192 



particular person, and it is found very difficult for that reason to reach those who 

 break the law. If the deer in Ontario are worth preserving they must be pre- 

 served thoroughly, and this should not be delayed for a single day. 



The appointment of an efficient force of Game Wardens would be of incal- 

 culable benefit to the country, and go far towards protecting and preserving the 

 Game and Fish of the whole Province. 



It has been suggested to your Commissioners that a law ought to be passed 

 allowing pioneer settlers to kill deer for their own family food at all seasons, but 

 your Commissioners cannot recommend such a measure, as it would almost cer- 

 tainly lead to abuse and tend towards confusion. 



MOOSE, ELK AND CARIBOU. 



Your Commissioners strongly recommend that the protection of these ani- 

 mals be continued. 



The evidence taken, points conclusively to the fact that the protection lately 

 extended to this noble animal has had the effect of materially increasing its 

 numbers, but illegal slaughter still continues. 



The hunters who kill the moose to-day in Ontario do so principally for the 

 sake of the flesh, or for the sake of gratifying their desire to kill large game. 



Neither the skin nor the head can be openly disposed of or kept, and these 

 are generally sunk with heavy weights into deep waters to prevent the possi- 

 bility of detection, whilst the flesh of the slaughtered animal is eaten as a delicacy. 



Your Commissioners recommend that special efforts should be made to con- 

 tinue the protection of this animal and to mete out strong punishment to the 

 human assassins who continue in their efforts to exterminate it. 



V 



BIRDS. 



Your Commissioners find that the supply of Game Birds is growing gradu- 

 ally less in the Province. The difference in the close seasons for the various 

 birds, has unquestionably much to do with this, as many birds are shot out of 

 season by hunters who are pursuing other game, which at the time may be law- 

 fully shot. 



The extent to which the Game Birds of the Province are being slaughtered 

 for exportation to the United States of America is almost incredible. Boy.s are 

 hired by stage-drivers, train hands, commission merchants and others, to bring 

 in as large a supply as possible, and. the extermination goes on incessantly, 

 although the price paid for the birds brought in is often hardly enough to pay for 

 the powder and shot used in their destruction. The American hotels and restaur- 

 ants are liberally supplied with Canadian game, whilst in Ontario only those who 

 are rich can afford the luxury of a game dinner. 



Your Commissioners are unanimously of opinion that the exportation of all 

 kinds of game from the Province should be prohibited. 



Your Commissioners find that much game is sold out of season by game and 

 fish dealers, under the pretence that it has been imported. Your Commissioners 

 are therefore opposed to the unrestricted importation of game, unless it can be 

 so marked or labelled at the Custom House as to be easily identified. 



This method would go far towards stopping the sale of birds shot out of 

 season, and your Commissioners recommend that the Dominion "Government be 

 memorialized on this subject as well as on that of the exportation of game. 



