ANNUAL REPORT, 1941-42 17 



I 



GAME AND FISHERIES ACT: — 



The only amendments adopted applied to the Fisheries Regulations, and the 

 principal changes included, — 



(a) (Minor alterations in the dates of the open seasons for pike, yellow pickerel 

 and lake trout; 



(b) The provision of minimum size limits with respect to yellow pickerel when 

 taken by angling, 13 inches, and for maskinonge, 24 inches; and 



(c) A daily limit of catch was provided to apply to perch when taken by angling, — 

 viz: — fifteen (15) per day for the waters of Lake Mindemoya (district of 

 Manitoulin), and twenty-five (25) per day for other provincial waters. 



Regulations provided during the year by Order-in-Council not elsewhere referred 

 to in this Report included: — 



(a) The issue of permits to authorize the operations of those engaged in the sale 

 of gill nets, in accordance with Section 17 of the Game and Fisheries Act, 

 and requiring submission to the Department by such permittees of monthly 

 returns showing such sales; 



(b) Authorizing the issue of a non-resident angling license for a restricted period 

 of time, viz: — three consecutive days, at a fee of $2.00. 



(c) To prohibit the hunting of deer and moose in the territory lying within a 

 distance of one and one-half miles on either side of Highway No. 70, between 

 Kenora and Fort Frances; and 



(d) An open season for black and grey squirrels in southern Ontario, south of the 

 French and Mattawa Rivers and Lake Nipissing, except in the counties of 

 Essex and Kent, October 24th, 25th and 29th, and November 1st, and in the 

 counties of Essex and Kent, October 24th and 25th, and providing limits of 

 catch not to exceed five (5) such animals per day. 



ENFORCEMENT 



The Department's field officers are an essential part of the administration services 

 which are provided, and they play an important role in the conservation of the resources 

 with the supervision of which we are charged. Every member of this service has an 

 extensive district to cover and their work is made less onerous by reason of the co- 

 operation they receive from interested sportsmen who devote a measure of their en- 

 deavours to seeing that the depredations of the poacher and the law breaker are neither 

 countenanced nor permitted. Valuable assistance in this work of enforcement is also 

 received from the many members of the Provincial Police force. 



A voluntary group of sportsmen and nature lovers known as Deputy Game and 

 Fishery Wardens lend a great deal of moral and practical support in checking and pre- 

 venting violations of the provisions which are in effect. These honourary officers are 

 supplied with proper identification and under their appointments are provided with the 

 necessary authority to take individual action where such is demanded in the instances 

 which come under their observation. 



The Department would naturally prefer to find respect for the law so complete 

 that prosecutions would not be necessary, but until such a condition does obtain vigor- 

 ous action to discourage infractions, minor or otherwise, will continue to be taken. 



In addition to the work of the regular enforcement officers, Provincial Police, 

 and Deputy Game and Fishery Wardens a great deal of co-operation and support is 



