Deer Stealers Act 1691

II. Constables may search suspicious Houses by Warrant.

If Venison, &c. found, and Offender cannot give a good Account of himself, &c. a Conviction.

And be it further enacted That every Constable Headborough and Tythingman (being thereto authorized by the Warrant of one or more Justices of Peace under his or their Hands & Seales) shall and may have full Power and Authority and hereby is required to enter into and search (in such manner and with such power as in case where Goods are stolne or suspected to be stolne) the House or Houses Outhouses or other places belonging to such Houses of suspected Persons And in case any Venison or Skin of any Deer or Toyles shall there be found such Officer shall apprehend such Offender and carry him before some Justice of the Peace of the same County And if such person doe not give a good Account how hee came by such Venison Skins or Toyles such as shall satisfie the said Justice or else shall not in some convenient time to be set him by the said Justice produce the Party of whom hee bought such Venison Skins or Toyles or some other credible Witnesse to depose upon Oath such Sale of the said Venison or Skins That then such person not giving such good Account nor p[ro]duceing any such Witnesse as aforesaid shall be convicted by the said Justice of such Offence who on such Conviction shall be subject unto the Forfeitures and Penalties hereby inflicted for the killing of any one Deer in the same manner as if thereof convicted as aforesaid