Milford chronicle., 1923-02-02

nn-hn
Ref,lnd eS1 rI5H for 1I''TT Tnsold % licenses - 60
s4O85.O
Total expenditures .-------.- SS021.4
Balance in hands of State Treas
urer, Jan. 1, 1928 -------------------S 1854
Continuing the report sets forth thu
following:
During the period covered by this
report the board has had the services
of the chief warden and regularly en-
ployed one field warden, and at times
has employed an additional field war
den. A small number of volunteer OF
special wardens have also been COM
missioned. AS they receive no pay
they perform no regular field service
but serve in a measure as a deterrent
to wOuld-be violators.
The chief warden has maintained
and conducted the Office of the board
at the state capitol. He has had
charge Of the issuance and sale OF
hunting and fishing licenses to nom
residents, received and filed all pa
pers, reports and records, carried on
the extensive correspondence of the
office, supervised throughout the State
the prosecutions for violations Of the
game and fish laws, and the rescue
and distribution of game and fish for
propagating purposes, and monthly re-
ported and paid to the State Treasur-
er all funds received.
All reports received Of violation Of
the game and fish laws were investl-
gated. Fifty-three prosecutions were
had. These resulted in forty-three con-
yictions and fines amounting to
S295. 90, which were collected and paid
over to the State Treasurer.
There has been no marked increase
in the numbers of our insectivorous
and weed-seed eating birds. While the
laws for their protection are very
generally observed it is believed that
they require further protection from
their natural enemies, such as hawks,
dogs, cats and foxes.
A marked increase is noted in some
varieties of game birds. While our
native quail is just about holding its
own. migratory birds, particularly
wild ducks, have shown remarkable
increase in numbers. This is entirely
ascribed to the protection afforded
under the Federal laws and regula-
tions.
Among the game animals foxes are
reported as having markedly increas-
ed in numbers, while but a slight in
crease. is noted in rabbits. The wise
LEGISLATION enacted at the last session
of the legislature for the protection of
the muskrat has clearly demonstrated
it's worth.
The majority Of the ponds Of the
State are now we'll stocked with game
fish. Large mouth bass particularly
thrive in our waters and grow to an
unusually large size. This fact is be-
coming known in our neighbor1ng
States, and it is noted that many
more fishing licenses were sold to
tofore. The board has continued the
non-residents during 1922 than here
work of netting game fish from tidal
waters and replacing them in the
ponds from which they had escaped.
In this way many thousands of large
mouth bass, crapple, perch and other
game fish have been rescued for re-
stocking and propagating purposes.
Many of these fish were heavy with
eggs and were replaced prior to the
spawning seasons. More funds are
needed for this work which can profit
ably be largely extended.
The food fish of Delaware are one
of the States big assets. Several
suggested changes in the laws for
their protection will be found among
our recommendations but unless pro-
vision is made for their adequate en-
forcement they will be Of no avail.
Much damage is done to young birds
and animals by dogs and cats which
roam our fields in large numbers. 1t
has been suggested that Delaware
might well initiate the plan adopted
in the State of Virginia with such
good results. There dogs are required
to be licensed. The owner pays a IL
cense fee of one dollar per year for
each dog to the Board of Game and
Fish Commissioners and the funds so
received are used in the enforcement
of the game laws. Authority is also
given to any one to at sight kill any
cat or unlicensed dog running at
large. This has resulted in the elimi-
nation of many Vagrant animals that
preyed on the wild life Of the
State, and while not a financial hard
ship on any person has supplied a
large sum annually for the protection
1f game generally.
The board respectfully reports that |
It has not sufficient revenues. The
duties of the board are just as many
and varied as they were prior to 1915,
when the legislature Of that year re-
Dealed the resident hunters license
aw, and thereby deprived the board Of
is chief source of revenue and at the
same time failed to provide 1t with
,ther funds or to lessen its duties.
The board needs the service of more
Yardens. That this need is imperative
S clearly apparent when it is realiz-