158 NINTH REPORT OF THE 



I would also recommend a law that would prohibit the killing of Deer between 

 one half hour after sundown and one half hour before sunrise, as the law relative 

 to the use of artificial lights cannot well be enforced with the improved methods 

 now in use in the operation of an electric jacklight, with a storage battery, which 

 it is difficult to detect. 



The figures obtained from the express companies show that the number of 

 Deer transported during the fall of 1903 is a trifle in excess of that of 1902, 

 which might be expected from the large increase in Deer and the increase yearly 

 in the number of hunters. But as Deer seemed plentiful at the close of the 

 hunting season, and as reports show that there are plenty of Deer signs now in 

 the woods, there does not seem to be any necessity of a change in the law in the 

 way of shortening the season, although three months and a half, as the law now 

 provides, seems a long time in which Deer can be taken. Possibly, if the season 

 did not open until September fifteenth instead of the first, it would be better, as 

 Deer are not at their best and fawns are not sufficiently grown to be deprived 

 of their mothers. 



The usual facts about the Deer and other Adirondack animals will be found 

 elsewhere in this report. 



Salaries of Protectors. 



I must continue to advocate an increase in the salaries and expense accounts 

 of the protectors. A salary of $500 is not a fair recognition for the services of 

 a competent official, and an expense account of $350 is inadequate. An increase 

 of $100 per year, making a salary of $600, and $50 added to the expense account, 

 making $400, would only require an additional appropriation of $6,750, and would 

 be something of an encouragement, besides giving the protectors to understand 

 that their services were being recognized, and, in the course of time, will be 

 more fully appreciated and an effort made to compensate them adequately for 

 the hazardous work they have to perform. 



The twelve protectors added to the force by the laws of 1902, who were 

 appointed at the beginning of the present fiscal year, have added materially to 

 the efficiency of the Department. These protectors have been able to cover much 

 more territory than could have been properly guarded by a lesser number, and 

 have secured results which clearly demonstrate the wisdom of the Legislature in 

 making; the increase. 



