FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 33 



hunting season. Trout fishing closes August 21st, and deer hunting com- 

 mences October 1st. This is objectionable from the standpoint of the 

 hotelkeeper, summer visitor and guide in the Adirondack's. While it is 

 true that a law to protect game and fish cannot be built on the line of 

 furnishing work to any one, yet if the same object can be obtained by not 

 interfering with the pleasure or business interest of any of our people, this 

 should be done. 



Experience has proved beyond question that a great portion of the 

 deer are killed and taken in the fifteen days in November when usually 

 there is snow on the ground. To accommodate all persons and protect the 

 deer, the open season should be from September 16th to October 31st 

 inclusive, and the trout fishing in the Adirondack region should be from 

 May 1st to September 15th inclusive. That would bring the fishing and 

 hunting together, and accommodate everyone and save the slaughter of 

 a great many deer in the Adirondack region. 



It is very desirable that a law be enacted providing for a license to be 

 paid by ever}- person using or carrying a gun in the State of New York, the 

 fee to be not less than One Dollar, licenses to be prepared by the Forest, 

 Fish and Game Department, transmitted to county clerks, by them to 

 town clerks, and the license itself issued by town clerks, county clerks and 

 this Commission. A similar law is in force in many states, from which is 

 derived a very large revenue. At the same time the law should make 

 provision for a flat non-residence license of not less than Fifteen Dollars, 

 nor more than Twenty-Five. The present retaliatory non-residence license 

 is of little consequence. The prohibition relating to aliens should be con- 

 tinued as now provided by law. 



It was suggested in our report of 1905 that the law preventing the pollu- 

 tion of streams be amended, absolutely prohibiting refuse of all kinds being 

 put into the waters of this State other than tide waters. This subject has 

 been too long neglected. It is of the greatest importance, both on account 

 of the protection of fish life and the general health of the people of the State. 

 Refuse of all kinds should be cared for in a more intelligent and sanitary way. 



The law in relation to dogs in the Forest Preserve should be amended 

 so as to prohibit them being taken into the woods at all. 



3 



