CHAPTER 51

FISH, OYSTERS AND GAME – GAME

AN ACT to amend Chapter 74 of the Revised Code of the State of Delaware in relation to Fish and Game.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met:

Section 1. That Chapter 74, of the Revised Code of the State of Delaware, as amended by Chapter 177, of Volume 30, of the Laws of Delaware, be, and the same is hereby further amended by striking out all of 2375, Sec. 18 and inserting in lieu thereof the following to be styled 2375. Sec. 18:

2375 Sec. 18. GAME, OPEN SEASONS :The open seasons during which it shall be lawful to catch or kill any of the following birds and animals shall respectively be as follows:

Quail (bob-white partridges) from November 15th to December 31st, next following; partridge from November 15th to December 31st, next following; reed bird from September 1st to November 1st, next following; rail bird from September 1st to November 1st, next following; wild goose from October 1st to March 15th, next following; brant from October 1st to March 15th, next following; summer duck from September 1st to October 31st, next following; other wild duck from October 1st to March 15th, next following; wood-cock from November 15th to December 31st, next following; dove in Kent and Sussex Counties from August 1st to December 31st, next following; muskrat in New Castle County, skunk, mink, and otter, from December 1st to March 10th, next following; muskrat in Kent and Sussex Counties from November 20th to March 15th, next following; fox from October 1st to April 30th, next following; raccoon from October 1st to February 15th, next following; opossum from October 1st to February 15th, next following; fox squirrel, black squirrel, and gray squirrel from November 15th to December 31st, next following; frog from July 1st to December 31st, next following. The above open seasons shall include the days defining them. Provided, however, that any person may protect his property and premises from the ravage and depredations of any wild birds or animals protected by law, at any time and in any way; and provided further that landlords and tenants and their respective children may trap rabbits in the open season on their freeholds and leaseholds, respectively.

Section 2, That. Chapter 74 of the Revised Code of Delaware be and the same is hereby further amended by striking out all of 2389. Sec. 32 of said Chapter as enacted by Chapter 176, Volume 30 of the Laws of Delaware and by inserting in lieu thereof a new section 2389. Sec. 32 in the following language:

2389. Sec. 32. UNLAWFUL TO HAVE GAME FISH IN POSSESSION DURING THE CLOSED SEASON OR TO BUY OR SELL GAME BIRDS, ANIMALS, OR FISH: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to have in possession any game fish during the closed season for said fish, whether the same shall have been taken within or without the State of Delaware, and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation at any time of the year to barter, sell, offer for sale or buy any game birds, game animals or game fish protected by the laws of this State and killed or caught either lawfully or unlawfully within this State, except always the muskrat, and diamond back terrapin trade during the seasons when it is lawful to have said animals and their meat in possession and trading at any and all times in muskrat skins and other skins and in terrapins of lawful size which have been lawfully taken; provided any one person who has himself lawfully killed or trapped rabbits in the county of his residence may himself sell said rabbits within such county not exceeding the number of twenty in any one open season.

Approved June 21, A. D., 1920.