1916 GAME AND FISHEEIES. , 25 



Mink are very scarce and I think the open. season~~for them should be from the 

 first of November to the first of January. 



Muskrats are plentiful but I would say that the open season for these should 

 be from the first of March to the first of May. 



The white rabbits and the cotton tail rabbits have died out owing to some 

 disease that has attacked them during the past two or three years. 



Partridge are not so plentiful as the wet season destroyed the young birds to 

 some extent. 



Ducks are numerous but I would say that the shooting season should not open 

 before the 15th of September. 



Elgin County. 



From Overseer Kenneth McClennan, of Aylmer, for Townships of Yarmouth, 

 Malahide and Bayham. 



The herring fishing in the fall of 1915 was almost a total failure the smallest 

 catch in a number of years. 



The spring run of 1915 was very good especially at the west end of the lake. 



The catch of blues has been very good but the prices for that class of fish has 

 been low. 



I think the catch of whitefish has been below the average. 



The pound net fishing has been lighter than last year up to the 1st of October, 

 but since that time the catch of blues has been very heavy. 



I think the new regulations are working out well under the supervision of 

 Captain Corson in command of the Ontario patrol cruiser LaSalle. 



The game in this section consists of black and grey squirrel. They are more 

 plentiful this year than usual. 



Partridge are quite plentiful this season. 



Essex County. 



From Overseer Ghas. L. Coultis, of Leamington, for the Townships of Maiden, 

 North and South Colchester, North and South Gosfield and Mersea. 



Ducks are generally decreasing, the marsh varieties (grays and black mallards) 

 are limited to small numbers. Seal are very scarce and wood ducka nearly extinct. 

 Open water ducks such as bluebills, redheads, ruddies, golden eyes and butter 

 ball are very scarce also. 



English pheasants are fairly plentiful. 



Hungarian partridge have done well and are meeting with favor as a sub- 

 stitute for quail. 



Woodcock are nearly extinct. 



Black squirrels are very scarce existing only in some localities. 



Muskrats are not increasing, the long open season is much against them. 



Rabbits (cotton tails) are plentiful. 



The catch of commercial fish has been very light up to this time, October 31st. 



From Overseer A. Drouillard, of Tecumseh, for the County of Essex. 



Spring fishing was good especially in Lake. St. Clair, the catch of rough fish 

 being exceptionally good, but the amount caught this fall has been insignificant, 

 in fact practically no whitefish has been caught at all in Lake St. Clair as compared 

 with former seasons. 



