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July, 1961 — Montana Fish and Game Department Official Publication
Information-Education Division

V. • f A

TRAIL TROUT
HUNTING BLACK BEAR
OUTDOOR RECREATION
NORTHERN PIKE
SAGE GROUSE
GALLATIN ELK
FARM PONDS

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Jfflemorp

Iver "The Swede" Hoglund, hatchery foreman at the
Great Falls fish hatchery, passed away January 26, 1960.

Iver boasted more time with the Montana Fish and
Game Department than any other man. Fe was born
April 4, 1903 in Galesburg, North Dakota. He was first
employed by the department at the Emigrant fish hatch-
ery on July 1, 1921. Iver is survived by his widow, Maude,
of Big Timber.

John C. (Jack) Thompson, state fish and game warden
at Townsend, Montana, died December 10, 1960. Jack was
born in Oasis, Utah, April 3, 1913. He began work for
the department September 1, 1939 as a special deputy
warden.

Jack served as sheriff of Broadwater county from
January 1951 until July 1954. He was also infantry staff
sergeant with two-and-a-half years' service. He is sur-
vived by his widow, three sons and three daughters.
* * * *

Both men were a credit to the department, having
served long and diligently. They will be remembered by
their many friends within the department and by many
sportsmen.

IVER
HOGLUND

JOHN C.
THOMPSON

Governor.

STATE OF MONTANA

Donald G. Nutter

MONTANA
FISH AND GAME COMMISSON

Chairman

Vice Chairman.

Secretary.

John T. Hanson, Sr., Malta
E. G. Leipheimer, Jr., Butte
E. J. Skibby, Lewistown
W. E. Staves, Poison
Lyle H. Tauck, Hammond
Walter J. Everin

Director

Deputy Director

Chief, Information and Education
Chief of Fisheries Management...

Chief of Game Management

Chief Law Enforcement Officer ....
Chief Clerk.

DIVISION DIRECTORS

Walter J. Everin

Don L. Brown
Frank H. Dunkle
William Alvord
Robert F. Cooney
Orville W. Lewis
R. H. Turnbull

Editor — V. E. Craig

CONTENTS

Page

Guest Editorial "

Trail Trout 4

Tips On Hunting Black Bear 7

Outdoor Recreation "

Why Not Plant Northern Pike H

Sage Brush Sleuths 12

Gallatin Elk Herd u

Farm Ponds For Fishing I7

Era of Lobo 20

The following editorial is a summary of a speech made on the
Senate floor by Senator Walter G. Sagunsky during the debate on SB
137:

Senate Bill 137 would give new industry certain tax priv-
ileges. Now my past record on the floor of the Senate shows that
I have always been in favor of a fair break for business. For any
business presently in Montana or any new industries coming here
of their own volition, I would give them every consideration. I
would favor any small business that would come in and stabilize
our small communities. The area around Butte may need some
replacement business if the mining industry is not stabilized. All
of these things I think would be right and good for Montana.

But to say that large amounts of new industry should be
given fast tax write-offs or any other inducements to come to
Montana so that they may broaden the tax base is, in my esti-
mation, not the right philosophy for Montana.

Nobody has even taken into consideration that along with
the new industry and the new taxes will also come the new and
additional problems. The people attracted by this industry will
require more schools, more streets, more police protection and
other services which will more than eat up the new tax money
they bring. Eventually, they will also bring the new problems
of slums in our larger towns. We would also be compelled to
support these people during strikes and layoffs.

If we think this broadening of the tax base by industry
would solve everything, we should look at the state of Michigan.
This state is full of industry with the Ford Motor Company, Gen-
eral Motors, Chrysler and all of the satellite industries who sup-
ply parts for these large plants. Yet with all this industry Michi-
gan went broke. They could not pay the school teachers and
many people in state government. Industry was even asked to
pay its taxes in advance. This financial catastrophe happened in
spite of a VJo sales tax being paid by the people. We should
look at Texas which in the past twenty years has attracted mil-
lions of dollars of new industry yet today they are $300,000,000
in the red and the legislature is in its seventh special session
with no solution to their problem in sight.

Compare this with the stable agricultural economy of Mon-
tana. While we have our problems, they are surely nothing com-
pared to the trouble that large amounts of heavy industry could
bring to us. The city of Missoula has just recently acquired a
new industry. I noticed in the press about a week ago there is

a smog condition developing. The press release indicates a re-
quest for a solution to the problem. This should be the first
warning.

Unless you have a monopoly, all of the new people and the
money changing hands will not help the man in business today.
When profits reach a certain point there will immediately be a
new filling station, store, motel or restaurant to compete with
any business showing a good profit. The final result could be
more competition and less profit.

Montana was made to be an outdoor land. We have surely
been fortunate to have clean water, clear air and beautiful shin-
ing mountains — a land of recreation, fishing, hunting, good living
and steady employment. The water and the land can support
only so much wildlife and only give so much room for other types
of recreation. These considerations must be included in any part
of the industrial planning for Montana. We do not wish to arti-
ficially crowd out these recreational resources. In the natural
course of our increased population and industry we will lose this
heritage, as we know it, soon enough.

My primary concern over the movement of heavy industry
into Montana at a reduced tax rate is that this would surely re-
sult in the pollution of our water and air. This in turn would
lead to the destruction of our fish and wildlife as we know it
today. To my knowledge there have never been any anti-pollu-
tion laws adopted that could preserve the clean, usable, healthful
water enjoyed today by the people of Montana. Big industry's
normal tendency is to create more pollution than it can control.

I am in favor of any sound industry that can take care of its
share of the tax load and not be subsidized by existing industry
and the people. Such industry would be more apt to solve its
pollution problems and accept its responsibilities to the people
of Montana.

IttUt 7*out

SERIES IV— West Fork Bitterroot River Lakes
JOE E. HUSTON, Fisheries Biologist

As a result of the great increase in
fishermen during recent years, many
Montanans have turned to the largely
unexploited, remote, high mountain
lakes. These lakes represent one of the
last frontiers where fishermen can get
away from crowds fishing the more ac-
cessible waters. Enterprising sports-
men willing to expend the additional
energy for this type of fishing are well
rewarded with the thrill of being in
an area largely untouched by man and,
in addition, with the chance to catch a
limit of very elusive trout.

The Montana Fish and Game Depart-
ment annually conducts biological sur-
veys to assess the value of a number of
high mountain lakes. Fish present, lake
depths and sizes, spawning areas, and
other pertinent information are record-
ed. From these facts, past management
efforts can be evaluated and future
recommendations formulated for sound
management of this resource.

The surveys have shown that some
of the mountain lakes do not have fish,
while many have good fish numbers.
Other lakes have conditions resulting
in stunted fish.

Some of the questions we try to an-
swer by our lake surveys are: It is likely
that barren lakes will support fish? If
so, is it in the best interest of the fish-

ing public to plant the lakes now; and
what is the best course of action in lakes
that presently have fish?

Some lakes may need plants of hatch-
ery fish to maintain good fishing. In
other situations, such as lakes that have
ample spawning sites, stocking hatchery
fish may not be necessary. In other
cases, hatchery fish may adversely af-
fect fish already in the lake and these
plants should be discontinued.

During the summer of 1959, seven
mountain lakes were surveyed in the
West Fork of the Bitterroot River
drainage. Three are at the head of
Piquette and Slate Creeks and four lie
at the head of Boulder Creek.

The four lakes in the Boulder Creek
drainage are Boulder, Crystal, Dollar
and Turbid Lakes. They can be reached
by driving through Darby, Montana on
U. S. Highway 93, up the West Fork of
the Bitterroot River to Boulder Creek,
and two miles up Boulder Creek by
Forest Service road. The lakes lie an-
other twelve miles up-country by For-
est Service trail from the end of the
road. If pack stock is taken and more
than a one-night stay is planned, it
would be wise to take horse feed along.

There are several good campsites on
Boulder Lake and it would be best to
make headquarters here. The remain-

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ing three lakes are within one mile of
this camping area.

Boulder Lake has a surface area of
20 acres and a maximum depth of 60
feet. A dam at the outlet raises the
water level about 8 feet during spring
and summer. Rafts are on the lake but
it can be fished from shore along the
inlet, outlet, and slide rock on the north
shore.

Boulder Lake has not been planted
with hatchery fish since 1941. Our sur-
vey showed that it contains good num-
bers of cutthroat trout, ranging from
6 to 16 inches long. No fish plants will
be scheduled for this lake in the imme-
diate future as natural production is
presently providing a good fish popula-
tion.

The following tips may be helpful to
persons fishing this lake as it has the
reputation of being very temperamen-
tal. Try the slide rock area during the
day with hardware or wet flies. The
shallower inlet and outlet should be
good for evening or morning fishing
with wet or dry flies.

A trail across the Boulder Lake out-
let leads to Turbid and Crystal Lakes.
The trail is steep but only about one-
half mile long. Crystal Lake, first along
the trail is 8 acres in size, has a maxi-
mum depth of 28 feet, and can be fished
from the shore. The survey showed
that cutthroat trout are present, but
are scarce. The fish average somewhat
over 13 inches in length and the best
fishing spot would be from the slide
rock on the western end of the lake.
Crystal Lake was planted with cut-
throat trout in 1960, and fishing should
be considerably improved by 1962.

Turbid Lake lies about 200 yards
east of Crystal Lake, but contains no
fish. Due to its small size and shallow
depth, it has been recommended that it
not be planted. This lake was planted
in 1952, but apparently the fish winter-
killed.

From Turbid Lake, it is a short jaunt
of about one-fourth mile down the out-
let stream to Dollar Lake, but one must

be part mountain goat to negotiate the
steep slopes, cliffs and rock slides. Dol-
lar Lake covers 5 acres and has a depth
of 20 feet. Of the three lakes, it is
the most consistent producer to the
fishermen. Cutthroat trout from 10 to
13 inches long are abundant and usually
easy to catch. As there is ample natural
reproduction, no plantings of hatchery
fish are needed in this lake.

The lakes, Piquette, Slate and Shelf
at the head of Piquette and Slate Creek,
are reached by driving further up the
West Fork of the Bitterroot to a trail
which begins about one-half mile above
the Painted Rocks Reservoir dam. This
seven-mile trail into the three lakes fol-
lows Little Boulder Creek. Here again
if pack stock is used, it is imperative that
feed be taken. Campsites are near Pi-
quette Lake and Slate Lake, but are poor.

Piquette Lake has an area of 6 acres
and a depth of 20 feet. It can be fished
along the entire shoreline and has a fair
number of cutthroat trout, averaging
about 11 inches long. Shelf Lake lies
about one-fourth mile east of Piquette
Lake. It is 10 acres in size with a depth
of 20 feet. The survey showed that a
fair number of cutthroat trout, aver-
aging 13 inches long, inhabit the lake.
This lake can be fished from shore, but
errant casts may mean tackle in the
tree branches.

Slate Lake does not contain fish.
Because of its small size and shallow
depth, it will not be planted. The lim-
ited fishing pressure on Piquette and
Shelf Lakes does not warrant immedi-
ate restocking; however, it may be
necessary to introduce hatchery trout
sometime in the future.

A trip into any of these seven lakes
will be a never-to-be-forgotten experi-
ence. Of the two groups, Boulder Creek
lakes offer the best fishing and the larg-
est fish. However, the high esthetic
value of the magnificent scenery and
grandeur surrounding any of these lakes
should guarantee personal satisfaction
on either trip. The choice is yours to
make.

TIPS ON HUNTING BLACK BEAR

CHARLES JONKEL, Biologist

Western Montana mountains boast
some real bear country. In fact, the
black bear numbers there are not even
touched through hunting. But the hunt-
er who heads for rough country with
dreams of a bear trophy has his work
cut out for him. In fact, the fellow
who takes to the timber with a rifle and
high hopes but no knowledge of bear
habits is likely to come out sore-legged
and empty-handed. If the few tips of-
fered here are practiced, sportsmen will
have a substantially better chance of
getting that bear rug.

WHERE TO HUNT— Black bears are
inhabitants of mountainous areas. In
Montana, the mountain country is pri-
marily in the western portion. Nearly
all of Montana west of the continental
divide and the eastern slopes of the main
divide offer bear hunting.

Some of the areas of higher concen-
tration are the Swan Valley, the South
and Middle Forks of the Flathead, the

Whitefish Range, the St. Regis River,
Thompson Falls west, and the Libby
country. Side drainages of these areas
are best because they cut through steep
topography affording hunters a good
view of side hills.

WHEN TO HUNT — During, 1960,
more than 40% of the black bears that
fell to hunters were taken before the
general big game season opened October
16. Another 35% were taken during the
first ten days of the general season.
Most of the remainder were taken in
the next ten days and by November
1st the black bear hunting was about
wound up. This is generally the pat-
tern for bear hunting, for the first or
middle of November, depending on
weather, black bears go into hiberna-
tion.

Bear hunters are most successful dur-
ing spring. During the spring and early
summer, bruin gathers with his kin on
side hill parks, snowslide areas, and

grassy logging roads below the snow-
line. Here they feed upon wheat grass,
angelica, horse - tail, dandelions, and
clover. Since the area that a bear
ranges is relatively small (often less
than one square mile) individuals feed
regularly in such areas where these
plants abound. Clear-cut logged areas
are seldom used.

Feeding activity is highest during the
morning until around 9:00 a.m. and in
the evenings from about 4:00 p.m. until
dark. They may, however, forage for
food any time of day.

Bears also congregate during late
summer and fall, but at this time they
move into the dense vegetation of creek
bottoms or north slopes. There they
feed upon huckleberries, cow parsnips,
dogwood berries, buckthorn berries,
etc. Bruin is hard to find in the thick
growths, but some are more exposed
along roads and open creek bottoms
where they feed on dandelions and
horse-tail. Also, for a short time around
the first of September, bears frequent
high ridges and divides in search of
whitebark pine cones, wire grass or
woodrush.

In late fall, bears are still feeding
upon berries. The fruit of mountain
ash, which grows on north slopes and
rockslides of the south slopes, become
the most important berries at this time.
They will feed upon mountain ash after
the leaves have fallen from most bushes
and are thus more easily seen in brushy
areas. There is often tracking snow in
the mountains at this time of year.

THE HIDE AND MEAT

Hides are usually prime and suitable
for trophies from early spring until

about the middle of June, and from
about mid-August until they hibernate.
Care should be taken with the hides,
especially in warm weather. Several
pounds of salt should be rubbed into
all parts of the fleshy side of the hide.
The hide can then be rolled but should
be salted again in several days. If it is
not necessary to roll the hide, salt it
well and leave it spread out. Never roll
an unsalted hide unless it is to be frozen
and never leave any hide lying for very
long in direct sunlight.

Although hunters will not be required
to use the meat of black bears after
July 1, 1961, the meat is good to eat
all through the season — though most
persons prefer bears killed in the fall.
The meat should be treated the same
as meat of any other game animal.
Properly cooled and aged, all cuts are
good. Like most game, the quality of
meat will vary with animals, but com-
mercial shops can make good sausage
from any properly handled bear.

THE 1961 BLACK BEAR SEASON

The 1961 black bear season began
March 15 and will close with the end
of general big game hunting. Residents
may hunt black bear on a valid 1961
big game license. Non-residents may
not purchase the $20 special license
until July 1, 1961. The map below will
give the non-resident an idea where he
may expect to hunt on the special $20
license. Complete regulations and a
more detailed map will be included
with the general big game regulations.
This will be available upon request
some time in August.

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Photo Courtesy U. S. Forest Service

Outdoor Recreation

ROBERT F. COONEY, Montana State Contact Officer
National Outdoor Recreation Resource Review Commission

Outdoor recreation has in some re-
spects been a neglected resource. With
the exception of several federal and
state agencies and organizations tied in
directly with recreation problems, the
general feeling has been one of apathy
or disinterest. Most of us, particularly
here in the west, have been inclined to
take our outdoor recreational opportuni-

ties pretty much for granted. This is
easy to understand as we have been
brought up in an environment of ample
space. Beautiful open country has been
virtually at our doorstep. We have
hunted, fished, and camped — in most
cases pretty much where we wished.
Even here, however, we are beginning
to sense a change which cannot help

but give us a feeling of uneasiness. In
recent years, we have found ourselves
barred from some of the particularly
enjoyable spots that were available to
us in the past. These are only hints,
however, of changes that are rapidly
taking place in the more populated
portions of our nation. To make this
problem more pressing, the need for
outdoor recreation is increasing tre-
mendously while nationwide the op-
portunities for the enjoyment of these
resources are diminishing at an alarm-
ing rate.

Montana with an abundance of public
land, coupled with unusually fine scen-
ery, possesses an opportunity to make
an important contribution in the field
of outdoor recreation. Careful planning
will be essential to insure our recrea-
tional opportunities will be developed
in harmony with other important uses
of the natural resources of our state.
This, of course, is not only a statewide
problem but one of national importance.

All of us who hope that Montana will
remain an exceptionally pleasant place
in which to live were pleased to learn
that in 1958 Congress authorized a
definite study of the nation's outdoor
recreational resources and needs. This
study is being carried out on a state-by-
state basis.

Briefly, the objectives of the Outdoor
Recreation Resource Review Commis-
sion are as follows:

1. To make a statewide and national
study of the recreational resources pres-
ently available.

2. Determine the present outdoor rec-
reational needs of the nation and pro-
ject this to the years 1976 and 2000.

3. To develop plans for carefully co-
ordinated recreational development in

cooperation with all interested agencies,
groups, and individuals.

It is encouraging to see the fine work
that is being carried out here in Mon-
tana and throughout the nation that
will contribute so materially to the suc-
cess of this important activity. As a
part of their Operation Outdoors, the
U. S. Forest Service has completed an
excellent recreational inventory of lands
under their jurisdiction. Through the
Mission 66 program, the National Park
Service has finished a similar recrea-
tional inventory. It is also pleasing to
note that the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment has completed a long-range inven-
tory which included the recreational
potential of the public lands under their
administration. State agencies, includ-
ing the State Parks Division, the Fish
and Game Department and the State
Forester's Office, have made important
contributions to Montana's share in this
national recreational survey to be com-
pleted this year.

This program, known to many by its
initials — ORRRC — , represents the first
unified attempt to give the nation's in-
creasingly important outdoor recrea-
tional resources their rightful place in
the sun. Montana, with so much to
offer, will surely continue to play a
vital role in the recreational future of
the nation.

These studies and plans, although vi-
tally important, are however just the
beginning. It will take sustained inter-
est and dedication to see them brought
to completion. This could well be the
most vital phase of the program. It is
here where sportsmen's groups and
others interested in the optimum de-
velopment of our recreational resources
can be of tremendous assistance. There
will be few opportunities where we can
do so much for the future enjoyment of
the people of Montana and the nation.

10

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WHY NOT PLANT NORTHERN PIKE?

GENE WELCH, Fisheries Biologist

A question often asked of the Mon-
tana Fish and Game Department is
"Why not plant northern pike in Mon-
tana lakes that don't provide good trout
fishing?" The department feels it is
advisable to restrict the use of northern
pike. An extensive pike program would
not add greatly to fish catches and may
have adverse effects on our trout.

Let's look at Minnesota as an example
of what pike fishing offers from the
standpoint of numbers caught. This is
one of the top northern pike states but
still the rate of catch on pike is poor.
On some of their best pike lakes it
takes three and one-half to almost seven
hours to catch one pike. These figures
are for pike fishermen only and would
be even greater if all fishermen were
included. Compare this to an average
of one trout for every hour and six
minutes of fishing in Montana and,
admittedly, pike are not the answer to
better fishing success.

When Montana sportsmen request
plants of northern pike, it is usually
for lakes overrun with suckers. How-
ever, pike do not eat enough suckers
to keep their numbers under control.

The main thing that limits the abun-
dance of northern pike is the lack of
suitable spawning sites. They require
large, flooded, grassy areas with stable
water levels during the spawning peri-
od. Most Montana lakes are deep and
lack shallow grassy areas. Still others

are manipulated for irrigation. This
means fluctuating water levels which
are not compatible with pike reproduc-
tion. Actually, Montana has few waters
suitable for pike. Wherever we have
pike we cannot expect trout fishing,
for the big northerns are efficient pred-
ators on trout.

Enforcement records show that the
presence of pike promotes the use of
live fish for bait — even where use of
live bait is illegal. Where live bait is
used, there is always a possibility of
contaminating the water with trash
fish. This, of course, can badly damage
good trout lakes and streams. Hebgen
Lake is a prime example. Here, Utah
chubs were introduced by bait fisher-
men and have since overrun the lake
and spread down-river.

Taking all things into consideration,
a wide distribution of pike would at
best not provide outstanding fishing.
They would very definitely be a detri-
ment if they were spread through good
trout waters.

The dyed-in-the-wool pike fisherman
need not feel too disappointed for sev-
eral Montana lakes do offer pike fish-
ing. These include: Pike Lake near
Babb, Split Rock near Augusta, Nelson
Reservoir near Malta and Aarod Lakes
near Conrad. But Montana is a trout
state and, for the foreseeable future at
least, widespread pike lakes are not in
the picture.

11

Before the birds can be banded they must be caught. Here, Tom Mussehl (L) and Dr. Bob Eng make
ready to net 3-week old chicks. The chicks blend so well into their surroundings that they are diffi-
cult to find in the sage and grasses.

Motorists and ranchers east of Lewistown in the Winett-Grass
Range area shake their heads in wonderment at the sight of men tramp-
ing the sagebrush flats and carrying long handled nets. This activity is
part of a sage grouse study now in its third year.

The sage grouse, largest grouse of Montana, once thrived in sage
plains and plateaus of western United States. The colorful rituals of
the grouse were mimicked by Indians in some of their costumes and
dances. But the birds are found now in huntable numbers only in a few
states. They are so closely tied to sage that their very existence depends
upon large expanses of the colorful pungent plant.

12

Young: birds are marked with metal tag's
on the upper wing's (see arrow). Hunters
are urged to return these bands to the
Montana Fish and Game Department. Dur-
ing- fall the metal tags can be missed quite
easily and hunters find many by feeling
for them.

Growth of wing feathers
shows age of the bird and
establishes the peak of
grouse hatching. This sys-
tem was worked out by
Montana biologists with
birds reared in captivity.
Such information is used in
determining the proper
dates for opening seasons.

As sage is destroyed to make room for range grasses, the grouse
vanish. In the light of this new land practice, it is important we learn
more about the big grouse so that we can aid their survival in all possi-
ble ways. How far will grouse move from strutting to nesting grounds,
what age classes produce best, how long do birds remain productive,
what are the requirements for wintering, what are the different cover
requirements? These are some of the things that must be better under-
stood. Hunters can be of invaluable help by returning any bands from
birds they take.

■

After the young are caught, hens can often be called in by whistling sounds similar to the frightened
call of chicks. Bob had this one (upper left) worried, but the wary hen stayed just out of nets' reach.

.«.-

■-*»• *■ W> '

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THE UPPER GALLATIN ELK HERD
. . . Cooperative Management . . .

Elk management has been put on a
pretty firm foundation over most of
Montana; however, there is always
room for improvement. One spot which
definitely needs looking after is the Up-
per Gallatin area.

Here, periodic winter starvation since
1926 and a lower than normal rate of
calf production are important indica-
tions of poor winter range conditions.
And even more serious in the long
range picture of this important area
has been accelerated soil erosion evi-
dent on the more exposed and heavily
used slopes and ridges.

In a recent cooperative agreement be-
tween the Montana Fish and Game De-
partment, the National Park Service,
and the U. S. Forest Service, action is
being taken to initiate a more effective

14

program to manage this important seg-
ment of Montana's elk resources.

Before outlining the program agree-
ment, it may be well to review the his-
tory of this particular area. In earlier
years, elk hunters ranged over the en-
tire Gallatin drainage some of which
is now included within the boundaries
of Yellowstone Park. After park bound-
aries were surveyed, hunting was con-
centrated on Specimen, Black Butte,
Daly, Monument, Snowslide and Bacon
Rind Creeks (see map). Hunting seasons
were long and when snow forced the
wapiti into hunting areas, the harvest
was heavy. It was consequently felt
that the elk needed added protection
so in 1912 the Gallatin game preserve
was created. During 1929, establish-
ment of the present Yellowstone Park

boundary encompassed Specimen, Black
Butte and Daly Creeks. The game pre-
serves retained basically the same
boundaries until 1959 when they were
opened to hunting.

Reports of 1921 show that the heads
of Tepee and Daly Creeks were exten-
sively grazed. By 1923 the elk herd
was conservatively estimated at 3,000
and it was stated that the remarkable
increase of the past five years shows
the elk herd can be built up. This same
year the ranges of Tepee and Daly
Creeks were seriously overgrazed with
75% annual growth of the grass and
100% of the willow and aspen utilized.
The same report states that all other
range units show very little evidence
of grazing.

There was deep, drifted and badly
crusted snow in late February and
March 1924 and during all of February
and March 1925 but few elk died of
starvation these winters. However, re-
ports from the winter of 1925-26 showed
that as the snow became deeper and
more settled in the bottoms and timber,
elk moved to windswept ridges and
southern exposures where forage was
more easily available. There they grazed
everything that could be reached, leav-
ing all exposed areas as bare as a floor.
All of the grasses, weeds, and browse
were utilized. Aspen bark was chewed
off in localities where food was espe-
cially scarce. With the forage badly
over-used, nature took a hand in the
affair and during the winter of 1926-27
the first heavy winter elk starvation
loss was recorded.

By 1932 the more palatable forage
plants were disappearing and the first
indications of erosion were noted on
the south slope of Black Butte to Crown
Butte and on the south slopes of Tay-
lor's Fork. Following the winter of
1935-36, the entire range area accessi-
ble during the critical winter period
showed serious advanced signs of over-
grazing. Shoestring and sheet erosion
and the killing of the more palatable
species of forage plants were the result

of continuous overgrazing for a long
period of time.

Additional elk winter range has been
provided through acquisition, land ex-
change, and through reduced range use
by livestock. However, studies by the
National Park Service, the National
Forest Service and the Fish and Game
Department show present conditions
ranging from no significant improve-
ment to deterioration in the Upper Gal-
latin.

Attempts to effect redistribution of
elk from Daly and Tepee Creeks to
areas farther north have been relatively
unsuccessful. Meanwhile, severe de-
struction of grasses and browse in that
area has continued and the remainder
of the critical winter elk range in the
Upper Gallatin is in generally poor con-
dition.

Range overuse by elk has also had
a drastic effect on other wildlife. Suit-
able habitat for beaver has been dras-
tically reduced with the elimination of
willow stands. Severe competition for
winter forage exists among elk, moose,
bighorn sheep, and mule deer.

If history is allowed to repeat itself,
other species will eventually give way
to elk as they have in areas throughout
the West where elk range deterioration
is critical.

The agreement between Yellowstone
Park, the Forest Service and the Fish
and Game Department is compatible
with the interests of all. These agencies
are all interested in proper care and
utilization of natural resources and high
quality recreation. The backbone of the
whole program depends upon the build-
ing back of badly beaten elk winter
range. This can be done if corrective
measures are taken now. End results
would mean better range and a greater
sustained harvest of elk for hunters.
Without corrective measures, the pros-
pects for the Gallatin having an elk
herd of any consequence in the future
would be bleak and the situation would
hardly represent a heritage which could
be passed on with pride to the next gen-
eration.

15

The Montana Fish and Game Com-
mission, the Regional Forester — North-
ern Region, the U. S. Forest Service,
and the Superintendent of Yellowstone
National Park have prepared a memo-
randum of agreement setting forth the
following objectives and management
plan.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To improve and maintain the basic
soil and plant resources in the Upper
Gallatin watershed.

2. To adjust the segment of the Gal-
latin elk herd which summers in Yel-
lowstone Park to a level which will per-
mit improvement in forage and soil con-
ditions on the Tepee and Daly Creek
winter ranges.

3. To develop elk herds which sum-
mer outside Yellowstone National Park
for sport hunting in the Upper Gallatin.

4. To manage all elk in the Upper
Gallatin so as to maintain a balance be-
tween elk and available natural food
supplies.

PROGRAM:

I. Continue and intensify studies for
evaluating range conditions and trends.
II. Divide the Upper Gallatin into
management units to permit better
manipulation of harvests from the Yel-
lowstone National Park elk herd and
resident elk herds outside. The major
divisions are as follows:

a. That portion of the Upper Gallatin
Drainage, above Sage Creek, on the
west side of the Gallatin River and
above Buffalo Horn Creek on the
east side shall be managed as a unit.

b. The winter ranges on the Gallatin
below this unit and Bear Creek on
the Madison shall be managed for
the benefit of resident elk herds
which summer outside Yellowstone
National Park.

III. Manipulate hunting seasons in the

management units as follows:

a. The annual general hunting season

in the upper unit will be not less

than two weeks and not more than

six weeks long, closing no later

16

than the first Sunday in November.
After the general season closing, the
unit will be opened to a special sea-
son on a date dependent on elk
movements into the area. To allevi-
ate hunter congestion during the
special season, hunter numbers will
be controlled. Only hunters with a
valid elk tag attached to their li-
cense will be allowed to participate
in the special season. Total elk har-
vests from this unit will be regu-
lated by a quota. The quota will in-
clude hunter harvest during the
general season, hunter harvest dur-
ing the special season, and Yellow-
stone National Park reduction.

b. Elk seasons in the lower units will
be "bull only" hunts in succeeding
years until the resident herds in
units build up and are in balance
with winter forage supplies.

c. Excessive winter concentrations of
elk on the lower units can be detri-
mental to resident elk herds. If this
ocurs following the general season
closing date, the lower units will
be reopened on a controlled hunt
basis.

IV. To cooperate fully with the U. S.
Forest Service and the Montana Fish
and Game Department in the manage-
ment of all elk in the Upper Gallatin,
management procedures by the Park
Service will be conducted within the
Gallatin area of Yellowstone National
Park.

a. If the results obtained by hunter
harvest (and direct reduction) have
not attained the annual objective of
maintaining the herd at an accept-
able level, the National Park Serv-
ice will attempt to live trap elk to
fill any requests for restocking of
elk by transplant.

b. Reduction will be coordinated with
reopening of the elk season outside
the Park. The extent and duration
of the direct reduction program will
depend largely upon the success of
the hunter harvest outside the
Park.

FARM

PONDS

For Fishing

LOUIS M. MOOS, Biologist,
USDA, Soil Conservation Service

Finding a place to go fishing is be-
coming more of a problem each year.
Many farmers and ranchers are solving
this problem by including the construc-
tion of a fish pond in the complete con-
servation plan for their farm or ranch
developed in cooperation with the local
soil conservation district. This plan in-
cludes the conservation of all resources
of the farm — soil, water, plants, and
wildlife. Multiple use of water in live-
stock and irrigation dams is considered
in the conservation plan. These water
areas can often produce fish and other
wildlife, as well as provide a watering
place for livestock or irrigation water.

There are certain features that must
be considered at the time the pond is
constructed if it is to be stocked with
fish and properly managed for fish pro-
duction.

SIZE:

A pond dependent on runoff water to
keep it full should be at least an acre
in size. Spring-fed ponds may be small-
er. Where community fishing is de-
sired, the pond should be three to five
acres or more in size.

DEPTH:

Ponds should have sufficient depth
to insure water during dry years and
to prevent winterkill during periods of
extreme cold and heavy snow. Winter-
killing results from suffocation due to
insufficient oxygen in the water. Fish
ponds should have at least ten feet of
water over 1 5 of the area at the time
of the lowest water level. Sufficient
depth is the best insurance against win-
terkill. In areas with severe winters a
maximum depth of 15 to 20 feet is de-

17

sirable and a depth of 15 feet over a
considerable part of the pond is con-
sidered essential.

SHORELINE:

A fish pond should have a steep
shoreline. The bank should have at
least 3 to 1 slope. This will provide
three feet of water at a distance of ten
feet from the water's edge. Steep edges
prevent large areas of shallow water
and retard the establishment of aquatic
weeds which are undesirable in a fish
pond.

WATERSHED:

A complete conservation program
should be established on the entire wa-
tershed to insure silt-free water. Ponds
that are continuously filled with silt
and muddy water are not productive.
Overgrazing, cultivation on too steep
slopes, and up-and-down hill farming
all add to the erosion of the watershed
and cause siltation of the pond. A good
soil conservation program on the water-
shed is a must in the management and
production of the fish pond. Fencing
the water area and seeding grass around
the outside of the pond will help keep
out the silt and will keep the cattle
from muddying the water. A tank
should be provided below the dam for
watering livestock.

DRAIN:

The pond should be constructed so
that the entire bottom slopes toward a
drain pipe. A drain pipe and valve
should be installed so that all of the
water can be drained out. Draining
the pond is desirable when the pond
becomes overstocked with stunted or
undesirable species of fish, and for
removing large fish before restocking.
A trickle tube should be installed as
a protection for the spillway when there
is overflow water for long periods of
time.

SPILLWAY:

The spillway should be wide so that
the overflow will be shallow. This will
help prevent loss of fish from the pond.

18

Ken Holland with two fine Rainbows taken from
a farm pond. Photo by author.

Screens should not be placed across the
spillway; they might collect debris and
cause overtopping of the dam.

WATER SUPPLY:

The water supply should be sufficient
to maintain a fairly constant water lev-
el. If the water supply is a diversion
from a stream, there should be a mini-
mum of water flowing through the
pond. Water going over the spillway
carries much of the fertility of the pond
with it. Running water is not necessary
in a fish pond but is very desirable.
There is less chance of winterkill in
shallow ponds which have water run-
ning through them.

CONTROL OF WEEDS:

Both marsh plants and submerged
pond weeds are undesirable in a fish
pond. They interfere with boating,
swimming and fishing, and provide es-
cape cover for bluegill, whose rapid

reproduction often overpopulate the
pond. Marsh plants invading the pond
should be cut off or pulled out as soon
as they appear around the edge. Prop-
er construction of the shoreline will
help prevent the establishment of
weeds. Chemical control may be neces-
sary.

STOCKING:

Cold Water Fish — If the temperature
of the water does not exceed 75 degrees
at a depth of two feet below the surface
during the period of warmest summer
temperature, the pond should be stock-
ed with trout. Either brook or rainbow
trout may be stocked. They should be
stocked at a rate of 500 fingerlings per
surface acre. Trout grow rapidly but
do not reproduce in a pond so periodic
restocking is necessary. The interval
of restocking depends on how hard the
pond is fished.

Warm Water Fish — If the tempera-
ture of the water a depth of two feet
below the surface exceeds 75 degrees
during the summer months, the pond
should be stocked with warm water
species. Bass and bluegill have been
stocked in most of the warm water
ponds. If these ponds are not fished
hard, they may become overstocked
with small bluegill. Where fishing is
not heavy, bass alone do well. One
pond in southeastern Montana stocked
with bass alone has produced bass over
six pounds. Northern pike and walleye
have been stocked in some of the larger
ponds 15 to 20 or more acres in size.
Walleye are very hard to catch with
hook and line so they are not now
recommended in farm ponds.

WHERE TO GET FISH:

Fish for stocking ponds are available
from several sources — state, federal and
commercial hatcheries. The laws of
Montana provide for the establishment

of private permits on artificial ponds.
The Fish and Game Department will
inspect the pond, determine what spe-
cies may be stocked and issue a private
pond owner's permit. The pond owner
may then buy fish to stock the pond
and operate it as a private pond. Ap-
plications for fish and for private pond
owners' permits are available at the U.
S. Soil Conservation Service office and
from the Fish and Game Department.

HARVESTING THE CROP:

Harvesting the annual crop of fish is
the most important part of fish pond
management. Trout grow very rapidly
in the small farm ponds and should be
fished hard as soon as they reach edible
size. Many ponds have 10 or 12-inch
fish a year after stocking small finger-
lings. The second year they will be 15
to 16 inches long and the third year
up to 20 inches, weighing three to four
pounds. Six to eight pound trout have
been taken from some ponds.

Most warm water ponds are not
fished hard enough to remove the an-
nual crop of fish, and they soon become
overpopulated with stunted bluegill, too
small to eat. It is impossible to overfish
a bass and bluegill pond with hook and
line. So, do a lot of fishing; let your
friends and neighbors help you harvest
the crop. The more edible sized fish
removed from the pond, the more food
there will be for the smaller fish. Re-
move the large ones and let the small
fish grow.

If you are planning a fish pond, get
technical assistance from the Fish and
Game Department or the U. S. Soil
Conservation Service and construct the
dam and pond properly. In this way
you will have a better pond, produce
more fish, and enjoy the results a great
deal more.

19

ERA OF LOBO

By VERN CRAIG

Some one million years ago during
the Pleistocene epoch, according to
geologists, northern Europe, northern
Asia and northern United States were
repeatedly covered with a great ice
cap. In this dim past, the primeval true
wolves appeared, recording their early
history in soft muds and asphalt de-
posits.

They were destined to inhabit a great
geographic range. In the north country
they range almost to the pole. Wolf
tracks have been seen less than 400
miles from the pole on the northern-
most point of land in the world. They
apparently inhabited every state on the
North American continent, and ranged
south through Mexico into South Amer-
ica. Considerable numbers still roam
Alaska, Canada and parts of Mexico
and drifters frequently wander into the
United States across northern boun-
daries. Reports of wolves taken in the
United States during 1958-59 list 227
for Alaska, 7 for Michigan, 122 for
Minnesota, and 1 for both North and
South Dakota.

Wolves that ranged in Montana were
the "timber" or gray wolves. Accord-
ing to records, many of them weighed
nearly one hundred pounds and they

20

roamed the state in considerable num-
bers. Luttig, in 1812, reported huge
packs of wolves on the upper Missouri.
He stated that they would follow men
for days, hoping to clean up any game
that was left. Audubon, in his journals,
writes of wolves feeding from pig
troughs around Fort Union. Hundreds
of wolf paths led to the fort. From
1875-1877 there annually were shipped
out of Fort Benton about 30,000 wolf
skins.

In the range of the buffalo, "loafer
wolves" were numerous and lived al-
most exclusively on the bison. Lewis
and Clark, in their epic journey, made
notations on the great profusion of
wolves such as — "we saw a great many
wolves in the neighborhood of these
mangled carcasses (buffalo driven over
a precipice by Indians) they were very
fat and gentle, Capt. C. who was on
shore killed one of them with his espon-
toon". This was at the mouth of the
Judith River.

Timber wolves vary in color from
black through grays and browns to al-
most pure white. They are highly in-
telligent animals with a keen nose and
great endurance. Male and female
wolves apparently mate for life. The

"lone wolf" so often dramatized in
literature is usually a male or female
that has lost its mate. Females mature
and mate in about two years while
males require about three years to reach
maturity. Both parents tend to the pups
which abandon dens when 21- to 3
months old. Commonly, wolf packs are
members of individual families consist-
ing of a pair of adult wolves and their
yearling or two-year-old offsprings.

Facts about wolves become so inex-
tricably mingled with fancy that it is
often impossible to separate myths from
truths. There is no doubt however that
wolves made a deep impression on early
civilization and soon became the arch-
enemy of stockmen. Legends and folk-
lore of the "high executioner" are in-
numerable and while most dwell upon
the ferocity, destructiveness and cun-
ning of the wolf, yet a few show a
more kindly image. Perhaps the best
known legend is that of Romulus, re-
puted founder and first king of Rome,
who with his twin brother, Remus, was
rescued from the Tiber River and suck-
led by a she-wolf.

In 1920, children were supposed to
have been taken from a wolf den in
Midnapore, India. One died soon after
captivity while the other, about eight
years old when taken, was supposed to
have lived to seventeen years of age,
exhibiting wolf-like characteristics
throughout his life. Similar incidents
have reputedly occurred since that time.

Getting closer to home, a news article
in the Roosevelt County Independent,
July 18, 1921, reports this strange inci-
dent.

"Infant Fondles Big Gray Wolf"

"Little Sarah Paulson, five-years old,
is the baby daughter of Mr. & Mrs.
Charles Paulson who live on the ranch
just this side of Rocky Springs near
Miles City. One morning Sarah was
playing a short distance from the house
while her mother and an older child
were washing the breakfast dishes."
Paulson had ridden away only a short
time before to look after some cattle.
The mother and little brother heard

the baby laugh as she kept repeating —
"pretty doggy, pretty doggy".

The collie dog belonging to the family
had accompanied Paulson, and Mrs.
Paulson who was busy asked the little
boy to look out and see what dog Sarah
was playing with. "Mrs. Paulson was
horrified to see her baby with its arms
around the neck of a gray wolf. She
saw her baby remove its arms from
around the animal's neck and pat it on
the head. The great brute's lips were
drawn up and its fangs showed white
in a snarl. The wolf caressed the child
with its lolling tongue and the baby
gurgled in pleasure." Eventually the
wolf was frightened away, the child
running for a short distance alongside.

But stories of wolves showing any
tenderness or amiability toward man
are exceptional. Most depict, in grue-
some detail, hapless travelers fleeing
for their lives or being devoured by
packs of howling, snapping beasts. A
number of tales come from the old
world and it does appear that the Euro-
pean wolves, especially of Spain and
southern France, were more ferocious
than those of North America. Actually,
authentic cases of wolves killing hu-
mans are few in North America, though
there are many stories of attacks and
narrow escapes.

Here is an account of an encounter
with wolves in Montana:

Winnett Times (Jan. 6, 1919)
"Choteau County Farmer is Winner in
Mad Race with Death.

"Arthur Suredferger had been to Fort
Benton for supplies. Early in the dusk
of the evening he started back toward
his ranch. On the way he noticed far
behind him, a pack of animals running
toward him. He paid little attention to
the wolves as he had no idea what they
were and had no idea of danger.

"He was driving along at a leisurely
pace when the hunger-maddened beasts
caught up with him. Then he realized
his danger. His attempts to frighten
them off were without avail. One of
the big wolves jumped at him and al-

21

'i^o!',V

«***'

k. n

Wolf pups abandon dens when two and one half to three months old. This young pup resembles a
young coyote, but wolf characteristics will be very pronounced after a few weeks of growth.

most got a foothold on the car. Then
he stepped on the gas and the race
between him and death began . . ."

According to the account, the farmer
soon out-distanced the wolves, then
turning to look for his pursuers, ran
off the road. The road was muddy and
some tense moments were spent while
Suredferger was forced to put on his
tire chains in order to get his car out
of the ditch.

It is the opinion of many students of
nature that predators tend to cull aged,
feeble and sick animals from herds,
leaving the healthier and more alert.
This seemed to have some merit on the
buffalo range, probably because these
animals, outside the main body of
herds, were thus more vulnerable. Cer-
tainly, wolves were capable of downing
the healthiest and strongest bison,
though not without misfortune among
their own ranks. In his book, "The

22

American Bison", Garretson writes
"One of the worst, most persistent and
ever-present enemies the buffalo had to
contend with was the wolves which fol-
lowed the herd in great packs, des-
troying many calves and the aged and
the feeble members that were usually
relegated to the rear and outskirts of
the herd."

Such culling of inferior animals is
not shown, however, in a study of a
pack of 10 Alaskan wolves by Bob Burl-
holder. In his six-week study he found
that the pack averaged one kill every
1.7 days. Caribou and other animals
taken were in excellent condition and
prime in age. Where moose were con-
cerned, however, there was an apparent
selectivity for calves. No evidence of
hamstringing was found in the course
of this study. Many old-time reports
though describe wolves cutting cows,
calves and old bulls out of a herd and

then hamstringing them in precision
teamwork.

Wolves are great travelers and char-
acteristically hunt along runways fir-
regular circles from 20 to 60 miles in
diameter, though sometimes larger).
Along these routes, high points are used
as observation points. The runways are
generally traveled counter - clockwise.
In heavy snows, wolves of a pack often
walk or lope in each others footsteps.
Packs may sometimes split and then
rejoin again, or on occasion, members
may lag some distance behind. Trails,
water courses, frozen tributaries and
even roads may be used as portions of
a runway.

Hungry wolves apparently are not
too concerned with what they eat, for
accounts are many of wolves digging
out prairie graves and eating the bodies.
This, it is believed, was one factor that
contributed to burial of plains Indians
upon platforms, out of the reach of
hungry animals. Antelope, too, were
prey of the prairie marauders and were
occasionally seen within the confines of
buffalo herds apparently for protection.

The last stand of the buffalo, which
once covered a large part of North
America, was concentrated in the east-
ern two-thirds of Montana, portions of
North and South Dakota and northern
Wyoming. As the buffalo were replaced
by domestic stock, wolves often turned
to cattle, sheep and horses for their
larder. The bitter struggle between
man and wolf took on a more personal
aspect in the territory of Montana — a
struggle that was long-lasting and ex-
pensive for the stockman. Quite often,
injury or old age would force wolves
to turn from wild prey and take to the
more easily caught domestic animals,
thus the reputation of "renegade" would
be established. The Highwood moun-
tains, the Bear Paws and the Little
Belts were areas of noted wolf concen-
trations. Many wolves became legend-
ary in Montana history for both their
destructiveness and their cunning to
elude their would-be exterminators.

The Benton Weekly Record on No-
vember 10, 1883 gives this account of
wolf predation on domestic stock:
"Wolves are becoming entirely too nu-
merous for comfort on the Marias. One
or more calves are killed daily and the
wolves are learning to follow the herds
of domestic cattle the same as they for-
merly did the buffalos, cutting out the
cows and disabling cows and old steers."
It is notable that many of the early ac-
counts pointed out the wolves' apparent
preference for calves. Maimed and bob-
tailed cattle were common sights on
western ranges and records tell of wan-
ton killing for the pleasure of the sport.
This condition did not exist in the
aforementioned Alaskan study where
killed animals were almost entirely
eaten.

After what seemed to be a temporary
drop in wolf depredations, stockmen
during 1906 again noted the big animals
in large numbers and organized to pro-
tect their interests. The Anaconda
Standard, December 19, 1906, reported
— "North Montana is organizing a wolf
hunt in sheer self-defense. The hunt
will be organized in this city and will
be conducted much on the order of the
rabbit drives in Kansas. Not for many
years have the wolves been so numer-
ous or rapacious as they are on the
range this year, even venturing into the
environs of Havre."

About the same time, the Great Falls
Daily Tribune had this to say: "Ma-
rauders from the Bear Paws are de-
pleting the flocks and herds of Chou-
teau County. Big bounties are offered
and a wolf hunt is being organized."
Wolf packs were reported attacking
sheep flocks even in the daytime and
paying little attention to herders. This
particular pack of wolves was ranging
from the Bear Paws to the Milk River.
So serious was the killing that stock-
men estimated 10-20% of calves being
born in the Rocky Mountain states were
taken by wolves in 1907.

In Montana as elsewhere, stockmen
soon learned that they were dealing
with an animal of high intelligence and

23

great cunning. The Department of Ag-
riculture in one of its bulletins reported
— "Most of the wolves trapped are less
than a year old. After a wolf has
reached its third year and run the
gauntlet of traps, guns and dogs, its
chances of dying of old age are excel-
lent." Concerning the capture of the
Custer Wolf, the Dillon Examiner in
1921 reported — "He loped through
every kind of danger and passed them
all. He sniffed at the subtlest poison and
passed it by. The most adroitly con-
cealed trap was as clear to him as a
mirror in the sun."

Almost every conceivable bait and
trap have been used to take wolves.
Some of the more primitive were pits,
corrals and dead-falls. One of the most
unique methods is that of whalebone
spirals or springs used by Eskimos.
Baleen from the bowhead whale is
moistened, coiled and the spiral tied
securely. It is then wrapped in fat or
blubber and allowed to freeze. When
frozen, the string or sinew holding the
coil is cut. If a wolf gulps the bait,
warmth and digestion soften the fat
whereupon the sharpened whalebone
straightens out, piercing the stomach of
its hapless host. More modern methods
are the set gun, the steel traps, poison
and digging out of dens. Of all meth-
ods, E. F. Grand, district agent for the
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, states
that "in Montana at least, destruction of
dens was the most practical and efficient
method of control."

Bounties for wolves have been long-
standing but ineffective as a control
measure. Payment of wolf bounties can
be authenticated to the time of early
Greece. The first wolf bounty on our
continent was enforced during 1630 in
Massachusetts. Virginia was quick to
follow suit in 1632. Everywhere the
bounty soon became an instrument of
fraud. Montana was no exception. For
example, the Daily Yellowstone Journal
during April of 1911 wrote of trappers
rearing wolf cubs until they reached
adulthood so they would bring a higher
bounty. They were also saving a few

24

she-wolves to rear litters which could
be bountied. Under the bounty system
it was not unusual for trappers to at-
tempt to represent coyote scalps as those
of wolves. Another common fraud was
to take scalps from one state and bounty
them in another where more money was
being offered.

Eventually the wolves, harassed from
every corner, were no longer common
on the range lands and foothills of Mon-
tana. Except for an occasional drifter,
they are now seen mostly in the mem-
ories of old-timers who enjoy spinning
yarns of renegade lobos. There was the
Custer wolf of South Dakota that sup-
posedly wandered into Montana on oc-
casion. It is written that: "For nine
years the Custer wolf struck terror to
the hearts of ranchers in that section.
Many credited the story that it was
not merely a wolf but a monstrosity of
nature, half wolf and half mountain
lion, possessing the cruelty of both and
the craftiness of Satan himself." Ac-
cording to the story, the Custer wolf
took up with two coyotes after its mate
was killed. The Department of Agri-
culture wrote: "He attached the coy-
otes to himself not as equals but as
slaves." When shot, this renegade
weighed 98 pounds and measured six
feet from nose to tip of tail.

Many yarns are told too about a
white wolf of southwest Montana. The
Plevna Herald in 1921 gave this ac-
count:

"Snow White Veteran Thief of Beav-
erhead Hunted for 18 Years"

"A monster timber wolf which for
years has wrought havoc with stock
herds in the southwestern corner of the
state and which has been hunted times
without number by expert trappers,
was captured and killed last week by
Bill Gray, a government trapper in the
wilds of Ashbaugh Canyon in Beaver-
head County. Although the big brute
had grown gaunt from five days with-
out eating, during which time it
dragged a big steel trap on its left fore-
foot, the carcass weighed 95 pounds
after it was brought to Dillon."

JBfc".

A wolf exhibited at a country fair in
Billings in 1921 was reputed to be the last
of its kind in that area. Dogs took up with
him from time to time and were taught
tricks of the trade. He was attributed with
killing 50 head of stock and was hunted for
six years.

There are many other stories probably
exaggerated but basically true. There was
the Road-Runner of the Little Belts who
traveled roads most of the time, the Pryor
Creek wolf, and the Old Cripple Foot of ihe
Belts who fleeced stockmen of $20,000
worth of animals over a 12-year period.
This was reportedly the last renegade from
the Judith River territory. Others that fig-
ured prominently in Montana history were
the Ghost Wolf of the Little Belts (now a
mounted specimen in Stanford's court-
house), the Snowdrift wolves of the High-
woods and the Three-Legged Scoundrel
(killed near Ashland in 1920).

Wolves have on occasion been killed in
Montana during more recent years. Ac- *v*,
cording to District Agent Grand, his
agency took 88 wolves in 1924, 29 during
1925, 28 during 1926, 2 in 1927 and none the •
next year. The last authenticated case this
author could find of a wolf kill in Montana I
was for the year of 1956 when an 86-pound
wolf was killed by two ranchers on Tomato
Can Creek near Nashua.

The era of the lobo is gone from Mon- .:■
tana. But like his contemporaries, the bi-
son and the cowboys, he left a prominent
trail through pages of old west history.

Return To

MONTANA FISH & GAME DEPARTMENT

Helena, Montana

Helena, Montana

Sec. 34.66, P. L. & R.
V. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 50

FORM 3547 REQUESTED

McKee

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