ANNUAL REPORT, 1944-45 



17 



than the average catch over the previous five years. The open season for the taking 

 of raccoon extends from November 1st to December 31st. 



SKUNK: — As in the case of raccoon, these pelts are not in great demand, and the 

 prices paid for them do not encourage trappers in their attempts to take these 

 animals. They are quite plentiful in practically every section of the province, 

 though there was a considerable decline in the catch during 1944-45 in comparison 

 with that of the previous year. 



WEASEL: — Conditions with reference to weasel are variable, and though they are 

 plentiful in many counties and districts the value of their pelts is not sufficient to 

 encourage intensive operations for the trapping of this species. The catch during 

 1944-45 was about normal though somewhat decreased. 



The following is a comparative table showing the numbers of pelts of 

 the several varieties of fur-bearing animals taken in Ontario, and which were 

 either exported or dressed, during the fiscal year 1944-45, as well as figures for 

 the three preceding years. 



1941—42 



1942—43 



1943—44 



1944—45 



Bear 



Beaver 



Fisher 



Fox (Cross) 



Fox (Red) 



Fox (Silver or Black) 



Fox (White) 



Lynx 



Marten 



Mink 



Muskrat 



Otter 



Raccoon 



Skunk 



Weasel 



384 



25,197 



884 



1,780 



32,215 



206 



114 



537 



1,652 



63,996 



722,387 



3,880 



13,499 



94,656 



80.776 



288 



24,194 



691 



2,649 



31,297 



265 



185 



552 



1,417 



60,331 



642,810 



3,557 



13,420 



48,337 



62,553 



269 



32,266 



1,035 



4,350 



53,205 



499 



33 



646 



1,610 



52,289 



683,450 



3,964 



20,664 



79,298 



67,461 



306 



38,070 



1,219 



3,691 



43,185 



449 



22 



938 



1,701 



43,098 



782,220 



4,650 



17,381 



45,117 



62,859 



Again trappers experienced a highly successful season, both from the 

 standpoint of the numbers of pelts which were taken by them and their financial 

 returns received from the sale of these pelts. The average price of fur declined 

 somewhat during this period, but notwithstanding this decline it has been estimated 

 that the value of the fur trapped in Ontario and disposed of in the fiscal year under 

 review amounted in all to a total of $5,138,126.68. As has been mentioned previously 

 the principal pelts contributing to this sum were muskrat — $1,955,550.00, beaver — 

 $1,366,713.00, mink— $933,933.66 and red fox— $302,295.00. 



In addition Departmental records show that during this fiscal year licensed 

 fur farmers as a result of their activities marketed the pelts of 22,085 silver and 

 black foxes, 1,312 blue foxes and 76 cross foxes, and in addition the pelts of 58,539 

 mink, all of which had an estimated value of $1,852,084.49, which was aproximately 

 the same amount as that received during the previous year . 



It will therefore be observed that the fur produced and sold by trappers and 

 licensed fur farmers in the fiscal year under review was marketed for a total sum 

 of $6,990,211.17 



