1915 GAME AND FISHEEIES. 31 



would give them a chance to increase. Muskrats are plentiful, but he would 

 advise that their open season be during the month of April, as they are so much 

 more valuable in the spring and it is a waste to catch them in the fall. 



He thinks that all local trappers should pay license fee of $5, and that there 

 should be a gun license of $1 for all except farmers shooting on their own farms. 



Elgin County. 



Overseer K. McClennan, of Grovesend, reports that the catch of whitefish was 

 very fair. During the fall of 1913, the catch of herring was very short, but in the 

 spring it was about the average. Perch and blue pickerel were very good. Al- 

 though the catch was not a large one, prices were exceptionally high and on the 

 whole it was a very profitable year for the fishermen. 



The fishing laws and regulations were well observed, only one violation, i.e., 

 fishing a dip net without a license, having come to his notice. He had the offender 

 brought before a Justice of the Peace and fined $10 and costs. The game laws 

 were well observed. 



Game is very scarce. There are fewer black and grey squirrels than there 

 have been for years. There are quite a number of partridge. Quail are almost 

 extinct. Muskrats are about the same as last year. 



He suggests that the open season for black and grey squirrels and partridge 

 be at the same time as it would make it a great deal easier for the overseer to 

 protect the game and a man would have no excuse for being found in the woods 

 with a gun until the 15th November. 



Essex County. 



Overseer Charles CouUis, of Leamington, reports that grey and black ducks 

 are holding their own as to numbers. They remain most of the season and 

 hatch in Pelee Marsh, leaving in the fall for the south. The blue bill and red 

 heads are not plentiful in his district, and remain there only a short time for 

 food when passing to and fro. Wild geese are not found in great numbers, being 

 somewhat like the blue bill and red head ducks, who only stop to feed while passing. 



The close season for quail will be the means of increasing their numbers 

 next year, but they were scarce having been much killed off a few years ago by 

 the very hard winter. The Hungarian partridges, from all reports, seem to be 

 on the increase. They have become acclimatized and are doing fairly well. 



Black squirrels are somewhat on the increase since they have been protected 

 by the close season, but they are still very scarce. 



The fishermen report a very light catch both spring and fall. 



Overseer H. A. Henderson, of Pelee Island, reports that fish are on the increase 

 in his district, especially whitefish. Angling has not been very good, although he 

 sold more permits than other years. 



Game is very scarce with the exception of wild geese which were very plentiful 

 \\. the fall and spring. 



Overseer Remi LaFramhoise, of Ojihimy, reports that fishing for whitefish 

 was rather poor this fall, caused he imagines, by the fine weather, and the fish 

 not having entered the river as early as usual. Carp fishing was not quite so 

 good as in 1913, though three or four of the fisheries did fairly well. All other 

 kinds of fish, such as perch, pickerel and bass seem to be holding their own. 



