1912 GAME AND FISHEEIES. 



The wisdom of allowing only one deer to be killed by each hunter instead, of 

 two is already apparent. Express companies in 1909 carried 3,923 deer, and in 

 1910 only 3,468, a decrease of 1,455. 



Fur Beaeing Animals. 



There is no perceptible increase in the number of otter in the Province. Beaver 

 have increased very rapidly, and are returning to the original beaver meadows in 

 large numbers. Complaints frequently reach me to the effect that these interest- 

 ing engineers are damaging private property by flooding roads and meadows. On 

 investigation it has only been necessary in a few cases to destroy their dams. A 

 large number of mink are killed in the Province. The skins of those killed early 

 in the season are of small value. Muskrat appear to be as numerous as ever, which, 

 when we consider the large number killed annually, is most surprising. A large 

 business is done in all the more common varieties of fur bearing animals. 



Duck shooting has not been as satisfactory as in former years, in a large 

 measure due to the almost unprecedented low water, many of the private preserves 

 having little or in some cases no water in their ponds. 



Puffed Grouse (Partridge) have been numerous, affording good sport — sport 

 to such an extent that many so-called sportsmen have forgotten how near exter- 

 mination of these grand and hardy game birds had been reached a few years ago. 

 If shooters in general in the future are not more reasonable and satisfied with less 

 slaughter it will be necessary to further reduce the open season and limit the bag. 

 In fact the time has arrived in the interest of the Province and perpetuation of 

 game in general to impose a general license fee for the privilege of killing any 

 species of game. 



Quail. This is another species of our grand native game birds, as useful as 

 they are beautiful. Severe winters make sad havoc of them, and improved farming 

 and wire fences have destroyed both their winter food and shelter. Since the export 

 of live quail from the United States has been prohibited, we have been unable to 

 procure birds from there as in the past for re-stocking. Therefore it may be 

 necessary to establish a small quail-breeding farm in the most suitable locality for 

 that purpose. Such a farm in charge of a man interested in his work, I believe, 

 would be successful. Quail should be specially available for this purpose. Much 

 has been written and said in favor of introducing game birds from Europe to take 

 the place of our native birds, adapted by nature to withstand and survive our severe 

 winters. We are not likely to be more successful with imports from milder climes. 



Migratory Game Birds. Snipe, Plover, and the elusive Woodcock are to be 

 found in their usual resorts, but in reduced numbers. Some good bags have been 

 made by the initiated, these being the exception. 



The Staff of the Department, Inspector?, Overseers, and Deputy Game and 

 Fishery Wardens have given the Department faithful and effective service. I de- 

 sire to extend my sincere thanks to the employees of the Departments of the At- 

 torney General and Lands and Mines for their valuable and very effective assistance 

 so kindly rendered when and wherever required. I further desire to tender my 

 warmest thanks to Railroad and Navigation Companies for their generous assis- 

 tance to the Department in re-stocking, transportation and other matters. 



All of which is respectfully submitted by 



Your obedient servant, 



E. TiNSLEY, 



Superintendent. 



