REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION 



Later on, one had its leg broken and was killed. Another had died in March 

 from unknown causes. Four had got away during the winter and proceeded 

 down to the coast. Five had gone inside during the winter, and Bromfield 

 had gone after them. He returned saying that he could' get no trace of 

 them. A hunter told me that he had seen where Bromfield turned back, 

 and that he was at the time on the deers' tracks. Later in the spring two 

 old deer died with broken legs, and one fawn. Of those that got away and went 

 down the coast, two were killed by Newfoundland fishermen. While I was at 

 the place two fawns died, one having been killed by a herding dog, and the 

 other from injuries received by falling and the other deer tramping on it. In 

 one of these fawns some No. 2 shot were found. While the late chief herder 

 claimed there were 42 fawns last spring, two of the herders claimed there were 

 only 36. In this connection it might be mentioned that there would probably 

 have been more fawns had the deer not been moved during the rutting season. 

 It seems reasonable to expect more fawns next spring, as the rutting season will 

 not be interfered with this fall. Allowing for 126 in the original herd and 36 

 fawns this spring would give a herd of 162. The loss of 19 are accounted for, 

 which should leave a herd of 142, but there are actually only about 125 left 

 according to the count of the chief herder from time to time. I am of the opinion 

 that the others got away last winter as the herd was well controlled all summer. 



During the summer, the deer were kept on the neck of land between Lobster 

 and Rocky bays. This is a smaller area than the Lobster bay place and makes 

 control easier during the summer months. In the winter they will be on the 

 Lobster bay location. The fence was constructed on the Rocky bay place. 

 There will be no fence on the Lobster bay winter park. To construct a fence 

 there, would cost many times the value of the herd and be of little actual value 

 during the winter months as the greater part would be snowed under. However, 

 during the winter months the deer are more easily kept track of as their tracks 

 can be seen and followed. There is abundant food for them there, and they 

 have already selected several locations where they remain as a rule. 



The deer are far from being domesticated. While the herders can approach 

 them to some extent, they cannot go so close as to lay their hands on one. With 

 a stranger they are quite wild. I experienced great difftculty in obtaining some 

 rather unsatisfactory snapshots which are attached to this report. If they are 

 to be domesticated in order that they may be used for milking and transporta- 

 tion purposes, it will be necessary to use Lapps, who understand them better 

 and are accustomed to using them for domestic purposes. 



In conclusion, I beg to make some suggestions which I trust will be acted 

 upon. First, I have to urge that this Department be relieved of the responsibility 

 of the herd, as we have no proper organization in that part of the country to 

 carry on the work. The annual visit of an officer of the Department serves no 

 practical purpose and does not protect the herd. The building up of a herd, 

 to be of any value, will entail a large expenditure and continue for many years. 

 I would suggest that the animal Parks Branch of the Interior Department be 

 asked to take over the work. If this is not done, I would suggest that the matter 

 be taken up with the Anticosti island people who are anxious to have the herd 

 moved to the island, and will give guarantees as to protection and the handing 

 over of a certain part of the increase, at some future time. On the island they 

 would be quite safe. 



If, howe\'er, it is decided that this Department must continue to care for 

 the herd, then I would recommend that a warehouse be built at Lobster bay; 

 that we stock it with our own provisions for the herders, and that a competent 



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