28 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



STATE FAIR EXHIBIT. 



Four years ago the Commission installed a permanent exhibit at the 

 State Fair, consisting of a panorama of the Sierra Neveda from Mount 

 Shasta on the north to Mount Whitney on the south, showing three of the 

 state's hatcheries in miniature and lighted in such a way as to give the 

 changing colors of sunset, night and sunrise. Each year the scene has 

 been changed and new lighting effects added. The floor space was nearly 

 doubled in 1921, by the addition of a well arranged exhibit by the Com- 

 mercial Fisheries Department. The increase in the fishing industry was 

 graphically shown and fishery products of all kinds from abalones to 

 tuna were on display. Equipment for whale fishing and abalone fishing 

 were particularly enjoyed by the crowds, as were also the materials 

 manufactured from kelp. Educational films shown twice daily 

 attracted large crowds also. Each year there has been a splendid aqua- 

 rium display of food and game fishes, including the famous golden trout, 

 brought nearly a thousand miles from its home near Mount "Whitney. 

 Other aquaria contained the food and game fishes of the San Joaquin 

 and Sacramento rivers, displayed by the northern district office. 

 Through the medium of this exhibit many thousands of people have 

 become intimately acquainted with the work of the California Fish and 

 Game Commission. 



NORTHERN DISTRICT. 



The northern district reports great success in law enforcement, 

 owing to a growth of public sentiment. Jail sentences aggregating 

 1219 days were meted out to violators during the two-year period. 

 Everywhere the .judges are cooperating in law enforcement by giving 

 such heavy sentences that the violator does not care to make a second 

 violation. 



In the winter of 1921-22, heavy snows in the mountain districts made 

 it important that game be fed in order to prevent their starvation. Dep- 

 uties of the Commission, aided by many public spirited citizens, were 

 instrumental in saving large numbers of quail and deer. The largest 

 herd of antelope left in the state, located in eastern Siskiyou and west- 

 ern Modoc counties, were cared for during the severe weather and con- 

 sequently the losses were small. Particular attention has been given the 

 protection of this remnant of the former herds which roamed the state. 

 The popularity of the mule deer and the ease with which the hunter 

 reaches the best hunting grounds is endangering this species. Another 

 cause of' decrease is to be seen in the fact that the yearling sometimes 

 has branched antlers, and many young bucks are thus killed. A closed 

 season in Modoc and Lassen counties for a few years would help to 

 improve conditions. 



The earlier opening of the duck season in the Sacramento Valley has 

 cleared up the situation in the rice fields. The season is now open during 

 the time the ducks are accused of destroying the rice. Deputies of the 

 Commission were kept busy apprehending the market hunters. Many 

 were brought into court and heavily fined and hundreds of birds were 

 confiscated. Each season the profession of ' ' duck boot-legging ' ' becomes 

 more precarious. 



