14 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Circuit Court in Xew York, and the Attorney-General's interpre- 

 tation of the law sustained. 



The utility and effectiveness of the so-called Bayne-Blauvelt 

 Law, prohibiting the sale of game (with certain exceptions), with 

 a view to the increase of game, is now on trial. All lovers of 

 recreation in forest, field and stream show a disposition to co- 

 operate with the Commission- in making the test an instructive and 

 useful one. The general experience of the protectors is that the 

 anti-sale law is very helpful to the service and in itself a valuable 

 protection to the wild game of the State. The Cold Storage Law 

 and the Sullivan Law also come in for a similar commendation. 



As a result of the enforcement of the Bayne Law, the pot hunter 

 has lost his market, and hence his incentive to kill more game than 

 he can use himself. 



The reorganization of the force of special protectors, including 

 regulations requiring them to report to a division chief, has im- 

 proved the discipline among the specials and made them more 

 effective. 



Game protectors throughout the State report that as a whole 

 deer are more plentiful this year than ever before. The experi- 

 ment of feeding deer during the winter, made possible through an 

 appropriation by the last Legislature, proved successful and should 

 be greatly extended in scope. 



The State Game Farm at Sherburne distributed through the 

 State during the year 2,535 pheasants and 12,945 pheasants' eggs. 

 Arrangements are already under way to increase the brood birds 

 to 1,000 and the farm superintendent gives assurances that the 

 distribution of pheasants and pheasants' eggs will be easily doubled 

 in 1912. 



Experiments are being carried on in relation to raising ruffed 

 grouse for propagation purposes, and there is much to encourage 

 the belief that the " partridge," the hunter's favorite game bird, 

 may again be restored to covers now unten anted. At least one 

 additional game farm should be established in the eastern part of 

 the State. 



"Reports from all quarters of the Adirondacks show that the 

 beaver are increasing. 



A most helpful work was the elimination from Xew York 

 market of the sale of canned game. 



