20 



DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES 



No. 9 



Those who have any doubts as to the efficiency of the work which is being 

 done to curb law breaking, or the need for eternal vigilance to protect a common 

 heritage, would do well to arrange to visit one of the sales of confiscated articles 

 conducted by the Department and, in viewing the multiplicity of weapons seized 

 for illegal use, read the story of why conservation is necessary for the perpetuation 

 of wild life. The rows of firearms stacked so menacingly around the room remind 

 one forcibly that their late owners failed to play the game, and in doing so not 

 only broke the law but menaced the rights of others. The weapons include almost 

 every make and calibre of gun, from the toy .22 to the deadly automatic and the 

 modern "pump." Each of them has a story of its own, a story of deliberate law 

 breaking and swift retribution. 



There are those of ancient vintage which attracted attention, principally 

 because they lack the refinements of the modern firearm, or because they conjure 

 up memories which are probably better forgotten. 



There is a long line of those efficient little nomads, the- .22. They run the 

 gamut of make and style, from the cheap little toy to the high-powered repeater. 

 Most of them are in good shape, but there are a few whose general appearance 

 shows a lack of care. 



In addition to the firearms there is a miscellaneous collection of fishing 

 rods, reels, lines, baits, minnow pails, axes, flashlights, lanterns, haversacks and 

 traps. As showing the extent of the illegal destruction which takes place and 

 as a pleasing commentary on the work of the protective officers, we would add that 

 there were some 940 traps in the various lots offered in the sale held in September 

 1938. 



The following is a summary of the confiscated articles offered at this sale. 

 Shotguns 67, rifles 45, .22 rifles 106, fishing poles 39, miscellaneous items 34, traps 

 940. When it is remembered that in almost every case a fine or alternative gaol 

 sentence was imposed, in addition to the loss occasioned by the confiscation of equip- 

 ment, it should be a stern warning that "the way of the transgressor is hard!" 



For several days in February, 1939, the Department vault and storage room 

 resembled a fur warehouse. Exposed for the inspection of buyers was the largest 

 collection of confiscated pelts the Department has ever handled in any one year. This 

 collection included the following pelts: — 



Beaver 993 



Muskrats 778 



Fisher 3 



Lynx 2 



Otter 14 



Fox (cross) 9 



Marten 14 



Mink 35 



Weasel 96 



Squirrel 87 



Raccoon 62 



Skunk 2 



Wolves 3 



Fox (red) 25 



In addition to this record assortment of confiscated furs there was a collection 

 of silver fox pelts together with some red fox and mink from the Fur Farm, and 

 a small mixed group taken in Provincial Parks and included by the Department 

 of Lands and Forests. 



For the benefit of prospective buyers the furs were open to inspection for 

 four days, and during that period they were constantly being turned over, examined 

 and appraised by keen-eyed, shrewd buyers. Bidding for the various lots was in 

 the form of sealed tender, so that those interested had to go over them carefully 

 and determine finally what they were worth to them in a competitive market. The 

 result of the sale surpassed the expectations of the Department and added considerably 

 to the annual revenue. For example, the 993 beaver pelts brought a total of $14,535. 



