INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 



One of the major problems in working with wildLt'e resources is 

 the development of effective means of bringing before the public facts 

 and needs of these resources. Unfortunately, there is a considerable 

 lack of do\vn-to-eartli reasoning about the management of fish and 

 game. Generally this is a result of misinformation, lack of informa- 

 tion, or in some cases, plain selfish interest. 



Wildlife management is handicapped largely by the fact that so 

 many people fail to realize the complexity of this new, but up-and- 

 coming, science. Too few realize that fish and game are products of 

 the land just as much as wheat, cattle and forests. Not many persons 

 who purchase a hunting or fishing license stop to consider that a given 

 amount of land or water will maintain only a certain amount of game 

 or fish. People generally must come to realize that wildlife require 

 proper habitat. Fish need clear, unpolluted water, game need plenty 

 of food, water and cover. Without these, no amount of artificial re- 

 stocking can supply future hunting and fishing demands. These and 

 a great many other problems complicate the effectiveness of getting 

 the greatest use of the wildlife resource. 



Since 1901 when the first fishing license was sold, there has been 

 I' rapid increase in the sports of hunting and fishing. Upward trends 

 in population and more leisure time indicate clearly that these 

 activities will receive ever greater poi)ularity in the future. This 

 resource can be maintained at a highly productive level only by follow- 

 ing a flexible management program based on scientific fact. Such a 

 program will succeed only if it has the support of a citizenry that 

 understands the problem. 



Bringing accurate information to the pul)lic is part of the job of 

 every employee and it is the specific duty of the Information and 

 Education Division. 



The program of the Information and Education Division is divided 

 mto five major activities — adult and youth education, information, 

 ])ublicity, and general services. 



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