A total of 508 bears, 149 more animals than reported last year, were taken 

 during the spring hunt. Cochrane, Kapuskasing, and Geraldton Forest Districts 

 had the highest hunter success rates at 69.4%, 68.0% and 67.5% respectively. 

 Chapleau, Gogama, Sault Ste. Marie and Swastika Forest Districts were the most 

 popular areas to hunt bear this past spring. A prediction for continued good 

 hunting in 1966 is ventured. 



Upland Game and Waterfowl 



Small game species remain a most important part of the Ontario hunting 

 scene. In 1965, the sales of one dollar resident and summer "groundhog" licences 

 reached 381,372 and 43,434, respectively, while non-residents purchased 9,551 

 small game licences. 



Since a very high proportion of upland game and waterfowl hunting is done 

 close to home on a "daily" basis, the recreational values are high. Recent surveys 

 indicate that Canadian small game hunters average at least nine days hunting per 

 year. At this rate, Ontario's small game resource is producing about forty million 

 days of good outdoor recreation. 



Because such a high proportion of Ontario's human population is centred in 

 southern parts of the Province, a high proportion of upland game and waterfowl 

 hunting is done in southern counties and districts, to a very large degree on private 

 lands. Urban sprawl and the posting of private lands, are two major factors in 

 reducing areas open to the public. Fewer acres each year are available to a 

 continually expanding host of hunters. 



The problem of supplying hunting opportunities in southern Ontario is a 

 difficult one. Additional public hunting areas are urgently needed close to urban 

 centres. Sportsmen must show the utmost respect for private lands. Some method 

 must be found to protect and assist landowners on whose land the hunting is done; 

 several programs now are under consideration. 



Excellent populations of small game are available in Ontario. A partial list 

 includes waterfowl, pheasants, three species of grouse, Bobwhite quail, Hungarian 

 partridge, woodcock, squirrels, rabbits, hares, foxes and raccoons. A partial 

 summary of Departmental activities associated with the management of small game 

 species follows. 



Ruffed Grouse 



Widely distributed across nearly all forested terrain in Ontario, the "partridge" 

 is probably the Province's most important game bird. 



Department staff collected data on grouse populations and on hunting success. 

 One of the major uses of these data is in predicting annual availability of birds. 

 Grouse are cyclic, and undergo violent fluctuations in numbers over approximately 

 a nine year period, particularly in northern areas. Although brood counts 

 indicated slightly lower survival in 1965, hunting success was improved and more 

 nestings apparently were successful compared with 1964. Current information 

 suggests that grouse populations are on the upswing in many areas and success 

 rates should improve further in 1966. 



Tables 7A and 7B summarize information on average brood size and on 

 hunter success for ruffed grouse by Forest Districts. 



37 



