8 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



vation has had an opportunity to observe the workings of a State divided 

 into districts. As a result of its observations that department is strong 

 in its opposition to the district plan. While we realize that a general 

 State law does not always work to the entire satisfaction of every sec- 

 tion, it does so far as the general interests of game are concerned, and is 

 to its advantage. Much confusion over imaginary lines is avoided in a 

 simple and direct State law. 



In our Eighteenth Biennial Report, touching upon the duck law, we 

 recommended that the bag limit be reduced from fifty to twenty-five. 

 In the Legislature two years ago there was an attempt made to place 

 ducks on the non-sale list, but the sentiments of the members, the press, 

 and the public generally, were strongly opposed to such a measure, 

 which was supported by only a few, representing largely the sports- 

 men's element of the State, and it was defeated. In the present duck 

 law there are serious defects that should be remedied. Evasions are 

 easy, both in the field and in the markets. There has been much criti- 

 cism of our patrol work, alleging that little if any attention has been 

 paid to the market hunter; also, that we have allowed a single indi- 

 vidual or firm to receive hundreds of ducks in a single day when the bag 

 limit permits but fifty. Under the present statutes, transportation com- 

 panies are exempted from the bag-limit provisions; otherwise embar- 

 rassing situations would arise. For example, two men hunting together 

 and each kills the bag limit, and presents it to a transportation company, 

 one man only could ship his bag; the other would have to wait until 

 the following day. The market dealers were not slow to perceive where 

 they could accomplish an evasion legally, and that has been done by 

 incorporating and organizing themselves into transportation companies. 

 As their business is conducted throughout the year and they transport 

 and handle fruit, produce of all kinds, poultry, and game, and it is so 

 set forth in their articles of incorporation, they can with perfect safety 

 handle as many ducks as any regular transportation company. We 

 have successfully prosecuted a good many individuals who were found 

 with more than the legal limit, but when it came to those dealers who 

 were using the transportation scheme, decisions were against us. 



Two years ago, we prepared and presented to the Legislature a bill 

 providing a graduated license for all individuals or concerns who bought 

 and sold ducks, in other words, handled them for profit. This bill pro- 

 vided that commission houses and game dealers should keep a record — 

 open to inspection of this Board and its deputies— of all parties from 

 whom they purchased ducks; making it unlawful to accept more than 

 the bag limit of twenty-five birds from any individual in one day; it 

 also placed a license on the market hunter, who had to affix not only 

 his name, but his license number on every bag of ducks he shipped; 

 that any ducks coming to market without such name and license number 



