Picture this scenario.   It’s the early 1900's in Ontario.  Fish and wildlife populations are declining at an ever increasing rate.  Commercial fishing and commercialized fishing are heavily impacting on naturally reproducing fish stocks and little thought is being given to future populations. Commercial fishing records indicate that annual catches in the millions of pounds occurred in the early part of the 20th century.   Charter fishing in the Great Lakes for Lake Trout takes on mammoth proportions and children wheel wagons full of Lake Trout around Great Lakes communities for sale at up to $0.10 per pound.  

Waterfowl populations are being victimized by market hunters supplying restaurants with ducks and geese.  Of course the passenger pigeon, once so plentiful that aboriginal peoples could knock down enough for a meal with a stick, are now gone: another victim of the short sighted mentality that wildlife exists in an endless supply.  It should be noted that native peoples were not the culprit in this demise of fish and game.  They had the more civilized attitude that it was pointless to use these resources other than for one’s own consumption.  Our ancestors decided that this was also a great way to make money!  Certainly, early settlers used wildlife for a welcome food source and many were also guilty of the view that “if a deer happens to present itself, then it should be shot”.   In the early 20th century, Southern Ontario was largely deplete of big game like the White Tailed Deer.  Hunting expeditions were organized to Northern Ontario for this prized species.   

Why are we painting this scene of doom and gloom?  This is the scene that concerned sportsmen and women  faced.  They knew that if this wholesale slaughter continued, fish and wildlife would become extinct, like the passenger pigeon and others.  Conservation organizations came into being for the purpose of conserving wildlife resources.  Governments were lobbied to produce legislation to conserve and protect these valued species.  The Fish and Game Act (and more recently, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act) as well as some of its predecessors was the result.  Bag and possession limits were requested and market hunting was banned.

On March 27, 1925, 52 men met at Toronto’s Central W M C A to form the Toronto Angler’s Association.  Within two years, the membership topped 2500 and in 1929 the newly named Ontario Federation of Anglers was publically introduced by the president (late) George Warburton.  Early meetings were held in various halls and Hotels in Toronto.  Early projects included essay contests and the publication of a book on game fish conservation.  In 1927, the Association was instrumental in having the bass season opening moved from June 15 to July 1.  The government also agreed to undertake a survey of Ontario’s game fish situation at the urging of the new Association.  A Special Fish Committee was formed in 1929 and its report, presented in 1930 was said to be one of the best made in the province.  In 1933 this Association helped to bring about the appointment of the Special Committee on the Game Situation which reported in 1933.
 
In 1947 several hunters’ organizations joined the Association which was now named the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.  Of course, the famous actress and avid angler, Mary Pickford, provided the name for the Conservation Club of the Year Trophy.  The North Grey Bruce Fish and Game Protective Association, which eventually became the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association, was an early recipient of this valued trophy.  Dr. Norman Douglas, from our area, was at one time the president of the O F A H. 

The physical location of the O F A H moved from place to place in the Greater Toronto Area until 1985 when the first offices were set up in Campbellford.  Rick Morgan, the newly appointed Executive Vice President facilitated the move to Peterborough in 1977.  As the Federation grew (17 000 in 1979) so did its offices.  By the mid 1980's it was obvious that the small office space was too cramped and another move, to 257 George St. occurred.  By the end of the decade the membership had grown to more than  72 000 members.  A search for a permanent home was on.  Many of you will remember the fund raising and animated discussions on this issue.  Several properties were considered but when Peterborough philanthropist David Wilson offered an eight acre site along the Otonabee River, the search was over.  In March 1993, the O F A H Conservation Centre was opened.  It boasts a 12 000 square foot building with 35 full time professional staff as well as part time and contract staff who perform conservation work.  Those of you who haven’t visited the Conservation Centre should do so the next time you visit Peterborough. It will make you proud to be a member!

The O F A H adopted as its primary mandate the protection and enhancement of Ontario’s natural resources.  Some early Ring Necked Pheasant introductions in the 1930's were initiated by the O F A H.  Fish Stocking programs were also supported.  Much of the Great Lakes was decimated by the Invading Species, the Sea Lamprey.  For this reason, controls and stocking were needed.

In the 1970's, the O F A H lobbied for wild turkey reintroduction, since the last turkey had disappeared near the turn of the century.  Thousands of hours of research and hard work resulted in the 1984 reintroduction of 260 birds.  This success story continues today, and in 1999 the first wild turkey season occurred in W M U 82 A.  Now well over 20 000 of this wary but tasty birds inhabit our province.  This success story is shared by many hard working conservationists, including the Grey Bruce Wild Turkey Chapter.

Another current reintroduction is under way.  In 1998, 40 elk were transported from Alberta to the forests of the French River/Burwash area south of Sudbury.  In 1999, another 69 elk were released and more are planned in coming years in areas of suitable habitat across the province.

An area of concern in the 1950's was the large number of hunting accidents.  The O F A H worked with the government to produce a Hunter Safety Program that has dramatically reduced hunting accidents to the point where injury rates are less than golf and ping pong.  Recently the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program began and it brings  hunter-safety education to aspiring hunters as young as 12 years old.  The Angler and Hunter Hotline is a publication which provides hunter safety as well as angling tips to many thousands of Ontarians.  The Angler and Hunter Television show communicates the Conservation message to the public via the electronic media.
 
Conservation issues facing us are many: The fight to reduce Acid rain was waged in the 1970's and 80's.   Preserving wetlands and major efforts to construct duck nesting boxes to replace the lack of tree nesting cavities have resulted in a dramatic return of the small but beautifully coloured Wood Duck.  Tree planting initiatives are helping to “green” the province and protect bird and animal species that were disappearing.  The Trumpeter Swan was brought back from the brink of extinction by hunters and now, the barn owl population loss  is a concern .  Boardwalks have been constructed along with viewing platforms to provide the public with opportunities to enjoy nature at many wetlands.  Many of these initiatives have been made possible by anglers and hunters.  A case in point is the massive Eastern Bluebird Nesting box program headed in Grey and Bruce Counties by Lorne Smith.  Much financial and physical assistance has come from anglers and hunters. So far, nesting boxes have been erected from Orangeville to Tobermory.
   
The Timber Environmental Assessment hearings in Northern Ontario during the 1980's and early 90's were attempts to achieve a healthy balance between forestry and wildlife management.  More recently, a growing awareness of exotic species with the potential danger to our aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem has surfaced.  Purple Loosestrife, the sea lamprey, the spiney water flea and the round goby are among invading  species threatening our fish and wildlife habitat.  The O F A H has a long history working for legislative change to stop the introduction of nuisance species and lesson the impact of those already established.  Presently, an Invading Species Hotline is operated to provide the public with a method of reporting problem areas or occurrences.  Finally, litter has been the target of the Pitch-In campaign brought to Ontario by the O F A H.  We continue to lobby the government to institute a deposit return on bottles and cans.

The O F A H is the “voice” of Ontario’s anglers and hunters.  As the province’s population shifted from rural to urban lifestyles, attitudes toward traditionally rural pastimes have changed or become misunderstood.  Some groups want angling and hunting banned entirely since they choose not to engage in these historical and heritage activities (their attitude appears to be that since I think it’s wrong for me, it’s also wrong for you).  Some see anglers and hunters competing for use of dwindling resources and want to impose unfair restrictions.  The O F A H is, historically, currently and the future, the voice that provides reason and pragmatism on these issues.  In short, the O F A H not only conserves Ontario’s natural resources but its cultural heritage as well.  To that end, lobbying efforts for intelligent, nonintrusive gun controls have been on the agenda, sparking a role in two of the largest rallies ever seen on Parliament Hill.

The O F A H recognizes that many people want and need a conduit to the out-of-doors-back-to-nature experience.  Programs such as: “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” bring enthusiastic people into a realm of understanding, respect and dedication to fish and wildlife.  This organization has been instrumental in opening up hunting and angling areas for wheelchair access.  Even the pond at  the Conservation Centre in Peterborough is designed for the young, the elderly and those mentally and physically challenged.  

Programs like Adopt-a-School, Travelling Teacher and Waterways Habitat have and continue to reach thousands of youngsters with the conservation message each year.

The Conservation Dinner program is not only a social highlight in many communities, but also a primary means of raising much needed funds for conservation projects.
 
The O F A H professional staff work with many other organizations.  The W3–Woodlands, Wetlands and Wildlife is among programs involving the farming community which resulted in the successful harmonization of the needs of agriculture and wildlife.  Better land owner and hunter relations, development and promotion of hunting and fishing ethics, and so much more can be attributed to the O F A H throughout its history.

The Family Fishing Weekend, which promotes healthy family-oriented activities in Ontario, is also part and parcel of what the O F A H is all about...and what was started as a result of 
O F A H action.

As the organization stands on the cusp of the next millennium, the O F A H maintains a steady course to protect Ontario’s hunting and fishing heritage and to promote conservation and wise use of our natural resources.

Over two million Ontarians share our heritage cultural pursuits in this province.  Just imagine the lobbying impact such a large group would have if all of these sports people belonged to the O F A H.  Please contact me, John Ford at (519)372-0410 or jford@bmts.com for further information.
 

Note: This article would not have been possible without the expert assistance of Mark Holmes, Communications Officer, O F A H Head Office.  Thanks, Mark!..........J. F.