DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 (1941) 



General: — County of Essex, 1,970 birds, of which 1,582 were liberated on the 

 mainland and 388 on Pelee Island; County of Kent, 929 birds; and the remaining 

 124 birds were distributed in four other areas. 



HUNGARIAN PARTRIDGE:— These birds were also introduced to the Pro- 

 vince from Europe, but have not yet become plentiful anywhere. So far as the north 

 is concerned their numbers are negligible though evidence of their existence is re- 

 ported from certain sections of Temiskaming, Algoma and Thunder Bay. They are 

 most numerous in the very extreme southwestern counties, while reports indicate 

 that they are becoming more plentiful in some of the eastern counties. 



DUCKS: — Generally speaking, this species of migratory water-fowl provides 

 quite a large proportion of the sport which is available to the hunter during any 

 season, and the season is a reasonably long one. Practically every section of the 

 Province has its quota of ducks during the period of migration. Restrictions affecting 

 the taking of ducks have recently been provided with a view of affording greater 

 protection. The results have been very beneficial and reports indicate that their 

 numbers have increased. Regulations for the taking of ducks are provided by the 

 Federal Government under the terms of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, a 

 Treaty applicable in the United States and Mexico as well as in Canada. 



Few have more than a passing acquaintance with the various species of North 

 American ducks with the exception of one or two of the most common. Not 

 all of these species are to be found in Ontario, but there is a wide variety, including 

 the Mallard, Black duck, Gadwall or Grey duck. Pintail, Widgeon-Baldpate, Shoveller, 

 Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood duck, Bluebill, Lesser Scaup, Canvas- 

 back, Red-head, Golden-eye-Whistler, Bufflehead, Long-tailed duck. Old Squaw, 

 Black Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Ruddy duck and Eider duck, some of which are quite 

 common and others not at all plentiful. Of the various species herein enumerated 

 only the Wood duck is provided the protection of an entire close season. 



GEESE: — There are not many areas in Ontario in which these birds may be 

 successfully hunted, and while they are observed in flight during the fall and spring 

 migrations, in numerous sections the conditions which prevail during these migra- 

 tions are such that during the open season which is provided, any hunting which is 

 available is pretty well restricted to the James Bay shore in the far north, and to a 

 few of the extreme southwestern counties. There are several different species of 

 geese, of which the Canada Goose is perhaps the best known. 



WOODCOCK: — This species is extremely scarce in Northern Ontario, and is 

 none too plentiful in the southern portion of the Province. Reports from Depart- 

 mental officers show the most favourable locations to be certain of the counties 

 along the north side of Lake Erie. 



SNIPE: — As in the case of woodcock, this species is quite scarce in Northern 

 Ontario. They are reported to be somewhat plentiful in several southern counties, 

 while increasing numbers are recorded in scattered areas a little farther north. 



PLOTER: — These birds continue to be quite scarce throughout the entire 

 Province though some slight improvement is reported from different areas in the 

 most southerly counties. 



During the year under review special Regulations were provided, details of 

 which are as follows: — 



(a) An open season for deer in that portion of the County of 

 Carleton lying west of the Rideau River, from November 6th 

 to November 20th, both days inclusive. General deer hunting 

 regulations were effective. 



