12 THE REPORT UPON No. 14 



Windsor, Nov. 23rd, 1916. 

 D. McDonald, Esq., 



Acting Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries : 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report. 



During the year I have visited the greatest part of my district and also patrol- 

 ling all the waters of Lake Erie in my district, and Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, 

 River St. Clair and small portion of Lake Huron, with yacht Hopewell, which I 

 approve a good success for game and fisheries protection. I also sold more permits 

 to Americans to fish with hook and line than any other years. For the Detroit 

 River I have sold over eight hundred dollars worth. The angling of the Detroit 

 River has been better this year than the years I know of. Perch' and pickerel has 

 been caught by great numbers of anglers. Black bass also being good for angling 

 this year around Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, and Mitchell Bay. The net fisher- 

 men had a fair year of fishing. The carp has not been caught very plentiful. The 

 catch of other fish is about the same. The whitefish in Lake Erie and Detroit 

 River is showing very fair now. On account of the big blow last month the fisher- 

 men through Lake Erie have fished about half of their number of nets, so I expect 

 their catch of whitefish might be small. I think the Government should built 

 hatcheries for hatching herring on Lake Erie. I think they are decreasing. 



In regard to game : Quail has been reported by farmers and sportsmen being 

 increasing in numbers. The field trail have found plenty of birds to work their 

 dogs a couple of weeks ago. The Hungarian partridge are also: reported doing 

 well, our home partridge not increasing any in Essex and Kent County. Wood- 

 cock are «bout the same as previous year. English pheasant are not plentiful 

 except around Pelee Marsh, there are a few around there. Snipe was very scarce 

 last fall around Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and Mitchell Bay. There 

 have been more varieties of ducks this fall than we have seen for many years. The 

 sportsmen have got good shooting this fall. Wild geese about the same as other 

 years, except on the reserve of Jack Miner; they are more than any other year, 

 it is a good reason for the way he feeds them and protects them. The Government 

 should give him all the protection to assist him to protect these birds. It would 

 show what a person could do by being kind to the wild game. Black and grey 

 squirrels in Essex County are very scarce, and there should be a closed season on 

 them. In Kent and Lambton Counties they are more plentiful. There should be 

 a bag limit per day and not allowed to sell them. Muskrats are plentiful, and I 

 am pleased to hear that there is a trap license and a short season for trapping. And 

 the trappers seem to be pleased with the new regulation. 



The game and fish laws have been very well observed during the year past. 

 Very few seizures or prosecutions happened last year. The Deputy Wardens and 

 Overseers have performed their duty well towards me to give assistance and in- 

 formation towards the poachers and other matters. 



Your obedient servant, 



V. Chauvin, 



Warden. 



