186 Eoukth Annual Report of 



the 



average gross recovery per case is commendable, considering the 

 fact that all persons prosecuted are not fined, as there are many 

 suspended sentences and John Doe proceedings. I am firmly con- 

 vinced, from making comparisons, that the law giving protection 

 to fish and game is being rigidly enforced. The protectors who 

 are retained from year to year become proficient, as their record 

 will show ; and it is gratifying to call to the Commission's atten- 

 tion the increase that has been made from the year 1911 up to 

 1914, every succeeding year showing a larger number of cases 

 prosecuted, and showing a larger recovery of fines and penalties. 



Even with this grand total I believe with other game protec- 

 tionists that but a small percentage of the actual violations are 

 ever apprehended, as it is impossible to do so with the 125 men 

 on the force at the present time. I wish at this time, as I did in 

 the annual report of 1913, to recommend an increase of the pro- 

 tective force to 200 men, with an expense account sufficient to 

 enable them to patrol their territory at least twenty-six days every 

 calendar month. 



One of the most vital questions now before the citizens of the 

 State is that of the conservation of our natural resources. I do 

 not believe that there has been any other State so abundantly en- 

 dowed with wealth of forests, fish and game as this our own Empire 

 State ; nor do I believe that there has been any other State where 

 the citizens have been more careless with their treasures, more prod- 

 igal with their birthright. The American people have wasted 

 their wealth of mine, forest and stream, allowing the wanton 

 destruction of the fish and game; and only in the last few years 

 have they come face to face with the fact that if this great State 

 is to continue to be a paradise for the sportsman we must conserve 

 our fish, game, water and forests, to preserve our birthright not 

 only for our own comfort, but also for the coming generations. 

 I trust that the Legislature can be prevailed upon to provide 

 means for the enforcement of the laws that have been enacted giv- 

 ing protection to the fish, game, lands, forests and waters of the 

 State. In the past thousands of persons in this State have looked 

 upon the protection of game and fish as an insignificant affair, 

 when as a matter of fact, next to the agricultural assets of the 

 State, nothing can exceed in value its game, birds and fish if 

 proper protection is given. I know that the citizens of the State 



