1914 GAME AM) FISHERIES. 17 



Kegardiug game, he finds that moose are very plentiful this year, and he 

 has never before seen so many line specimens. Deer are rapidly increasing in 

 number, and almost every hunter has secured a deer in his vicinity. 



Beaver and otter are also increasing in number, and many a colony of beaver 

 are to be found in the immediate vicinity of North Bay. 



Mink, ermine and niuskrats are also very plentiful. 



Ducks have been very plentiful in the vicinity of Lake Xipissing this season, 

 as are also partridges. 



Warden J. T. liohinson, of Sault Ste. Marie, reports that commercial fishing 

 has been as good as the season of 1912, and when the full returns come in he 

 thinks the catch will be much larger, in spite of the season not being a favourable 

 one for the fishermen, as there have been very hi^h winds on Lake Superior. The 

 fishing regulations have been well observed. 



Speckled trout are very plentiful, and the tourists say that this was the best 

 season for angling that they have ever had in this district. 



Bass are increasing in the rivers and inland lakes, he has seen some very 

 fine specimens taken by the anglers during the season. 



Rainbow trout should be protected, as they are a good, game, fish, and the 

 anglers have good sport with them in Ste. Marie's rapids, but if they are not 

 protected there will soon be none left. The close season for these fish should 

 be the same as for speckled trout. 



The grey trout which are in the inland lakes should also be protected, as 

 tiiey are a good food fish, and are easily taken as they put up no fight when 

 hooked. Their close season should be from the 15th September to the 1st May. 

 If these fish were protected it would give th(> officers a better chance to protect 

 the speckled trout. 



Maskinonge are scarce in this district. 



Sturgeon are increasing in Lake Superior, bnt not to any great extent. 

 Pickerel are increasing in Lake Superior. 

 Wild ducks of all kinds arc plentiful in this district. 

 Wild geese are scarce. 

 Woodcock and quail very scarce. 



Partridges are plentiful, but if great care is not taken this beautiful game 

 bird will lieeome extinct in a few years. The open season should be from 1st 

 ?^ovember to 15th, and the open season for hares should be the same as for deer, 

 then all game could be better protected. 



There are quite a number of wolves in this district, and there is no doubt 

 but what they kill a lot of deer in the winter. If the bounty were raised to $35, 

 and a license put on trappers to make up the difference in the bounty, the trappers 

 would then take an interest in catching the wolves. 

 Bears are becoming quite plentiful. 



Pod deer and moose are plentiful, they seem to be on the increase, considering 

 the numbers that arc taken by the hunters in the open season. They are well 

 protected, and the law is well observed. 



Mink are holding their own in some localities, but in other parts they 

 are decreasing in number. 



Muskrats and otter are about the same as usual. 



Beaver are becoming very numerous, and are doing a great deal of. damage 

 to timber and public highways. He would suggest that the Department have 

 an open season for one or two j^ears to get rid of some of them. If this plan 

 2 G.P. 



