. The Canadian field-naturalist. 124 The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol. 85 '1 The months of March, April, and May were chosen as the period for concentrated study after a brief survey of the weather data in- dicated that if there were any correlation between population size and temperature and precipitation, it would be most evident during those months. We consider that the three spring months are critical since at this time adults emerge from winter dens, and the new cubs are first exposed to the environment outside the den. It should be noted that, although the bounty data is for the fiscal
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 124 The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol. 85 '1 The months of March, April, and May were chosen as the period for concentrated study after a brief survey of the weather data in- dicated that if there were any correlation between population size and temperature and precipitation, it would be most evident during those months. We consider that the three spring months are critical since at this time adults emerge from winter dens, and the new cubs are first exposed to the environment outside the den. It should be noted that, although the bounty data is for the fiscal year April 1 to March 31, we have treated it as though it were annual (calendar) since there are few or no bounties claimed in the January 1 to March 31 period (C. A. Elsey, Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, personal communication.) Results The numbers of bears offered for bounty in Kenora, Rainy River, and Thunder Bay dis- tricts are shown in Figure 2. It is apparent that there are four peaks in the 20 year period for each district, although the peak years of bear numbers are not consistent for each dis- trict. For Northwestern Ontario as a whole, the peak years are 1946, 1949, 1953, and 1958, (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows the average snowfall for March, April, and May for 1942 to 1961 for each district. There were six peak snowfall years; 1944, 1948, 1950, 1954, 1956, and 1960. These peaks were consistent throughout Northwestern Ontario. Precipitation for each district is shown in Figure 5. The peaks and lows of the three dis- tricts do not correspond well. For Northwest- ern Ontario, the years of maximum precipita- tion are 1943, 1950, 1954, 1956, and 1960. (Figure 3). The average daily temperatures for the three districts are shown in Figure 6. General Discussion (1) Black Bears In Ontario, most of the bears' regular acti- vity occurs between late May and early Novem- ber. During the winter they exist in a state of dormancy or semi-dormancy from which they 120^. Figure
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