1914 GAME AND FISHERIES. 73 



the flood to the lake. On going to the lake he only found three dead fish, which 

 were pike, and upon examining them he concluded that there were no diseases 

 among the fish, but that their death was caused by the very dry weather before 

 September 23nd. 



Partridge are very plentiful, but the bush fires have made them very wild 

 and hard to get at. Ducks are also plentiful, more so than last year. 



Wild geese seem to be very scarce, as he has only seen a couple of flocks. 



There were a few mink and quite a number of muskrats in the creeks and along 

 the Bonnechere. 



Deer are still fairly plentiful in the back country and among the mountains. 



There are a couple of families of beaver on Constant Lake, as he saw their 

 work around the lake and up the creeks. He did not see the beaver himself, but 

 some farmers informed him that they had seen them at work. 



Red squirrels are very numerous, but black and grey squirrels are very scarce. 

 Skunk are fairly plentiful. 



He only imposed one fine during the year, the people are becoming more 

 observant of the law. 



Russell County. 



Overseer J. B. Bourgon, of Bochland, reports that about the same number of 

 licenses were issued as other years in the Ottawa Eiver of the county of Russell. 

 Catfish, bullheads, pike and perch are chiefly taken in the Ottawa River. 



The county is well settled, so there is no game. 



Fines amounting to $35 were imposed on people fishing without licenses. 



About the same quantity of fish was taken as during the year 1912. 



SiMCOE County. 



Overseer John Beatty, of Midland, reports that the season of 1913 has been a 

 successful one for the game and fish. There have been more maskinonge and black 

 bass caught than for a number of years. 



Black squirrels are very scarce. Partridges are more plentiful than other 

 years ; ducks are also plentiful, but sportsmen have had poor luck on account of the 

 warm weather. Muskrats are scarce; there are few houses to be seen this season. 



On June 22nd he found 700 yards of gill net which he destroyed, but could not 

 find the people to whom they belonged. During May he also destroyed one punt, 

 two jack lights and two spears, but the owners got away across the marsh land. He 

 thinks on the whole the laws have been fairly well observed. 



Overseer Samuel Coulter, of Oilford, reports that the Game Laws have been 

 well observed in his district. The people seem to keep the Regulations much better 

 than they have done other years. It is only a short time since everyone shot just when 

 they have done other years. It is only a short time since everyone shot just when 

 they felt like it all the year round, but now it is a rare thing to hear a gun fired 

 out of season. 



There has been very little trolling done in his division. A few maskinonge 

 were caught in the river this fall by trolling. Angling for bass has been very good. 



The Bradford Fish Company have had a fair summer, and obtained a very 

 larffe haul on October 8th. 



