246 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



are slowly increasing in numbers. The wolves appear to 

 have migrated westward. Before the park was established 

 moose were almost exterminated, but, owing to the increased 

 protection given to them, they are now abundant, and it is 

 no uncommon experience to see three or four during a day's 

 travel in the park. The antlers of these Quebec moose are 

 not as large as those of the New Brunswick animals, any 

 having a spread of over fifty-five inches being considered a 

 large head. Mr. Hall informs me that there are a few red 

 deer, a profusion of beaver, many black bear, and a full 

 complement of the fur-bearing animals. These facts I was 

 able to confirm when I visited the northern region of 

 the park in 1911. The lakes are teeming with splendid 

 trout. 



The policy adopted in administering the hunting priv- 

 ileges in the park is an excellent one from the point of view 

 of conserving the wild life. On those borders of the park 

 that are most open to the inroads of poachers, such as the 

 eastern side, moderately sized areas are leased for five-year 

 periods to individuals or clubs. The lessee is required to 

 appoint a guardian approved by the department, and to have 

 the leased area adequately and properly protected. The 

 guardian thus becomes a useful servant of both his em- 

 ployer and the government. Formerly the game and fish 

 on the eastern and western borders of the park suffered se- 

 verely from the inroads of poachers, but, owing to the method 

 of leasing areas, a series of clubs and private holdings now 

 very effectively protect those borders. Not only has the 

 game in the leased areas increased, but it has spread into 

 the other areas, to the general benefit of the interior of the 

 park. 



Som3 years ago in certain sections of the park bears had 

 nearly disappeared, now they are abundant; beaver were 

 almost exterminated, now they are a nuisance in certain 

 areas. 



