52 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



to arrests and entertains nothing but the friendliest feeling toward his 

 captor. But in most eases, violators of the game law make their arrest 

 the basis of a bitter hatred for the man who brings them to task, con- 

 sidering it in the light of a personal affair between themselves and the 

 game warden, seeming to forget that he is but an instrument of society. 

 A certain calibre of chronic offenders voice their hostile sentiments in 

 very forceful language, endeavoring by threat and presentation of a 

 warlike front to intimidate the resident game deputies. It is interesting 

 to note the source from whence these threats emanate. In every case, 

 the salient features of the physiognomy of the one who utters them 

 proclaims the fact that his mental peregrinations do not extend beyond 

 bounds usually referred to as ''narrow." 



In some districts it is a difficult matter to secure a jury who. wiU deal 

 fairly with the people in these "game trials," and men of high standing, 

 who consider themselves law-abiding and upright members of their 

 community, will resort to every subterfuge to avoid jury service in 

 these instances. Sometimes they are moved to this as an act of business 

 or social diplomacy or because of the fear of incurring the ill will of 

 others. Others, who can and will qualifj^ as jurors in the trial of any 

 other ease, seem, upon these occasions, unable to adjust their mental 

 processes in a manner which Avill enable them to lay aside their per- 

 sonal feelings and opinions. 



Citizenship carries with it certain responsibilities, which, in aU 

 fairness to ourselves and our fellow man, we must not shirk. I consider 

 jury service one of the most solemn and high duties we are called upon 

 to perform, and while it is, at best, a disagreeable duty, we can not 

 deliberately avoid it without feeling that we are shirkers. It is dis- 

 couraging to the game wardens, when, after the conscientious perform- 

 ance of their duty, they are denied support from the quarter from 

 which they naturally expect it. I refer particularly to the lack of 

 cooperation in some districts upon the part of the district attorney and 

 other county officials. However, if I am correctly informed, it is pos- 

 sible to proceed with the prosecution of a case without the assistance of 

 these officers, and I believe it would be an excellent thing could these 

 trials be held before any justice of the peace in the county, when, owing 

 to the strong sentiment against game protection, it is impossible to 

 secure a fair-minded jury in the locality where the offense is committed. 



Our game is one of our most valuable assets. It is the means of 

 bringing to our state thousands of dollars annually which otherwise 

 would go to states more favored in the line of game, and laying aside 

 all other considerations, from this standpoint alone it is to the interest 

 of every man and woman within the boundaries of our state to lend 

 their hearty support to any movement that has for its objective the 

 preservation of our game. Society has appointed representatives to 

 enact its laws, and as long as these enactments remain upon the statute 

 books they must be observed and upheld by all, and the ones who are 

 delegated to enforce them, instead of being anathematized and con- 

 demned, should receive the moral and active backing of every citizen. 



Every true sportsman should cultivate the acquaintance of the local 

 representative of the Fish and Game Commission in the district where 

 he usually hunts or spends his vacation. He will find the deputy a good 

 man to know. As a general rule he is a veritable encyclopedia of 



