REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS, 21 



after the season allowed by law. Evidence of the most conclusive char- 

 acter was introduced in court by Deputy Attorney-General Jackson, who 

 conducted the prosecutions, yet it was impossible to convict except in 

 one case. In several of the strongest cases every effort was made to 

 convict, but a verdict of "not guilty" was returned so quickly by the 

 juries that the Police Judges stated, in dismissing the balance of the 

 cases, that they were satisfied that, though the evidence was conclusive, 

 convictions could not be had under the law, and that they could not 

 block the administration of justice in their courts by giving places on 

 the calendar to such cases. Orders were given by the various Judges to 

 issue no more complaints under that section. 



So unpopular is this law, and so sure were the marketmen of the result 

 of all arrests, that but little effort was made to conceal their violations. 

 Most any one, unless he were a recognized officer, could buy game birds 

 at any time, and we were powerless to prevent it. 



In order that the dealers might not lose their regular customers, many 

 of them who would otherwise have observed the law were obliged to sell 

 game out of season, because other dealers less conscientious were doing 

 so. These dealers when arrested, rather than suffer the annoyance of a 

 trial, pleaded guilty and a small fine was imposed, making our record 

 of convictions less humiliating. 



In the counties where &ame Wardens have been 

 GAME WARDENS, appointed, the success of the system has been fully 



demonstrated. The people observe these laws and 

 demand their enforcement, and the courts have supported the Wardens 

 in their administration. It is unfortunate that more Boards of Super- 

 visors have not been sufficiently alive to the value of these interests and 

 appointed Game Wardens. One live man in each county of this State 

 would effectually stop infractions of the law. 



On account of the vast area requiring protection, and the small force 

 of men at our disposal, it has been impossible to keep a man in a given 

 locality longer than a few days at a time. The presence of a deputy is 

 sufficient to stop all poaching in that vicinity so long as he remains, but 

 poaching is resumed as soon as he is ordered to other fields. This con- 

 dition has been to some extent remedied in many sections by the appoint- 

 ment of deputies who serve without pay. Their service, however, is not 

 as efficient as it should be, because they cannot afford to spend much 

 time, nor do they care to incur the displeasure of poachers. The pay- 

 ment of a moderate salary to a man placed in a territory sufficiently 

 small for him to cover well, will reduce poaching to a minimum. He 

 may not make many arrests, but his presence will serve to warn violat- 

 ors of what may be expected of an infringement of the law. 



Because we deem the present system for the enforcement of the fish and 

 game laws to be inadequate, we invite your attention to recommenda- 



