THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 129 
the enforcement of the game laws. There are a few localities where 
sentiment favors the prosecution of the hunter from town, but would 
consider the local resident as not being subject to a strict observance of 
the law. But in all these localities there are some persons who want 
to see the laws enforced and will not hesitate to report any known viola- 
tion. By protecting such persons from publicity I have been able to 
get much information that has led to several convictions. Many of the 
residents of the deer country are not satisfied with the deer law, but 
would much rather see it enforced than to have no protection at all. 
These people quite frequently report violations and tell me that they 
want to see the other fellow observe the law if they are doing so them- 
selves. 
Of the sixty-two persons against whom complaints have been filed, 
I have observed the following: Twenty of them have shown strong 
hostile sentiments toward the enforcement of the game law and toward 
the local deputy warden; the remaining forty-two have acted as if they 
did not consider my action unjust, and I believe that few of them 
would attempt to violate the law again. Among this latter number are 
some of my personal friends. 
A few good catches of trout have been made in the headwaters of 
our streams, but high water from the melting snow in the foothills 
has prevented any successful fishing in the lower country. This con- 
dition will probably prevail until the latter part of April or longer. It 
is believed that there are an unusually large number of trout in our 
streams this year. Good catches under present conditions would indi- 
cate this as well as the reports of anglers who fished for large trout 
during the winter. We are expecting a good season. 
By WARDEN ORRIN THOMPSON, Roseburg, Oregon 
Replying to your letter of March 27, requesting memoranda as to 
obstacles and difficulties encountered in the discharge of the duties as 
a deputy game warden. 
I have received a lot of valuable assistance from a part of the 
residents of my district. The more assistance of this kind a warden 
receives the more he can accomplish. There are a few men in every 
community who want the game laws enforced, but they are so badly in 
the minority that the information is given secretly and the warden 
promises to not reveal his part in it. When you go after the violators 
you not only have the ‘‘villain’’ himself to contend with, but all his 
friends and sympathizers, and they are nearly always in the majority. 
This is why a lot of violations go unpunished. People who know are 
not willing to give testimony. usually afraid of bringing the wrath of 
their neighbors upon them. When the warden tries to catch the vio- 
lators doing it again, the man’s friends and sympathizers will tell 
him, should they see you or hear you are in the vicinity. In this they 
are assisted wonderfully by the excellent system of telephone com- 
munication now in use all over the country. The rapid transit afforded 
by the automobile is another serious handicap to me in my work. It 
gives a violator who uses one every advantage. 
Many complaints received are not made because the informer be- 
lieves in game protection, but to get even for some real or imaginary 
wrong. Many times the complainant is the worst violator of the two. 
Should the time ever come when a majority of our people make it 
publicly understood (not by words but by deeds) that they will support 
the game laws and the wardens in their work, then the warden’s work 
