R^eport of tl)e CI)ief (iame Protector. 



To tl)e Forest, FisI) and (iaine Commission: 



MY report for the year might properly include a detailed account of many 

 actions brought and many suits won in the interest of the State, of 

 thousands of letters written in explanation of mooted questions about 

 the Game Law, or of statements of many raids made upon persistent violators 

 of the law in various parts of the State. These details would, however, be cumber- 

 some, and the results show for themselves to an extent that would seem to make 

 such a review un'necessary. 



The work of this department is increasing steadily, and the money turned into 

 the State Treasury shows for itself in the monthly reports. 



The notable events of the past year were the suits brought against the Arctic 

 Refrigerator Company, which stands practically convicted of having game out of 

 season in its possession amounting in value to man\- thousands of dollars. It is 

 suggested that if game is fountl in the close season outside of warehouses where 

 a record is had of the same, or illegally possessed, a law should be enacted declaring 

 that when a seizure is made, after the game has served its purpose as evidence, it 

 should be turned over to some charitable institution instead of being allowed to 

 ■goto waste, thereby benefiting some one without laying any one liable, and last 

 but not least giving the officer making the seizure something definite under 

 which to act. 



Several large trespass cases have also been prosecuted during the year, notably 

 that of the Moose River Lumber Company, which is still pending. 



Very many smaller cases, mentioned collectively in the accompanying detailed 

 report, attest the vigilance of the department. I submit them with the other 

 matters for your consideration, and make the recommendations hereafter stated. 



During the year the protectors seized and destroyed many nets and devices that 

 were being illegally operated. The total of the individual seizures was 803 fyke nets, 

 443 trap nets, 416 gill nets, 76 squat nets, 20 seines, 335 set lines, 7 spears, 16 eel 



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