sliiirc 1)1' tlKMii. 'l'li(> rciniiiint of wild life tliiit is lijiiidcd down to us. is ;i 

 licritjiiTc. It slionid ho used econoinicaiiy to snjiply ""i' ikmmIs oid.v. inid 

 tiicii lie pMsscd on to our descendants. We liavc iuliciitcd ;i trcasurr. ami 

 it is a responsibility we have to see that otiiers are left tiiat lierlta.uc 



If tlie natural law was strictly observed, the balance in nature would 

 remain fairly even. ITpsetting the balance has resulted in a u'reat need fm- 

 conservation. Thus it can be seen that tlie enactment of pntteilive laws 

 was necessary, and their enforcement aiisolutely imperative now. 



Wild life depends on forests for shelter and food, but mankind has taken 

 tli( 111 over for profit. Whole forests have been destroyed merely to gratify 

 a desire for wealth. Little thought has been given to the consequences. 

 Tiius has wild life been destroyed and driven away. 



In like fashion what has been done with our streams? Water is one 

 of our primary natural resources and absolutely necessary for our existence. 

 Instead of safe-guarding it for our own use and that of generations to 

 come, we are daily polluting it and making of our streams dumping grounds 

 for filth. Thus have the waters of our state year by year been made less 

 tit for fish to live in and their number greatly lessened. 



One of the first requisites then is to see that birds, game animals and fish 

 have a home and proper environment to live in; then to see that they have 

 food and are properly protected when they are reproducing themselves. 

 This must be done by strict laws rigidly enforced. In proceeding with the 

 work of game and fish conservation, the co-operation of every good citizen 

 is needed. Public opinion must be molded in favor of game and fish laws. 

 The iiublic press here becomes of great importance. 



Laws are but the crystallized expression of public opinion. If imblic 

 opinion is opposed to a law, merely putting it on the statute books will not 

 produce any results. It is necessary to create and foster an enlightened 

 public opinion. When that is accomplished game and fish laws become 

 more easy and effective of enforcement. 



What is needed therefore, is a campaign of education. The public as a 

 general rule is not informed as to game laws and the reason for their en- 

 forcement. As a wise man said. "He who knoweth the law. and knoweth 

 not the reason of the law, knoweth not the law. for the reason of the law 

 is the life of the l;iw." If this l)e true, it follows that to teach the public 

 the reason of a law is the first reipiisite. Game and fish propagation serve 

 as an aid toward increasing wild life in the state, but the greatest good it 

 accomplishes is in educating the i)ul)lic. 



Fish hatcheries and game farms bring to public notice tlie life history and 

 habits of fish and game in their wild state, which could not be imparted in 

 any other way. A visit to a lisli li.itcliery while the fish are spawning, con- 

 vinces one that they should be protected when spawning in the lakes and 

 streams. Such a visit has converted many a violator who formerly killed 

 fish while on their nests. 



The foregoing leads to the conclusion that : 



1. Birds are of value to the people as insect, rodent and weed seed 



