TWENTY-SEVENTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



INTRODUCTION. 



The annual take of fish and game in California is to be estimated 

 in the millions and to be valued in millions of dollars. A census of 

 the fish and wild life of the state, were it possible to obtain, would still 

 better sliow the magnitude of the native life with which California was 

 originally blessed. To alknv the use of this resource and yet make tliis 

 native life an asset for all time is the function of the Fish and Game 

 Commission. This is no easy responsibility to assume nor can satisfac- 

 tory accomplishment be expected unless a large and capable personnel 

 is retained and sufficient funds for the prosecution of the various pro- 

 jects made available. With impartial judgment let each reader make a 

 mental estimate as to the measure of success the Commission, with 

 resources at hand, has attained in its earnest endeavor to achieve the 

 end set forth above. The following pages record the outstanding 

 accomplishments of the past biennium, department and district reports 

 furnishing important details follow and an appendix contains statistical 

 records. 



ADMINISTRATION. 



The duties of the Commission as provided by law continue to be 

 effectively administered by a department organization and by three 

 district offices located respectively at Sacramento, San Francisco and 

 Los Angeles. In March, 1922, with the appointment of Mr. George 

 Neale as executive officer the head office was transferred to Sacramento. 



The inauguration of cpiarterly meetings of department heads has 

 been instrumental in bringing about better cooperation between depart- 

 ments and more complete knowledge of important problems. There is 

 still needed a satisfactory budget system which will allow each depart- 

 ment head to know what new projects are possible with the funds 

 available. 



There is probably no department of our state government having as 

 many employees with as long terms of service as the Fish and Game 

 Commission. The chief of the Fishcultural Department comes of three 

 generations of this skilled art, with more than thirty-five years of 

 service. The heads of other departments and deputies of the Commis- 

 sion have terms of service ranging from twelve to twenty-five years. 

 Emphasis on experience and upon the merit system has greatly aided 

 in bringing about efficient management of the Commission's affairs. 



An attempt was made at the 1921 legislature to make the Fish and 

 Game Commission a subsidiary division of the State Department of 

 Agriculture. Other bills were introduced providing for the deposit 

 of all license funds in the general treasury and for state appropria- 

 tions from the treasury for the carrying on of conservation w^ork. 

 These proposals brought such a protest from the sportsmen of the 

 state that no change was made. A defense of the present scheme of 

 administering fish and game resources was based on four points : 



1. No economy is to be gained by consolidation as the Commission is 

 entirely supported by a direct tax on those who hunt and fish. 



