Notes from wardens’ diaries, Wood
Buffalo Park, received with letters
9th and 25th March, 1938.
Warden | Month | Remarks |
Dempsey |
December, 1937 | Work on buffalo hunt during part of the month. Buffalo cows and calves seen. Arranged for material required for proposed telephone line, Fitzgerald landing field. No sign of Barrenland caribou. 86 buffalo in Hay Meadow. More buffalo on road Cabin 7 to Cabin 6 than in previous year – all cows and young stock. Calves in herd about 1 to 8. Cabin 5 – fur catch small in this area. Trappers waiting for rat and beaver season. Hunters have meat but many practically destitute. Dog team broke away after buffalo. Dempsey hurt ribs. Wolves took poisoned baits but bodies not found. |
Allan | October, 1937 | Mentions difficulty transporting rations and other supplies over Boyer Rapids and to Cabin 1 Jack Fish Creek. Preparing for winter, repairs, fishing, etc. |
“ | December, 1937 | Dogs not in good condition although feed cooked fish, corn meal and rice. They are troubled with worms. Mentions patrols, permits to Indians, etc. Poor fur catch. Harness, sleigh, wrapper and snowshoes left by Warden Wylie being taken to Cabin 1. Letter to Constable Grayson, R.C.M.P Vermillion, asking for full investigation of Grant Savage’s rights to beaver permit. Doubts if Savage is head of family. |
Page 2.
Warden | Month | Remarks |
Allan | December, 1937 | Dog caught in snare. Men using trail – Benoit Vermillion, Louison Chessa and Ambrose Boucer. |
“ | January, 1938 | Patrols including Cabin 30, 5th Meridian, fishing, repairs to cabin, etc. Staked Alberta boundary across rat sloughs. Unsatisfactory interview with Grant S. Savage. Separate report made. Rat signs more numerous than last year. |
Bird | December, 1937 | Work on buffalo hunt. Two-year old buffalo killed by wolf. Wolf took poisoned baits but not found. |
“ | January, 1938 | Buffalo hunt, meat to Indians. Poisoned baits set. Caught big black wolf by poisoned baits. Natives at mouth Peace River nearly starving, no fur signs. Another wolf (female) caught on baits. Two grey wolves (females) caught on baits. |
Clarke | January, 1938 | Cabin 12 – Patrols, hunting wolves, etc. Accident with rifle. Report separately. Indian badly hurt, had permission from Park Warden to bring young lad in to Park. Reports cabin very cold. (Steps are being taken to improve Cabin 12 for winter occupation.) |
Page 3.
Warden | Month | Remarks |
Cooper | January, 1938 | Feeding dogs, taking inventory, etc. About 50 buffalo in Hay Meadow. Wolves howling west of camp, very unusual. Setting wolf baits. 27th January – The Laplander, M.N. Pulk, and family arrived Hay Camp. |
Dent | December, 1937 | Cabin 28 – Patrols, feeding dogs, etc. Complains of cold in chest. Trying to improve condition of dogs Bill and Ben. A. Whitago and song on way for destitution rations. Cannot understand he is ineligible for permit. Matter taken up with Dr. Head and Sgt. Vernon. Working on inventory Cabins 20, 28 and 29. Distributed permits. Mentions Alberta Game Guardian living near Reed’s post. Had difficult explaining Whitago permit case to Cree Chief. December 16th – questioned men about snares and warned against use. 28th December – Lead dog stepped in trap on trail. Warden froze both hands trying to remove trap. Trapper complaining of interference with his traps. |
Dent | January, 1938 | Cabin 28 – Patrols, distributed permits and other routine work. Checking over traded goods property of Messrs. Handen and Alley left in charge of Charles Martin. |
Page 4.
Warden | Month | Remarks |
Dent | January, 1938 | 28th January – Advised Indian Chief to impress on his people that the rat trapping season did not start in the Park until March. 31st January – Discussed with Dr. Head and Sgt. Vernon question of trapping in Alberta restricted areas. |
MacDonald | January, 1938 | Buffalo hunt, patrols, etc. Two-year old buffalo killed by wolves, also yearling killed. Caught black female wolf on baits. Moved Laplander Pulk and family to Hay Camp. |
Nice | January, 1938 | Office and janitor work Fort Smith and patrols. Reports 3 dead ravens at poisoned baits. Work on inventory. 24th January – Assisted moving Laplander Pulk and family to Hay Camp. 26th January – Bill Roy employed as assistant in building new Cabin 34 |
Routh | December, 1937 | Hay River – Patrols, including vicinity Copp Lake and Buffalo Lake. Broke through ice in creek and dropped axe. Difficulty getting ashore. 18th December – Took over from J.E. Browntools and equipment of Permit Officer. 24th December – Patrol to Resolution to wire information on beaver season. 31st December – Froze face and knee |
Page 5.
Warden | Month | Remarks |
Routh | January, 1938 | Hay River – 5th January – Indians came for permits. Complained that only heads of families permitted to trap beave in Park, and not single men. Routine work, clearing fur for export, etc. 12th January – Picked up radio message from Police, Resolution Re – Native Indians and halfbreeds being permitted to trap rats without license. 13th January – Advised traders and natives that Wood Buffalo Park not mentioned in broadcast and rat season in Park unchanged. Indians instructed to tie up loose dogs. John C. McKay asked for permit. |
T.C.
20/4/38