28 ' FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



manpower has reduced the number of students who are able to take 

 advantage of this course. As a substitute classes have been organized 

 at the Yountville farm for the training of new employees as well as 

 the older men who are left on the job. 



Classwork at the Yountville farm includes lectures supplemented 

 by moving pictures and general discussion. These classes are held at 

 night and are available to all employees and others interested in con- 

 servation. 



GAME MANAGEMENT AREA PROGRAM 



With four years of experience behind us the game management 

 program continues for the man who can afford a longer shooting season 

 and is willing to pay for the privilege. The commercial game breeder 

 has been provided with a market for his product at a price that shows 

 him a profit. 



Field trials are now held on these areas where actual hunting 

 conditions may be emulated for all types of hunting dogs. During 

 the four years that game management has been practiced a total of 

 27,547 game birds have been released (and all these birds came from 

 commercial breeders), while only 12,980 birds have been retaken, 

 or less than 50 per cent. Game management has given to the unattached 

 sportsman 14,567 birds that did not cost him a single penny. A 

 check on territories adjacent to game managed areas shows a decided 

 increase in game birds. In some instances banded birds that were 

 released on game managed areas have been taken by hunters during 

 the regular shooting season as far as 18 miles from the point of release. 



FIELD DOG TRIALS 



The sport of field trials has to some extent suffered by war 

 restrictions and the number of trials held during a normal year has 

 decreased, but in many cases clubs have functioned regardless of 

 these handicaps. Some clubs have built their own pens for the rear- 

 ing of birds for field trials. This is a good indication of the growth 

 of this sport in California. There is also a decided increase in the 

 use of hunting dogs, which is a real conservation measure. 



QUAIL TRAPPING PROGRAM 



As far as manpower and equipment is available the quail trapping 

 program goes ahead and in another year or so we will know more 

 about this sort of work and its place in the general scheme of more 

 upland game. 



THE GENERAL PHEASANT SITUATION 



The 1943 season brought complaints from many hunters that 

 pheasants were not as numerous as in previous years. Various reasons 

 were advanced for this condition, especially in the Sacramento Valley 

 areas. Some thought it was due to a poor hatching season. Others 

 were sure it came about because too many male birds were taken. 

 A few were of the opinion that the opening of the quail season in 

 advance of the regular pheasant season had resulted in much illegal 

 shooting. 



