30 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Legislature, the press and the public, progress in the work would be much 

 slower. Therefore, we desire to record our sincere thanks in one of the 

 first paragraphs of this report and do hereby make acknowledgment of the 

 valuable assistance received from all. 



It will be remembered that in 1 908 there was a thorough overhauling, 

 revision and rearrangement of the Forest, Fish and Game Laws, which 

 comprehended several new and important features. The law was simplified, 

 strengthened and much improved. It was made general, except in a few 

 instances. Among the many new features embodied in the revision, the 

 two most important relate to the Marine Fisheries Bureau and the hunting 

 licenses. It was demonstrated within six months from the enactment of 

 the new law, that the new features were fully justified; that they would 

 accomplish the objects sought. 



The Marine Fisheries Bureau has been placed on a self-sustaining 

 footing, a better control and regulation of State lands under water obtained, 

 fairer prices and rentals secured for land occupied, and means provided for 

 the proper and safe sanitary inspection of shellfish, to the end that con- 

 sumers of shellfish may know that this product, so generally used for food, 

 is clean and wholesome. 



The Hunting License Law, in the short time since its enactment has, 

 by results obtained, been justified a hundred times over. Some of the 

 objects sought by the enactment were: 



First — To eliminate the old non-resident law, which was retaliatory ; 

 therefore, unequal in the amount charged residents of different States, and 

 absolutely unenforceable and inoperative. 



Second — To prevent a certain class of aliens and non-residents, thou- 

 sands of whom use guns indiscriminately, killing at all times any and every 

 kind of bird. 



Third — To do as all other States in the Union, except three, have done; 

 make those persons who receive all the benefit from protection, contribute 

 each a very small sum, to be used in the end for propagation, protection of 

 game and enforcement of the laws. 



Fourth — To better protect human life from the novice with a gun. 



It is probably more than a coincidence that the record of fatalities last 

 year was considerably lessened. How much the Hunting License Law was 



