80 THE REPORT UPON No. 13 



makes it hard for them to winter if the water rises after the lakes and bays freeze 

 over. He would recommend that no trapping or taking of muskrat in any way be 

 done during winter months, as it is a temptation for men to hunt them from their 

 homes only to be drowned or starved to death. Deer seem to be more numerous 

 this fall, as he has seen several, and signs through the woods show indications of 

 many. The taking of only one deer this fall should have an effect as to their in- 

 crease, Beaver are increasing, and it is a hard task to keep poachers from catching 

 them. There are little colonies springing up different places which he was sur- 

 prised to see this summer, and they would soon increase and multiply if left alone. 

 He has had several infractions of the Game and Fisheries law, and lots of work 

 yet to be done. He would suggest that the following amendments be added to the 

 Game and Fisheries Act for the better protection of game and fish: — 



(a) That there be no fishing through the ice whatever. 



(b) That the open season for mink be from 1st November to 1st March. 



(c) That frogs be protected for three years. 



(d) That the open season for muskrats be from 15th March to 1st May. 



(e) That no light of any kind be used for hunting or catching any animal 

 or bird. 



Overseer Chas. W. Parlcin, Valentia, reports that he is pleased to be able to 

 say that there were more maskinonge captured this season in his division tnan for 

 many years. A large number of tourists visited Scugog Lake during July and 

 August, and all seemed well pleased with their success in taking large lunge. A 

 few Americans visited there during the season, and they looked more favorably on 

 the Angling License Act. He sold four permits, some bought permits in Toronto, 

 not knowing they could secure them from him. Bass fishing was not as good on ac- 

 count of their being slaughtered through the winter. He would like to see the 

 winter fishing prohibited, and would respectfully suggest that the close season 

 for bass be from Dec. 15th to July 1st, and for maskinonge from Dec. 15th to 

 June 15th. 



He thinks the muskrats were quite as numerous here last spring, but there 

 were not as many trappers, and he thinks that accounts for there not being as many 

 taken in his division. They are busy now building their homes for the winter. He 

 is glad to know that our valuable little mink is now receiving protection, and he 

 hopes to see them rapidly increase in numbers. He says it is a pleasure to report 

 that partridge are more plentiful in that vicinity now than they have been for 

 years. Ducks were there in large numbers last spring, and, owing to the good pro- 

 tection they received, a number of Blue Bills and Red Heads remained in the 

 marshes all summer and hatched their brood there. There are thousands of the 

 best duck there now, and the hunters are well satisfied with their sport. The open 

 season coming in on the 15th Sept. necessitated a closer watch and more patrolling 

 during the first two weeks of the month to prevent the snipe and plover shooters 

 from taking duck, but in his opinion it was better for the ducks. 



His home is so located that he can watch a large portion of his division with 

 the field glasses every day, and whenever he thinks there is a necessity he travels 

 around and investigates. He has been very watchful trying to protect the fish and 

 game of all kinds from the few greedy and unsportsmanlike persons. He has had 

 no occasion to impose any fines as yet, but has a couple of cases to be settled. 



The Government boat "Naiad" has had a beneficial effect and has been a help 

 to the local overseers. The people see that. the authorities are in earnest, and that 

 they mean to protect our valuable fish and game. 



