Fur Management 



The catch of fur-bearers for 1955 - 56 for Ontario Is presented 

 in table 7, 

 Beaver 



The quality of late spring caught beaver pelts has given concern, 

 therefore, the closing date of the season was advanced In 1956. It Is not 

 possible to say whether this shorter season was responsible for the 

 reduced catch In some of the northern Districts. There was little change 

 In the overall catch for the province because some of the southern Districts 

 made up for the deficiency In the north. The Fort Frances, Parry Sound, 

 Lindsay, and Tweed Districts have become high producers of beaver. 



House counts from many Districts are indicating that beaver 

 populations have ceased to Increase and In some cases are declining. 

 Muskrats 



The catch of muskrats declined still further In the 1955-56 season. 

 An outbreak of tularemia was reported on Walpole Island In the St. Clair 

 River one of the most Important producing areas In the province. The 

 presence of the tularemia organism was demonstrated In specimens sent to the 

 Department of Health In Toronto. 

 Mink 



A further reduction In the catch of mink was evident In 1955 - 56, 

 Deep snow coming early at the height of the season may have been responsible 

 for reducing the catch of many trappers. 

 Marten 



The catch of marten was a little below that of 195^ - 55 but still 

 remained at a high level. The live trapping and stocking programme was 

 .continued and resulted In the release of twenty-four marten at Upper Wlndlgo 

 Lake In Patricia West and seventeen on the Attawaplskat River In Patricia East, 

 Fisher 



The catch of fisher was only slightly below that of 1954 -55 and 

 still above any year since 1928 - 29. Fisher are continuing to spread Into 

 the unoccupied areas of north-eastern Ontario. 



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