1915 GAME AND FISHERIES. 51 



Muskrats are quite plentiful but mink are scarce. Ducks were very numerous. 

 Cotton-tail rabbits are becoming very thick in some parts and doing damage. 



Overseer Thomas U. Cheer, of Brighton, reports that the catch of trout 

 and whitefish was very good last season. The coarser varieties of fish were extra 

 good, especially pike, which were much better than in 1913. 



Ducks were scarce up to late in the fall but became more plentiful as the 

 season passed. He attributes this to the fact that the fall was very warm and 

 the ducks were late in leaving the north. Partridge are slightly on the increase, 

 but are quite scarce yet. Black and grey squirrels are very scarce, especially 

 the latter. He would like to see them given a close season for two or three 

 years to see if that would help them. Muskrats are very scarce. He thinks if 

 the open season were from the loth March to the 30th April, it would stop 

 the destruction of their dens and houses and it would be better for trade. Mink 

 are becoming almost extinct. He would like to see the open season shortened. 

 Deer are reported to be fairly plentiful this season and he is of the opinion 

 that they will remain so as long as one man is allowed to shoot only one deer. 



Overseer J. H. Hess, of Hastings, reports that as far as the fish are con- 

 cerned the fishing was good last season and the quality above the average of 

 other years. 



There was a large number of ducks last fall, and he does not think there 

 was any shooting out of season carried on. Partridge are more numerous than 

 other years. 



Overseer H. W. Hayes, of Trenton, reports that last fall the fishermen caught 

 more herring than during any previous season in their recollection. 



Ducks were very numerous last fall. Inshore ducks, such as teal and black 

 ducks, were not so plentiful as usual, but deep water ducks were on the increase. 



Overseer W. H. Johnson, of Harwood, reports that the Game and Fisherv Laws 

 were fairly well observed in his district, although there was some illegal shooting 

 carried on in Rice Lake before sunrise and after sunset, which he did his best 

 to stop. 



Maskinonge fishing has not been so good as last year. Bass fishing was very 

 good. This has been an exceptional year for the protection of spawn and little 

 fish, as the water in the lake was very low and remained about the sam^' until 

 the fisli were hatched and out in deep water. He suggests that fishing from 

 gasolene boats be prohibited. 



Duck shooting in 1914 was not so good as the previous seasons. Partridge 

 are scarce. Mink are scarce, also black and grey squirrels. Rabbits are quite 

 plentiful. Trapping was good in the spring. He suggests that the open season 

 for trapping be from March 15th to April 25th. 



A greater number of Americans and tourists visited Rice Lake in the vicinity 

 of Harwood than during any previous year. 



Overseer A. J. Kent, of Bewdley, reports that maskinonge and bass were 

 plentiful in the creeks and marshes last spring, the low water being an advantage 

 as the spawn -came to maturity. In a few years there should be a large increase 

 in the fish. 



The close season for fish was very well observed, though no doubt a certain 

 number of fish were killed in the spring by persons who fail to appreciate the 

 harm thev do. 



