1931 ANNUAL REPORT. 1930 3 



Deer. — In the extreme northwestern section of the Province, i.e. the districts 

 of Rain}' River and Kenora, and in that portion of southern Ontario in which 

 there has been an absolute close season on these animals, conditions have shown 

 improvement, while in the northerly sections of southern Ontario, and the 

 southerly sections of the eastern end of northern Ontario, where possibly the 

 most intensive deer hunting takes place, the most optimistic statement would 

 be that conditions are about the same as in the past few years. 



Moose. — Some slight improxement is noticed here, especially in tiie north- 

 western portion of the Province. 



Caribou. — There is a clo'se season throughout the Province on this species 

 at present. Conditions are improving and numbers on the increase in the north. 



Ruffed Grouse or Partridge. — This species has increased in numbers very 

 considerably, the improvement undoubtedly being attributable to the close 

 season which has been in existence in late years. 



Sharp-tailed Grouse or Prairie Hen. — These birds are prevalent only in the 

 northwestern section of the Province, from where it is reported that they are 

 increasing in number. 



Quail. — Owing to climatic conditions these birds have not been as plentiful, 

 and at present are found only in the southwestern counties. 



Ducks. — These birds continue to be plentiful, and to afford good hunting. 



Pheasants {Ring-necked) . — Doing extremeh' well in the southwestern portion 

 of the Province. They are now also found in the southern portions of the 

 central and eastern counties, though the success which will attend their intro- 

 duction to this last-mentioned section will depend very largely on climatic 

 conditions. During the year, arrangements were considered, having in mind the 

 transfer of the pheasant propagation activities of the Department from the Bird 

 Farm at Eugenia, to the property acquired at Codrington. in the county of 

 Northumberland. 



The general public continues to show a very keen interest in the work of 

 getting this species established where conditions are conducive to success, as 

 is evidenced by the fact that in 1930, some 12,000 pheasant eggs were distributed 

 to 679 applicants. The birds hatched from these settings, when capable of 

 taking care of themselves, are liberated. The co-operation received along these 

 lines is very deeply appreciated. 



Supplementing this work, 1,578 adult live ring-necked pheasants were 

 liberated at various points by the Department, from stock raised at the Bird 

 Farms at Eugenia and Normandale. 



Hungarian Partridge. — There are some signs of improvement apparent in 

 conditions as they affect these birds in the central counties where the introduction 

 has been undertaken. 



Plover and Snipe. — These birds are extreme!}' scarce. 



FURS 



There was a considerable decline in the number of pelts on which royalty 

 was paid during 1930. Market conditions and the j)revailing low prices f)ossibly 

 had the effect of impressing upon trapfjers the advisability of curtailing ojierations 



2— G & F 



