20 REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



an area of not less than 160 acres, may transfer, by an instrument in 

 writing, * * * to the state of California to preserve and protect all 

 wild game on the land described therein, for a period of not less than 

 ten years." On February 1, 1916, John S. Bryan of Hollister trans- 

 ferred to the state of California the right to preserve and protect for 

 ten years all wild game on his ranch of 8570 acres, situated in the 

 Gabilan Range, in Monterey and San Benito counties. The establish- 

 ment of other refuges of the same sort is contemplated. The creation 

 of a reservation around Santa Catalina Island, where all fishing except 

 with hook and line is prohibited, will improve, doubtless, the angling 

 for large game fishes. The waters surrounding the island in reality 

 become a refuge for the small fish which form the food of the tuna, 

 black sea bass, albacore and yellowtail. 



The wisdom shown in providing sanctuaries where game may increase 

 undisturbed is already apparent. These sanctuaries will in time act 

 as important and permanent sources of supply, the increase spreading 

 into the surrounding country to furnish food and sport. 



Legislative Results. 



Among the many important laws passed by the last legislature was 

 the one enlarging the jurisdiction of the commission. For many years 

 the board had legal jurisdiction only over fish. Later game was placed 

 under its control. The extension of its control so that the "protection 

 and preservation of wild mammals, wild birds, fishes, mollusks, Crus- 

 tacea and all forms of aquatic animals and plants" comes under its 

 jurisdiction, has made it possible to more effectually administer the 

 wild life resources of the state. The song-birds are a natural resource 

 as well as the. game birds, and the conservation of the plankton of the 

 sea is a prerequisite of abundant fish life. The existing interrelation 

 between the different forms of wild life is so intimate that it were folly 

 to administer one without the other. 



The attempt to redistrict the state more satisfactorily, although 

 perhaps causing some inconvenience on the part of the hunter and 

 fisherman, has been productive of beneficial results. Not all kinds of 

 fruit grow in the same locality. Nor does the same kind of fruit ripen 

 at the same time in the lowlands and in the high mountains. The same 

 is true of game and fish, and because there is such a wide variety of 

 species and of conditions, conservation is dependent upon a districting 

 system that will equalize as nearly as possible the hunting and fishing 

 season and the privilege granted the hunter and fisherman. It may 

 appear sometimes that the arbitrary lines drawn work an unnecessary 

 hardship, but it should be remembered that the lines must be drawn 

 somewhere. 



