1917 GAME AND FISHERIES. 9 



D. McDonald, Esq., 



Acting Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries, Toronto, Ont. 



North Bay, Ont., November 3rd, 1916. 



Dear Sir, — I have the honour of submitting my annual report for the year 

 1916. 



Fishing has been exceptionally good this season, many fine specimens of 

 maskinonge Avere caught in Lake Nipissing and French River. The opening up of 

 several inland lakes for net fishing has proved a success in supplying the local 

 markets. 



There was an increase in the number of tourists visiting this district this year, 

 many of them reporting very favourably on their catches. 



Game: Moose, plentiful in some parts, but the fires have destroyed many of 

 them, in one place eleven were found dead together. Caribou, none in this locality. 



Deer, quite plentiful. Partridge, very scarce, but no doubt the two years close 

 season will have the desired effect. Wild duck, plentiful. Wild geese, scarce. 

 Plover and snipe appear to be increasing. 



Fur-bearing Animals: Beaver, plentiful and causing considerable damage to 

 roads and private properties. The open season is quite desirable. Otter and mink 

 appear plentiful, also muskrat. The close season for rats in the fall will no doubt 

 be a success, as many of the young rats are trapped in the fall when the fur is of 

 little value. All other fur-bearing animals appear to be quite plentiful, which is 

 due to the small amount of trapping done during the past two years. 



Wolves appear to be increasing in number. 



The licensing of trappers is already meeting with marked success, but it will 

 take time to get the people educated to the idea. 



I would again like to recommend a general gun license. I notice a remark- 

 able increase in the number of hunters from the older parts of Ontario, if this con- 

 tinues something will have to be done to further preserve our game in the north 

 country. Our forests are fast disappearing, what with fires, settlers and lumbering, 

 and I think a provision should be made for a new game preserve at an early date. 



I would also like to recommend that hunters be allowed a limited time in 

 which to reach their camps, I consider that three days from the time they detrain 

 is quite sufficient, it is a common occurrence for many clubs to go in seven and 

 eight days before the season, and in many cases I am satisfied that a large amount 

 of game is killed before the season opens. 



There have been a number of convictions during the past year ; many violations, 

 I am pleased to say, were reported by residents of the rural districts, who are 

 beginning to realize the necessity of protecting our game. 



Your obedient servant, 



G. M. Parks, 



Warden. 



