DEPARTAIEXT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1948 21 



DIMSIOX OF FISH AXD WILDLIFE 



Wildlife Management 

 Migratory Birds 



The duck and goose population of Xorth America dropi)ed to a criticalh' 

 low le\'el in the winter of 1946-47. 



The nimiber of da\"s shooting was cut from 23/^ months to 45 da\s. The 

 bag limit for ducks was cut from 12 per day to 7 per da>'. The seasonal bag 

 limit for ducks was removed and in its place a possession limit of 14 ducks was 

 established. The seasonal bag limit for geese was retained at 25, but a pos- 

 session limit of 15 was also enforced. 



A spring woodcock census, along lines developed b\" the Dominion Wildlife 

 Ser\ice, was commenced this year. 



Upland Game 



The numbers and distribution of the various groujjs of pinnated grouse 

 on Manitoulin Island were studied and majjped during the sunmier. 



Fur-Bearing Animals 



Statistics regarding the actual harvest of \arious species are gi\-en at the 

 end of this report. 



Introduced Wildlife 



There was a general increase in the suppL' of pheasants in the whole Lake 

 Erie area, from X'iagara to \\^indsor. In the Toronto region, on the other 

 hand, pheasant populations remain very low. As the difference cannot be 

 accounted for b>" differences in the distribution of hatchery stock which was 

 spread over the whole area, it must be explained b\' a local improvement in the 

 suppK of wild-hatched birds, which is still not general over the pheasant area. 



Hungarian Partridge are still not numerous enough to ]:)ro\-ide an open 

 season . 



A sharp local decline in the numbers of European hare has focussed attention 

 on that species. It has hitherto not manifested an\' major fluctuations in 

 numbers. Because the decline is local it is hard to sa>' whether the cause is 

 natural fluctuations or intensive hunting, but the "jacks" are certainK not able 

 to stand up under heav\- hunting as well as the>' did in the past. 



Control of Cormorants 



Investigations carried out in 1946 rexealed that the population of Double- 

 crested Cormorants on the Great Lakes and Lake of the Woods had ver\ laigelx 

 increased during recent \ears. A circular report has been issued on this. 



Trap-line Managemoit 



During the 1947 Session the following new section w.is added to the (lainc 

 and I'isheries Act: — 



8a — "A licence to trap fur-bearing animals on ( "row u lands shall be 



(1) subject to such limitations as to territor\ and tin- number of fur-bear- 

 ing animals which ma\ be taken as the Minister max deem i)roper. 



