DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES Nq. 9 



SKUNK: — The catch as reported to the Department through the regular 

 channels shows quite an increase as compared with that of the previous year, and 

 this pestiferous and objectionable little creature continues to be quite plentiful 

 throughout the Province. Market prices which have prevailed for their pelts 

 have not been suflEiciently attractive to encourage any extensive trapping operations in 

 the case of this particular species. 



WEASEL*: — This species continues to be plentiful. While the pelt is of con- 

 siderably less value than was formerly the case, the catch shows a decided increase 

 over that of the previous year. Nevertheless a review of reports to the Department 

 reveals the fact that this condition does not justify the belief that there has been 

 any great general increase in their numbers throughout the Province. 



SQUIRREIi (BIa«k and Grey): — These animals are quite numerous in the 

 southern Counties and more particularly is this applicable to the western portion. 

 They were afforded the protection of an entire close season which condition in 

 all probability contributed in a large extent to the improvement evident in the 

 numbers of these varieties of the squirrel species. 



At this point it is desired to make some general comments on trapping con- 

 ditions. 



So far as Southern Ontario is concerned, except for a few scattered districts, 

 trapping can no longer be regarded as providing remunerative employment to any 

 great extent. Fox-hunting as a sport is enjoyed in many sections as is evidenced 

 by the large number of special permits which are issued for this purpose and while 

 considerable numbers of skunk and weasel are taken the financial returns received 

 from the sale of these pelts by the trappers concerned are not at all impressive. The 

 more valuable, and therefore the more desirable, species are becoming very scarce. 

 Lynx, marten and fisher are practically non-existent in the south; beaver which ap- 

 pear to be improving are, of course, provided the protection of a complete close 

 season throughout the entire Province; while conditions which apply to mink, otter 

 and raccoon are not at all favourable. Fox, as has been previously stated, are re- 

 sponsible for some good hunting in addition to the trapping made available by 

 their numbers, and in some scattered sections fairly good muskrat trapping is still 

 available if satisfactory weather conditions prevail just previous to and during the 

 open season. 



In Northern Ontario during the year reported upon while conditions were 

 naturally better than those reported from Southern Ontario, they showed no im- 

 provement over those which have been in evidence there in the more recent years. 

 Licensed trappers in this northern section are restricted as to the area in which 

 they may carry on their trapping operations, each being allotted a specific territory 

 for his own use. It is anticipated that this system will encourage each individual 

 trapper to practice conservation and protection in his own territory, as a means 

 of assisting to perpetuate the various species of fur bearers therein. 



The protection which present Regulations provide for the more desirable classes 

 of fur-bearing animals, particularly along the line of short and restricted open 

 seasons during which periods only they may be lawfully trapped, is very necessary, 

 and furthermore the compliance of all concerned with the various Regulations 

 which govern is not only essential but must be forthcoming, and while the experienced 

 trapper may not in all instances be favourably disposed to the various restrictions 

 which now apply to fur-bearing animals and the trapping thereof, full co-operation 

 with the Department along these lines is absolutely necessary if we are to be expected 

 to maintain these animals at their present levels, without imppsing further restric- 

 tions. 



The following comparative table shows the numbers of pelts of the various 

 species of fur-bearing animals exported from and dressed within the Province 



