90 THE REPOET UPON No. 13 



Overseer William Biissell, of Cornwall, reports that he has found that the 

 laws and regulations have been fairly well observed in his division, and that 

 pickerel and maskinonge have been plentiful this year. Bass were caught in 

 very email numbers. Ducks are plentiful, but there are very few partridges. 



Overseer George Toner, of Gananoque, reports that during the past year 

 the fishing in the St. Lawrence, from^ the head of Howe Island to Union Park, 

 has been good — bass, pike, pickerel and maskinonge being very plentiful. 



He regrets to have to report that there has been some illegal fishing carried 

 on with nets and night-lines. But he believes the Law is being observed much better 

 than in former years. He has seized and confiscated some nets. 



It is also with regret that he reports that it was necessary to fine one man for 

 resisting him in the discharge of his duty. 



He finds that eels and dogfish are increasing at an alarming rate. As they 

 are a menace to the propagation of the game fish he thinks it would be well if 

 some means could be found to lessen their numbers in these waters. 



Ducks were very plentiful in these waters in the Spring of 1911, and are 

 also plentiful at this season. During the Spring there was some illegal shooting 

 done, but not so much as in former years. Other game birds are also plentiful. 



The rigorous treatment meted out to those who formerly deliberately de- 

 stroyed muskrat houses seems to have 'had a good effect, as muskrats and mink 

 are more plentiful this fall l^an they have been for some years. Partridge and 

 gray and black squirrels are very scarce. 



Lakes Simcoe^ Couchtching and Sparrow. 



Overseer Samuel Ooulter, of Gilford, reports that the Game Law has been 

 well observed in his district. During the winter and spring seasons there was 

 no illegal fishing, that he knows of, in his district, but the catch of white fish and 

 herring was not as good as in former years. He had no trouble with the Anglers, 

 as most people who follow this sport come from Toronto, and seem to know the law. 

 There were a few good catches of bass made, but maskinonge seemed to be very 

 scarce. A few cases of duck shooting on Saturday were reported, which he inves- 

 tigated, and seized a number of decoys which were sent to the Department. The 

 rice beds which had almost disappeared seem to be returning, and at present 

 there are about one hundred acres at the mouth of the Holland River, in Cooks 

 Bay. Ducks were about as numerous this year as in past years, but he would 

 suggest that duck shooting be allowed only for three days a week, as a number of 

 outside sportsmen camp there the entire season, keeping the ducks scared away, 

 whereas, if the ducks had a chance to feed three days a week it would make shooting 

 better for all parties. Further he would recommend that a license at 25c. be 

 granted to each sportman, so tliat the Overseer would be in a position to know who 

 is shooting, and so enforce the law better. During the past season there were 

 quite a number of geese there, many of them remaining till the first of June, but 

 practically none were shot. 



The number of muskrats is gradually becoming fewer. He thinks it would be 

 well to prohibit the trapping of them for three years at least, till their numbers in- 

 crease. Owing to the protection of black squirrels, he notices their number rapidly 

 increasing in his district. In one park in particular, that of Sir E. E. "Walker, he has 

 counted as many as 25 and recommended that the present restriction? be retained. 

 Mink continues very scarce in that locality, and he knows of none being trapped 



