1927 GAME AND FISHERIES 7 



Beaver show a decided decline, although the drop in the number taken is 

 practically accounted for by the restricted period in which same may be legally 

 taken, and further, they can only be legally trapped by resident Indians. 



Otter still continue to be caught in approximately the same numbers over 

 a period of years. 



Mink show a slightly smaller catch than for the preceding year. 



Fisher are quite plentiful, and the catch for this year is greater than in any 

 period since 1922. 



Marten were taken in approximately the same quantity as for the preceding 

 year, although much lower in number than formerly. 



Muskrat show a much lower catch than in former years, although it may be 

 accounted for from the fact that weather conditions were not favourable during 

 the open season. 



Red Fox have increased rapidly, and the catch for the year exceeds that of 

 any former similar period. 



Skunk shows a steady catch for a number of years; the year's catch being 

 slightly in excess of the previous year. 



Comparison of Pelts Exported and Tanned for Five Years 



1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 



Beaver 93,971 70,684 50,233 48,364 27,597 



Otter 5,309 3,997 5,096 4,622 4,304 



Fisher 2.657 2,339 1,910 1,936 2,618 



Marten 7,327 4,704 3,661 3,125 3.177 



Mink 78,487 58,634 82,466 68,138 65.299 



Muskrat 554,888 478,820 533,256 534,739 387,022 



Bear 2,137 1,447 1,399 2,014 1,635 



Fox (Cross) 469 1,154 1,082 2,801 4,175 



Fox (Red) 11,272 12,329 14,695 22,198 30,535 



Fox (Silver or Black) 87 205 167 433 620 



Fox (White) 1,765 1,501 362 974 226 



Fox (not specified) 170 34 28 61 165 



Lynx 836 1,177 2,332 2,200 3,884 



Raccoon 20,344 15,752 21,976 22.157 21,002 



Skunk 73,219 54,770 58,130 67,100 75,503 



Weasel 94,399 61,603 51,163 34,365 63,599 



Wolverine 6 20 12 8 11 



Total 947,343 769,070 827,948 814,935 691,372 



To be added to the above are 1,367 ranch-raised fox pelts which were tanned 

 or exported without payment of royalty, under the terms of Fur Farmers' 

 Licenses. 



The value of pelts, as shown in the above list, to the trapper, is 83,391,012.69, 

 which places this Pro\-ince far in the lead in the production of fur-bearing animals. 



Fur Farming 



Fur farming still continues to receive a great deal of attention from the 

 public, and while formerly it was largely confined to fox farming, inquiries are 

 now being received concerning the possibilities of farming every species of fur- 

 bearing animals native to the Province. 



Realizing that it is the duty of the Province to conserve our fur-bearing 

 animals from depletion or extinction as it is to preserve any other natural 

 resource, the Department has recently undertaken to conduct an Experimental 

 Fur Ranch in the vicinity of Balsam Lake, where it is aimed to furnish the 

 public with economical methods by which the various species can be raised 



