I came across this gem in the old newspapers the other day. It was too hilarious not to share. My husband says sarcastically, “I wonder if the newspaper had an opinion about this?”
BEWARE OF LIGHTS, DOGS AND THE GAME WARDEN
Weimar Mercury
November 11, 1927
A few days ago, Henry Sumbera, a young man of the Ammannsville community, had occasion to visit his neighbor after night. He, just as is the practice of most farmers to take with them some kind of a light, took a flashlight. The dogs followed. Soon the dogs were heard barking up a tree. Mr. Sumbera walked to see what they had treed. He saw an opossum in a small sapling. He shook him off and the dogs caught the animal. Taking the little fur-bearing (and chicken-destroying) animal from the dogs, he started on his way. About that time the game warden paid him a surprise visit.
Complain was filed against him for taking into his possession, or hunting, in other words, fur-bearing animals out of season. While there was no intention on the part of Mr. Sumbera to violate teh law, he nevertheless was subject to a fine and was assessed the minimum fine in such cases, plus the cost.
Our readers will do well to remember that, under the present law, hunting with a light of any kind is forbidden. Also that taking, trapping, hunting, etc. of fur-bearing animals out of season is punishable by a fine of not less than $10 and no more than $100 and costs.
It is well to remember that the game wardens are paid a part of the proceeds of such a fee and that that makes them spies with a privilege of entering upon your property and arresting you for hunting or killing animals upon your own premises. Therefore those who are in the habit of going to their neighbors after dark will have to walk in teh dark and the dogs must be left at home, lest they be compelled to contribute to the game warden’s “coffee fund.” LaGrange Record.