'1911 GAME AND FISHERIES. 37 



to the United States, the home consumption being very light. The game continues 

 to be very scarce, and while little or no shooting is done, it does not seem to in- 

 crease as would be expected, and in consultation with local sportsmen, the scarcity 

 can not be accounted for. The winters have not been exceptionally severe, the 

 cover is good, and feed seems plentiful. He would be glad of advice on the matter. 

 The Game Laws are strictly enforced, in fact the local sportsmen themselves assist 

 in this matter; no pot hunting or illegal devices are used. 



Overseer Henry Johnson^ of Brantford, reports that the angling in his divi- 

 sion has been considerably better for game fish this year, especially black bass, 

 owing, no doubt to the re-stocking there; the number of fines imposed were ten, 

 eight for catching undersized bass, and two for catching pickerel under size. 

 Coarse fish were about the same as last year. The different Deputy Game Wardens 

 have rendered great assistance to him in the past season, for which they have his 

 sincere thanks. 



He would recommend firh slides to be installed along the Grand River, as no 

 fish can go up owing to the conditions of the drainage at the present time. Would 

 also recommend that no guns be carried without a license, said license to be ar- 

 ranged by the Department. 



He wishes to congratulate the Department on the success of the fish hatchery 

 there this season. The output this year more than doubled that of last, and having 

 assisted in catching and counting, he is in a position to know; and with the new 

 hatchery recently established by the Department at Mount Pleasant, the capacity 

 being still greater, he is sure the output next season will greatly exceed that of this 

 season. 



As to game. Muskrats are plentiful. There are two fines in this connection 

 for having hides in possession out of season. Rabbits are plentiful, also black and 

 grey squirrels. Two parties were fined during the close season for hunting on the 

 Sabbath day, and their guns were confiscated. Woodcock seem to be fairly 

 plentiful. 



Overseer David Jones, of Welland, reports that the catch of fish for the season 

 of 1910, was about the average. Carp and sheepshead were caught in great 

 numbers; pike and pickerel were fair; and black bass fair and of a good size. 

 There were no summer visitors in that locality the past season. The law was 

 pretty well observed, most trouble being with small boys catching very little fish, 

 and foreigners. He destroyed several wire trap nets, but could not discover the 

 owners. 



Ducks have been plentiful; black and grey squirrel are scarce; and rabbits 

 scarce. Sunday shooting was a great source of annoyance, and it was very hard 

 to catch the offenders, as they woiild go round a tree when he went through the 

 bush. There are several complaints in regard to the shooting of pheasants, regard- 

 less of the hens, which he would like to see protected. 



Overseer Edicard Lee, of Low Banlcs, reports that the catch by pound net 

 fishermen shows an increase in herring, white bass, and pickerel (dore), as com- 

 pared with last season; a decrease in pickerel (blue), which fishermen attribute to 

 unfavorable winds during the run ; whitefish and sturgeon and other kinds, in- 

 cluding coarse fish, about the same as last year, carp excepted, which are on the 

 increase. The catch by gill net fishermen shows a falling off in whitefish, as com- 

 pared with 1907 and 1908. The herring, which a few years ago seemed to be 

 decreasing, are again on the increase; and the catch by tug fishermen the past 



