98 



FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



The increase in tlie popnlation of the state each year brings added 

 difficulties. In southern California hunting conditions and regulations 

 are becoming more and more of a problem. Twenty years ago the 

 population of the six southern counties was 705,225. Today it is 

 2,80-4,444; more by 426,895 than the entire state population of twenty 

 j'ears ago. In the six southern counties since 1880 the population has 

 increased from one person to 511 acres, to one person for every nine 

 acres. 



Fig. 38. Mallard with her ducklings in a pond on the state waterfowl game 

 refuge near Los Banos. Photo by E. S. Cheney, May, 1930. 



To merely close an area to hunting and not provide adequate provi- 

 sions for enforcement of the law is poor conservation and unfair to the 

 law-abiding sportsmen. All refuges have been carefully posted on 

 nearly 2000 miles of boundary, but the best of signs become obliterated 

 in time and, unfortunately, sometimes are torn down by careless 

 hunters. 



A resident guardian should be placed on each refuge. The duties 

 of such a guardian would be to see that the purposes for which the area 

 is set aside are carried out. A control of all factors that have any effect 

 on the increase of game is necessary. The guardian must be well 

 informed and capable of correctly interpreting all facts that are gath- 

 ered from observation carried on throughout the year. 



The first area purchased under the provisions of the new hunting 

 license act that provided for the setting aside of one-third of the 

 amount received for hunting licenses, was taken over at the beginning 

 of the duck season on October 1, 1929. This refuge is located about 

 four miles northeast of the city of Los Banos, in Merced County, in the 



