PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 25. 2:J 



ASSOCIATIONS. 



"Within this Commonwealth are numerous associations having 

 many and varied aims, yet all are bound together by the 

 common tie of love for the great outdoors and the earnest 

 desire to assist in the preservation of our wild life. It is ever 

 the desire of your Commissioners to bring these associations 

 closer together for the mutual good to be accomplished through 

 co-operation. Sportsmen's associations, bird clubs, natural his- 

 tory societies, the State Grange, museums, agricultural insti- 

 tutions, - - all have a vital interest in the work of increasing 

 the supply of fish and game. The Commission is in a position 

 to serve admirably as a central clearing house and bureau of 

 information for the various organizations. Every institution 

 should learn something about the work and aims of the others. 

 Here is a chance through the medium of this department. 



SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS. 



Few persons not closely associated with the work realize that 

 within the bounds of the Commonwealth are 136 sportsmen's 

 clubs with a membership of from 10 to more than 1,500 each, 

 not including the Audubon and other societies interested in our 

 song and insectivorous birds. If such praiseworthy increase 

 continues, and the inevitable bonds of good fellowship which 

 naturally develop in a common cause become well established, 

 we may indeed look to the future with optimism. 



The work of such associations is invaluable to the proper and 

 consistent administration of its duties by the Fish and Game 

 Commission. Their assistance is confined not merely to dis- 

 tribution of stock; it also is the means of molding and guiding 

 local sentiment into proper channels. Through them the de- 

 mands of the different sections of the State are brought more 

 specifically to the attention of the Commission. Success to the 

 increasing membership of our sportsmen's societies! It means 

 more game and sport for all. 



The one feature in connection with rod and gun clubs which 

 is open to criticism is overzealousness in the work of distri- 

 bution. They often ask and expect too much in the allotment 



