and motor vehicles. A total of 13 automobiles seized during the year illustrates 

 the degree of risk to which some poachers will go, since seizures of major equip- 

 ment are not usually made unless the nature of the offence is such as to demon- 

 strate clearly that it was praneditated, 



HUNTER SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM n 

 In Ontario, in the calendar year 1960, there was a total of 154 hunting 

 accidents, with 36 of them being fatal. The reports on these accidents showed 

 that nearly all happened through carelessness and failure to observe the common 

 sense safety rules, although in a numbier of cases carelessness accompanied a . 

 violation of the hunting regulations. This emphasizes only too clearly the con- 

 tinuing need of the Hunter Safety Training Course, with which is included a few 

 basic facts concerning wildlife management. 



Prior to 1959 our hunting accident records showed an annual average of 71, 

 over a five year period, though not all accidents were reported. In 1959, this 

 figure increased to 88 due to more efficient methods of collecting reports. 

 Since 1959, the Ontario Provincial Police have notified us of all gun accidents 

 coming to their attention. These, along with the reports of the conservation 

 officers now give us virtually 100% coverage. The increase to 154 in 1960, how- 

 ever, appears to be a real one as compared to the previous year, and not simply 

 a matter of improved recording. This shocking toil is a matter of great concern 

 to all officers of the Department. 



Disregard for the game laws has produced a disturbingly high number of our 

 hunting accidents. About 12% of the shooters involved in accidents were contra- 

 vening one or another of the laws and regulations. Of these shooters, 14 had 

 charges laid against them. In addition there were 15 youngsters, too young to 

 hold a license, involved in shootings but on account of their age were not charged 



114 



