1914 GAME AND FISHEKIES. 81 



Muskrats were more plentiful last spring. Partridges and mink are in- 

 creasing. Hares are very numerous. Wild geese were very plentiful in the spring, 

 but they did not reach the lake until late so very few were killed in his district. 



Snipe and plover are increasing and ducks are becoming more plentiful every 

 year. There are thousands of red heads, blue bills and black ducks on the lake. 



He has watched his division very closely during the past year and has taken 

 an interest in the protection of the game and fish, and is pleased to say that the 

 laws have been well observed. 



He only made four oonvictions during the year. Two for shooting ducks dn 

 the spring. He confiscated the guns one being an automatic one. The other two 

 convictions were for shooting on Sunday. 



Overseer Ira Toole, of Omemee, reports that the maskinonge fishing has been 

 excellent in Pigeon Eiver, this season in fact he states that it has never been 

 equalled in his time. Bass are very plentiful, but not many people fish for them 

 as they are of the large mouth or mud variety, and not to be considered when the 

 lunge fishing has been as good as it was this season. Owing to the large number 

 of people who come to fish in that district from the surrounding towns and villages, 

 he finds his work very much increased, as the fishermen will take all they can catch 

 and are not particular how they catch them. Progs are getting quite plentiful 

 again, owing to the protection they have received during the last few years. 



Muskrats are holding their own remarkably well considering the numbers 

 which are caught. Mink were so scarce when they received protection that their 

 chances of ever amounting to anything again in that district are very slight. Fox, 

 coon and skunk, which at the present time are fairly valuable, are also becoming 

 scarce as they receive no protection and are caught when the fur is of very little 

 use. Partridges are as plentiful this year as they have been for some time. Black 

 ducks were very plentiful when the season opened on September 1st, and nearly 

 everyone seemed to be well satisfied with the shooting, which was much better than 

 last year. 



Waterloo County. 



Overseer Edwin F. Scherer, of Neiv Hamburg, reports that the Game and 

 Fishery Laws have been much better observed this year than last when there was no 

 one to protect the game. 



Last year when there was plenty of food for the squirrels they seemed to be 

 scarce, but this season there is very little food for them and in consequence they 

 seem to be more plentiful as they have to come some distance to find food. 



Cottontail rabbits are very plentiful, and it would not hurt them if the open 

 season were made to extend a month longer. Muskrat and coon are plentiful but 

 mink and water fowl are scarce. 



Welland County. 



Overseer T. J. Briggs, of Bridgelurg, reports that on November 30, 1913", he 

 seized four deer which had been shot illegally by non-residents and shipped to 

 Fort Erie with Canadian Coupons. On April 10th, 1913, he fined an American 

 citizen $35 for setting baited hooks in the waters of Niagara River, illegally. Four 

 men were found violating the law at Fort Erie by drawing a seine in the Niagara 

 River. They were brought before the magistrate and found guilty, and in conse- 

 quence the seine and boat were confiscated and the men fined. 

 6 G.F. 



