86 



GAME COMMISSIONS AND WARDENS. 



it is interesting to note the volume of work (which can be presented 

 in figures) accomplished during the year 1897. There were 920 vio- 

 lations « investigated, 597 prosecutions begun, and i83 convictions 

 secured, which resulted in the collection of $6,208.32 as fines. 



The North Dakota law of 1895 established both resident and non- 

 resident licenses, 50 cents and $25, respectively, and directed that one- 

 third of all sums from this source should be paid the State .game 

 warden as his compensation and that two-thirds should be paid into 

 the county treasury as a county game fund to be used for game pro- 

 tection. This law has recently been somewhat changed, but the greater 

 part of the fund arising from the sale of licenses is still applied to 

 game protection. 



Since 1895 the value of the license system as a means of furnishing 

 funds for the support of game protection has received general recog- 

 nition. This object is clearly and unequivocally stated in the Illinois 

 law of 1903: 



Sec. 25. For the purpose of increasing the State game protection fund and preventing 

 unauthorized persons from killing game and birds, no person or persons shall at any- 

 time hunt, pursue or kill, with gun, raV)bits or any of the wild animals, fowl or birds 

 that are protected during any part of the year, without first having procured a 

 license so to do, * * * 



The amount collected from this source by Illinois is so large — 

 $127,988 in 1905 — that such a declaration of object becomes important. 



Indeed, so successful has the system generally proved as a means of 

 raising funds for game protection that a number of States have erected 

 upon this foundation elaborate State departments of game or game and 

 fish. Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, 

 North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin support their game 

 departments wholly by means of the funds derived from licenses and, 

 in some instances, all or part of the fines resulting from convictions. 



The following table shows briefly the disposition made of hunting- 

 license fees in States where licenses are issued: 



Special Disposition of Hunting License Fees and Fines. 



a These figures include fish cases also, as the State warden was likewise charged with the enforce- 

 ment of laws protecting fish. 



