60 THE EEPORT UPON No. 14 



Muskrats were very scarce as usual, and will continue to be until the season 

 for trapping them is thortened; he considers that from March 15th-May 1st, quite 

 long enough for the open season. 



The people are not satisfied with the change in the law with regard to the time 

 of day when ducks may be shot. They want it as it was before, half an hour before 

 sunrise and half an hour after sunset. He himself thinks that the shooting should 

 begin as soon as ducks can see the decoys and the hunters can see to shoot properly. 



He took a note of this on October 31st, when he was on Spook Island facing 

 the east, and by his watch it was 40 minutes from the time that it was possible to 

 see to shoot until sunrise. 



Overseer F. H. Meneilley, of Warkivoi'th, reports that the fishing in the waters 

 of the Trent Eiver was good during the past summer. All kinds of fish seem to be 

 increasing, this he attributes to the use of nets being abolished." 



All the fish caught in his district is used locally. 



The close seasons have been well observed, although there are always some 

 who would not observe them if it were not for fear of the law. He has spent a 

 good deal of time in seeing that the law was observed. 



He caught one man spearing illegally and prosecuted him and had him fined. 



He warned all mill owners not to throw refuse in the rivers or creeks. 



There are fishways left in the new dams on the Trent Canal for the free 

 passage of the fish. 



Overseer James Redfearn, of Lakeport, reports that on the whole the fishing 

 was up to the average, some of the fishermen doing better at Cobourg than during 

 past seasons. 



During the season he visited his district many times, and on all occasions 

 found everything in order. He also watched Cobourg Harbour and interior and 

 found no illegal fishing being carried on, although he thought several people were 

 that way inclined, and that his presence put a stop to anything of the kind. 



He thinks that there is no doubt that whitefish and trout are increasing in 

 Cobourg, but fishermen did not catch any very great quantity of herring. There 

 was no one fishing at Lakeport this season. 



Ducks of all kinds were up to the average, also muskrats and mink. 



There is a considerable amount of trapping done throughout the district, 

 which requires careful watching. 



Overseer Amos Shearer, of Roseneath, reports that there is no doubt that the 

 fish are decreasing in Rice Lake every year. This can be accounted for in several 

 ways : the maskinonge, the wolf of the fresh water, kill smaller fish for the sake of 

 killing them. There are two bands of Indians on Rice Lake, some of whom fish all 

 the time in season and out of season. He is able to stop a good deal of their 

 illegal work, but not all ; he does not think that any nets are being used there. 



He suggests that for a reasonable time before sunrise and after sunset, duck 

 shooting should be allowed, as after sunset is about the only time that it is possible 

 to get black ducks and they are just raising and fattening them to go south to be 

 shot. 



He is of the opinion that the open season for muskrats should begin a month 

 later, as a great many rats are caught round the houses before the lake freezes up. 



Partridges and black squirrels are quite plentiful. 



