Reports of Field Agents 433 



LEGISLATION 



During the spring of 1Q13, legislative sessions were held in all the Pacific 

 coast states. This year has proved a marked improvement over the laws of 

 previous years. In Washington an effort was made to do away with the county 

 system of game-wardens, and have one man in charge of game-protection 

 work. The effort was not entirely successful, but the step was in the right 

 direction. Although the law provides for one man as game-warden over the 

 western part of the state, and a chief deputy game-warden to oversee condi- 

 tions in the eastern part of the state, yet each county has its own wardens, 

 and the state game-warden has more of a supervisory position, without the 

 real authority that is needed. 



In California, a number of organizations interested in the conservation 

 of wild life joined together and carried on an active and successful campaign 

 in the securing of l)etter laws, and preventing the passage of measures that 

 would have been detrimental to wild bird and animal protection. 



Among the beneficial laws that were passed in California was one authoriz- 

 ing the Fish and Game Commission to carry on the educational work and 

 scientific investigations. An appropriation of $5,000 was made for this pur- 

 pose. While there had been a license required to hunt, additional funds were 

 provided for game-protection by the passage of an angling license law. Aliens 

 are prohibited from hunting and carrying firearms. 



A strong effort was made by market-keepers and hotel men to permit 

 the sale of wild game. Although ducks may still be sold in California during 

 the month of November, yet an effective law was passed against their ship- 

 ment, which will put a stop to the large amount of game handled in San 

 Francisco markets in the past. A closed season is provided for Rails, shore 

 birds (except Wilson Snipe), Band-tailed Pigeons, Wood Duck, Ibis, and 

 sea otter. The possession of plumage of wild birds, except for scientific pur- 

 poses, is prohibited. Measures were passed for the propagation of wild game 

 in captivity, and also for providing civil service for fish- and game-wardens. 



A strong effort which was made at former legislatures to remove protec- 

 tion from Meadowlarks, Robins, and other songsters, was made again this 

 year; but the lovers of birds were successful, as in former years. 



Practically all the game laws were abolished in Oregon and an entirely 

 new code was adopted, following the permissive form of game law, which has 

 been used in Colorado and New York. This new code sets forth the doctrine 

 of the state ownership of all game. It divides the state into two game dis- 

 tricts, one west of the Cascade Mountains, the other east of the Cascades. 

 Among some of the more important features are the prohibition of the sale 

 of all game, except that raised in captivity; a tagging system for the sale 

 of all game raised in captivity or imported from foreign countries; the estab- 

 lishment of an alien license law with a fee of $25; the restriction of the use 



