were made. Violators paid fines totaling $16,358.11 which has been 

 deposited to the credit of the Fish and Game Fund. 



During this same period, an unprecedented total of 2,845 applications 

 for Permits to Destroy Beaver were investigated and 29,374 beaver pelts 

 were tagged by Deputy Game Wardens, in addition to the regular patrol 

 work and other activities carried on in their respective districts. 



Due to the increase in all activities in each warden's district, such 

 as hunting, fishing, trapping and continued reports of infractions of the 

 Fish and Game Laws, all indicate that the wardens' districts are too 

 large for the greatest efficiency in administration and law enforcement. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



The volume of business transacted by the Fish and Game Commis- 

 sion has almost doubled during the last ten years, and it has become a 

 serious administrative problem to take care of this increase due to lim- 

 ited office space and store room facilities. To relieve this situation ,it is 

 recommended that serious consideration be given to the construction of a 

 Fish and Game administration building, should the plans for a State 

 Capitol office building fail to materialize. 



Due to increased demands upon our wildlife, it is important that the 

 Fish and Game Commission reduce to a minimum the illegal taking of 

 wildlife in order to provide adequate populations for open seasons on the 

 various species. All efforts to increase certain wildlife species through 

 propagation from our hatcheries and game farms, or closed seasons is 

 greatly diminished if protection through law enforcement is not in- 

 creased in proportion. There should be no limit as to numbers of Deputy 

 Game Wardens allowed by law. The number needed to protect our wild- 

 life and funds available should be the only factors of limitation. 



In order to attract and hold the type of personnel needed in our law 

 enforcement division, there should be no limitation of salary set by law 

 below the standards required for such a position. It is recommended 

 that if any salary limitation is retained, that it be a basic salary for 

 the position with provisions for increases according to merit. 



The activities of the Fish and Game Department is gradually in- 

 creasing from year to year. It can reasonably be expected to continue 

 to enlarge its fields of activity to keep in step with progress toward 

 the development of our state. In order to give adequate supervision 

 in the state-wide fields of activity, it is recommended that necessary 

 legislation be enacted to provide for a district supervisory system. Re- 

 organization of the Department to provide for a director in charge of 

 all activities, personnel and administration, with an assistant director, 

 Fisheries Supervisor or Superintendent, Wildlife Restoration Supervisor, 

 and from eight to ten district supervisors would be a progressive step 

 toward greater coordination, provide better supervision over all ac- 

 tivities, give greater service to the public and raise the efficiency of 

 the personnel of the Department. 



In addition to the above recommendations it is suggested that the 

 Fish and Game Laws be amended to provide for: 

 1. The hiring of legal assistance by the Commission when necessary. 



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