108 REPORT OP THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



publicity is evident from the results of the campaign against the Eng- 

 lish sparrow. A news-letter giving details of the contemplated control 

 of the sparrow sent to each newspaper resulted in the appearance of the 

 item in more than 180 different newspapers. A follow-up news-letter on 

 the same subject was also widely used. In many in.stances photographs 

 and cuts have been loaned to newspapers and magazines. 



This plan of conducting newspaper publicity by gathering and send- 

 ing out news items from a central office is undoubtedly the most effective 

 and desirable method of gaining publicity, and should be more largely 

 followed in the future. Its advantages are that it allows of a wider 

 circulation of the publicity item and of a closer and wiser censorship 

 than is otherwise possible. 



Research. 



Careful attention has been given to the gathering and filing for ref- 

 erence of data on the game birds and mammals of the state. JNIany 

 letters asking for information have been sent out and the district offices 

 "have cooperated by sending in useful information. The most detailed 

 reports so obtained have been on the mourning dove, ring-necked 

 pheasant, and beaver. A collection of photographs is also being accumu- 

 lated. As a result, the bureau in time will have in its possession an 

 invaluable photographic record of the present status of game and of 

 tlie work of the Fish and Game Commission. 



An attempt to increase interest in the fur-bearing mammals of the 

 state has been made in the stud}^ of the fur trade in California, pub- 

 lished under the title, "California's Fur-bearing Mammals." An 

 historical survey demonstrated the decreasing worth of a once valuable 

 resource, and the great need for legislation whidi will give complete 

 protection to certain species and protection to all fur-bearers during the 

 time Avhen their fur is of no value. If the state of California wishes to 

 conserve her fur resources, make them a source of income, and a heritage 

 to pass on to future generations, she must fall in line with other states 

 and better protect fur-bearing mammals. 



A tabulation of the number of deer killed in the open seasons of 191-1 

 and 1915 has been made. The reports of deputies and of forest officers 

 showed that a total of 8,699 deer were known to have been killed during 

 1914, and a total of 8,343 in 1915. The fact that many deer killed are 

 not reported by deputies and forest officers leads to the conclusion that 

 at least 12,000 deer were killed during the open season of each of these 

 years. 



An attempt to obtain information in regard to hunting accidents in 

 the open season of 1915 showed eight men to have been killed because 

 they were mistaken for game, nine men to have been severely wounded, 



