10 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 (1944) 



The same period of open season prevails as in the case of wild ducks with 

 the exception that in the counties of Essex, Kent and Elgin the open season for 

 geese extends from November 1st to January 2nd. The bag limit is five (5) geese 

 per day and not more than fifty (50) during the period of the open season. 

 WOODCOCK: — While conditions as they apply to this species have shown some 

 improvement in a few sections of the Province, it cannot be said that they are in any 

 way plentiful. Successful hunting of woodcock has been available only in certain 

 southwestern, central and southeastern counties. 



The open season in 1943 from October 1st to 31st was applicable through- 

 out the Province, and the bag limits were eight (8) per day and not more than one 

 hundred (100) during the season. 



SNIPE: — Conditions with reference to snipe vary in different sections, and while 

 there are some sections in which they may be successfully hunted, as a general rule 

 they are not too plentiful. 



The open season in the northern division extends from September 15th to 

 November 15th, and from October 1st, to November 30th in the southern division. 

 Bag limits were twenty (20) per day and two hundred (200) for the season. 



PLOVER: — Thes birds are provided the protection of an entire close season 

 under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. There are no reports from any section 

 of the Province that they are plentiful though improvement has been noted in some 

 areas. The present restrictions are necessary for the preservation of this species. 



FUR-BEARING ANIMALS 



The following is a summary of conditions which apply to fur-bearing animals 

 throughout the Province, the information having been secured from reports from 

 the field officers: — 



BEAVER: — Reports indicate that this splendid fur-bearer continues to thrive in 

 areas which are suitable to its propagation, and to a. large extent this desirable con- 

 dition is attributable to the rigid control which has been provided in recent years for 

 its protection and the restrictions which have been made applicable during the 

 limited periods of open season which have been provided. There are of course cer- 

 tain sections of the Province in which the necessity for an entire close season 

 throughout the year still prevails if conditions are to improve and there are sec- 

 tions in the southern portion of the Province from which it has severed its connec- 

 tion probably for ever. 



Favorable reports regarding the conditions which apply to beaver have been 

 received from a majority of the northern Ontario districts and from the more 

 northerly portions of Southern Ontario, and in view of these reports provision was 

 again made for an open season on Beaver, in accordance with the following parti- 

 culars: 



(a) Throughout Nothern Ontario (except in that part of the District of 

 Kenora which lies south of the main line of the Canadian National Railway), and 

 in Parry S'ound, Muskoka, Nipissing (south), Victoria, Haliburton, Peterborough, 

 Hastings, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac, Renfrew and Lanark, from December 

 1st to 21st, 1943. It was provided that no trapper could take more than ten (10) 

 beaver during this open season. 



(b) In the county of Grey and in the township of Orillia (Simcoe), from 

 November 10th to 30th, 1943. Restricted to residents of the respective areas, with 

 the provision that no trapper should take more than ten (10) Beaver during the 

 season. It was further provided in this case that pelts so taken were to be forward- 

 ed to the Department by the respective trappers for disposal on their behalf. 



