person who shall take, kill or pursue with intent to kill, any of the anatidse, commonly known as "water fowl," including any brant, wild duck or wild goose, between the fifteenth day of January and the first day ofjjOctober next following; any rail between the thir- tieth day of November and the first day of September following; any black-breasted plover, golden plover, 10 greater yellow legs, or lesser yellow legs, between the thirtieth day of November and the sixteenth day of August following, Wilson snipe between the thirtieth day of November and the first day of October following; ruffed grouse, commonly known as "partridge," quail, commonly called ''bob white," woodcock or pheasant, be- tween the thirty-first day of December and the first day of November following, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars for each offence; and whoever shall buy, sell or offer for sale at any time of the year or have in his possession any rail, black-breasted plover, golden plover, Wilson snipe, greater or lesser yellow legs, ruffed grouse, quail or woodcock, during the time that they are herein protected by law, whenever or wherever killed, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars for each such bird. (See Chapter 2097.) Sec. 5. Sections 1 and 2 of this chapter shall not apply to the shooting of anatidse, including brant, wild ducks and wild geese, from the first day of October to the fifteenth day of February next following, inclusive; woodcock from the first day of November to the thirty- first day of December, inclusive; rails, black-breasted and golden plover, Wilson snipe, commonly called "Jack Snipe," greater and lesser yellow legs, from the fifteenth day of August to the thirtieth day of November, inclu- sive; ruffed grouse, commonly called "partridge," quail, commonly called "bob white," and pheasant, from the first day of November to the thirty-first day of Decem- ber, inclusive: Provided, however, that this section shall not be construed as affecting the close season for 11 wood duck as provided for in Section 8 of this chapter. (See Chapter 1255.) Sec. 6. Whoever sells, or offers for sale or has in his possession, with intent to sell, any ruffed grouse, com- monly called ''partridge," quail, or any woodcock, when- ever or wherever such bird may be taken or killed, shall be punished by a fine of twenty dollars for each bird, one-half thereof to the use of the complainant and one- half thereof to the use of the state. Sec. 7. Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this chapter shall not apply to the killing of, or the destruction of the nests or eggs of English sparrows, English starlings, hawks (except fish hawks), owls and crows, and crow-black- birds, at any season of the year, by any person on his own land. (See Chapter 1385.) Sec. 8. Every person who shall take, kill or pursue with intent to kill, destroy, sell, buy, or offer for sale, or have in his possession any wood duck, swan or any of the limicolse commonly known as shore, marsh or beach birds, including curlew, dowitchers, dodwits, knots, phalaropes, plover, sandpipers, snipe, stilts, surf birds, turnstones, willett, or Hungarian partridge, shall for each offence be fined not exceeding twenty dollars: Provided, that the words "Hungarian partridge," shall not be construed to apply to the birds commonly called partridge or ruffed grouse; and provided, further, that this section shall not be construed as affecting the open season for woodcock, black-breasted plover, golden plover, Wilson snipe, greater yellow legs or lesser yel- 12 low legs, as already provided for in Section 4 of this chapter. (See Chapter 2097.) Sec. 9. Every person who shall carry or send beyond the limits of this state at any time any wild duck, wild swan, wild goose, rail, any of the limicolse or shore, marsh, or beach birds, any woodcock, quail, commonly called "bob white," or ruffed grouse, commonly called "partridge," shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars for each of said birds. (See Chapter 1255.) Sec. 10. Every person who shall at any time of the year take, kill or destroy any quail or partridge by means of any trap, snare, net or spring, or who shall construct, erect, set, repair, maintain or tend any trap, snare, net or spring, for the purpose of taking, killing or destroying any quail or partridge, or who shall shoot any water fowl by means or by use of any battery, swivel, punt, or pivot gun, or who shall take, kill, or pursue with intent to kill any migratory game or insec- tivorous birds between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, shall be fined for each offence not exceeding twenty dollars. (See Chapter 1255.) Sec. 11. Possession by any person of any bird during the time when the taking, killing or destruction of such bird is prohibted by this chapter, shall be evidence before any court of competent jurisdiction that such bird was taken, killed or destroyed in violation of this chapter. 13 Sec. 12. Every person who shall wilfully maim, shoot, )r otherwise kill any antwerp or homing-pigeon, com- nonly called and known by the name of "carrier pigeon," either while in flight or at rest, shall be fined for each )ffence not exceeding twenty dollars. Sec. 13. Every person who shall wilfully entrap, ;atch or detain any antwerp or homing-pigeon, com- nonly called and known by the name of "carrier pigeon," ihall be fined for each offence not exceeding twenty lollars: Provided, however, that such pigeon shall at he time have the name of the owner stamped upon its dng or tail, or have a band with the owner's name, nitial or number on its leg. Sec. 14. Every person who shall between the thirty- irst day of December and the first day of November next ollowing, shoot or kill any bird upon land not owned »r occupied by himself, and without permission of the >wner or occupant thereof, shall forfeit and pay to the iwner or occupant thereof five dollars for the first offence .nd ten dollars for every subsequent offence, in addition o the damages sustained. (See Chapter 2213). Sec. 15. Any person above the age of fifteen years, laving a certificate from the curator of the museum of oology of Brown University, the president of the Rhode sland College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, or rom any incorporated society of natural history or ollege in the state to the effect that said person is en- ;aged in the scientific study of ornithology or is making ollections in the interest of or for said institutions, or 14 any one of them, may take the nest and eggvS of, or a any season of the year may take or kill, any undomesti cated birds, except those named in sections four anc five. Sec. 16. Every person who shall at any time of the year shoot, kill, or pursue with intent to shoot or kill any water-fowl from, by means of, or by the use of, any sailboat, motor-boat, or launch, or any boat propelled by steam, gasoline, kerosene, or naptha, or from, by means of, or by the use of any boat except what is com- monly known as a skiff and propelled by oars, shall be I punished by a fine of twenty dollars for each and every offence. (See Chapter 1043.) Sec. 17. Repealed (See Chapter 1032.) Sec. 18. Repealed. (See Chapter 1032.) Sec. 19. All fines recovered by virtue of this chapter; shall enure one-half thereof to the use of the state andl one-half thereof to the use of the complainant, and all prosecutions therefor shall be commenced within ninety days after the commission of the offence and not after- wards. Sec. 20. There shall be five commissioners of birds, who shall serve without compensation. At the January session of the General Assembly in the year A. D. nine- teen hundred eleven, and in each third year thereafter, the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint five persons to be commissioners of birds 15 to succeed the commissioners then in office; and the persons so appointed shall hold their office until the first day in February in the third year after their appoint- ment. Any vacancy which may occur in said offices when the senate is not in session shall be filled by the governor until the next session thereof, when he shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint some persons to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term. Sec. 21. The commissioners of birds shall protect wild birds and wild animals throughout the state, and shall prosecute every person who shall violate any of the laws of this state relating to wild birds or wild animals, and the setting or attendance of snares and traps. When- ever complaint is made by said commissioners, or either of them, or by their deputies, of any violation of any of the laws of this state relating to wild birds or wild animals, or relating to the setting or attendance of snares and traps, they shall not be required either by themselves or by their deputies, to furnish surety for costs or be liable for costs on such complaint. (See Chapter 1535.) Sec. 22. Said commissioners in their discretion may appoint any number of deputies, and shall issue com- missions undpr their hands to said deputies, empowering them to execute the duties of such office, and shall record the names of said deputies with the secretary of state. It shall be the duty of the commissioners of birds and their deputies to enforce all of the laws of this state re- lating to wild birds and wild animals, and the setting or attendance of snares or traps for wild birds or wild 16 animals, and they shall have the power to execute all warrants arui search warrants issued for the violation of the laws of this state with reference to wild birds or wild animals, and the setting or attending of snares or traps for wild birds or wild animals, and they shall have the power to arrest without warrant any person whom they find violating such laws: Provided, that any person so arrested without warrant, shall not be detained longer than twenty-four hours. (See Chapter 1535.) Sec. 23. The commissioners of birds and their deputies shall have power to make search where they have reason to believe that wild birds or wild animals or any parts thereof, are possessed in violation of law, and without search warrant to examine the contents of any boat, car, wagon or other vehicle, box, locker, basket, crate, game bag, or other package, or the contents of any building other than a dwelling house, to ascertain whether any of the provisions of the laws of this state relating to the protection of wild birds or wild animals have been or are being violated, and to use such force as may be necessary for the purpose of such examination and inspection; and with a search warrant to search and examine the contents of any building or dwelling house, seize all wild birds or wild animals, or any parts thereof, possessed in violation of the law, or showing evidence of illegal taking, and hold the same subject to the order of the court issuing such search warrant. If any such wild birds or wild animals shall be seized without search warrant under the provisions of this section, the same procedure shall be pursued as is hereinafter in this chapter 17 provided for the forfeiture of wild birds and animals taken under a search warrant. (See Chapter 1385.) Sec. 24. Whenever complaint is made on oath to any magistrate authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases, that the complainant believes and has reason- able cause to believe that wild birds or wild animals are being possessed contrary to law, or that the laws in relation to wild birds or wild animals have been or are being violated in any building or place, such magis- trate, if satisfied that there is reasonable cause for such belief, shall issue a search warrant, authorizing any officer competent to serve a warrant, to search such place or building; but no search shall be made after sunset unless specially authorized by the magistrate upon satisfactory cause shown; and all such wild birds or wild animals shall be taken and be kept by such officer in some proper place of security until they can be proceeded against in the manner hereinafter provided; and the officer shall summon the owner or keeper, if any be named in the complaint, if to be found by him, and the warrant shall be returned by said officer with his doings thereon, as soon as may be, to the district court having jurisdicton of the same in the district where such wild ' birds or wild animals shall have been seized. If the owner or keeper be not named in the warrant or not found, the court shall order a notice of such seizure tto be given by posting up written notices in at least ! th ree public places in the town or city, one of which i shall be on the building or near the place, where the 18 seizure was made and such other notice shall be given as the court shall deem to be necessary. All wild birds and wild animals seized under this chapter, which were possessed or kept in violation of law, shall be forfeited to the state, and the officer making such seizure, or an officer designated by the court for the purpose, shall forthwith proceed to prosecute for the forfeiture thereof in the manner provided by law. If the cause for forfeiture be proved, the court before which the complaint or information shall be tried shall enter sentence of forfeiture to the state against said wild birds or wild animals; and any person aggrieved by such sentence may appeal therefrom to the superior court according to the provisions relating to criminal appeals from districts courts. If the cause of forfeiture be not proved, then all such seized wild birds or wild animals shall be forthwith restored to the proper owner thereof or to the place from which they were taken by the officer who seized the same. Upon entry of sentence of forfeiture against such wild birds or wild animals, if no appeal be then taken or no recognizance given as prescribed in other criminal cases, the court shall forthwith issue a warrant to the officer, commanding him forthwith to destroy or to distribute to public hospitals, or if alive, to liberate said wild birds or wild animals; and every such officer shall execute said warrant and shall return the same, with his doings thereon, to the court, within such time as the court shall direct. In case of final judgment for the state on appeal, 19 the court entering such final judgment shall issue the like warrant, as aforesaid, for the destruction or liberation of the wild birds or wild animals seized. There shall be allowed and paid to the officer who shall make the same for every seizure made under the foregoing provisions, the sum of five dollars, with two dollars additional for every day after the first that such officer shall be necessarily employed in causing the wild birds or wild animals seized to be condemned and ten cents for every mile that he shall necessarily travel therein, together with such reasonable sum as the court may deem just for necessary expense incurred in pro- viding storage for wild birds or wild animals seized, pending proceedings for condemnation, all which costs shall be taxed in the bill of costs and the amount allowed by the court in which final judgment shall be rendered to such officers, shall be paid by the state auditor out of any money, in the treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, that no fees herein provided to be paid to the officer making such seizure shall be paid to any officer, who at the time of such seizure is under pay as a deputy commissioner of birds. (See Chapter 1385.) Sec. 25. Whoever shall enter upon the land of another for the purpose of either shooting, trapping, or fishing when the same shall be conspicuously posted by the owner or occupant with notices that shooting, trapping, or fishing is prohibited thereon, or whoever shall with- out right mutilate, destroy, or remove any such notice, Ishall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars. 20 Sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of this chaptei are repealed by the provisions of Chapter 381. Sec. 33. No person shall take, kill, destroy or pur- sue or in any manner molest any wild bird at any season of the year for a term of five years, beginning July 1, 1919, on Warwick Neck, in the town of Warwick, south of the tracks of the Rhode Island Suburban Railwa\ Company from the easterly approach to the bridge at Warwick Cove, so-called, to Rocky Point station and thence in a line easterly from said station to Narragansett Bay. (See Chapter 1779. See also Chapter 2003.) Sec 34. Every person who shall violate the pro- visions of the foregoing section shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars for each offence. (See Chap- ter 1085.) Sec. 35. No person, firm, corporation or association dealing in poultry, meats, fish, groceries or other pro- visions or engaged in the cold storage business, or an> other business which requires, or has an ice box or cold storage or freezing vault, of any description, for use in connection with his, their or its business, and no hotel club, public house, restaurant, or victualers house shal have in his, their or its possession, at any time of year at such place of business, or at any other place where any of his, their or its provisions, which are for use ir his, their or its business, are kept, any bird or animal the sale of which is prohibited by this chapter. (Set Chapter 1385.) 21 Sec. 36. Whoever violates the provisions of Section 35 of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not ex- ceeding twenty dollars for each bird or animal or part thereof found in his possession in respect to which the violation occurs; any commissioner or deputy who shall compromise or settle any violation of the bird and game law out of court, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars. (See Chapter 1385.) Sec. 37. No person shall have in his possession, at any time, more than fifteen wild birds, the sale of which is prohibited by law. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding twenty dollars for each bird or part thereof. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 2097 AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 136 OF THE GENERAL LAWS, ENTITLED "OF BIRDS," AND OF ALL ACTS IN AMENDMENT THEREOF AND IN ADDITION THERETO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Sec. 3. Whoever shall enter upon land of another for the purpose of either hunting, trapping or fishing, and while upon said land shall do any wilful damage to the property of the owner of such land, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars. The owner of such property may recover from any person convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section, in an action of the case, twice the amount of the damages so sustained by him; and the hcense to pursue, hunt and kill game in the State of Rhode Island during the open season issued under the provisions of Chapter 381 of the Public Laws, passed at the January Session, A. D. 1909, and the acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, to any person who shall thereafter be convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section shall be forfeited and no license shall be issued to him under the provisions of said Chapter 381 of the Public Laws and the Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto for a period of one year after such conviction. Sec. 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. I Public Laws of Rhode Islaud Chapter 381 AN ACT TO REQUIRE AND PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF HUNTERS. {As Amended.) Section 1. No person shall hunt, pursue, take, or kill any wild bird or animal, in this state, without having first obtained a license as hereinafter provided: Provided, that nothing in this act shall be construed as affecting the right of a bona fide resident of this state or his immedi- ate family to hunt, without such license, on land owned by him, or on land leased by him and on which he is actually domiciled, and which land is used exclusively for agricultural purposes, and not for club shooting purposes, nor as affecting in any way the provisions of the laws relating to trespass, nor as authorizing the pursuit, taking, wounding or killing, or the possession of wild birds or animals contrary to any laws now in force or which may be hereinafter enacted, nor shall the possession of such license grant or confer any privilege not enjoyed prior to the passage of this act. Sec. 2. The clerk of every town or city shall upon the application of any person and the payment of the 24 license fee and recording fee hereinafter provided, issue to such person a Hcense to pursue, hunt, and kill game in the state of Rhode Island during the open season. Provided, however, that no license shall be granted to any person under fifteen years of age. Every such license shall be printed or stamped upon some durable and waterproof material and shall bear the name, age, occupation, place of residence, and an identifying des- scription of the licensee, and shall expire on the thirty- first day of December next succeeding the date of issue, and shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state. (See Chapter 690.) Sec. 3. Every ho7ia fide resident of the state, who is a citizen of the United States, shall pay for such license a fee of one dollar and recording fee of, twenty-five cents. Every non-resident of this state, who is a citizen of the United States, shall pay for such license a fee of ten dollars and a recording fee of twenty-five cents. Every unnaturalized, foreign-born person shall pay for such license a fee of fifteen dollars and a recording fee of twenty- five cents. Provided, that any non-resident, who is a citizen of the United States and who owns real estate in Rhode Island assessed for taxation at a valuation of not less than five hundred dollars; and any non-resident, who is a citizen of the United States, and who is a member of a club or association incorporated for the purpose of shooting or fishing, and incorporated prior to January 1st, 1909, which club or association owns real estate in Rhode Island assessed for taxation at a valuation of not less than one thousand dollars; and any non-resident f I 25 citizen of the United States who, on the written invitation of a member of an association incorporated under the laws of this state, attends a meeting of the association for the purpose of hunting foxes only, during a period not exceeding six days in any one year, may procure a special license upon the payment of a license fee of one dollar and a recording fee of twenty-five cents. Each non-resident hunting license except the special license issued for the purpose of hunting foxes, shall enable the licensee to carry from the state not more than ten wild fowl or birds, the exportation of which is prohibited by law, in any one calendar year: Provided, that the owner thereof shall carry them open to view for inspection, (See Chapter 1898.) Sec. 4. Every person who may desire such license shall file an application with the clerk of the town or city wherein he resides, if a resident; and with the clerk of any town or city in this state, if a non-resident, properly sworn to, stating the name, age, occupation, place of residence, nationality, weight, height, and color of hair and eyes of the applicant for whom such license is wanted, and pay the fees as provided in this act. Sec. 5. Every person holding a license provided by this act shall have the same in his possession at all times while hunting in this state, and shall present the same for inspection to any person demanding the same; and an 5' person refusing to so present said hcense for inspec- tion upon demand shall be liable to the same punishment as if he were hunting without such license. A hcense 26 shall not be valid before the Hcensee shall endorse his name in his own handwriting thereupon, and shall be good only for the person to whom it is issued, and any transfer or loan of such hcense shall work a forfeiture of the same. Sec. 6. Every person who shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both fine and imprisonment; and the hcense of any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this act shall be forfeited, and no license shall be granted such person for a period of one year after such conviction; and the same penalties shall be imposed upon any person who shall be convicted of hunting, pursuing or kiUing any wild bird or animal on a license which has been issued in the name of another person. Sec. 7. Every town or city clerk shall keep a record of all such licenses issued by him, which record shall be open to inspection by all officers authorized to make arrest, and by the general treasurer and the state auditor or their agents, and by the commissioners of birds and their deputies and such clerk shall, on the first Monday of every month, pay to the general treasurer all moneys, except recording fees, received by him for such hcenses issued during the month preceding, which moneys are hereby appropriated to the use of the commissioners of birds for the preservation and propagation of birds and game; and the state auditor is hereby directed to draw 27 his orders on the general treasurer from time to time for the payment of so much of the moneys, held by the treasurer under and by virtue of this act, as may be necessary, upon receipt by him of properly authenticated vouchers. (See Chapter 529.) Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the commissioners of birds and their deputies, appointed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 136 of the General Laws or any amendments thereof, to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and to prosecute every person who shall violate the same. They shall have power to arrest, without warrant, every person whom they shall find killing, pursuing, or taking any wild animal or bird contrary to the provisions of this chapter: Provided, that any person so arrested without warrant shall not be detained longer than twelve hours. Whenever com- plaint is made by said commissioners, or either of them, or by their deputies, of any violation of the provisions of this chapter, they shall not be required, either by themselves or by their deputies, to furnish surety for costs, or be liable for costs on such complaint. All fines recovered by virtue of this chapter shall enure one-haK thereof to the use of the state and one-half thereof to the use of the complainant, and all prosecutions thereof shall be commenced within ninety days after the com- mission of the offence, and not afterwards. Sec. 9. Any deputy bird commissioner who is em- ployed by the commissioners, under pay, for a period exceeding two consecutive days at a time, shall not be 28 entitled to any portion of fines imposed, in case of arrests and convictions, during such period of employment, either under this act or Chapters 136 and 137 of the General Laws and the several acts in addition and amend- ment thereto. In such event the entire amount of fines imposed shall enure to the state. Sec. 10. This act shall take effect upon its passage, and Chapter 1456 of the Public Laws, passed April 23, 1907, and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. I Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 2093 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE FORFEITURE OF HUNTERS' LICENSES IN CERTAIN CASES. Section 1, The license to pursue, hunt and kill game in the State of Rhode Island during the open season issued under the provisions of Chapter 381 of the Public Laws, passed at the January Session, A. D. 1909, and the acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, to any person who shall thereafter be convicted of vio- lating any of the provisions of Chapters 136 or 137 of the General Laws, or of Chapter 1076 of the Public Laws, passed at the January Session, A. D. 1914, or of Chap- ters 1229 or 1230 of the Pubhc Laws, passed at the January Sesssion, A. D. 1915, or of Chapter 1663 of the Public Laws, passed at the January Session, A. D. 1918, or of Chapter 2003 of the Public Laws, passed at the January session, A. D. 1920, shall be forfeited and no such license shall be granted to such person for a period of one year after such conviction. Sec. 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. I Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1229 AN ACT MAKING STATE RESERVATION RE- FUGES FOR BIRDS AND GAME. Section 1. No person shall hunt, pursue, take, kill, or in any manner molest or destroy any wild birds or game within the exterior boundaries of any state reser- vation, park, common or any land held in trust for public use, except that the authorities or persons having the control and charge of such reservations, parks, commons, or other lands, may in their discretion, and with such limitations as they may deem advisable, au- thorize persons to hunt, take or kill within said boundaries any wild birds, or animals, which are not now protected by law. Such authorizations shall be by written hcense, and the hcense shall be revocable at the pleasure of the authorities or persons granting it. Sec. 2. The boards, officials and persons having charge of state reservations, parks, commons and lands held for pubhc use shall enforce the provisions of this act. Sec. 3. Every violation of any provision of this act shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1230 AN ACT FOR THE PROTECTION OF FURBEAR- ING ANIMALS. (As Amended.) Section 1. Any person who shall take, kill, destroy, pursue with intent to kill, or set, maintain or tend any trap or snare for the purpose of taking, kilhng or destroy- ing any raccoon between the firs't day of February and the first day of October in any year, any muskrat, mink or otter between the first day of February and the first day of November in any year, or any skunk between the fifteenth day of April and the first day of November in any year, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars for each offence. (See Chapter 1891.) Sec. 2. Nothing in this act shall be construed to pre- vent any person from taking or killing at any time of the year any skunk, muskrat, raccoon or mink upon his own land. General Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 137 OF FERRETS, WEASELS, HARES, GRAY SQUIR- RELS AND DEER. (As Amended.) Section 1. Every person who shall take, kill or de- stroy any undomesticated rabbit, hare or gray squirrel between the thirty-first day of December and the first day of November, next following, shall be punished by a fine of twenty dollars for each and every rabbit, hare, or gray sq'uirrel so taken, killed or destroyed, one- half of said fine to the use of the complainant and the other half to the use of the state. (See Chapter 698.) Sec. 2. Every person who shall take, kill or destroy any rabbit or hare by the usfe of any ferret or weasel, shall be imprisoned in the county jail ten days for every such offence. Sec. 3. Every person who shall have in his possession any ferret or weasel while hunting for or after any hare or rabbit, or who shall be associated in hunting for hares or rabbits with others who shall have in their possession or under their control any ferret or weasel shall be fined not exceeding five dollars for every such offence. 33 Sec. 4. It shall be unlawful to pursue or shoot deer in this state except in accordance with the provisions of the following section. Sec. 5. Any person owning or occupying any farm or orchard and any person in his employ may, while on his own premises or the premises of his employer, kill any deer which shall be found destroying any crops, vegetables, or fruit trees belonging to such person or his employer: Provided, however, that no such person shall shoot any deer unless he has obtained from the secretary of state a permit so to do; and the secretary of state shall, upon application, issue^ to any responsible land owner, or his employees, a permit authorizing such person to shoot deer in accordance with the provisions of this section. No person shall pursue or shoot any deer except with a shot gun, or employ any missile larger than buck shot. Sec. 6. Any person violating the provisions of sec- tions four and five shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for each off- Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the commissioners of birds and their deputies, appointed in accordance with the provisions of chapter one hundred thirty-six, to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to prosecute every person who shall violate the same. They shall have power to arrest, without warrant, every person whom they shall find pursuing with intent to kill, taking 34 or killing, or having in his possession any undomesticated rabbit, hare, gray squirrel or deer contrary to the pro- visions of this chapter: Provided, that any person so arrested without warrant shall not be detained longer than twelve hours. Sec. 8. Whenever complaint is made by said com- missioners, or either of them, or by their deputies of any violation of the provisions of this chapter, they shall not be required either by themselves or by their deputies to furnish surety for costs, or be hable for costs on such complaint. Sec. 9. Any commissioner or his deputy may seize without warrant any undomesticated rabbit, hare, gray squirrel, or deer found in the possession of any person at any time when the killing of the same is prohibited by law. Sec. 10. Whoever shall construct, erect, set, repair, maintain or tend any wire snare for the purpose of catching or killing any animal shall be punished by a fine of not less- than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not less than sixty nor more than ninety days, or both. One-half of said fine, if such be imposed, shall enure to the complainant, and one-half to the state. Sec. 11. Any person injured in person or property by the violation of the provisions of the preceding section may recover from the persons inflicting such injury twice the amount of such damage. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1076 AN ACT TO REGULATE THE USE OF TRAPS. Section. 1. Any person who shall set, place, main- tain or tend a steel trap with a spread of more than six inches, or a steel trap with teeth jaws, or a "stop-thief" or choke trap with an opening of more than six inches, shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars. Sec. 2. Any person who shall set, maintain or tend a steel trap on enclosed land of another without the consent in writing of the owner thereof, and any person who shall fail to visit at least once in twenty-four hours a trap set or maintained by him, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars. Sec. 3. Any person who shall set, place, maintain or tend any steel trap, "stop-thief" or choke trap for the purpose of catching or killing any wild animal, unless the same shall be placed in a hole, brush pile, stone wall or other protected place, so situated as to be inaccessible to any domestic animal, shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding twenty dollars. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1513 AN ACT RELATIVE TO PROPAGATION AND SALE OF WILD BIRDS AND GAME QUADRUPEDS. Section 1. Upon written application to the commis- sioners of birds, a license may be granted in their dis- cretion, without charge, to any person to engage in the rearing, within an enclosure, of any wild birds or game quadrupeds, and tb dispose of the same alive for pur- poses of propagation, under such rules and regulations as may be made from time to time by the commissioners. Such artificially propagated wild birds or game quad- rupeds, if alive, may be bought, sold and had in possession at any season of the year for purposes of propagation. Sec. 2. Any and all licenses granted by said com- missioners of birds may be revoked by said commis- sioners at any time. Public Laws of Rhode Island Chapter 1663 AN ACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE BIRD AND QUADRUPED PRESERVES AND THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS ^ AND QUADRUPEDS. K. Section 1. For the purpose of protecting any species of useful wild birds or wild quadrupeds, and for the propagation thereof, the commissioners of birds may lease, or, with the consent of the owner, may control any land deemed suitable in character and situation for such purpose. Such land shall be conspicuously posted and designated as a state reservation. Sec. 2. No person shall at any time hunt, pursue, take, kill or in any manner molest or destroy any wild bird, the nest or eggs thereof, or any wild quadruped, on land leased or controlled by the commissioners of birds as a state reservation, except that the said commissioners may, in their discretion and with such hmitations as they may deem advisable, authorize in writing any de- puty, the owner or the occupant of such land, to hunt, pursue, take, kill or destroy any predatory birds, the nest or eggs thereof, or any quadruped harmful to useful birds or to agriculture. Such authority shall be revocable at the pleasure of the commissioners. 38 It shall be the duty of every commissioner and deputy commissioner of birds to arrest for violations of this act, and persons convicted of such violation shall be pun- ished by a fine of not exceeding twenty dollars. Sec. 3. This act shall in no way affect the provisions of Chapter 1229 of the PubUc Laws, passed at the Jan- uary Session, A. D. 1915, entitled "An act making state reservation refuges for birds and game," or Sections 33 and 34 of Chapter 136 of the General Laws, entitled "Of Birds," as added by Chapter 1085 of the Public Laws, passed at the January Session A. D., 1914. Public Laws of Rhode Island , Chapter 2003 AN ACT MAKING A GAME PRESERVE IN THE TOWN OF WARWICK. Section 1. No person shall take, kill, destroy, pursue or in any manner molest any wild bird, except as herein- after provided at any season of the year for a term of four years beginning July 1, 1920, on the following described land in the town of Warwick, viz.: All land south of the main highway from Warwick Neck to Apponaug from a point where the Warwick Neck road joins the said main road in Old Warwick to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad bridge in Apponaug. Sec. 2. This act does not prohibit licensed hunters from shooting wild water fowl on or near the shores in this territory during the open season. Sec. 3. Every person who shall violate the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars for each offence. Note. — The Federal Game Laws as to migratory birds will be enforced by the Federal authorities in case of a conflict with the State Laws as to open season. 40 OPEN SEASON FOR RHODE ISLAND. (Under Both Federal and State Laws.) The following game birds and animals may, be killed legally in Rhode Island during the seasons indicated. The Federal seasons on migratory birds have been taken into consideration, and the seasons shown are the times when migratory game birds may be hunted without violating either State or Federal law. OPEN SEASON Dates Inclusive. Gray squirrel, hare, rabbit, quail or bob white, ruffed grouse or partridge, pheasant Nov. 1-Dec. 31 Duck, goose, brant, coot, gallinules Oct. 1-Jan. 15 Black-bellied and golden plovers, yellow- legs Aug. 16-Nov. 30 Wilson snipe Oct. 1-Nov 30 Woodcock Nov. 1-Nov. 30 Rails (other than coot and gallinules) . .Sept. 1-Nov. 30 No open season on doves and Hungarian partridges. Deer may be killed only under a written permit from the secretary of state by the owner or occupant of pre- mises on which they are injuring crops. Swans, wood duck, curlew, willet, dodwits, upland plover, and all the smaller shore birds except those for which open seasons are provided as above stated, are protected at all times under the Federal regulations. Migratory game birds may be taken only from one half -hour before sunrise to sunset. 41 Bag Limits and Possession: Fifteen ducks, 8 geese, 8 brant, 6 woodcock, 15 in all of plovers and yellowlegs, 15 Wilson snipe, 15 in all of rails, coots, and gallinules a day, but not more than 15 game birds of all kinds in possession at one time. Possession of water-fowl, coots, gallinules and woodcock permitted during first ten days of close season. Hunting Licenses: Resident, $1.25; non-resident, $10.25; alien, $15.25; non-resident guest's limited fox hunting hcense, $1.25 per year; issued by city and town clerks. Not required of resident or his immediate family to hunt on own or leased agricultural lands on which actually domiciled. Non-resident owning real estate valued at not less than $500, and non-resident member of club incorporated for hunting or fishing purposes prior to January 1, 1909, which owns real estate assessed for taxation at value of not less than $1,000, may procure hcense at a fee of $1.25. Licenses not issued to minors under 15 years of age. Consent of owner required for hunting birds on land of another from January 1 to November 1. Sale and Export of all protected game prohibited except a non-resident licensee may take out under his license 10 wild fowl or birds in one calendar year, if carried open to view. Game Laws for 1922 containing the Federal Law and Regulations may be had free upon application to the Bureau of Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. COMMISSIONERS OF BIRDS Everett L. Walling, Chairman . . . Providence County Providence, R. I. Edmund W. Kent Newport County Newport, R. I. John Barlow Washington County Kingston, R. I. Alexander G. Fales Bristol County Bristol. R. I. Everett L. Barrus Kent County Conimicut, R. I.