Fish and Wildlife Management Report April 1, 1955

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LDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

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PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

| TMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS

‘Division of Fish and Wildlife

F.A. MacDougall
Deputy Minister

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Some Statistics and Comments on the Pelee Island
Paeacone onoous of 1953 and 1951.
— by Ge Ox Baers aucicic

Sex Ratios of Marten, Fisher, Mink and Otter in
Ontario — progress report of 1953-54.
POV die Ke, HeyuoLds

Game Bag Census for Luther Marsh, 1954.
- by Je Fe Gage and W. H. Cantelon

Checkvor Duck Hunters in Rondeau Park, Oct..2,
WO Ls Sovin. fs MWelaren

Waterfowl Hunters’ Bag Checks, Tweed District,
1954.6 - by H. G. Lumsden

A Further Report on the Scaring of Starlings by
Sound at Buffalo, New York.
-~ by John F. Hagerty

Ruffed Grouse Brood Counts in Tweed District,
ODL - by H. G. Lumsden

Unpublished Survey lethods.
-~ by George H. Kelker

A Proposal to Increase the Effectiveness of
Pheasant Stocking in New York State.
- by Ben Bradley

A Creel Census Report for Eugenia Hydro Pond,
TOS2 6 — by ale ve Gage

A Biological Survey of Compass Lake, District of
Parry Sound, 1950. - by F. A. Walden

(THESE REPORTS ARE FOR INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL
INFORMATION AND NOT FOR PUBLICATION)

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. SOME STATISTICS AND COMMENTS ON THE
PELEE ISLAND PHEASANT SHOOTS OF
1953 AND 1954.

by
Cams Bartlett

The Pelee Island Pheasant Shoot, 1953
Licences Sold and Pheasant ea 9.53

Total Licences issued 1,150 Non-resident
250 Resident

i200 Total Hunters

aes bag per hunter;

29% sample) Dajels Cocke 230) Hens
Total Birds Bagged: 10,360 Cocks, 2,800 Hens
Estimate for Cripples
and Illegal Kill 640 Cocks, 200 Hens
Estimate of Total Kill 11,000 Cocks, 3,000 Hens

Age and Sex Ratios

Sexhatios:, Pre-season (Oct. 26-27th, n = 2,256)
: 1.32 Hens/Cock

Post-season (Nov. 17th, n = 1,101)
8.2 Hens/Cock

Age Ratios: Cocks Hens
Juvenile 868 paul
Adult 79 267
9L7 818
LAL SO atiwhea Nel Ze suv / Ad

Population Estimates

Number of birds before hunt Numbers of birds after hunt
12,640 Cocks 1,640 Cocks

16,430 Hens 13),430) Hens

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Comments

The annual brood survey carried out in July,
1953 indicated roughly a 100 percent increase in the
pheasant population from 1952. The 1953 pre-season pheasant
population estimate obtained when we increase last year's
estimate of number of chicks hatched by 100 percent would
peage at act roughly 11,000 cocks and 15,000 hens.

The Kelker ratio estimate obtained at the shoot,
placed the pre-season pheasant population at 12,640 cocks
and 16,430 hens.

It is interesting to note that the pre-season
population estimates for 1952 and 1953 obtained from brood
surveys both differed (underestimated) by ten percent from
the Kelker estimate obtained at the shoot.

We accept the Kelker estimate as being the more
reliable of the two and it serves as a basis for estimating
the adult pheasant population the following year.

In obtaining our estimate from the brood survey
we have made two assumptions; that pheasant chick mortality
from the time of hatch in June to the shoot in October, and
the average brood size at time of hatch, have both re-
mained the same as the average figures obtained by Stokes
during the Pelee Island Pheasant study, from 1946 to 1950.

We presently feel that any discrepancy in average
brood size can be detected during the two week field
survey in July. However, a change in pheasant chick
mortality from the time of the survey in July until the
shoot in October, might seriously upset our pre-season
estimate of the pheasant population made from the brood
survey Both 1952 and 1953 were normal seasons and
conditions generally were very favourable for pheasant
chineks survival.

It would appear then that during a normal season
the present technique of estimating annual pheasant
production on Pelee Island from broods observed on road
transects is satisfactory for management purposes.

It is questionable at the present time whether
the technique is satisfactory in years when conditions
are unfavourable for pheasant chick survival.

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acences Dold and) Pheasant Kill, 1954

Total Licences issued ; 1,423 Non-resident
194 Resident

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Average bag per hunter
(18% sample) 6.7/5) Cocks 4.88 Hens

Total Birds Bagged 10,915 Cocks 7,891 Hens
Estimate for Crippling

Losses and Illegal Kill 548 Cocks 1,404 Hens
WWoeks, 5 percent:
Hens, 18 percent
of birds bagged)

Heeamabe or Total Kill 11,463 Cocks 9,305 Hens

Age and Sex Ratios

Be eroeiecs) Fre=season (Oct. 25, 26° n = 1,548
1.65 Hens/Cock

87h,

Post=-season (Nov. 8, 9: n
12.2 Hens/Cock

Age Ratios: Cocks Hens
Juvenile 908 569
Adult 76 296
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Population Estimates

Number of birds before hunt Number of birds after hunt
Zoe COCKS 864 Cocks

20,339 Hens 11,034 Hens

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Comments

In 1953, 1,400 hunters averaged 7.4 cocks and
PAOrnens Or a toval of 9.4) birds each. This year (1954)
1,617 hunters averaged 6.7 cocks and 4.9 hens or a total
Giek.o© birds cach. The total kill of an estimated
20,768 birds has only been exceeded once since pheasant
investigations started in 1946. This was in 1950 when
an estimated 27,200 birds were shot.

ice Wao miLmon eo cocks and the take of 6.7
cocks per hunter is further evidence of the inability of
hunters to over=shoot the cock population on Pelee Island.
ieee amet of five hens was suificient to reduce the
hen population to the desired level of approximately one
bird per acre and left the island with a very satisfactory
cock = hen ratio.

The pre-season population estimate of 20.808 hens
and 13,898 cocks (submitted in round figures to the Pelee
Island Council as 21,000 hens and 14,000 cocks) obtained
from the summer inventory agrees closely with the Kelker
ratio estimate of 20,339 hens and 12,327 cocks.

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SEX RATIOS OF MARTEN, FISHER, MINK AND OTTER IN ONTARIO
PROGRESS REPORT FOR 1953-54.

by
Je K. Reynolds

The study of sex ratios of marten and fisher,
begun last year and based on sealing officers’ reports,
was continued through the trapping season of 1953-1954.
The scope of the investigation was extended to include
mink and otter.

The data for 1953=—1954 are much more extensive
than were those of the previous year. It will be noted
from the tables in which these data are summarized that
in a few Districts fairly large numbers of pelts were not
reported as to sex, but the coverage is much better than
last year. It is hoped that the current season's returns
will show further improvement.

Considerable difficulty was encountered in
obtaining final reports from some Districts this year,
and as a result this report has been greatly delayed.
Districts are requested to submit final summary reports,
on the forms provided, as soon after the close of the
trapping season as possible.

As will always be the case when data are based
on sealing officers’ reports, there is no precise correla-
tion between the date on which a pelt is sealed and the
date on which the animal was caught. In fact, records
kept at Chapleau and White River have shown that there
is often a considerable difference between “date animal
trapped" and "date pelt sealed." However, except in the
Meme wremMole areas, the majority of trappers waste little
Dame holding pelts. Most of them need the cash and,
fearing still further declines in the prices of furs, they
hustle in from their traplines at fairly frequent intervals.

In Table I the data for each of the four species
under study are summarized with respect to Forest Districts.
In Table 2 most of the same data are summarized according
to the week in which the pelts were presented for sealing.
The totals of Table 2 are smaller than those of Table I
because the date of sealing was not reported for some
pelts reported as to sex.

(a) MARTEN - In last year’s report, when data
Were available on 1282 pelts, the sex ratio for marten
was 179 males per 100 females. In 1953-1954, with data
en 2806 pelts, the sex ratio is 175 males per 100 females.

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ifs moceworthy (Table —) that in the District of Sioux
Lookout and in adjoining Patricia Central the lowest ratios
of males to females are reported. The highest are in the
Chapleau and White River Districts.

It is also worthy of note that, although more
males than females were taken throughout the season, the
difference is especially marked in the pre-Christmas
period (Table 2). Apparently there is a greater probability
of trapping female marten after than before Christmas.

(b) FISHER - In last year's report, data were
available on 1207 fisher, of which 603 were males and
604 females. In 1953-54, with data from 2305 pelts a
sex ratio of 92 males per 100 females is indicated (Table
I). There are considerable variations from District to
District, but these show no consistency on a geographic
basis. There are also sharp ups and downs from week to
week (Table 2), but there is no suggestion of a seasonal
trend as there is with marten.

(c) MINK - this is the first year that we have
heaudava on mink. Of 31,657: pelts, 20,035 were from
Males and 11,622 from females, a ratio of 172 males per
100 females (Table I). This is quite similar to the ratio
for marten. There is considerable variation from District
to District, but no geographic trend is indicated.

The seasonal variation in the sex ratio is the
Peverse Of that indicated for marten (Table 2). In the
latter species, the malezfemale ratio was higher in the
first part of the season than towards the last; in mink,
after the first week of February the sex ratio is con-
siderably higher in favour of males.

(ajmOLitne=: Om the basis of 5306 pelts, a sex
ratio of 134 males per 100 females is calculated (Table
i). There is considerable variation between Districts,
but this may well be due to chance alone, since in most
cases the numbers of pelts available are small and one
or two pelts added to or subtracted from most of these
figures would make quite a difference in the ratios.

The same criticism may also be applied to the
data for otter in Table 2. In general, there is no
indication of a seasonal change in the sex ratio of this
species.

Discussion
On the basis of the report for 1952-1953, which

dealt with limited numbers of marten and fisher, it was
difficult to draw any very definite conclusions. But

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(ey in MARTHN the Sex ratio over the entire
trapping season is about 1.75 males per female. More
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| (OPK stiR slvehyly more females than males
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that the pelts of females are much more valuable than
are those of males. There is no indication of seasonal
variations in the sex ratio.

(c) In MINK, considering the entire trapping
season, about 1.72 males per female are taken. An
especially high proportion of males is taken after the
Eueswon Lebrcuary, with ratios in most cases 2:1 and
higher.

(d) In OTTER, about 1.34 males per female are
trapped, with no appreciable seasonal trend.

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GAME BAG CENSUS FOR LUTHER MARSH, 1954

by
Je F. Gage and W. He. Cantelon

Gne@ctober 2nd, 195, the first day of the duck
season in the Huron District, seven checking stations were
established at main points of access to Luther Marsh in
Wellington County.

These several stations were manned by Department
of Lands and Forests personnel with the co-operation of
eee ae Vos, Waldiate Leeturer, and several of his
students taking the Wildlife Management option at the |
Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph.

A larger variety of ducks was reported the
opening day this year than for the same period in 1953 with
slightly fewer hunters participating.

The weather was cloudy and mild, with heavy
early morning thundershowers.

The following table shows the order of bag and
comparisons for 1953 and 1954.

1953 = Percent of Total Bag 1954 - Percent of Total Bag

Bleek Duck - = 41. % GW, eal =129.9%
Mallard ~ 16.6% So We, Weer = 25.3%
B. W. Teal - 14.6% Mallard HMOs
Geetieteal ~~ 10.9% Black Muck | = 49%
Other Species - 16.9% Other Species - 24.2%

Reports show that 127 ducks were brought down
but not retrieved by the parties responsible, whereas
other hunters reported finding 23 which indicates that
16 1/2% of the total ducks brought down opening day were
mou Geported found. Worthy of note in this connection is
that of the 729 hunters checked opening day only 22, or
3%, were using dogs.

Although Ontario has no open season on Grebes,
census personnel reported having checked eight.

Records indicate that the majority of hunters
at Luther Marsh on opening day came from within a radius
of 75 miles, with the exception of two hunters from
Windsor and South River.

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During the afternoon of November 3, Mr. J. B.
Dawson and Dr. A. de Vos made a trip to Luther Marsh in
“order to census the waterfowl population and to assess
hunting pressure during that time of the year.

The following species were observed;

Black Duck 450 (more or less)
Mallard ale
Scaups 35 (more or less)

It was very noticeable that most of the flying
ducks, and particularly black ducks, tried to stay as much
as possible within the boundaries of the Game Preserve.

Based on number of hunters seen and shots heard,
it was estimated that not more than two dozen hunters were
present. Most of them were concentrated along the edge of
the Game Preserve.

The writers made trips to Luther Marsh
on November 9th and again on November 16th, 1954, and found
the following waterfowl:

November 9th November 16th
Brack Duck -— 175 Black Duck — 50
Mallard me 75 Mallard = 25
Canvas-back - 15 Scaup - 100

Canvas-back - 6
Buffle-head - dL

An approximation of hunting pressure was six
hunters on November 9th and 12 hunters on November 16th.
Both days were cloudy with light northwest winds and our
observations were made entirely on the East Luther portion
of the Marsh.

A visit to the Marsh on Friday, November 19th,
by Dr. A. de Vos indicated that considerable numbers of
ducks still remained, possibly detained because of mild
weather conditions.

The following species and approximate numbers
were observed:

Brack Duck 250
Golden-eye ES
Teal a few

Hunting pressure was low. It was estimated that
not more than a dozen hunters were present in the Marsh.
Very few shots were fired as most ducks flew either out
of range, or were flying over the Game Preserve.

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‘CHECK OF DUCK HUNTERS IN RONDEAU PARK,
OCTOBER 2, 195k.

by
Be As Meharen

Below is a summary of the check made of hunters
in Rondeau Park after the opening shoot on Saturday,

October 2nd, 1954.

Hunters checked 265
Ducks killed in bag 315
Ducks killed not retrieved 86

Ducks in bag were;

Blue-winged Teal 166
Green-winged Teal 19
Black 30
Mallard Die
Wood Duck Le
Total 315

Average bag per hunter; 1.19 ducks.

622 hunting licences were stamped previous to
opening morning-to allow hunters to shoot in Rondeau Park.
40 more were stamped during the day. 44 hunters were found

not to have had licences stamped for the Park.

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WATERFOWL HUNTERS* BAG CHECKS
TWEED DISTRICT, 1954

by
H. Ge. Lumsden

During the early part of the waterfowl season
am 1954, District staff checked hunters in order to
obtain figures on hunters’ success and kill composition.

Tweed District contains two major types of duck
habitat. In the south, situated on Ordovician limestones,
large fertile marshes with a dominant growth of cattail
lie around the shores of Lake Ontario. In the northern
two-thirds of the District, situated on Pre-Cambrian
formations, ducks are found in many hundreds of beaver
ponds and four large marshes in which the dominant
vegetation is sedge.

The following table summarizes the results of
the checks.

Off the Pre—Cambrian Shield

Average

Marsh Date numbers: Bae Crappiles Bag
West Lake Sept. 18 56 133 67 253
Camden Twp. Sepea, LS 7 108 h 258
Huff Island Septie LS 35 118 ih, eSB
Amherst Is. Sept. 1&6 38 126 36 3.3
Wolfe Ise Sept. 18 60 250 Lg lina
Thurlow Twp. Sept. 22

& 23 26 82 19 Bie
Crowe Lake sept. 18 36 eas ay Boa
Totals 298 921 192 Sede
On the Pre-Cambrian Shield
Average

Marsh Date Hunters Bag Cripples Bag
Conroy Marsh Sept. 18 TO) 69 Zi. nO
Dwyers Marsh Sept. 18 1h 1) 7 dees
Mississippi Sept. 18 13 16 4 he 2
Calabogie L. Sept. 18 B35 19 i ae)
Bob's Le Area Sept. 18 29 8 5 53
Matawatchan

Area Sept. 18 6 ree) eel °

Totals 167 13h L5 8

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The loss of ducks through crippling admitted
by hunters amounted to 21% of the total kill off the
Pre-Cambrian Shield and 34% on the Pre-Cambrian Shield.

The species composition of some of the bags
checked was also recorded and is summarized in the
following table3

Off the Shield On the Shield

Species Number Percent Number Percent

Mallard OS 16.6 a iene
Black Duck 161 BENS 33 36.3
Mallard X Black i gal! O @)

Wood Duck 9 WES 19 2009
Blue=winged Teal 234 720 8 8.8
Green-winged Teal We MANA IE 5) Dae
Pantail 5 28 O O

Scaup & Ring-necked Duck Z 8 20 ZL)
Mergansers 3 a) 5) Dee)
Total 632 100% oni 100%

It will be seen that Wood Ducks formed an
important part of the kill in the beaver pond habitat,
Piece third most common duck shot. Off the Shield
paparepped to fifth place.

During the late summer two banding operations
Were Carried Out in the District. Mr. Grey Merriam banded
209 ducks on Amherst Island, and Mr. Harris and Mr. Barber
banded 206 ducks in Prince Edward County. So far there
have been four returns from these ducks checked by District
staff. All were shot on the marsh where they were banded.
We understand others have been sent in to Ottawa and
Washington.

In a recent report submitted to the Technical
Section of the Mississippi Flyway Council, Arthur Hawkins,
Flyway Representative, points out that in two banding
Operations, one in Saskatchewan and the other in Manitoba,
the returns indicated that young ducks tended to remain on
Or near their home marshes for a considerable time after
they were banded. Both operations were concluded at least
six weeks before the season opened, yet 1/3 of the total
Mallard recoveries in Saskatchewan and 1/3 of all species
recoveries in Manitoba were obtained within a 50-mile
radius of the banding site. He concludes that this
evidence furnishes a strong argument against opening the

Ls

hunting season early. Openings before local populations
are dispersed or diluted with migrants could seriously
damage breeding stock, particularly in isolated or
marginal breeding grounds.

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EOE

A FURTHER REPORT ON THE SCARING OF STARLINGS
BY SOUND AT BUFFALO, NEW YORK.*™™*

by
John F. Hagerty

This report is in reference to letter of September
2, file 6-1-22-A, and to advise regarding our work in exter-
mination of starlings.

iimumte lOnusInal i tabke which Dr. Frings of
Pennsylvania State University gave at the Buffalo Museum
of Natural Sciences last Spring, he clearly stated that
the experiments which he and his assistants had conducted
previously with a tape recording device - that while it
had effectively eliminated starlings from several small
bommsgrancluding Milheim, Pa. and Vernon, N. Y., that
there was an intermingling of purple martins and grackles,
and that the recording when amplified, while driving away
all the starlings, did not entirely eliminate the grackles
and the purple martins which were not too numerous.

The first experiment which was conducted in a
large city was in Rochester, N. Y., where the amplifying
System or sound trucks were not of sufficient size and power,
and the field tests were not entirely satisfactory.

However, the City of Buffalo contracted with the
New York State Exterminating Corporation's local agent for
the Mohawk Business Machines Corporation of Brooklyn, N. Y.
to use the tape recorder and two highly powered amplifying
trucks for a period ten nights.

The people living in the Depew-Starin area have
sent many commendatory letters to this office, advising
that conditions have improved greatly, and a Mrs. Charles
Re Kittinger, who advised that the infestation had steadily
grown for the last fifteen years, and that the change was
almost miraculous - and they were able to use their lawns
and sidewalks without the nuisance which has prevailed
previously.

This division has used everything from shot gun
shells, noise, and previous to the tape recording device,
a powerful compressor for fogging the starling infested
area, and used a DDT solution with an oil base. However,

xx This i3 a follow-up to a previous report by Mr. A. H.
Berst, "Experiment in Scaring Starlings by Sound at
Buffalo, New York" see Fish and Wildlife Management
Report #20, December 1, 195k.

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as this fog floated into the windows of homes, and settled
on shrubs and lawns, there were numerous complaints, and
also one from a resident who had recently painted his home,
stating that an oil film had covered his house and that
the oil was affecting his shrubs and lawn.

Dr. Frings, who conducted the experiments, advised
us that he had only worked on the experiment for starling
infestation and it is apparent that it does not affect the
other birds, and I believe eventually his experiments will
results in tape recordings which will eliminate entirely
the other species which intermingle with the starlings.

We are not receiving any further complaints from
the area that was treated with the recording device.

The above is our experience as of this date, and
as I have stated before, it has resulted in this Division
receiving many messages and letters for the improvement
thus far accomplished.

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Bone

RUFFED GROUSE BROOD COUNTS IN TWEED DISTRICT, 1954.

duties.
zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone §&
Zone 11
Zone 12
Zone 13

1952
ugD3
1954

by
H. G. Lumsden

During the summer of 1954 the field staff of
Tweed District again recorded the size of Ruffed Grouse
broods encountered during the course of their regular

Conservation Officer Ramsbottom

3 broods containing 1l young - average

Conservation Officer Ferguson

5 broods containing 38 young - average

Conservation Officer Stafford
4, broods containing 17 young

Conservation Officer Thibadeau

3 broods containing 22 young

Conservation Officer Shannon
7 broods containing 30 young

Conservation Officer Shields
1 brood containing 8 young

Conservation Officer Davison
8 broods containing 20 young

Conservation Officer MacDonald
3 broods containing 7 or 8 young each

Conservation Officer Page
1 brood containing 9 young

average

average

average

average

average

average

The results of these counts are as follows:

size 3.7

Sizer 76

size 4.3

Size oS

size 4.3

save 6:50

Size 2.5

size 9.0

The following table gives the figures for 1952
and 1953 compared to those of this year.

Broods Total Young
Pls ney
50 263

32 UD

Average Brood Size

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UNPUBLISHED SURVEY METHODS
by
George H. Kelker

(Correspondence received from Dr. George H. Kelker
bya Direc ioe Dee © larke:)

UTAH STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Logan, Utah

April 9, 1946

Me Cele D.. Clarke,
Department of Lands and Forests,
Toronto, Ontario.

Dear Mr. Clarkes

immecardyto your letter of March 26, I am
sorry to say I do not have my method published. However,
I am sending you an example, and if you publish before
I do, refer to Kelker’s manuscript "History and Use of
the Belt Transect",. I want to rewrite it and send it to
Dr. storer in the next 2 or 3 months. In the meantime
use it.

Here is an example of the method. The proof
that the perpendicular distance is the proper one to use
is given in the manuscript.

imeoreuacal field data made on one belt transect

in one day: (Deer is used as example of animals counted)

fmemolevards, l= 28 yards 1-=- 14 yards 1 - 63 yards
Petoeyacds 2 =— Sl yards 1 = 37 yards 3 -115 yards
fmopeyards .1=—2i yards 2-93 yards 1 = &5 yards
meipeyacds i = 16 yards 1 = 77 yards 1 = 33 yards
meoseyards 2—- 56 yards 2= 54 yards 1- O yards
1 -130 yards 1 - 40 yards 1 - 74 yards 1 - 7 yards
meee yards | 3 — ko yards 1 = 67 yards 1 =- 34 yards

1 - 28 yards

Dusvancentraveled as 5.01 miles

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Step 1

Data rearranged and summarized by use of 2
choices in order to see if the animals are distributed
uniformly over a larger part of belt transect.

Choice wd. Belts of 33 Yards
Distance from line (yards): O = 33 0-66 O-99 0O = 130
Total No. of deer seen
inside belt of said width. a2 26 3h 38
Choice Ii. Belts of 25 yards

Distance from line ee
(Yards): COieree mmo se 50 Ol 75. 0 en LOO. Ove T25

Total No. Deer seen
etCe 9 18 28 3h BH
Step 2

Formulas to use (See H. M. Wight, Field and
Laboratory Technic in Wildlife Management, page 29).

Beene: Dix, M Formula 1
1 x H
Peewee 11x Ax H Formula 2
Ss Do Ml
Where P = Total population on area A.
A = Total acres in entire area.
az Average acres per head (density factor)
H = No. of head seen on strip of given width.

Flushing distance measured perpendicularly to
path of travel, and not doubled.

Miles walked on belt transect.

11 and 8 are constants developed when product of

flushing distance in yards and length of travel

in miles and converted to acres.

Ss
1}

Examples on use of the two formulas using the
maximum widthss

oie 130 x 5,61
AAT Fog 3

13.96 or 14 acres per head-of-deer

iF]

‘J
'

640 or 45.7 deer per square mile

Summary of Calculations to find Density Factor and Total
Eopulation {(M = 5.61 miles, A = 640 acres}

Sto ear vd he retard bias host . ,
bewititatat®: sts states odo 1 gah (OF
.toanniendt ie he: oe tet Tat L # 6ve)

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a Be ate ‘ awe:

an : :

rd .

he ~ ale Ma: %
~ 4 wa F ¢.
j \ i 3 ow *

ars
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a tz ~ iT
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t re

Hotes eant eek

: ii a Be RS mn fad

a A, ae u ected

it od) Be Lees
CW" 1 ree

Pes eek 1%

4

'

antt mow

ce ee

Pc GL GOR e fae
ee 50° TS aT
DB SHBIOVR.

Fp

Beetle i Beem hE, Le |
D _H a P D _H a P
ieee 12 11522 57.6 Oro ome |) 56425

O- 66 ZO Ona Gene O- 50 18 EE) Bodo

Ooo bk) O11. 90 Dore O- 75 28 10.90 DOe2

0-130 Si | Aes akes; nb el COO ee 2 Ol 53 00k
0-125 By) LB GSO LOok

Interpretation of Results on populations.

MiewGemivanmlonvonemme 3 fieures, 56.5, 57.0 and
powoetor che 3 distances 25, 33 and 50 yards shows that
the deer are scattered uniformly to a distance of 50
yards on each side of the path of travel. Hence the
figure of 57 deer per square mile may be used.

Comments

The use of the two belts of differing widths
indicates the extent that deer are scattered uniformly
Over the area surveyed. A flushing distance of 50 yards
means a total width of 100 yards or 4.55 chains. A
cruising width for timber of 4 chains gives a 5 percent
survey, and twice thru a section (sq. mile) gives a 10
percent cruise of the area. Hence, I conclude that percent
of survey was satisfactory.

However, field data are not likely to be so
nicely arranged as this “chain-problem”, but the latter
indicates the goal to achieve in careful field work.

The greatest value of the use of multiple zones
is that it affords a check on the reliability of the
field data. How much spread in the final results of P
that may be tolerated, only experience can tell. A
spread of 45 to 5/7 may not be too great for some people,
Dutetieeis for me. The fact that half as many deer were
recorded for the extreme widths (66-99) and (75 to 100) as
at (0-33) shows that animals at such distance are very
likely to be overlooked or by being hidden in the brush.

This method does not prove the validity of the
multiple choice, it only indicates when or when not the
data might be proven valid if tested statistically.

Zt
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a i y

I trust, Mr. Clarke, that my explanations are
den OUsen Le MOL p Wrive again relative: to, the
1 doubt. ee

Very sincerely yours,

A i j ¥
GHKssc

George H. Kelker, Prof.,
Wildlife Management

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=26=

A PROPOSAL TO
INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PHEASANT STOCKING IN
NEW YORK STATE

by
Ben Bradley

(and related correspondence)

The New York State Conservation Department has a
large and efficient program of pheasant propagation. Ring-
necks have been raised continuously by the Department since
soon after the turn of the century. (The Rogers State Game
Farm at Sherburne is the oldest in the country in point of
continuous operation.) Every effort is made by a competent
staff of well qualified propagationists to raise healthy,
Seronr, speorving type birds. Few can question the results
attained on the six game farms currently in operation. The
problems arise after the pheasants leave the farms and are
stocked in the wild.

It is here that much misconception arises regard-—
anc the role of stocked pheasants. Actually it is a dual
proposition. On the one hand some birds are planted with
the hope that they will serve to bolster wild stocks and
thus act to step-up wild populations in succeeding years.
On the other side of the ledger is the guarded hope that
some stocked cocks will be around for hunting, come fall
and opening season. In fact it is undoubtedly this latter
aspect that has served to boost State pheasant production
to its recent high levels. From the early days of pheasant
rearing and distribution by the Department it has been
customary to solicit the help of Sportsmens organizations
CO aSSist with stocking. In the 1930's distribution was
placed on a county formulae basis that took into account
-hunting pressure within the county and from the outside
plus quantity and quality of cover. Still the birds were
planted by Sportsmens organizations. In fact it can be
said that numbers of clubs were formed for the sole purpose
of getting in on the pheasant stocking. Certainly in many
cases the club members, having released the birds, hoped
to hunt the area and enjoy the harvest. Little thought
was given to the basic need of stocking to establish the
species. After decades of trial that question should have
been settled. But no one wanted to stop stocking, least
of all the sportsmen who were helping distribute the stock
and getting at least some bonus shooting.

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Beginning in 1949 soon after the establishment
of District Game Managers throughout the state, pheasant
distribution was taken out of the hands of the clubs and
made the responsibility of the Managers. A number of
changes in distribution were made on the basis of pheasant
range analysis. Good, intermediates and poor classifications
were established over the state based on hunting records,
game surveys and special research studies. However there
was still the basic system of distribution based on hunting
pressure and cover.

The essence of present stocking is to provide
some shooting over and above what is produced in the wild.
In some sections of the state possibly half of the cocks
shot by hunters are from late summer releases of game farm
stock. But further than that the stocking is tangible
evidence to the sportsmen that the Department is doing
something with their funds. Granting this approach it
therefore seems appropriate to explore ways and means of
increasing the usefulness of these releases. Records of
many years standing show that on the average not more than
5% of regularly stocked cocks fall to gunners during the
Open season following release. A gun stocking program to
be really effective should show hunter returns of 20% or
more of birds released. However this can only be done on
special areas or in counties under a system where both
eocks and hens may be legally taken. Such is the essence
Siechas, proposal.

pLocking Tor the gun can be made more effective
by releasing the birds where both sexes may be shot, where
the opportunity of participating in the harvest is lengthened
and where the stock is planted just prior to or during the
Open season. Obviously stocked birds should not be liberated
in sections of the state now supporting adequate populations
of wild birds. We are not yet ready to propose an open
season on cocks and hens in these situations even though
such a season may be feasible in the future. Stocking in
pheasant producing counties should be done on selected
controlled public hunting areas adjacent to large cities
(one each near Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse would seem
adequate). For non-pheasant producing sections or those
with low productivity the stocking could be on unposted
Jand as at present. Or it is suggested that birds be
released into selected counties where by special legisla-
tion a 30 day season on both cocks and hens would be
declared.

To help support the pheasant program a special
county-wide license would seem required. On the up-state
controlled hunting grounds - actually State operated
shooting preserves - fees would be charged to cover part
Siethe cost of operations.

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These proposals are based on the premise that
sportsmen want special pheasant shooting and are willing
to pay for it. It is a way to more effectively utilize
the present game farm production. The obstacles may be
numerous but certainly the results should be more than
offsetting. And as the program is evolved certain modifica-
tions can be institued in the interest of fairness and
clarity. For example, it may be appropriate to continue
limited stocking of cocks in good pheasant range just to
give the sportsmen an extra bonus. Following are brief
sketches of six proposals;

Proposal A - Set-up special controlled public shooting
areas (30 day season - cocks and hens) within
2 years to handle 4 of game farm production or
30,000 adults to be released before and during
the season. The remaining half of the stock to
be distributed as at present.

poScmommarecase 2.00 permit plus $5.00 per cock
and $3.50 per hen shot. No charge for rabbits.
Grareas each 5,000%acres = 2 NYC, Albany — 1
Binghamton, 1 Syracuse, 1 Rochester and 1 Buffalo.

Proposal B = Same as “A except chicks sexed and 80% of
stocking for gun on special areas be hens.

Proposal C - Same as "A plus special hen counties where
both hens and cocks may De shot during a 2 weeks
season.

Proposal D = Same as "Ci cae special county pheasant
license required @ $4.00, one half of which goes
to towns and counties to “reduce landowners taxes.

Proposal E - No special areas or counties. Sex checks on
game farms. Save 80% of cocks, 20% of hems. | (At
chick age value is about 50¢ each but $8,000 to
$10,000 loss may be the lesser of two SGaLe

Proposal F - Lease lands (shooting rights) adjacent to
Cities as needed and leave them open to public
hunting. Pay 10¢ per acre per year for lease.
stock part of birds on these areas. In lower
Hudson Valley extend season to 3 weeks or 30
days

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Toronto, Ontario,
Hebruary 3rd), 1955.

Mies 3.) We Mound
Mr. Je Le Grew
Mire He Re Mound

Dear Sir:

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of a report
entitled "A Proposal to Increase the Effectiveness of
Pheasant Stocking in New York State." May we please
have your comments on this report?

Yours very truly,

Encl. Fors W.J.K. Harkness, Chief,
CHDCsnn Fish and Wildlife Division.

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SO

Game Bird Hatchery,
Codrington,
Febe Snblalc ODD

Dear Sirs

Thank you for the report on the proposed pheasant
stocking programme suggested for the State of New York.
I have visited the Sherburne farm several times and have
had an opportunity to talk shop with some of the
personnel.

It does seem that eventually it will be necessary
to set aside large areas for public hunting and fishing.
If these areas were large enough and could be completely
under the control of experienced wildlife managers, it is
very probable that hunting conditions similar to Pelee
could be established in a few years. While it would be
necessary to saturate these areas with hatchery stock in
the beginning as habitat conditions improved they would
be more or less self perpetuating.

imecan-see no value in proposal FE. possibly because
I have always tnought hens should be legal game, neither
can I see any advantage in proposal F. without full
control over land use. The favourable conditions existing
during July and August when most of the pheasant planting
1s done, may be nothing but ploughed land and clean fences
by hunting time. Hxtension of the hunting season for a
week or two would probably not materially affect the Spring
breeding flock.

This would be a good subject for discussion at the
Spring pheasant meeting.

Yours! verry ioru Ly,

lc hes) Wikoibhavel

PrenC. He. De Clarke,

Supervisor Wildlife Management,
Lands and Forests,

Toronto.

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Provincial Game Farm,
Vittoria, Ontario,
February 1Oth, 1955.

The N. ¥. Pheasant stocking proposal

A counter-proposal
Dear Sire

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
Feb. 3rd, with reference to the above. Largely, this seems
to me to be a state controlled form of the put-and-take
type of pheasant shooting we discussed briefly last year
in your office and which is becoming increasingly popular
in the U. S. on private farms. The most practical method
is for private breeders to lease the shooting rights on all
the farms surrounding their own, sometimes up to several
thousand acres, heavily stocking this area, and charging
the eeneral public $5.00 more or less, for each bird shot.
A breeder of my acquaintance operates the Niagara Game
Farm, near Lockport, in this way, serving the entire Buffalo
area. There can be no argument that there is nothing to
compare with it in the matter of getting the maximum number
Ge bards in the hunter's bag with a minimum of time and
energy spent. At the same time it is costly enough to make
it fairly exclusive, at least as a regular thing. Although
such areas fill a need and therefore have their place, it
is hard to see why it would be feasible for a state to
divert a large percentage of it’s bird farm production into
special shooting grounds at so much a head when such hunting
facilities already exist, privately.operated, for those
wishing to use them. It would appear more feasible in
Ontario. Of course, the cost would eliminate a good part
of the hunting public which in itself would improve the
hunting. The costliness is mainly through the use of adult
birds. Feed and labour costs on adults would be roughly
twice as much as poults. Capital investment on extensive
holding pens and areas and their maintenance would have to
be added, plus three times the shipping and handling cost
Of an cight week old poult. Shipping all the birds as
adults to a distant point is cumbersome. Private operators
have a big advantage here, their farms forming the nucleus
of the shooting area itself. They are able to supervise
both activities and at the same time maintain friendly
relations with the neighbouring farmers on the leased
properties. Disregarding the paid shooting for the moment,
the possibility of concentrated stocking (of poults) in a
given limited area rather than spreading them thinly over
meidcranca, has been discussed: in this district, but
apparently is not compatible with the present system of
allotting birds through application from the various clubs,

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who, of course, have a large voice in our stocking program.
With regard to the shooting of stocked hens, poults or

adults, I am unable to see much advantage in saving them in

any location where winter survival is only a remote possibility
anyway. The other suggestion of eliminating most of the

female chicks at the day-old stage and stocking 80% cocks

would mean keeping a far greater number of parent stock

and large expenditures in pens etc., to give us the same

number of chicks at 70¢ each. Basically the trouble all

starts from keeping birds on the game farms until they |
are ready to go in the hunter's bag which, to my mind is |
an extravagant and out-moded way of operating government |
farms and should be left to private operators who can do
ituemore cheaply and efficiently.

I would imagine that future government game farms |
will gradually eliminate even the raising of eight-week-old
poults, and concentrate entirely on producing a greatly
improved day-old chick with a high survival potential
produced through selective breeding. When a bird fails to
Eumvemrerbhe brouble can be traced tog - (1) Parent stock
(einenbation (3) Harly environment. The present day
custom of raising young pheasants en masse on one confined
rearing field subject to overcrowding, prey to disease,
and where they are almost constantly exposed to the atten-
tions of the general public, sometimes in bus-loads, is
obviously not conducive to the environment necessary to
produce a good game-bird. At the same time it does not
permit room and time for concentrating on the more vital
features of pheasant production (1 & 2). There is too
much time spent on to-days game farms carrying feed and
water, combatting disease, keeping children and pets away
from growing birds, and finally gathering them all up and
bundling them into shipping crates. The longer the birds
are kept on the farms the more aggravated these conditions
become. On the other hand, I don’t believe that the birds
should be handed over to the public at a day old and feel
the government should have a closer control over it’s
investment. JI would suggest that this could be done by
Saeppame tne birds at a day old (by far the best time) to
sub-stations located in selected shooting areas where they
are to be released. These sub=stations to be simple,
inexpensive set-ups consisting merely of a brooder, or two,
and the usual wire-netting pen which also should serve as
the release pen. The brooder and pen to be located quite
away from human traffic in a good site as to natural food,
cover, etc. The operation could be run by a summer student
under the direction of the central game farm providing the
aoyeoucchvecks., Onee over the critical first ten days the
birds should not be touched or interfered with more than
necessary for essential feeding and care. The birds, around
eight weeks old, allowed to disperse themselves, following
their own inclination, without any shock or adjustment.

Hage sattooth an coder Wik.
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The student to follow the progress of the birds for as long
after dispersal as possible. Perhaps a dozen such sub-
stations within the general release area, at an appropriate
distance apart. After eight weeks or so brooder and wire

pen could be moved by truck to a new location and the process
repeated for a second hatch or, alternately, be made more
permanent and remain’ as a feeding station for poults, if re-
guired, through the summer months, or for adults in the
Winter months. Shooting within the area could carry a fee
Geeardoliar per bird shot, plus licence, (either sex) leaving,
of course, the number of hens the area could reasonably
Support through the winter. This dollar to be used to
provide feed, equipment and day-old chicks for that particu-
lar selected area’s sub-stations. Incidentally, I should
think the much discussed habitat-improvement would have some
chance of fruition within this limited area.

There is some doubt in my mind whether this idea
would be acceptable, at the present time, in the U. S.
where an important function of the normal government game |
farm is to delight the vacationing public with masses of |
fat, friendly pheasants and the usual assortment of picnie
facilities.

Vours very suieully.,

S. W. Mound

DeeeG. He. D. Clarke,
Fish and Wildlife

i ti 29,0)
th

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‘ * 7 La

*-

— -

ae
A CREEL CENSUS REPORT FOR EUGENIA HYDRO POND

Oe

by
Je F. Gage

Introduction

Bugenia Pond is a body of water of some 2,200
acres formed by a dam constructed across the Beaver River
by the Hydro Electric Power Commission in the Township
of Artemesia, County of Grey. Except for the occasional
brown trout, speckled trout are the only game fish present.
During the hot summer months high water temperatures
prevent free movement of speckled trout throughout the
pond. They usually congregate at or near the mouth of
the Beaver River and Black Creek feeding the pond.

A creel census on speckled trout was established
on Eugenia Pond in 1946 and since that time all hatchery-
reared stock planted have been marked by the removal of
the adipose fin. In 1950 the collecting of creel census
data was suspended due to a lack of summer personnel.
Encouraging reports in 1951 from anglers on the notable
increase in both the numbers and size of "marked" trout,

' stimulated an attempt in 1952 to obtain creel census data
solely through co-operation with some of the anglers.
From past experience it was apparent that this system
leaves a great deal to be desired, however, from close
association between field workers and anglers several
people were established as being good co-operators.

These anglers kept good records and were familiar with
the area and the special techniques employed at Eugenia
Pond. The presentation of this report is an attempt

to show that worthwhile information can be obtained with
a minimum of effort and cost through co-operation between
biologist and a limited number of reliable anglers where
complete coverage of all fishermen is not possible.

Purpose

The purpose of collecting data from anglers at
Eugenia in 1952 was:

(1) to determine the proportion of hatchery
reared trout in the average angler’s catch.

(2) to provide an index in the trend of angling
success.

(3) to evaluate the method of soliciting co-
operation from a limited number of reliable anglers.

a ag Feei0) M.

te ree
ape ne “Oat gE :

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=35=

(4) to provide an index to the annual crop of
speckled trout taken by angling.

Method

A careful inspection of creel census cards and
records collected in 1948 and 1949 provided the names and
addresses of twelve anglers who had submitted good sea-
sonal records. Special creel census forms (see figure 1)
were sent to the twelve anglers with an attached letter
SOliciting their co-operation in 1952. No other contact
was made with these anglers in connection with the creel
census. Hach angler was assured that his individual
record would be treated as strictly confidential and that
each angler would receive a general report on the creel
census results.

Hach angler was assigned a code number after
the reports were submitted. The code number is used in
this report in reference to any individual angler. Table
I shows the number of speckled trout yearlings planted
each year. In the early years of the experiment a great
size difference was evident in hatchery stock which has
since been reduced. The yearlings average 6 inches in
length. The fish are planted in May or June before high
temperatures normally occur. The trout are planted
approximately two miles from the area where the anglers
record their capture. Figure II shows a map of Eugenia
Pond providing depth contours, location of planting each
year and heaviest concentrations of anglers.

Results

Of the twelve anglers who were asked to submit
personal records of their catch only nine reported and of
these, only eight were in sufficient detail to be valuable.
The results of each of the eight anglers are drawn up
in table form for clearer understanding -- see Table II.

Hiehovanelers fishing a total of (1,468 hours
Ses fishing trips caught a total of 943 speckled trout
of which 43.05% were "marked" hatchery-reared fish.

=36+
FIGURE I

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS
FISH AND WILDLIFE DIVISION

Gon Hb EL Ry GO) ah AD) KUGENIA POND
SPECKLED TROUT CENSUS

19 e
Name oeeeeeoedoedsedodsesoeeceeevgs teenage e oe @
Address @eecooaoo@oeoseeeest6 @ @ @
No.
No. No. Under
With : With- No. vs
- Adipose out of Re-

Date Fin Lengths __ Fin Lengths HieSta ubiened

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On the average each angler caught 2.3 trout per
EEIpNom .oltroun per hour. Eighty percent of the total
catch were 12" in length or less.

None of the anglers reported retaining a trout
less than 8 inches in length. Four hundred and sixty-
six trout were released according to the standards set
by the individual angler.

As the rate of growth indicated by scale
reading is exceptionally good, most of the marked trout
came from the previous years’ stocking.

Results for the same eight anglers for 1948
and 1949 were compiled in table form for comparison with
1952. The individual records for 1949 are prepared in
table III and records for 1948 are prepared in table
IV. A summary for the three years has been prepared in
table V.

It is regrettable that records for these
anglers for 1950 and 1951 were not solicited so that
continuity could have been maintained.

It is apparent that angling success was low
in 1949, the total catch being very low although the
trout per hour remained the same. The hatchery-reared
trout did not appear as worthwhile trout in the eyes
Sieenmecwaneiers until 1949. In succeeding years larger
Specimens brought renewed interest amongsve the anglers.
Pesteliemunber ot individual specimens of 2 1/2 lbs.
were observed by Conservation Officers in 1950 and 1951.

SUMMARY

(1) The proportion of hatchery-reared trout
mncnewaverage, angler’s catch for 1952 was 43.05%. This |
shows that hatchery trout do survive in Eugenia Pond |
and represent a strong percentage of trout taken by the |
angler. This strong percentage does not necessarily |
indicate that the hatchery fish has improved fishing at |
Kugenia Pond.

(2). Et cannot be readily concluded that a
trend in angling success is apparent because of a lack
of continuity. Such records are very valuable however,
in establishing whether angling was good or poor for

that particular year.

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(3) Bight returns from twelve solicited is
considered good as sickness or absence will occur in any
Single year. The value of the information available
from this method exceeds the effort and cost.

Vo ipinGusme mola vworkers (collecied 378 creel
cards plus 14 seasonal records resulting in a total catch
of 2,797. The eight co-operators accounted for 699 or
Meaeometnis tovals Using this figure as a basis the
annual harvest for 1952 could be approximately 4,000
speckled trout. This can be further expressed in terms
of pounds and pounds per acre.

It is the prerogative of the angler when sub-
mitting creel census data to enter remarks which he or
she feels are important to angling on Eugenia Pond. The
following are few which occur most frequently.

(1) “Fishing has been very good this year" (1952).
“Fishing has been worst in years" (1949)

(2) “Length limit should be raised to 8" and
Datwlimaite weduced to LO fish per day."

(3) "Outboard motors should be prohibited"

(4) “All angling above the eight line to the
mouth of the river should be prohibited
to conserve trout."

(Sh UL ra SPs felaloyerttoyclalnt aay

(6) "Season should close end of August"

The above are remarks by anglers and are not
necessarily substantiated by their own records.

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she

A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF COMPASS LAKE,
DISTRICT OF PARRY SOUND, 1950*

by
F. A. Walden

Compass Lake lies across. the boundary between
the Townships of McMurrich and Perry, in the Territorial
Pwsterey Of Parry Sound. The lake is north of the road
from Scotia to Round Lake, and access may be had by
Sroscsine une farm of Mr. H. Clifford at Fern Glen. The
last half mile of the trail is through hardwood bush, and
must be traversed on foot. The Parry Sound to Scotia line
of the Canadian National Railways (formerly the Dominion
Atlantic Railway line) passes a short distance to the
north of the lake.

The lake appears on the Muskoka Sheet of the
National Topographic Series, but the map used in the field
was a tracing of the appropriate section of the Ontario
Forest Resources Inventory Sheet number 454792.

All of the land surrounding the lake has been
patented, with the exception of one township lot at the
westerly end of the lake. These lands were located for
agricultural purposes about the year 1881. Thus, the time
of settlement of the area is established. There are no game
fish in the lake, and it is therefore of little interest
to sportsmen. Inaccessibility may also be a factor in the
small amount of interest in the lake, though a cabin has
been built on its shore in recent years.

Physical Characteristics

Compass Lake, latitude 45° 28*N., longitude 79°
23°W., lies between two ridges of Pre-Cambrian Rock. The
basin is long and narrow, (Figure I). Its greatest length
is slightly over a mile, and its average width is about
Sie=quarverm of a mile. The long axis of the lake lies in
a northwest-southeast direction.

The surface area of the lake is 125 acres, and the
length of shoreline is three and one-half miles, giving a
shore development of 2.2 units. This low value may be
correlated with the rather regular outline of the shore.

Mose Of the shoreline is rocky. Over most of

the lake there is a steep drop-off to a depth of four to
six feet. The lake however is not deep. The average depth

a Parry Sound Forest District Biological Studies No. 7.

ee 8 he

4206, CUOOR TAR GK ES

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White Birch\g@rtz (hy eee) sed: Mapilc

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LEGEND 4 1ST eeEN
ee ee SLU
4T - temperature station SW iMeatcar apes <—
Ga= Clay, m — mud, R =~ rock (477 5> ) meadow

Nl - gill net set
Ml - minnow trap set

PE sure 1

Outline map of Compass Lake, Townships of McMurrich and Perry
showing nature of shoreline, depth and ten foot depth contour.
The location in which a gill net was set is shown by Nl, and
the locations of two minnow trap settings by Ml and M2.

scales 4 inches: 1 mile.

ee ee

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eh egms meet
Bilt
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has been calculated as &.5 feet, and the maximum depth was
found to be 23 feet.

The proportion of the area included by ten-foot
contours is as follows:

Contour Interval Area Percentage of Total
O = 10% 72 Acres BENS)
10 = 20 47 Acres BES
20)\-< 6 Acres LoS

There are two small islands in the lake and
several emergent rocks. No allowance has been made for
these in calculation of shore development or area.

The lake bottom is about 40% rock, 40% mud, 3%
@ley and 7% sand. The clay occurs in the deepest part of
the lakes; sand is noticeable in shallow water along the
shores.

The colour of the water is almost white, though
it has a slight bluish cast. Considerable amounts of
suspended matter were visible. On July 26, 1950 at 3 pem.,
the reading of the Secchi disc was 2.7 meters, (9.8 feet).
It is possible that the turbidity is due to agricultural
practices on the southerly shores of the lake, though it
must be remembered that the actual shoreline is wooded.

The watershed of Compass Lake is not large,
comprising an area of approximately one and one-half square
Miles, (Figure 2), of which 75% is wooded, and the
remainder is under cultivation. In the wooded parts of
the watershed, the soil is loam, though there are rocky
and sandy areas. The agricultural land is sandy with some
clay areas. A considerable amount of crushed limestone has
been used on the land, and it is thought that this will
have a valuable affect on the lake during the next few
years.

The source of water appears to be run-off from
Peectpicavion. There is no inlet to the lake. The outlet
is a small stream at the northwesterly extremity of the
lake, with an estimated flow of approximately 20 gallons
per minute at the time of observation. This stream flows
down to Round Lake at a much lower level than Compass
Lake, thence through Buck Lake and Fox Lake to Lake
Vernon, and thence to the Muskoka River system. It is
joined by two or three small streams enroute to Round Lake,
and contains speckled trout in its lower reaches. There
is not a very great water-level variation in Compass Lake
during the course of the year.

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Outline map showing the watershed area and drainage of
Compass Lake, Townships of McMurrich and Perry.

seale: 4 inches?! mile.

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Observations of the water temperature were made
at two stations. Station I was located near the deep basin,
and the temperatures were as follows:

Depth Temperature
Surface TWaee
10 feet TOGee
15 feet (Bottom) 70.09

No stratification was observed. Station II was
at the source of the outlet stream. A temperature of 75°
feanda,pH of 6.5 was found.

No other physical tests were made.

Biological Characteristics

Throughout most of the lake there is a light to
moderate growth of yellow water lilies, Nuphar variegatus
and pond shields, Brasenia Schreberi. At the northwest
end, white water lilies, Nymphaea odorata, bladderwort,
Utricularia sp. and pickerel weed, Pontederia sp., also
occur. Of the submerged flora, Potamogeton spp. were found
to be the most important.

A bog area at the northwesterly end of the lake
supports a growth of ericaceous plants including the
cranberry, Carex spp., and sphagnum moss. The remaining
shore area supports hardwood forest for the most part.

The fish population was sampled using a gang of
Pitt mets. Details of the nets and of the fish catch are
given in diagrammatic form, below:

Net Number #14 #5 #3 Hh,
Length Ort ceie Aa hess 130 feet reo eet
Mesh 3au Qin 22h Pu
Depth Shore 15 feet 115 feet eacew iL7) Ateieke
Catch 2 white 2 creek 4h white 1 white
suckers chub suckers sucker
kL white 2 brown
suckers bullheads
4 pumpkin~
seed
16 brown
bullheads

In addition, two anglers minnow traps were set
and fished overnight. These captured two specimens of
the creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus, one of the fathead
minnow, Pimephales promelas and 40 pumpkinseed sunfish.

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The growth rates for the white suckers and
pumpkinseed are given in Table I. These growth rates are
seen to be exceedingly slow when compared with growth rates
given by Carlander (1950).

TABLE I = Growth of White Suckers and Pumpkinseed
sunfish, Compass Lake, 1950.

White Suckers Wi ui Amsced
Size Average Size Average
Age Range Total Range Total
Group Noe (ins) Length Non. tims beagi
II O - -- 13 ILE SILAS) aL Ato
eri 2 8.8-9.8 9.3 WE wi Omani Riek
IV R 9.5-10.0 9.8 On 2 B= 316 ONS
V Z 12.5-14.0 ere ab ~ 29
VI 2 - 15.8 O - -
VEL al - Lys 2 Die Die D 5h
VIII f2 15.0-15.3 lH AZ

Sixteen brown bullheads were taken in the gill nets. The
largest of these was 10.3 inches in length and weighed
e€ight ounces. Six other specimens were measured, and were
found to have an average length of 7.3 inches (range 7.0-
7.5 inches) and an average weight of 3.2 ounces (range
3.0-3.5 ounces).

Food of Fishes

Study of the stomach contents of several sunfish
revealed that for the most part, they had not been feeding
at the time of capture. The stomach of one sunfish con-
tained 60 amnicola sp., and many shell fragments, another
contained some fish remains.

The presence of many small sunfish, and two or
GhrFee species of cyprinid suggests the possibility of
suitable food for a carnivorous species, possibly smal t=
mouth bass. Diligent search failed to reveal any crayfish
in the lake.

Stocking

Compass Lake has been stocked with hatchery
raised fish as follows:

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1924 Yellow pickerel LOO OOO N firy:
1925 Yellow pickerel ROO OOO firey
1932 Speckled trout D7 OOC BES.
1933 Speckled trout 51) OOO ages
a9 / Speckled trout BOO Year.
1950 Speckled trout SO Ome.

Discussion and Management Recommendations

It is believed that the experimental fishing has
revealed the presence of the major species occurring in
tieewlake., [lt is reported that 25 or 30 years ago (Dickson,
1952) smallmouth bass occurred in the lake, and that some
fishing for them took place. The stocking records show
that yellow pikeperch and speckled trout have been stocked.
It is not hard to realize that attempts to introduce the
pikeperch based on two plantings of 100,000 fry or eyed
eggs, each, would be a failure. If the plantings had been
successful initially in that some of the fry lived, the
conditions in the lake are hardly amenable to establishing
a good population of pikeperch. As for speckled trout,
conditions in the lake are even less suitable. The
temperature was found to be high in the middle of a cool
summer. In a warm summer, it is likely that most of the
water in the lake would approach the lethal temperature
for this species.

The question arises as to what happened to the bass
which are said to have occurred in the lake years ago. While
the answer, based on present information must be speculative,
it 1s believed that winterkill might well have been the destruce
tive agent. The species now occurring, namely white sucker,
bullhead and pumpkinseed are perhaps a little more resistant
to poor conditions than is the smallmouth bass.

In formulating a management plan for the lake,
introduction of a cold water species need not be considered.
Of the warm water species only the basses are adapted to
the conditions of the lake, and it is believed that some
slight preference should be given the smallmouth bass.

Good spawning areas are available for this species, and it
iS believed that food is sufficient and suitable.

Conclusion

Compass Lake is an eutrophic lake, containing no
valuable game species of fish. Its summer temperature is
too high for cold water species of fish, specifically
speckled trout, and there are no spawning facilities available
Or this fish, The introduction of smallmouth bass is
recommended since conditions are generally suitable for

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bass and spawning grounds and food are available.

References

Carlander, Ke De, 19503 Handbook of Freshwater Fishery
Biology.

Dickson, Roy, 19523 Personal communication.

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