WILDLIFE PROTECTION 



A gome warden looks over a pori'ion oi the terrain he must patrol. 



(Fish and Game Photo) 



Continuing efforts of the department to provide 

 optimum hunting and fishing success for California's 

 sportsmen have directly affected work performed b>' 

 members of the WildHfe Protection Branch. Steadily 

 rising prices for goods and services made it mandatory 

 that the department critically examine its functions 

 and strive for greater efficiencv of operation in those 

 areas where increased economy could be realized. 



Harvesting surpluses of wildlife without damaging 

 breeding stocks is the fundamental concept of \\ise 

 management upon which the entire program of the 

 department is based. Basic to this concept is the neces- 

 sity to safeguard these breeding stocks. To this end 

 wardens fulfilled their primary function of protecting 

 fish and game from being taken during closed seasons, 

 in excess of prescribed bag limits or by means which 



afford little or no chance for the species sought to 

 escape. 



Despite a steady growth in the number of California 

 residents, with a proportionate increase in hunting and 

 fishing license bu\'ers, there was no commensurate ad- 

 dition of badly needed wardens. 



In Jul\-, 1954, the department, cognizant of the need 

 for a basis upon which to judge the effectiveness of 

 the Wildlife Protection Branch, as well as to deter- 

 mine current and future staffing requirements, re- 

 quested that the Alanagcment Analysis Section of the 

 Department of Finance conduct an administrative sur- 

 ve\' of the branch. The survey was completed in late 

 November, 1954, and a report was transmitted to the 

 Division of Budgets and Accounts, Department of 

 Finance. 



[75I 



