1926 GAME AND FISHERIES 5 



that a greater and more dependable supply of speckled trout can be obtained, 

 the Department has commenced work on Normandale Creek, where ponds and 

 other facilities are being constructed, and from satisfactory results so far 

 obtained, it would appear to fully warrant the expenditure undertaken. From 

 fry placed in these waters in the spring of 1924, the Department has now a 

 quantity of strong, healthy fish measuring from 6 inches to 10 inches, and it is 

 anticipated that three-quarters of a million speckled trout spawn will be obtain- 

 able during the fall collection. This result is beyond our earlier expectations, 

 and many million of spawn should be collectable from these waters when fully 

 developed. 



Game Preserves 



The propagation of English Ring-necked Pheasants was again successfully 

 carried on at the Eugenia Crown Game Preserve. A number of small areas 

 were created as Crown Game Preserves during the year, as well as the large game 

 preserve known as "The Chapleau Game Preserve," located west and north of 

 Chapleau, and such preserve contains approximately 2,850 square miles. This 

 has been advocated by the Department for a number of years, and with proper 

 administration will prove of great value in conserving both fish and game in 

 that district, as well as provide an attraction for the tourist. 



During the year considerable wild rice seed was planted in public waters 

 throughout the Province, and from reports obtained the planting from previous 

 years has been successful in improving depleted rice beds and in establishing 

 new rice beds as feeding grounds for wild life. 



Game 



Deer and Moose. — Big game continues to be plentiful, and another success- 

 ful hunting season has been reported. For comparative purposes the following 

 figures show the number of hunting licenses issued for the past five years: — 



Resident Moose 



Resident Deer 



Non-resident Hunting. . . 



Ruffed Grouse {Partridge) .—The scarcity of these game birds warranted a 

 continued close season for the year, and they are reported as being very scarce 

 particularly in the northwesterly part of the Province. 



Sharp-tailed Grouse or Prairie Hen are now quite well established in the 

 District of Thunder Bay and west thereof. 



Quail are not found in any great numbers except in the southwest part of 

 the Province where conditions warranted an open season of three days in the 

 Counties of Essex and Kent. 



Pheasants are now reported in a large number of counties, but not in large 

 numbers, except in the Counties of Lincoln and Welland, where conditions 

 warranted an open season for one day for a limited number of male birds. 



Ducks and Geese continue to be plentiful. 



Furs 



The value of the pelts on which royalty was paid during the year is in 

 excess of the previous year, although the number of pelts is somewhat lower. 



Beaver show a further decline, although not nearly as great a decline as for 

 the preceding year. 



