Animals and Fish - Historical Notes

The following is a listing of acts that at one time affected, but no longer appear to have any effect on, hunting, fishing or animal control in Carroll County.  They are included herein for reference purposes.  Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Public Acts of 1893, Chapter 43, prohibited the use of fish traps or fish dams across streams in the counties of Carroll, Gibson, Obion, Weakley and Montgomery.
2. Public Acts of 1895, Chapter 109, made it unlawful in Carroll County for any person to take fish, except minnows for bait, with any kind of net, seine, trap or other device, except with a rod, hook and line from a specified portion of the waters in Beaver Creek.  Violation of this act was a misdemeanor, with a fine between $10 and $50 upon conviction.
3. Private Acts of 1897, Chapter 250, prohibited the shipment of quail and partridge from Crockett, Carroll, Obion and Madison Counties.  The act also made it unlawful to kill, catch or entrap any quail or partridges for the purpose of shipment out of the county, or to destroy the nest or eggs of quail in those counties.  Violation of this act resulted in a fine between $10 and $50 upon conviction.
4. Private Acts of 1897, Chapter 283, made it lawful in Carroll, Lincoln, Macon and Meigs Counties to catch fish at all times of the year, except with explosives, poisons or devices that prevented the easy passage of fish up and down streams.
5. Acts of 1901, Chapter 233, made it unlawful in Carroll County to take, catch or kill fish, except minnows for bait, with any kind of net, seine, trap or other device, except with a rod, hook and line from a specific portion of the waters in Beaver Creek.  Violation of this act resulted in a fine between $10 and $50 for each offense.
6. Private Acts of 1913, Chapter 139, made members of the Carroll County Court eligible for appointment to the position of County Livestock Inspector.  This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 287.
7. Private Acts of 1913, Chapter 146, prohibited owners of horses, mules, cattle, goats, sheep, swine and geese from allowing these animals to run at large in Carroll County.  Any person damaged by a trespassing animal was entitled to a lien upon the animal for the satisfaction of any damages suffered.  This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 211.
8. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 66, prohibited owners of horses, mules, cattle, goats, sheep, swine and geese from allowing these animals to run at large in Carroll County.  Any person damaged by a trespassing animal was entitled to a lien upon the animal for the satisfaction of any damages suffered.  Violators of this act were subject to fines between $5 and $25 upon conviction.
9. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 672, set open season on partridge and quail in Carroll County from December 1 to January 31 of each year.  This act also set a fine of $25 to $100 and imprisonment not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months as the penalty in Carroll County for violators of the general law which prohibited the use of explosives to catch fish.
10. Private Acts of 1929, Chapter 350, made it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to take, catch or kill any fur bearing animal in Carroll County by means of snare, steel trap, deadfall or any other device, except by dogs and gun.  Violation of this act was a misdemeanor, with a fine between $50 and $100 upon conviction.
11. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 595, set open season for hunting quail in Carroll County from December 15 to February 28.  This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1935, Chapter 2.