ANNUAL REPORT, 1935-36 



purposes, and which was effective for the first time during the open season which 

 prevailed this year. 



FURS 



Conditions as they affect fur-bearing animals throughout the Province, and 

 as they have been reported to the Department, may be summarized as follows ; — 



BEAK: — Conditions remained about the same. These animals would appear 

 to be fairly plentiful in northern Ontario, and the more northerly parts of southern 

 Ontario. 



BEAVER: — Showing some improvement in northerly portion of southern Ont- 

 ario and in westerly part of northern Ontario, while to the east they are still scarc«. 

 The protection of an entire closed season which has been in effect in a large portion 

 of the Province for the past few years was extended to include all of Ontario, so 

 that the trapping of these animals is now prohibited throughout the Provinde the 

 year round. 



FISHER: — These animals are apparently extremely scarce, though there are 

 indications of some improvement in the northerly part of the Province. 



FOX: — This species is very plentiful and greatly increased in numbers, par- 

 ticularly in the north. In the southern portion of Ontario they are quite plentiful 

 in the sections to the north and east, though somewhat scarce in the Counties to 

 the west and south. 



LYNX: — So far as the northern sections are concerned, while scarce, there is 

 reported to be some slight improvement, particularly towards the east. In the 

 southern section they are extremely scarce, being unknown in many areas. 



MARTEN: — While the figures in the subjoined table show a little increase over 

 the figures of the previous comparative period, indications are that this species is 

 becoming scarcer throughout the entire Province. 



MINK: — Indications and reports are to the effect that the numbers of these 

 animals are diminishing, and more particularly would this appear to be the case 

 in southern Ontario. 



MUSKRAT: — Conditions which govern the welfare of this species have not been 

 at all favourable during the past few years, with the result that these animals are 

 adversely affected. A considerable decline in the catch is indicated by the figures 

 included in the succeeding table, and reports generally indicate a noticeable decrease 

 in all sections, except possibly the eastern section of northern Ontario. 



OTTER: — General conditions are about the same so far as Otter are concerned, 

 with possibly some improvement in the northeastern part of tke Province. 



RACCOON: — This species is practically unknown in northern Ontario. In 

 southern Ontario conditions which apply are not much changed, even though the 

 total catch as reported shows some decline. 



SKUNK: — These objectionable little nuisances continue to be very plentiful in 

 practically all sections, and the reduction in the numbers taken may be attributed 

 to the lack of demand for the pelts and the low prices prevailing therefor, which 

 apparently are not suflBcient recompense for the trouble and inconvenience trapping 

 of the same entails. 



