1908 GAME AND FISHERIES. 58 



during three weeks of the season of 1908. The law in this respect is well 

 observed. Beaver are not in evidence in his territory, but in the northern 

 portion of that county the number are increasing, and he thinks that dis- 

 trict should be carefully watched. 



Overseer J . F . Kern, of Burford, reports that the fishing for the past 

 year has been very good, the chief fish caught being pike, bass and trout. 

 Although he kept a strict watch for infringements of the law, he has found no 

 evidence of illegal fishing. 



As far as game is concerned, it is far less plentiful than usual. Muskrats 

 are in abundance, and doing much damage to mill dams. Rabbits are espe- 

 cially plentiful, but all other game is scarce. 



Overseer Wellington Lean, of ApsJey, reports that the close season for 

 fishing has been well observed, and he is not aware that a single abuse exists. 

 The fishing was better than last year. Quite a number of American tourists 

 visited Loon and Long Lakes this summer. They report good fishing, and 

 are all willing to pay for angling permits. He thinks it would be well to 

 hSve the guides pay a small fee for license. 



Mill owners observe the law. There are no fishways in his division. 



He would like to call the attention of the Department to the stocking 

 of Wolf and Crab Lakes with bass, as it would be giving new grounds for 

 tourists, and would also help the settlers. These lakes are both of a rea- 

 sonable size, and suitable for fish. 



Deer were very scarce this fall. They are growing less numerous every 

 fal], owing to the large number killed by wolves every winter. No case of 

 illegal hunting came under his notice. Wolves were very numerous this 

 winter. There is quite a number of beaver in his division, but none have 

 been caught, so far as he knows. He found one trap net set for beaver near 

 where they had been working, but although he watched and made enquiry 

 and did everything he could he was unable to find who had set the trap. 



Overseer J. R. McAllister, of Gore's Landing, reports that there has 

 been more maskinonge taken out of Rice Lake by angling than he has known 

 for a great many years. Black bass for some reason unknown to him has 

 been very scarce, but those that have been taken were very fine fish. 



Muskrats are plentiful, and are well protected. There was a very large 

 catch in April, one man catching over 700. 



Ducks have been more plentiful than usual, but very few killed. Since 

 the duck hunters have been stopped from putting out decoys by the rice 

 bed, duck shooting has not been any good. 



He thinks they had more non-residents at Gore's Landing this past 

 s\immer than ever before. 



The law was well observed on his part of the lake, both as to fish and 

 game. 



Overseer A. W. Mclntyre, of Keene, reports that the fishing for bass 

 and maskinonge last season was very good. 



The close season was well observed. 



There is no mill refuse dumped into the water. 



There are no fishways in his division, and none required, as the fishing 

 is as good above the dams as below. 



Overseer Enoch Merriam, of Harwood, reports that last spring was a 

 very suitable one for fish. The water was very high, and as soon as it began 

 to recede the heavy rains came on and held it up till long after all the 

 fish were out and the spawn was hatched and gone. The fishing was good 

 last summer, and they had more Americans than ever before, who were all 



