10 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 (1942) 



MARTEN: — As in the case of fisher and lynx, marten are extremely scarce, and no 

 improvement has been reported. The catch in the case of this species also shows a 

 decided reduction. 



MINK: — While these animals are reported to be not too plentiful there are indications 

 that their numbers are increasing in many areas, though probably not to any material 

 extent. The slight increase in the number taken during the open season may be 

 attributed to improved conditions to which previous reference has been made. 



MUSKRAT: — It is again possible to report an increase in the catch of this species, 

 some fifty thousand more pelts being taken than was the case in the previous year, 

 though conditions which applied to muskrat remained practically the same. The open 

 season is provided by Regulation and this arrangement is perhaps the most satis- 

 factory in that it is possible to take advantage of propitious weather conditions, and 

 thus confine the season to a limited period in which there would be little or no 

 interference with natural propagation. These pelts do not bring an exceptional price 

 on the market, but by reason of the fact they can be caught in large numbers the 

 returns to the trapper are of substantial worth. It has been estimated that the 

 740,000 pelts taken in 1940 were worth approximately $1,500,000.00, or more than half 

 the value of the total fur catch of the year. 



OTTER: — Some improvement is reported from sections in the northern portion of the 

 Province, and, while otter are not too plentiful, the catch for the year covered by 

 this report was better than the average for the past ten years, and was exceeded 

 in that time only by the catch in the preceding year, 1939-40. 



RACCOON: — There was a decided decrease in the take of raccoon as compared with 

 that of the previous year. It is found only in the more southerly portions of the 

 Province, due to the extreme cold weather which prevails during the winter months 

 in the north. Conditions with regard to this species remain unchanged. 



SKUNK: — Continues to be very plentiful, but their obnoxious methods of defence, 

 coupled with a low market v^lue, discourage any general efforts by trappers for the 

 taking of this species. 



WEASEL: — There was a decided decrease in the number of weasel which were 

 trapped during 1940, as compared with the number taken in the previous year. This 

 cannot be attributed to any substantial decrease in the numbers available, and is 

 iprobably due to the diminished demand for these pelts, and the resulting poor prices 

 derived from the sale thereof. 



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

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

 Province during the year under review in addition to the three years immediately 

 preceding: — 



