1909 GAME AND FISHEKIES. 17 



siderably increased. The Order-in-Council compelling settlers in organized town- 

 ships to take out the regular deer hunting license has not met with the amount of 

 opposition he feared it would. As a further protection to our small game and in- 

 sectivorous birds, he feels sure that a general gun license would be the keynote as 

 this would put a stop to the foreign element, who at present prove a nuisance to 

 this class of bird and animal life. It would also put a stop to farmers' boys and 

 others handling firearms and prevent many accidents which frequently occur 

 through this cause. 



SPECIAL GAME AND FISHEKY OVEESEEE. 



Overseer Daniel Blea, of Uplands, reports that rod fishing has been good this 

 season. 



In regard to deer he would strongly recommend one deer to each man. He 

 would also recommend that hunting with dogs be done away with for a few years 

 and also to prohibit the sale of venison for a year or so. The protection of bea- 

 ver and otter has been the most difficult to contend with, because they have so many 

 ways of getting away with it. 



Our partridge is getting quite plentiful again, and if we have a favourable win- 

 ter and spring we will have lots of birds again. The game laws have been well 

 observed. 



GAME AND FISHEEY OVEESEEES. 

 Lake of the Woods and Eainy Eiver District. 



Overseer Fred Blanchard, of Fort Frances, reports that this year has been the 

 worst year for some time in regards to the fishing. They have been bothered quite 

 a lot with American poachers and sporting parties killing the game, but being on 

 the boundary convictions are hard to get. Timber wolves are greatly on the in- 

 crease all through the district. 



Fishermen complain of American fishermen stealing their nets and nothing but 

 a daily patrol boat will help the fishermen and also stop the poaching. 



Eiver Nepigon. 



Overseer P. A, Leitch, of Nepigon, reports that the number of tourists visiting 

 the Nepigon waters this season was slightly in excess of the previous season, not- 

 withstanding the fact that we get most of our tourists from the United States, and 

 an exposition at Seattle this season attracted a number of our annual visitors. All 

 those visiting the Nepigon waters this season invariably reported excellent sport 

 and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Fishing was above the average, many brook 

 trout from 4 to 8 pounds being taken during the season. 



The larger game, such as moose, cariboo and red deer, in the country contribu- 

 tary to the Nepigon waters, viz., in the Nepigon forest reserves, have increased 

 greatly in numbers during the past few years, due principally to the reserve regu- 



