1916 GAME AND FISHERIES. 7 



A. Sheriff^ Esq., 



Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit my report for 1915, which I trust will meet 

 with your approval. 



It is satisfactory to know that nearly every species of game in the Province 

 has been equal to past seasons, and particularly in some species, notably quail, the 

 close seasons and a mild winter having had the desired effect of largely increasing 

 the number of these grand useful little game birds. 



Ruffed grouse, better known as partridge, are reported to have been numerous 

 in many localities ; in others the unusual wet nesting season was not so favorable to 

 an increase, even though they had not the large destructive forest fires of other 

 years to contend with. 



Ducks and Other Waterfowl: The mild weather prevailing enabling the ducks 

 to stay out in the open waters, the shooting has not been as satisfactory as 

 otlier years. 



Moose and Deer: The Government and your Department should be congrat- 

 ulated on the amount of large game still to be found in the northern woods of the 

 Province. That they are not decreasing, I assure you is most gratifying to me. I 

 was not over-sanguine twenty years ago that we would succeed in preserving and 

 keeping up the supply of big game. When we take into consideration the very 

 large increase in the number of big game hunters and increased destructive power 

 of rifles, it is a wonder to me that my most sanguine anticipations have been more 

 than realized. No doubt this is in a large measure due to reducing the number 

 from two to one that each hunter could legally kill. This has had the good result 

 of a far larger proportion of bucks being killed, the hunters wanting a large deer 

 instead of two small ones, as in past years. 



Eur-bearing animals are reported to be as numerous as usual. There should 

 be a restricted open season for beaver to prevent the usual claims and complaints 

 for uooding caused by these clever little engineers. 



Fish: Your being conversant with all partaining to the fisheries of the Pro- 

 vince, it would be presumption for me to make extended reference thereto. But I 

 consider it my duty to refer briefly to the new special fishing regulations for this 

 Province. I cannot bring myself to approve of the abolition of the close seasons 

 in the great lakes, which seem to me to ignore the laws of Nature. 



The Depaj'traent during the past year had the misfortune to lose by death oi^e 

 of its most efficient and faithful officers, the late special officer Daniel Blea, at South 

 Bay. lie was fearless and most effective in the discharge of his duties, in which 

 he was frequently opposed by those who should have rendered him valuable assistance. 



Your obedient servant, 



E. TiNSLET. 



A. Sheriff, Esq., 



Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries. 



Sir, — I beg to submit my annual report for 1915. 



I understand that the commercial fishermen have had an average year with 

 the exception of Lake Erie, which I understand is below the average. 



