26 THE REPORT UPON No. 32 



idea to make 1909 a olose season also, and then the flocks would get a chance 

 to spread out. The close season has been well observed here. 



Deer were not so plentiful as last year, although there was a large 

 number taken out of the district, bat that was owing to the greater numl)er 

 of hunters in the woods. He would suggest to make the limit next year 

 one deer to one man. 



Overseer T. W . Robinson, of Collingwood, reports that there was a 

 slight decrease in the catch of whitefish and sturgeon, and a very large 

 increase in carp, of which very little is caught in that district, owing to 

 poor markets and the general dislike to this class of fish. All other kinds 

 remain about normal. The reasons for decrease in whitefish and sturgeon 

 are that the fishermen did not prosecute their work as briskly as usual, 

 and continual foggy weather. 



The percentage of fish shipped to the United States was about one tenth 

 of total catch. 



No abuses exist, to his knowledge. 



Close seasons have been strictly observed. 



No violations of the law came to his knowledgj'e. 



There are no fish ways in his district, nor any dumping of mill refuse. 



Lake Huron (Proper) and River St. Clair. 



Overseer H. A. Blunden, of Samia, reports that the season opened with 

 a period of very uncertain winds, making it very difficult for the fishermen 

 to get their stakes and nets in place. During the latter part of the month 

 of May, and part of June there was a spell of strong south wind, which 

 the fishermen claim caused very uncertain hauls of pickerel. But taking 

 the season as a whole, the fishermen received very fair returns, more par- 

 ticuarlj on whitefish grounds north-east of Kettle Point. He thinks that the 

 reason the pickerel and whitefish are not decreasing in Lake Huron the way 

 it is claimed they are in other waters is because th'^re are few large towns 

 or cities to empty their sewage into these waters. 



There were no prosecutions in his division during the year, although 

 he seized two American gill nets ir> Sarnia Bay and destroyed them, but 

 he could not find the guilty parties. 



Overseer Dan Kehoe, of Millarton, reports that the fishermen in his 

 division have observed the law, both as regards fish and game. No viola- 

 tions have come to his notice. 



Game is not plentiful in that locality. 



Overseer Robert McMurray, of Bayfield, reports that the catch of fish 

 during the past season has not been as good as the previous season. Perch 

 were not as plentiful, but whitefish are becoming more plentiful. The close 

 seasons were well observed. He made special trips more frequently during 

 the close season, often going out to the nets with the fishermen, and found no 

 cause for complaint. Of course once in a while a few fish out of season will 

 get into the nets, but this cannot be entirely stopped, although the men are 

 careful not to make a point of catching fish which they know to be out of 

 season. He had no complaints about illegal fishing. There have been no 

 violations that he has heard of. 



Game is scarce in that section of the country. 



Overseer D. Robertson, of Southampton, reports that the fishermen in 

 his division have not had quite as good a season as in 1907. The tugs have 

 had a fairly good season, but the sailboats not as good as in 1907. The fishing 



