THIRTY-SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT 23 



opossum, 24 semi-wild dogs, 32 great horned owls, 71 butcher birds, and 

 98 snakes. 



That this work on tlie part of the volunteer deputies has resulted 

 beneficially is indicated by answers to a questionnaire returned from 

 about 400 of the landowners Avho have set aside land as quail sanctu- 

 aries. These owners state that the sanctuaries have unquestionably 

 been helpful and that there has been a very noticeable increase in the 

 supply of quail on all of them. 



Another result of the sanctuary campaign is that farmers and 

 other landowners are learning that a good supply of quail and other 

 game is a valuable asset to them, to their lands, and to the State ; 

 that game requires protection and the laws must be strictly enforced. 



During the past winter the volunteer deputies, and many of the 

 landowners, accomplished some good work and prevented the loss of 

 a large number of quail by cooperating with the Fish and Game Com- 

 mission in feeding quail on areas where a heavy fall of snow had made 

 it difficult for the birds to secure suffi.cient feed. 



On May 23 and 24, 1931, the third annual state-wide convention 

 and pistol shoot of the volunteer deputies of the Division of Fish and 

 Game was held at Los Angeles. It proved to be a big success and was 

 attended by about 150 volunteer deputies, representing nearly every 

 county in the central and southern part of the State, who, at their own 

 expense and without cost to the State, attended and conducted the 

 convention and pistol shoot. 



It is pleasing to be able to report that the services of the volunteer 

 deputies have been beneficial to the Division of Fish and Game, and 

 that most of these deputies merit and have received the confidence, 

 respect and support of the sportsmen and the people in their efforts 

 for the protection of fish and game, and the enforcement of the fish 

 and game laws. 



It is very apparent, however, that activity in the volunteer deputy 

 organization requires constant personal supervision, and the position 

 they occupy as State officers, requires their strict observance of the 

 regulations governing their activities. 



