ANNUAL REPORT, 1938-39 21 



while the balance of the seized furs sold for $1,700.85. The confiscated furs therefore 

 brought a total of $16,235.85. 



Around this brief mention of the fur sale is a story of never-ending vigilance 

 on the part of the field force; that silent but effective group of Overseers whose 

 mission is to enforce the Game and Fisheries Laws and see that the wild life 

 resources of the Province are protected from the pilfering propensities of the poacher. 

 A glance at the summary of confiscated pelts given herein will convince the 

 most indifferent that there is a real necessity for such keen watchfulness. Take 

 the case of the beaver for example. These animals were destroyed during a year 

 when there was a completely closed season on beaver, and in addition a large 

 percentage of them had been purchased from poachers by unscrupulous fur buyers, 

 who, in turn, would be forced to dispose of them by further dishonest manipulations. 

 The irony of these extensive seizures of beaver pelts is that the season was closed 

 because it was felt that the animals required protection against trapping for a 

 period, in order to increase their numbers, and the good trapper, realizing that 

 such a measure was in his own interest, respected the restriction. The poacher, 

 on the other hand, apparently found in the restriction an opportunity to enlarge 

 his activities, aided and abetted by certain irresponsible buyers. 



As showing the widespread nature of these illegal practices we mention 

 the fact that 80 beaver came from the Patricia District; 41 from Algoma; 17 

 from Renfrew and 51 were seized in Toronto. The balance in small numbers came 

 from all over the Province. 



The same general remarks apply with regard to the other furs. They were 

 seized for a variety of reasons, but in all cases breaches of the act were involved. 



It is but fair to add that, despite this tale of unlawful taking, the score 

 is not all bad. It has been noted, for example, that some 32 beaver accidentally 

 caught in traps set for other legal fur, were forwarded to the Department for 

 disposal, by the trappers themselves. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the general public is becoming more informed 

 on the value of wild life and the necessity for ensuring its conservation the poacher 

 and the illegal taker are still in our midst. 



As a result of the vigilance of protective officers we find that during the 

 year under review there were some 1709 cases of violations prosecuted through 

 the Courts, and in 1581 of which cases convictions were registered and fines collected 

 totalling in all the record sum of $26,245.40. 



An analysis of these cases shows that Game and Fisheries Overseers were 

 responsible for the charges in 1510 instances, members of the Provincial Police 

 Force in 98 cases, Deputy Game Wardens in 21 cases; while co-operative action was 

 responsible in 80 cases. Particulars of some of the more glaring cases which 

 were prosecuted through the year are as follows: 



(a) Illegal trafficking in partridge, in the County of Carleton, convicted and 

 fined $1,000 and costs; 



(b) Illegal possession, sale and purchase of partridge, in the County of 

 Carleton, three persons involved, convictions registered in all cases, total 

 fines of $400 and costs; 



(c) Illegal trafficking in pheasants, in the County of Middlesex, 34 birds seized, 

 convicted and fined $340 and costs; 



(d) Unlawful killing of Hungarian partridge, in the County of Wentworth, 

 10 birds seized, convicted and fined $100 an costs; 



