1907 GAME AND FISHERIES. 19 



were raised to $5 per rod instead of $2 as at present. He would recommend 

 that net fishing in inland lakes be prohibited or restricted, and the angling 

 fee raised for non-residents of the Province. The American angler is 

 perfectly satisfied to pay the increased fee if the game fish are protected. 

 It is estimated that the tourist trade is worth at least $1,000,000 a year t!bl 

 Eastern Ontario. He would also suggest that some close season or other 

 restriction be placed upon frogs, as, unless something along this line be done, 

 the, frogs will become extinct. Five years ago frogs were plentiful in num- 

 erous creeks, and now these waters are quite depleted. 



In going through his district during September, duck hunters reported 

 ducks unusually plentiful this year, particularly in the eastern porton. He 

 thinks that the season for shooting ducks should not begin until September 

 15th, as in late springs (as was last) the young ducks are not completely 

 feathered out • and consequently become an easy prey to hunters. He 

 thinks it would be better if the open season for ducks, shore birds, and all 

 small game should begin at the same date each year. 



He thinks that mink and muskrats should be grouped together having 

 the same close season, as both seem likely to become extinct in a short time, 

 if the present demand for their fur continues, and no restrictions are placed 

 upon them. He is informed that both these kinds of fur bearing animals 

 were scarcer this year than last, as also were beaver and otter. Deer also 

 were less plentiful than formerly. He would recommend that hunters be 

 limited to killing one deer each for the next three years, also that the use of 

 dogs in killing deer be prohibited. 



He would suggest that more care be taken in issuing settlers' permits, 

 and none should be issued except to actual settlers, who should be bona fide 

 farmers or householders of at least six months' occupancy. He finds that in 

 several cases men living outside of the settlers' limits obtained permits from 

 the issuers, killed their deer, and consumed it in towns and villages where 

 they lived, some of whom he fined for so doing. 



Game and Fishery Warden G. M. Paries, North Bay, reports deer as 

 very plentiful, but going farther north; moose plentiful in the northern sec- 

 tion of his district; partridge very scarce. 



The Indians are very destructive to game and fish, and settlers would 

 like to see greater restrictions placed on the Indians, preventing indiscrim- 

 inate slaughtering of game. 



Tourists are coming to the district in greater numbers each year, and 

 a large summer colony is springing up along the French River, where many 

 cottages have been built. The number of tourists visiting French River 

 in 1907 was double the number of any previous year, and it would be an 

 inducement for a still greater influx if the fish in Lake Nipissing were pro- 

 tected by the prohibition of net fishing. 



Game and Fishery Warden C. N . Sterling, Kenora, reports that he has 

 had very encouraging reports from his deputies. The Indians are the cause 

 of the most trouble. He has been along the line of the C.P.R. to Port 

 Arthur, and is trying to get Port Arthur, Fort William and Kenora to form 

 a protective association, which will do a lot in protecting the game. The 

 lumber camps on the Lake of the J^oods will not buy any game from the 

 Indians, as the contractors have told them that if any game is bought from 

 the Indians, and they are found out, the fine will be taken out of their 

 wages. This is a great help. 



Game and Fishery Warden J. H. Willmott, Beaumaris, reports as 

 regards Game that the experience of deer hunters during the past season 

 undoubtedly shows that in many parts of the Province \there hunting has 



