In what year did the 3 shot plug become mandatory for waterfowl hunting?

[Browning2001]

In what year did the 3 shot plug become mandatory for waterfowl hunting?

[charlie elk]

As best as I can remember from my history lessons--Federal waterfowl control started in 1920 by Supreme court case Missouri vs. Holland. The case affirmed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 as constitutional. Between then and 1930 congress passed laws to establish seasons, limits and stop the sale of waterfowl across state lines. In 1934 FWS was given authority to write and enforce regulations. Around 1938 the 3 shot regulation was put in place.

[jhjimbo]

Don't know when started but Ohio has a 3 shot limit for deer hunting with shotguns and rifles.

[huntfishtrap]

As best as I can remember from my history lessons--Federal waterfowl control started in 1920 by Supreme court case Missouri vs. Holland. The case affirmed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 as constitutional. Between then and 1930 congress passed laws to establish seasons, limits and stop the sale of waterfowl across state lines. In 1934 FWS was given authority to write and enforce regulations. Around 1938 the 3 shot regulation was put in place.

Wow, I had no idea it was that long ago! I would've guessed sometime in the '70s.

[Browning2001]

As best as I can remember from my history lessons--Federal waterfowl control started in 1920 by Supreme court case Missouri vs. Holland. The case affirmed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 as constitutional. Between then and 1930 congress passed laws to establish seasons, limits and stop the sale of waterfowl across state lines. In 1934 FWS was given authority to write and enforce regulations. Around 1938 the 3 shot regulation was put in place.

Actually that time sounds about right because it coincided to a degree with the Great Depression. A large number of people couldn't afford to buy meat but didn't feel bad about harvesting as much as they could get. My father tells the story of my grandfather who was somewhat of a legend in the Tichigan marsh in SE WI. He had a plug in his Winchester '97 but could palm a shell and reload as he worked the slide allowing him to get off 4 quick shots. He was often checked by local authorities but always had the plug making him legal.

[Browning2001]

Hats off to Taylor Finger of the Wisconsin DNR. He tells that FDR signed the federal law into affect in 1935. He even included a news clipping about it from the Chicago Tribune. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1935/02/18/page/18/article/sets-cost-of-altering-duck-gun-at-1-50

What I find interesting is that the original concept of the plug was that it was to be permanently soldered into the gun so that it could not be removed. We know that later wood and then plastic plugs were used.

[charlie elk]

Hats off to Taylor Finger of the Wisconsin DNR. He tells that FDR signed the federal law into affect in 1935. He even included a news clipping about it from the Chicago Tribune. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1935/02/18/page/18/article/sets-cost-of-altering-duck-gun-at-1-50

What I find interesting is that the original concept of the plug was that it was to be permanently soldered into the gun so that it could not be removed. We know that later wood and then plastic plugs were used.

My memory missed it by 3 years. I can live with that. Now we're all ready to play duck hunting trivial pursuit. ;-)