The overall catch of this important furbearer was down from 1953- 5^ • iJi 

 the area bordering Hudson's Bay, however, a record catch was taken. Over 2000 high 

 quality mink were traded at Winisk 6uid Severn during the winter. South of this area 

 and in the central part of the province the catch was down, but in southern Ontario 

 increase was reported. 



iThe Study of Sex Ratios . 



The study of sex ratios of trapped marten, fisher, mink, and otter was 

 continued in 195^55* The data was obtained from the records of Sealing Officers in 

 the same manner as in previous years* 



The significance of the steadily dropping proportion of males in the 

 catch of fisher and marten should be investigated further. 



The results of this study are summarised in Table 8. 



Muskrat . 



Except for the catch of 19^-7-^-8 the harvest this year was the highest on 

 record. It might have been the highest had the spring storms in the south not re- 

 duced the yield on many of the productive Lake Erie marshes. 



The institution of fall trapping in many areas in the south should in- 

 crease the catch by harvesting many muskrats which would normally die in the winter. 



Experimental Traplines . 



The experimental trapline program started in 1951-52 was continued during 

 the 195^55 season. The catch is summarized in Table 9. 



Certain changes were made in the procedures on the trai>lines this winter* 

 For the last two years the traps have been baited with cans of sardines in which 

 several small slits have been made. It was noticed that frequently mice or shrews 

 were able to enter the can and clean out the fish. This, however, did not seem to 

 tmake much difference to the attractiveness of the bait since furbearers were fre- 

 quently caught with nothing but an empty can in the cubby* 



- 25 - 



