1913 GAME AND FISHERIES. 77 



His inspections have been most favourable. He found that the fishermen are 

 prospering throughout that v^^hole district. The men mostly all own their own 

 property, and they are fine citizens. They are all experienced fishermen, and they 

 have excellent fishing equipment. 



Victoria County. 



Overseer William Adair, of Norland, reports that the Game and Fisheries Laws 

 have been well respected in that vicinity. The bass and maskinonge catch was as 

 good as usual. The chief fish caught there are bass, maskinonge and trout. There 

 are none caught for export. The sawmills in that district respect the law in regard 

 to disposal of refuse. There are no fish-ways in that district. The fur-bearing 

 animals are becoming plentiful, especially beaver and otter. There have been 

 several complaints from farmers about the beavers damming up their creeks and 

 flooding their lowlands. Only one violation of the law came to his notice, and that 

 was for trapping beaver. Two skins were confiscated and sent to the Department, 

 and a fine of $35.00 imposed, and reported to the Department at the time. 



Partridge are plentiful. Ducks are scarce. - 



Overseer J. R. Boate^ of Fowler s Corners, reports that maskinonge and bass 

 have not been as plentiful as in former years. Perch are very plentiful this season. 



Fur-bearing Animals. — Muskrat is more plentiful than in former years. Mink 

 are getting very scarce. Fox and raccoon are not as plentiful as in former years.. 

 Rabbits are very plentiful this season. 



Duck. — Ducks have not been as plentiful as in former years. The high water 

 this season destroyed the rice beds. 



The Game and Fishery laws have been very well obeyed in that district. This- 

 season no violations came to his notice. No convictions this year. 



Overseer A. Bradshaiv, of Lindsay, reports that the angling season was a most 

 satisfactory one. Maskinonge were more plentiful than they have been in these 

 waters for years. 



Bass were caught in large numbers, also. In spring, when the maskinonge 

 were on their spawning beds, the water was high and the weather rough and windy, 

 80 that the fish were enabled to deposit their ova in comparative safety, and by 

 these conditions the roe had a good chance to mature. 



The protection given the frogs in that county for a period of two years should 

 help them to become numerous. 



Ducks are increasing year b^ year ; they were more numerous this season than 

 they were last year, and this is pleasing to all true sportsmen. 



Muskrats were plentiful in spring last, and good catches were made by local 

 trappers; prices were higher than usual for their skins, so that trappers were well 

 satisfied with the season's catch. 



Mink were caught during the fall and winter months, but many were caught in 

 spring when trappers were catching rats. 



The law during the close season was well kept in that section. Only one case 

 upon which he could take action came to his knowledge — a case of an Indian spear- 

 ing rat houses. The Magistrate imposed a fine, and the case is not fully settled, 

 owing to the defendant having left the County of Victoria. 



