1915 GAME AND FISHEEIES. * 19 



Quail have been reported by the farmers and sportsmen to 'be very plentiful. 

 The Hungarian partridge, of which the Department have distributed one hundred 

 brace through the Counties of Essex and Kent, are doing fine. The farmers have 

 seen a great many young birds. Other partridge are about the same as in former 

 years; not very plentiful. Woodcock were very plentiful early in the season but 

 very few of them were shot on account of the shooting season opening too late for 

 them, and they had mostly gone south. English pheasants were about the same as 

 ■ other years. Snipe were very scarce last Fall. Black and grey mallard ducks were 

 plentiful in all the marshes of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and Detroit River. All 

 the species of ducks, canvas-back, blue-bill, red-head, were more plentiful last season 

 than others in Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and Lake Erie. Wild geese were about 

 the same as other years. Black and grey squirrels in Essex and Kent were very 

 scarce last season, he is of the opinion that a close season should be declared for the 

 two counties. Muskrats promised well last fall, and were building houses in 

 ^marshes. 



Warden G. M. Paries, of North Bay, reports that there has been a general im- 

 provement in all the lakes in his district, especially in Lake Nipissing and the 

 French River. The cancelling of commercial net fishing in Lake Temiskaming 

 Tiaa met with great favour with the residents of that vicinity, and the restocking 

 >of numerous lakes along the T. & N. 0. Railway has been much appreciated. There 

 have been a number of tourists visiting the district during the past season, and 

 many of them have reported good catches. 



Moose were reported plentiful in many sections, and a number of fine speci- 

 •mens were brought out^ but the bad bush fires during the summer made it very 

 •difficult for the hunters, many of the old hunting grounds having been destroyed. 

 Deer are very plentiful throughout the district. Partridge are very scarce in some 

 sections, owing to the bad fires of the latter part of May which destroyed large 

 numbers of the young birds who were too young to take care of themselves. Wild 

 ducks were plentiful in some places, but there were very few wild geese. Plover 

 and snipe were plentiful. 



Fur-bearing Animals: Beaver and otter are very plentiful. In many places 

 the beaver are causing damage to roads and cultivated lands, making it necessary 

 to have them removed. Mink and muskrats are also plentiful. Wolves seem to 

 be increasing in number, several bands having been reported in the southern parts 

 of his district. Ermine, marten and all other unprotected animals appear to be 

 quite plentiful. 



He is pleased to say that the people of his district have afforded great assist- 

 ance in enforcing the Game Laws, which have been fairly well kept. 



The extension of the hunting season in his district met with great favour 

 throughout the north country. 



He would like to recommend a general gun license all through the district, 

 as he thinks it would give the officials a better chance to cope with the foreign 

 element, who endeavour to pass themselves off as naturalized citizens. Before 

 obtaining a gun license, they would have to produce the necessary papers in order 

 to obtain the same. 



Warden J. T. Robinson, of Sault Sie. Marie, reports : — 

 Speckled Trout: Very plentiful on the north shore of Lake 'Superior and in 

 the inland lakes and streams of the District of Algoma. 



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