66 FISH AND GAME. 



improved by requiring every applicant to take an examination as to his 

 fitness and knowledge of fish and game laws. Town wardens should be 

 subject to call duty either from headquarters or from the district deputy, 

 and paid a reasonable sum and actual expenses for their time. Many 

 towns and cities have not taken advantage of the opportunity of appoint- 

 ing wardens. If these officers could be appointed in each town and city, 

 and work under the directions of our regular deputies, much good would 

 result. 



Deputy Equipment. Deputies should be supplied with a proper form 

 of official badge and the necessary "police goods" to facilitate law en- 

 forcement. 



Legislation. Laws relative to bringing game birds or animals into the 

 State should be so modified as not to exceed the number or kinds which 

 may be legally taken out. Possession of game for consumption only 

 should be permitted for ten days after the close of the open season in 

 State or county where taken, when kept in proper places outside of the 

 large cold-storage plants, provided the owner has attached to said bird 

 or animal or other game the regulation tag or mark. 



Special efforts are being and will be made by the deputy force to 

 apprehend persons or firms illegally dealing in game. 



While the number of cases of damage to the property of landowners 

 and of improper conduct on the part of thoughtless or vicious fishermen 

 and hunters is growing less each year, we believe that there is plenty of 

 room for improvement. Our intention is to instruct our deputies to assist 

 wherever possible in collecting the evidence to convict all such violators, 

 even though this work is not essentially a part of the enforcement of the 

 fish and game laws. We hope that every such person will have to pay for 

 all damage caused, and in aggravated cases that the offenders can be sent 

 to jail. 



We feel that in this effort we will have the support of every real hunter 

 and fisherman in the Commonwealth. If they will reflect on the extent 

 to which their favorite sport is circumscribed by posted lands and waters, 

 all because of the depredations by a few, they will be ready to give us all 

 information which comes to them on this subject. We shall treat it as 

 absolutely confidential, and shall not ask the informant to appear in the 

 case against his will. 



Effective work will mean less posted land, a better feeling between 

 the landowner and the sporting public, and a distinct advancement of 

 the cause. 



OREIN C. BOURNE, 



Chief Deputy. 



