A suggestion Fish and Game is not visible enough had a mixed reaction at an Otago Fish and Game Council meeting this week.
Cr Ian Cole suggested Fish and Game could be more involved in the community in the Wanaka area this spring.
Cr Alan Hammond was worried the organisation was putting out negative, sometimes too "hard-line", messages.
Cr Dr John Jillett asked why so little had been spent from the public interface budget.
He suggested honorary rangers who had contact with the public should be urged to better promote the organisation.
Cr Dan Rae said the "name of the game" had changed dramatically in the 20 years since the population was smaller and the percentage of the population involved in hunting and fishing was higher.
"We need to move on. The environmental challenges we face today soak up far more of our staff's time and resources than ever before. We have finite resources and I think management and staff do an excellent job."
Chief executive Niall Watson said it was a real concern that while work was continually being added to staff's programmes, none was being taken away.
In the past, the lakes district might have had a higher presence, but that often meant other work was not being done as a result, he said.
Rangers were always encouraged to see themselves as the face of the organisation, rather than as police. he said.
However, next year's annual work programme had been amended to recognise the need for staff to get out and be seen and involved in the community.
A wider ranging programme and extra events would be organised.
"The intention is to encourage honorary rangers to attend events where rangers take the lead, in greater numbers."
