4 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 



in a season when financial returns would be somewhat below the average. The 

 wisdom of such a course will be evident in the increased number of fur-bearers 

 available when price conditions improve. However to maintain the output 

 at its present point it would appear to be absolutely essential that strict obser- 

 vance of all regulations, and more particuarly as they affect close seasons, should 

 be enforced, and in view of the fact that these regulations are not unreasonable, 

 the Department does not anticipate any great difificulty in securing the desired 

 co-operation. 



Summary of conditions as applied to fur-bearing animals is as follows: 



Bear. — Decreased catch, though numbers increased, especially in the north. 



Beaver. — Catch remained practically stationary. In the closed areas 

 numbers are apparently increasing, though in the areas where an open season 

 exists, conditions are not improving. A continuation of the restrictions on the 

 taking of this species is most desirable. 



Fisher. — Catch shows considerable decrease, and while the numbers may 

 not be decreasing, there is little, if any, improvement in conditions. 



Fox. — Catch shows considerable decrease. Undoubtedly the numbers of 

 these animals are decreasing, but it is anticipated that the close season provided 

 by the enactment of 1930, and the protection afforded to this species thereunder, 

 will have a beneficial effect on future conditions. 



Lynx. — This species is becoming very scarce throughout the Province, as 

 evidenced by the annually diminishing catch. 



Marten. — Another species which is losing ground. Catch decreasing 

 annually. No improvement is evident except possibly in Algoma district. They 

 require all the protection now afforded. 



Mink. — Catch about stationary, or slightly increased. Conditions remain 

 about as usual, though in some districts, widely separated, some improvement 

 is shown. 



Muskrat. — Catch shows ten per cent, decline. Conditions improved 

 somewhat during the year in southern Ontario, though numbers continue to be 

 very scarce in the north. 



0//er.^Catch considerably decreased during the year. Conditions remain 

 about the same as in the past few years, with some improvement shown in the 

 northern portion of southern Ontario and in the central part of northern Ontario. 

 Remarks on close season and restrictions on taking of beaver apply to otter. 



Raccoon. — Catch remained stationary. This species is prevalent in southern 

 Ontario only, where, generally speaking, conditions 'show slight improvement. 



Skunk. — Catch continued to decrease, though numbers are still reported 

 plentiful. 



Weasel. — Catch declined substantially, though numbers are reported 

 plentiful. 



Wolf. — Numbers would appear to be decreasing. (See Wolf Bounties.) 



