1923 GAME AND FISHERIES 9 



Miner Farm Sanctuary Essex County. 



Peasemarsh Farm Sanctuary Grey County. 



Xopiming Game Sanctuary Carleton and Renfrew Counties. 



Eugenia Fish and Game Preserve Grey County. 



Peel Game Preserve Peel County. 



The wild life of the Province of Ontario is considered, and has been definitely 

 determined as one of the most valued assets of the Province, which must be 

 protected , but not, however, to the exclusion of the pleasure of the sportsmen or 

 the out-of-door enthusiast. As the population increases and the advance of 

 civilization encroaches the covers and protective areas of all wild life, a pro- 

 prietorial condition arises, that, of necessity, upsets the balance in nature, and 

 the Department is forced to adopt various measures by which the perpetuity 

 of wild life may be insured. Certain sections of the province with natural cover 

 for fish and game, have, of recent years, been made more accessible to the fisher- 

 men and hunters through the development of the automobile. This fact, together 

 with the increased number of anglers and sportsmen, naturally calls for the 

 establishment of more or less drastic measures and a strict enforcement of the 

 Act, for the perpetuity of wild life, and it is such a condition that necessitates a 

 close or extended close seasons upon our fish, game birds and animals when 

 threatened with extermination, a cutting of bag limits, and the limiting of a 

 season's kill or catch, the establishment and maintenance of Crown Game and 

 Fish preserves, and any other means and methods that would be in the interests 

 of wild-life preservation. 



Further suitable areas set aside as sanctuaries would be in the best interests 

 of conser\'ation. Some improvement and development work has been carried 

 on at the Eugenia preserve with provisions made for the care of birds, animals 

 and equipment necessary for the display at the Canadian National Exhibition 

 each year, as well as work carried on for the collection of speckled trout spawn 

 and the rearing of English ringnecked pheasants. Approximately 3,000 pheasant 

 eggs were produced, some of which were hatched on the preserve and a number 

 of settings were furnished to sportsmen and farmers in various parts of the 

 Province, with a view of establishing these fine game birds in various sections 

 by what is considered to be the most effective method. Most of the birds 

 reared on the preserve were kept for further propagation work, while a few were 

 allowed full liberty in order that it could be determined whether these birds 

 could be successfully established in most parts of the Province. All pheasant 

 eggs distributed and birds derived therefrom remain the property of the Crown, 

 and are subject to all the provisions of the Act and its regulations. 



Planting of Wild Rice. 



During the year a further supply of wild rice was furnished to each district 

 warden, who instructed his overseers in regard to the waters in which same 

 would be sown, and this work, which has been carried on for a number of years, 

 has met with the full support and appreciation of the local game associations. 

 A continuance of this policy would be advisable in view of the success attained 

 and the benefits resulting therefrom. 



Game. 



Deer are still reported to be quite plentiful, although any relaxation in the 

 enf(jrcement of the Act or in the present laws would seriously effect the continued 

 supph'. 



Moose would appear to be less nimierous, and the ninnbcr of moose licenses 

 sold has decreased. 



