THIRTY-SIXTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



REPORT OF BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS 

 TO THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA 



During the biennium, July 1, 1938, to June 30, 1940, the members 

 of the Board of Fish and Game Commissioners of the State of Cali- 

 fornia have, according to your wish, worked unceasingly to the end that 

 California's fish and game be managed in the best interests of its 

 citizens. 



Your commission, recognizing the importance of allowing the 

 public a voice in the management of fish and game, has made it a point 

 to invite the sportsmen and the representatives of the commercial 

 fishing and other interests to attend its meetings and to take part in its 

 deliberations. We feel that we have been successful in getting really 

 close to the public that we serve. We regard this as a major accom- 

 plishment. 



An important part of this public relations program has been the 

 appointment of advisory committees to assist the board in the formula- 

 tion of policies and regulations in connection with certain specialized 

 phases of fish and game management. The Sardine Advisory Com- 

 mittee, the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery Advisory Committee and the 

 Waterfowl Regulation Advisory Committees have met regularly and 

 have submitted to us many valuable recommendations. 



In addition to fostering a better spirit of cooperation between the 

 Division of Fish and Game and the public, your board of commis- 

 sioners has also worked in closer harmony with the other divisions of 

 the Department of Natural Resources. We played a prominent role at 

 a meeting held at Big Sur, Monterey County, for the purpose of laying 

 plans for a closely integrated departmental program. 



We are happy to report that not only has there been an increase 

 in the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, but that California sports- 

 men have been enjoying the harvest of an increased crop of fish and 

 game. 



The big game herd is in a particularly healthy condition as evi- 

 denced by a substantial increase in the deer kill during each year of 

 the biennium. The conflict between deer and agriculture continues to 

 present a serious problem in many sections of the State, emphasizing 

 again the crying need for investing the Board of Fish and Game Com- 

 missioners with the authority to deal with local problems that can not 

 be taken care of under existing statutes. 



The past biennium has witnessed the launching of an entirelj^ new 

 game restoration program in this State — the Pittman Robertson pro- 

 gram, with which Your Excellency is already familiar. Approximately 

 $250,000 has been appropriated to this State during the past two years 

 and is being spent under our direction in accordance with the terms 

 of the act. 



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