REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 17 
number of furs taken. The amount received for the catch of the trap- 
pers would approximate forty thousand dollars. From this it would 
appear that the catch of furs in this state is worth not less than two 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It is certain that with the pro- 
tection given the fur-bearers by this law the value of the furs taken in 
California will be very greatly increased. The law provides that fur- 
bearing mammals can not be taken by trappers” except during the 
months of November, December, January and February, but provisions 
are made whereby mammals injuring private property can be killed at 
any time. : 
When the postal regulations were changed so as to allow the ship- 
ment of game by parcel post, market hunters and dealers were quick to 
take advantage of the opportunity to ship without having their ship- 
ments inspected by our deputies. They realized that the deputies of 
the Fish and Game Commission did not have the same authority to 
inspect parcel post as they did express shipments. The San Francisco 
markets were filled with parcel post birds and it was impossible for 
deputies of the commission to control the situation. Appeal was made 
to the federal authorities but very little co-operation was secured. It 
was on aecount of this, that the legislature was asked to pass an act 
prohibiting the shipment of any game by parcel post. The act was 
passed and went into effect in August, 1917. At this time notice was 
sent to the postmasters throughout the state through the Postal 
Inspector in San Francisco. The Postmaster in San Francisco, believ- 
ing that the act was unconstitutional, took the matter up with the 
Postal Department in Washington and the department assumed the 
authority to declare the law unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court 
in its decision upheld the law. Mention of this case will be found in 
the report of the attorney for the board. 
The law regarding the domestication of wild game was amended and 
simplified and many of the prohibitive portions of the old law were 
eliminated. It was thought that by so doing, interest in game rearing 
could be stimulated. There is, however, at the present time very little 
interest shown in this state in game rearing, possibly on account of 
the high prices secured for poultry. Individuals loeated in portions of 
the state where game rearing could be carried on to advantage are 
loath to try the experiment. Without doubt, certain kinds of game 
ean be reared profitably and in sufficient numbers to reimburse the 
breeder for the expense incurred. 
Game Conditions. 
California game conditions have not changed greatly during the past 
i j 7 r TQ l 4 i < 
biennial period. The laws that have been created by the legislature 
2—41000 
