Fence Month
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A month in which it is forbidden to hunt in the forest. It begins fifteen days before midsummer, and ends fifteen days after. Manw. For. Laws, c. 23. There were also fence months for fish. Called, also, "defence month," because the deer are then defended from "scare or harm." Oowell; Spelman; Cunningham.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A month in which it is forbidden to hunt in the forest. It begins fifteen days before midsummer and ends fifteen days after. Manw. For. Laws, c. 23. There were also fence-months for fish. Called, also defence-month, because the deer are then defended from “scare or harm.” Cowell; Spelman, Gloss.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
or DEFENSE-
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
[L. Lat. mensis prohibitionis, mensis vetitus.] In forest law. The prohibited month. A period of thirty-one days in the year, during which time it is unlawful for any man to hunt in the forest, because at that time the female deer are fawning. This period commences fifteen days before midsummer, and continues until fifteen days after. It is also called defence month, for the same reason, defence meaning prohibition; or, according to some, because the deer are then to be defended from the annoyance of sportsmen and others. Termes de la ley. Manwood. Cowell. Spelman. Blount.