1920 GAME AND FISHEEIES. 



Fern. 



The prices paid for all classes of pelts during the past year have been ex- 

 ceptionally high and have attracted many to trap, and there has been a great 

 increase in the number of fur dealers. Therefore the revenue has increased not 

 only from the sale of these licenses but from the royalties imposed on certain pelts. 



Beaver appear to be, quite plentiful and the number taken greatly exceeds any 

 previous year. 



Otter are not obtained in any great numbers. 



Mink, Marten and Fisher show no increase and appear to be scarce. 



Mushrats have been taken in large numbers, but the high prices paid for 

 these pelts tend to tempt the unscrupulous trapper to take them during the close 

 season provided for their protection. 



Wolf. — Eeports continue to reach the Department as to the destruction of 

 deer and other game by these animals, and many are urging that the bounty be 

 increased so that the trapper may have something substantial for the efforts put 

 forth in his endeavour to capture this predatory animal. 



Game Sanctuary. 



I must once more strongly recommend and urge that one or more suitable 

 areas of considerable extent be set aside by the Government for the establishment 

 of a Game Sanctuary or Sanctuaries which, in my opinion, should be located some- 

 where in the north or western part of the province where arrangements could be 

 readily made for such purposes and which are suitable from natural conditions. 

 Great inroads have been made upon fur-bearing animals, as well as the game and 

 birds of the province during the past few years and more attention must be given 

 by the Department to the existing conditions. 



Hatchebies. 



The progressive policy in regard to the propagation of fish by this Department 

 during the past three years has been maintained and a modern and efficient hatchery 

 is now under construction at Fort Frances. The building will have an artistic 

 appearance in keeping with its location among other public buildings in that town, 

 and will have a capacity of 100,000,000 pickerel and a further capacity for speckled 

 trout, or lake trout can be installed later if conditions warrant same. A distri- 

 bution of fry fingerling and parent fish was made this year, as shown elsewhere 

 in this report, and while weather conditions were not favourable to the taking 

 of spawn this fall yet it is hoped the distribution for 1920 will be larger than any 

 other year of the Province's undertaking. The rapid growth in the hatchery policy 

 of the Department made it imperative that an efficient and qualified Fish Culturist 

 be obtained for its success, and I have secured, through the courtesy of the Federal 

 Government, Mr. A. W. McLeod, formerly of the Thurlow Federal Hatchery, for 

 tin's work. 



