58 ' FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF LICENSE DISTRIBUTION 



By H. R. Dt-NBAR. Chief 



In the distribution and sale of licenses this bureau has three objec- 

 tives : First, to establish as many agencies throughout the State as possible 

 so as to enable the sportsmen to obtain licenses whenever and wherever 

 they may apply; second, to maintain a harmonious and friendly relation- 

 ship with these agencies in order to secure tlieir cooperation since they are 

 the means by which we are able to sell the licenses to the sportsmen ; and 

 third, to give the agencies the best possible service in supplying them 

 with licenses for the purpose of overcoming the possibility of a shortage 

 when most needed by the sportsmen. 



To carry out the above named objectives branch offices are maintained 

 at San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Fresno, Terminal Island, 

 San Diego, and Monterey. Approximately 2,000 agencies are served by 

 these branch offices. All credit agencies, of which there are approximately 

 750, are handled through the main office at Sacramento. 



During the past two years it has not been necessary to file a single 

 claim with the bonding company for failure on the part of any credit 

 agent to account in full for all licenses sold. As a consequence the pre- 

 mium on bonds has been reduced from $5 per $1,000 to $2.50 per $1,000. 



In September, 1941, the compensation paid to credit agents was 

 increased from 2^ per cent to 3j per cent. Experience has proven that 

 by the establishment of credit agencies a more satisfactory distribution 

 of licenses may be had although it entails a greater responsibility on the 

 part of the Bureau of Licenses. 



At the close of deer and dove hunting seasons questionnaire post- 

 cards have been sent to all wardens throughout the State to determine if 

 there was any shortage of licenses. From the information received 

 from these cards it was found there had been a shortage in a very few 

 localities and steps were taken to eliminate this shortage. For many years 

 w^e had experienced an inadequate supply of licenses at the opening of 

 deer season in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. As the division main- 

 tained a branch office at Monterey it was decided to have that office dis- 

 tribute licenses to agencies in those two counties, with the result that 

 since that time there has been no shortage of licenses in that locality. 



In accordance with Section 1346 of the Fish and Game Code provid- 

 ing for an antelope season a drawing was conducted in Sacramento on 

 April 22, 1942, to determine to whom the 500 permits should be issued. 

 2,811 applications were received. The drawing was conducted under the 

 auspices of the Fish and Game officials, sportsmen and representatives of 

 the press. Permits were issued in consecutive order and only to those 

 applicants whose numbers were drawn. Many of the successful appli- 

 cants were unable at the last moment to participate or to take out the 

 permit that was allotted to them, in most cases due to war conditions. 

 Since no permit or application was transferable, No. 628 was reached in 

 order to complete the sale of the 500 permits. 



