32 Third Annual Report of the 



did not become effective, nor were they promulgated in their final 

 form, until approved by the President on October 1st last. It 

 then became apparent that in important particulars, as to certain 

 species, there was a conflict of -seasons between the State Con- 

 servation Law and the Federal regulations. In order to be able 

 to advise its game protectors, this Commission thereupon asked 

 the Attorney-General of the State for his opinion which law would 

 govern, where a conflict existed ; whereupon the Attorney-General 

 gave an opinion that the Federal law is unconstitutional. 



In the situation thus created, this Commission, in the pursu- 

 ance of clear and unavoidable administrative duty, caused much 

 regretted disturbance to certain of its friends; but the whole 

 matter can be easily adjusted, through the simple process of mak- 

 ing the two laws, State and Federal, conformable the one to the 

 other in the comparatively few points where they differ. 



We recommend that this course be followed. 



Uniformity Established 



It may now be regarded, we hope, as a settled legislative policy, 

 that uniformity should characterize the laws for protection of fish 

 and game. We believe that sportsmen, hunters, anglers, and the 

 public generally, have appreciated thoroughly the working out of 

 this principle, as contrasted with the old regime of many con- 

 flicting and confusing local laws, loosely codified into a general 

 statute. 



In such amendments as we expect to submit this year, the per- 

 fecting of the statute, the making of its verbiage clearer and more 

 perspicuous will be our purpose. Nothing of grave moment, 

 nothing interfering with the idea of uniformity, is contemplated. 



We believe that a guides' license system ought to be put into 

 effect in this State, and that, properly worked out, it would help 

 materially in our protective work. 



We believe that farm owners ought to be better protected, by 

 law, against lawless hunters who destroy crops and cattle; and 

 furthermore we believe that hunters generally would profit in 

 every way by legislation to suppress such lawless outrages. 



