REPORT OF No. 32 



Deputy Wardens. 



There has been a slight increase in the number of Deputy Wardens on the 

 list, being 434, as against 422 for 3905. Many of them have done good work in 

 their respective localities. 



Game Laws. 



From reports of Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and those on special service 

 during the open season for Moose, Caribou and Deer, I am glad to be able to 

 report that the Game Laws have been fairly well observed. Of course the 

 difficulty of effectively enforcing the Game Laws in the northern portion of 

 the Province, in which railroad construction prevails, will be understood by 

 those conversant with the situation. When we take into consideration the 

 large number of ignorant foreigners employed on these works, most of them 

 having cheap guns in their possession, it is not difficult to realize the impos- 

 sibility of effectively enforcing the Game Laws in the vicinity of the numerous 

 construction camps until the laws prohibit the possession of fire arms by any 

 person in the camps referred to. A similar provision applicable to all lumber 

 camps is urgently required, as I have stated iri former reports that those who 

 knowingly and wilfully violate the game laws for the purpose of trade, barter, 

 or to feed employees, viz., storekeepers, fur dealers, commission merchants, and 

 those in charge of lumber camps should be fined to the fullest extent for each 

 and every infraction. This can only be accomplished by having wardens charged 

 with the duty of inspecting lumber camps, stores, etc., empowered to act as 

 justices of the peace for the entire Province. It should be apparent to those 

 who have given this matter the least consideration that the Province receives 

 scant justice from many of the J. P.'s under obligations to wealthy lumber and 

 other companies. This feature unfortunately prevails to some extent among 

 others whose duties bring them in contact with those in charge of lumber 

 camps. I am convinced that it is expedient for the protection and preservation 

 of all species of small game in the Province to collect a license fee for killing 

 any species of game. This would also have the much desired effect of preventing 

 country storekeepers employing boys to shoot partridge for export. This 

 would enable the Government to provide more effective espionage in the northern 

 districts, where this practice prevails. It would also provide funds for such 

 additional work, and would also prevent many accidents resulting from guns 

 in the hands of careless boys. Such action would have the approval of sportsmen 

 and the general public. The continued abuse of the privileges accorded tourists 

 visiting the Province by many of them would justify the Government in prohibit- 

 ing fire arms of any description being in the possession of tourists or guides in 

 the northern parts of the Province during the respective close seasons for game. 

 Guides should be compelled to procure licenses, and it should not be left optional 

 with them, as at present. Several of the United States now require both resi- 

 dents and non-residents to secure licenses before hunting. The returns for 1903 

 show that in ten of the States which have such a system, viz., Colorado, Idaho, 

 Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, 

 and Wyoming, the total number of licensed hunters was 261,241. The largest 

 numbers in any of the States were 78,823 in Wisconsin, and 95,250 in Illinois, the 

 average for each of the ten States being 26,124. Licenses for hunting small game 

 are not required by residents of Minnesota. Michigan, Wyoming or Nebraska. 

 This proves, owing to the rapid increase of population and decreased cost of guns 

 and ammunition, how urgent the necessity has become for a general license for 



