THE OREGON.SPORTSMAN 293 
approximate weight of the game fish—not including salmon and other 
commercial fish—that are caught by the people of this state each year, 
and in addition to the above, when we consider the numbers of grouse, 
quail, geese, shore birds and also the number of fur-bearing animals 
taken, we shall find that a low estimate of these resources is $900,000 
a year in the pockets of our people.” 
Pennsylvania says: “The money value of game killed in Penn- 
sylvania in 1914, averaged at 18 cents a pound, and counting 5,259,000 
pounds, was $946,000, nearly a million dollars. The expense to the 
Game Commission was about $40,000; indeed, in 1913 it was but $19,- 
060.53.” This article further states: “Our association’s careful statis- 
tics show that last year (1913) the entire United States spent ee 
$71,916.38 in raising game, 
“It is a trifle sad that the men at the head of the State Game 
Commissions are so much left to cry alone in the wilderness. Their 
little annual reports are like the Washington department bulletins— 
they do not reach the audience they ought to reach. For instance, 
here is something from Idaho: 
“But few people realize the amount of money spent with our mer- 
chants by those who hunt and fish. We have accurate information 
that the amount of money paid for goods sold by Boise merchants in 
1914—guns, ammunition, fishing tackle, traps, hunting clothing and 
supplies for hunting parties—was $100,000, and the total in the state 
will amount to at least $1,000,000. In addition to this, the money spent 
for hiring horses, pack animals, automobiles, railroad fares, hotel bills 
-and. guides by hunters and fishermen amounts to at least three million 
dollars a year. Every city and hamlet in the state benefits by this 
-business. Thus the better fishing and hunting we have, the more 
we shall attract the tourist and the better. business we shall have.” 
Fish and game propagation and protection isa business proposi- 
tion. That time the Idaho Game Commission said something. The 
only hope of game protection, the only hope of outdoor sportsmanship 
in America, hangs right on the last words of the foregoing proposi- 
tion—“Fish and game propagation and protection is a business prop- 
osition.” When we handle it as such we shall have no trouble ‘in 
solving all the attendant problems. In view of the foregoing figures, 
which are reliable, it will be seen that the Fish and Game Commis- 
sions of our different states are engaged in a great work for the con- 
servation and development of our natural resources and are surely 
‘entitled to the co-operation and support of all good citizens. Instead 
of this, I am sorry to say that our last Legislature has seen fit to 
reduce their receipts by giving all the fines for violations of the fish 
and game laws, as well as 5 per cent of the receipts from sale of 
hunting and fishing licenses, to the counties in which they are col- 
lected. This leaves the Fish and Game Commission with but 95 per 
cent of the receipts from hunting and fishing licenses to carry on ‘its 
work. 
We hope, however, to see this matter remedied at the next ses- 
‘sion, as the more money the Commission gets, the better service it 
can give both in stocking up the state with fish and game birds and 
in warden service for their protection, 
