Carrying firearms in automobiles and power boats is dangerous and has 

 resulted in several fatal accidents through the years. Most of the other offences 

 reflect in some measure the desire of a few individuals to gain an advantage over 

 other sportsmen, and in this sense is an expression of greed. Conservation 

 officers endeavour to apprehend as many violators as possible. The co-operation 

 of citizens, particularly those who enjoy the out-of-doors, in censuring unethical 

 behaviour could do much to reduce the number of violations. The conservation 

 officer is specifically enjoined to prosecute every person whom he has reasonable 

 cause to believe is guilty of an offence against The Game and Fisheries Act, 

 Most officers appraise the circumstances at the time, and it there is reason to 

 believe the offender had no knowledge he was committing an offence, they will 

 issue a wartiing with an explanation for that particular part of the law. Enforce- 

 ment is thus understood to be all of the means used to encourage people to observe 

 and understand the fish and game laws. The ultimate step, is, of course, a 

 court action resulting in fine or imprisonment if the defendant is guilty. 



While originally, conservation officers, or game wardens as they were called 

 many years ago, were concerned chiefly with law enforcement, modern concepts of 

 wildlife management require that such officers will participate in the biological 

 aspects of the job as well. Tlius, it is expected that they will gather inventory 

 information concerning stocks of fish and game, the intensity of use made of 

 resources by sportsmen, conduct surveys of fish and game habitats, explain 

 Department policies to the public and report on public attitudes to the Department, 

 assist in the fish and game stocking program, and in general, participate in 

 practically every phase of wildlife management. 



In this important work, the 225 full time conservation officers of the 

 Department are assisted by more than 1,250 volunteer assistants who are designated 

 as Deputy Game and Fishery Wardens. In addition, 185 officers of the Department, 

 charged with other major responsibilities carry conservation officer appointments 

 and badges, and offer assistance in managenent work including law enforcement. 



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