1914 GAME AND FISHERIES. 5^ 



Overseer J. H. Hess, of Hastings, reports that the Game and Fishery Laws 

 have been well regarded in his district. He thinks that the public have come to 

 the conclusion that it is necessary to protect the game and fish. 



The fishing was good at the beginning of the season and some excellent catches 

 were made, the quality being above the average, but for some reason, later in the 

 season it was almost impossible to catch a fish. 



Ducks were plentiful this season, and very little illegal work was done. 



Overseer W. H. Johnson of Harwood, reports that the Game and Fishery 

 Laws have been fairly well kept in his district, with the exception of " shooting 

 before sunrise and after sunset." He thinks that if the overseers could work 

 together in a different manner from what they have been doing, the Game and 

 Fishery Laws would be better observed. 



The water in the lake was higher than usual during the spawning season, but 

 it fell quite rapidly, leaving the spawn and little fish to perish in the marshes. 

 Maskinonge fishing was not quite so good as it was last year, but bass fishing was 

 better and the tourists were well pleased. 



Black and wood ducks were not so plentiful, but the other species of duck were 

 about the same as last year. 



Black and grey squirrels and partridges are very scarce. He thinks that 

 either the season should be closed for three or four years or the open season 

 shortened. 



Eabbits are quite plentiful. Mink very scarce, and muskrat trapping not so 

 good as last year. He strongly recommends that there be only one month of 

 trapping and that the month of April. 



Overseer A. J. Kent, of Bewdley, reports that the laws were well observed with 

 regard to the fish. The past season was a record one, the fishing being the finest 

 that has been known for many years. 



Muskrats were not very plentiful last spring, and he recommends that the 

 open season be shortened. Ducks and black squirrels are very numerous and 

 partridges seem to be on the increase. 



Tourists are beginning to find this district a good one for sport, and it is 

 expected that next season there wil be an increase in the number of visitors, as a 

 summer hotel has been erected for the accommodation of those seeking good fishing 

 and shooting. 



Considering everything, he is well satisfied with the result of the season. 



Overseer J. R. McAllister, of Gore's Landing, reports that during April and 

 May bass and maskinonge were as plentiful as otlier years, but except for the first 

 two weeks of the open season, maskinonge fishing was very poor. During the first 

 week in September when the fishing should be good, two men from Sodus, New 

 York, fished for six days, mostly for maskinonge, and caught one fish. Ba&s fishing 

 was a great deal better. 



Ducks are as plentiful as last year. At the time of writing there are a great 

 many round the lake. 



Other game, such as grouse, rail, squirrels, rabbits, are the same as last year. 



The law regarding both fish and game has been well observed in his division, 

 but he heard that the Indians are doing pretty much as they like on the rice beds 

 near the mouth of the Indian River. 



There were not so many visitors as last year on account of the poor fishing. 



