FARMERS ' BULLETIN 869. 



to March ,*>1 (following year). Muskrat houses are protected and the animals 

 may hot bo shot or speared at any time. 



Prince Edward Island. — Close season, April 1 to October 31. 



Quebec. — Close season in Zone 1 (west and south of Saguenay River), all 

 months but April; in Zone 2 (east and north of Saguenay River), April 1 to 

 October 31. 



Saskatchewan. — Close season. May 1 to October 31. 



The muskrat pelt taken in October or November is worth hardly 

 half as much as if trapped in February. Trappers are often careless of 

 their own interests, and in their eagerness to forestall competitors take 

 the field far too early. Fur dealers, on the other hand, have generally 

 deprecated this policy, and have endeavored to secure reform. Musk- 

 rats within the United States should not be trapped before Decem- 

 ber 15 ; and while the fur is still prime in the latter part of March, 

 the breeding season is then on, and continued trapping would greatly 

 limit the number of animals for the next season. The open season 

 for the muskrat should be limited to about three months, from 

 December 15 to March 15, or in the more northern States from 

 December 1 to March 15. 



