ITEM, Forsomuch as there has been divers Acts and statutes made of before, that no manner of person, nor persons should shoot with Culverings [Firelocks, Muskets], Crossbow, or hand-bow any time, at Doe, Roe, Hart, Hind, Hare, Cunning [Rabbit], Dow [Dove], Herron or fowl of river, under special pains, contained in the saids acts and statutes. And notwithstanding the same, and that no execution has followed of before, upon the persons contraveners of the saids Acts, they are so lightly esteemed, that the saids Beasts and Fowls, are at all times slain down, & destroyed by such persons, that neither has regard to the common weal, nor policy of the country.

Therefore it is statute and ordained, by our Sovereign Lord, with advice of his Regent, and the three Estates of this Realm, that whatsomever person or persons, of what Estate, degree or condition that ever they be of, shoots in any times coming, with Culvering, Crossbow, or Hand-bow, at Doe, Roe, Hart, Hind, Hare, Cunning [Rabbit], Dow [Dove], Herron, or fowl of river, within this Realm, shall forfeit and tyne [lose] their whole moveable goods, that one half thereof to our Sovereign Lord’s use, and the other half to be applied to the Judge, and apprehender of him that commits the crime, to be divided equally betwixt them. And to that effect, ordains all Sheriffs, Stewards, Baillies of Regality, and all other ordinary Judges, with such others, as shall please our Sovereign Lord, & his Regent to give power & commission, to call the contraveners of this present Act, {367} at particular diets. And if they be convict of the crime, to escheat all their moveable goods, to be applied in manner foresaid. And if the committer of the crime be a vagabond not having goods, that the Judge, whom before he is convicted, keep and hold him in prison, for the space of forty days, And that for the first fault. And the next fault, to cut off his right hand.