20 THE REPORT UPON No. 32 



erous, gasoline launches should be provided, and should visit hotels and 

 boarding houses, say twice a week, and should also be on the lookout for 

 nets and other illegal contrivances for procuring fish, etc. 



He would again point out the mistake in the close season for lake trout. On 

 the Georgian Bay, and in our inland lakes, these fish go on the spawning 

 beds about the 8th or 10th October, and by the time the close season sets in, 

 viz .,the 1st November, they are through spawning and off the beds again. 



The laws have been fully as well observed as could be expected. Of 

 course there have been violations, and always will be, especially in illegal 

 netting, but this is not carried on to nearly so great an extent as formerly. 

 During the past season he has forwarded to the Department eleven con- 

 fiscated nets. 



Deer. Judging from the number of these animals which were taken 

 out by the hunters during the late open season, the natural conclusion would 

 be that they are numerically holding their own. The reason of this, how- 

 ever, is that the best hunting ground on the continent has been opened up 

 by the construction of the new lines of railway, which has made the hereto- 

 fore inaccessible hunting grounds easy of access, and are constantly crowded 

 with hunters along those lines. He thinks the time is not far distant M^hen 

 huiiters will have to be satisfied with one deer as the limit allowed, instead 

 of two as at present. He noticed numbers of does and fawns being taken 

 out at the close of the past hunting season. 



Moose hunters have been fairly successful, but many complain that it 

 is much more difficult to procure good specimens than it was a few years ago. 

 This of course, he says, could be remedied by putting a close season of say 

 three years on these animals when found necessary. 



Partridge. It is most gratifying to notice the increase in these birds. 

 The favorable breeding season, coupled with the protection for the past 

 season should leave a nice number for breeding for the ensuing spring, 

 which, if favorable, will produce a good crop for the fall shooting. He 

 would, however, recommend a further close season for another year. 



Beaver and otter. These animals have undoubtedly increased to a large 

 extent, but the law in regard to their protection is most difficult to enforce, 

 it being so easy for law-breakers to get their pelts out in various ways. 



Wolves have been reported as numerous in various sections. He still 

 thinks it would be advisable to increase the bounty on females, so as to give 

 hunters an impetus to seek these animals, on the chance of procuring some 

 of this sex. 



SPECIAL GAME AND FISHERY OVERSEER. 



Overseer Henry Watson, of Toronto, reports that the net fishing during 

 the past season was about the same as last. The season on the whole was 

 very stormy, the latter part of it being the best, when some very good catches 

 of herring were taken. Those engaged in the business who attended to their 

 duties properly were fairly successful. The law was well observed by the 

 licensed fishermen. A very little illegal netting was attempted by poachers 

 in prohibited waters. 



The rod fishing does not improve any around Toronto. The large 

 amount of deleterious matter poured into both Ashbridge's and Toronto Bay 

 has driven nearlj all the fish away; even the carp are not nearly as num- 

 erous as they were a year or two ago. 



With reference to angling permits. He found the tourist, when a 

 sportsman, not only willing but anxious to contribute his two dollars towards 



