12 THE REPORT UPON No. 32 



Caribou. 



Few have as yet been killed in the Province by sportsmen, but with the 

 extension of railroads into and through the caribou haunts, making them 

 more accessible to sportemen, many will take advantage of the improved 

 facilities to hunt these wary denizens of the far north. 



Deer. 



The number of carcases of deer carried by express companies during the 

 open season of 1908 was 4,387 as against 3,886 in 1907 — increase 501. This 

 number, large as it is, is not one-third of the totdl actually killed, when taken 

 into consideration that 11,353 deer hunters' licenses and settlers' permits were 

 issued, holders of each being entitled to kill two deer. In addition to the 

 above, Indians and settlers in unorganized territory were allowed to kill two 

 each without licenses or permits, for their own use, but not for sale or barter. 

 In view of the large increase of hunters and the number of deer killed, it may 

 be necessary in the near future to limit the number to one that may be legally 

 kill on each license. It seems incredible that our northern districts should 

 continue to supply these immense numbers year after year with no apparent 

 diminution, except in older settled portions of the Province, where the deer 

 are disappearing with the woods. 



Moose. 



Fifty-nine moose, or heads of such, were carried by express and rail- 

 road companies during the open season. A number were taken out of the 

 woods by teams, of which we have no record. To state the number killed 

 at one hundred is a low estimate. Many very fine heads were procured, one in 

 particular killed near the Montreal Hiver in the Temiskaming district by a 

 Toronto sportsman having the unusual spread of horns of 71^ inches, and for 

 which it is reported he refused the sum of |300. 



Fur Bearing Animals. 



Beaver and otter are reported as being found fairly numerous in some 

 portions of the Province, but in waters adjacent to lumber camps and other 

 works in which large numbers of men are employed, it is a difficult matter 

 to protect these valuable animals. Although a number of the employees of 

 these camps have been convicted, many still consider the venture equal to 

 the risk. Muskrats are still found in large numbers in all portions of the 

 Province, and should have most effective protection. The skins of these 

 animals will be utilized in the near future in the manufacture of sealskin 

 coats, when the seals have become things of the past. It may be necessary 

 to have a close season for mink, for the purpose of preventing them being 

 killed when the fur is of little value, although they kill large numbers of 

 muskrats in localities where both species are found. The coarser species 

 of furbearing animals appear to be holding their own, judging from the 

 condition of the atmosphere in the vicinity of shipping points and express 

 offices. It is considered advisable to license trappers to enable the Depart- 

 ment to have the espionage over them their wrong doing ncessitates. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Your obedient servant, 



E. Tins LEY. 



