This is the new logo for, well you get the picture. I feel the change is appropriate, and would like feed back from you.
Before just setting the stage I would like to mention a few of my reasons for why I feel the appropriateness of this change for the California Elves.
In 1870, think about it as only a few years following the Civil War, California established the Board of Fish Commissioners, and expanded the inclusion of game to the board’s responsibilities in 1878. Obviously there was felt a need to protect from the wholesale slaughter of this state’s enormous abundance of fish and game. The population was growing like crazy. Food sources were needed. Habitat for game, and waters for fish were being compromised daily by not only the farmers and ranchers, but also mining and industrialization of the state in general.
The next name change was in 1909 when the Commission of Fish and Game was established, then again in 1927 as the Division of Fish and Game. In 1951 the Division of Fish and Game was elevated to the Department of Fish and Game, and has remained so until January 1, 2013. It has been over 60 years since the responsibilities of these elves was addressed for their impact on the resources in this huge, diverse state. Go here for a nice timeline, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/about/.
The scope of responsibility for these California Elves has been far more than the moniker Fish and Game denotes. Their mission statement posted in the above link plainly addresses much of what is involved, but falls short of the entirety.
I would like to tell of this small example to illustrate my point
Much of the responsibility for a volunteer fire department along the Trinity River in northern California is responding to vehicle mishaps along highway 299. I was a responding member at the site of a pickup that completely overturned on the road near a little creek that entered the Trinity River a few hundred feet from the accident, and the overturned vehicle spilled all manner of fuel and oil on the road near this creek. Our local warden showed up as we began clean up protocol, and coached us about how to control the mess from further endangering the water. Without his guidance we may have just kitty littered the mess and swept it off the asphalt, but he explained why this was a irresponsible solution, and helped us sweep up the kitty litter for depositing in the hazmat bin at the landfill. We could have unwittingly polluted a whole section of river habitat if not for his guidance, and teaching efforts.
The behavior, and perception of a warden’s responsibility is probably slewed towards the law enforcement side, because where is it you read about other things they do for the public? If anyone is silly enough to defy the rules set by our California Elves, let them experience the law enforcement side.
I am off to get my 2013 fishing license in a little while. The cost to obtain my license is quite daunting. How much of the fee is going to the logo change? And herein lies my misgivings about the whole change over thing. Why is the brunt of the cost placed upon the licensees instead of budgeted from the state. The entire public draws benefit from the endeavors of the department, not only the licensee.
If any readers know enough about the budget line for this change to post thoughts about it, we would appreciate it. For now I am off to purchase said license so I can go be Ketchinnee.
Mr Hook
As an aside, I have had some health issues preventing my blogging. I believe I am back. Stay Tuned!