IT WAS IN THE PAPERS by Ralph Bice
From Wednesday, November 1, 1978
Few years back a very good friend suggested that l should not do any griping when l write these columns as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. A famous man once said “I may disagree very much with what you are saying, but l would defend with my life your right to say it!” (In 2023 that thought is not too prevalent. – Ed.)
Over the years l do not think l objected too much except when it begins to get personal. But l do very much dislike reading articles and explanations when they are wrong. Not that l never make mistakes but statements l have made l have proof of what l put down on paper.
There was a story extolling the writings and life of Grey Owl. Seems every so often the man gets in the public eye and we see more of these stories that were in the papers years ago.
There was a very interesting film about his life. There are only a few of us left who knew about Archie Belaney before he started writing stories. An Englishman by birth he had come to Canada as a young man and decided to live in the woods. He learned quickly. He also had a credible record as a soldier in World War One.
His private life was not the best. He was a fire ranger, guide and trapper. But a girl friend, Anahareo, found he could write stories. His books have been printed in several languages and he even had an audience with King George the sixth. But the odd thing about it all, this girl who changed his whole life, left him when he became a highly respected citizen.
What l disagree with is the claim that he was the first conservationist. The article I refer to stated that he had helped change the trapping laws so that beaver are protected. I read a similar article in the Digest claiming Grey Owl was responsible for the good regulations we have for fur bearing animals today.
This l do not understand as the new ideas about trapping only came into usage years after he had died. I have sat in many meetings that concerned fur bearers and never once did l hear the name Grey Owl or see it on any brief. The story mentioned he trapped beaver and raised her kits. It was not mentioned that the beaver season, if there was one, had been over several weeks when he was trapping beaver.
Grey Owl, Archie Belaney, will be long remembered but he should not receive credit for things he had no part in. The idea that he stopped trapping goes well with those who do not think wild animals should be harvested.
Gripe number two, in a magazine, The Angler and Hunter, in the last issue, told hunters how to skin fur bearing animals. The writer suggested that hunters occasionally shot such an animal and wanted the skin as a trophy. Now there are three fur bearers that as yet do not have a closed season: wolves, raccoon and fox. But these were not mentioned, just fur bearers.
Seemed a bit on the odd side for the game laws state only those with a trapping license may take fur bearers and then only in the area referred to on their license. To see such an article in a magazine published by a group that many look to for leadership does not seem right.
Gripe #3. Last week, in the same daily newspaper, there were three columns written about deer hunting. One on dogs which l rather liked. The writer mentioned how the real top notch hounds usually worked so hard the first day or two that they developed sore feet. That happens if they do not get any exercise during the year. What is hard to understand was the article by the regular outdoor writer claiming it was difficult to have deer on the pre-Cambrian shield which of course takes in this area. When the first settlers came there were many deer. If there had not been people would have had even harder problems getting enough to eat. He also mentions no food. The woods are full of new growth due to the modern methods of logging.
This fall l will be having my 64th deer license and for all but three of those falls l have hunted in this area.
It is mentioned that organized camps have many areas tied up and claim exclusive rights for hunting. That writer should make a trip to the woods in this area and see. Campers and tents are erected within sight of camps that have been paying lease rental and taxes for many years. The portion of McCraney outside Algonquin Park is a bit over 30 square miles. Until recently there were about 100 hunters at the organized camps. This year, if we can judge by two years ago when we had a moose season, there will be well over four times that many. Transient hunters have taken over the woods. They are within their rights as it is crown land. But, some provinces do try and control hunting.
Then there is a story about how to cook venison. Just why they have to have so many herbs and things to improve the taste l do not know. Think, except for the last seven years when l have not fired a shot, l have eaten as much or more venison than most, but l like it to taste like deer meat. And the best venison we had was the one we ate in camp.
So we hear excuses about the lack of deer but it still looks like nothing will be done to improve the hunting. Not only just for deer but for being in the woods. After all, when the hunter density gets to be more than ten per square mile that is a lot of hunters. Perhaps some day soon we may get some action instead of having to listen or read those ridiculous excuses.