I9 2 PROBLEMS IN WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



Method of Issuing Licenses: There is a wide variation 

 between states on the method of issuing licenses. In more 

 than half the states, the county, town, or city clerks are 

 allowed to issue licenses in return for a portion of the fee 

 collected. In practically all the states, the chief game pro- 

 tection agency, be it a single commissioner or a board, and 

 its special agents are authorized to issue licenses. But in 

 other states the county treasurer, the county auditor, the 

 clerk of the county court, the judge of probate, justices of 

 the peace, or the parish tax collector are the license-issuing 

 agents. 



The chief aim should be to place licenses within easy 

 reach of all who wish to obtain them. Whether the county 

 clerk, the clerk of the court, or the justice of the peace is 

 the proper issuing officer depends upon local conditions. In 

 general, however, judicial officers should not be asked to do 

 this kind of work. It is better to leave the issuing of licenses 

 to the conservation department, county clerks, and special 

 agents appointed by the conservation commissioner. Vaca- 

 tion resorts, sporting goods stores, and others are only too 

 anxious to act as agents of the commissioner for this pur- 

 pose in return for a small percentage of the fee. They are 

 in a position to reach the individuals most likely to want 

 licenses, and if reasonable check is made of their work, the 

 system is satisfactory to all concerned. 



Warden System: New York state has one of the largest 

 and best organized warden systems. The Bureau of Law 

 Enforcement headed by a chief inspector is part of the 

 Division of Fish and Game which is itself part of the De- 

 partment of Conservation. The state is divided into dis- 

 tricts each under the supervision of an inspector who directs 

 the work of the game protectors in his district. 4 * Except 



4 *2ist Annual Report, New York State Conservation Department 

 <I930, P- 210. 



