Poaching
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence · Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
The unlawful destruction of game, especially by night; also, trespassing by night on land in pursuit of game. It is an offence of note in England, being a violation of the game laws of that country. It has not been known in the United States. The game laws which have been passed in several of the states, in recent years, are of different character and principle from those of England, looking to the preservation of the breeds, for the benefit of the public, not of individual beasts and birds, for the future sport of the owner. It is not clear that poaching would be an appropriate name for the breach of the American laws.