REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 135 



REPORT OF SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT OFFICE. 



The Honorable Board of Fish and Game Commissioners: 



Gentlemen: During the past two years fines totaling $23,785 were 

 imposed upon 1169 violators arrested by the assistants working in 

 the San Francisco Division. This excellent record shows well the sup- 

 port received from the magistrates before whom fish and game cases 

 are tried. 



For the most part, it can be said that throughout the entire division 

 the assistants are receiving more help from people who believe in 

 game conservation than ever before. This is because every one is 

 beginning to realize that it is part of his duty to see that the laws 

 made for game perpetuation are enforced and that it is up to him 

 to assist the officers sworn to enforce the fish and game laws. 



It is frequently asked why it is necessary for the commission to 

 maintain a force of deputies in San Francisco, where there is no 

 game. Although there is no hunting in San Francisco the results of 

 the many violations occurring in the surrounding country are taken 

 to San Francisco. During the past two years there were seized by the 

 deputies in San Francisco, 4027 crabs, 6753 pounds of fish, 137 pounds 

 of deer meat, 911 pounds of dried shrimp, and 6483 wild ducks and 

 geese. All of this mass of fish and game had been taken or was held 

 in violation of the law. During the same time, there were tried in 

 the San Francisco police courts 132 game and fish cases. From this 

 statement it will be seen by the reader that although there may be 

 no living game in San Francisco there is a vast amount of illegal game 

 held there during a year's time. 



Game Conditions. 



From the sportsman's point of view the coast region of California 

 is particularly fortunate in having an extensive area of rough brush- 

 covered land unsuited for agricultural purposes. On these lands the 

 many varieties of native game have excellent cover and with the proper 

 laws to protect and proper enforcement of these laws there will be 

 an abundance of game for a long time to come. 



There is no city of the size of San Francisco in the United States, 

 or possibly in the world, that offers the same opportunities to the 

 sportsman as does San Francisco. Within seventy-five miles of the 

 thickly-settled bay region there are killed each year hundreds of deer 

 and thousands of quail, doves, ducks and other small game. The 

 best part of this, and the most encouraging, is the fact that under our 

 present laws, with some slight changes, nearly all species will hold 

 their own, if not increase. 



Deer. There have never been game laws based upon more sound 

 principles than the present acts relating to deer. The season in the 



