DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 



deer of both sexes killed annually, the locations where they are to be found in 

 largest numbers, and the territories where they are obviously scarce, in order that 

 suitable regulations for their conservation may be framed. With over twenty 

 thousand hunters in the bush each fall a means is provided for obtaining reliable 

 information of our deer herds not otherwise available. A brief reflection will 

 convince the hunter that this information is wholly in the interest of sport. 



MOOSE: — These animals are not at all plentiful in any part of the Province 

 and little improvement is evident even in the southern part where they have had 

 the complete protection of an entire close season for the past several years. Reports 

 from this Section are to the effect that if there be any increase such conditions can 

 be attributed to any overflow from Algonquin Park. From northern Ontario where 

 hunting of moose has been permitted in conjunction with the deer season reports 

 reaching the Department indicate some scarcity and the desirability of the additional 

 protection of an extended close season in some areas to preserve and thereby provide 

 for improvement and increase in the numbers of this species. 



CARIBOU: — These animals are very scarce and are to be found only in the 

 extreme north. Herds are reported only in the northern portion of the Cochrane 

 District and in a few scattered sections of the Thunder Bay and Kenora Districts. 



ELK: — The original shipments of these animals to Ontario from Western 

 Canada were supervised by the Federal National Parks Branch, and on arrival 

 here were placed in the following Crown Game Preserves, viz; — Pembroke, Burwash, 

 Chapleau, Nipigon-Onaman and Goulais River-Ranger Lake. Reports indicate there 

 has been more or less improvement in all instances save possibly among those placed 

 in the Nipigon-Onaman Preserve. From the herd at Pembroke certain animals 

 have been distributed to suitable areas in Algonquin Park and on the Bruce Penin- 

 sula, while a number of Elk on the Burwash Preserve were liberated in that area, 

 and as far as possible the animals so transferred were set at liberty some con- 

 siderable distance from farm property. Improvement in numbers has been observed 

 among the animals transferred to Algonguin Park and the Bruce Peninsula, while 

 from Pembroke is reported a fair increase, and a fine showing of young animals 

 from Burwash. 



RABBITS: — All varieties were reported to be rather scarce throughout the 

 northern areas. Reports received from the various portions of southern Ontario re- 

 veal there is no scarcity of either the cotton-tail rabbit or the European hare (com- 

 monly called the jack rabbit) in the western Counties, and some satisfactory hunting 

 was enjoyed here. Conditions, however, were not as favourable as this in the central 

 Counties, while a noticeable lack of numbers was reported from the east and the 

 northern districts of Parry Sound, Muskoka and Haliburton. 



It is interesting to note from these reports that the jack rabbit is migrating 

 northwards. Existence of this species in Muskoka has been observed and it is 

 possible that the pleasure and recreation which the pursuit of this creature of the 

 wild has provided to sportsmen in the southwestern Counties may soon be available 

 to the interested hunters farther afield. 



PARTRIDGE: — Ruffed grouse are reported to be scarce in practically every 

 section of the Province though some increase in their numbers was noted in the 

 eastern portion of northern Ontario, and in some scattered areas in the western 

 portion of the north. 



The sharp-tailed grouse, or prairie chicken, display conditions which are no 

 better, but pratically similar to those which exist with reference to the ruffed 

 grouse. 



The complete close season which has prevailed on partridge is absolutely 

 necessary in order that the various species may have an opportunity for re- 

 plenishment. 



