ANNUAL REPORT, 1936-37 15 



ft 



Changes in the regulations which applied to the open season for migratory- 

 water fowl, i.e. wild ducks and wild geese, and which changes were practically 

 nullified by the subsequent regulations provided by the Federal Authorities under 

 the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Regulations, which last mentioned Regu- 

 lations definitely apply to such hunting. 



And, finally, as set forth under the previous sub-heading, provided for the 

 licensing of tourist outfitters' camps, and established the license fees therefor. 



ENFORCEMENT SERVICE 



The Department maintains a regular staff of field officers which numbered 

 some eighty members during the year 19 36-37, whose duty it is to enforce and 

 secure proper observance of the various provisions of the Game and Fisheries Act 

 and Regulations, the Dominion Special Fishery Regulations for the Province of 

 Ontario and those Provisions of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Regu- 

 lations which are effective in this Province. The services of this regular Field Staff 

 are augmented by the assistance and co-operation of members of the Ontario 

 Provincial Police force and certain seasonal officers whose services are engaged 

 in connection with the matter of providing adequate patrol service along important 

 waters during the spring and fall fish spawning periods and during the various 

 open hunting seasons. The seasonal overseers employed during the 19 36-37 period 

 numbered eighty-three in all, and were engaged for varying periods of time, fifteen 

 for general enforcement purposes, seventeen in connection with the open season for 

 pheasants and other birds, five during the deer season, and forty-six during the 

 critical spring and fall fish spawning periods. 



That interested sportmen are concerned in this branch of activity is noted by 

 the fact that during this year some 927 offered and were appointed as Deputy Game 

 and Fisheries Wardens and as such were authorized to assist in the matter of 

 securing proper observance of the Game and Fisheries Regulations. While there will 

 probably always be a number of necessary prosecutions it is felt that this, in minor 

 cases, is not a desirable method of securing observance of the Act. It is believed 

 that many infractions are the result of thoughtlessness, and a lack of knowledge 

 concerning the real worth of our wild life heritage. 



The activities of the Game Warden are dictated by the necessity for the pro- 

 tection of our resources and the elimination from our sporting activities of the 

 elements of unfairness which characterizes infractions of the Regulations. The good 

 sportsman is always careful to observe the letter and spirit of the law. In doing 

 so he naturally has to curb his desires and restrict his pleasures. It exasperates 

 him, therefore, to see others with less pronounced scruples calmly ignoring the 

 regulations and making light of their actions. 



The laws regulate the wise use of available resources, be it game or fish, and 

 an accumulation of minor infractions may be serious for any species or district. 

 The Game Warden is invariably courteous in the handling of what is, after all, a 

 difficult job. He deserves the co-operation of every sportsman and the backing of 

 every law-abiding citizen. 



During 19 36-37 there were 1,448 cases in which offences against the Game 

 and Fisheries Regulations were committed and in which the offenders concerned 

 were relieved by various officers of articles of sporting equipment as well as the 

 unlawful game or fish which may have been in their possession on these particular 

 occasions. An examination of the reports of these seizures as submitted to the 

 Department reveals that the action was provided by Game and Fisheries Overseers 

 in 1,193 cases, by Deputy Game Wardens in 137 cases, by Provincial Police OflScers 

 in 34 cases, and in 84 cases by co-operative action as between our regular overseers, 

 deputy game wardens, and police officers. 



