ANNUAL REPORT, 19 37-38 



FUR BEARERS 



Conditions as they apply to fur bearing animals throughout the Province 

 are set forth in the following references, as summarized from reports of the Field 

 Service staff to the Department: — 



BEAVER: — These animals had the protection of an entire close season, though 

 it was found necessary to open the season on Manitoulin Island for the first fifteen 

 days of November. Trapping of these animals under the regulations which prevailed 

 restricted such operations to trappers and farmers actually resident on Manitoulin, 

 limited the catch of each person to not more than ten beaver, and required that 

 pelts so taken be disposed of under supervision of the Department. The close 

 season which has been in effect has resulted in a noticeable increase in the numbers 

 of these animals practically throughout the entire Province. 



FISHER: — This species is extremely scarce throughout the Province and few 

 if any are taken anywhere south of the French and Mattawa Rivers. 



FOX: — Conditions remained pretty much the same in the various sections in 

 which these animals have been found, with improvement and decreasing numbers 

 reported from different districts. There was unquestionably no general increase, 

 which would appear to be supported by the fact that there was quite a noticeable 

 decrease in the numbers of the various species of fox taken during the season. Silver 

 fox now are very seldom taken in the wild. 



LYNX: — This species also is extremely scarce everywhere in the Province, 

 and while the pelt is one of the most valuable of those taken in the wild the trapper 

 does not derive much of his revenue therefrom. 



MARTEN: — Very scarce, and while there was an increase in the number of 

 pelts taken during the season, such increase should not be regarded as an indication 

 of any permanent or general improvement. 



MINK: — There would appear to be no doubt that this species is becoming 

 less numerous in many areas. There were few sections in which conditions were 

 favourable or any improvement observed. 



MUSKRAT: — Conditions in Northern Ontario particularly were not at all good, 

 and while there were some sections in Southern Ontario from which favourable 

 reports were received, generally speaking conditions here were only comparatively 

 fair. The decline in the annual catch which has now been progressing over a number 

 of years continued during the season reported upon. 



OTTER: — These animals are to be found chiefly in Northern Ontario, and even 

 there they are not particularly numerous. Conditions remained about the same 

 as is indicated by the annual take. While continuing scarce some improvement was 

 reported in scattered areas. 



RACCOON: — This species does not inhabit the north. General conditions in 

 southern Ontario remained about the same. They are not plentiful anywhere, and 

 reports indicate that generally speaking their numbers are possibly decreasing to 

 some extent. 



SKUNK: — While these animals were reported to be very plentiful throughout 

 the entire Province there was quite an extensive decrease in the number taken by- 

 trappers during the season. 



WEASEL: — This species continues to be very plentiful in every portion of 

 the Province, with the possible exception of certain counties in the southwestern 

 peninsula. The catch was about the same as in the previous year. 



