The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-04-20

quence of which violations of the fish
and game laws were common and par
ticularly little respect was had for
that feature of the fish and game law
requiring that every hunter and fish
erman must secure license. 1t was
apparent therefore that a strenuous
effort must be made to provide addi-
tional revenue, all of which was ac-
complished, as can be readily shown,
by increasing the number of field men
at that time and also demanding in
creased efficiency.
1T was very evident, also, from a
thorough investigation, that on ac-
count of the very few fish planted by
the former administration and the
manner in which same were planted,
that our streams in many instances,
had become almost entirely depleted
The demand for more fish seemed to
be the crying need. The revenue of
the department during 1919, 1920,
1921 and 1922 was expended largely
in supervision, which practically
doubled the revenue along all lines
and greatly restocked the streams as
we'll as bringing greater respect for
the law on the part of the sportsman
and public in general. These results
have been accomplished it would seem
that the time is now right to expend
less money in supervision of field
work annd devote larger part of our
revenue to permanent improvements,
the building of additional fish hatch
cries and larger investment In the
planting of game birds. 1t may have
been necessary during the past four
years to retain the large force of
field men but experience has also in
1icated that by using care in the
placing of these men at strategetic
points, this force can be considerably
reduced.
In no sense should it be under
stood that active supervision is going |
% be discontinued. With the organi- |
,ation Of various gun clubs and sports
and the cooperation of
he farmers and public in general |
With the department, we should be
lble to carry on this work with a
reduction in the active
orce.
1T is planned this year to expend
IS large an amount as is possible in
on hatcheries at Sand
,oint, Couer d'Alene, Hayspur and
Ashton, where there is wonderful OPP
,ortunity for development. We are al
10 sorely in need Of hatchery in
outhern and western Idaho to take
are of the streams in this particu-
ar district. We firmly believe that
aving along the lines indicated will
OF only permit these things but will
lso place the department in a posi-
on to carry out our pians for Great
lg game farm.
"The game department is not on an
ppropriation basis, no money being
pproriated by the legislature for It's
erative expense, but we believe the
loney derived from the sale Of IL
enses should be expended as care
lily and economically as though 1t
ere a direct tax on the people or
laho. Agreeing perhaps that in :
ringing the department up to its U
resent standard a large force was
,quired and it was necessary go ex-
,riment more or less along these II
nes. isn't 1t now about time we had
mething Of tangible nature to ac- !
,unt for the way this large revenue Z
expended? This is the hope and "
m of the department for the coming u
ennium." :,
Mr. Thomas announced that d. p. b
ch. would retain his position as "
lief Deputy until June 1st. "A