JANUARY, 1965

ONTARIO

evant OF LANDS AND FORESTS

F.A. MacDougall Deputy Minister

: Aaatigerti Information

i os

& ats oh he aye ; a ie

NO. 79 JANUARY, 1965

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REPORT

FISH AND WILDLIFE BRANCH

Fini ONTARIO

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS

Hon. A. Kelso Roberts, Q.C. F. A, MacDougall Minister Deputy Minister

(These Reports are ior Intra-Departmental Information and not for Publication)

RESCURCE MANAGEMENT REPCRT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

No. 79 January, 1965

Report on the Ontario Trappers’ Association Fur Sales Service 1263-1564 Season. - by W. H. Chellew

Moose Browse Survey and Pellet Group Count, Kenora District, 1564. - by R. 3B. Hall

Duck Banding, Kapuskasing District, 1964,

Duck Hunting in the Lindsay District, 1963. _ by Be Tr. Cox

Opening Day of the Waterfowl Season, September 26, 1964, Lake Simcoe District. - by J. S. Dorland

The Present Status of Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Kenora District,- 1963. - by R. W. McGillivray

Lake Mindemoya Creel Census, 1961, 1962, 1963. - by F. A, Zimmerman

(THESE REPCRTS ARE FOR INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL

INFORMATION AND NOT FOR PUBLICATION)

19

28

36

41

‘50

8S

ov

eTHaTeos ge eee

esel ,yisunstl

‘yw potisloopea ‘axogqax? siieciiuaale a 1 3 .Toass BOCl-Edt! os tvs waiisd> .H .W yd - ari

,Javed quo1d Jelisd Das sae } fish .@ 5 yd + 0cL tokmdel

docl ,tokeeze scienieugat

yuboaok .4 “8 ‘ed ~

6E32L ,soksteld vsabakd old a xed .T “4 zd -

3

tedmtqse ,mo28e2 IwoltesaW eat Ro Y '.Sokvteld soomks ool, bestrod 0& t yd" =

£ enuowd boftad-quade $04 33 os caer 4, anal qexviLliooM .W A gd 2G -

~CAer SSCL _{9el _2uaned feoz mB sTouE at 3 xd ~

JATMAMTS \TAC-ANTAT FOF SHA Smog (HOTTAQLIEUT AO" TOM MHA

REPORT ON THE ONTARIO TRAPPERS' ASSOCIATION FUR SALES SERVICE 1963 - 1964 SEASON

by W. H. Chellew Department Representative, O.T.A.F.S.5,. North Bay

Abstract

This is the sccond annuel report to be issued at the close cf the Cntario Trappers’ Association Fur Sales Service season. The season of 1963-64 was quite successful with en increase of 51 per cent in the dollar volume of sales. There was a generally strong market with most species in good demand. Tables are ae 2 showing the number of pelts according to dolla: me and average price; the increase or decreas 32 it pelt volume over lust year, and the number of t vanes shippers according to value of shipments

eR a SS

The 1963-64 season has been another year of success for the Ontario Trappers’ Fur Sales. Dollar volume of sales increased ol per cent to realize $1,142,843.12. he market was generally strong with gocd demand for most species, Beaver were strong through- out the season showing 11 per cent average increase over last year. Lynx were in good demsnd end showed a 12 per cent increase, Otter were very strong and csvcwed a 30 per cent increase in price bringing a high cf 58 per cent, While fisher were in very poor demand and in many cases were held over trom sale to sale the seasons average was 27 per cent higher than last year. Mink, marten and muskrats showed a slight decrease in average prices while raccoon slipped 40 per cent. See Table I.

One thousanc eisht hundred and fifty-seven trappers and twenty-nine fur dealers used the services of the sales producing 4288 shipments. This represents a 35 per cent increase in shippers and 28 per cent increase in shipments. The difference in these two figures can be attributed to muskrat trappers from southern Ontario who send their entire catch in one shipment, This can be verified by the increase in the number of rats handled which amounted to 97,550 this year as compared to 56,330 last year, See Table II.

evr © cae arr, a ~ ‘O° yy io E Bin os - - ¢ 7 L7ahf 0 eo

—)

SIAL AUT VOITATIDOSSA "Bae ater 2 rear

MOZANS AGEL s caer Stake

as I aieaee _ 9906 ita as

zaqqgnyt oftedrO eft 20. gooR ae -1038888 .

meotomt os Adie utes 19%

T setae io ontlov ‘xg

i netoogs tedm ao lwitt 6 1 ord gotwods be het <ove Bes ‘gautes

ploy 252 - ide wag

a 5 * f G3as9g — ta SL Is SAS (2 of é ¥ a» 4-7 — sac Of MRED i av FTP aa? e » oe : ao aclu he sevcds Beth bere h . t > mi ¥- 4 a = a ewid * sve Bis ' -< « on ; - 526 te zk a a TO ; Bi aot

3 psd _ i <i gaat-tc paver v2 £ .8€ & Satis SaaS

2

Indians from the James Bay agency shipped fur to the value of $52,057.00 this season. This represents a 12 per cent increase over the $46,700 shipped in the '62-'63 season. The above figures include Indians of the James Bay agency who trap on Michipicoten Island where the take was down, thus holding the increase down, The volume of fur handled for treaty Indians in the Patricia District could be greatly increased if some means of making on the spot advances can be inaugurated.

Twenty-nine resident fur dealers made 186 shipments for a value of $227,175.00. These shippers substantially increase the profit to the sale as they pay theiz own express and as the size of the shipment increases, the cost of handling per pelt decreases,

One thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine shippers other than James Bay Indians and dealers made 3,937 shipments valued at $863,610.00. This amounts to 2.2 shipments per trapper or $219.00 per shipment. The average shipper in this class received $482.00, with a low of $2.00 and a high of $7,259.00. A further breakdown of these shippers show 70 per cent of the shippers receiving under $500.00, 18 per cent between $500.00 and $1000.00, 7 per cent between $1000 and $1500 and 5 per cent between $1500 and $7259. See Table EIt,

While fur-handling continues to improve there is still much more work to be done in this field. This is very evident in a lot of new shippers and perhaps these are also new trappers. There is no way for a trapper to increase his revenue more easily than to produce a top quality well-handled skin. The educational program of the past has once again put well-handled Ontario fur in the limelight of the world market.

New handling methods used at the sale have speeded up operations and at the same time cut down on the work load. The big problem at the present time is space both for handling and buyer inspection. Land for a new building has been purchased and it is hoped that financial arrangements for a new warehouse can be completed in time for the next season.

The conservation officer and trapper training program at the sale continues to improve and more new methods will be inaugurated this year, Lectures given during the past year proved very useful and this phase of the program will be expanded, It bears repeating that there is probably no other way for a trapper or conservation officer to gain such a wide knowledge of the fur industry in so short a time,

td

jei=s

tut baggie yorsg@s, vad ceatl, eft 7

sit .,moasse €d'+f0" ede oe t t «

,fotrist off at site beat ytae73 tod, both TE

- * | Ve we bony Siar’. OE

bee ay ‘a o o jmse t

* [ 3 ee 1 gett odw votegs. ys seme a to 8

ont of gatbidd avid .awob saw s .7tdam To anasm sae BE boessront ey -betamgusck | da

‘boa avelseb x02 tooblass onka-yacont flattasdedie taqqisa ossdT ,00,e01, VS 218 BaSatoxe wo Therig ys vods BR 9; 2 C888 7 7 tog yoaithranl Jo Jeos eda png ne font Je

myitigts | bovbhevd savea ett i9 SESLE ebem eveataob bas erntate

Ps

laqqe7s voq atnomjide §.$ o2 asauems edt

vig: ‘aslo eldd at woqqtde ogavevs sat 2

Y

- wt +

: eit : “ 30 in gid 8 bos: 00.: sy aC

teqqirie of3 to Sasa 19q ° OF work ats

1). COOLS Baa 00,.00¢9 nen 3mma * o¢ woewted jneo asq ¢ brs — 002:

7

od asumnksnaoo oot taal elf? bist? atdd ot emob od 0: oals ess saed3 aqadzeq bes @ e) 7 aes wIeVST eld sesstonl oF 2999 ubs. off .oite belbaad~Iisy | vSitaup ‘okvein® belbaai-Iiew Jug atsgs § ° . doolse

beeu ebodtem gukl 5 nwoh tuo omtd oome soa Js rot Mod sasga af omts jnp8e7 . al axibliud you 8 02 | ote and aft ® “ot eases meguenis Ip moesee Ixen sid mts nid.

. iv g f pebeaien ! AO Lt SvESeHOS | Wem ation br avosqal oe out sq of . 5 sabi seni ay st J ILbw pion ont. To ania oe | FEY IO ET eid adozq at syed. a8 orm! obtw 8 Hove stag oF abo sake

x ,

3

Any prediction of the market for the coming year would be less than an educated guess. Although in the past few weeks there seems to be some renewed interest, the overall picture is rather quiet. Beaver and muskrats have been very slow during the summer and it is too early to predict a trend at this time. Indications are that mink should hold fairly firm and long-haired fur is still in good demand.

Table No. I

No. of Pelts in Crder of Dollar Volume and Average Price

ee =

Species No. Pelts Dollar Value Average Price Beaver 50,292 $705,596.76 = 14,03 Muskrat $7,547 151,197.85 1.55 Mink 10,720 125,745.60 11.73 Otter 2,025 62,743.50 30.98 Marten 5,157 31,612.41 6.13 Fisher 1,654 22,510.94 13,64 Lynx 971 14,370.80 14,50 Raccoon 5,724 11,504.24 2.01 Fox 1,233 6,337.62 5.14 Castoreum 1,493 lbs. 4,837.32 3.24 1b. Bear 113 2,330.06 20.62 Weasel 2,700 1,138.00 oft Wolf 149 640.70 4,30

Squirrel 1,049 346.17 233

Table No. II

1963-64 Increase & Decrease in Pelt Volume over 1962-63

Beaver plus 32% Otter plus 497 Fisher ~ 65% Raccoon i 46% Fox ge SO ir Squirrel minus 11% Lynx n A% Weasel plus. 327 Marten " 168% Wolf a 713 Mink APs i eee Castoreum " 727

Muskrat cake iy 4 Bear 4 352%

d oY gotmoo ond wt Jovsem ada to ; ORG 7 ” ey} bers “ : > ri ef Tate AaIA .esoug, be: 4 > ib a bi ujorg ifseve of2 .destaaak bows baat nisub wole yer aaod ovad ete wie 1 bite. eit hari omit? e299 Sa onSet a Sotbord ot ma < 1 Vtad~epol bere wks vinta Shes i* ring cw A WA bis onto’ taliog 2e. sebs0. we, 3] ey «af ed a ™ ‘ = - $eg,0 ely! TAz,4 4 t Ogt ,OL f > ; ‘ $ eu esos 4 Nef sSS od, { Ite : , aS, EE. ees at -2df Exh O0t ,§ 7 ' AT PA opto a5 ol ‘sepoxos@ & -sosexoml AE ara SST Se . Tse . B eek: 1° Ris hy fe bi 2h ieall ; ssa 0 ™ SEX — Ei mayen oe a Ree . i]

dy

Table No. III

Number of Trapper Shippers Accofding to Value of Shipments

No. of Dollar No. of Dollar No. of Dollar Shippers Value Shippers Value Shippers Value 479 $2 = 100 55 $700 - 800 16 $1400-1500 305 100 - 200 43 200 = 900 42 1500-2000 196 200 - 300 42 200 = 1000 21 2000-2500 146 300 - 400 29 1000 = 1100 8 2500-3000 133 400 = 500 37 1100 = 1200 4 3000-3500 99 500 - 600 22 1200 - 1300 5 3500-4000 84 600 - 700 16 1300 = 1400 1 $5000 1 7259

O0e f-O0arT? GCOOE «O02! OO2S +0008 Q0OE~007¢ GOEL ~OOCE 00S-0078 booze 2est

ere eed ca nl EE a ate ee ee ¥ fiat i hey, eee es:

arsqgidg

to 3a tal lod

a | 008 ga 008 IS 0002 8 OOLS “ OOS L C OO€L { OO0aL

ant SV’

~

“

OOTS O05

Oo0L OOLT OOS

ae ‘¥ ig me

cf fu

ae"

shagee

MOOSE BROWSE SURVEY AND PELLET GROUP COUNT KENORA DISTRICT, 1964

by R. B. Hall Conservation Officer

Abstract

On May 13, 1964 a moose browse survey and pellet group count was carried out at Maynard Lake in Kenora District. This was the second year this area was surveyed. As in the previous survey, the area was 1,150 acres or 1.8 square miles. The survey

' method was as instructed by the Research Station, Maple. (April 1963). A summary of the browse tally indicated a total of 15,650 living stems per acre, This is an increase of 4,509 over the 1963 survey. From the pellet group counts it was estimated that the winter population on this area was 11.6 moose and 38.9 deer per square mile, Although the available living stems per acre has increased from the 1963 survey, it is noted that the degree of utilization has decreased, The number of stems which have been killed or mutilated has increased from the 1963 count. It is recommended that a new area be chosen for the 1965 moose browse survey.

Introduction

The Kenora District moose browse survey and population estimate was carried out on May 13, 1964. This survey was the second attempt at moose range assessment in this District,

With minor adjustments to the bearings of the cruise lines and the inclusion of a deer pellet group count, the survey was done on the same area and by the same methods as in 1°63.

Area

_As described in the 1963 report, the survey area was 1,150 acres located on the east side of Maynard Lake. This lake is part of the English River chain and is approximately 50 miles northeast of Kenora.

THUOD WoHwR TS LIJAG GMA yavaue aaM Sb: Ager .TOTHPOTA AROMSA

Teoh not savaeenay

jafieg bea yevuve seid seco Bs aoet” ele mt s hssrvalé ts tue bettizess saw sieo2' a sovea etd u39v baoses ong opw eidT -dobme

‘ ody ,vavave evolve indo sk eA bay ravine Sif] 201m euaupg 8,1 20 gems “De

¥.

Holset > g2aseel afd vd bastoursent as.

yifs? seword of Jo yetaame A .Ceeel raga) .9%95 29g omate ugivel 0@6,2F te Fese2 = bes .youtue CoCr sia uavo 200.8 Bo seseizonk: on ett botantjas eaw 22 eteupo quozg aetfeg s > scoom 5,5! eaw sorte Tord 0 a r

sidsitavs ef3 dgvodsiA .eilm evempe Taq” €3es silt mex? bseraevont esd etoe vaq & ; stussiilse Jo sereeb sas 3ed3 Bbeson a2

nged ovet doidw easte to svadmua eft |. Bs .sauoo €OC! eit gowkt beese Trost ean bagel kts

93 swok socedo sd sets Wan B 3ed3 bebragmo BIO vevrns gayord 980

An RR ce

yo Se | oe nokipiuang bes yovrue geword ssoom a Aap sons . ed3 eaw yeavrve ekdagt or Bical { ao 300 bolr 3

,jofuvjeld eid? ak tnemee 9288 “agnet s200m bs,

emtil setuzo ad? to agatused efd of oimsajautbe zen

¢ é + he ae eqad asw Ysy rue SHS ,javos quot F rol isg 7945. # CO-l at es ebodtem smaa Ria

; ry

G25.f saw sews yovuue oft ,treqex COI ads mE Jvaqg ef etal eid? .o4ad bases Io ebie Jane ed genontion eeolim 5S? vistamtxorggs ef bas ‘aisdo ‘x9

Survey Crew

(L) W. Charlton and D. Busch (2) TT. Humberstone and K. Chambers (3) R. Hall and D. Ware

Three survey crews were used in an attempt to complete the survey in one day. However, one of the lines was not completed on May 13 and a crew returned on May 20 to finish the line.

Method

The Otter aircraft (CF-ODX) was used to transport the survey crew of five cf the Kenora Fish and Wildlife staff and one summer student.

Using the lake shore as one boundary, three two-man crews ran six cruise lines. As recommended in the 1965 report, the area was more systematically covered by running parallel lines which had @ 30 chain offset. This method eliminated the shortage of plots which occurred in the 1963 survey,

Compass and pacing were used to run the lines, with a measured plot being tallied every five chains. The plot sizes and methce of tally were as instructed by the Southern Research Station, Maple.

An attempt was made to assess the degree of competition between deer and moose on this area. This was done by counting the deer pellet groups on a plot of reduced size which fell within the moose pellet group plot. The size of the deer pellet plot was 6.6 ft, by 66 ft. compared to 13,2 ft. by 66 ft. for moose.

Ninety-three plots were tallied which was seven more than the minimum required 86 (64 x ,/1.5 sq. mi. = 86).

The results of the browse survey are given in Table I.

Ponuletion Estimate from Pellet Groups

Moose

_ The number of pellet groups on the 93 plots ranged from 0 to 7 with the total number of groups being 97. The average number of groups per plot was 97/93 = 1.04, The number of days of pellet deposition was calculated as 220 from date of leaf fall. A daily deposition rate of 13 was used.

ea - noliad® datsose! cvedive2 dt vd hepountem! as saan

art gMitayoo Yo Sion jw ofdlY .sotr eras no ovoom be

sac hint Ogatevs ois .\* anied ¢ B Gunes ho sodium I

fend eG on soataa avyedmndo . bee eno te: aa aw. .u nnn

Mate bet atin Soy often Saar j r 63 f+ te ree Be by — Ho ‘ih iA 07 2 CT ror rig ‘ apie % b sole 19 i Lied e ‘nevewoll a. aS. is Oni l O80 NOlNLT a8 UE ¥ pf ar fn ASO awa eas rae

a)

eee , ww ey ates \ - 2 r awe ‘ . > oe Ore , bit L { svt " hit? L pan } IT © “

npsows sox? ,vrabnved eno ee otode edal odd assis of} ,Steconx E22! ofa of beboapemooesy sA 1858 f). Bet foide gert! Iefllexsq animays yd basevoo vilaslgan

atolg to agstuere ef) betentatic Bodden atdT. |. } .vavave £der. ons Ss

, date ,soatl oct aut ot bepu sabe gnkosq. bes bas soeste golly on? amano evi vreve ‘batlia2 |

\ aA a ae

FOU 390m Ss 20 § 12 mis a8g9e86 02 obe at Baw re tip = yiS.

ent middiw ile: skdw este beolbar Fo toly s no e8¢ jog . “ y | Fl ‘ \ ae Yaw Jolg : oc teobh ods ko seis oat tolgq quote

,ss0om sot .tt od yd oF Beets bere: gmp 33

esl : ove mevor eur oP ri, yea Pl fs } ae Ow. ‘a alg. i (Oo = Fay oe ber! te

“2 ai cig] EFRON ait OW TLS Sawa ods. tea

Asner ty tol lat

oles «vom vg

mo%% bagasy elolg ¢? edt me equomg) dolieg Za;

2 as EQ\Te

~ ue i? - oe 3 e - be - tee cn a ws a ~ ~ re = = =

(1) Average number of pellet groups per acre: Average per plot x 50 1.04 x 50 = 52.0

(2) Moose-days per square mile:

Pellet groups per acre x 640

Deposition rate (13)

52 x 640 = 2560 13

(3) Moose per square mile:

Moose-days per square mile Number of days of pellet deposition

2560 = 11.6 or 12 moose per square mile 220

Confidence Limits The method used to determine the 95 per cent confidence

levels from the frequency distribution of pellet groups is as follows:

Pellet Groups per Acre

No. plots required (0,5 per cent sample) 64 x V1.8 sq. miles = 86

No. plots sampled = 93

Groups/Plot Frequency

x £ cx x2 £x2 0 49 0 0 0 1 8 18 1 18 2 E2 24 4, 48 3 6 18 9 54 4 5 20 16 80 5 2 10 25 50 6 0 0 36 0 y ams 7 49 49

‘aos so nila: ‘sett

A sr ole

5 ere yt)

o> Ber vvloe me ohn

* ay A

iad J

mse In9> wy Lod boxtupes ato. iq s 7 Cc ig wie pes Pe © ? pe 8 * +¥ yy a

r ols e+ caters Th emo me OE A eS A al . hoo mw * hal ue ak Cr f

Sample Mean

m= on = s = 1.043 pellet groups m* = 1,088

Sample Standard Deviation eo = f= 1] = 92

efitx*) - 1.088 = 1.47 pellet oar groups

Sample Standard Error

Sx «= Sx ml L6R7 = 0.152 pellet groups £ 93

Population Mean with Limits

From the "t" table at t.05 for 92 degrees of freedom t.05 = 1.987 Population mean = sample mean + t.05 (sample standard error)

u=m+t.05 (Sk) = 1.043+ 1.987 (0.152) = 1.043+ 0.302

At the 25 per cent confidence level there should be:

Upper limit 1.043+ 0.302 = 1.345 pellet groups Lower limit 1.043 - 0.302 = 0.741 pellet groups

Moose pellet groups per acres should then range from:

50 x 1.345 = 67.25 to 50 x 0.741 = 37.05

Moose-days per square mile

Range at t.05 67.25 x 640 _ .- - 13 3311 to

37.05 x 640 = 1224 moose-days/square mile i3

ACRE

ce aye ti 2 ‘ ain '

- i plas LN Wet a

; rey he

, ha i) 4 rs oa )

/ A? ay

‘ ew)

al

S.f = "» eaguote teliog EXG.. = pis :

"On {se.f = ~ « a - i - ¢ Be iIqmpe) 20. agom ol que. = ro pr 4 (Xe) OP | +> m bal i. ~—<- Ft ~* Lf ALS Vrs eo \ oF — % the We

a af ee i. te aD ood Simi lf po ane - tur ea

N s\ ~ Xv ws Lv . vu - a ae ee time f ‘ : cas nds Alyode estas 26q squomE ee

Pe ea C.F =) LO 208)

alin exaupe\eysb-svoun agar @ O88 x 80:

=

No)

Moose per square mile

Range at t.05

390 = 15.05 to

‘ ——_— = 9 a 7 990 7 8-29 moose/square mile Therefore from the data collected in the area sampled we would expect an over-wintering population of 12 moose (or between 8 and 15 to be 95 per cent certain) per square mile.

Deer

The number of pellet groups on the 93 plots ranged from 0 to 3 with a total of 162 groups being tallied. The average number of groups per plot was 162/93 = 1.74. The number of days of pellet deposition was 220 anda-daily deposition rate of 13 was used.

(1) Average number of pellet groups per acre:

Average per plot x 100 1.74 x 100 = 174

(2) Deer-days per square mile:

Pellet groups per acre x 640 Deposition rate (13)

SUG NO es 0565.1

(3) Deer per square mile:

Deer-days pex square mile Number of days of pellet deposition

8566.1 220

= 38.9 or 39 deer per sq. mile

weet

A tee mare ons

. ie se eT ub 9% d 2399 f ioe a axe

og wT 19g (rtsi38o 2RO9 Teg 7

aloc aygodty Set to feio3

eT ota ool rskeeged

; hag wei V ake 8 A bir :

(us en af

r Poe ; pi ty aa! ¥ oO: Zo er =% po . : ' Vali

a supe: \seood Ue &

itn en i omotots Tr : { w~TSvo. ne

'sh Sat ao t

quovs telieg to BREN.

7 oa

\ ia = at 1Sq 4 e que

AL f *) of aad OOF

= 5 7g S900" ae eet 2

16

Confidence Limits

Method similar to that used for moose,

Pellet ereus per Acre

Plots required (0.25 per cent sample) = Plots sampled 93.

Groups/Plot Frequency x £ £x 0 34. 0 1 16 16 2 14 28 3 15 45 4 5 20 5 4 20 6 4, 24 7 0 0 8 0 0 g 1 9 93 162 Sample Mean m= (fx) = 162 = 1.742 m@ = 3.035 g £ 3 Sample Standard Deviation df. = = 02 Tere fe aM 2 ae = 3.035 «= Sample Standard Error

Sx

Sx ie 2590 0.19

PRET fF

7 pellet groups

86 86

x2 £x2 0 0

1 16

4 56

9 135

16 80 25 100 36 144 Lg 0 64. 0 gi at rz

1.90 pellet groups

~ J a Y om ‘ ‘ ry wey eee t ons erm oS mgm A ge OE He perry,

ca “¢ + H wa n

dt

Ms rr $f

aquvots dgeliag OC, f

snoom 2o% bender 3400

‘oftmea tneo, eq) 16.0) boulupes pit

yonvupe cL

“\ vr) . wd & et pte ee et ee et lee lm etre Te Im eae

i to

a cr Di

aquoty: twdiog: VEE ~

Tay M bacdifh

11

Population Mean with Limits

df. =92 .. t.05 = 1,987 U-mt ¢.05 (SX) = 1.742 + 1.987 (0.197) = 1.742 + 0.391

Therefore, 95 per cent confident of:

Upper Limit 1.742 + 0.391 = 2.133 pellet groups Lower Limit 1.742 - 0.391 = 1.351 pellet groups

Deer pellet groups per acre should then range from:

100 x 2.133 = 213.30 to 100 x 1.351 = 135.10

Deer-days per square mile

Range at t.05 213.30 x 640 = 10494 to 13

135,10 x 640 = 6647 deer-days/square mile 13

Deer per square mile Range at t,05

10494 390 = 47.70 to

664.7 990 = 30.21 deer/square mile

We may assume then that this area over-wintered 39 deer per square mile and be 95 per cent confident that this figure did not exceed 48 nor fall below 30 deer per square mile.

Observations

From the summary of the browse survey a total of 15,650 living stems per acre were calculated. This is an increase of 4,509 stems per acre from the 11,141 of the 1963 survey. Although hazel still made up a large per cent of the available browse (40.5%), significant increases were noted in the per cent of balsan, poplar and birch available. This increase may be partially explained by the re-routing of the survey lines which necessarily fell over different terrain. It was noted in the 1963 survey that the area

{ire} yi ry" kn | PP a | 4 Pe, oan i LO 26 oh te he * Va ~ tw - » %, Strr* fo YS wai

Tae. < Pee .6 + SATE aie sto dsebtiaos anna a9q ee

+ $00. ey

equor teiteq €€1.¢ = > 126.9 thon aquovg telfeg 2h. i = IQ « SAT. ahs

tog equomg. 21

vt ogre. coeds bivods stag os OF €f$ = CfL.8 x OL OF Cer: - Fee, i t x 00, atk og AQQOT «= 02 [ie ovaupe\eysb-se0b (808 m OF ‘ta exeupe\weeb Hf f iy $9 vo BOYS gids gad weds ore 8 fr fa toobttnos sans se Ce ; 1 al : wos Wir. % wipe sewoud ot 36 eras % s et ehif .besatusine exew S798 | 1g fr od Ro pokey oi? mot eton Isfteva ed3 to tas9 seq setal a qu. rae otid ot bo Jon ovow ‘gesantink anaes “sy od yam cesevont eldt v,elidaitevs a base pede dabei gent! yevane @f3 Yo avxue €0@l ofS or beton dal Fos

12

was regenerating to these three species and this would seem to be a more logical answer to the noted increase in available stems.

Mountain ash was tallied on 4 per cent o£ the plot this year, however, this species made up only .2 per cent of the available browse.

The degree of utilization for each species ranged from 7 per cent to 47.6 per cent. It is interesting to note that although balsam appears to have increased in supply by 11.7 per cent, the degree of utilization has decreased by 13.6 per cent. The same trend is true for several other species. Hazel was browsed 33.7 per cent in 1963 compared to 47.6 per cent in 1964, an increase of 13.9 per cent.

There has been a notable increase in the per cent of stems killed in all species, with the exception of dogwood. Poplar has increased from 10.9 per cent to 20.1 per cent killed. Maple has increased from 6.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent killed.

The per cent of stems mutilated has also increased to a great degree in all species except hazel, which has decreased by 14.3 per cent,

It is noted that the estimate of the moose population has decreased from 16.3 animals per square mile in 1963 to 11.6 per square mile in 1964. This may be due,in part, to the apparent rapid build up of the deer herd in this area. This build up appears to be general in most parts of the Kenora District, particularly where the habitat has been altered by fire, logging or the spruce budworn.

The indicated 38.9 deer per square mile are undoubtedly accounting for a large percentage of the killed and mutilated stems.

There was no evidence of dead moose or deer on the plot. Comments

During the month of January 1964, a standard 25 square mile aerial survey plot was layed out to include the Maynard Lake browse survey area, The aerial count of 22 moose and 30 deer would serve to confirm the size of the deer herd as indicated by the estimate from the pellet group count.

qa é rors enoth

] m noth PF are. ® DP sd 63 moe2 Siuow atid bas ante . » = , 4 ao” | - - i 2063 oldafiave ob oeessank & ater ons of G 2: rn | af PK 3 Jue . Le, J {7999 ‘kan " : Tt} bet Life Bo & Ww mes $9. ofa’ ' ; FET F gly need + ‘y (rey Tere NY y t 1 G ery Cart © ¢ » Pe roti bossy askssde dose tod wolaae iqnormsia tads ston of naktasa yoink 3 >: ad “h wor « * 7; oo he, . tre *"~ "i <P moon t Cae. Paka @ Asaf ot +28 eee ee 8 Be fs BOR BD SOs 4 : SNS 263 ,3heS. og : v bagsetoob Ban iv ..é& bsewowd aw. ose} Moths TSmog panibenly apes peg py ry r rie , rye ane qj Ms ry G 4 bo xsqmo Seer i Bis He ote nl a . ; leon o2 ul 251 ‘4 i a : ‘ ‘ ae sigeD .beowse itqo0 W 4 BO 99a SAB i é * i ¥ a ne in ee he , Eyes af ! r Meu “ 2.0Ff aoxt ~ Dae . r at roms 9 sy? ~~ in .. bel, q tal a2 tog 7.9 ox be H 5 ia} [ 6 Os “Tot ‘ ' of , ‘Oo Ife Wwe . a 7 7 ‘d Bogsatosd | » naloage Lin: ofl coktatuca 2 jada aoe sa : oa actos €,2f 2 si be oe ) tom 3 het 306 a ey By A as o~ f * ty ‘ . b r] <_ Vira " o SUIGE Of , % Lhosgdvobm ¢ t otarpe ae : t - ' 4 m tL a a } s, BU AS IIa o ; >= ; * . 4 , : =) JON ¢ ws 10 TOS F SPoon? DBat ) wmwhbive on aaw 2g 7 a4 or sraupe cs 46 i. °f vusumrl, to Atma off vl SS, f ; iT | ey svot aiw ok » my - . } * (sl LyF ; : ie) ; oO Stevo LEIS got r >» “1 " Lf os Bae le reayl 79S) Bes <0 8sl5 . ISS quotty De

£3

Although it may be of value to retain this Maynard Lake area for the purpose of assessing the degree of competition between moose and deer from the standpoint of increasing or decreasing numbers, it is felt that a survey every second or third year would be sufficient,

It is felt that another area should be chosen for the purpose of a moose study area. More accurate and useful informa- tion would be forthcoming if deer were not present.

Acknowledgments

A vote of thanks is extended to all the staff who ably assisted in the collection of field data for this report. Special thanks go to W. Charlton, Fish and Wildlife Supervisor, for his helpful comments and K. Chambers, District Biologist, who carried out the statistical analysis.

sie. brenryaM atta nisgex of: aad en She ms nsawiod. noisiteqiz02.%o. saxgeb oft ae Sik snogg oft sek | gatesetoeb xo, gnkeserant Io stor , odd.mo7t sesb bas 96

biyaw. 189K bates. to: brrovee | Czave

> gi Se ae t

ot 10% negodo od bivoa sexs sodtons: al ie ~seriotnt fy teen cae s3ptvoss. Oyo «a4 .2eseotd Som sew xeab TE.

uide.odw tisis ody Ifs od behsodxeyas ae ae to whe Istoag2 .3t0qs% cid? to? stab Biske rn molzoafioa old Z ‘gif. tot ,voatyzequa sltibliw baa date ,noaizado A. ot belrtno ow. .Jetgoloié Jofsgela yee ry, ws,

p : eerie, aatieh

14

Living == s eof

Stems Stems % Stems | % Stems | Available

per _ acre | Browsed | Killed | Mutilated | Browse 14.5 7.9 16.0 ue

TABLE I

Index 41

ite Birch ?

Balsam 84 ) 4,6 illow . 06

Maple e230

Dogwood me: |

Cherries eL5

Juneberry 16

Poplar 295

Hazel . 66

ee Ash| .04

Pst == AAA ALI te Hl lit ib ide RN “hgh, Ril vert dials bells Sperry eye ne oot Emer te “rae ee ve mm Se ae - 7 heey So

eo wv z ve us | } 4 : ft t i ‘

Kr —“ Jee

BD he ihe wah

8

a

4 ! | | . .

) | 4 we ‘ ! n - ; i ; -* - f » \ . i - : ' | ' ‘ \ : Soe : YY ® A { } : j j } ; j i + ‘ { © t ] ae | 2 es ' i H ome oe i | | ' : i ; 1 @F t : - <” @ wa te ) ) 1 1g, Ps . 1.0 "eae H ' . ‘ - aot Nae ) . { : : , : Fe ; ; % e } { J ed » ' i rowed ¢ . i : « ot t we AL ‘ : - 4 : - : fe tC A i ° . e | * \ i | : } ; ; f . “ . : : * Ly, | 0) ve ee ; } ; ' : : ‘ owtememthee many H ; Om Pr Wea» id ; :* - neue ee a FO TR IT re en NR A AO

15

Frequency Index (93 plots)

38

Living Stems per Acre by Species EL x 330 93

Living Stems per Acre

1,444 3,818

mete - Nee Ni nn Oe a sen ws ee ee ee ee a Ya DD + sc we Ra on

Die i | . (XS). sano ru99 ey sage 300

Ee A ee dee RN RE AN IE ET te m

:

7 ¢

he

a ae

9

is

{

| e | at {

| : | q : |

| | ‘i | 8s | ie | fe | :

i | ai =< | bit b 3 f2 = RE Ce eI ley a

Sn ie rt ed nn ny it ne Scr

[ cacaininaeinniaiedtonenenatiediemncaeiiie abla chaste -

! eroA 15@ eace38 sakvid Bi ‘pages — OE OTT AEE A: Hes Nhe nt et

i P| Toa Gre £

"

i .

| =

|

f anes

dl ry :

: she 2 ~

: -

| VAS

16

Per cent of Stems Browsed: EB x 100 EL

ss Bae ae OOL x” a — hepword atuo dB, Hh

0 ] rears ‘

— be Tp. vied

beawoxf 3a99 Teh | Le

ee ee ores

2. af |. toa

>) a : wevr ' | a oe ve Te 6 eg ee ed roa oven intent — OOD. x 4 Pe eee eS oe Se he ee

bellit tneso wee

Sc eS a ee ee cee a

ee ee tt i mi a NP I EER COOOL iE CIO RESO a RENE Al EERE a NET CES ae . b~

“ Ml Ck il ee ee cel we

EL (single) mee. | 88

Cherries

Juneberry

5nd sage Se Ce 0 re

[ot ete an teenie tart sos em mean yespennnn 4 aon * 7 A ni i

' .boteai ran Ings wis bef

1+ hue tunqpeevenaeriat ial Sle-'ioe sisenstatessnryaatie=twili? stmerantaor smthegmtnean mer teases Sali ee oe

: i, 0, of

~ - 2 « - ' 4 r * ‘ < “am is oe * . { y o oe , hy ad . 7 4 Lo ” . } ' 4 re a yu ee a A Ra Mg rnin cee tape ty te mt ce hl rtm te LEY yi eee eT Ne Pe ee Re ee a ee ere r f. see re . ah ee A ’ e 4 ‘ Ph ry : Wes \4 4 J - ee ee ee a i Ne ohn ay mtn et EAS teow . ee ee Sn ee) et = eh = meme: ee ee ‘ = t - mm Wee A Ya \ 7 a ee ree terete me Fn Pte fe he meg ite ow > ‘ Lie * os ‘ al ; s+ 1 . , ‘ ‘ t i i } «© | if i ' ! \ . \ ' - ' a eed ' ¢ ~ . . iw ee oe { nf <a oo Nl acesnmeiesaemeadinmend — a et Atal emerge pindllegn ed Ree ee ALE Tw mer ons n "be eames Annem nt eam ceil Seals ealnmliaaey

18 Maynard Lake Browse Surve

af Soin tee a E ' D N are Maynard ¢ Y

Lake

iis OA a "I oteon |

19

DUCK BANDING, KAPUSKASING DISTRICT, 1964

by G. M. Hendry, Biologist

Abstract

The initial banding operation at Pitukupi Lake resulted

in 481 ducks being banded. Eight species were represented in the captures. A total of 246 black ducks and 215 mallards accounted for 51.1 per cent and 44.7 per cent

of the new birds, respectively. Six different banding stations were operated from Aug. 20 to Sept. 13, 1964,

for a total of 150 trap-days. All attempts at trap-

ping diving ducks were unsuccessful.

Description of Area

Pitukupi Lake is a eutrophic lake with an area of 7.6 square miles. The northern section of the lake is deep (40 feet max.) with a gravel bottom while the southern section is shallow (6 feet max.) and has a thick layer of muck over the gravel. The trap sites are located between 84°06' W., 50°41' N. and 84°12' W., 50937' N.

The most important of the emergent aquatics is wild rice (Zizania aquatica) which covers an area of about 200 acres in the south end of the lake and which is the primary attractant to the waterfowl. Other common emergents include bulrush (Scirpus sp.), reed grass (Phragmites sp.) and arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.). The yellow water lily (Nuphar sp.) is the only floating aquatic pres- ent. The abundant growth of submerged aquatics includes large- leaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius), sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.).

The most numerous tree species surrounding the lake are alder (Alnus sp.) and black spruce (Picea mariana). Other species present include white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), white birch (Betula papyrifera) and dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa).

Materials and Methods

Six traps of the lily pad design were set up on the sites indicated (see map.) These were of the large multiple entrance type as suggested by Gibson (1964). Traps Alpha, Bravo and Charlie were constructed on gravel and hard sand while Dog, Echo and Fox li were built on the semi-floating vegetation that surrounds the

ake.

i } ne et ny , ’ - wy AN he er ne ) yh ne mm i o ( ire a y es Baars iy in

y AAA hn ell

SaeL ,TOTR TOI “OUERANAOT LAE e

-

tetgoiolad ,zxbosh .M.o:

? » in morte Joe72eGA

Te et ee

bogluesot pelasrpntaighiec eck tor cot neon. ‘noah eI nesraox o24aw aetooen 32HeRth .bobmed gniod ae

af ¢ an oe eaxsub a a f ‘| a ds? , +0) DY ‘ Yates : oy mages s nyo: tog Vi aa Bob toes req If? x 2 | botaugodoa abant

ie 4 page i OG at af voy 25 ay & SD. fh yl tate mee, Coe om Coline & itor £2 £D HIG YLGVII9@GRSA ,BUtse Wout . - ' | ? ee el 4 ry oT P at has A =i ene. wer : a 4 me | 5 @ \ RUA WOT POD at > Se ¥ ~~ A Wy re - 7 rs a « os re PONT bt LA ~evebe-as' O2t We : . H j ‘ seo Peeks rp el eves » A ey ‘ J = ar a _ —ss >| . ' t « = ; t- : by ‘al . mate e ~ ‘ 1 We a 2 “ei t , ; ~ + Bed ” rn Bee ' ' s of -4 . : — « oe ood a -iT | - q ta is kk iu Vy * " 2 J > i] ‘ .¥ mr . bd 4 = - 4 we s } : ; 7 ae - wen ~ os = Ped we tanOa rt ¥ ‘ a : Z OV ak Pe - yp. 2 oa - in in ie oe _ 7+ - oa ate } s } Sint en 4 p - . ‘ - . ¢ ~ ote. : IY C 4 a iS" soa os ee 4 ae : m Lito. ‘. al < iw J / ‘ AO Ya c r ST t . f Ly pie ~ a poy ie ¢ eda f ; B sete t Ms 7 . _— > iD - Ura aq . ~ ~ | _) -" ‘ Tors ofisupe. : ai ( « act - = ¥ ’ . : “ eke tory ; ha? “al uty ee ad A hy ‘ « . , ae Ps 7 f mee —_ fe + ; > wi e Ce tia—mo0 Us * Paws ee ee weet Tenet { “ ue * . Bio? abe 0 h io ‘ Pe She" i Renton alam ace este 4 r. ‘ fy ' - Po 4 ast arn NT a 32 31 Of12 et bh Tet 3) Sfooqa sett svoTatwua Je08 , ¢* “wT af em eof \ hick ih wk , ). SSUAVde ASBi9 bat * h * 7 ORT. ‘ ont ‘ale o A tt > ian - Swe ins rs Od ‘ ‘ Sisarudl, IBS 97 5aW : ow i Soe hn! a | sibs RE, ay B ue fduox: 24 at Fibs sin Ss uel ide s- «(axe ay Sina whens ¥

(gcolobaela siniod).foitd .¢eWb bee Cemeesyoes siecee

is

} sbosash -B settea on | gu-des Siew ap lg ikL agit, 30 aqott % onstico ofgitinug ogtel eda 2e stew seam (, a set aiinedd bas ovext , Bade ncn .(P8OT) sowdio yd. so% bane of 200 clidw beae/ Base bas fovexg pony

‘

P ii 4 iS eboworme jadt goltetegey grksaol2 be teoe odd ao 3

yt ie Lior ae ( i if ar ae ft Pa ee ee i

20

Traps and Collecting Box

All six traps measured 22.6 feet by 14,3 feet (see diagram at back). The sides were constructed of two inch by two inch mesh chicken wire which was stapled to the five feet high, spruce supporting posts. Chicken wiie of one inch by one inch mesh was used as roofing. In the end of the trap nearest the shore, a two foot by three foct hele was cut through which the ducks could be driven to the portable collecting box. Doors were constructed to 2 x 4's and measured five feet by two feet. These were placed in the side of the trap furthest from the hole for the collecting box. Each funnel entrance was four inches wide and closed off at a height of ten inches above the water line. These traps were designed from the trap illustrated in diagram 24,

section B of the Guide to Waterfowl Banding.

To remove the birds from any trap the collecting box would be placed in the opening at the end of the trap and the trigger for the drop-door, set, On entering the trap, the banders would drive the birds into the box; the front door of the box was then dropped by pulling the trigger. The ducks could then be easily removed through the two sliding doors in the top of the box,

Baiting

ihe selection of cracked corn, the only bait used through- out the project, was based on the findings of Gibson (1964). Each trap site was prebaited with approximately 75 pounds of corn before the traps were erected, Once the traps were completed and the birds had started to feed, the entrances were closed (Aug.19). From this date to the completion of the project a total of 50 pounds of corn per Gay was divided among the six traps.

Results

4. total of 4081 ducks were banded and released at the conclusicn cf the 1964-banding operation (Table I). After the traps had been erected, a seven day period elapsed before any evidence cr feeding was observed, Frem Aug. 19 when the traps were closed until Aug. 24, only six birds were banded. This was due to the fact that the ducks hadn't started feeding in large enough groups when the traps were closed. Daily catches after this date ranged from four to a high of 45 ducks. Fox trap was the most productive throughout the project with 226 ducks (47 per cent of total) being captured, Echo and Dog traps collected 164 (34%) and 91 (19%) ducks, respectively.

wi %o betewrdanes stew gobts: oft) |. Close

-babase oto obutd ahs tino oS. . gam 3

GG Wet

vd joo? af beweson. “en “

it ot boefeste asw dotdw sitw gaodlotny

‘donot ano %o athe nadtokdd .etn0g a

azy od te boe.e@a? af aniioos ee:

io suo ew ofor 200% saxdd ¥d Pe x aldas- | nov eek ee

33 Ove? cts

ret Tt er? “pry

' age

3 ¢ font ; ml elit wat ri rites Dee oT

p got anil, . y% s @ost absid off SVG } Bao ote os agnioeqo off? ak eam

a. of 3etn9 iO top. ,Toob-anae on’ t / r ¥i 1

4 224 ) hee 7 1BA =. .* aig , Pe ee | ‘io a rR ? ¢ ag = SFE , \ ~ -_ oe £ g efi 9 ]0, , ny 1 By > oy o > . f 2 d a J — an — aut nr A = — ey hy cer, 3 | Ls ow “T gine of" ie ae. 26 - -

dot) ‘oMeteqe aakieed A20r. slam ate. bolyeg inp. teint: 5 ,bs32078 a

“seco esw Hert

wore TC Rg 4 ross » 2a ¥

mibost batysga seed Galoub off Be 1 Wt tet -béaelorssav éqsz: ailoub BS 30 dgfd 5 of si D1 “EN o dsiw Boe i aa Eis “agents ‘get oF yios . ba 7

2h

TABLE I - Species, Sex, and Age Composition of Ducks Banded - 1564 -

ee

Species Adult Immature ys Imm /100 Male Female Male Female Total Immatures Ad. 9?

Black 110 34 54 48 246 41.5 300

(Anas rubripes) Mallard 30 8 23 96 66 215 73.3 704.

(Anas platyrhynchos)

Black x Mallard 5 - - Ll 6 16.7 - B.W.Teal = = - 1 1 100.0 - (Anas discors)

G.W. Teal - 1 1 1 3 66.7 200 Q@nas carolinensis)

American Widgeon - 1 2 1 b, 75.0 300 (Mareca americana)

Ring-necked Duck d = - - L - - (Nyroca collaris) Pintail

(Anas acuta)

&

oe) feo=t i] ~ (ni Nh © . © - i) =)

Total sf. ewe 481

Live decoys were placed in Dog trap on Sept. 1 ina successful attempt to start the birds feeding in that area. Once feeding had begun, the use of these live decoys was discontinued since they failed to increase the daily catch. We were also concerned with possible injury to the ducks due to prolonged confinement.

Although diving ducks were in the area our attempts to trap them failed. Traps Alpha, Bravo and Charlie were situated: in the deeper section of the lake, which the "divers" frequented, but failed to attract the birds. Several goldeneyes were noticed around the three productive traps but wouldn't feeding on the corn.

Throughout the project a total of 14 ducks escaped from the traps. Nine of these escaped from Dog trap on Sept. 9 through a break in the chicken wire. On inspection in was found that the wire underwater was quite brittle. Subsequent daily inspections of all traps reduced the number of escapes.

Only two ducks died during the project. Both birds were repeats, One mallard drowned in a trap when it became entangled in the chicken wire. One black duck drowned as a result of overcrowding at one end of the collecting box.

itoonent ylish taoupeads® elie Stkop Saw

x exuyancyl

iY [sao07 . olame of aM tabi mi [sa2o0l.oleaasy Sian oi f port 92 ee ny ee a Deere ee Ot eR a re a , ‘ 4 b fo ; te he mys ay ¢ .f ‘ a, i i P| as q ~ a fm bad 4 > ‘ 4 - sites r . « on To} ES SAE i oO Va ee eee ee gen emENCIANN Ie eT ne Ror a RAT

' c . a ‘Ans

jas? so goad eat ah beosala otaw ayOoeiae > . - %. - Z rf _ ¥ eer se

; Yr BESRSSs SPalc Siw Ww evooon avis ee i oyvow ao ,medsa Yilgh-oad senstoas

‘ong ot aub etngh Sad od eeelal oidissog a

Js tvo sevtp cid mi Stew aedodd guivie -aaw olitedd bre oves® adel egast rt “oxsvie sad dak edel sot So colsoag | ow eovorshleg Tasgve® | .aiukd sd2 sos7saa cibse? a *gbidew som sqana evicsouborg sod % , afoul AY to Iatod s.daeheme e832 avodgas [75% mo chit god meee Beaqseusenas? to ame hrpet ssw caisoeqesth im otiw nedsids &@

20g h oe To. jaa aft beoul

dives .sookoug eae gentsub bok siloub ¢ aes: “t © ronw gets, s al bemeoh

to alues oe & BS bonweab

PER CENT

ZZ

A total of 1051 ducks were retrapped. Of these 586 were blacks and 457 were mallards, The highest individual day's catch of repeats was 143 ducks on Sept. 12. Seven foreign retraps were encountered during the i564 banding operation.

Water depths at the trap entrances ranged from 7.2 to 40.0 inches at the deep ends and from 1.8 to 31.0 inches at the ends nearest shore.

Conclusions

Since black ducks and mallards accounted for 95.8 per cent of all birds banded, it is felt that the age ratios of these species are the most significant, Of the 246 black ducks banded only 102 (41.5%) were immatures, This ratio appears low when compared to other banding age ratios found in Ontario. Gibson (1963), Gawley (1964) and Gibson (1°64) found black duck age ratios of 77.1 per cent, 90.8 per cent and 90.9 per cent immatures, respectively, as a result of banding operations. However, Bellrose et al (1961:469) state ... "because juveniles and adults do not follow identical migration schedules or routes, age ratios showed seasonal and regional variations." To test for any evidence of seasonal variation the (craig change in age composition of banded black ducks was calculated Fig; I).

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 g 40 W// Suveniles//////

| £3 VETLILLTET TATA

20|//// Juveniles/ Or ZO UY - PHPTLI TTT : er i 90-26 27-2. 3-9 10-13 20-26 27-2 3-9 10-13

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER AUGUST | OEPTEMBER

Fig. I: - Weekly juvenile-adult composition of mallard and black

ducks banded at Pitukupi Lake in 1964,

P SEN ih ) w Hit 7 iM : bi

as Ha

osow Of saerls 20, , Boeqarten eaewiaeme eon” 3o tee A, is Ng jotno e'vsb fsubivibalt deodatd ad? “Gebusiiaa saew 128 stew eqnytex aplotol eves .Si .3q9@ wo evoub Cal saw esaeqea .Tolsaxsqo BAeBARG Boel ong gattwb bexosm ite

o2 °,° vox boone: ssonpxdasigead Bat 3s edtqeb wasaw oi tea eaefont 0,10 of Of geghae abe goed sad Saree ak an

‘2)

tas0 yoo 0.c¢ 102 hetauoses abaeiiee Gms etoub dosi¢ 39h zaioece osodat lo coldsy ops Sas See gues ei 3f . bebe ; Sor Yasio 99 DOBG eyroub jos td dag ris a0 ,Jnsolktingka ‘ o3 bousarmo sede wol emaeqgR Ors8S ekdT .comSmmiee qsivaD ,.ffa2!) noadto .okeejao ak bmyok ecoltss See ae tsa soq I,°\ to eotisz ess Aapb Gisaid BSavol (40.1) Gos ifues= s es viet: oes aaa gmoo toc ©.02 baa am siste (Cds: lO&l) fe 33 SaeRn eae | aewewon pee nol dgaxRioa Isotsitor t wolfo% ton ob exiubs bas esilag Sf10! Jsqorsea boewode soitsz O28 2o3uoz edt coljsiuev ismossoa 29 SonmsbivS yas «ox 3883 68 beisivolsao esw edoub slosiId bebasd 20 Mekizecesos eae ag

4 -_ 7” 4 > a re In

8 ag ahh ae OL * h CAALIAM? + sent enent . TATE, aa RM REE Rope of os 00.5 ee « ANVANAASS dees ik ote te oe “* wu LS Slideesapanks Tere e VVANANAN ‘ be | 02 S223 s eae nC a eat eeark jo, KAAS ANY oeees eee h ‘ 4 eR MAAS ARAVA ie tats eae ANN\\A\ 8: vob’ \\\y. OR - | Sette ce oe

VA te AK THAN ANN NN) WMA VA MAMAN oS A NVAAAAANA \ANAAAAAA MA

AMMA AXA oy os

ee iopid bas buat iaa

23

These data indicate an exodus of mallard and black ducks in the

last week of August. However, a subsequent influx occurred only

in mallards indicating that perhaps the majority of black duck juveniles had already flown south, At the time of this writing

we have not been able to gather any data on regional age ratio variations in 1964, It appears, therefore, that the low age ratio exhibited by black ducks banded during this operation is a result

of seasonal and perhaps regional variations and does not necessarily reflect an unbiased estimate of waterfowl production for this species.

Data ebtained from retrapping mallard and black ducks previcusly trapped and banded at Pitukupi Lake indicated that the banding traps were selective for the latter species (Table 2).

TABLE 2 - Number of Mallard and Black Ducks Trapped and Banded and the Per cent Retrapped during the 1964 Operation at Pitukupi Lake. 7 - — — .

Mallard Black Duck Number Per cent [rapped Retrapped | Retrapped Trapped Retrapped | Retrapped and and

Banded Banded

fact that Alpha, Bravo and Charlie traps failed to

e duck, all banding activities in these areas should

be discontinued next year. Two of these traps should be relocated

in the scuth end of the lake; the third trap being used for maintenance purposes, Five active traps would result in approximately 700 ducks being banded in 1965.

2. Since the traps worked well this year, their basic design should remain unchanged.

3. The one inch chicken wire mesh in the collecting box should

be replaced by two inch mesh. Many ducks damaged their bills in the smaller mesh this year. A reduction in the dimensions of the box

to 4‘xl-1/2'x3' would not only facilitate the removal of the birds but also reduce the weight and hence ease handling.

. q 1 ye. \ on i i Pm gaan bee) Ja wed eT. US tat am Zo SIRI

% yc ee civ c ¥ ' ~} ‘~ oe rey oh ep TT! ” * Svowe 1 O9OS720900 AL sak. BAUR eeals & * IOVOWOD y ; " r { ° ‘ee z lord dontd to viiveten ont aqgedeeq gas eK + toad oe) igs thine | ote TR ’ : 0 | of 3A -Adwes ool? ae te St DB 2BnaOg mH & Lh VERDES patie ih OD. tad sy 5 , * rt i , ‘i ing ot . my Oy As r 7 . vo aut ta ‘ sin . 2 ” » * m . ae ‘"% « Z| if ‘ ee w r J

we es 3 i | r : ” Koh po clene 7

t 1, fe : - até 4 ¢ 3 u : 1 Eons : : a e : : : ea 1 aA & mia’ ab at hel os “ . d

. pa 5 ‘ s « r. Se ae a E a is dy ihn pre - . - ) om oe ae 4 ce hes >" YS se ; } ae dad toyryg oO aud é 4 c.> ve F rer? hi ¥ ia . ‘ gaye . ba ' « a « - Ld ’ hd ~ ° - - ere ¢ - he 3 aX

. ‘ oh 4 £4

v “ * . eee. oe + ‘ a non f ¢ .

i : i ced Y wh . ‘ial ct . an - - - : | ‘ x See , rcs = hd E ns =! ‘ i | oe eee Le f . t - 4 ow a - ft 1 j ' . ' : . _ - : - P bw f 0 2 se SSeS 7 x - _ - ———-* © or JA . f » ; = - if bd _ * . 4 . J . - - ; ‘ uvet sabacs *| ‘ : . . " 4 x P . shidleh Js . s aoe : - * Ur nr - ~s r 5 ¥ > v wwii = 4 a ate ‘ i ~CURe £02 ry Ry} T Tey mr - sant aed -- « wei = ’ o . J i ah ae Nek a ree 7 : ae , Mie oafle uy a 5 ot. of deem stlw. lies.

4 : e * + re te £ i Pree at eee a ee ee neaee es ok ? - ¥ YAOI SEES eins tars os

‘ r » 5 , ry r 7 * rr i { “ Z . Bi nat sit ross wig be 2°t ar

24

4. Immediately after being erected, each trap should be baited with 100 pounds of corn. They should then be left open for a period of at least one week to allow the birds to become accus- tomed to the traps and to commence feeding.

5. Checking the traps twice daily and removing the captured birds failed to increase the daily catch and actual disturbed the ducks sufficiently so as to reduce the daily catch. A single daily check of the traps followed by immediate baiting is recommended for next year. Careful examination of the traps for holes etc. should reduce the number of escapes considerably. If predation becomes a problem in the future, twice daily checks could be warranted.

6. The use of ducks as live decoys in the traps is recommended, However, once a trap is producing the continued use of such decoys is unwarranted as it fails to increase the catch significantly.

7. In the future, banding efforts should be continued on Pitukupi Lake unless a more suitable location is found.

Summary

A total of 481 ducks were banded during the summer of 1964 at Pitukupi Lake; of these, 246 were blacks and 215 were mallards. Eight species were represented. the large, multi- entrance traps used were very productive; one such trap captured 226 ducks. Three of the six traps failed to capture a single bird.

Acknowledgments

Appreciation is extended to Messrs. P. Millette, I. R. Battye

and Conservation Officer F. F. Legace for their assistance in this project. The success of the banding program is due largely to their efforts.

References Cited

Addy, C. E. et al 1956, Guide to Waterfowl Banding. U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland.

Bellrose, F. C. et al 1961, Sex Ratios and Age Ratios in North American Ducks. 111. Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull. 27(6). 474 pp.

Gawley, D. J. 1964, Duck Banding, Gogama District, 1963. Resource Mgt. Rept. No. 74, March.

isd ed Bluode gaya. dose: jbagaore. ante ! ‘78 * soi ego Viel ed apis biveds Yont ‘a

ronad oF absitd sad wokie, as xoow O10. Jas -antbset sone rans ‘o

82, si chveniel Sele: hie enhird

sdzusel> Isijos bas dodges yilab

. : on olente A ~nomso wigeb efd soube

" = 4 “ S, af he } on te 7

OD MeLMO et nrtsrtad s@eibomark yc

¥ 1 ‘ i ep ee > nes

e ‘eben oe eee x? off Yo xe

eat Ona Mil IAD ag op 9 Ae 620 NOAIS wi, a eat . 4 ‘ , = _— % -_ he 7 cs bad biel Sah * ach gob Bi7Q 4 G@eVowG re. 4 J P a } " tf SW OG WOOD SAO vicab FoOLWs 7 1297 5° ii ot aynosb avil : = 4 } > Ba LS ES OD’ Sts rn tanpbo Le a rs ht ¢ in an be alls nm FT “ ‘ Ady b. : 7 IG SRB Li A L - 4 A - ro" & by» : ae ee I DOI S2UNNS SITOLIS BOCA eres 5 “ — cat oF nn ktan } an > be . Ju ed ink < d wt uh = IDs ~~ . wel 7 aa ae ms <n = ‘ ' aul PT] wa om Gi fis ‘ ‘ 7 ° FF) - ? ‘ ? anh & ‘ INoSW OF, A 3 § 3 Mal jhe > 2 ' . n 3 e P ‘ TS . bOI TSes tq — ~ . 2 | , i” T es may otra ~—e ba y G&itd moc iu VIsdauboOTg YISv stow Des = nen bine ; a a. on bo ; a od bolint ag ate sei: i ' is BbmaeinD a rd “d * ‘ , tae 37 Ja Me at een qi ~ = 7 eee 2 =) AnMaws,. | | |; we S508 Bere ki ~) > a). a SHRouw 44 9 ~~ abe A 4 £ . » be eat ) : % o ag Bc owssG Es Z

ms “op wee Ae vi Tea ,oOPRI tas femal .~ootw

ned ike ‘ ¢ am 20ita8 ed Kee oft of Ts

-CQV§ find .vaewe ,2eRe See eee .olund i eek tobvie ld sanged .gabbnes toed

#

doses

25

Gibson, B. H. 1963. Report on Waterfowl Banding Project Completed at Arm Lake, Geraldton District, Summer of 1962. Resource Mgt. Rept. No. 67, January.

1964. Geraldton District Duck Banding Project - 1963. Resource Met. Rept. No. 74, March.

APPENDIX I COSTS

Cost of the 1964 Duck Banding Project, exclusive of permanent staff salaries, provisions, outboard gas and trans- portation is as follows:

Six traps 14.3' x 22.6' - 750 of 2 inch chicken wire $ 54.45

- 300 of 1 inch chicken wire 41.336 Cost of Wire $95.83 - 166' of 2 x 2's 8.30 = 84! of 2 x 4's 6.00 - 168' of 1 x 6's 11.76 - 2 pc, of plywood 2'x3' 4.20 Cost of Wood $ 30.26 - Miscellaneous (hinges staples, etc.) 3.96 Feed - 2,000 pounds of cracked corn 88,00 Labour - one man, 33 days @ 14.95/dy 493.35 - one man, 18 days @ 12.50/dy — 225.00 $713.90

Total Cost — *eee0eeeeeeoeeesesee@ $936.40 No. of ducks banded = 481 Cost per duck banded = $1.95

ry i ¥ j f Ve tat i oer a i : My i ia ae | AIO.) Dee 250 y Snebited ‘> wot 25 taw GO jae8e - ‘

ay 4

Pe BI o 4s vie < ; ae ae fia: oe A. muozoS .S0°% 20 sons Sein ena

squuoa S08 3 eke is

aS(o71 grr rsa ged dabae set npdbtiavced ) Perse: LF ae 28M Ss otges

avigiloxe ,2osfeva gyebase siabd Ader sis bap asp busodtug (eaoteiwone , cel

badd: § vin codotde domk’S Go Oe - 'd.88 x 76,8 id sviw mesttido game £ to 80e - “aa Jente ” oeW to. $eoD ;

2'Si\x S de *O8L - q's x S30 *AG - edt 2x f te “Bol - Sia "ex*s Suowelg 79 + S - S.CE 2 booW Zo 3865

,eolqase ¢ raft) | cunsaint [S99 iM -

-—s

avi, of ‘(9089 = 2.78 yoo bexests Ze ebrieg O00Ug - 5 bcc. Af & aysh ES yaem emo - S$ <b\9C, 80 qysbSh emeaeao -

rar a oes oe 668 2 ota = Jae

‘Tés ma sobuad eda

. J ae (04 “= my ya? t i aon A dy ;, ; », " « ( =r ’ IF 6.

am " i mth i 9 " i : ¥ ii N] . " i a Day:

26

Shore

Collecting Box Duck entrance (6" wide)

\ >

7-1/2' 7'

N I Door a 22 16! Support post 7-1/2' 6! < es Ps BCALE: 1 in.-4ft. ‘5S' hy y yy Sy Yy : /

ee a post

Duck entrance (6"' wide)

La: a EE ie

Diagram Showing Design and Dimensions of Traps and Collecting Box

% gers oe Bets

er

SONS

ee es ee ee

i os

oar

MED

gonazong sont

LOL LLL LIE IOLA LLL LALO COO OTE TIE TS IE

49) |

(eb

es

ae and

o

30 SOE RS

4

-

qaut

> “

baa) Bunt

~ rm, fal *~ - . . é

27

Charlie

PITUKUPI LAKE BANDING AREA Base Map Number 505841 on Locations of Traps

Scale; 2 mi.=1 inch

egal i, ih Bh oa eae

. h, the li ON ~ q Pt ty ( if LT s \ ™ i‘. i cy a" 7 an 4 we af \ \ fom, \, : \ 2 \ ot

Poaman i 3 ade [A

mites RL Ly ; t ~, Menetok Fe ; hn i ' ; M

wi { ;

~ it p

ee

iio as fan) ovEiéig? Fi ' + ae \: , : }

i es Oe ee ee en : We i

H 7 | . . 1

hia ‘ & \ 1 . : 7 % . oc: ‘wh i

ey ‘~ 4 2 tk ixadd: ne ee

ye

: ery - ~ ort * i = anes acc mt

23

DUCK HUNTING IN THE LINDSAY DISTRICT, 1963

by E. T. Cox, Biologist

Abstract

Samples of hunters checked in the field on opening

day showed a bag of 1.2 ducks per hunter. The data obtained in the remainder of September and in the months of October, November and December show, respectively, figures of 1.6, 0.4, 1.1, and 0.2 ducks per hunter. The nain species contained in a collection of 312 duck wings were wood ducks (61), black ducks (61), mallards (58), blue-winged teal (48), and green- winged teal (30). Detailed separations by county of the hunting effort and bag during different portions of the open season (Tables I - V) and of the wing collection (Table WI) are presented. Age, sex and the ratios of immatures to adults are given for the six most abundant species in the collection. Some compar- isons are made with District data from previous years,

Introduction

The species are referred to by their common names (after Peterson, 1963).

Beginning in 1958, an annual opening day check of waterfowl hunters has been made by Fish and Wildlife and Parks personnel, Opening day results are considered valuable for comparison since the areas checked tend to remain the same year after year. During recent years there has also been an effort to gather more informa- tion on waterfowl hunting after the opening day.

Since 1960 Darlington Provincial Park has offered shooting to hunters for a daily blind fee. Hunters are requested to fill out a special daily report form. All Durham County data are obtained from this Park.

The data from Presqu'ile Provincial Park and the rest of the Lindsay District are recorded on the ‘Waterfowl Checking Station Card" (Form H-35). A seasonal permit is required to hunt waterfowl at Presqu'ile. The writer feels that the present card information is valuable for hunter success figures and for species identification.

of CaF TOL NTALa. YARGUIa SHTiMT COMTI

yd etgofoli .x#09:.T 2

an E, * ped =~ i =~, : 3 : yO" HiSliz eng ak ; Ds 2 In Of. to toma: oy we yt" ns —— - - , Q br. “~ & soodt-' .asdaodd-tey exoub: §.I.to sad es : os mene * r . hee ce & wes rue ——- 14 i}: ms ysucesase to zoebeisnes ond ° Lm 3 "3 mga cd P toe : “ : : ; 5 ‘ . , s jih yt of .8,0. 60,2 Jo. potpgtt an - T b nash pas Nea » Pege , 2 83 4 2 be (438400 S820 (T2235) Or T i i o e rs all i ae - faeAISLlG' i lO) eaonb boow ayayw asrtw. 7 eee, a a ee ee | rf /OAa\ - Bs . (88) ‘Lsed .bosniwesutd . (82) ‘ab oe : en, =~ e. Peo ed i}: Ow YO. OlL45 tag 32 DSutege - «(OE { - : a . - : Ao. a rat « - * . me o> of sj OQ ITSS9ISL QatlIwh ged bas. tzokIs:g * - tle wee eee A Alaa on 7 a. are m 5 i at iit! : ©" J £01082) .1oegpe:..28G0 7 oe - : x . were pe fy fe) 7 ' es

"> ws 7 Py - . / = Oo pA90i Too m3 rt 1D. 5 7 ‘2. IAD aa “ ee r : ~ : CG LM) 8386 o.f Ft zi ft W obpar

a ee ee wee

e . — , _ » ke > ay ~~ -

‘ SEO ? ! [93 YO oO ae ee | oa BIS #9 x me) t o> Tae y “

weejsw to josto ysb- gnimego Isgams oa , 8220 ot gak moatog atltsd- bas stkibiiW bas dati ¢d sban eqnoo xot oldaulav bemebienoo exa esti ui, I80Y. tosis waey ompe Sao eisaet of baad Be a St.o3 tuotis-as«meed oals cand eseds oninegqe ofa teIi%e anitoud Iwok

re t i ‘berstto aad-of Isiontvexrd mosgrifzed 08C! s. SuGuLilite?s betesuper 5s evetauH:: ,6et Barid vIiteb ‘& 3 honrkatd . Bs: ic) cadued ILA .mget tyoge7

~ ~ os < + 7

ra

“

¢ a3 ad? dos 1. [atone oft' apse mox? ate wIIS3 2 ign sat) Uwotvesgesl ete woe pee Srose3 ome Jot Ye

foi tesaw towed of. borkaper Bk ~tinrieq Denoesea: A. solijaarso int -b eure oft Sadtislest totiaw oft mohisoliligebi‘eetooga tok Sis estmels gesooue mee:

29

Attempts to age and sex ducks in the field-have been discontinued, It is hoped that the duck wing collections, started in 1961, will provide reliable data from a much larger sample,

Please note that there was a daily bag limit of only two wood ducks in 1963.

HUNTER SUCCESS - Hunting-data are presented by county and tabled according to opening day, the remainder of September, October, November, and December, The Northumberland data are largely from Presqu'ile Provincial Park and Rice Lake.

DUCK WING COLLECTION - Specimens were identified as to species,

sex and age by the writer with the assistance of Conservation Officer J. A. Robertson, Preliminary keys prepared by Carney and Geis were used with some reference to Carney and Geis, 1960. The results of this work are presented in Tables 6 and 7. Collections of less than ten specimens of one species were not further separated.

No Haliburton County specimens were collected, COMMENTS - Duck hunting on opening day 1963 appears to have been

only fair. A comparison of opening day bag per hunter over the last four years is given below.

Ducks per Hunter by County

Year Durham Hali. North Peter, Vict, 1963 2.3 2 5 b.3 0.8 1962 1.2 = 1.9 1,0 L.@ 1961 ce = ~ - LO 1960 Pel 1.8 136 2.8 Or7

The scanty information available on theremainder of the 1963 open season is the most comprehensive-yet recorded for the Lindsay District. Wood ducks, black ducks, mallards and the two species of teal apparently provided the bulk of the hunters' bag. A similar finding was made from the 1961 wing collection (Cringan, 1962).

Unfortunately all 1963 samples were under the desirable minimum of 100 specimens per species, However, the ratios of juveniles to adults are worth noting. Wood duck- samples in the last three years have shown considerably more adult males than adult females. The number of immatures per adult for this species is shown

~~ Ssunttaoowlh oged- avad itelt mit nt donb « [ity Id! of betrave lan obsostios ; qaky Aq bu .ofousa wegnel: doum Bp som ‘BoRe af i 7 en, ‘ino. to 3ratl..ase yilsb Bs asw sisi pds gion. eaely “sae! a, | Das Yinvos Yd. botressxq eas) Bae abso - ae we 9d0%90 .voedesitcoak® to ‘teSalensy omg exe goinsgqo oF, a! : : Sir .f 5 Ya mS J 3 hem : is "st SVT Ses arse nhace: brs Brit .sial o5f9 bos dest Istonivow 7 9g8 OF a5, bolilinobl .syow ememipege = Bor LESHVIBS HOD to 8 stelaas, slat Adie tes iaw 5 (aria) yd bexsassa syed Yaememioee /208329d0R » . .:,0499 bis yootsd 03) gamsgeres Smon dtkw & (ZOD | Sicsl nf besnsssyy. sts artow els atete jmut Sow ot5W s9f99q8 Smo) 2a anesitosqa 3 | paSomiosge Yomo2 mo sod... _pizsoagt cae i yeb gakitego BO Bf iinad ‘Bot a ofo- Tee AbU-@Bb gal elise to Ov <TBGwOD wwoled mevig ek —Solat ee Tce f Sy F w OF ef 7 P ra > ' t fon i” o tebniscsred3 oo aldpitava Geksememenes Yioaoa 8 843 t02 bebxzoos7. suledprlgxqaos Jeog ord. el oom ow? of3 bas ebtsi! raowbd stontd ,aHacb booW .IS% 2380 “ategaut od to Aind ofD DSRivero wiemeasags | CR -foljoolioo pakw fe¢l 2A Bagt Shen eew sare tgsb os. , otaw aofqmaa €00f fis yvlosanwiae 0 golts2 off .sevewon ae %8g An ontoage | af sol . oub .pooW ...gaitdea fatew ars pipe ; ief3 esian 3fvubs srom devs sbiagdos trvoris. swest -a eet geetoeqe ains..1xol | Sighs %o0 Bomegeme. oe aod

30

below by year. 1961 - 5.3 young per adult eeckn. 1962) 1962 - 1.5 young per adult 1963 - 1.9 young per adult

In 1963, black ducks and mallards show, respectively, 4.7 and 8.2 young per adult, Blue-winged teal show 7.9 and green-winged teal 5.8 young per adult.

One of the main findings of Bellrose et al (1961), was <aat juveniles were "more vulnerable to hunting than adults; the vulnerability differential varied with place, time of hunting season, year and species.'’ -These findings, obtained in central and north-central United States, are probably applicable to southern Ontario; thus, the calculated ratios should not be considered as direct measurements of reproduction although they are probably good indicators.

References Bellrose, F, C., et al 1961. Sex Ratios and Age Ratios in North American Ducks. Illinois Natural History Survey,

27:391-474,

Carney, S. and A. Geis, Preliminary Keys, Age and Sex of Duck Wings. Mimeo, Unpublished.

Carney, S. and A. Geis, 1960. Mallard Age and Sex Determination From Wings. J. Wildl, Met., 24(4):372-381.

Cringan, A., 1961. Duck Wing Collection, Southern Ontario, 1961. Unpublished.

Peterson, R. T., 1963, A-Field Guide to the Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

ais Inavgeoo ni bontstcdo ,spakbelt seemie, .eeloegs banaue

2008 vidsdeug ota yors. dgyod3in soksosbstaar Jo eiacmomes

atv! dow to xe@ boa S3A .2y8 VRREGEPees “pee AG a

(S3@I .asgatsd) afebs aeq omwoy Ey | tinbs tay geuony: et - ser %

Jivbs tq paney GI peer eg

ae

(Visvisosqeot ,wode ebisifan bas eaoul Aseie yfoer si bos ©... wore Isat bogmie-ouli (Sigoe oq oruoy § : .tiubs weg papaya Saad. oe

asw ,{i8el) Is jo svovliog Io agate eee eee ae ons yadiuhs cedt gcfoned ov oidsieaing exon" otow

enisnurd to ents aie o dtiw boktar {sbapoxo22tb |

wrodtuoe of sidseiices widedote 278 ,883si2 beste, ts en beysblenos od gon bigest eoltsi Bagsigsiss ods , en

itto ok soltsi apA brs eaksah Hee “feet fe 32 Meiteat yxosei# Is tudal akomtLit aloud ‘npolss - MaA-L € 2

bore Tugel 4¢

we wv ae] ee tet ~ cv , 2 \)

on) bestieM ,08@L .aked At : s) ‘So ¢2 2a sbi LW ok ~eanrW |

. = 7} 3 oat rs © in ~ %

t

-f0Ci ,orzsgn0 musdivee .sokteahiog, oobW Jont .£08 boris LAC +ik0 odd o3 ship bisit4 psCRO En oi

hd a ta

royniguoh .2

31

TABLE I - Duck Hunting Effort and Bag - Opening Day (Sept.21)

& s 5 a s Totals Hunters 22 - 78 56 71 227 Hunter-hours - ~ 528 372 268 - Dogs ” - 2 Ll 3 6 Mallard - - 15 24 5 Ad, Black duck - - 14 23 7 L4 Blue-winged teal ~ - 26 6 29 61 Wood duck - ~ 4 13 13 30 Green-winged teal ~ = 24 3 Ay 31 Pintail - = 10 i a 10 Others - “ 10 1 2 13 Total ducks 50* - 103 70 60 283 Ducks per hunter | “ i.3 iva 0.8 Le2 Hours per duck - ~ 5.1 5.3 “65 -

* unidentified

N.B. - Hali. - Haliburton; North. - Northumberland; Peter. - Peterborough; Vict. - Victoria.

‘hoslsvademAs2zo% = Jee SitosoiV - ,gs8F 4

a a re ae ar

32

ae Wle

Effort and Ba

TABLE II - Duck Huntin - Renainder of Sept.

= tak ey 2 a S Totals Hunters 99 - 3 30 25 157 Hunter-hours - - 17 78 74 - Dogs = - - d, 5 g Mallard - ~ 3 28 2 33 Black duck - - 6 25 ~ 23 Blue-winged teal ~ ~ - - 2 2 Wood duck - - - 16 L ba Green-winged teal - - - ) 1 10 Pintail - « 4 = “ L, Others - - I ~ 3 d. Total ducks 153 - 14 76 9 252 Ducks per hunter +;,5 - 4,7 2.5 0.4 1.6

Hours per duck - - Le2 1.0 ez -

gee 2 Bet oe ~ See. ee Mente 2 oa ini Lonenanee aid

fehwonrias cae ae

Y 4 = ao @ “a : hat <n oahu Oo] a. “l wy ec ee cs a ne

by

; g as E

- — > — P alee 8 ~ 12 q v a , tf -

ce t ry

‘ Se O.f ee |

SWS ee enema OF NR em ee OE Re ene e ree ae ee ee Nn PR Reh eT Sommer!

e=

33

TABLE III - DUCK HUNTING EFFORT AND BAG - October

E = € 3 ‘

B E 8 @ x Totals Hunters 132 5 - - 9 146 Hunter-hours - 5 - - 18 L Dogs - L - = Z 3 Total ducks 55 1 ~ ~ 8 64 Ducks per hunter 0.4 0.2 - - 0.9 0.4 Hours per duck - 5,0 ~ - Cok -

TABLE IV - DUCK HUNTING EFFORT AND BAG - November

re se se

a a is 0 u

eee aS

A = a A a Totals Hunters 86 - = = bs 90 Hunter-hours - - - - 17 - Dogs - - - ~ 1 1 Total ducks 102* - - - 1 103 Ducks per hunter ie - - - 0.3 it Hours per duck = - - - 4.3 -

* at least 35 mergansers

TABLE V - DUCK HUNTING EFFCRT AND BAG =- December

Gg e e

a a 7 5 Fr

Bae sk ae it Bro, 33

om s A Bu > Totals Hunters 34 = ~ - “ 34 Total ducks 6 - - - 6

Ducks per hunter G22 - - ” - O52

° , | tue , : a xodos70. - DAL GUE eT ete 1 A ON SEN RD AO) em NENG A I A AR “ ee Oe ne re :

. s = bet "a Fy i) 1% » + PTE “* a aistot a Fa tes ac ae stn nati nb ry Pr

dal : : a

‘ {3 pe ns uh eo rs : a an wrginaieeneremn en — — io. BRA Re me ee a a ~ - “7 drs ~ f rT wie oe vod Lad Le € iste Re eT Re EE 2 Tey rr N NTI nM ompnirnanenlad rear ‘ . + Vere Oe oe mw ~— a ay ee “~ RS Re fi * * - 3 va Li Le) Lb ‘ fed eal j wo o oe fatn'S os = CS ke tated Wd, CADE 5 OO nee aie PEt COE) Reig haar OL I AI ANY PO c a : i og me a -~ | s ae er, - . m |

EE RR INNER Smee to em mytie Mame ne = Tee eee na eee ARE mime mw atm

q é SO ais dah Ro 3 i

Le —_ NE Ren aR CF REAR EE ath mean mn in eee ne nNeNTCEaREY

34

TABLE VI - Source and Species Composition of 1963 Duck Wing Collection

Number of Specimens by County

Br he - or

G rm) a} rm wo

a a ee ee Species A & Au > ES Date Collected Wood duck - 1 27 ##=26 61* #£x29Sept,.21-Oct.22 Black duck 5 TS S25 7 61* #£zSept.21-Nov.25 Mallard 6." 22-7 6 @658 Sept.21-Oct.24 Blue-winged teal ae 6 16 48 Sept.21-Oct.15 Green-winged teal i. “22 5 2° 30 Sept.21-Nov. 9 Pintaii 3 8 - L 12 Sept .21-30

Am. widgeon(baldpate) 1 7 - 4 12 Sept.21-25.

Ring-necked duck 2 1 - 3 6 Sept.21-Oct.15 Hooded merganser - - 2 3 5 Sept.21-Oct.10 Greater scaup duck 1 2 - 1 4 Sept.21-Cct.22 Gadwall - 3 ~ ~ 3 Sept.21-25 surf scoter - - - 2 2 Oct. 9 Lesser scaup duck - 1 > 1 2 Oct.22 & Nov.11 Bufflekeac: - 2 - - 2 Oct .31 Redhead - 2 - - 2 Sept.21** Black-mallard

hybrids - = - - 2% Shoveler - - - - 1 Sept.25 Anerican

goldenecye duck = L . - 1 Nov. 5 TOTALS 20. iz2 &2 2 312%

* specimens with no designated county included ** convictions registered

11 | LORE REN me SEE wT SRR I mE AO Rn ARI Na a A Ode eee Sen ani asap ls

fael Yo: nasttiaouged | “wo byous J 2)

SP SARS NoPE IR Ay PORN GAPE. ny ~ nee mam mn FN NS ANOS 8 IA eA NN Ae NE OT a IN QeeGN 8 Nyt Ne NRA Pe

Man 2 ee BLL NG

ley > *

~ ty 4 8 Je . Pattee Been i SR SS D4 9 a0 Ses Pm te -

Se Ie. 3q08. *£5 S655 ! -

Me PO! eee eS . i + J sy Se, . S % a Fe g ‘ail

ate ulnkad'd “i SI SS ae ici Sieg

mn ci” A ae 4 4 _ ©

7

| TABLE VII - Sex and Age Ratios from 1963 Duck Wing Collections

Number of Wing Specimens

Ratio Un- Unaged Adults Immatures Immatures to Species usable o¢ oe 8 of 9 Total Adult Females Wood duck 13 6 1 10 4 17 10 27 6.8:1 Black duck 4 0 0 1S eee - - 47 9.4:1 Mallard 9 2 1 i oe 20°21 41 10,2:1 Blue-winged teal 0 0 L a 5 21 18 39 Peat Green-winged teal 2 0 L OO 4 16 7 23 ey a 8 Am, widgeon (baldpate)0 0 ape gga 4 & 8 7s ete &

Pintail 0

fo) CV

i}

8

}

t]

i

i)

1

peri SOR: dost ic 20 ptt 25x #9 eer Kors coksat

om ponabsemamaaangratn:

ansmat oad? got W to todo

oe me ee RR TRAE AER ME ee pe a A he ie ne > 4 4 Ot 2 f

£30.08 \S t a Ui a

; -

- fv ru oO

Y >] a ik bea oy cS © So » “© Y

+ = +. a r Cr ee nee ee ce ee et ns oe een ie Cet et RN: Bre NN LA tae Sm AR

36

OPENING DAY OF THE WATERFOWL SEASON SEPTEMBER 26, 1964, LAKE SIMCOE DISTRICT

by J. S. Dorland Assistant Senior Conservation Officer

Abstract

One thousand forty-eight hunters were checked in fourteen of the numerous duck hunting areas of the District on the opening day, (excluding Dufferin County). This army of hunters bagged a total of

697 ducks for an average bag per hunter of .66 ducks. Man-hours to kill one duck took 6.7. Weather conditions were only fair with some light rain falling in a few areas around 6:00 a.m. The tally for the day was, in

a sense, a replica of 1963, with more hunters, more

time taken to kill a duck, and less to take home.

Introduction

Good coverage of waterfowl areas was obtained this year. With the help of the R.C.M.P. in boats and cars, sixteen conserva- tion officers and biologists covered such prominent waterfowl areas as Matchedash Bay, Holland Marsh, Cook's Bay, Minesing Swamp, Lake Dalrymple, Little Mud Lake, Duffin Creek, Little Lake, Mud Lake and other lesser areas within the District.

Results

The total number of hunters checked was up some 15 per cent over the previous year. Ducks per hunter and man-hours to kill a duck, however, have decreased 18.6 per cent and increased 11.9 per cent, respectively, from the previous year. Of the total number of birds reported shot 14,3 per cent were reported not retrieved by some hunters, however, 11 per cent of these cripples were retrieved by other hunters. See Chart #1. In the Holland Marsh, where last year a crippling loss of 32 per cent was indicated, this year the crippling loss shows a decline of 7° per cent as only 28 ducks were reported lost as against 131 in 1963. Cripples in the Minesing Swamp, however, were very high being near 2/3 of the harvest,

Hunters' bags indicated that male ducks predominated only slightly over females. Blue-winged teal again made up the largest percentage of species with green-winged teal and the wood duck tying for second place. The mallard has now dropped to fourth,

dt a ee i

MOPATE UO Wa TAW FAT: 3 vad *i\./ (FRAC of ¢ gebbted « ADTE

. Me P| mre? ier 26 ce wy et a Le Fe . Li

. webs %

E220 pobterrsenoy sabes “Snmdadoal: ia

=e . woe Whe , Ly bei :

ee

far re Se bar

= Some ‘Saw vb euovecam efd to ° ab “gekeeqo ens ‘no: Bo: r33nud Yo yas eld «sf

eoeie/ 0] c asd seBzeV8B os tot

aa ; 00% aod emo EITrol aX - tAgil emos Adlw x aft {im.8 00:8

fis tw ,CO@! fo soliast.s

zor expo “3: ¥ : .douGe® Ii fl ot

aves a real ‘ Te, See Po ~~ hin Pam ae . 2 A BI . inl 7 fd the eats

: Sn upehe FF a vw BIS PHASBLIOn . * re, = r 4 a? & i 5 uG: .siel bol ols3ht - : . rt hs hey “ - ki bast iw-enotn toss

a m3 > # godine: se Be cores Lf, BI03°%

‘ A peek ath eur 2 es mid yweq eifagG« . TROY eHO.

semper k « Eoeréy Cr “soc 0.8] be 1SeI3E ) \ ont | 1 cv ; or orn? 6102 t ten 4% - & — 't 6

0. to Iaee 169 res “3 covowodl

gran 8 .

5o eq ce 20 sent aa D>: -220 3o smbisad s ewore-@ ges. TE! Santegs.se Jeol & : | rad sgkd -eyev o19H i

aia botsokbak aged’! ex030m 3 u- .nolane? revo @ | yen tiv etsegs to syade youb wor aed bialiea edt ooate hrosse 20

od

being replaced by the green-winged in third, and the black in fifth place. See Chart #2, Although the wood duck shows an increase in the District figures, only a few were found in the Matchedash Bay area.

Scaup, however, show a considerable increase over the 1963 harvest, when only twelve were reported in the District.

Best harvest reports are from the smaller and less known waterfowl areas such as Lake Dalrymple, Kettles Lake and Midland Point, where 89 hunters in 237 man-hours harvested 100 ducks for an average of 1.12 ducks per hunter. It took 2.37 man-hours of hunting to shoot one duck, Statistics from these areas are lumped together with other areas and shown in Chart #1 under Remainder (10 area.

At the four check points along the west side of the Holland Marsh, approximately eight out o£ every ten hunters checked were new Canadians.

Comments

From our figures this year it is apparent that the wood duck is increasing considerably in this area. The unusual low water in Matchedash and Holland Marsh, depleting much of the marsh of its hatching assets, no doubt was a special factor this year in the continuing decline of the black and mallard. The gradual increasing hunting pressure on opening days in recent years by many hunters, who's knowledge of the range of the gun in their hands apparently is negligible, may soon turn cur opening days of duck hunting into something comparable with Chinese holidays.

ni aasotoat op swore Pney boow ‘a oak fat ys cesbedotsM eid mk book emsw wet ae) wlan,

i *, mat

wy salt ail . . , oe . > 4 ne g...: % , re * or i eii3 tevo sesotomk aldesebkams = wole laevewon ~Joizteid elt ak bettoges siew avis aw wee Pst

mon! eeol bus xeliame odd mort e3e @agoges ; BIOS bas otet solisot ,eigaysled salad pyr Je Bs a IO Hob OUD S2eavisd Bn pest - ak evga us o ft etyt a Ps te . are “*T » re ) See Sen + B59TS 986n3 mors 2 eotsetzase wits : ; . ie

. -

3 2 be Jsew oft ooofs esate Rp ier thie vaseud aot Y4 figte "edactaaixoopte! -enaibensd rt

7 j

erly : Terete $i as90y stds gemyt 2 we mo saJew wol lavayan sdT soxs abd ae basse 35 Ys ; ast io tac 3903 to dou am. soLqal 4 aueM brelfol bag odd it wey it yotopi tatoeqe: & yore tdpob on * aniesosont Isubax a Bl faa bes Asald asi Jo ork. ~2vetimn! veer vd « tee sk aysb gokmegqo co ia u ‘Itnevsaqe ebrod tke } an per? 26 egret oft to: of | ovat gnistend sloub Io evel “yak T3q0 %o a@tud nove” vam | bilod seentdd doyiw ofdstag

CHART #1

DUCK HUNTING STATISTICS OPENING DAY SEPTEMBER 26, 1964 LAKE SIMCOE DISTRICT

Hunter- Bird Man-hours Hunters | hours Harvest | per per eae Bird JoLland etek | Cook's Bay 2141 os Matchedash Bay 1330 9.0

Minesing Swamp 4.0

emainder (10 areas) 1153 356

petals 20s | 4709

Cont'd

Cripples Hunters | Average

Area Hours rose | _* [roma | 2 per ante

Holland Marsh Cook's Bay u3, i as

Matchedash Bay L/ rir 5

Minesing Swamp 71.4 Renainder (10 areas) 57 | keal ei es 23 Sy

Lier ,O8 MIMGTIS2 YAc OMTMNGO eOrrerrare BI TOEATENG BOOMT2 BXAT

bea | “tot | ot t8q | teevenH | aznod |) eyesa sSotnut | |

antod-ireM "Sq

| S.0f |

PENSE ae TION Se mee |

S od ea t rar]

| : | ' f

| ‘ Vv : E 3 ' —_— : ; Peas een anes “ie : t 2

oR are : Ue : AG ee a pee ee ee 5 URROERENE RARE Umber eo |:

.0 ) Io. | Nae

: EDD nasi tiaentaritanetbachatiteanmabaseicintman ate’ cn aap thee tt ts emmy Le ee DRY 2 Dea De ee Oe eee

S8sisva | eTs70ur

| | 3 &

. eiwoH =| «gnieau ~- eee |

Sesh tod | agot | baer] 8 | aod)

| RT eC OO | or apes peste . : Coat

i -

: ' : ! os : ie oe - _ _ —— — , Pat ~ - | ; : ! Sa: oS

H » Ae faoilichdlacsinhcahiatieien ah sniahtetieaiae ice ae 3 ei, a

= aes : Lt 2 Se

: i ft, ; ; — ea ———— :

39 CHART #2

Species and Sex of Waterfowl Checked Lake Simcoe District - Sept. 26, 1964

FO A ED RT EEL SPRUCE TORRES,

Species Male Fenale Total Per cent Black 31 4,7 78 11.2 Mallard 60 51 Lid 15.9 Green-winged tos 65 64. 129 18.5 Blue-winged teal 108 74, 182 26.1 Wood duck 63 66 129 18.5 Pintail 3 8 um 1,6 Secaup 16 21 37 579 Redhead ul 1 wee American Widgeon (RBaldpate) z 6 8 pee § Ssnoveler 1 i o2 Gadwal 1 1 02 Merganser s 4 5 9 1.3 Total 323 344 697

4.0

CHART #3

Species Harvested September 26, 1964

Black G.W. B.W. Wood Area Duck Mallard Teal Teal Duck Pintail Scaup

Holland Marsh 24 3¢; 47 a2 26 5 9

Bay 29 29 39 35 5 & 4

Am, Widgeon Area Redhead Gadwall Shoveler (Baldpate) Mergansers

o

Marsh 1 1 1 5 5 21

~

Bay 2 14

rae

Swamp 2

\©

10 Areas 3 2 31

~“

x 1 i 8 9 69

Cer en ee ee eer eae?

* eet ee Oweatind Sony Stree

4 agT

A Sen ee . S ~ net aaa rs

oe - . I On a a me hes <a seangeoeriunnnianenesieieteisttes

ee ‘ * 5

aay ‘ Cee Se ea ee ¥ ost ee re rene * meainbiateneliniedcasiberte toes daca pee ; x e : v . haw es : St cir ich Sie maths aie ses vc ahh a . : Serer A os ok a cata scars ee a er eae rare ~ Sa AR i teem aN F ee ee ty ae = + . i ~ ~ bs *~ F e 4a 5 A 7 é “+ - ud “a oe ‘ ) a ices EP eee ran Reson Sole det Marans eB tetas aie esol anes: Stolen ee er ay me “ . tee SEI a OR SEE RE ANE — : “ _ SO ey Ree ee Sd o lo Ts - Hee tae ne So eemee* Ot Feet mmemeene nr e i : - 5 . we ene ee Po Pa ree eeepc aS SNCS ad meee ne ee eC he — . wot aieeS > <a etree eas tahensreneidnsheiaiamestgamenseht j Se . = gs We rn a , oy ~ f —— a } oe So eee eo | Cot? ‘ 2 he Asa VOR , seeenmeite nmi ee tes ss a mms = Swe . _ - =< LPL OE AO we

# i . * 7 r t

cate IA etme rene wa eee enn meets came mee ae Bees ase ee ee —s LL LTA CE LT RT i ty

&

ey - » settee ee neeneten mem Fe me aetna amc es nee ait ae os) tos : “ <a “ _ -—— 2 + ee eo has s oe - re ae ii eet ce OO A OO eG IER er " me \ “ ina netinemieerlibiitiniitieiaibieee . oa eine gmat oe ed eee eevee oe tone inital : ie mies Aided inate ae, ee eee wgabeusu ser) oe 1¥S. Yissuis (a ee ne er ees La TTA = “ ee

41

THE PRESENT STATUS OF SHARP-TAILED GROUSE IN THE KENORA DISTRICT - 1963

by R. W. McGillivray Conservation Officer

Abstract

A survey to locate coveys and dancing grounds of sharp-tailed grouse carried out in the Kenora District between January 1, 1963 and January 31, 1964 produced

a total of 265 sharp-tails, an aggregate of 31 sightings made on 26 locations. This is an increase of 204

birds over the 81 observed in 1962. The increase is probably due to an increase in effort to locate the coveys, rather than a total increase in population numbers. Coveys ranged in size from 1 to 40 (approx.) birds, with the average covey size being 9.2 birds

per covey. Seven new dancing grounds were located to bring the total of known, active dancing grounds to eight. A new census technique employing the use of

a helicopter was tried and proved to be unsuccessful

at this time. Breeding success information was

limited with only 2 broods being observed. The increase in the size of fall coveys over those observed during the spring, may indicate that the population has in- creased this year. Hunting pressure is considered

to be light, with only eight birds known to have been bagged in 35 man-hours of hunting. The fate of the sharp-tailed grouse is undetermined in this area and will depend on what happens to the existing habitat.

Introduction

This report is a continuance of a survey to locate coveys: and dancing grounds of sharp-tailed grouse in the Kenora District.

Previously, work had been carried out by A. R. Clsen in 1959, and by the writer in 1562. Sightings were recorded only in the Dryden - Vermilion Bay area. As occasional reports of sharp-tails were received from other parts of the District, it was decided this year to extend the survey to obtain District-wide coverage.

TOUORD GAILAT-tHANS et UTE caer ~ TOrereTa AGO

i Ady ae wie ..— rr en tt WF de le Behe he :

Lary 4 « - ctoneh bas sYovo2 odaz0r oo ysva tuo bolvane sevorg bofisd- Af visunel bos £00) 42. ~3epnet-ae isgovggs np ,oited-qtade i} a to de

ont op at eld? leapktssol 28 a -£oel of bevapede 58 off. xe 5 ixotts mt sesstank ms, ot eub vid

Tegog st sesetoat Dsdet s asdd tedden ' J oout este ai Seater ayovod) <&

sis, yevoo agetevs oft d3k

/ ebrmorwg gatormab wan aeved Xs!

viossb eviiee —swerledo istos ia siyolqas supiodsad euenso wast # vy ad od bsverg bas beled caw sede

emmtoinl sassaue wrtboo sd ont. .bovisedo gated ehooxd $ ‘eine db do seat tewo aveveo Iiet to os te siuqoq off Fade otsoibat Yer, (ak 2. otvagetq Wimtta $s Sa06ey elny & sword ebtid tdghe xine djiw ine

T° \Vgettoud to emped-oam 2f ff

J nl bontoyetebay ef setorg boheme telxo afd of saseqed Fadw mo emodt

eo te a ee ome

to ¢ ogeunksneo, 5 eh 20997,

sual boLkad-qnada do 3 Daca

a ‘ i

‘d juo bolas aead al _— ela isw apn pe Sef wk sodtIw a (agortesooo GA ~-89%8 esd aot 7 pe! to edxag toda most bevieass 9 tei akstdo of ¥ ovius eda basins c

42

Four sharp-tail specimens collected during the hunting season were sent to Mr, H. Lumsden of the Research Branch, Maple. These specimens were identified as Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris.

Work on the survey commenced in January, 1963 with a concentrated effort being made to locate dancing grounds. The work was interrupted at the end of April and from this time only periodic work was carried out, up to the end of January, 1564.

Method

1. Early morning and evening auto patrols made along township roads were directed to locations where sharp-tail coveys had been observed on previous occasions.

Residents in these areas were contacted in regard to locating dancing grounds. This method proved to be rewarding, as it aided in locating four of the seven new grounds. The remain- ing grounds were located by personal observations made during the patrols.

2. The District staff was requested to report all sightings of sharp-tails made while carrying out their regular work.

New Census Technique Tried

Using a helicopter, an attempt was made to develop a new census technique. It was felt that sharp-tail coveys could be flushed by flying at a low altitude (20 to 30 feet) over large muskegs and open areas.

The first attempt was made on the afternoon of August 29, during the a routine flight. The test area was the large muskeg in Revel Township. Flying at an altitude of approximately 20 feet on a wandering course over the area, we were successful in flushing a covey of five sharp-tails.

A similar flight that a

fternoon flushed four sharp-tails from an open area in Zealand Townsh

hip.

Feeling that this method had possibilities, another flight was made on September 16. Flying over established locations of sharp-tail coveys, it was planned to catch the birds in open areas, flush them, and obtain an accurate count, After three hours of flying from dawn to ten o'clock, no birds had been observed. From two o'clock until five o'clock only one covey of nine sharp- tails was flushed from the large muskeg in Hartman Township.

» % <b

Shake wt & ry fas

mre

st

a Wer ¢ “ ot pe “t 7. | wT . oy

ont ub hot se, too anonkiels L

ievrcego ett Bo: nobabid

meee Me es er SIMQUBiG 2 pap i. it es. bokk?

s ekxie pais ul, - Vinay pate: i ane r ¢ oh neared s uel mt besnemos ovwe edd 0

of Oro ?

schoasb sgacef, 02 sbam gated. bein

ott brs ElagA 2o bee ede ta bewtique to bao eg oF an , 300 ‘bodwens

wols absaa eforisa Ov uB 3 suingve: hessh

-. y

st ot besostcoy Show RBees eeu , s¢ od oF bevoz 39 t what abi wD O* bimotR wend meves ari 36 wot gritsnads tsavisedo Isnoe tog vd | ba2Be sof 975"

~tody tuo solveuse satin cma

a j

, nib ty : ' oki u begat SUpsa

oban eaw Jqmetis an ,wesqeok eee * wh oh iteat~-oxrnte yess slat eaw 9 .Suplm ‘ 4 Y

stis ofF no sbant caw age ‘esta 4 a ‘SW 89%B, 9250 onT Tapers on £3 >, i, > - , _ P

tidteeog bad bor! dite etty Sads 8 1» Tavo yoryly cus xodmesqo@ é ‘ ni dodge of ehapge ih gow Wi , _BRD ia) tsuneo stags abedtdo pony abyld of yee ols! ‘o nad of 2

rary «

eveo aro ying anise “eo rentI3eh mt pestlem agwal © TR sith

43

In two of the three instances when coveys were flushed, it was noted that the coveys held tight until the helicopter was directly over them. In the other instance, the covey flushed well ahead of the machine. In all cases, the birds flushed in the dir- ection of the line of flight of the helicopter making it possible to obtain a full count of all the birds in the covey.

The results of the two tests made were somewhat dis- appointing, but it is felt that this method would be relatively successful if correlated with the proper time of year, such as early spring or late fall.

Although the use of this technique is impractical and uneconomical for this area, it may be of value when an intensive population census is required on a large area, in a short period of time.

Sightings

A total of 285 sharp-tailed grouse was observed in the Dryden - Vermilion Bay area during the period January, 1263 to the end of January, 12964. This is an increase of 204 birds over the 81 observed in 1962. This increase is probably due to an increase in effort to locate the coveys, rather than a total increase in popu- lation numbers.

The number of sightings made was aided by records submitted by members of the district staff and, as in the past, all ‘sightings, with the exception o£ one from Minaki, came from the Dryden - Vermilion Bay area.

The single bird observed at Minaki in February is con- sidered to be a northern sharp-tail that has strayed south of its normal range. This sighting is not included in the main data of this report.

The two hundred and eishtyfive sharp-tails observed are the sum of 31 sightings made on 26 locations. Six of the 31 sightings were of single birds, which are probably wandering males. Covey size varied from 1 to 40 (approx.) birds, with the average covey size being 9.2 birds per covey.

There is a possibility that a small number of coveys recorded on locations that are within one or two miles of each other has been duplicated. However, as there is no way of disting- uishing between coveys, all sightings made on these locations will be considered as different coveys for the purpose of this report.

sa os 3 ; bs af ‘ ie S eae

P= 3

SSW SED iow per it ,e@oRave 4 © fis qo orfod + mt shat baat 22 ow nek fc exit: dtom allo ~— Siok at oh

bukd (204 maa Os fis a

mis seqgotg odd totw betnfents er ecigpe

rer > +7 ® rf Ji BY re = Aes

- wihaw’ « -~ + an - : ae - - & oe oe “— a = J AZ . ~ St is . + ‘ 4 wl ak ous ah » — ° xanih je SevuEes to : , Mi a * . - on 6 2B - * - a. 4 “e yer Weis Lie \) es Ricy

i,

-Vaves aad abuid $

reite 8 teds ceili to sno-ohilsiw sas Jad? eag tis a ‘of: 3fi3 25 , savewor -bstn > sbam 3 egakidg te Ife .@ ig odd sol eyevem Ja

44

Winter observations of sharp-tail coveys indicate heavy utilization of cranberry bogs with food sources being alder, willow and white birch buds and fruits.

The locations of sharp-tail coveys observed during 1963 are listed below and illustrated in Appendix I.*>

Date Location No. of Birds 1963 ine o> :

Jan. N 1/2 Lot 2 - Con. III Sanford Twp. 1 **Feb. S$ 1/2 Lot 12- Con. I Wainwright Twp. 4 Mar. N 1/2 Lot 5 - Con. IV Van Horne Twp. 1 Mar. Pots? Lot 1.- Con, 11 Mutrie Twp. 4 Apr. moas2 Lot-4 - Gon. I Sanford Twp. 5 Apr. S§ 1/2 Lot 12- Con. V Aubrey Twp. 12 Apr. S 1/2 Lot 10- Con. IV Melgund Twp. i *Apr. Sette? tot: 21- Con. TX Zealand Twp. 14 kkKKA Dr. ae? Lot 4 -— Con, I Britton Twp. 15 *kKADT. mere? ~ Lot’ 3*— Con. If Wabigoon Twp. 9 Apr. & 1/2 “Lot §& = Con. IIL Van Horne Twp. 4 Apr. Hoif2 »lot:4 = Con. II Eton Twp. 1

*July N1/2 Lot 21- Con. 1) Zealand Twp. Brood 1 + 11

Brood 1+ 8 Aug. N 1/2 Lot 6 - Con. V Revel Twp. 5 Sept. |N 1/2 Lot 12- Con. VI Hartman Twp. 9 Sept. |N1/2 Lot 3 - Con. XII Zealand Twp. 15 Sept. |N1/2 Lot 1 - Con. IV Hartman Twp. 4 eeeepee | & 1/2 Lot 12-. Con. I Wainwright Twp. 18 Sept. |S 1/2 Lot 2 - Con. II Mutrie Twp. 15 Seneaeis L/2 Lot 8 = Con. T Britton Twp. 11 Sept. |$ 1/2 Lot 21- Con. XII Zealand Twp. 12 Sept. |S 1/2 Lot 10- Con. V Eton Twp. 23 Dec. mis2 Lot 2 - Con. I Britton Twp. 7 *kkDec. mAay2 Lot 3 = Con. II Wabigoon Twp. 16 Dec. Dryden Paper Co. Rd. Camp #32, | Burning Lake 1 Dec. S 1/2 Lot 12- Con. VI Hartman Twp. 1 Dec. N 1/2 Lot 11- Con. II Wainwright Twp. 3 Dec. Bettie Lot, 2,& 3«.ComsIl Wainwright Twp. 6 Dec. mts2. Lot 5.-..Con, 41 7

Van Horne Twp.

*wkkkJan.64 |S 1/2 Lot 4 - Con. I , Britton Twp

*, #*, uke, kek Same Location, Different No. Birds observed at different times.

1. A map showing the location of dancing grounds and sightings of sharp-tailed grouse coveys accompanied the original report now in the Fish and Wildlife Library, Maple.

yveen staoibol eyevoo tie3-qusda 30. anol:

' * ah ‘ wolliw ,zebie ack a aayoe boo? ida tw agod ' } ‘ - ck avaeedo fiatqq xacte to ano. oggA at sereTiaus te b eenbapeccean Sts ole) sae ee be : ' ne oe iB PAS } avi brolins2 | , £ET Jee ) r Jog t oesteW I Rad itoH ms¥ . VI .00 Paton | (I ,mod . . TOIAKe | I’ 2890 wt youd | ¥V .fao gw? beugtoM | IT .aag mpines ) RI ,.@op ; . MOI DLT : I ,f00 = oogidsw | it . #00 | .Gw? ontoH asv | TYI mood y TO dl A » £70) wt 55 x | AI « fQ0) ‘ ae aa i o VBA | | at wT saassee | IV fe ,qWT DaeiessS | IIx ,.#ed : mitsh Vi .f69 bY mT ot rial Y .1 c* 4 aT ’ ; M : 1 it , Ext 5 ’ i Pt | Il .ao B © vi bre! % fo 8 =d8 4 go3H | ¥ ,f09 ~Of l sosskszs | = feo -- moos) a | L 48% £ Tit i e ct 12 BO .b Gans rBH | 2V «800

QW? entoH mev | gel ROIS Via | aw) BOI I Ese ws amod.. = 8: aol

Far ioscan rg ak penn we .. = bine — ae re Gah. a © SV A9eU0 2 ee = oy; Ine? 97: Pha fot Ja003 _ a

8 aims 3 300791 oe sai 4 epatidgte bas ebnmorg getoeeb Io mokisoot aaa enews wO77 210997 [anigiio sad belasqmoson Steves Ss woxg bolt oiqeM ,yteTd il eli {bLiw bam dak

450

Dancing Grounds

Seven new dancing grounds were located this year to bring the total of known active dancing grounds to eight.

Two dancing grounds Located by Olsen (1959) have become inactive and no apparent reason can be found for the birds abandoning these sites. Sharp-tails are still present in these areas and an effort to relocate their new dancing grounds will be made this coming spring.

The locations of dancing grounds and the largest number of birds observed on each are listed below.

Map Location Location No. Birds Index may $ S00 Observed

A N 1/2 Lot 2 - Con. II = Wabigoon Twp. ~ 9 B S 1/2 Lot 1 - Con. II - Mutrie Twp. 4 Cc N 1/2 Lot 4 - Con. I = Sanford Twp. 5 D N 1/2 Lot 12- Con. V = Aubrey Twp. 12 E S 1/2 Lot 12- Con. I - Wainwright Twp. 4 F § 1/2 Lot 8 - Con. III- Van Horne Twp. 4 G N 1/2 Lot 21- Con. IX - Zealand Twp. 14 H N 1/2 Lot 4 - Con. I - Britton Twp. eg * § 1/2 Lot 1 - Con. V_ - Sanford Twp.

* S 1/2 Lot 8 - Con. IV - Melgund Twp.

— —_ _ — —

* Dancing Grounds Located by Olsen (1959) that have become inactive.

Sharp-tails were first observed dancing on March 26, which is somewhat earlier than last year, when dancing wasnt observed until April 1. Dancing reached its peak about April 20 and continued until April 26 when the males became inactive and dancing was spasmodic.

All eight dancing grounds are situated in cultivated fields which are usually in stubble at this time of year. The exception was dancing grounds ''C’’ which was ploughed. The birds were observed dancing atop and between the furrows.

wiioneb was treed? etssoles of judbte

ib cocw .Yaeey teal mand setizes Jad

ae : Lin ae 4 : is in? re AM, \. eo PREY fon ; 4 i y ah Ao ’ ’ A Poa ‘ r Xe ana ASIN pela j Ay

) seelO vd botesol ebsuos 2 galonsbh derial 102 bowo mas moeset $n 15 ISCUB retry! 7 Jitsze ets aliet-qisde eetie & end g

® ye

- Raya gnimo

otR Botodab io eaten var: af d betell ors dosas co bovasel

; . H :

; . oe >

rasw sty > Oi Si\S2 ‘

: oe

tush ] » 0% f sok Syl

e at.

- L e 340s e < JO! s\f

o> <1 tol s\f

: ‘ ye ?

4 4a BU, -~ - a 00 16] e\r B

, 700 lod S\L een om ~ —-

~ - Se ee oe ee “-

ret _ re ate “42 stl STOW alist om

coc ott bedogsss gakonm@d .f fish 1 onlt wane 8S Iixgé abe” - stboama ae

teuste 91s ebnyorg get oneb ann ik3 eidd ts sidduse ae wifevar ot

2 PW GOL iwW * ; £ Ds cE? i 8 ar. tonsh 242 noowisd ban qote gettoasb Bi A ri

46 .

During visits to dancing grounds 'B", "D" and"G" birds were observed that did not participate in the dancing activities. These birds are considered to be females and the ratio of males to females observed was:

B= 3315; D = 923 (3sl): G-= 1024 (2.5:1)

Breeding Success

After nesting took place, work on this survey was Limited with the results that only two broods were observed throughout the summer months.

The broods were observed near dancing grounds "G"' and consisted of one hen with 11 young, and one hen with eight young. Breeding success in this case was good and as indicated by later observations, the survival of young was high. However, as this is the only indication of breeding success, it is impossible to apply it to the whole area.

Apparent increases in the size of fall coveys over those observed in the spring may be evidence that the population has increased this year. Spring flushing counts on dancing grounds should give a true picture of the population trend,

Hunter Success

In the past, no hunter contact information was collected for sharp-tailed grouse. This was primarily due to the difficulty of obtaining such information.

This year sportsmen were informed of the need for hunter success information through the medium of department news releases, talks to conservation clubs and hunter safety training classes, and personal contact in the field. Sportsmen who expressed an interest in hunting sharp-tails were requested to report their success on the forms provided.

Eleven hunters reported hunting a total of 35 man-hours and killing eight sharp-tailed grouse. Five of the eight birds killed were sexed and aged. These data are tabulated below:

No. Birds Aged & Sexed No. Acult Males - No. Adult Females = No. Juvenile Males No. Juvenile Females =

OF HM WH Ww

ad

- - poe te, ad 3 SI as a 3g : * pi, « > y " b . ra) v1. a s le ity . Ge r es wo » gy see " whe 4 PO ne weg 4 P - iS “ r om - € ito & ; - ins pr ; SIT Pah} + ens : oreet 3 iy | td eaw } e 4 > J te - “, " + — at 4 eG > L p ’ ¢ i ¥ ree 4 Rabe 4) | ai? F 7 Z . . seat - Ks oa fi J ie is 4 i oy 4 a oA 1 al pn ¢ rm pe jo 'e) - “ * s ‘ 3 ~ 2 ~ f m f r 4 | dia jist Pa : : yx f : “A er ee : i > Boe om i> vi | eur a 7 2 a Us ‘IB BIS “ ' ; ¢ a .

"nt aouutol iaaag 2 Jon bEb- berg

hootd ows yfino Janz er

SIHOD gener oft <388g |

avorg belis?=quade

,.o98alg dood antiass a8

syrsedo od pel inetd ~aemoy If diiw mod SiO -

eee j

mo ‘ . HAL faoult gAIIge +3s

esw eldt savory. ee oe He

yw Tomas tOqe s89¥ atta. dgworsts nokta bs adulo oolse sa

blak? ont sk ipex sxow elke? qa

hssxroaat #xw auyeiT .bexs boa bexed 2 besa ia wa

esis Jiuls

sol san ¥ 3 Liste ene asieM ol ies

47

Hunting pressure is considered to be light and may be attributed to the following reasons:

(1) Few local sportsmen take to the field specifically to hunt sharp-tails.

(2) The majority of sharp-tail coveys are found on private land and in many cases the Land owners are reluctant to permit sportsmen to hunt on their property. These land owners indicate that they enjoy watching the activities of the birds and do not wish to expose them to destruction by the gun.

(3) Most hunters who encounter a covey of sharp-tails lack the knowledge of how to hunt this species. They find the birds flush wild and feel that success can only be obatined by “plinking" at them from some distance with a .22 calibre rifle.

Prairie Chickens (Pinnated Grouse)

During conversations with some of the older residents of the area, some confusion was encountered with the use of the term "prairie chicken".

The Prairie Chicken ox Pinnated Grouse Tympanuchus cupido was at one time plentiful in this area and according to the older residents large flocks were observed along the railway tracks during the time that grain was transported in leaky box cars from the Western Provinces to the Head of the Lakes.

It is suggested by these residents that the grouse moved into this area by following the trail of grain left on the tracks by the leaking boxcars and when leak-proof cars came into being the birds diminished with the loss of the ready food supply. Sharp-tailed grouse then moved in to inhabit the range abandoned by the prairie chickens.

The prairie chicken is all but gone from this area now. The last sighting of this species was recorded by Olsen (1959), when he observed two pinnated grouse dancing with four sharp-tails on the § 1/2 Lot 1, Con. V, Sanford Township. This dancing ground has since become inactive.

Although the prairie chicken has disappeared from this area, the term is still used by local residents when referring to the sharp-tailed grouse.

vio bra tdgi i od 02 emer ae

‘etoe ROT ae _ LO!

bnuot ats ayevod f a2 qe to v3 fresjoulst eta atenwo mae alt wooAo Me vaal seer Vt raqosn skort a0 Jour! ow suttividvos off gnidooaw Coke. yard: ack: sob a3 mod? saomm og detw Jom.ob &

7 : tags 0 ‘e)! O09 a cusidhobanohe oriw ew yoit .eetosce aida dau a worl Io *. sitsdo od yino fas #ag5aue ted3 foo? bas B p> SS. se Hotw esotateth sme et? ont

to io dviw aaah oan Teva boretnuoeons aepw, mod guinoo..

avT sevord betsearn. 9 rastotdod okulea 18 bos eve elds ak . uit jae Ig eats nie recy. f el : ay vo0f2: 92° af

+ t= 3

1 27 ROTBGSIS Bow ce, ay .asdial odd 30 SeeH os OF: one ves 2} s+ ajosbleast esas yd potasggue i ) [ tJ it Zé ol foi qd B9t8 ~ vo~-Aaal cen tit pela ank 59: ; bn ee

20. £80 [ ofa at bw bo re fs bethe be deriat ov af bewom sd? opm . euoslokds

Oo

sud Se) ab aodabda 0! he" 22f0 vd bebyooe 7 sew aehoege ake int dviw gatoosd, savory beanie. o ry R sb atdT ,qidenwol buotase (Vv afede wns

ouranent |

is suqytekb @ Ioisis obxtomt, oda si Sar Leary re igiab Keay Tacol vd boey tik

Discussion

The fate of the sharp-tailed grouse in this area is undetermined. Indications are that the population has increased this year and if this is true, the increase is probably due to good breeding success and is limited only to this year.

It is evident that the future of the sharp-tailed grouse in this area will depend on what happens to the existing habitat, particularly in the Dryden - Vermilion Bay area. Ideal situations exist here to exercise some constructive management. Timber harvesting combined with controlled burning on these locations would not only improve sharp-tail range, but would also aid blueberry production. However, until such time as more interest is placed on sharp-tailed grouse, management of this species must be limited.

The following are suggestions for future management in this area:

1. Continuance of the spring survey using the Road traverse - Listening Count Method to locate dancing grounds. Deputy Chief Rangers could be organized to conduct this part of the survey in their areas under the direction of the conservation officer in charge.

2. Combined with the above, flushing counts on known dancing grounds to establish a population trend. .

3. More intensive work on brood counts is required to relate breeding success.

4. Increased effort to obtain hunter success information with emphasis on the collection of wings, tails and possible crop analysis. This would require informing sportsmen of the need for the information and obtaining their co-operation.

Acknowledgments

A vote of thanks is extended to the members of the district staff for their co-operation in providing information for this report,

Special mention is given pilot Pete Peterson for.his co-operation and skill in handling the helicopter and to District Forester, G. F. Coyne for providing the four specimens sent to Maple.

on et

urtonabh e2sool' os borieM Ja oo ibnos oF | canto ed bivos : ~linazkh phe Toba 2a@ITe ited

imonm oft of bebnedke et 2 : Tog

wot od? gakbiveny som SHAD:

uote bel ted: quae. ‘9

o STIN2, oft init 2088 ] o3 sesgged a2sdw ao beegeh Etiw s vei tokitonaV - gebyad sad- a] 7

7 pve" phe yeie Smee ‘me OTSE » ¢ ittmrrzud belloraos Aitkw bert, Eoinro

tiOW tale = gras Its 2~qrsde ave on af amt? Uowa figas , 30 onvO8

*

29 Jot Po ss8 23) 98 Oy . ‘ 4 ~ 1 enoltosaggue 974 artiworted = yateu yYsvuve, poksqe odd Yo as

? > ’ “—<

trne Tf? ake TERS [2 qe e

f ‘ ftaingod a stavoo bootd nt siaud alatdo , + we Nee vos “$4

artertetal eutupes . xtotd setetasds bate 02 am rte

nett vLuGTY at abiez290-¢ >: ~

j$oJ sted atte novky a. of sit sie bam mt hae ba

49

Thanks is also extended to Fish and Wildlife Supervisor, Wm. Charlton and Biologist, K. Chambers for their constructive criticisms of the writing of this report.

References

Amman, G. A., 1957. The Prairie Grouse of Michigan. Game Division, Dept. of Conservation, Lansing, Michigan.

Charlton, Wm. H., 1962. Ruffed Grouse. Drum and Brood Counts, Kenora District 1962. Resource Mgt. Report No. 67, January, 1963. ;

Edminster, F. C., 1954. American Game Birds of Field and Forest. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

Hamerstrom, F. N. Jr., & Frances Hamerstrom, 1951. Mobility of Sharp-tailed Grouse in Relation to its Ecology and Distribution. Amer. Midland Nat. Vol. 46(1):174-226.

McGillivray, R. W., 1962. Present Status of Sharp-tailed Grouse, Kenora District, 1962. Resource Mgt. Rept. No. 70, July, 1963.

Miller, J. G., 1960. Report on Sharp-tailed Grouse 1960. Fish and Wildlife Mgt. Report No. 58, July, 1961.

Miller, J. G., 1962. Sharp-tail and Ruffed Grouse Spring Survey and Brood Counts, Fort Frances District 1962. Resource. Mgt. Report No. 67 - Jan. 1963.

Olsen, A. R., 1959. Status of Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Kenora District 1959. Fish and Wildlife Mgt. Report No. 50, Feb., 1960.

Taber, R. D., 1960. Criteria of Sex and Age. Sec. 6 P. - 6:1 Manual of Game Investigational Techniques. The Wildlife Society.

VAs te NILE PIibI iw bow Gans: 3 1?) » eh ae tot wu Ate dae wa << ats c . J rogas std to 3 ft to sguox® obutaxd out " NeRD a nidolim .goaters agigavzeenp2 io. 3 4 * iP i ma =. Senos bot tus 828 ie a i. soumo2 .Sder 3 asehee O 3 c absk@ omad o Fsomh : a2e ga 1o¥. wok ,om0@ e'xsadisoe esis . ao VESTS pie ne) 22! ,moxtezsmnl soonest he 3 att eo “ oF, + molsaishA mt on ‘bolising ~ ~* fe 3 + 4 . : oy VY .3848 baslbis » aM fod: malas ae tee " : ce * ate ts oe ie : a 4 at eS w3 BS e & & 28 SOTUOES OES dorwseld J-craecds ao tx0geR a @ ~ ov > ate Dy . OL Jd - tiwsk BITS £in3-+o° rsd ster] seorext 22707 . .€8 a i 4 olist-qisdt lo sus ” ; ’ . P rg: “ tA % OS OAL a . - ee 2 7 ih x82 20 sine? ! ip T [gco0lssgideovai x n't

LAKE MINDEMOYA CREEL CENSUS, 1961, 1962, 1963

by F. A. Zimmernan, Conservation Officer, Sudbury Forest District

Abstract

Lake Mindemoya is one the Sudbury Districts most productive and heavily utilized walleye-perch lakes. A creel census begun on this lake in 1961 has been continued each year since then. This report provides the 1963 creel records and compares the data for the three years,

Methods Used

The 1963 creel census was carried out in a manner similar to that used in 1961 and 1962. (Zimmerman 1962, 1963)

1963 Data - The census period was from June 4 to October 24 and

131 of the potential 146 days were fished. 1278 fishermen were checked during this interval. They caught 4061 fish of six species in 5228 hours. The largest portion of the catch (47.2%) was represented by the walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) with yellow perch (Perca flavescens) making up 34.3 per cent. The former species supported the fishery from early June to mid-September when perch began to dominate the catch. Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) were most plentiful during the latter part of September but as in previous years played a relatively insignificant role in the lake's fishery as did the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) the nor- thern pike (Esox lucius) and the rock bass (Ambloplites r rupestris).

Tables 1, 11 and 111 provide the 1963 data in detail.

A Comparison of the Data Collected in 1961, 1962, 1963

Since 1961, 4392 anglers have been checked on Lake Mindemoya. During this time they caught 12,265 fish of six species with the walleye representing 51.9 per cent of the fish and the yellow perch 33.2 per cent.

If we let the percentage relative frequency for each species of the 1961 harvest represent 100 then considering the perch and walleye data in 1962 the perch improved their position in the season's total by almost 44 per cent while the walleye declined by 9 per cent.

FIC Git . Feel .Svemo a

4oeatIedé ome op eamee armies by wd Meg

220 ei ¥% sdbu2 edd eto af sont bark nreq-oyeti be ‘i$iftsu yikvssii bas avEID at IOel at etel elas no gauged: euenss £ r ttoqen eld? .o6dd somka teey doae beust of sisb oft sersqans Sas ebtooes isso" cae

ogee:

“afro? B TF Ju0 3) BAW BLARITeS {eer | mn FOCl . SACL aecrvacentS) .Sd@Ph Bae eh;

19d032900 of A of x2 eaw botzeg SuOM te sodakt BYSL .be axow oo cal Ip a Q509 Ge fra toe oaela a ao ; g vadT lavradat a :

(Ho. , p) fotes of3 to aofkiagoe ; Jeagusl 4 ci | vy f Heb 7 Pa, fiGAL #4 OXJ 42) oyvolfaw

a el a Se el at ~-e “wee amTet ad .tu95 sq ESE ge sabia (

iS) i 3 ii OP awe By t : Vw > as f ¥ i 28S 2u2 - corie : A) ob Boe? Sa i surovs a0) de os \ 19989 od. re] me aedmadqee 20, 3xsq toddal sao gAbeubs | a eole 5 [ oli imalasl vio rraniex & bays ‘For or (suotuelon auxssgqotos ) sasd dawomkt aca

: f neice wate lhe nella Soni sina bnsm . . é a ke _ i Pm = of Me git ate # o (L ALTIASC sottFooldaa) aesc door offs basa (Captom Te *) Ce ld ad Oe CR De ww oe eT Se NE eet e ‘o ‘rr e 7 ; rm its 7 a4 abivoz¢ Iti bas ti « f a

Or ,~SdOl 2OCk me beszelloo ajat 4 it

4 al eS EE oh TE. ran

—

Td

ated no betsots geaG over exat ger sees ie a) eskooge atv to det? @a8,Sf segues Wedd Gms olds om edt bas dat? of do: Jase ae ®.f¢ gntinesxges

eo . oD ee PP bs

29hoeqe dose tok yooeupes? oviseieg ogetneszeg eda ‘to. t a ins doxeq sf3 gotueblesos peda OOF Jaane a 29 o'coepee odd ot mokjieod peer ania b avorrqart doyoq od : tn9> wad vd bentioeb syoliaw emp eiinw jay 2 og 7 M -

‘ 1 f ‘ 7

Vai Wn <a. '! ~ ory

51

In 1963 the perch still showed an improvement over 1961 of 35 per cent while walleye continued to decline by 17 per cent. Tables IV, V and VI show the data comparing the three years.

The period June 16 to October 15 is common to all three creel census. Within these periods it appears that the majority of the walleye are taken between June 16 and July 31 while the majority of the perch are taken between September 16 and October 15. Consi- dering this period alone in the three years it was found that between 40 and 54 per cent of the anglers were checked in the early summer period and between 19 and 29 per cent of the anglers in the early fall period. Between 62 and 65 per cent of the walleye were taken in the first six weeks (June 16-JjJuly 31) and between 70 to 95 per cent of the perch in the last 4 weeks (September 15-October 15). Table VII has been constructed to show this information.

Discussion

The 1962 report on the Lake Mindemoya creel census was given constructive criticism by Mr. J. C. Weir of the Game Fish Section in August of 1963. I sincerely appreciate the thought and effort Mr. Weir has given in examining my work and would like to include in this discussion his thoughts on the subject of Lake Mindemoya and my answers to his questions.

1. "The whitefish fishery must be a specialized activity and we are wondering what the catch of smallmouth bass and pike would be if these species were also given preferred attention by casting along the shore and in the vicinity of weedbeds."

The whitefish fishery is a "specialized activity" with

most of these fish being caught in one "hole" where there is a very strong year round bottom spring. 164 of the

239 whitefish caught in 1963 were caught by sportsmen, in my opinion, while fishing specifically for whitefish. 52 sportsmen were recorded fishing for whitefish and they fished for a total of 261 hours. This produced a C.U.E.

of 62.8 whitefish per 100 rod-hours. Most of the whitefish were taken in the September 16-30 fishing period.

Thirteen anglers were checked specifically fishing for smallmouth bass. They caught 39 bass in 58 hours for a C.U.E. of 67.2 bass per hundred rod-hours. It is fairly evident from this information that bass can be caught if desired. However, with an abundance of bass fishing avail- able on Manitoulin and the reputation that Mindemoya has

for walleye and perch the visiting sportsmen seldom seek

out the bass fishing in Lake Mindemoya. Likewise relatively

V ,Vi asfds? Sado “rag UE vd c opntaaes od RTRSY Souls gd ae it} getds Tis o3 momo al cl xado390 o3 ary prt to yYsizeftsa sft Jods exssqqe gs) abo irog .eeardt) rEdot y3itetsn alt sitiw I€ yiul Sam ef sagt noowiad cowed “reaoo ,2i yadoisd bus of tednetaed neewied males Jeda baval eaw Jf ezeey sean? ena or enols. bo CES ¥itss art it badoeds otsw eis leans 9d3 to 3m99, ‘tag = 11 ROE SB 5.1. Sits } to 3fs5 wea EN beta ef Toews wiad: baa ataw oyeiisw sii 20 3ns9 Isq Ce sahil aha pnd tof ahok

ow

po.

tadaizs0-¢f yvedaetqe?) eaeaw 4 gaat pes at pines art a Hols scrote! aid’ wods of bedouagenes food earl T, a > Toaryo syomebatl eaat ont a0 Stogsy ana? oft lo zkoW .D .t. . aM ve eee ove +s afk fy oft stslooxqes Ylaxeontia £ Jee Yo ag 4 | Bfuow bits Atvow Ym pabaimeso se aevikge i jootdue od? oo etdauods aid pokesua a,

.esotiasup efd of amowens % cat!

= : i " r | e -, rr > & . P - + fo a « ee ret 25 Yiivijos basiistosqe & od taun FIs dnt ‘

- «. f- “eh — ; Poh oe oe - <<. at ‘ ~ wig bas eesd divomlf, 9 fietso ods a ny a i : IVs C8ls aTew aar2

tT. cf ~ 3 i r * cit aro / % + } ; 12! mS Ia Gs a i

3 ouotw “olod” ono mh Saigmas gated 213 30 AOL .anhbuges codgod baer raoy gi ,.denmeJtoega Gc tdaues Siew foel ak : Sc ,flelteisinw zol vitest ssi gaia i? f oft hrs deltotiow wot akdet? bebs TOOST i-U.2 8 beoubozre eldt Pere IS to tadod aittw att I 3aoM . ono box OL Sq Mads faq { sidatz GE ra wedasdque afd 4 tot geidet yilsoriies oq om Soodo exow a7 ' tol eaworl 8c oat cand & £: ddguas xont ae vinis? et 31 ,atwod-baw botband toc BB ti tdsueo od mas send jadt mobsserrotet pi ~freve ugidat? eased to socabreds ge sale Pekin ead syvomabaiM gat notteduces ons frre a 1 x¥poe meek (e2 Neoamstoge Br rtotieky ort dows Yisvisaioy setwoudltd SYOr sobekM sald Bei

ae

few anglers specifically fish Lake Mindemoya for pike. It is my opinion, then, that bass and pike fisheries are avail- able for interested fishermen but due to competing lakes and the popularity of Lake Mindenoya perch and walleye they are not being utilized.

"In 1961 and 1962, the recorded harvest of walleye is considerably greater than the corresponding harvest of perch. Is this the result of angler selectivity? What is actually being caught? Do anglers tend to keep nore perch when walleyes are hard to catch? Are many small perch caught at any time and are they generally released? Is the anglers "take" in this combined fishery a true in- dication of the availability of these species to fisher- men?"' During the three years, 1561, 1962 and 1963 the harvest of walleye was considerably greater than the harvest of perch. This difference I feel was not due to angler selectivity but to the relative availability of the different species and the duration of the creel census, The perch taken in the fall were considered highly desir- able and were generally of a large size. These fish were undoubtedly there in the spring and early summer and had not grown enough in three months to significantly alter their desirability to the angler. It is difficult to believe that we are catering to two different groups of fishermen -- those that come up early to fish walleye exclusively and those that come up late to fish perch exclusively. I feel quite safe in saying that if perch can be caught in June they will be caught, kept and reported. Similarily if walleye are caught in October we will have a record of them. I am more inclined to say that due to changes in the physical make-up of the two species as a result of seasonal changes which occur in the lake we are experiencing differences in the availability to the fishermen of each species at differ- ent times of the year. The period during which the perch harvest is at its peak is relatively short compared to that for walleye. This I think is due to the creel census ending in mid-October at the peak of the perch fishing. If we continued the creel census two or four more weeks in Cctober and fishermen continued to fish Mindemoya then the percentage relative distribution of the two species would probably be closer.

The creel census data provided in this report and the other two of 1961 and 1262 are fair descriptions of what is actually being caught. When perch are caught they are kept, when walleye are caught they are kept, when both

~

svocwbatit cola dei Nene tt clty Se gene tady tend Qf

9 oF Bb Sud qocrrodait hesaszede "5s doxweg syonEt bath Sale! to ysinatugoq -bosti too gated’ 9 teéertesd) Bebtossy odd ,fdt if bit iibadagextoo ond madd stotso%s vids olos “edpse to tafueor ons ates ae hast avotine o@ Tadguso gated wie , SHotao ov Based ozs sovol tee Ww On yous o%s bes omit vos te Sas i boris akd3 1) ‘eifag" atels =] ssamt So ¥3il tidal teve ofd Ro a ; Sods Pe! Larsoy ¢ sexta odd J | xetseny Vidateblanoo esw syolisw fem ot I tomenstb efiT : fa2wb sf gasbtenos axew Iip3 a ‘AL Bb o onmivqe ¢ ; pa ere SOLER ¢ : od xis: Z Ww DiD é ‘ par 2) rive aise : Pp J . bs we : 9! , , ear onsen 20 i toner" io} Oo. eaniTsi oLteq oat cy ‘$aisx af & masdy: 2 ets ) Neo ant Bs sshd ids yeaso leave ody Bevatoines Titteo metttatait Bas ve Agee iniloy s_sdnssoiseg .~seolo ot vltadera Of ‘roy obi eke sd ie ats 6 mobs ah ttetexws Sef See J ra Jfisuso oma sowed ASdW goks 1990 sts youd? Digees

species are caught both species are kept. Perch tend

to be smaller during the early part of the season but are still kept to be eaten, During the early part of the season I interviewed fishermen who were going to other Island lakes in search of perch. The perch seems to be increasing in importance as a game and food fish.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Mr. R. Archer of Lake Mindemoya for his advice and assistance in carrying out the Lake Mindemoya study. I would also like to thank Mr. D. Gillespie of this District for his assistance.

References

Zimmerman, F. A., 1962. Some Observations on the Quality of Angling in Lake Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, 1961. Resource Manage- ment Report, No. 64, July, 1962, pp. 35-42.

Zimmerman, F. A., 1963. Lake Mindenoya Creel Census, 1962. Unpublished Report, Ont. Dept. Lands & Forests, Sudbury District, 6 pp. mimeo,

soos gotworsH JOCF esicl ntivodings e

Wf i pie Py 4 | 1 4s aa boot devel .dqea\ ous enboage. tigod: au; Sah fosaAee att 30 sae Yue. ods girkan

ogt to ansd. yfvss e892 gabwwG .telee 66) of 2 a

tsd30 of arttog atew orw mbarredad? bows 5x of ov amage doweg oa? ,aomeq Zo dozsse.. .d¢23 book bas saen & ex sonetzoqal |

nSotiM eyed te tadatA se .uM aned? of sage biue “a Voceboliv otal edt 790 saivrzss al somess

phi is tu otgesiitd .@ .2M Ansdd oF 91

os

-s

~~

had . ee oe

- ana, 1 2

-

me el ie iat ae

©. —

ma pe ue

‘al a: sokigeA 2a yolisot ofa so anotd -SH-G£ .Gg gBORI oytul , #0 ,0W 6 i

wees Gls cans Gass Bans) las33 svoueba iM ,gobidesd eauebue ,2220707 2 ebast ,Iqee

@ j 5 @ y 1s ue Me i uf “ ‘ oui Pie aa i iy

-*

AB) o

54

TABLE 1

1963 Catch Data by Species

Z

foal;

Per cent of total IE

a

eddie I

ral y 3 \

on ear

ays.avanana apa ing ea caove a-laifgeianrvamdnmaae ik 1 * kali j - ' . f i ' * :

ines, ; B ; ae i = " P| oe = Fi ‘ i ; d 7 q 1 Reng M 1 ; $ oat) 8 i : £ - s A — i : pie re ae ey é 4 HO Sn ik

a o

55.

TABLE 11 _ 1963 Total Catch Data

16-31 1-15

16-31

1-15

Saleen dail Se RM ee ka ile oe s ee en ee ve cnr <n

» ~ \ 4 oes DP ot . } @ to & wanes : axven net oe ty ees ee

a8 Ont

we

et A Re nn ont

> ~ © &

a “4 ce

56 ©

TABLE 111

1963 Catch Per Unit Effort (C.U.E.)

/100 “Perch /100 Walleye /100 Rod=-Hours Rod=-Hours Rod=Hours

Ce 4 ae pays cea (.d.1..9) SvoR30 oie we9 doteo caer Ae

arr) ” ~ - ate 8 er mcs ee i

Ai

errata aaah ae nS ir ors nn oe oe

1 OOCL\ svolls' MOI dores “OOL, dazt | On <bon amoH-bof emwoH=boR s,f8

ee AA ef. cence See Gem oe we semen ba

Me ioe Here eemanem a

. Ae “Pr | 8.02 | ; : )

|

| — sac ete

|

we) 3 7 . : : t + : : : ! ; |

Se ee Or ee near. eS Conan i somone tel ee rr i co

ay.

TABLE 1V Comparative Catch Data, Lake Mindemoya 1961, 1962, 1963

2010 211 2433 150 1917 234,

6360 595

1961 ; 5316 1518 1962 6225 1596 1963 5228 1278

Total 12265 16773 4.392

Pe

t<

c | a ' ta Oeud oe ps oe ‘

syoushnimM oiel ,stdad dota tne a e caer. SOUL | LORE ONES E

* aes ell Or ay me mI ° Ce Re TEE LS Bey IES AR te ee y ane eda Dn eee 9 Teen ee oie ae nas _eaaemengedierreseee om : ( I r in PA FAG ; uve, FF hl 44 letiouras syolfeW | gaai wAsok earg cat OED a ee - - man! —— eaaeeeesanteneeieteemeenns Smee ee ee ee,

iis | Gigs Oss ye

a -

1n:pesreniislas tli : ev? : pa 4 €ar SS ssegeelidininteee el bedietehonitsleneseretinaevseentenniraestaesenmeremnnoeseecanat-gewrere>—nae ata anes: a ben sew > CAVE + satealabase i ire nein DO 6 erent D Aeneas Sagan : < 2 ee yy : r 7 shi ‘ : ail eee a — — ae . BLek oLee ‘ gees esse . : Bist Sgke — ae er oe sy Se 8 — oe - ceca | EVVeE _— te ee eS es 2 tne Weems i ee OL aR TR ae eRe are areal reat hae crete heen teen

TABLE V

Comparative Percentage Relative Frequency of Catch by Species With Total Catch & Effort Hs petchatehatl as a si eee of Three Year Totals

a

a

ete

may

iy cA tion ogaapanaed Pry

~ a Una —— ed {) x p <i * fas ot Ps eee | / eokosge iat 3 mit: to aget act 9 Ss 28 mcrae nt meetin RENN MPT parsers sinetersearcer crane ; -_ ; ; a eee, ae : iawn eR woaz7 4 : ‘ on os worsens “~~ ane meee 7 arcane . ; i ; ‘ 2% C ; ae ) . \ ot } : | . | j : c ' - t , ' : . . | | . — bi eae - Ana | = i : c ; i H . a : : { r . — - ‘ pao ire Tee. ree a eae ae cae | 2 { : '

59

TABLE V11 Percentage Distribution of Angling Effort and Catch for Selected Periods During the Three Year Creel Census

Anglers Walleye Perch Ple“"ole“"ole™™ o

@ June 16 to July 31. (2) September 16 to October 15

pul Deron H We lean it ue v ; i f if

SxotT ge om | ae Lo aos suds @ | ‘ . ey fie « re abo t a b | hot "2 au a: Shick ol »

| allen 5c Sa oi At 3-0 talc aera remem taeneeniend demmedendaeaeatnians denhnieeimeanen

ea Foe Sc tea wind a ton can AAT Vide IE aN ss bmi satin cen emer

; : ie ae 7 = arene

ae ~ | a | figzet\s | om, oyolt ow i (ay fey |) Ue) Load ee, veeboe - - teen momaterth mF o4 teat — ee ee ie

wee

ek

- ms ww ; la 4 ote S N ] i bay SP ons ee ee re tn eno rd ~ 3 e - oe ee ee eer ae een eee Ty

nites 6

J. uedojoQ af Of sedmetqe2 ($s).

DF 7 Ww t PON Od att Mer, en te ie, 7 + ret +