1908 GAME AND FISHERIES. 69 



should be protected with an open season from November 1st to December 

 15th, as they are not prime until November, and when the snow comes is the 

 time the trappers skin them out; and besides, he finds that if traps are set 

 in September or October, the excuse is that they are trapping mink, and at 

 the same time it is muskrats they are after. 



Partridge are verj- scarce of late years, owing chiefly to the destructive 

 bird called the owl, which he understands is protected. He thinks there 

 should be a bounty paid for the killing of them. 



He is pleased to say that there are some deer in his division, and he is 

 very anxious to protect them so that they may increase. A doe and two 

 fawns have been around near his home since May, and last month he could 

 have shot three deer, and it has been reported to him that eight deer have 

 been seen around Pigeon Creek. 



Overseer John Watt, of Peterboro, reports that he has had a very busy 

 season trying to see that the laws were observed, and the result is that there 

 has never been such good fishing in his district. He picked up four nets, 

 also captured several spears, and a number of snares which he destroyed. 

 He has not had many convictions, as the offenders in most cases were minors, 

 whom he let go with a warning, as it was a first offence in each instance. 



He has had difficulty in apprehending those parties who operate on the 

 ice under a blanket, as by the time he would get to them they would have 

 whatever instruments of destruction they might be operating with shoved 

 under the ice out of sight and almost impossible to find. They go in pairs, 

 usually one keeping on the lookout. 



Overseer G. W. West, Holland Landing, reports that the fishing and 

 shooting were about the same as in 1907, excepting partridge, which is 

 very scarce in that neighbourhood. The game and fish laws have been well 

 observed, and he had no occasion to fine anj one. 



Overseer Chas. West, of Holland Landing, reports he made several 

 trips during the close season over his district, and found the law being still 

 observed, and there was no occasion to fine any one. 



The catch was about the same average as last year, with a slight increase 

 in the catch of black bass. 



River St. Lawrence. 



Overseer Nassau Acton, of Gananoque, reports that, as far as our own 

 people are concerned, the season has been very agreeable, no serious com- 

 plaints having been received. The fishery and game laws have been well 

 observed. The catch of fish has been good, fully up to the average. Customs 

 receipts there show 40,948 lbs., valued at |2,770, exported to Clayton, N.Y., 

 during the year, and about a like amount shipped by express to Kingston, 

 Ont., and thence to Cape Vincent, N.Y.. The above is what is termed coarse 

 fish, and legally taken. For home consumption 7,200 lbs. would be a fair 

 estimate. A small percentage used for home consumption would consist of 

 game fish, A large percentage of citizens have decided objections to allow- 

 ing foreigners from the American side of the river coming into our waters 

 in their own launches, bringing their own guides and supplies and returning 

 again with probably excessive catches of our fish, and not even reporting at 

 our custom houses. He considers this a serious abuse, as no benefit what- 

 ever is received from this source, and he would suggest that a suitable rod 

 license fee be imposed in this connection. In the event of these parties 

 above mentioned becoming domiciled in our hotels or boarding houses for a 



