THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



Game and Fisheries Department of Ontario 



TO: THE HONOURABLE H. C. NIXON, 

 Minister in charge, 

 Department oi Game and Fisheries. 



SIR:- 



I have the honour to submit to you herewith the Thirty-fourth Annual Report 

 of the Department of Game and Fisheries, outlining a summary of the activities of 

 various Departmental services, and including statistical tables for the fiscal year 

 ended March 31st, 1941, as well as tables of comparison. 



INTRODUCTORY 



The Province of Ontario has been endowed with a wealth of natural charm, with 

 which have been incorporated many opportunities for the enjoyment of outdoor recrea- 

 tional pleasures. Its extensive water areas, virgin forests and wild lands all combine 

 to make this Province a tremendous reservoir for the development of wild life. Not- 

 withstanding the many physical changes that have taken place in past years it has 

 been possible to maintain this outstanding characteristic in large measure, particularly 

 in the northern hinterland. 



In the development of the Province its vacation and recreational possibilities 

 have not been neglected and the protection and propagation of fish and game have 

 been maintained and extended so as to keep pace with material development. The 

 excellent fishing and hunting which are available within our borders are undoubtedly 

 important factors in promoting tourist trade, and the economic value of this seasonal 

 industry is too obvious to require any comment except that it provides a living for 

 thousands of our citizens, and in the present emergency plays a prominent part in 

 establishing foreign exchange for the purchase of essential war materials. 



This Department co-operated with the Provincial Travel and Publicity Bureau 

 in providing an interesting and outstanding exhibit at the Sport Shows conducted 

 in Chicago and Detroit during the months of February and March, 1941, with the object 

 of endeavouring to attract increased numbers of American tourists to the Province. In 

 each case considerable interest was displayed in the exhibit and the available literature 

 was eagerly taken up, A special attraction at this exhibit was the regular showing 

 of coloured moving pictures, replete with action, and demonstrating that the claim 

 that Ontario is a sportsman's paradise was no idle boast. The friendly spirit of the 

 people was very evident and, from the standpoint of improving the agreeable relations 

 between two good neighbours, apart altogether from the economic value, the exhibit 

 was quite successful. 



The general protective programme has recognized the various phases affecting 

 supply and demand and made provision to maintain a proper balance. Large areas 

 of suitable land have been set aside as sanctuaries for game, ensuring reproduction 

 and perpetuation. Small game has been intensively propagated and released to re-stock 

 forest and field. Hundreds of millions of fish are artificially raised in the various 



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