ANNUAL REPORT, 1938-39 



RACCOON: — There was quite a noticeable decrease in the catch of raccoon 

 during the open season which prevailed in 1938, though reports indicate that conditions 

 affecting this species remained fairly normal. These animals are found only in the 

 southern counties. 



SKUNK: — Reported to be quite plentiful in practically every section of South- 

 ern Ontario, though there are a few sections in the north in which they are not so 

 numerous and while the catch during the year shows a large increase, there is 

 no doubt the prices paid for the pelts discourages the average trapper from making 

 any special effort to take these animals. 



WEASEL: — Except in southwestern counties reported to be fairly plentiful. 

 While there was an increased catch in 1938-39, the value of the pelt to the trapper 

 is not sufficient to warrant any particular activity for the taking of these animals. 



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

 of fur-bearing animals which were exported from and dressed within the Province, 

 during the year under review as well as in the three years immediately preceding: — 



Rear 



Beaver 



Fisher 



Fox (cross) 



Fox (red) 



Fox (silver or black) 



Fox (white) 



Lynx 



Marten 



Mink 



Muskrat 



Otter 



Raccoon 



Skunk 



Weasel 



Wolverine 



1935-36 



2 



1, 



47, 



398 



3 



13 



50, 



42, 



411 



,785 

 ,137 

 ,424 

 ,044 

 500 

 883 

 642 

 282 

 057 

 ,043 

 701 

 259 

 ,747 

 643 

 4 



1936-37 



476 



238 



2.117 



4,156 



35,232 



360 



17 



2,081 



1,464 



33,930 



370,239 



3,779 



14,243 



87,950 



78,643 



2 



1937-38 



496 



235 



1,463 



2,426 



24,912 



201 



47 



1,284 



1.709 



22.766 



343.972 



3,737 



13.194 



61,576 



79.853 



5 



1938-39 



363 



1,366 



1,467 



2,164 



22,366 



131 



142 



785 



2,074 



25,111 



508,893 



3,764 



9,493 



89,100 



93,488 



3 



Information compiled in the Department shows that these furs were worth 

 to the trapper the sum of $1,168,409.40 and while this figure is slightly more than 

 $200,000.00 in excess of a similar compilation for the previous year, the increase is 

 largely attributable to the fact that the catch of muskrats in 1938-39 exceeded by 

 165,000 the catch in 1937-38. 



It is again necessary to state that present restrictions which are provided for 

 the protection of the more desirable fur-bearing animals are essential for the main- 

 tenance and development of existing conditions which apply. 



The fur farmer is gradually supplying the trade with certain classes of pelts 

 which are becoming scarce in the wild, and in this connection the following statistics 

 are supplied in the matter of the product of licensed fur farms which were marketed 

 during the year: Cross fox pelts to the number of 293 were disposed of, 258 of which 

 were exported and 35 dressed in the Province, the value of which was $4,058.05; 

 silver and black fox numbering 38,234 were disposed of, 30,963 exported and 7,271 

 dressed in the Province, all of which were valued at $658,770.82; and 35,918 mink 



