Through cooperating institutions and independent research work-
ers, who are supplied working space and equipment, the Laboratory
is developing an extensive volume of basic knowledge about the biolog-
ical conditions of the State. This work involves, in addition to stream
and river, deep water investigations, trips on the open ocean from
whence come many of the State's commercial fishes, and basic work
on hydrography.

MARYLAND STATE GAME AND INLAND FISH COMMISSION
Game and Fresh Water Fish
Munsey Building, Baltimore

Chapter 354, Acts of 1939, changed the name of the State Game
Department, which was created by Chapter 293, Acts of 1896, to the
Maryland State Game and Inland Fish Commission, composed of five
commissioners (non-salaried) to act in an advisory capacity to the
State Game Warden.

This Department of the State acts as an agency for the enforce-
ment of game and fresh water fish laws, and the propagation of game
and fresh water fish in captivity, and said Department is supported
entirely through receipts from the sale of hunters' and anglers'
licenses, which receipts are credited to the State Game Protection
Fund. The General Treasury does not appropriate a single penny
to the support of this Department.

The original State Game Department was consolidated with the
Conservation Commission by Chapter 682, Acts of 1916, when said
Commission was created. Prior to 1916 the General Assembly appro-
priated $2600.00 every two years for the support and maintenance of
the State Game Warden. With only one salaried officer, namely, the
State Game Warden, it was impossible for him, no matter how am-
bitious he may have been, to make a scratch on the surface in the
enforcement of the game and fish laws, and of course no funds were
provided for the propagation of game or the restocking of our covers.

The hunters' license system was created by Chapter 468, Acts of
1918, which requires those who enjoy the great outdoors to contribute
to a fund for the support of the Department, and until this law was
enacted the Department was one by name only and not by action
due to the lack of finances.

Through the hunters' license system, the Department has a salaried
staff of law enforcement officers numbering 26 and through the cooper-
ation of an interested public have about 500 non-salaried Deputy
Game Wardens.

The anglers' license was created by Chapter 471, Acts of 1929 and
through this system the Fresh Water Fisheries Division has been
greatly benefited.

The Department has in operation two State-owned game farms,
namely, the Gwynnbrook State Game Farm in Baltimore County, and
the Wicomico State Game Farm in Wicomico County. At these plants
large numbers of bob-white, pheasants, chukor partridges, wild ducks,
wild geese and Virginia white tail deer are raised in captivity and
liberated annually in the covers of this State.

We also operate a propagation plant at the Montgomery County
Game Refuge where bob-white and pheasants are raised, and at the
Washington County Game Refuge where wild turkeys are raised.
The Department owns 5,301 acres purchased from hunters' license