FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 



23 



in emergencies of all types. Work performed by fish 

 and game wardens in floods, fires, accidents and other 

 emergencies has been notable and varied during the 

 biennium. 



In addition wardens made heavy contributions of 

 time and effort in adding to their efficiency with 

 firearms through the medium of pistol and rifle com- 

 petition throughout the State. At the same time these 

 public matches provided opportunities to acquaint 

 sportsmen with safety measures, and with department 

 programs and literature. These are off-duty activities, 

 with the wardens paying their own entry fees and 

 providing their own ammunition. 



Normal duties of the warden .staff, as prescribed by 

 the State Personnel Board include responsibility for 

 patrol and investigation involved in enforcement of 

 laws for protection of wildlife, and in prevention of 

 violations. 



Other regular duties are apprehension of violators, 

 service of warrants, making arrests, preparation and 

 presentation of evidence in court, investigations and 

 recommendations on requests for permits to keep 

 game birds in captivity, investigation of crop depre- 

 dations by game birds and animals, inspection of stor- 

 age plants, boats, restaurants and other places where 

 fish and game may be stored, seizure of illegal bags, 

 and public information work. 



RESERVE WARDEN PROGRAM 



During the biennium the activity of the reserve 

 patrol was accelerated, providing material assistance to 

 the regular force in meeting requirements of the grow- 

 ing army of hunters and fishermen in California. 



This was particularly true on opening days of the 

 various seasons and heavy hunting and fishing week- 

 ends. Reserve wardens are expected to perform at least 

 one tour of duty a month, generally on weekends. 

 However, many of the reserves, who constitute an 

 invaluable service to California sportsmen, put in addi- 

 tional time at night and on week days. 



Prospective members of the reserve attend regular 

 weekly training sessions over a 10-week period, and 

 must successfully pass an examination before receiving 

 their appointments. They receive no salary or ex- 

 penses, and make their tours of duty in company with 

 a member of the regular staff. 



Reserve warden leaders were carefully selected dur- 

 ing the biennium, and were held responsible for effi- 

 cient operation of their units. They have not hesitated 

 to terminate appointment of any reserve warden who 

 failed to meet the public with courtesy, consideration, 

 and in a spirit of helpfulness. 



At the end of the biennium there were 246 active 

 members of the reserve warden staff, with 12 units 

 operating in the central and southern portions of the 

 State. Units are located at Fresno, Sacramento, Los 

 Angeles, San Diego, Sonora, Terminal Island (marine), 



Tulare, Merced, Stockton, Bakersfield, and Tulare. 

 Others were in the process of formation at the close 

 of the biennium. 



MARINE PATROL 



Aided by the addition of a new 35-foot motor patrol 

 vessel Yellou-tail, a fleet of 12 patrol boats continued 

 the important Marine Patrol of California's 1,200-mile 

 coastline and its 1,500 miles of inland navigable waters 

 during the biennium. This fleet consisted of the 83-foot 

 Albacore, based at Sausalito and covering the coast 

 from there to the Oregon line; the 63-foot Bonito, 

 based at San Francisco and working from there south 

 to Morro Bay; the 63-footers Marlin and Bluefin, based 

 at Terminal Island, whose assignments were from 

 Morro Bay to the Mexican border and around south- 

 ern offshore islands. Besides these large, well-equipped 

 boats, the Marine Patrol operated eight others, ranging 

 from the 21 -foot Mimwu; at Antioch, to the 45-foot 

 Tuna, at San Francisco. 



The larger boats carry radar, depth finders and other 

 detection equipment. They were supplemented by 25 

 marine wardens based all along the coastline who main- 

 tained a constant patrol of fish markets, canneries, 

 piers, landing places and beaches. During the biennium 



The radio repeater station at White Mountain, Inyo County, part of the 

 communications networft. 



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