ANNUAL REPORT, 1938-39 17 



Bulletin. Association Secretaries might also keep us informed of their activities 

 so that proper reference could be made. 



We acknowledge our indebtedness to the press for the additional publicity 

 given to many of the atricles appearing in the Bulletin, and hope that Editors will 

 feel free to use any material they may find suitable for republication. 



As a result of the educational and publicity work which is being carried 

 on by sportsmen's organizations, nature clubs, the press, sporting magazines and 

 the Department, the public is to-day more conservation-minded than ever before 

 and this fact augurs well for the future of the movement. We believe that more 

 real success can be attained through education than through prosecution, although 

 human nature is such that enforcement will always be essential for protective 

 purposes. With this in mind we pass from the old to the new, conscious of our 

 shortcomings, but with the hope that our efforts to stimulate interest have not 

 been entirely in vain." 



GAME AND FISHERIES ACT: — 



The present laws and regulations are a most important part of the general 

 programme for the conservation of our fish and game resources. They are the 

 result of practical experience plus the biological knowledge acquired after years 

 of research. They are restrictive only in so far as is necessary to ensure proper 

 use and a continuous supply. Close seasons are provided in the interest of natural 

 reproduction and are determined from a study of the life history of the various 

 species. Bag limits and limits of size are intended to ensure an equitable distribution 

 of the available resources. Obviously limiting the take helps prevent waste. 



In every walk of life there are certain laws and conventions which govern, 

 and these we must know and observe or suffer the consequences. The observance 

 of the laws which regulate the taking of fish and game is of major importance 

 in securing for every citizen the opportunity to enjoy the recreational pleasures which 

 wild life affords. It is the duty of every sportsman, therefore, to make himself 

 familiar with these laws and, having done so, see that his actions afield are in keeping 

 therewith. Co-operation in this regard will help to conserve a valuable heritage. 



What impresses one at meetings of the Legislative Fish and Game Committee 

 is the evident sincerity in the cause of wild life conservation of the delegates 

 who attend to present recommendations, and the entire absence of requests that might 

 be termed selfish or shortsighted. The success of the conservation movement lies 

 in the development of this spirit of co-operation through individual and organized 

 effort, and if the tone of the representations which are made before this Committee 

 is a reflection of the attitude of the public, then a new conception of individual 

 responsibility for the protection and restoration of our game and fish resources 

 has been born, and this will undoubtedly be an important factor in providing and 

 maintaining better hunting and fishing. 



Amendments enacted by the Legislative Assembly and which became effective 

 during the year included the following provisions: 



(a) Rescinding the definition of the word "monitor," as used by duck hunters. 



(b) Authorizing the issue of special hunting licenses by Municipal authorities 

 to be valid in Regulated Game Preserve Areas. 



(c) Providing an entire close season for moose in portions of Sudbury, Nipissing 

 and Temiskaming, in the southeastern part of Northern Ontario, and in Rainy 

 River and that part of Kenora south of the main transcontinental line of the 

 Canadian National Railway in the southwestern part of Northern Ontario. 



