18 THE EEPiOET UPON No. 13 



western portion of that district a great many fishermen are using 5I/2 and 6-inch 

 and meet with the best results, as they get a larger and better grade of fish. 



Moose are very plentiful in the district, particularly in the western portion. 

 He assigns as a principal reason for this increase, the vast forest fires in Minne- 

 sota, which have driven the game north. They are very much bunched owing 

 to numerous small bush fires in his own district, which have burnt over a lot of 

 high land, leaving the green valleys and swamps as the only feeding grounds for 

 game. 



Caribou. 



Caribou are not so plentiful in the district this year as in former years. 

 Many of the Indians tell him this is owing to the great increase of wolves. He 

 learns on the best authority that never before have so many caribou been seen in 

 Keewatin district as at the present time. 



Deer. 



Red deer are very numerous all over the district. He would strongly urge 

 the Department to prohibit the running of hounds. 



Beaver and Otter, 



So far as he can learn both beaver and otter are increasing in some parts of 

 the district, but the high price for their pelts is a temptation which few trappers 

 can resist, though it is almost impossible to obtain a conviction. 



Mink AND MusKRAT. 



Eeports and indications show that these animals are fully up to the standard 

 of last year. In the western portion of the district he has been very successful 

 in preventing the destruction of muskrat houses by the Indians, but with his 

 limited help he finds it difficult to keep a watch on them at all times. 



Partridge and Grouse. 



A large number of partridge have been destroyed by bush fires, but in spite 

 of this fact they are more plentiful than for a number of years past. Grouse are 

 just about the same as last year. 



Ducks and Geese. 



In the western part of the district ducks are very plentiful, but wild geese 

 are about as usual. 



Warden J. H. Willmott, of Beaumaris, for the districts of Muskoka and 

 Parry Sound, reports re fish that the past season has compared favorably with 

 former ones as regards angling. Of course, there is always a hue and cry of " No 

 fish*' raised by would-be fishermen, but his personal experience is that, with the 

 right bait, one can generally go out and procure his legal number. This refers 

 principally to the Muskoka lakes. The planting of bass fry from the Brantford 

 hatchery has been most successful, and has met with the approbation of all classes. 

 The fry has always arrived in good condition, and carries much better than the 



