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GAME BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS OF MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES, ' .- i-t-. READ BT ■ •^r^-^- J. H. HUBBARD, F.Z.S., ■^'»" -fef Pretident of the Matiitobviiitn Club,' '^■■'i 't'. AT A CONFERENCE lElD IN TBI COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION - ": ^ • s. JULY 29th, 1886. ■3-^ - -J^J -a£ Alao, ati Appendix, giving Practimi Information for the QuJ^anee of ■-. ■■ ^''.i.'"- . Sporttmen. "'"'l-^'^'-^--. „'X- ■'^^ > , ■ -v * ^, .t.: f^' ^ ,n ;,^ SPORT IN TlIK CANADIAN NORTH-WEST. A TAPKR. 0\ THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS OF MANITOIiA AND THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES, UKAI) I!V 1 J. H. HU15BARD, F.Z.S., President of the. }fnn!li l''-i.- n,..,.r,.l f„o,, i, u.' ?""■'■'■' "''"■'' ''^ "■"■'"-""". 'o ne.t at „„ce. L^ ''"'""'?''. l-^l-ecl hy uXn. "■Vc togcher on ,L ^ ,"' "■'•■'■^ '^J-"- a,„| ,,,, citable l,o,„es ,vI,c,-o /,? ' "^■"S''' '""l^ing fo, •-"'-■^^ O.'livo,,.,, ,, „, i"^ 7;' f -g fa..,,, ,„eae, <"V<-n to this ,|a,. L " * ''"nnnshcl i„ t|,„ , g»",e,.e<, Curing .!„ CL?:'' '" '"''''' " *''-••■ egg numorou,,. ^fe^^ ,ettlin„ dol l"" '" "'« "'o' ' P-' >-.■ in t„e ™a.„e. a^clj';, '"^ "'■>' S- "^ t,. once,an" ^>n(ano, ^^<'^v- Hrun.swf,.!,,' '■ <'''' /■<'<■«< hen,| ' '•"' ""(''iu;il](.(j. ^"ti^'Vs, couple,! '^'^ ■""' giving 5coni(Mhi,s will ^« "« with the ^ ^''ginning of '"•t^^J Jjy nature ''"^^ a"fl class '» looking for ' ^^'^'^1- young. '^' for at Jcast in the least ^e laws are '^ tlieir egg^ ^'^'ii- comiuo. IT g»"ass of the ^^'G built iU > ^^i<- ])arent ^« of duck isist of i]^^. '"vas-back, iticly, gold 's of Jess 't^'-'s latci-. tJie world — tho Canada goose — followed by Brant, Koss's, and tae snow goose. The geese proceed due north, only stopping in Manitoba to feed and gravel. At this time (July) our lako shores are d ^ted with thousands, and their noise can be heard for miles. Their great breeding grounds are in the vicinity of James Bay, i>0° 30' N., yet they also choose the I'pper Saskatchewan and nortti of Prince Albert as a breeding ground. Swans, pelicans, sand-hill cranes, and herons come at the same time, while the waders or shore birds all follow about two weeks later. They come not in flocks, but promiscuously ; no one seems to know how, only that their numbers increase day by day. They breed every- where in the country around. September 1st is looked upon in jNIanitoba as a gala day by sportsmen. On that day not only the migratory birds can be shot, but the residential birds as well. All are good flyers, but sometimes late seasons occur. The residential birds are the pinnated grouse or prairie chicken, the ruflled grouse or partridge, the pintail or sharp-tail grouse, and the ptarmigan. Let us now look at each of these varieties of birds a little in detail, and it will be seen how well they repay a careful study : — Canada Grouse, Spruce Grouse, or Sprucf: Par- tridge.— This species is very plentiful to the north, and in the immense region between tho great lakes and the Saskatchewan, Athabasca, and Mackenzie liivers, and the liocky Mountains. Dusky Grouse (Obsciira) is to be found at the foot- hills of the Ixocky jMomitains. It is a very large bird, the flesh of which, however, is only choice when the bird is not feeding on buds. Pintail Grouse (Phasianel lus). — The neck of this species is without the obviously peculiar feathers which 8 ^ark the pinnated rrmn. .i. -geeock. There ,,,1,:::;;'';,™f'' ^^-e. »„<, t„e 1^ this ues a lauj s:rr; r"'"''"''' ^^-i'--- T"e head of the birf i. lilhlt' 'r"""-^«' ^-«'e-. ;™'ar, though tho cock feiL" ^'" "-™-' »- tlie hen. ™">'"- I.-"-ger and darker than ™. Now„-w..r, „,. iCt™ T'' '^"•"'"'^ ««'«■=- OP < -".Sto the rapid extension of eu^ti"? ^^<"«'^^'«»«»).- P'«nhfu, as the pintai, gL L ' 7' ''" '^"'^ ''-"t - l«'iaps a more rapid fl^er Itl f '' '^ '■'"■S''^. ""d «WMn Gnoi-sE a;^ ,,/'," g^d table bird. -oodiandbird,;:! Ltbit "Ih"" ^'— -^'>'^ .-^ ;" *'- edges of marshes. The !'""" ^"'^ ^''™'' '»d t--" ft out, and then it wi], act .1" """'" '"^ »•'" «"' grouse family, jhe hen has, , """''''■' °^ '^' °ther -*''^bro„-n a„d .hite. '' '^-'eveloped ruffle, varied -P'r^hiirrfj-^-"- «--.-There are -"^- p,u,„„ge is entirei;ie " ""' °' ^"^'^ ^''d. It, ^ortMv™ «"- cC::r,.rTMr?™ r-- ;^ortl, ^^ mnipeeosis and Churchill d' / "^ '"■'^''ds in ^Jan,toba some two week, ear .f""'"' ^' ^'''"™= '» bntieaves about the salt tim'"^ ''"" "^^ ^'-da goose! ^-^vi^ier3S;t'sr '^^^^^^ -'^ ^^ ">« around Lakes Winnipeg and Ar . '"'""• '' '^ l"»«f"l •^■•-'■l^-t, and to the nl^t^l ri;" ^'^^«»*atehewan . foM,,ov .XD jj,,,,, jj,,,,; !,^"'frt 0" rts return. f /■?- ^ ^^ouse, and the ^^ough definitelv ^^^^dish vascula"r '^Peci tympanum. °^^rged feathers, ^^^e sexes are ^«d daricer tiian ^^ ClIICKEy OF ^^^■« bird is not so '^ ^'-irger, and e bird. ilDCfK.-This i,s anc? scrub Jand ' ^og wilJ fifs^ ^« of the other ruffle, varied --There are ^is bird. Its ■Ot-^SE may be ^ latitudes. ^ breeds in ' returns to nada goose, ^^y in the ^s Plentiful katchewan eturn. 'e body of as is the 9 case with ducks, while the legs are longer. The species is also, as a rule, more terrestrial than ducks, while both sexes attend to their young. One notal)le trait, like that of the swan, is its mode of resenting intrusion by iiissing with outstretched neck. It is, however, easily tamed, though it always retains its peculiar call — a wild, unnatural Canada Goose (Canadensis). — This, as I have said, is the ])remier goose of the world — the common wild goose. Its bill, feet, head, and neck are black, though on thr chin there is a broad white patch, mounting on the sides of the head behind the eyes and sometimes broken on the chin. It is the most abundant goose in our country. Le.ssek Sxow Goose (Albatus). — This species visits us in the spring, flying to the north, and not returning by the same route when going south. Kobs's Goose ( Moss I). — This is the Horned Navy or Least Snow Goose — a very common and very small white goose, no larger than a mallard duck. Mallaiu) Duck (Boscas). — This comprises the Aild and domestic duck, of which its green head is a distinguishing feature. It is found in greater abundance than any other duck ; indeed, it breeds in ^Manitoba and the North-West Territories. Its nest may often be seen, in a ramble over the })rairie, to be resting on the ground, and made of rushes and rough grass. l^LACK Duck oh Dusky Duck (Ohscura). — This bird is of the size of the mallard, which it generally resembles. The crop of the mallard is, however, darker without, and white elsewhere, exce})t in the lining of tlu^ wings. The sexes are alike. The species is not very plentiful in Mani- toba or in the Xorth-West Territories. Pintail Duck {Dajila). — This bird breeds extensively in ^lanitoba. It feeds on the stubble in the spring, in large flocks, having its nest on the ground. MM| 10 I-ike other v^i.tie.s of d I ": "'T I""*-^ "^ «- -oriel. P'»-agod „„ek of jr!^-~"", ."""'' -J"*. tl.e finest "'"Try™ h'"'"^ a;,,;,!::. ""'"'"" "'«'" ^™"' «- its io^ne^-n'lt'Si'St t f "''"' ^™«-'''«««) -"ake.s -'■■-, and i« ,. ,„„, *^^;^^;; %^t.wti„g ,„ ,,, f*ortl,-M-e,.t Territories ft 't "" ^■'""'*' "»'' "'e ''"' - '"-gl. at tl,e ^^e a ci ! " ^^^'^ ^«'«--'' ; ti.e -area,, „,de.ec. ,„„,,, ^ Z7 ■'"'''''""-'' » <^'- top of the head, i„ ,;,„ J"]f ^'"J""*? S'-adually to the TJ>e bird is .(together .o„e /„ 'l 'T' "' "^ f«->>ead. f^'-"!'- Tl.e bill, l,„„-eve " 2 u" ^ '''"'"''' *?~- '» W^*ish throt,gl,out It' '''"'' "'■ b''"=k-be]ted but "'-.• 't.s head°..d';„; ::: "^v"'^ "-^ ^-t"g.-e.ish "^ «•« ^'nnada goose,' L"." '^ T"''^ ''™™'-^"--, "~-'-t once .aiJsT! j'-:^^^^^^^^ i'lJves, feeding at the € ^CK.^One of the P^rt« of the world. " ^^'^ ground. duck, th breeds "e finest "1 Hmited f^^ %J^t fron, the ^nerlcana) makes »^^tio,s during the -shooting in the .Tiie canvas-baek ^Janitoba and the yfoithered; the 'I'^^iout, or else gradually to the ^f the forehead, ^'anada goose in ^ack-belted but ^eet a grej'ish- y J^rownish-red ^ -brown. The »ot but admire ish bars much '^^^■»g to break iots across the gduck known ^s. Its every '^ the S2)i-ing '^■<^od; and I flavour from ^nm comes, Tiien tlm '^'g at the 11 mouths of rivers in large flocks, pulling up long grass, reeds, lily roots — anything in fact growing with roots like celery. Its whole diet consists of this, and its flesh becomes very choice indeed. Its value in the Winnipeg market is Is. Gd. and 2s. per pair; in New York, £1 ; here in London, L'2. Of these birds I have shot seventy in one day's flight-shooting. Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg are truly the sports- man's paradise. At only one day's journey from the city of Winnipeg, the Canadian Pacific Kailway and its branches now convey one to within a very short distance of these great shooting grounds. Goose Lake and Rush Lake, in the Territories, are simply alive with these feathered game birds. They go almost due west on their departure, retiring to British Columbia and California during the winter. Widgeon (Mareca). — This bird comes to us in the early spring. It is, in fact, about the first to arrive. It breeds in the North-West Territories in greater quantities than in Manitoba. American Green-Winged Teal {Garolinensis). — This teal is a common duck with us. It breeds in great (piantities in almost e\ery marsh, and is excellent in flavour. The Blue- Winged Teal {Discors) also breeds freely ill Manitoba, and is a choice bird to eat. The Cinnamon Teal (Cyanoptera) i^i not so plentiful as others of the same species, yet it may be found in good quantities further to the west. SrooN-BiLL Duck (^Spatula). — This is a great brectlor in jNIanitoba. Shoveller {Cb/peata) breeds abundantly in ^Manitoba and in the North-West Territories. It is not, in truth, a choice marketablo duck, yet it is not to be despised. Golden Kyk ok Whistler's (Glauckun). — This bird comos to us in the usual spring flight. It is by no means a choice eating duck with us. I 12 ™a'l du'ek, andtrv tlf J™" ''''I'" ''''^''"^ '" " ver, ;-;' nought bv .s{,.,Cen ;"?/''! ^''^^ It i^cllj .shot at. ail. '" '^'■"Woba, and, indeed, i« T'"^ specie, breeds freely ^d , " ,"" ''''''' »^«- ^* - «"'• ea.ing, and afford, go , fl 1 '' /" ^'^^ -»bers. ^- i- «i„g, .,ougb ti g ttr ""'"'•^"'' -" '^ '<--We,st need not beT„e ^reT; '" '^ '"'■"" ^ ">e »'-n abound in great nun be ' ;7' "'^ "-^'> -- - -nost prominent fou-is-tj'i. '/^''''^ "«"«™ec' only ^]>ortsme„. In doing tl,isl"t ' '" '""■^* '^'"''"•u to "-■\"' -«e ease., To K lliott " "^''""""'^"^^'^ -yindebte ! '■ '"'"''■"^ «--^*nt authori ; ,;, e ;"'^ ^""'^'^ ^-« 1 I (Mbeola) is a 13 ohi very S season. Jt ''' ^ct], indeed. is '.''^•^ "'« fed-Head '''Ootiiig.. ""^ i^^-"tiAd, and is lag'e. f'"^'^ -^ «^iore and ^^«'^^ Apri] till dsonlus), Prairie ^^)' Avocets (Ji,, ^S) (Americana) canus), \riJson',s ^^^0, M^oodcock ^^'eat .UirbJed «'« (Aumenius). ^^'^«es bittern, '''^^^'e a iiome in »f^ autumn. ^^"^^^ in the <^^ough some e^tioned only >'^t; known to ^y ^'"debted- • ^^'^'^'^e iater "^<^^d from THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE NOliTII-WEST. Carihou (Rangifer Caribou). — The first animal inhabi- tant of Manitoba, Keewatin, and the North-West to which I shall direct your attention is the woodland caribou. In colour it varies from a slate to a chesluat, white at points, while shaded underneath. Its chief anatomical peculiari- ties are the spreading helmeted horns (present also in tJie female) and its wonderful peculiar-shaped hoof with acces- sory hoof which touches the ground. There are other places in the New World where the caribou may be found — Newfoundland, Labrador, British Columbia ; while the Peace Kiver country, by all reliable reports, offers the greatest inducement in natural food and solitude, while its climate does not necessitate migratory trips of any great distance to get away from flies. In Manitoba the caribou inhabits that large tract of land lying between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg ; while in Eagle Pass, in the Selkirk Eange, it is to be found in greater numbers. Its principal food consists of moss, and I believe the animal would not live without it. The sportsman will find the caribou an animal well able to take care of itself. The meat is very good for food, when quite fat ; the hide makes an excellent leather, and when the hair is on affords good protection against the weather, wliik; the sinews make the best of thread. This animal, like the moose, can be domesticated, and makes a good traveller and willing beast of burden, being very tractable, and kept with very little expense or trouble. Every part of the caribou becomes useful after death to the trapper or habitant. The Moose {Alces Americanus, Jardine). — This, the king deer — the giraffe of our forests — the finest deer in all the world — sometimes exceeds a horse in size. Clumsy to look at, it is ungainly, yet very fleet and by nature well prepared to 14 look after itself (1,1 of man-that ;' i "^ ''''''''■"'" ^™«ons U it ,t n '» ••'<^' for it,e,f, are quite Z \ ""^'' '^"''' free '""''■ It '^ to the former tit !^^ "'"""''■^ '» ''l !«■.' -f -"'r -d .eemi„„; ;; '^'' ™-y -nark. a. V : -- .''""'or who has had tt iT™"™ "»''>'' ''"t wit "'•"■'"«' al, such remark l^r ^■'"'•' "' *«o'"- «"' ™<""ent when he looms u , . « "" '""^^ «' "^0 eritiea ;- *™d the earth, ^l :' " """ " «P-"ne„ of „ee T '-J;"y in our Canadian sltrf'" ""''"■'^ '' "" "- g n" A-' yet, though devoid o ^t " '" '°"'' '^'^ ^"'-gT our.sn,a„erdeer,it isposse i" 7 '"''"' ""■" '''■^""guislfe" ;•' l-*et adjustment, and!?'!'"'^""'" ™-"fo*its ;!•-"" -.St size and strengj, n"'"'^ ""' '^ "-1-ab 1 ;- -ari, a„ the woodef e.^ rjr , • '"^"^'^ »' "^ ^ i founfr "•' -^"^^ '^ -.oh e 1: ;f .^ '"«'«d-, . round m great numbers . "".xtensive, and it 1 Hudson Bay and in the el "" "" -"'^ o f*- ^" ^^lanitoba it I S :T ■'^ ^''-^ f--' .Slave I ■' ~"Senial, and is „uite '"^"'"^ ^''^'ever the locaiitj « ^-■^'-, and in .^^J^'!^^ ^'^^ «>« Buek ^Sj ' -- '-- ~rfli? *■' i "n "est:? a^cianeeofbrowseLJtn ;;::r ""™'- »<' - Pa% subs,,t, ; while its „re7 ^ °" '''^'''^' '* I'rinci- -•^-preading hoofs enable it ""''' "'' """'^ ^^ s treacherous of boe, t, '''"' "'«' «afety the n, . -j^^n -h see,ud;;^;:^ :,t^.<'. - ~t Of? nioiestation dnrinrY. ., '*'^^"ns, it js usual] v f,.«« ^ """^-»-rorfall,„,,,,^,4'-Jom -M '^ '^^ ^"e mercv covered whu f '^^ ^- eon,.,,,, '»« ^noose wild, free a«nnu].s i„ .,„ - '^J>pear- 'y ^•^"•'•i'-Jv-s as to it, 7'^H>/y;butwi,, «^ sliootin^ tliis ''^: '-^^ ^^^e eritieal f^''^"^^^ of deer as ",^^ ^^^oks strange '^'^-^^ ^^••^^inguis^.e; '^^^^"••^nifest.it.ejf ':''^ ^« inseparable '«i»abited at one ^'Sher latitudes, '^^nsive, and it ^^^e south of ^'« ^^reat 8iave ^"^ ^^^e locality 1 ' ^"^^^^ liiding ''^^•««ncl nearly '^'^ ^«^v- damp ' ^» tbese at '"^'^■s and .„ '■^'^^ ^'t J)rinei- ^«^'J and its '^y ^^J« most >^tii Jier caJf ■ount of its <^ ^akes its f 15 haunts more easily accessible to the hunter. When the winter opens in Manitoba and the North-West — that is gene rally from the 2()tli to the 30th of November — the moose quits the solitary roving life it has led during the summer. [I might say here that the natives, knowing its habits and haunts, often secure the young moose alive, and bring it up by hand quite easily. ]\Ir. Bedson, of Stony ]\lountain, Manitoba, has two now that I saw near St. Peter's Indian Reserve when they were quite young last year, and judghig from accounts I have received they are doing well.] Th(; animals a: winter aj)proaches herd in small numbers, and the males engage in furious comliats. Quietness is iinally restored as winter comes on, and the herds increase. They then seek a secluded place in the interior where shelter is good and food easily obtained, and there they remain as long as food holds out. At the slightest noise or appearance of danger they all make off in single file ; each treads in the track of the one before, so that in many places only one trail appears. The value of this animal's carcase for food, and the high quality of the leather manufiictured from its hide, combined with the great difRculty attendant on the pursuit, have rendered the moose the most celebrated object of the chase in America. Its powers of scent and hearing are unexcelled ; its wariness and cunning are proverbial ; so that one who is a successful moose hunter is acknowledged to have attained the acme of woodcraft. The flesh of the moose is a staple article of diet in the North-West Territories, and is considered quite as nutritious and palatable as ordinary beef, while the muscle and gristle of the snout and tongue are esteemed among the greatest delicacies. Its hid 'j affords the best leather for moccasins ; the long bristles of the mane are dyed b}"^ the Indian squaws, and worked into a variety of embroidery patterns, samples of which are exhibited in the Indian Bazaar opposite the IKMMaMP 16 game troi)liy in Uio Canfidian Section of tlio Exl libit ion. I know of several moose that have been broken to harness, and liave contested many races througliout Canada and at the usual race meetings held in Ontario. Indeed, I witnessed one race at Hamilton, ( )ntario, where the moose was succ( ssful against a horse, though I will confess he lookefl out of place, viewed from my position. The heatl and horns of the specimen I have here measure 5 ft. 3 in.; its companion on the tro])hy measures 5 ft. 2 in. I lay claim that this pair is unequalled in any part of the globe. The large male moose on the right-hand side of the trophy stands 6 ft. 3^ in. It no doubt fills the place that the two mammoth heads do, viz., it ^ size — 18. 3| hands high — has never been beaten to my knowledge. Last year, on my way down from jNIanitoha, there was exhibited in St. Lawrence Market, jNIoTitrenl. a moose shot by a party near Callander. It was, indeed, a large moose, standing 10;^^ hands, and weighing 1,L57 lbs. Thirteen heads and one life-size moose help to complete the list of this species as seen on the game trophy that are of my own killing and collecting. I hope some day to add a few more from the Peace Iviver country. Antelope — PRONCf buck (AntUocapra Americana ). — This wonderfully happy looking creature is, I claim, the sharpest in appearance of all the deer species, and affords magnific(>nt sport after you once learn its habits. It is a gracefully formed animal, standing i\ho\\{ four feet high at the chest, and three at the back, while from nose to tail it measures about five feet. Its colour is fawn, excepting at the throat, rump, flanks, and lower parts, where it is white. The eyes are wonderfully large, and the feet very peculiar in bearing but two hoofs each, the accessory pair being absent. The antelope is found in the North-West Territories west and north of Fort Qu'Appelle, at fa f( t •^ % ^xliihition. »r(il<(>ii to ii'onghout 1 Ontario, where the •onfess he The ho.'ul i ft. 3 ill.; I. I lay lie globe, he tro])liy t tlie two ligh — has 1 my way- Lawrence "alkincler. inds, and life-size seen on )llectiiig. cc Iviver mna ). — lini, the es, and ' habits, 'our feet om nose is fawn, r parts, ge, and Lch, the in the Vppelle, 17 at Maple (.'reek, McLeod, the plains of the Souris, and as far west as the liockies. J^ast y(>ar I saw them even on the foot-hills of the Koekies, very near Canniore, as the train was winding its way up to the summit. They an; very migratory in their habits, and wIuto one year they are plentiful, another season there are none. The antelope is generally alarmed at tlie first sight of anything unusual, but after its tirst fright is over it generally returns to sec wha*^ was the cause of alarm, I'ut a red handker- chief on a stick, when the wind is blowing over the antelope, to windward; the moving of the handkerchief soon tells the talc, for the bump of iiK^uisitiveness is so highly developed that he will deliberately walk up and face death within fifty or sixty yards of your concealment. With a Winchester repeater it is destruction to three or four at least before they are out of range. The J^ltfalo (Bison Americanus ). — This once valuable animal is now almost out of existence so far as ordinary sporting is concerned. Yet the Peace Kiver country is almost hidden from us as to what it really contains. Certain portions of it, of course, we know. There are regular trails to the Hudson ]5ay Comj)any's posts and Stobart & Sons' posts ; and even the Indian, when your guide, leads you only where he knows. As to what animal life exists, I may, in regard to numbers, well repeat the words of Mr. Lattouche Tupper, of Winnipeg, a gentle- man who has lived in the region. 'le says substantially wliat I have just repeated — that game exists there as it never did on our plains. The wood buffalo is a species of buffaio almost entirely confined to this district, as well as to the ^Mackenzie Kiver, Barren (i rounds, and the Great Slave Lake districts. Wood Mountains and Medicine Hat, in the Xorth-West Territory, were at one time the favourite resorts for hunting parties to shoot and slaughter this f f 1» once valuiible animal. Mr. liedson, of Stony INIounfain, is now tlio owner of 40 or 50, nearly all tliorouglibred buffalos. They are cared for on the plains simply by seeing that they do not roam away. In winter th»'y come up (|uite tamely, and arc fed regularly with hay — more, of course, to make them ui (h'rstand that they have a home, for as a rule they get their own fodder. During the entire winter, remember, the deepest snow we arc troubled with at any one time, until the spring, is about ten inches. Six is about our average in Manitoba until the breaking up in the latter part of February or the first of March ; then the weather moderates. Snow will, however, at times come daily. Now, to show the hardiness of this almost departed species, I will state an occurrence that took place on the open prairie in January, 1884. One of the cows calved on the open prairie; at the time the thermometer registered 38° below zero, and yet the calf lived, and both did well. Enterprising capitalists ore about to take the valuable herd belonging to Mr. Bedson and establish an experimental breeding farm for them. The JiMPiNCr Dker or Mule Dkek (Cr«rmc?xs macrotis). — This is the common deer of ^Manitoba. It is a much heavier animal than the Mrginian deer, and differs also from it in having a short tail terminating in a black tuft, in being of a greyer colour, and in having a dark patch on the forehead, a very marked bifurcation in the beam of the antler, and much larger ears. The ears are, indeed, very large — almost as large as those of the moose, though the latter animal is four times as heavy as the jumping deer. It is from this circumstance that the species has derived its name of " mule deer." This animal is found in INIanitoba, west of the Red River and south of the large lakes, where the country is suited to its habits. It prefers the dry woods and half s ■m. y AIoTinfain, lorouglibretl ly by seeing me up (juilo of course, to for as u rule iie ^vintor, I at any one ^ix is about 1 the latter lie weather daily. «t departed ace on the calved on registered 1 did well. liable herd perimental macrotis). i'"! a much also from <: tuft, in cli on the til of tlie eed, very ough the ing deer. 5 derived the Red untry U and half f 19 open country, avoiding the iiigh sand hills and damp bottom lands. The doe produces two, and sometimes three, at a birtli, and the young are at first beautifully marked with white spots on a brownish background. 'I'heir voice is a peculiar S(iueal, and bears no resemblance to the bleat of a sheep or lamb. The habits of this deer are about the same as those of all common deer. It chooses secluded spots in which to hide its young until the latter are able to follow. It differs somewhat, however, from otiier deer in shyness. It often stands gazing in wonder at tlie first sight of the hunter. If suspicion is founded on grounds of alarm, it will bound off, jumping a peculiar juni}), from which its name has been derived. It has often i)ut me in mind of a stiff jumping horse, yet covering ground well at every stride. In hunting the mule deer the same methods are employed as in the case of the Virginian deer, though I am disposed to believe that the latter is more wary and more difficult of approach. The excellence of the venison and the value of the skins of these two s[)ecios, as well as the noble sport afforded by the hunt, have all conduced to render their pursuit one of the most fascinating of field recreations. The still hunt is the only method I have practised with these species of dc(n'. Hounding deer is a method of which I do not approve, and in some countries it is forbidden by law. To hound successfully, a man nmst be well acquainted with both country and runways. When pursued the deer usually keeps to its regular paths or run- ways. The hunter, lying in ambusli, either takes a flying shot or makes a noise with a whistle ; for a second or two the animal halts, and there its death-warrant is sealed. But the still hunt is the true sportsman's method, for in it he must rely on himself aloue, and, to succeed, must combine in himself no little perseverance as well as pure 20 physical (^ndiimnce. Ifo usiuilly sots oft' alono on tho trail of a (leer; tho lirst fall of snow ^nv«s liiin a siiro trail. The animal has a fair chanro. JIc nwcts its strongth with «trcMit^th, its cunning with cunning, and its sj)eod with |H.'rseveranc('. Guided by well-known marks, he is sure the animal cannot he nnore than a few hundred yards away; and now he nmst prove liiniself as keen of sense and as stealthy of movement as a beast of prey, for this is the trying moment, and a trifle may crown or crush his hopes. Ht?, however, closes quickly ; soon he hears a rust ling sound, and his (juick eye catches sight of one large brown patch. All now depends on his skill, or away goes the object of his efforts beyond the possibility of another approach. The Common oil Virginian Dekk (Carlacua Vir- ginianus). — This deer has also been called "fallow deer," " long-tailed deer," " white-tailed deer," and " common red deer." But as the last name has also been applied to the wapiti, and the first does not belong here at all, much con- fusion will be avoided if we drop both in the present connection. This species is smaller and more neatly made than the jumping deer. Its average weight is probably not much over 100 lbs. The names "long-tailed" and " white- tailed "deer are highly appropriate, for the tail is about fourteen inches in length — longer than that of any other of our Cervida', and throughout its under surface it is conspicu- ously white. In form as well as in size its antlers are very different from those of the wapiti, as they curve suddenly forward so that all the tines are on the back of the beam. Though its habitat is common to nearly the whole of North \merica except the extreme north, the A'irginiau deer is far from being phnitiful in our province. Yet I have shot seven within the past four years. The Elk or Wapiti {Cervus Canadensis). — The elk 1 *5 L'l ' on the trail re trail. The n'ligth with sjjeed with u? i.s sure the yards away ; souse and as n- this is the sh his hoi)es. istling sound, brown patch, the object of )roach. irl(tcu8 Vir- fallow deer," common red iplied to the 1, much con- the present ade than the ly not much md "white- aii is about any other of is conspicu- iers are very ve suddenly >f the beam. )le of IS^orth n deer is far 3 shot seven — The elk I i i is known as tlie *•' wapiti," "hmI deer," or "stag," but as the use of tiie last two natiics would cause considorable confusion, they will not appear lien'. The wapiti or elk is ]»robal»ly the largest of the fiiniily that boars branching iiutlcrs, and of all the CervidiP it is second only to the moose in size and grandeur. A full-grown buck will usually stand from 4^ to ,1 fei't at tlio shoulders, and will wiMgh between .jOO and (KM) lbs. The female is smaller than the male, but is nevertheless a inaguilicent animal. The general colour is a deep chestnut ; it is darkest on the head and limbs, and on the rump suddonly changes into dull white. The antlers constitute the most striking feature of i he species, for it is ]»robable that thev exceed in size those of any other living deer. As with most of the family, they are the distinguishing elements of the male. A good idea of the elk's general appearance and carriage may be gathered from T.andseer's celebrat' d pictures of the Scottish red deer, a species almost exactly a miniature of the lordly animal of which I am speaking. At one time the elk was of general distribution in temperate North America, but its territory has been greatly diminished of late. Its chief strongholds at present are the foot-hills of the Kockies and the valley of the Yellow- stone. In the North-West Territories it is found as far north as the Liard Ixiver, and the number of lakes, rivers, and creeks which are named " Ked Deer" after this animal testifies to the universality of its distribution in this region. In Manitoba it continues to be tolerably common in the country north of Selkirk, and in the Pembina, Hiding, and Duck Mountains, while a few small bands still (1884) roam over the sand-hill and scrub country between Portage la Prairie and Brandon. The doe elk usually produces two fawns at (^ach birth, and for a few days hides them in the cover, repairing to f n this ivi real to sucklo them from time to time, until tliey are old enougli to follow lier nbout. She is unfailing in her watchfulness over her otifspring, and is l)oth able and willing to defend them from almost iiny of their natural enemies. So that the only liarrier to the elk in the North-West is gunpowder, and the only reast)n that it does not maintain its ground is that men are so short-sighted that they would rather have three o]k this year and never again another, than one elk every year for all time, or at least until some better use is found for the barr(Mi country of which at present tliey are almost the only inlKd:)itants. The cast-off antlers of the species are in some localities only less })lentiful than the bones of the buffalo, and testify to its former abumlance. The circumstance that these antlers are found chietly on the In'gh hills, Mr. Grinnell (of Forest and Stream) explains l)y tlie fact that the annual shedding takes place in the winter, when the depth of snow in the valh\vs comjx'ls the elk to frequent the comparatively bare elevations. I'lxccllcnt autliority as Mr. (irinnell is, I must differ from him, for in ^Manitoba, between the great lakes, I have had many opportunities of studying the elk, and I am under the im})ression that during the shedding of the horns it goes to the most secluded spot, even when water and muskeg are most preferred, and there drops them, tauglit so to do by instinct. The horns slowly sink out of sight, and, owing to the nature of the soil, are seldom seen In' man. As the country is developed. Govern- ment drains are constructed, the plough turns the horns up, and hence many wrong ideas are placed on their discovery. Every year these immense horns are dropped, and others formed — like jelly at tirst, a velvet coat soon covers them ; then I his coat wears off, leaving the new horn. On the tropliy in the Exhibition this peculiar freak can be seen in ♦^hc velvet on the lieads of caribou. The gamely appearance of th hi] t\J h, nntil tliey Tailing in her and willing [n-al enemies. )rfli-\Vest is maintain its tliey would n'n anotJier, until some 'Ji at present ne localities and testify tJiat these jrinnell (of tlie annual 'th of snow nparativelj n-innell is, 'tween the t" studj'ing during the ^cled spot, and there I'ns slowly e soil, are , Govern- horns n]>, discovery. I'l others I's them ; !e trophy in 'ho nince of I 4 23 the elk makes it the object of continual jiursuit during the hunting season, as their heads are eagerly sought for by gentlemen sportsmen for home decoration. There are twelve specimens on the game trophy, four extremely large. The hide of this deer is remarkably thick, and of great commercial value. Its meat is claimed to ))c nuich more jHitritive than beef, but it is said that one will soon weary of it, while some persons never like it at all. Jiefore dosing my remarks on the deer tribe, I must add that for their protection in Manitoba and the Xorth-West our laws are of the most stringent nature, and game guar- dians are ap])oiuted in every locality where villages and posts are established. Our Minister of Agriculture, the lion. .Mr. La Kiviere, has lent his aid unsparingly in their liehalf, with the assistance of his deputy, ]\Ir. Acton Barrows. The Game Protection Society of Winnipeg has also done wonders in this direction for a young society. They spare no one who even has in his possession evidence of having violated these laws; for in jManitoba and the North-West, daring the open season, everyone is permitted to shoot and kill all he can or wislies to, without a permit, if a resident. Beaks [Ursus A7nerlcanus). — The black and brown bears are distributed in almost every part of ■Manitoba and the North-West where timber exists. They grow to a very large size, and their coat is extremely hue, bringing a high figure in any market. This species never attack man, nwd is harmless unless wounded. But that much cannot be said of the grizzly bear ( Ursfis horrihllis) or silver-tip and cinnamon bear of the Ivockies, for if annoved at all their rush is certain death. Tiieir mode of warfare is to tear you open beneath your vest in the iirst charge ; and my advice to all hunters is never io use any other gun but a Winchester repeater, GO to 7') calibre, so that you can repeat as often as you like. For remember this, f" 24 with the silver-tip or grizzly of the Ilockies, if jou don't kill him soon, tlie hunt is reversed — the bear will hunt you. You will find he will be your unwelcome companion until you do, or escape ; and if once wounded he will attack anyone for days who may chance to come in his way. KocKY Mountain Shkhp (Ouis onontana). — This fine specimen of wikl sheep is found in our Canadian Kockies, from Canmore to the second crossing of the Columbia Kiver, and affords excellent sport, though with extremely hard work. It is, however, to be had, if one is aided by the Stoney Indians, who are magnificent guides and trusty men. By leaving the Canadian Pacific at Banff or JNIorleyville you can go for fifteen or twenty miles either side of the track, and within ten days return with good specimens. Previously it was impossible to reach this country except by horses, and yet I find many specimens in England, shot by English gentlemen, who made this long journey years ago on horse- back and waggons. Now it is an easy and pleasant trip, thanks to our great Canadian Pacific Railway, which will now take you to within fifteen or twenty miles of the sport. You can leave with safety all your surplus traps at the station houses, on your return finding nothing lost. Last year the distinguished chairman of this conference (Sir Charles Tupper) passed within ten miles of my camp in the Rockies, on his way to Winnipeg. I had at that time with me the two sheep you may now see on the game trophy. These specimens are reputed to be as fine as any in England. The jumping qualities of the Mountain sheep are wonderful. It is said that their leaps are from 40 to GO feet down, and that they strike on their heads, with their horns as a protection from concussion. I have never witnessed this leap myself, and do not care to substantiate the statement until I do, but from the great weight of the 4 20 if jou don't !• will hunt companion e will attack- way. • — Tins fine |ian Kockies, e Columbia 1 extremely titled by the trusty men. •leyville you >f the track, Previously by horses, by English ?o on horse- easant trip, which will P the sport, 'ips at the lost. Last 'rence (Sir Y camp in that time tlie game ne as any =5lieep are 40 to GO ivith their ve never )stantiate ht of the horns it is not at all unlikely. Their numbers are quite equal to true sport in the lianff locality. The head of a good male sells for I'lo, £20, and as high as £r>0, if the horns are evenly matched and not broken at the tips. The food is of good flavour, yet you tire of it very soon. I speak feelingly, as I had to help to cat one of that group on the game trophy last fall at l^anff, wlu>re [ was cami)ed, and I will frankly confess that a partridge now and then was more accei)table, IvoCKV Mountain Gtoat (A^jlocerns montanus, ]-5aird). — This peculiar and uncommon sjiccimen of goat is like- wise associated with the slice}), for on the same hunting grounds both are shot ; yet tlu^ goat is generally found higher up in the snow })caks. It is a rare animal even where it is shot, and is looked upon as the greatest clind^er and the most chary of all the mountain animals. It is not met with in herds, and very seldom finds its way to the foot-hills, confining itself almosi entirely to the U})])er portions of the dizzy In ights. I killed the one now on the game trophy ten miles from the shooting ]»lace of the sheep I have just mentioned. To hunt it, you require to go to the opposite side of tlie mountain and climb until you are above it. The same method is also a})plicable to the mountain sheep. The Canada Porcupine (Ereikhon dorsatiis) i?' found in .Manitoba and the Xorth-West — more numerously in the North-West Territories. Varyino Hare or White Kaijhit {Lcpus Amevicanus). — This is the common rabint of JNlanitoba. It is very abundant in all the wooded or scrubliy regions of the Assiniboine \'alley. Many observers have remarked that durimi some vears it is exceedinglv numerous, while in others it is com})aratively rare. It is said to go on multiplying for six or seven successive years, and then at length an h 26 < ei)i(lemic disease regularly appears and decimates its Tiuinbers. It is much subject to tlie attacks of the para- sitic tick, Ixodes hovls, numbers of which species may often be seen hanging on the throat and neck of the luckless rodent. The autumnal change of colour from brown to white not only takes place in cold regions, but I have observed it in our Canadian Eocky ^Mountains when tliorewas no snow on the ground. About November 15 there is an entire change from brown to almost pure white. These animals are excellent for food. The Pkairie Hake (Lepits campesiris) is also to be found along tlie line of the Canadian Pacific Ilailway. I have shot it at the crossing of the Saskatchewan and at Indian Head, and in the valley of the Qu'A])pelle Eiver. The IvACOON (Procyon lotor) is generally distributed througliout almost every portion of .Manitoba, but not in large numbers. The CfiiEY Wolf or Timber Wolf {Canis lupus griseo- alhiis) is now exceedingly rare, if not quite exterminated, along the Assiniboine, although it is not uncommon about Lake Winnipeg. Eichardson says of the American wolf that it burrows and brings forth its young in earths with several outlets like the fox. I liave seen some of these burrows on the plains of the Saskatchewan and also on the banks of the Bow Eiver. The number of vouncf in the litter varies from 4 or 5 to S or 9. There are eight specimens on the game trophy. The country north of Lake Winni- peg, and to the extreme north, is well ])opulated with timber wolves^. The further aorth one gets the lighter they become in colour. Canada Lynx (Lynx horealls Canadensis) is tolerably common in Hie wooded sections. The wild cat, or red lynx (Lynx rufus), occurs, though I never saw it myself. It is i coi fr. he; ci> tl lates its tJie 2)ara- Icies may of the lour from |ns, but I |ins when 15 tJiere p white. «o to be Jwav. I '^ and at iver. stributed t not in '^8 griseo- tninated, •n about burrows outlets on the of the varies cimens ^Viniii- I with r they erably 1 iynx It is 27 commonly confounded with the Canada species, but it differs fi'om the latter most tangibly in being smaller, darker, more heavily marked, and in having the tip of the tail black above and whitisli lielow. In Canadensis species the whole lip, above and below, is black. TiiK Pkatkie Wolf uii Covotk [Cants lairan.s) is common in the prairie regions, although seldom seen in the summer. My mode of securing this animal is not by cunning or traps. He is a great traveller, keen of scent, not afraid of you while you arc; in motion ; though, stop for a nionicnt and he is oflf. I have sliot it at niglit liy decoying it with a beef shank tied to a rope, myself concealed in an old caliin, moonlight aiding me. Wiien I felt a jerk on my end of the rope, I simply brouglit my rifle into position, and generally got my coyote. Tluy will come at night almost into a village, and feed on whatever is thrown away, acting like common dogs, and clearing out to the ])i;urie befin'e morning. The Pkkac: ok FrsiiEit (Mustela Peunantii) is very rare in the Assiniboine Valley, but not uncommon in the wooded region about the large lakes. The ]\Iai{tp:n or American Saijle (Mnsfda Americana) is (piit(^ })lentiful in the vicinity of all our great lakes. Ixichavdson says that they carry their \oung six weeks, and bring forth from four to seven at a litter. I never saw more than three in a litter, yet I fully belie\"e, from observation, that Ixichardson is correct. Krr Fox (Vidpes vclox). — According to Dr. Conf^-; this little fox is common along the SoiU'is l\i\'ei- at the boundary. It burrows in the open plains from the .'Saskatchewan to the ^lissouri. The Common I'ox (VuJpes fnlvus) is abundant through- out .Manitoba. A fox when detect(Ml on the black burnt prairie is always much more frightened than when in the 28 dry yollow grass. An individual that escaped with a trap on Ills fooi, though not alarmed by pursuit, went down every badger hole lie came to, in hopes apparently of leaving the traj) behind. Thci cr()s>, silver, and black foxes are mere varieties, and of very qut^stionable value. Tlie white (>r arctic fox (Vulpes Icif/opus) is to be looked for in the country north and east of Lake Winnipeg. The specimen I ha\e on the game trophy was shot near Selkirk, Manitoba, two years ago. Wolvkiunp: (Gido lascus). — The wolverine is very rare in Manitoba, and the evidence that it now occurs at all along the Lower Assiniboine is not by any means conclusive. It is, however, not uncommon in the north and east. .Afr. Wm. Clark says tliat in 1872 1,200 skins of this si)ecies were brought by the Hudson Bay Co. from the Peace Ixiver region, and in 1873 1,1)00 from the same territory. ^li\K (Paiorlus vlson). — This is a plentiful species throughout the province, especially along the rivers and creeks. During the winter it appears to abandon the aquatic life it leads in the summer, and often makes its winter quarters among the farmers outbuildings, where its presence is soon proved liy the nightly decrease in the number of poultry. At Totogan last year, where I was camped, minks were very abundant. Perfect security can be had on all our rivers for their increase, for the tall quill reeds line the banks, growing as high as ten feet. While passing up and down this ri\er last autumn I shot many. They would sit and look at me without fear until alarmed by splash of paddle or re])ort of gun. I never trapped mink, but have lived in a camp where 1,500 to 2,000 traps were set in the vicinity. The Skunk (Mephitis mephitica) is abundant through- out able wi\ mo( and .)f aei an 20 p' '"i trap |u-n every '^■i"8- the l^ii"^, and k looked Iff. The ^'^elkirk, Pry rare JI alonn- ive. It cs were region, '•species ^rs and Eiqnatie winter ■esence ber of ■>' were rivers 'anks, tlou'n and Lddle ived the gh- * out the country. The fur is very valuable, and was fashion- able witliin the past two years for trimmings. The skunk will seldom retreat either from man or dog, relying on its mode of attack, which is a sure defence except to an Indian, and I have seen even an Indian retreat at times. It is fond of water at certain seasons, and an excellent swimmer. Otter (Lidra Canadensis). — Apparently the otter is of general distribution, though exceedingly ran^ in the south and west. The northern otter is sought after ly all furriers for its great blackness. Norway House otters bring it handsome price in the Winnipeg market. The specimens I have here are one from Lake Superior and one from Norway House. By a close examination the difference is quite apparent, yet Lake Superior otters are very choice. They must also come from the north district around Algoma Mills, &c. Badger {Taxidea Americana). — An abundant s})ccies is found in the prairie regions of the south and west. The flesh diet of this animal is, I believe, composed chiefly of gophers. ]Mr. Seton says he has frequently seen places where a badger, guided apparently by scent, had dug down from twenty to thirty holes at intervals, so as to strike the surface burrow of some gopher, with a view to intercepting the little miner, and the evidence usually went to show that ultimately the rodent fell a victim to its indefatigal)le foe. The great strength of the badger is attested by the fact that if seized by the tail just as it is disa[)pearing into its hole it will brace itself with its fore feet and bid defiance to all the force of a strong man. One which was so seized I tried to dislodge by pouring water down the hole, btit it swelled out its body and so filled the hole that no water could get past it until a passage had been made by the insertion of a pole. 80 In the aul iimn of 1S84, 1 saw a great many badger tracks ard new earths afl> r the first snow had fallen. In lio[)Cs of finding a specimen "denned up" for the winter I dug to the bottom of several burrows, but in each case witli the same result. Tlie burrows all went down about six feet, and wliere they terminated it was unraistakal)le evidence that the badger liad dug down in search of some dormant gopher, whoso hoard of grain was in each case left scattered about ill the earth, and all of it more or less sprouted. The badger of ^Manitoba and the Xortli-West is by far the most superior of its race in any other part of the globe. I would call your attention to the one now before you ; it certainly speaks for itself. TiJE Beaver (Castor fiber), the last animal of wliich I have to speak, is very abundant in all places north of the great lakes. Its habits are conspicuous in the building of its dams, so that trappers find no difficulty in catching the entire family in a season. The fur is much prized, especially that of the far-north beaver, which is of a choice description. T have thus spoken of all the leading game of my native country, tlie Canadian North-West, and if I have served to convey an idea of the great field there for true sport, I am well repaid. May Englishmen in increasing numbers find there what I have found — game in abundance, and hearty enjoyment in its proper pursuit in our bracing and healthy air. Before closing, however, I may perhaps read two of many letters from sporting parties whom I had the pleasure of directing last year while I was myself shooting. The first letter is from Alderman John Maughan, of Toronto. His party consisted of David Ward, the gentleman who brought Edward llanlan to England the first time ; Mr. George Warin, the builder of Hanlan's boats ; and Mr. John Small, ]M.P.P. for East Toronto. This party may be said to represent the I cr( So iirr ivUl <.f[ Ml ur hi ai \l t (■ 31 :t'r tracks J'opos of >n the I'iJrd our party left for Westbourue Station, on the Manitoba ami Nordi-Western liailway, and from there drove to our ramp on the snuthcrn shore of Manitoba Lake, near the mouth of White Mud River (filled with lish — mapkeloiiLre. ])ickcrel, and pike — some of immense size), where we found cvcrythint;' ready for our stay. The weather was too warm for kcepinir j^ame. so that for some time we amused ourselves iishinij;. and ,tj;oiu,Li; thro(ii:ii the marshes so as to L'et the lay of the place for shootiiii; when cold weather would bc;:in. For several weeks the elianj^e in the temperature tlid nor take place; but the section alioimds with ^'ame, and we made up for lost time on ;^'ettin i^eese. and a(juaii!it\ of Iar,ij;e jilover. partrid,L!;e, rabbit, oic. ; and even then the residents on the adjoininj.'- farms to the marshes informed us that the season was a jioor one for same on account of the water l)eim;- unusually low. A more beautiful .section of conntry could not 1)C found tlian the belt of land extending south of the lake named, in extent al»out oU miles lonj^ by K; wide, farmed by ^ood farmers who have lived from 11 to L';> years there and ^rowu rich. Araouust those we had the pleasure of mectiuii; were McKsrs. Morrison. Lynch. Stewart. Walker, and .McLean, all hi^^dily pleased with the conntry and the residt of their years of farminjz;. All these ffentlemen named own line herds of cattle, a ;i;reat nnnd)cr tlun-ou^di- brcd and rcL'istered in onr -Canadian Shorthorn-liook." Siunmer frosts have not been known, and tlic vield of wheat, oats. Xc. was verv larjie — 3.") to A~i l)ushels of wheat per acre bcinf;; the yield — and a ready market within from three to six miles. The country also abounds in wild fruits — ^^yOfaB^dl^nlKi :V2 l)IiicU iind red currants, riiH|»l)crri('s. stniwlicrriis, fTaiiliLTricp, i^i-. — whidi irmke dulicioiiH pri'servcs. aiul wliicli we Iri'ijiiciitly lastril tliron;,'li tlic kiiiilni'ss ami iKispitality of Mi'sars. MorriM)!! and Lymli. near wlmsi- Iioiiii-- stfrtds \vp caiiiiKMl. W(! wen- also very iiiiicli iinlclifcd to Mr. Maxiiiic Villehrnii. ai^t'iit, Hudson IJay ('()nii)aiiy. and Mr. U dliani M(jt>rj of Totonaii, who sliowed as a ^'rcat deal of kindrnss and attention. A more deli;ilitf!:l or lioahliy (diniale eaunot e\int in any part nf tlio Avorld. if one may jadij;!' iiy this last fall's weather. In two months only one rain storm. lasting.; for [tart of a day and nijjilit. rhc halanee ( dear snnshine. I cannot close without retnrnin;; tlie thanks r)f our [uirty to Me'-srs. Uohert Kerr and E. Tiffen. th ■ Lreneral freijxht ami jia-senL'ir a.L'ents at Winnipe^j; and Toronto of the Canadian I'aeitie l{ailway ('(im|iaay. uho uffordcil every facility and accjmmodation. and took a unreal deal of pains to make onr trip in c\ery \\ay a ]deasant one Tiudr road is a wry line one, and mast ho a itreat hoon to t!ie travellinu' jmhlic, and to sp!)rtsnieii fr.im all over the world. Yoars trnly, J. MAU(aiAN. Gii.sKY ITof.SK. Xkw York, Xtjl'dii'id- I'f. l'"^S."), To ,7. If. Jluhliihd, W'liinijiii/, MunituOa. My Dkak Sir, Before takin:j; onr departure from America, we desire to thaidv yon for yoiir kindness in ]iiannin;i: onr jdeasant and snccessfal shooting trip. ]Mr. Hanks shot three moose, two wa]uii, and three jumping deer. I, partly hy jny own fault and ])artly my gnides, was not so lucky, ])nt got some good spceimens. We certainly ft'nnd the country all yon claimed for it in sjjort. We are indebted to yon and to !Mr. Chipman, of the High romniissioner's Oflice, for majis and information. 1 will see him personally, and thaid< him for his favour in (nir helialf. Faithfully yonrs. Al T.YX 15 ATT YE, Oxford. MEUHYICK BANKS, Wigan. Part may,bytl and rapid a Canadia well to m Atlantic have mad( treatiiKMit of baggage (Quebec). <,'uns and no trotd. \vLiereaj>i, iivj; and sj protests, and soni(j added toj MomethinI York, anl known hi a Canadii iindergoi| Upc liaihvav arrival a| journev shooting but thiJ m APPENDIX. i r PiU'th'S wliointoml tonuiko u visit to Caiiadti I'ortl't' pui'posus oE sport may, by the guidance of the fi)llowin<; direction?, enjoy a pleasant, healthy, and rapid trip. Pirsl, then, let us suppose that the sportsman is landed at. a Canadian poi't- -Quebec, Montreal, oi* Halifax (\o\a iScotia). And it is well to mention that hitherto the Canadian steamship lines crossing the Atlantic have given entire satisfaction to all J3ritish sportsmen who have made their iicquaintuuce. These gentlciiien speak highly of the treatment they received on Uw voyage, especially iu ix'gard to tlie care of baggage and the easy mochs ol Iraiishipment at Halifax, Point Levis (Quebec), ajid Mouti-eal. .My treatment two years ago, with my four guns and other shooting uiatcU'iai, (•onliriii-- their stat<'ments. There is no trouble with custom-house authoril ies at our Canadian ports ; A\hereas, arriving at any American poj-t, one is subject to nuiuy annoy- ing and seemingly unnecessary rules and requireiiK'nts. Even though one protests, and asks to ha\e the Uiggage bonded, yet it will take two days, and sometimes three. Antl w hen hand baggage, new guns or traps, are added to the luggage, the trouble is, so far as my ex])erience goes, something beyond endurance. J have had my own trouble at Aew York, and speak therefore froui actual know ledge, while others 1 havi' known have passed through a similar exi)erience. This is all avoided at a Canadian port. Here you are, as it were, at liome; a British subject, undergoing little or no change in laws, iu habits, or in dress. Upon arrival, tlien, at (Quebec or Montreal, the Canadian Pacific llailway takes all ti'ups ou lii'st-class tickets, guaranteeing their safe arrival at whatever point is the destiiuition of the sportsman. If the journey is from Liverpool to Brilili Columbia—that is, should the shooting grounds of the Pacific province be one's destination — there is but this one change from ocean steamer to railway train ; unless, ot i M tonvHC, one choosos Iho plcasinc; Can.KlIan Pacific laico and rail rout<>, by way of Owen Hound and Port Arllnir a most (Idightlul trip, in excellent Clydo-built steamer-;, during the summer months. If your hunting ground is nearer cast, you can of course got off the train at the nearest point. Winnipeg i-^ ihe heji ({quarters for ^Tanitoba, and as far west a** Calgary, wliicli i'^ over >nO miles west of Winnipeg, sport of the highest order may In- obtained. Within two days of Winnipeg one may go for dt-ei-, while by ;i journey ol' twelve hours or less ono may find all feathered game in abuiulance. Vour surplus baggage should all be left at AVinnijx'g, commimication to and from which is most rapid in nearly all parts. Winnijieg i-<. in fact, your supply point for all classes jind kinds of ammunition, tents, blankets, knives, boats, and rifles. All of tlx'^e can be cheaply purchased there, Rnd from as many as four competing houses. Cooks and servants can also be engaged. One's address should be left at the hotel there, so that mail matter may be forwarded ; while it is well also to gi^e your English address to your hotel ])roprie|()r. In fact, I look on Winnipeg as the sportsman's headquarters. Abundaiit sport may bo had on the pi-airie by going due uorth*west from Winnipeg. Twenty miles away one may shoot every class of the birds T have already mentioned as residential or jnigratoi-y. Wherever water appears, it will be found al^re with duck** of all species. There are the ducks that bavt^ been hatclied on the spot, and will remain in the vicinity until they are either killed or join their species in the grand autumn flight for the south in November. Then there are also snipe, prairie plover, and every variety of migratory jjame field-birds as v,v\l as residential birds, in such numbers that you will " put up "' at almost every slip of your dogs by the way. You will in(l('(>d have plenty to do every Ave minutes, until \f)U are tired r)t' shooting. A siitisfactory result must depend alone on your skill as a 'iiarksmaii. Shoal T^ake. which is in the \icinity. is n eapiliil pliice ;it which to camp for a week. Lea^ing this, you may make your way lo Lf)ng Lake by proceeding a little out of the i-egular trail to Keaburn. on Canadian Pacific Kaihvay, your boat having been sent forward to Reabum Station; or, if ^'ou do not care for a prairie life, a more direct route may be taken to OaV Point, baggage being sent to the care of ITudnon I had, ntid for a wee I only of d\ tail grous Oak Poiii Manitoba, over whic Your di'Nt Manitoba Proc( apparatus repeater | and food, lakes, whii game, eiei Return to Reaburn,£ uipeg on t make it a i the seconc as things is plenty «hot. A tr 23 miles Selkirk a even mort the Red H If sc take a t( Columbia stoppages' where a m at Goose of the Ro .M.^ Hudson Bay Company. At Reaburn every variety of duck may bo hud, nnd it \v\\\ be rmnid vory picawmt to 8trikt» camp at tliis point for a week. Aiul if October lie llit> month, one's baj:; may consist not only of ducltN, but !ils(» of snipi', |)l<)\t'r, p;»'oso, pinnated grouse, sharp- lail grouse, Sic. Wlicn tired of the open prairie, mako your way to Oak Point, on journeying; to wliich you will draw near to Lake Manitoba. Remember when passing; Lak(> Francis that all tlit; land over which you are driving forms u magnificent hunting ground. Your (leNtiuatiou is, however. Oak Point, and there you have Lake ^lanitoba at your feet, yielding the linest water 1. I'ver drank. Proceeding from Oak Point, shot, cartridge, and all shot-gun apparatus and surplus baggage may be dropped, and the Winchester repeater picked up. JCmploy your guides at a dollar (or 4s.) per day and food. Under their guidance* you will pass on between the great lakes, which are situated here. Moos(* and wapiti are now your principal game, except morning and night flight-shooting at the Canada geese. Return to Oak Point when you are satisfied ; thence by conveyance to Reaburn, and from that point, by the Canadian Paciiic Railway, into Win- nipeg on the same night, if you widi. My advice, however, would be to make it a shooting trip all the way on th(* return, reaching AVinnipeg on the second day, having shot from Oak Point to Reaburn. This trip will, as things arc now, satisfy every one, for it is not expensive and there is plenty of game, and, if desired, a market to which to send all that is shot. A trip may also be taken from Winnipeg to .Selkirk, a distance of 23 miles north of AVinni])eg, by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Fron; Selkirk a fine deer country is entered; \vhile the return maybe made even more rapidly than from Oak Point. Tlie marshes on the sides of the Red River are, in the autumn, fairly alive with wild fowl. If scenery and mountain game are the objects of the tourist, let him take a tour.'st return ticket from Winnipeg to Vancouver, in British Columbia, so that he can stop at different points en route. One of these stoppages may be made at Rush Lake, 4>^S miles west of AVinnipeg where a \\eek may well be spent. xVnother rest of four days may be taken at Goose Lake, o2s miles west. Stop also at Calgary, at the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, for onf- day. This beautiful spot, on the banks 36 of the Bow lliver, must bo regarded as the headquarters for mountain whooting. Here, as at Winnipeg, all surplus clothing must be left. Proceeding by train up th(^ slopi; of the mountains, get ofl; at Banff, SO mih;s beyond Calgary, situated in a beautiful district, which is now being made into a Canadian national park. For 2U miles on either side of Banfi good sport may be had with the liocky Mountain sheep and goat, as well as at bears and the black-tail deer towards the " foot hills.'' The rftoney Indians will act as your guides ; and faithful fellows they are, too. Having spent some little time in the BanfP district, again take the train and proceed to Eagle Pass in the Selkirk Eange. Here you may shoot caribou to your heart's content, and even stand a chance of having a brush with a silver-tij) or gri//;]y bear. All the way from Banff Station — wherever, in fact, a stream or lake appears in the mountains, and that is quite often — trout are abundant, and will oil'ei' a pleasant diversion in excellent fishing. The rest of the route to the Pacific is grand almost beyond description, as one passes through the Gold Eange of mountains. And few things will here cause more astonishment than the enormous timbers towering to the skies, such as one may view in our great Colonial Exhibition. On the return to the east, by the same Canadian Pacific route, get the conductor to put you off at any point where you see game in good numbcu's, for you may in tliis way meet the great flight of geese going into Britisli Columbia, if you do, it will be indeed a gala week. I crossed tluit flight of geese last year at Goose Lake, and found rifle-shooting at it tine work indeed. There are luany other jioints ^here good s])ort may be had, but for a sufllciencv J. think cither I'oute that J have indicated w ill brinji; you home in good health and Mitli a high o])ini()u of 3tanitoba. the Canadian North-West, and its game })roducts. 1 would suggest that the British sportsman should take his shot- guns with him, ammunition for 10 and 12 bore being readily obtainable in Winnipeg at reasonable prices. He had, however, better leave his sporting rifle at home and purchase a Winchester repeater, with ammunition, on his arrival at the Manitoba capital, this being more suited for the country. A AV^inchester rifle can bt^ purchased in Winnipeg for from £o to .1'7. IS b7 Before closing, let me add that the following are, according to our Game Laws, tho close times for game in the Canadian North-West ; — (n) Doer, elk, moose, reindeer (cariboo), their fawns or hares, from January 1st to October 1st. (6) Grouse, prairie chicken or partridj^e, from January 1st to September lat, (c) Woodcock, plover, or snipe, from March 15th to Auj^ust 1st. (J) Any kind of -wild duck, widgeon, teal, or wild goose (except the species known as '■ waders"), from May 1st to September 1st. (r) Otter, lisher, beaver, musk rat, or sable, from May 1st to October 1st, (/) Mink or marten, from April ].Jth to November 1st. Several other provisions make it ille:^ttl to have any of tho above in possession during tho close time ; to use any punt guns or batteries ; or to take any of the animals mentioned above, except those in sections e and/, by traj)s, nets, snares, gins, '' or other contrivances." It is further provided, that no person shall shoot, kill, injure, take, buy, sell, or be in possession at such time of any birds except eagles, falcons, hawks, jays, crows, or ravens, or their eggs, nests, or young, though the Minister of Agriculture may grant permission for them to be killed for scientific purposes. The fine for breaking the Act is fixed at not less than 10 dollars (£'2), or more than 50 dollars (i-'lO), the whole of which is paid to the prosecutor. J. H. HUBBARD. I ■'<'ai ■^. i I / //{ r>o Hiff^TSBg *r. I ■^>. X X M K .-ff:=^ ^ai \ vr. I I ,.3' i: 4 -> '.:r^]Su33Xscr»s:sMMi> 3 rr DOMIHIOH A REDUCTION OF THE MAP PREP/ OF THE MINISTER OF m ©F CAM] P PREPARED & ISSUED UNJER Tf TER OF RAILWAYS & CANALS . Knijliuli MilcM r 1 1 K ri'.K.v ..^ ^' ^^\ r.lhmMII DOMIHIOH ©F CAIfABA A REDUCTION OF THE MAP PREPARED & ISSUED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS & CANALS. Kiiiilii^li MilcH :r, .VI KKi "'■^■"wfe' y 4^/ S A ^;:>r>— Kl'(..ri.-.ii.l r^^ ,i, i<."