FORTY-FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



23 



merits boosted the fee for inland fishing privileges, 

 arrests for fishing without a license increased 25 per- 

 cent compared to arrests during the same period in 

 the previous year. This one violation led all others with 

 5,783 cases being processed, or 24 percent of all viola- 

 tions and an increase of 37 percent over the 1954-56 

 biennial figure. 



leading Violation 



Anglers fishing inland waters were well-informed of 

 the new license stamp provisions which became effec- 

 tive on January 1, 1958, and only 85 citations were 

 issued for failure to have the necessary stamp or 

 stamps. 



Hunters (3,058), with apparent disregard for their 

 own lives and the safety of their companions, were 

 apprehended while carrying a loaded shotgun or rifle 

 in a motor vehicle. This one class of violation ac- 

 counted for nearly one-third of all offenses attributed 

 to hunters. 



The usual high rate of convictions again prevailed 

 during the biennium which found only 85 cases, or 

 .36 of one percent of all arrests, culminating in 'not 

 guilty' verdicts rendered by courts and juries. Dis- 

 missals reached a slightly higher figure with the courts 

 dismissing 146 cases, many at the request of the arrest- 

 ing officer, for a percentage of .61 of one percent. 

 The combined 'not guilty' and dismissed cases 

 amounted to .97 of one percent, .03 of one percent 

 higher than during the previous biennium. 



NEW EQUIPMENT AND DUTIES 



The Wildlife Protection Branch has been assigned 

 the primary responsibility of checking water releases 

 from dams and water diversions throughout the State. 

 Licenses and permits issued to dam and diversion 

 owners by the Federal Power Commission and the 

 State Water Rights Board contain provisions requir- 



A warden and fisheries men inspecf a floating holding lank for silver salmon of Pudding Creek, Mendocino County. All construction at the station 

 was performed by the Silver Salmon Committee of fori Bragg in conjunction with the Mendocino County Fish and Gome Committee. 



— Fish and Game Photo 



