34 Second Annual Report of the 



the department is satisfied that it is working well and producing 

 good results. 



There have been published in various parts of the State stories 

 of large numbers of does killed and left to rot in the forest as a 

 result of this law, w T hich was intended of course to prohibit the 

 killing of does. Every possible effort has been made to run down 

 these stories and the conclusion arrived at is that to say the least 

 the reports have been grossly exaggerated. But over and beyond 

 the intent of the " buck law " to protect the female of the species, 

 was the desire in the minds of its framers to protect human life. 

 It was intended to make the hunter more careful. We believe 

 there is every justification for retaining the " buck law " and 

 giving it a thorough test for at least another full season. 



Administrative Changes. 



The chief administrative changes, under the new law, relative 

 to the protection of fish and game, have been the creation of the 

 offices of Deputy Chief Game Protector and Superintendent of 

 Inland Fisheries, the increase of the number of protective divi- 

 sions from ten to twelve, and the appointment of additional Divi- 

 sion Chief Game Protectors accordingly. The several divisions 

 are known as the Northern Adirondack, Southern Adirondack, 

 Eastern Adirondack, Eastern, Western, Southern and Central New 

 York, Hudson, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Ontario, Metropolitan and 

 Long Island divisions. 



Propagation of Fish. 



The number of fish distributed from the nine hatchery stations 

 of the State for the past fiscal year was 730,434,933. This is an 

 increase over 1911 of 28,986,539. Fish planted in 1912 had a 

 money value estimated at $210,934.79, while the outlay for 

 maintenance, including repairs and improvements, amounted to 

 but $61,505.40. This estimate of monetary value is based as far 

 as possible upon the prices of fry and fingerlings at the commer- 

 cial hatcheries and upon the market value of the different species 

 at first hand. It is considered conservative and must be regarded 

 as a gratifying return upon the investment. 



