THIRTY-PIPTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



REPORT OF BOARD OP PISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS TO 

 THE GOVERNOR OP CALIFORNIA 



During this biennial period, July 1, 1936, to June 30, 1938, your 

 Board of Fish and Grame Commissioners has devoted its attention to 

 continuing its efforts to bring into full operation the six-point pro- 

 gram for fish and game administration and management which your 

 excellency outlined in 1934. For the details of this program and the 

 specific points involved, Ave respectfully refer you to our report con- 

 tained in the Thirty -fourth Biennial Report covering the period July 

 1, 1934, to June 30, 1936. 



Your excellency is of course familiar with the fact that during the 

 bienniuni the number of members of this Board was increased by the 

 legislature from three men to five. The additional commissioners did 

 not take office until close to the end of the biennium and therefore this 

 report for the most part is a report of the Commission as it was 

 constituted prior to the establishment of the five-member board. 



The biennium just past and which is the subject of this report has 

 been unusually successful from the standpoint of fish and game 

 management because during this period the organization of the Divi- 

 sion has had full opportunity to concentrate on the six-point program 

 with all of the financial and personnel facilities at our command. 



The results of the program speak readily for themselves and we 

 refer you to the statistical reports included at the back of this report. 

 You will see during this period the number of our people in California 

 who have availed themselves of the opportunity to hunt and fish has 

 materially increased. You will also see that the financial resources of 

 the Commission have increased proportionately. We respectfully call 

 your attention to the increased take of all sport fish and game, thus 

 showing that in spite of the increase in the numbers of fishermen and 

 hunters, the State has been able to maintain a supply of fish and game 

 to meet reasonable demands. 



We are glad to report that the increased take has not resulted in 

 the depletion of any of the more popular species. In fact we believe 

 that the story of the deer herds of California is indicative of the 

 effectiveness of good management. The records show a continuous 

 increase in the supply of deer available. Our annual census shows 

 that the breeding stock has not only maintained its abundance but in 

 some areas owing to our protection of females has increased to an 

 extent where their numbers exceed the carrying capacity of the range, 

 and in northeastern California have actually damaged the range 

 through their abundance. In other sections of the State, no great dam- 

 age has yet been done to the range, but they have become a burden 

 upon the agricultural and livestock interests of our State. 



This is a program that we feel needs specific attention and undoubt- 

 edly \\\]] i-equire legislation whicli will enable the Fish and Game 



(9) 



