14 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



NECESSITY FOR INCREASED APPROPRIATION IN THIS DEPARTMENT. 



Upon reading the above report, we are of the opinion that you will 

 perceive the necessity of an increase of $5,000 per annum in the appro- 

 priation for the Hatchery Department. We are hardly able to reach 

 the remote portions of the State under our present appropriation; be- 

 sides this, the wants of the State are enlarging with the increase in 

 population. It is but the natural development of the situation. We 

 therefore ask that the appropriation of the Hatchery Department shall 

 be .$10,000 per annum, instead of $5,000. 



GAME AND FISH I.AWS. 



The Commissioners beg to recommend that certain changes be made 

 in the fish and game laws of this State, and in particular as follows: 



First — The sum of $20,000 per annum should be appropriated for the 

 restoration and preservation of fish, which includes the Patrol Depart- 

 ment. With this sum the entire State can be properly and efficiently 

 patrolled by competent deputies, who will enforce and protect the game 

 and fish laws. If you will consider the vast territory under our juris- 

 diction, this amount will appear to be a very moderate one. In the 

 several Atlantic States extending from Maine to North Carolina, and 

 covering an area in their entire extent less than that of our own State, 

 the combined appropriation per annum for these purposes runs up to 

 over $100,000; besides, on the Atlantic seaboard there is in that limited 

 territory about twenty million of population, who watch each other and 

 report to the authorities depredations and violations of the fish and 

 game laws. We have about one million of people, but just as many 

 fish and as much game to protect as the Eastern territory has with its 

 enormous population. It is for these reasons we suggest this increase 

 in our funds, and earnestly urge that your Excellency will present our 

 claims for the increase to the coming Legislature. 



Second — The law should be so changed as to make possession of any 

 fish or game at a time when it is unlawful to take or kill the same, a 

 misdemeanor, without regard to where the fish or game were taken or 

 killed. As the law now stands, it is claimed that fish or game may be 

 brought into this State from another State, when it is lawful in the 

 other State to take or kill the same, although at the same time it is 

 unlawful to take or kill in this State. 



Third — The cold storage system is a matter which demands serious 

 consideration. By this system it is practicable to place in storage either 

 fish or game, taken at a time when it is lawful, and keep them for sale 

 at a time when it is unlawful to take them. By this system it is entirely 

 practical to supply fish and game out of season, and to make a market 

 for both fish and game much in excess of the natural demand for the 

 same during the open season. It is apparent that unless some restrictions 

 and limitations are imposed, it will only be a matter of comparatively 

 a short time when close seasons for fish and game will cease to accom- 

 plish any purpose. 



. Fourth — The close season for salmon should include the month of 

 August, as well as September. In support of this recommendation we 

 beg to call your attention to a letter written by George B. Williams, Jr., 

 Superintendent of the United States Hatchery on the McCToud River, 



