22' FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



water holes in the fall, often usurping the only watering place for miles 

 around and continually drive the cattle away, to finally die for lack of 

 water. Many permit their dogs to chase cattle so that they are often 

 driven from the high mountain ranges to lower elevations where poorer 

 feed conditions exist, sometimes as much as six weeks before they nor- 

 mally would work to lower elevations. It has been conservatively esti- 

 mated that this disturbing of cattle by hunters camping at water holes 

 and by the use of dogs, causes a loss of between $2 and $3 per head 

 annually. Some hunters, neglectful of others' interests, break down 

 fences and leave gates open. 



These are just complaints of the cattleman and they give rise to a 

 dangerous situation, involving threatened danger in season and exclu- 

 sion from hunting grounds. Unless hunters take some steps to correci 

 these evils themselves, it is certain that the men financially concerned 

 will be instrumental in further curtailing the hunter, and the careful 

 will be made to suffer with the careless. 



THE ALIEN HUNTER. 



A glance at the names of those fined for violations of the fish and 

 game laws will show a preponderance of foreigners most of whom are 

 immigrants from southern Europe and many of whom are aliens. 

 Accustomed in their own country to killing everything that swims or 

 flies, they attempt to do the same thing here. The States of Pennsyl- 

 vania and Utah and more recently the State of New York have seen fit 

 to pass laws curtailing the use of firearms by aliens. These states find 

 that law enforcement is made much easier. A law providing for a spe- 

 cial license for aliens with an added provision for the confiscation of 

 firearms found in their possession would help greatly in solving this 

 diflicult problem. 



INCREASED PROTECTION FOR ANTELOPE. 



The continued disappearance of the antelope in North America has 

 emphasized the need for careful protection of the small remaining herds. 

 California is one of the few remaining states that can take pride in a 

 few small herds, the remnant of those vast herds that once made ante- 

 lope meat cheaper than beef. A recent census shows that there are 

 about 200 individuals left within the state. By far the larger herd 

 ranges south of lower Klamath Lake in the Mount Dome region. The 

 Commission with the cooperation of the U. S. Forest Service and the 

 California Academy of Sciences is making a special effort to give this 

 herd absolute protection. During severe winter weather the animals are 

 fed and a special patrol has been instituted. Fortunately the public 

 sentiment of local residents is being rapidly developed. In this is to be 

 found assurance of better protection in the future. 



ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR MULE DEER DEMANDED. 



With the coming of the automobile and good roads, the large mule deer 

 of northeastern California is being greatly reduced in numbers. Dur- 

 ing the 1921 open season it was estimated that 900 machines containing 

 hunters visited Modoc and Siskiyou counties. The license plates showed 

 that they came from Oregon and Washington as well as from California. 



