1908 GAME AND FISHERIES. 17 



Fur-bearing Animals. 



Large quantities of muskrats were taken last spring, and it is reported 

 that many rat houses have heen built in the different marshes in the district 

 for the present winter, so that the prospects of a good catch next spring is 

 good. He still finds that there is considerable illegal killing of rats in his 

 district. It is very difficult to get evidence of the illegal killing as so many 

 of the residents along the shore are in sympathy with the persons who break 

 the game laws. He has already secured two convictions for having rat 

 skins in possession out of season, and one for spearing rats, and have other 

 complaints, but without sufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution. He 

 would again suggest that the carrying of rat spears in or near any place 

 where rats frequent should be prohibited. He would also suggest that the 

 killing of muskrats by dogs or by any other means than trapping, except on 

 a person's own lands, be prohibited. The legitimate trapper only uses traps. 

 It is only the law breaker who desires to use dogs, spears or guns, which 

 depreciate the value of the furs. He does not think the public at large 

 realize what an important animal the muskrat is. The furs have doubled 

 in value in a very few years, and if the wholesale destruction of these 

 animals is continued, they will soon cease to be a source of supply of furs. 

 Although these animals are very prolific, their natural enemies kill a great 

 many, so that men should only catch them in conformity with the game 

 laws if it is desired to keep their numbers. The numbers of mink, fox and 

 skunk skins taken in the district seem to be about the same as in the previous 

 year. 



He is of opinion that the game laws in his district, owing to the efficient 

 manner in which the deputy wardens and overseers have discharged their 

 duties, have been better observed than in the previous year. 



Game and Fishery Warden Victor Chauvin, of Windsor, reports that 

 the fishermen claim that the catch of fish was much smaller than last year, 

 especially whitefish, but perch has been a fairly good catch, only the most 

 of them were very small, and he thinks there should be a regulation as to 

 size. He saw some of them shipped from three to five inches long. The blue 

 pickerel also was a large catch, and they were also small. He has seen a 

 box full no more than from six to eight inches in length. There was an 

 immense catch of herring this fall in Lake Erie, but the majority were small, 

 and the prices very low — about one-half cent per pound at times. He 

 thinks the regulation for mesh nets should be enlarged so that so many 

 small ones could not be taken. It has been a good year for angling for bass 

 and other game fish, and all the sportsmen he has seen in his district have 

 been satisfied with their catch. He has had very few convictions in regard 

 to the fishermen breaking the law. 



Quail were very plentiful, but it was a poor season for shooting, as the 

 fall was so dry, and such a covering for the birds, that it was impossible 

 for the dogs to locate them. 



Partridges are still very scarce, also black squirrels. Gray and black 

 ducks around Detroit River are very fair shooting. The river ducks were 

 very small around St. Clair Flats, but the Mitchell Bay ducks were more 

 numerous, especially the redhead and canvas back. 



Muskrats are very numerous this year, and he thinks they should be 

 looked after, as the skins are worth about 35 cents apiece. He thinks there 

 should be a small license put on the trappers, so that it would do away witli 

 all the young boys who chase around the marsh skating with a spear and 



2 G.F. 



