ANNUAL REPORT, 1936-37 



The following pages will contain a summary of conditions as they apply to 



both our animal and bird game life, and which information has been compiled 



from the reports of these conditions submitted by various members of the field 

 service staff of the Department stationed throughout the Province: — 



DEER: — So far as the northern and northwestern portions of the Province are 

 concerned reports to the Department indicate that, while the situation there has 

 many problems peculiar to the area itself, conditions as they existed during the 

 period under review were quite satisfactory, with some possible improvement and 

 increase in numbers in certain sections. 



In the southwestern part of the lower portion of the Province, some increase 

 is reported, probably due to the protection which has been afforded to them over 

 a period of years, and while they are most numerous in the Counties of Simcoe, 

 Grey, Bruce and Huron, there are evidences that these animals are to be found in 

 practically every County in the section to which this reference pertains, and in 

 the not too distant future may possibly reach the point where they may constitute 

 a source of trouble to farmers and market gardeners. While the conservation 

 measures now in effect have been provided for the purpose of protection they do not 

 contemplate the development of our deer resources to such an extremity as is here 

 indicated. In the central Counties they may be found in fair numbers only in 

 Peterborough and Victoria, with slight improvement though continued scarcity re- 

 ported from Halton, Peel, Northumberland and the north part of Ontario Counties. 

 East of and including Hastings conditions were better, and they are to be found in 

 numbers providing fairly satisfactory hunting in practically all the areas here in 

 which an open season prevails. In the section in which the most intensive con- 

 centration of deer hunters occurs during the regular open season, i.e. Parry Sound, 

 Muskoka and Haliburton, conditions are reported to be satisfactory and as yet good 

 hunting is available there. 



Undoubtedly the restrictions which apply to deer hunting continue to be neces- 

 sary and must be observed and regulate the conduct of hunters if we are to preserve 

 and improve our deer herds throughout the Province, and which condition is essen- 

 tial in order to guarantee and justify a continuation of the fall hunting season in 

 which many of the sports loving public are privileged to participate. 



In recent seasons we have been seeking the co-operation of deer hunters by 

 asking them to submit a return to the Department of the result of their hunting 

 together with comments. In the past the number of hunters making this return 

 has been disappointing. Seeking an explanation for this apparent indifference 

 on the part of sportsmen we came across a letter from a hunter which reads 

 in part; "A lot of the boys won't make this return because they are afraid you 

 will use the information to send tourists or others to their favourite hunting 

 grounds. Why don't you tell them the real reason for the return?" The answer 

 to this query is that it is necessary the Department should know the number of 



