During the 1963 season the field staff was again asked to concentrate on 

 obtaining returns from at least 100 grouse hunters which would provide a sample 

 of 400 man-hours per district. This method was adopted because it was felt that a 

 more valid comparison could be made from district to district. The recorded 

 number of hunters on foot declined from 1,500 in 1962 to 949 in 1963, but the 

 number of hours expended per man in hunting grouse was shghtly greater at 3.8 in 

 1963 as compared to an average 3.0 hours in 1962. 



The success of men hunting on foot in 12 districts increased, and declined in 

 six. They range from a decline of 13.2 birds per hundred hours in Kemptville to 

 an increase of 27.2 birds per hundred hours in Sioux Lookout. 



It is of interest to note that over the past three hunting seasons the take per 

 100 man-hours has dechned steadily in Kemptville, but that Parry Sound, Sault 

 Ste. Marie and Sioux Lookout indicated a consistent increase over the same period 

 and the rest varied. 



In some locations, particularly in the north, grouse are hunted by driving 

 roads rather than travelling on foot. The number of grouse seen or shot per 100 

 miles driven has been used to evaluate population trends. It is, however, question- 

 able that these data are of real value since districts have noted that some hunters 

 record the miles travelled from home to hunting grounds; others record all mileage 

 during other travel during which time a grouse may be shot. 



Road hunters were not so fortunate as those who hunted on foot since five 

 districts reported an increase while five others reported a decrease; two districts 

 were the same as last year. The mileage covered was 539 miles greater in 1963, 

 but the number of hunters reporting was 402 less. 



The brood count data reveals that where comparative figures were available 

 that thirteen districts showed a decline in the average number of chicks per brood 

 for 1963. The only districts to record an increase were Swastika and Port Arthur. 



55 



