14 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



STATUS OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES 



During rwo years of tremendous, unprecedented 

 hunting and fishing pressures, California's wildlife re- 

 sources appeared to be holding their own, and in some 

 cases making numerical gains. In most cases encroach- 

 ment on natural habitat, pollution of streams, and sky- 

 rocketing demands for water posed the greatest threats 

 to wildlife. \\'here natural conditions were good, the 

 hunter or fishcmian did not make dangerous inroads 

 on the supph". 



As the new bicnnium started, however, every effort 

 was being made to further improve efficiency of oper- 

 ation to bring expenditures of the department even 

 with income. 



At the end of the biennium, the Fish and Game 

 Preser\ation Fund reserve stood at approximately 

 $.\3: 1.000. 



Another major factor in maintaining existing popu- 

 lations of wildlife has been the work of the wildlife 

 protection personnel in the prevention of violations 

 through conservation education of the public, and in 

 the apprehension of violators. 



The deer kill fell off after the severe winter of 1951- 

 52, but during the 1953 season the bag climbed back to 

 the second best >ear on record. 



At the end of the biennium deer numbers were on 

 the increase \irtually throughout the State. Two mild 

 winters which made for good feed conditions w'as 

 one of the major factors in the increase. Special deer 

 seasons were held during the biennium where mate- 

 rial crop depredation or pasture damage was being 

 done, or where local interests requested special hunts, 

 and backed their request with proper evidence. In- 

 vestigative work continued on deer browse and range 

 conditions, and other matters pertaining to good deer 

 manacement. 



Good Populations 



Surveys have indicated extremely good populations 

 of quail, doves and pheasants. Ducks and geese re- 

 mained at high levels, and record bags were reported 

 during the biennium. 



In addition to the virtual disappearance of the sar- 

 dine off California, weak spots developed in several 

 other categories of the ocean fishery. The take of 

 Jack and Pacific mackerel and anchovies declined 

 alarmingly, and only the younger fish predominated. 

 Sports fishing continued to grow, especially the salmon 

 sports fishery which is beginning to rival the com- 

 mercial catch in economic importance. Efforts of the 

 department brought about beginnings of new shrimp 

 and oyster fisheries for California. 



During the two-year period the planting of catch- 

 able trout in roadside streams and lakes reached new 

 highs, as did aerial planting of fingerlings, but at the 

 same time continued efforts were made to improve 

 streams as natural habitat for wild fish. Experiments 

 were carried out to introduce new forage fishes for 

 the warmwater species. Salmon and steelhead runs held 

 fairly steady, and numbers of sturgeon increased to 

 the point that an open season was declared late in the 

 biennium, the first in 36 years. 



Wildlife of the Future 



While the department was occupied during the 

 biennium with reorganization, meeting increased de- 

 mands on wildlife by hunters and anglers, accelerating 

 the hatchery program, wildlife habitat acquisition and 

 improvement, the problems of California's future fish 

 and game needs played a highly important role in 

 department thinking. 



As departmental reorganization freed headquarters 

 staff members from various operation duties, planning 

 for the future was crystallized into a 10-year plan for 

 meeting future needs of both w^ildlife and holders of 

 hunting and angling licenses. 



Improved research and intensified field investigations 

 continued to point up new and better ways of further 

 expanding wildlife production in its natural habitat. 

 So far only the surface has been scratched; much more 

 can be done. 



The best use of fish, game and other wildlife re- 

 sources can be realized only if the people have the 

 opportunity to get where these resources are located. 

 The average citizen should have access to uncrowded 

 places which he can enter legally to enjoy wildlife 

 in the manner of his choosing, without too much cost 

 and effort. On the other hand, an ample number of 

 remote-hard-to-get-to wilderness areas should be re- 

 served and maintained for those willing to exert them- 

 selves enough to reach them. 



Observation by the department showed that there were enough 

 sturgeon fo warrant an open season beginning in April, 1954. 



