64 THE EEPiOET UPON No. 13 



changed so that brook trout would be caught from the 15th April to the 15th 

 August, as in their opinion the change would be better. There is no trout in his 

 division, and he only reports what he was asked to do. 



Frogs should be protected in all the waters of the Trent Valley Canal for 

 two years, and if not in Trent waters, at least in the County of Victoria. 



Partridge are found in their usual haunts as plentiful as in olden times ; that 

 is where conditions are the same as they used to be, and this is another proof that 

 nature holds the balance when left to right herself. The wise forethought of those 

 who restored those magnificent game birds to the people of this Province by the 

 timely protection given for the past two seasons is fully appreciated by all true 

 sportsmen. 



The change in duck shooting from the first to the 15th September was not 

 satisfactory to local shooters in that section, as shooting of snipe and plover was 

 allowed on the first of September, and shooting at these birds often disturbed the 

 ducks while on their feeding grounds. Ducks were plentiful, and sportsmen were 

 well satisfied with their increase in numbers. 



A good catch of muskrats was made last spring, although the season was 

 unusually short, only lasting from seven to eight days. Some local trappers 

 secured over $100 worth in that time, and this shows the immense value of these 

 little animals when properly protected. 



Mink, no doubt, with proper protection, will again become numerous, but it 

 will take a few seasons to do it. The mink skins were much valued, and what were 

 taken netted good prices, $7 being about the price received by trappers for a mink 

 skin. 



The law was fairly well observed during the past season. Only one breacli 

 came to his knowledge, and this was a breach of section 20 of the Game and 

 Fisheries Act. He had the offender before F. D. Moore, K.C., who imposed a 

 fine. A vigilant watch is at all times necessary, and this is kept up. 



He suggests a few changes in the Game and Fisheries Act, which in his 

 opinion are for the better protection of the game and fish. 



That all winter fishing be prohibited, and that the open season for trolling 

 for maskinonge be from June 15th to November 1st, and that the close season 

 should begin on April 1st, as the run of maskinonge was over last spring before 

 the close season for them began. Bass to receive the same protection as the lunge, 

 so as to avoid trouble. 



That frogs be protected for two years in all the waters of the Trent Valley 

 Canal, and if this cannot be done, protect them for two years in Victoria County. 



That mink should be allowed to be caught from November 1st, and that they 

 cannot be hunted with dogs in winter, this being the most destructive manner in 

 which mink are killed. Trapping or shooting only should be allowed in killing 

 them. 



That muskrats should only be trapped in spring, and all fall and winter 

 trapping prohibited in the Trent Valley Canal, and if this cannot be done, then in 

 Victoria County. 



That no artificial light be allowed in hunting or killing game animal or bird 

 protected by the Game and Fisheries Act in Victoria County. 



Overseer Christopher Burtchedll, of Cohoconh, reports that the fishing was 

 very good this season, the bass being the best in the first part of the season, and 

 towards the end the maskinonge fishing was unusually good. He thinks the 

 tourists were more numerous this summer, as lie ?old more angling permits than 



