14 REPORT OF No. 32 



Deer and Wild Turkeys. 



Deer and wild turkeys will soon be extinct in the western district in a wild 

 state. I do not believe there is a wild turkey left in the few remaining woods. 

 An occasional deer is seen in the vicinity of Rondeau Park. 



The Game Laws have been fairly well observed in my district during the 

 past year. 



I am, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



W. I). Wigle, 



Gfame Warden. 



Beaumaris, 3]st December, 1906. 

 E. Tinsley, Esq., 



Chief Game Warden, Toronto. 



Sir, — I have the honor of submitting my annual report in respect to game 

 over that portion of the Pj ovince which is in my charge. Judging from the 

 success met with by the various hunting clubs during the past open season it 

 would appear that the deer were holding their own. This certainly is the case 

 in certain sections and there is even a marked increase in some of the old 

 hunting grounds which have not been frequented by hunters of late years, but 

 taking the supply as a whole, I am afraid there is a decrease in the numbers. 

 We must not, however, lose sight of the fast that in many places up North 

 red deer are abundant, whereas some years ago the species was unknown. 



I was extremely sorry to notice the large percentage of does and fawns 

 taken out this year, numbers of the former having a larger flow of milk than I 

 ever saw at a corresponding season of the year. The only way I can account 

 for this is that probably owing to the mild fall of 1905 the " rutting" season 

 may not have set in so early as usual, and this being the case the flow of milk 

 would naturally be protracted. Trouble has been experienced with the Italian 

 element along the construction of the Canadian Northern and C. P. Railways 

 construction lines. This however applies more to bird-life and small animals 

 than to deer. Not that they would not kill the latter, but for the lack of ability 

 to do so. 



I would again respectfully suggest the expunging of clause 32 of the Act, 

 and thus place settlers in the unorganized townships on the same footing as 

 those in the organized, as I fear that the privilege is in many cases shockingly 

 abused. Partridges are reported very scarce in most sections (except to the far 

 north), and the prevalent opinion is that there should be a close season for one, 

 or even two years for these birds. If thought advisable a line could be struck 

 for this purpose say south of the C. P. R. main line to Sudbury, thence south of 

 the Soo branch. This should be done while there is yet a breeding stock left. 

 It is most gratifying to note the increase in beaver. The workings of these 

 animals are in evidence in numerous places which, before the era of their protec- 

 tion, had been devoid of them foryeais 



The protection of beaver and otter has been a most difficult matter to 

 contend with, and although we must not close our eyes to the fact that there 

 has been a large traffic in illegal fur, the protection has had a most beneficial 

 effect. I was most pleased to learn from some of the Algonquin Park rangers 

 that young broods of capercailzie had been seen. This would denote that their 

 introduction into the Province has been a success. 



