REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 13 
Lion Bounties. 
The constant demand for an increase in the bounty on mountain 
lions paid by the commission, so that remuneration would be sufficient 
to make lion hunting worth while, led to an inerease of the bounty on 
the scalps of female lions. Beginning July 1, 1917, $30 has been paid 
on female lions when the entire skin, with evidence of sex attached, was 
submitted. In all eases where the sex could not be positively identified 
only the usual bounty of $20 was allowed. During 1916 bounties were 
paid on 179 lions and in 1917 on 188. 
Discretionary Powers Needed. 
The need of preventing the extermination of some of our most 
valuable food animals and of conserving our fish and game resources in 
order to obtain the greatest possible production of food, makes it im- 
perative that a change in the methods of enacting fish and game laws be 
brought about. At present these laws are enacted for two years and 
no change can be made during that time. This procedure prevents 
prompt relief in seasonable emergencies which often arise due to drought, 
disease, forest fires, etc., and frequently lead to the depletion of streams 
or the extermination of certain species of animals in the stricken region. 
If, in addition, hunting and fishing can not be prohibited or curtailed 
in that section because of clumsy legislative methods, it is clear that 
extensive damage to the wild life of the afflicted district is almost cer- 
tain. It is therefore proposed to enact legislation endowing our Fish 
and Game Commission with discretionary powers, such as have been 
given to the commissions of Maine, New York, Washington and other 
states, enabling it to close seasons, reduce bag limits, prohibit certain 
kinds of fishing apparatus, and in general take such immediate steps as 
will, in their opinion, afford prompt and effective relief and save from 
destruction by human hand that part at least of the wild life which has 
survived the adversity of nature. 
Acknowledgments. 
Acknowledgments are due to the United States Bureau of Fisheries 
for co-operative work in salmon culture; to the United State Forest 
Service which has actively co-operated in the enforcement of the fish 
and game laws and in the accumulation of data on the life-habits of 
different species of fish and game; to the University of California and 
Leland Stanford Junior University, who have undertaken investigations 
and helped to solve many problems; and to the following railroads of 
the state who have continued to furnish free transportation of eggs and 
fish used in stocking the streams: Southern Pacific Company, Western 
