Report of tfye Cfyief Game Protector 



1903 



To tl)e Forest, Pisl) and (iame Commission: 



GENTLEMEN. — In accordance with your instructions I hereby submit a 

 report of the business of my Department for the year ending on Septem- 

 ber 30, 1903. It shows the work performed by the force of protectors in 

 the bringing of actions, the amount of recoveries in fines and penalties, and the 

 time served in jail by several persons; the number and value of nets and other 

 devices for the taking of fish which, while being used in violation of law, were 

 seized and destroyed; the amount received for the sale of the timber confiscated 

 from trespassers who had been lumbering on State land, and the sale of old 

 abandoned buildings, together with a summary of the licensed nets operated by 

 commercial fishermen, with the fees received; the amount and value of the fish 

 caught during the year, and other matters of interest. 



Much credit is due the Legislature for the valuable amendments, passed at the 

 last session, which secured more uniform laws; the abolition of spring Duck 

 shooting; the prohibition of the sale of Woodcock and Grouse taken in this State, 

 and the sale of Trout in certain counties, which last should, in the opinion of 

 many, apply to the entire State. 



In speaking of the excellent legislation secured, I believe I am expressing the 

 sentiment of the Commission in saying that the Department is under great 

 obligation to the New York State Fish, Game and Forest League for the valu- 

 able assistance rendered in educating the general public up to the necessity for 

 the enactment of better laws. 



Ti)e Value of Protection. 



From answers to letters sent to nearly every county in the State, my personal 

 observation, and conversations had with well-informed persons, I feel warranted 

 in reporting that there is more interest being manifested each year in the protec- 



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