1913 GAME AJ^D PISHEEIES. 65 



Oversee^' Murdoch Watts, of Byng Inlet, reports, that there has been more 

 maskinonge caught in the Magnetawan Eiver this year than ever before, some of 

 them weighing as high as 29 lbs. Fishing has been splendid all through the 

 tourist season, although there were not as many tourists in his division this year 

 as last. The cause of this was owing to such a cold, wet summer. He has had 

 no complaints from the licensed fishermen, although the catch will be much lighter 

 than last year. 



Deer are on the increase, and he has no complaints from the hunters. 

 Partridge are not as plentiful as last year. This is caused by such a cold, wet and 

 backward spring, and lie believes that the young birds perished. Ducks are very 

 plentiful. There have been more moose seen in his division this year than ever 

 before. He has seen as many as five together in Sand Bay and in Black Bay. 



Overseer John ^¥oods, of Parry Sound, reports the fishing to have been very 

 good this season, as far as the guides report. 



The game around the Townships of McKenzie, Burpee and Burton have been 

 fairly well observed. 



Game of all kinds seems to be plentiful. 



Peel County. 



Overseer Alex Clunis, of Claude, reports, that they have had a good season 

 of trout fishing. Most of the dams went away in the spring floods on the River 

 Credit, allowing the fish to get down and get up the tributaries, there being a lot 

 of very fine ones caught by the anglers. Bass fishing was not as good as usual, 

 the cause he presumes being from the lowering of the water in all the inland lakes, 

 that being where the bass fishing is mostly done. 



There is a fine showing of partridges this fall, and they should winter well, 

 as the beech trees are teeming with nuts, which is one of their best winter food- 

 stuffs. 



Cotton tail rabbits are very plentiful. Black and grey squirrels are getting 

 numerous, thanks to the close season. 



Overseer James Johnston, of Orangeville, reports, that the speckled trout fish- 

 ing has been as good as previous years. He notices the partridge is quite plenti- 

 ful, and also reports that rabbits are numerous, especially the cotton tail rabbits 

 which are on the increase. He hears, complaints of them doing a lot of damage to 

 crops and fruit trees. He would recommend no protection for them. 



The mink and muskrat are on the decrease. He would recommend better pro- 

 tection. He would also strongly recommend that every trapper pay a license fee. 



Overseer R. J. Walker, of Port Credit, reports, that the fishing has been very 

 good. Trout and whitefish have been quite plentiful with good price and large 

 demand. Herring remains about the same. 



The angling has not been so good. He thinks so much rain keeping the water 

 so muddy has been the cause. 



The game laws have been fairly well observed, but game in that section ia 

 getting very scarce. 



Black and grey squirrels are not so plentiful this year. Partridges are about 

 the same. There are no ducks worth speaking of, but the cotton tail rabbit is 

 getting quite numerous. All other game is about the same. 



