I 



THE GAME ANIMALS OF CANADA 49 



Throughout the northern region of Ontario moose are 

 plentiful, and appear to be maintaining their numbers. In 

 certain good moose districts, such as the Port Arthur, Rainy- 

 River, and Thunder Bay regions, particularly in the Nipigon 

 Forest Reserve, moose are not only very plentiful but are 

 increasing in numbers, and fine heads are annually secured. 

 The opening up of new regions by the National Transconti- 

 nental and Timiskaming and Northern Ontario Railways 

 has resulted in a diminution of moose in certain districts, 

 and increased vigilance in their protection is desirable in 

 the regions now more easily accessible. In certain districts 

 idjoining the Transcontinental Railway, where moose are 

 irly plentiful, many are killed during the winter and are 

 lade a source of meat for the settlements all winter. The 

 leat is sold at prices usually varying from five to ten cents 

 3r pound, which is cheaper than other forms of meat. 

 In Manitoba the chief game guardian reports that moose 

 re plentiful in the north and northwestern portion of the 

 )rovince, and also in the east and southeast. Cows are 

 said to be more numerous than bulls. During the last few 

 springs a considerable number of moose have been found 

 dead, their emaciated condition indicating food shortage. 

 In addition, many of these animals were very severely in- 

 fested with ticks. Specimens of these have been submitted 

 to me and proved to be Dermacentor alhipictus Packard. 

 This species of tick was first discovered on moose, and there 

 is little doubt that severe infestation of such ticks was re- 

 sponsible for the death of numerous moose whose vitaUty 

 had been reduced by shortage of food or other causes. 



The northern woods of Saskatchewan, west and north of 

 Prince Albert, and stretching westward north of Battle- 

 ford, are well supplied with moose, which is the chief game 

 animal of the province. The latest reports appear to indi- 

 cate that they are not so plentiful as formerly. For this 

 reason the recent amendment of the provincial game laws, 



