The Vashon Island Deer Hunting Loophole
A local justice dismisses a case against hunters because the state legislature accidentally excluded deer from the law prohibiting the use of hunting dogs.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Justice Caldwell decided yesterday afternoon that the state law did not prohibit hunting deer with dogs. The case came before the justice in connection with the arrest of Thomas Anderson and Dennis Keeler, who were charged by Vital Schmidt with running deer on Vashon Island with dogs. After the state closed, the attorney for the defendants moved to dismiss on the grounds that the laws of Washington did not cover the point in question. Justice Caldwell examined the game laws and found that the legislature of 1893, in its efforts to make it unlawful to run deer with dogs not only out of, but during the open season, made a mistake and mentioned only elk and moose. Under this technical error, the justice decided that the motion was well-founded and dismissed the case.
“Under a technical error, the justice decided that the motion was well-founded and dismissed the case.”
Technical drafting errors in state legislation are as common now as they were in 1893. This story captures a moment when Vashon Island's rural wildlife disputes were settled in the courtroom, providing a glimpse into the early enforcement of conservation laws in King County.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.