22 Fourth Annual Report of the 



Hunting Accidents 



During the 1914 deer season, there were but five deer hunting 

 accidents, three of which were fatal. Not one of these victims, 

 so far as any evidence shows, was mistaken for a deer. Two 

 killed were so mistaken in 1913, out of total hunting fatalities of 

 nineteen that year. Seventeen minor hunting accidents occurred 

 in 1914 in the pursuit of small game. The State of New York 

 issues every year more than 200,000 licenses to hunt and pursue 

 game and so far no law has been devised which limits or can 

 limit the use of firearms to those who by experience, temperament 

 and sobriety are at all times fit to use them, without peril to 

 themselves and others. Taking 1 these facts into account, this 

 year's record as to hunting accidents might easily be worse. Nor 

 is there reason to doubt that the so-called " buck law" has proved 

 a conservator of human life and has averted many a tragedy of 

 the North Woods. 



Oyster Culture, Sanitary Inspection, Etc. 



This Commission is charged by law with specific duties of bac- 

 teriological inspection of shellfish grounds; but adequate per- 

 formance thereof is impossible because of failure to make the 

 needful appropriation therefor. By working with the oyster- 

 growers and co-operating with them in securing, so far as may 

 be, the elimination of sewage and other unwholesome conditions, 

 and by collaborating with the public health departments of State 

 and nation, we have been able to accomplish results alike for the 

 oyster industry and the consumer. But we respectfully request 

 the Legislature either to give us funds for bacteriological examina- 

 tions, or, if such examinations are deemed unnecessary, to amend 

 the law and do away with a situation unfair alike to the public, 

 to this Commission, and to the oyster-growers, whereby we stand 

 charged with grave responsibilities relative to the public health 

 while denied the means requisite for the discharge thereof. The 

 ultimate cost of such examinations, we may add, is imposed by 

 statute upon the oyster industry and not upon the State. 



The Conservation Commission through its Bureau of Marine 

 Fisheries is engaged in making a systematic canvass among the 



