12 FIRST ANNUAL EEPORT or TII..K 



7. Extend the powers of the Commission in regard to establish- 

 ing and maintaining nurseries and reforesting both State and 

 private lands. 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME. 



Throughout the State there has been apparent during the year a 

 more general desire on the part of the public to assist the depart- 

 ment in the enforcement of the fish and game laws, indicating an 

 aroused popular sentiment in favor of the objects of these laws. 

 During the year the regular and special protectors brought actions 

 for violations which resulted in the recovery of $37,173.74 in 

 fines, at an expense of $4,735.79, cost of prosecutions. The 

 average cost of prosecuting the case was less than the preceding 

 ;vear. This year but 83 special protectors were actively in the 

 service as against 104 last year, but the results indicate that the 

 smaller force of specials performed their duties more efficiently 

 because of the weeding out of the inactive ones. The regular pro- 

 tectors reported 1,277 cases and the specials 258. 



The game laws cannot be enforced unless they appeal to the 

 common sense and common interests of the sportsmen, the farmers, 

 the land owners and all who delight in the recreation of rod and 

 gun. The Conservation Commission is in hearty accord with Ihe 

 popular demand for " fewer laws, more fish and game." 



The general desire of the Commission .is to make the law, 

 first, more simple in form so that it may be clearly understood, not 

 only by the experienced lawyer, but by the average citizen; 

 secondly, to make the law general throughout the State, in so far 

 as it is practicable. The present law abounds in local provisions, 

 and in order to eliminate these it will be necessary to give to the 

 Conservation Commission the power within certain proper limits 

 of prohibiting, or regulating the taking of any species of fish or 

 game when such prohibition or regulation becomes necessary for 

 the proper conservation or protection of the same. Among the 

 more radical changes recommended are: First, a change in the 

 size limit of trout from six to seven inches ; second, a bag limit of 

 twenty-five birds to be placed on wild fowl ; third, a bag limit of 

 fifteen birds per day to be placed on shore birds; fourth, the per- 

 mitting of the sale of trout raised in private hatcheries under a 

 proper System of licensing and tagging. 



