12 REPORT OF THE No. 32 



Caribou. 



Few caribou have as yet been killed by sportsmen in tlie Province. 

 Many bave been killed by Indians who occupy the caribou grounds, beyond 

 the reach of sportsmen. In the near future when the railroads under con- 

 struction, and those contemplated, are completed, the caribou grounds of 

 Ontario will become as famous as those of Newfoundland. I have heard 

 of some very fine heads being obtained by Indians, within forty or fifty 

 miles of Bear Island, equal in dimension to any procured in the Maritime 

 Provinces or Newfoundland. 



Moose. 



One hundred and seventeen moose, or heads of same, were carried by 

 the Dominion Express Company during the open season, exclusive of those 

 killed by Indians and local hunters. 



Deer. 



3,886 carcasses of deer were carried by Express Companies, being 406 

 less than carried by them in 1906, and 576 more than they carried in 1905. 

 Of course this is not one-third of the number killed in the Province during 

 the year, when we consider those killed by Indians, and settlers under 

 permits. The reduction from 1906 is due to the decrease in the number of 

 non-resident licenses issued in 1907, compared with 1906. 



Eur-Bearing Animals. 



When we take into consideration the fact that, as a rule, beaver and 

 otter frequent the rivers, streams and small lakes in the northern portions 

 of the Province, inhabited by Indians, and where lumbering operations are 

 carried on, it is surprising that so many of these valuable fur-bearing animals 

 are to be found in their usual haunts. Many of the beaver dams are 

 destroyed and flooded out by the construction of large dams for logging pur- 

 poses. The rapid construction of railways, making nearly all portions of 

 the Province easy of access, make it almost impossible to ever have an open 

 season for these interesting denizens of the north country. One open season 

 would be tantamount to extermination. 



Muskrats are holding their own better than any other species of fur- 

 bearing animal in the Province. When December was added to the open 

 season, April should have been added to the close season, for various reasons 

 too numerous to mention. 



The present market value of mink has been adduced as a reason for 

 their being protected during a part of the year. 



The coarser species of fur-bearers have been fairly abundant. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Tour obedient servant, 



E. TiNSLEY, 

 Superintendent of Game avd Frshrries 

 Toronto, December 31st, 1907. 



