ANNUAL REPORT, 1939-40 



17 



being so, it is essential that the public should be familiar with them, and that all 

 those who hunt or fish should strictly observe the regulations. To play the game 

 fairly according to the rules is the first essential to good sportsmanship. When, there- 

 fore, the public is urged to observe the laws it is a request for co-operation in the 

 management of a valuable trust. Non-observance of the regulations, however unim- 

 portant the details may seem, is unfair to that ever-increasing family of sportsmen 

 and nature lovers who conscientiously obey the laws and pursue their recreational 

 pleasures from the highest standard of sportsmanship. 



There is an additional reason why the public should accept an ever-increasing" 

 share of the responsibility for the protection and proper use of of our wildlife re- 

 sources: we refer to their value — material and recreational. The material worth of 

 this important heritage cannot be properly computed but it is not too much to suggest 

 that thousands of our citizens derive their livelihood either directly or indirectly from 

 this natural resource. The commercial fishing industry, the fur business, transporta- 

 tion companies and tourist caterers — all these are directly interested, but in addition: 

 there are the allied industries which supply food, equipment and the requirements of 

 transportation and accommodation. This natural heritage is rich in material wealth, 

 and, being capable of renewing itself, becomes a perpetual annuity which only our 

 own shortsightedness will dissipate. 



Amendments enacted by the Legislative Assembly and which became effective 

 during the year included the following provisions: — 



(a) The pelts of bears taken by licensed hunters not to be subject to the pay- 

 ment of royalty when exported or tanned. 



(b) Prohibiting the use of snares for any purpose in the Counties of Dundas, 

 Durham, Glengarry, Lanark and Stormont. 



(c) Applicable in the Counties of Elgin, Haldimand, Middlesex, Oxford, Waterloo, 

 Lambton and Welland, a daily limit of catch of six cotton-tail rabbits and 

 prohibiting the sale or purchase of these animals. 



(d) Prohibited hours for shooting to extend during the period between one-half 

 hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. 



• (e) Permitting the use for hunting purposes of an automatic shotgun so per- 

 manently plugged as to be capable of holding not more than three shells at 

 one time. 



(f) Prohibiting the possession or use of rifles during the open season for 

 pheasants in areas where the said open season prevails. 



(g) To provide that shipping coupons be attached to deer and moose hides dur- 

 ing transportation. 



(h) To provide for the issuing of special permits to authorize the transportation 

 of the skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals by aeroplane or by any other 

 manner other than by express or parcel post; and providing a penalty for 

 any violation of this Section. 



(i) Authorizing non-residents to include not more than fifty wild geese lawfully 

 killed by them among the game they are entitled to export in any one 

 season. 



(j) Providing a penalty of not less than $10.00 and not more than $100.00 for 

 each maskinonge taken contrary to the Regulations which apply. 



(k) Making it necessary to secure the approval of the Department before any 

 lease may be issued subsequent to the promulgation of this Regulation 

 granting exclusive fishing rights to any person in any stream or lake which 

 has been stocked with fish by the Department at any time after May 1st, 1934. 



