6 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 (1941) 



CARIBOU: — The caribou is a near relative of the reindeer of northern Europe 

 and is the most useful though not the most comely of its race. It has few of the 

 prepossessing physical endowments of the elk and none of the grace of the deer. 

 Caribou are extremely scarce in the Province and are reported only from the 

 Districts of Kenora, and Thunder Bay, as well as from the northern portions of 

 the Districts of Algoma, Sudbury and Cochrane. Perhaps because of the fact that 

 they have been completely protected for a number of years some slight increase 

 has been noted in the eastern portion of the Thunder Bay District, more particular- 

 ly in the territory which comprises the Superior Game Preserve, and in the Chapleau 

 Crown Game Preserve located in the Districts of Algoma and Sudbury. 



ELK: — The wapiti or North American elk is one of the largest specimens of 

 the deer tribe. He is also without doubt the most beautiful and stately animal in 

 all the deer family. Although of extremely large proportions his physical appear- 

 ance is such as to immediately attract attention. The magnificent antlers often 

 measure six feet in length and these added to a graceful and compact body give 

 it a stately appearance. 



The elk which are found in Ontario at present are those which were imported 

 to the Province from Western Canada, and their progeny. The original shipments 

 on arrival here were placed on the following Crown Game Preserves, viz: Pem- 

 broke, located in the county of Renfrew; Burwash, located in the District of Sud- 

 bury; Chapleau, located in the Districts of Sudbury and Algoma; Goulais River- 

 Ranger Lake, located in the District of Algoma; and Nipigon-Onaman, located in the 

 District of Thunder Bay. 



There has been some improvement in practically all instances save one, — 

 those liberated in the Nipigon-Onaman Crown Game Preserve. Specimens from 

 the herd at Pembroke have previously been placed in Algonquin Provincial Park 

 and on the Bruce Peninsula, and during the year under review others were liberated 

 in the Nipissing and Peterborough Crown Game Preserves, while some animals from 

 the herd at Burwash were liberated in territory adjacent thereto. It is reported 

 that their numbers have increased in the Chapleau and Burwash Crown Game Pre- 

 serves and also on the Bruce Peninsula, while some of these animals have been ob- 

 served on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay. 



BEAR: — Black bear are common throughout the northern portion of the Pro- 

 vince, and are found to a lesser extent in many other sections specially among which 

 are the Districts of Parry Sound, Muskoka, Haliburton, Renfrew, the northern part 

 of Hastings County and in the Bruce Peninsula. These animals are both hunted and 

 trapped though not extensively, but there is an indication that increasing numbers 

 of non-resident hunters are becoming interested in the spring hunt for which pro- 

 vision has been made. Unquestionably the sportsman gets a great thrill out of bear 

 hunting. 



RABBITS: — Rabbits continue to provide many opportunities for wholesome 

 recreation and sport, and more particularly is this so in the southern portion of the 

 Province. In these southern counties cotton-tail rabbits are available in satisfactory 

 numbers although bag limits have been introduced and the sale or purchase pro- 

 hibited in some of these counties. The jack-rabbit (European* Hare) is pretty well 

 confined to the western counties, though this species is gradually extending its 

 range to the east and north. The varying hare or snowshoe rabbit is to be found 

 in most districts although it alone is the prevailing species in Northern Ontario, and 

 while it is reported to be quite scarce in that area there are indications of some 

 improvements from many sections there. 



Rabbit hunting is a favourite activity of Ontario sportsmen during the fall 

 and winter months. The "jack" is probably the most popular of the species because 

 of its size, its great speed and the fact that it is to be found in open country which 



