VOL. IV. ''i MONTANA V 1 IIIIK 1| [.ill mill iiiiiii mil NO. piiiiii mill iiiiiiiir DECEMBER Official Publicdtion Montana Sidle Fish & Gdme Dept /t inter In The J\ockies By W. B, Mclaughlin (Bitter Uoot Bill) IT'S winter in the Rockies and the snow is falling fast, The blizzard howls among the hills, the skies are overcast. The Frost King dwells amidst the pines, his silver throne so bright. For it's tvinter in the Rockies, and the tvorld is pure and tohite. H^ HEN it's ivinter in the Rockies and the Storm King, angry, hurls His forces, ivild and fierce and his mighty poiver unfurls, When every living thing is hid and cowers 'neath his ivrath. The surface of yon snotvy breasts is unbroken by a path. M^ HEN it's winter in the Rockies and the storm at last is done, When lofty mounts and summits bold are gleaming in the sun. Fantastic shapes, cathedral spires, astonish human eyes, And all is peace and quietness, tuhen nature dormant lies. \Jh, I long to see the Rockies^ when they are cold and still In spring your beauty hath Us charms, but if I had my will, I'd have you just as you are notv, when I may do my best To show my love and loyalty and bear your sternest test. Page Two MONTANA WILD LIFE Th e Official Publication of The state Fish an d Game Commission VOL. IV. HELENA, MONTANA, DECEMBER, 1931. No. 7 Moetoe^ Seeks Uo§ , Fisheries Ai ^reemeet ONTANA'S State Fish and Game Commission, at its last regular meet- ing, voted to continue efforts to secure an un- derstandable working agreement with the United States Bureau of Fisheries regarding distribution of Loch Leven trout eggs taken from the wa- ters of the famed Madison river valley. Following the resolution passed at the October meeting, letters were addressed to Henry G. O'Malley, chief of the de- partment at Washington, urging that a written agreement be made and that an authorized representative of the federal department appear before the Montana commission, empowered to out- line plans and set forth definite fig- ures. Renewal o£ the controversy was brought about by the appearance before the commission of a delegation of mem- bers of the Madison Valley Rod and. Gun Club. The meeting was held at Helena, at the office of the state game warden, Nov. IS, 1931. Those present were: Thomas N. Marlowe, chairman; E. A. Wilson, W. K. Moore, J. L. Kelly, and W. A. Brown, commissioners; Robert H. Hill, secretary; K. F. MacDonald, superintendent of fisheries; Senator M. M. Duncan, Carl Elling, H. E. Rake- man, Jr., and Ernest Miller, representa- tives of the Madison county sportsmen ; Frank Polutnik, Jr., of Great Falls; and Floyd L. Smith, editor of MON- TANA WILD LIFE. Senator M. M. Duncan, of Virginia City, advised that the Madison Valley Rod and Gun Club has been notified by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries that the Montana Fish and Game Depart- ment is contemplating placing spawn- taking stations in the Madison valley, and asked the commission to reconsider action. He asserted that the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries has planned to build a new hatchery in the Madison valley, near Blaine, on Spring creek, which construction work was threat- ened to be cancelled if the commission started operations in that field, as the Bureau of Fisheries advised Madison county sportsmen that they will not in- fringe in a field in which the state is working. Commissioner Kelly read a letter from Fred J. Foster, wherein Mr. Foster stated that both depart- ments could work in this field in tak- ing Loch Leven spawn. Secretary Rakeman, of the Madison club, advised that the Bureau of Fish- eries has always cooperated with the sportsmen's club in Madison county; that they have taken approximately 16,000,000 eggs (unofficial) in the Mad- ison district this year; and that they have upheld propagation of fish in the Madison river and its tributaries. Ernest Miller, as representative of the Dude Ranchers' Association, appealed to the commission to endeavor to make a working agreement with the Bureau of Fisheries. Commissioner Kelly explained that it has been lack of cooperation on the part of the Bureau of Fisheries which led the commission to make an order authorizing spawn-taking operations by the department in the Madison river, inasmuch as the Bureau of Fisheries have never made a definite agreement with the department relative to the per- centage of eggs to be delivered to the state department. He said they have also been mandatory as to where the Loch Leven delivered to the depart- ment should be planted. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that the chairman be requested to advise Mr. O'Malley, chief of the Bureau of Fisheries, that the Montana State Fish and Game Commission is not desirous of forcing the federal bureau from op- erating within Montana and abandon- ing their station at Meadow creek, but but they still insist that some definite and immediate understanding in writ- ing should be had, whereby the State Fish and Game Commission will re- ceive a specific percentage of eggs each year from the bureau's operation in the Madison field. This department also feels that it is not within the province of the Bureau of Fisheries to dictate what disposition should be made of the State's share of these eggs." The secretary presented a request from the Lewis and Clark County Rod and Gun Club for the closing of Prickly Pear creek and its tributaries above Lump Gulch creek, and including Lump Gulch creek and its tributaries, and the Hale lakes at the head of Lump Gulch, in Jefferson county; and a request for ice fishing for perch in Hotter, Hauser, and Sewell lakes on the Missouri river. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that Hotter and Hauser lakes, in Lewis and Clark county, on the Missouri river, and Sewell lake, on the Missouri river, in Lewis and Clark and Broadwater counties, be opened to ice fishing for perch until further order of the com- mission" Seconded by Mr. Moore. Car- ried. Paul W. Smith, attorney for the Halo estate, and L. J. Borgstede. who has a lease on the lake from the Hale es- tate, appeared before the commission to contest the request of the Lewis and Clark County Rod and Gun Club for the closing of Park, or Hale lake at the head of Lump Gulch. Mr. Hill explained that the reason the Lewis and Clark county club requested the closing of Hale lake is because it is planted with public fish from the state and federal fisheries, and that Mr. Borgstede has had the lake posted with "no trespassing " signs, allowing just a few fishermen access to the lake. Mr. Borgstede explained that the reason he has posted "no trespassing" signs around the lake and adjoining prop- erty is because there have been several people dynamiting the lake. He ex- pressed himself as favorable to the closing of Lump Gulch creek, and all other waters at the head of Lump Gulch, but asked that Hale lake be left open, pledging that he would allow good sportsmen to fish therein if it was left open. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that Prickly Pear creek, and its tributaries, in Jefferson county, above Lump Gulch creek, and including Lump Gulch creek in its entirety, and its tributaries, up to Park or Hale lake, in Jefferson county, be closed to all fishing until further order of the commission, providing, however, that public fishing is per- mitted in Park or Hale lake.," Seconded by Mr.- Moore. Carried. M. M. Atwater of Basin, Mont., as representative of the Vigilante Black Beaver Fur Farms, of Basin, requested that the fur farming regulations with reference to beaver, be changed. He explained that his company is raising beaver in large numbers, and fur farm regulations are restrictive. At the present time, he said, a beaver farmer may take for foundation stock two pair of beaver from the wild, in addition to those on the land which he en- closes with a fence for his fur farm. He stated that he has purchased about 300 acres above Basin, adjoining forest land, and that there are about 80 acres of adjacent forest land which will make an ideal beaver farm location. He ex- plained that there are beaver on this forest land, and that he had applied to the forest service for an easement on the land, with the right to take over the beaver. In view of the fact that the state game warden did not feel that this land and the beaver thereon should be deeded to Mr. Atwater, the forest service has not given him the easement. Mr. Atwater suggested to the com- mission that fur farming regulations be changed so that a fur farmer, at a set cost, could take beaver on state lands, and use them as foundation stock, certain restrictive measures be- ing made and penalties outlined for Page Three S»J_Wm©LEF violation. He also suggested changes in the beaver trapping law, which would have to be made by the legisla- ture. The chairman suggested that Mr. At- water and the state game warden frame some changes in the fur farming resolu- tions to be presented to the attorney general to test their validity, and then to be presented to the Fish and Game Commission. The secretary read a report from Deputy Larsen of his investigation of the Smith and Hemel properties, in the Hot Springs district, Sanders county, the lessees of which had suggested be made into a bird preserve Mr. Larsen advised that at the present time the birds on these lands are being con- served and protected, as the lands have been posted against trespassing and that he will make an investigation again in the future with reference to including these lands in a bird pre- serve. Peter Salomon, Sr., of Pablo, re- quested permission to seine for com- mercial purposes in Flathead lake this winter. Motion by Mr. Kelly; "I move that this request tor a permit to allow sein- ing for commercial purposes in Flat- head lake be denied." Seconded by Mr. Moore, and carried. The secretary read correspondence with Glen A. Smith, assistant regional forester. Beaver on forest lands are causing damage to a ranger station and are damaging a county road in the Beaver creek district on the Helena National Forest. The department has no authorization to issue permits to trap beaver until the fee for a beaver permit has been received and the for- est service has no appropriation for such an expenditure. The chairman ad- vised that he would endeavor to find some solution for the problem. A claim was presented from Blaz R. Lugar for $320.60, for work done at Red Rock lake in repairing the dam. The secretary stated that he believed the amount of the claim to be exces- sive, although Deputy Price reported that the work had been authorized by State Engineer James. Deputy Price also reported that there is a large amount of unused timber on hand, which had been ordered tor this repair work. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that the secretary submit the claim to Mr. James, state engineer, for his appro- val ; and that the claim be presented, with report, at the next meeting." Sec- onded by Mr. Moore. Carried. Robert Simmons of Moline, Hlinois, requested the return of his shotgun. He was arrested by Deputy Roushar, and fined for two violations of the game laws, hunting without a license and killing Chinese pheasants out of season, and had been assessed $75 fines in these two cases. Motion by Mr. Wilson: "I move that Mr. Simmons' request for the return of his shotgun be denied." Seconded by Mr. Kelly. Carried. B. Parker, of Great Falls, asked re- mission of part of a $50 fine which had been assesesd against him for killing a Chinese pheasant hen. He Trapping Season Open December 1 THE trapping season on fur-bear- ing animals opens in Montana on Dec. 1, and according to records at headquarters of the State Fish and Game Department at Helena. 145 trappers had been granted licenses at $10 each by Nov. 25. On the same date a total of 299 permits to trap beaver had been granted at $10 each. Beaver are permitted trapped when damaging private property, after inspection has been made by a deputy game warden and recom- mendations filed as to the number doing the damage. The trapping sea- son extends from Dec. 1 to April 15. Animals classed as "fur-bearing" un- der the laws of Montana include mar- ten or sable, muskrat, mink, fisher, otter, fox, raccoon and beaver. Ani- mals classed as predatory under the laws of Montana include the coyote, wolf. wolverine. mountain lion, lynx. weasel, skunk, civet cat, black-footed ferret and bobcat. explained that with a double shot, he had aimed at a Chinese cock, which he killed, and had also killed a Chi- nese hen at the same time. Mr. Brown suggested that he would make an in- vestigation and would ask Deputy Roushar for a report, so that the matter could be acted upon at a later meet- ing. C. F. Larsen, president of the Match- less Utilities Corporation, New York City, in a telegram, protested the open season on elk in Meagher county in the DuRand vicinity. The season ended Nov. 15. A letter was read from the Izaak Walton League of America, suggesting that the department have an exhibit at the World Fair in Chicago in 1933. The matter was taken under advisement. Commissioner Moore gave a report of his investigation of the possibility of impounding waters from artesian wells drilled in the Porcupine Dome district, out of Forsyth, as reported by Dr. Harry Huene of Forsyth. He stated that there are great possibilities for a bird refuge at this location if permission can be procured from the federal government to keep the wells open. He advised that a letter has been written to the Department of the Interior, asking permission for the drillers to leave the wells open. He ex- plained that the wells are on a divide, and the water can be turned on either side of the divide with little expense, either making a pond on the Stellar creek side, or on the Porcupine Dome side. By building a dike about one- halt mile long between . two buttes, about 3,000 acres could be flooded. If the water was directed to the other side, in the Porcupine Dome district, it was ex- plained that easements probably could be secured, and an area of between 6,000 and 7,000 acres could be flooded, at an expense of approximately .$4,000. Mr. Moore stated that where water from one of these wells has been flow- ing, there is good vegetation growth. Mr. Moore was authorized to confer with Dr. Huene and other Forsyth sports- men relative to securing easements on land in this district, with a view to creating a bird refuge it the wells are not closed. The secretary read letters from Da- vid C. Salyerds, secretary of the Mon- tana Automobile Association; Alvin Seale, superintendent of the Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco; W. J. Roy, president of the Anaconda Anglers' Club, and Ed Boyes, president of the Libby Rod and Gun Club; and telegrams from Major L. W. T. Waller, Jr., direc- tor of Conservation of the DuPont Com- pany, Wilmington, Delaware; and M. K. Kedzie, secretary of the Libby Rod and Gun Club, commending the Department for its publication of MONTANA WILD LIFE, and expressing hope that the publication will not be discontinued, as, in their opinions, it is a great educa- tional factor in wild life conservation. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that the letters just read be incorporated in the minutes of this meeting." Seconded by Mr. Moore. Carried. MONTANA AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION Helena, Mont. Nov. 14, 1931. "Montana State Fish and Game Com- mission, State Capitol Building, Helena, Montana. Gentlemen: "I note with considerable apprehen- sion that there is an inclination on the part of some of your commissioners to discontinue the publication and dls- 'tribution of your departmental monthly magazine— MONTANA WILD LIFE. "The Montana Automobile Association formerly edited and published a monthly periodical known as The Montana Mo- torist. It endeavored by means of that publication to enlighten our people that they might undertake and enjoy tour- ing throughout Montana with intelli- gence and also furnished a comprehen- sive and reliable synopsis of Montana's scenic and recreational advantages for out-of-the-state distribution. "Entirely dependent as this Associa- tion is upon the public tor financial support through voluntary memberships, the falling off in Association funds due to adverse business conditions, neces- sitated the unwilling withdrawal and suspension of this publication. To a great extent we have found MONTANA WILD LIFE a valuable substitute in furnishing many inquirers from without the state information as to the vacation and recreational advantages of Montana. Particularly is it of value in supplying increasing requests for reliable data as to fishing and hunting. Its suppres- sion will affect us in that it is becom- ing of increasing moment to us, due to the competition of other states, to show what Montana is accomplishing in the conservation of her fish and game. I am not at all surprised that we are hearing from all sections of the state vigorous protest against the discontinu- ance of MONTANA WILD LIFE. "As a member of the legislature, I was never called upon to serve on any committee of especial Interest to your department. Nevertheless, those mem- bers interested in fish and game affairs knew that the Fergus county delega- tion could be depended upon when needed. "\Ve most willingly supported Page Four JVLONTAHA ■wniLiO) of: the suggestion of an appropriation of funds for more efficient advocacy of tlie advantages of Montana, namely as to agriculture, stock raising, mining, and recreation. We would do so today even more empliatically. I refer to Mr. Moses' department and feel that even more extended development of his pub- licity would be of valuable assistance to Montana's recovery from her recent disasters. "I am sure that your commission must realize that any future appeal you may be called upon to make for sub- sistance or support to the Montana leg- islature must be predicated upon your efforts to advance the best interests of the state. This, I am convinced, you are doing in your publication and distribu- tion of MONTANA WILD LIFE. Very truly yours, (Signed) David C. Salyerds." STEINHART AQUARIUM Golden Gate Park San Francisco, California, November 13, 1931. "Chairman, Montana Fish and Game Commission, Helena, Montana. Dear Sir: "I would like to express to you my appreciation of your fine little maga- zine, MONTANA WILD LIFE, which I believe is published by the State Fish and Game Commission of your state. "I have been a constant reader of this for the past three years and find it extremely valuable and helpful. I find it is well known and well spoken of among the fish commission and the sportsmen of this state. I hope its circulation will constantly increase. With kindest regards. Respectfully, (Signed I Alvin Scale, Superintendent." ANACONDA ANGLERS' CLUB Anaconda, Montana Nov. 6, 1931. "Fish and Game Commission, c/o Robert Hill, Game Warden, Helena, Montana. Dear Sirs: The writer believes that he is accur- ately stating the opinions of 90 per cent of the members of the Anaconda Anglers' Club and probably a like ratio of all sportsmen in the state of Mon- tana, when he expresses gratification to the majority of the members of the Montana Fish and Game Commission in the recent meeting when they voted against the motion of W. A. Brown of Great Falls, who, at the meeting in Helena on Oct. 22, moved to discontinue the publication of MONTANA WILD LIFE. "Mr. Brown is the baby member of the commission. He is not universally known as an ardent sportsman, but he appears at the meetings of the commis- sion, seemingly convinced that he knows more about the conduct of the commis- sion's business and the desires of Mon- tana sportsmen than all the other mem- bers, and he started out from his first meeting to demonstrate his abilities along these lines. While Mr. Brown has never been heralded as a real sportsman, he is a banker, and like many other small town bankers, he is Montana Wild Life as Christmas Gift SPORTSMEN of Montana, keenly interested in propagation and pro- tection of fish and game, are provided with an opportunity to make Christmas and every month of the year merrier for their friends, by sending them MONTANA WILD LIFE as a holiday gift. Friends in east and west will appreciate re- ceiving the official monthly publica- tion of Montana's Fish and Game De- partment. It keeps them in touch with achievements. It tells the sportsman where his license fee is being invested. It provides the con- necting link between the license holder and the department as well as serving as an educational medium. The subscription price is $1 per year. thoroughly imbued with the conviction that he knows more about conducting the business affairs of others than they do themselves, and he is not backward about so informing them of his ability along these various lines. "The magazine, MONTANA WILD LIFE, published under the auspices of the Montana Fish and Game Commis- sion, is the only one of its kind in our state. The publication is eagerly read each month by many persons in- terested in such subjects, and all the copies are practically worn out from being handled by many who are read- ers, if not subscribers thereto. On ac- count of the present business conditions the subscription list is not as large as the publication deserves. The writer believes, however, that with concerted efforts on the part of the sportsmen, the subscription and advertising list may be easily and greatly increased, whereby the publication may be placed on a paying financial basis, which it is not at present. "Then Mr. Brown, after the meeting, hastens to be interviewed by a repre- sentative of the press, which interview has been published in the Great Falls Tribune, and the Montana Record Her- ald, from which it is learned that he deeply deplores the lack of business sense of his fellow members on the commission, and that he is the only one who recognizes the foolish ex- travagance by which is "frittered away " cash each year, in the sum of thousands of dollars. The gentleman evidently fails to recognize the fact that the fish and game fund is not a tax on the people, but a voluntary contribution from the individual sportsmen of the state, and that such funds are not contributed to be hoarded in banks, but are freely donated to advance the in- terests of the wild life of Montana and the interests of such sportsmen, many of whom - are desirous of having it known that they approve of the pub- lication of a magazine for these pur- poses. "Since its first issue, MONTANA WILD LIFE has won the hearts of all its readers, and we recognize that it is the only medium from which we may learn of the ruling of the commission on questions of vital interest to all sportsmen. We are in favor of the con- tinued publication of this excellent ma- gazine, and we sincerely thank the members of the commission who so promptly came to the support in con- tinuing the publication. The writer feels that the sportsmen of the state will give united aid to increase the subscription list, in an effort to place this publication on a paying basis. Sincerely yours, (Signed! W. J. Roy, President, Anaconda Anglers' Club. WELLCOME-JENNINGS CO. Anaconda, Montana November 6, 1931. Montana State Game Commission, Mr. Thomas N. Marlowe, Missoula, Montana. "I recently received the November is- sue of MONTANA WILD LIFE. In reading the proceedings of the last meeting of the game commission, I was very much interested in the matter brought up by Mr. Brown in reference to suspending the publication of MON- TANA WILD LIFE. I was very much gratified to notice that this proposition was voted down. In my opinion. MONTANA WILD LIFE is a very interesting, instructive and educational publication, splendidly got- ten up and containing much of inter- est to every taxpayer in the State of Montana. I certainly hope that there will be nothing to interfere with the continuance of the publication of this magazine. "With best wishes, I beg to remain. Very truly yours, (Signed) George P. Wellcome. Libby. Montana. Nov. 14, 1931. "Mr. Thos. N. Marlowe, Missoula, Montana. My dear Tom: "Just a line to say that we are still on earth over here, and watching with a good deal of interest the discussions that are taking place in your depart- ment. Believe that every right thinking sportsman will ride along with you in your fight to keep MONTANA WILD LIFE. No doubt the present discussion will not help matters any, as you can hardly expect anyone to renew their subscriptions or place an add with a publication that might quit at any mo- ment; personally I think that the maga- zine should be continued. Certainly the sportsmen are interested in what is go- ing on, and it is proper that they should know. It's a cinch that most of these newspapers don't publish the facts. Have talked with a good many of the boys since the discussion came up, and they are all in favor of keeping MON- TANA WILD LIFE. Some little time ago, I sent a copy of this magazine to the president of Lindenwood College, and he said that it was a fine maga- zine, well prepared, and a credit to the state. "Glad to know that you do not in- tend to suspend operations at the hatch- ery here. It really would be a crime to dump those fish at this time of the year. We have had wonderful re- sults there this year, and with the ad- dition of some rearing ponds, think that we will be in good shape to take care of this section of the state, with Page Five i^ONX "WHIL© MFB improved highways i is meaning that we are having lots more fishermen, and I think that the commission's plans of liberating larger fish is a very wise move, and the sportsmen take very kindly to the idea. It is my sincere hope that peace and harmony may be restored to your commission. It is the opinion of most sportsmen that we will never get anywhere by airing our opin- ions in the press, as we all know that the season is never closed on the fish and game department as far as these politicians are concerned. Let's continue to keep the fish and game out of pol- itics. With kindest regards and best wishes. Yours very truly, (Signed) Ed Boyes, President, Libby Rod and Gun Club. Telegram by Postal Telegraph, from Wilmington, Delaware, Nov. 6, 1931: "J. L. Kelly, Anaconda, Montana. "It is my opinion that a magazine like MONTANA WILD LIFE is of great value in educating the masses in proper sportsmanship and necessity of outdoor conservation. We find moving pictures a greatly beneficial aid. We frequently refer to i.IONTANA WILD LIFE pic- tures as progressive action by the State Commission in educating sportsmen. L. W. T. Waller, Jr." Telegram by Western Union from Libljy, Montana, Nov. 17, 1931: "State Fish and Game Commission, Helena, Montana. "Keep Montana the fisherman's para- dise. We are on record against dis- continuing any hatcheries. Need more, not less. Let's build for future Mon- tana. Consider MONTANA WILD LIFE doing good work and think it will pay its way in time. Recommend it be con- tinued. Libby Rod and Gun Club, By M. K. Kedzie, Secretary. Game Warden Hill explaiued that al- though he had been asked to cut down monthly expenditures in the salaries of the office and deputy game warden forces to $4,350 a mouth, exclusive of his own salary, effective Dec. 1, 1931, he did not feel that he has authority to discontinue the services of any dep- uty game wardens, regular or special. After a study of the cases reported by each deputy, the following motion was made : Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that the services of the following regular deputy game wardens: Harry N. Mor- gan and Frank W. Snider, and the fol- lowing special deputy game wardens: Frank Beller, J. H. Chartrand, T. A. Graham, and C. B. Toole, be dispensed with as of Dec. 1, 1931, in compliance with the budget of the commission made at the Oct. 22 meeting." Seconded by Mr. Moore. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Brown voted "no." The other three members voted "yes." Motion carried. Frank Polutnik, Jr., of Great Falls, stated that on behalf of the Great Falls Rod and Gun Club and the Great Falls Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, State Sportsmen Meet at Helena DELEGATES selected by clubs affiliated with the Montana Sportsmen's Association have been called to gather at Helena. Dec. 18-19. at the Placer hotel for the annual meeting. The call has been sounded by Glen A. Smith of Missoula, chairman of the board of governors. Two new members of the board are to be selected. Legislative matters of importance to the organi- zation will be discussed. Plans for cooperating with the dude ranch op- erators, hotels, automobile associa- tion, and similar organizations, will be made. Two delegates are allowed each affiliated club. Members of the board of governors now holding of- fice are: Glen A. Smith, chairman. Missoula; Ed M. Boyes of Libby. Dr. W. M. Copenhaver of Helena. A. H. Croonquist of Red Lodge. Dr. J. H. Garberson of Miles City, L. A. Smith of Lewistown, and Fred B. Williams of Bozeman. Ben F. Gerry of Missoula is secretary. he wished to advise that these organiza- tions had requested of the Governor of Montana that an investigation be made of the Fish and Game Department ex- penditures for the last few years, in view of the interview given by Mr. Brown to the Great Falls Tribune; and that a report of the investigation be published, so that sportsmen might be informed of activities and expenditures. The chairman stated that on behalf of the commission he had advised Gover- nor Erickson that the department will be glad to have such an examination of the books made at any time. Mr. Smith gave a report of subscrip- tions received for MONTANA WILD LIFE, and offered, in view of financial conditions, to accept a ten per cent salary cut. Motion by Mr. Moore: "I move that we accept the offer of Mr. Smith to take a ten per cent reduction in his salary as editor of MONTANA WILD LIFE and publicity manager, effective Dec. 1, 1931, and that we give him a vote of thanks for his cooperation." Seconded by Mr. Kelly. Carried. Motion by Mr. Kelly: "I move that the state fish hatchery at Hamilton and the state fish hatchery at Emigrant be closed and that all operations and expenses in connection therewith be dis- continued, effective Dec. 1, 1931, until further order of the commission, and that the superintendent of fisheries make a survey as to the feasibility of closing other hatcheries in the near future." Seconded by Mr. Moore. Mr. Wilson voted "no." The other commis- sioners voted "yes," and the motion carried. Mr. MacDonald, superintendent of fisheries, advised that J. E. Kennedy, who has been employed at the Lake Helena station, would like a permit and license to seine suckers and carp at Lake Helena this winter, with permis- sion to sell them. He suggested that the permit be granted, insamuch as the department could probably get an idea from Mr. Kennedy's work what fish can be taken from the lake by the depart- ment next year, should fish canning operations be started. Motion by Mr. Moore: "I move that J. E. Kennedy be granted a permit, and that he secure a license to seine for carp and suckers in Lake Helena this winter, and that he pay the same license fee and royalties as licensed seiners at Lake Bowdoin and Nelson are paying." Seconded by Mr. Kelly. Carried. Mr. MacDonald reported that he has investigated the proposed rearing and duck pond near Havre, on Beaver creek, and had found it feasible. No action was taken, however, in view of fi- nances. Mr. MacDonald advised that at the present time there are about 8, .500, 000 fish being carried at the hatcheries: In view of the fact that the budget has been cut, some hatcheries have been closed. He also advised that hatchery employes have volunteered to take a ten per cent salary cut so that the buget outlined by the commission can be maintained. A report of the emergency requisi- tions made since the last meeting of the commission was made. Last Heath Hen Believed Dead THE last heath hen on earth has not been seen since May 9 and there is strong probability that this once numerous species has finally gone to absolute extinction, according to Prof. Alfred 0. Gross, who for a number of years has issued all official reports on the heath hen. Professor Gross said that never be- fore has so much time elapsed without the bird being glimpsed by attendants ou Martha's Vineyard Island, Massa- chusetts, where final efforts were made to save the heath hen race and where for nearly four years the last survivor existed alone. If the scientist's fears are correct, metal leg bands which he placed on the bird during his survey in May should help investigators learn how the heath hen cock met its fate. Gross described the heath hen as "the outstanding wild-life martyr of all time." He said that the wide pub- licity given the "last bird" has fired the imagination and aroused public in- terest in conservation as nothing else ever did. "The going of the heath hen has awakened sportsmen to the fact that other game birds will be in danger if we continue as we have in the past. Because of this awakening, game re- search has splendid support in America today. "Had we known 50 years ago what we know today about diseases and parasites, methods of rearing grouse in captivit,y and various important facts concerning the biology of the grouse, the heath hen would undoubt- edly have been saved from extinction," he said. "As it is, the heath hen has passed on, but in going has saved other species." Page Six iV^OMTAHA •WSE:.© UFB Dede IRaeehers Prepare for Big Ye^r le 193^ By A. II. CrooiKiuist, Kxeoiitive Secretary of The Dude Ranchers' Association I . H . Larom President CLIMAXING a season reported as successful despite an interna- tional period of un- rest, dude ranchers from Wyoming and Montana met at Sheridan. Wyoming. November 5, 6, and 7, for their sixtli an- nual convention. In addition to dude ranch operators, representatives of railroads, forest service, national park service, biolog- ical survey, fish and game departments. and the state de- partments swelled the convention attendance to more than 200 interested in the development and prosperity of the tv^o states. Particular emphasis was attached to fish and game propagation and con- servation. Other discussions ranged from preservation of traditions and his- torical sites to eastern ranch "rackets," which during late years have been try- ing to "muscle in" on the dude indus- try. Considerable time was given to the discussion of wilderness areas and the establishment of game farms and preserves in the two states. Repre- sentatives of railroads spoke of the western country and particularly of the dude ranch region as a "country of tomorrow." They pointed out that the American people are getting the travel habit and are coming to give more thought to due ranch and western vacations. The dude ranches as a group occupy a high status in the public mind. Men and women in the industry are striv- ing to retain that recognition, even if they have to resort to what might be termed an air of superiority to do so. Individuality is the success of the ranches. There are no formalities or conventionalities. No set of rules nor descriptions will fit any two ranches. They are all different, built to the in- dividual ideas and whim of the owner, then operated in the same individual way which makes this different and in- dividual vacation appeal to eastern peo- ple. The dude rancher does not settle himself where he will interfere with the commerce of factory or mill but where he works for the conservation, beautifi- cation and future prosperity of the re- gion of his chosen home. The dude ranch industry is a benev- olent industry. Although it is vitally in- terested in all enterprises in the great northwest, it harms none of them. Every branch of industry in Wyoming and Montana seems to have a bearing on the future of our business. Sheep, cattle, fish, game, forests, parks, roads and railroads all have a place in this great picture. Dudes and cattle can run on the same range. Hay ranches thrive where dudes roam. Truck gardeners find another ready market. Big game and fish are encouraged to stick around. The publicity plan of the last two years having been completed, particular attention will be directed toward co- ordinating the local work, increasing membership, and offering assistance to owners of ranches and camps. Believing that better hunting and fisliing is an economic necessity if either dudes or tourists are to be per- manently attracted to the west, a par- ticular effort will be made to cooperate with the Wyoming and Montana Fish and Game commissions, the Biological Survey, and other agencies, in seeing that the visitor to the west has oppor- tunities tor good fishing and liunting other than the more inaccessible places. The association, through its secretary, will cooperate with federal and state road authorities in pushing good road programs in the west. Cooperation will also be sought with railway companies in matters of mutual interest. U. S. Senator Kendrick of Wyoming, in extending a word of greeting to the association, said: "You represent one of the greatest— I shall not call it in- dustries— but rather refer to it as a service of the highest and fullest sense of what you are trying to do — a service that is quite unlimited in its scope." He lauded the association for bring- ing western vacations to the minds of increasingly large numbers of eastern residents, and paid high tribute to dude ranchers for their efforts in preserving traditions of the old west. Senator Kendrick, in discussing the future of the organization, said "there is an unminded resource in recreational grounds which can and will become just as popular and necessary to the people of our nation during the summer months as California is now during the win- ter." Explaining the dude ranch business as a service he told the delegates they have a "great opportunity for perform- ing a much needed service to the states and communities of this Rocky Moun- tain country and also a great respon- ALTITUDINOUS BIRDS When it comes to high flyers some birds really go up in the air. T. H. Harrison of Pembroke Colelge, Cam- bridge, reports in Nature, the British Journal of Science, a flock of wild geese flying at an altitude of approxi- mately 25,000 feet, nearly five miles up. These high flyers were accidently 'shot' in a photograpli of the sun. Mt. Ever- ett climbers. Professor Harrison says, have reported lammergeiers, curlews and choughs (Old World genus of the crow family) flying higher than 20,000 feet. The highest flying airplanes have encountered birds. A. H . Croonquist Secretary sibility in the direc- tion of providing recreation for large numbers of people." "There should be a directed, con- trolled arrangement among the mem- bers of the associa- tion," Senator Ken- drick said, "to stand for the best of the west in order to perpetuate the true spirit of the old west. You should build up opportuni- ties for pleasure and recreation for our eastern friends so that we may claim them for our own. We should not plan to commercial- ize these people and exploit them, but we should give them the spirit and the service of the old west." The Senator referred to the dude ranchers as "crusaders of the settle- ment of the west." He said they were bringing untold numbers of people who became so attached to this region after spending vacations here that they take a wholehearted interest in the country and become builders. Officers of the Dude Ranchers' Asso- ciation for 1931-32, elected at the con- vention at Sheridan, follow: Irving H. Larom, president. Valley Ranch, Valley, Wyoming. C. M. Moore, vice-president, C. M. Ranch, Dubois, Wyo.; Ernest Miller, secretary-treasurer, Elkhorn Ranch, Bozeman, Montana; A. H. Croonquist, executive secretary, 211/2 Broadway, Bil- lings, Montana. Board of Directors A. R. Alderson, (Big B9nes) Bones Bros. Ranch, Birney, Montana. Irving P. Corse, Bar B C Ranch, Moose, Wyoming. E. J. Ikerman, Dean, Montana. Frank O. Horton, H F Bar Ranch, Buffalo, Wyoming. J. W. Howell, Holm Lodge, Cody, Wyoming. J. E. Bowers, Seven-Up Ranch, Lin- coln, Montana. Irving H. Larom, Valley Ranch, Val- ley, Wyoming. Ernest Miller, Elkhorn Ranch, Boze- man, Montana. Charles C. Moore, C M Ranch, Du- bois, Wyoming. Charles R. Murphy, Ox Yoke Ranch, Emigrant, Montana. Simon Snyder, Sunlight Ranch, Painter, Wyoming. Paul Van Cleve, Jr., Lazy K. Bar Ranch. Big Timber, Montana. The father who is a pal to his sou never has to worry about his son's pals. Page Seven Moet^ma Fugh ^ed ii W. A. Brown, Great Falls.. Commmiower Jos. L. Kelly, Anaconda.... Commissioner Gaeie Comniinniiggioe W. K. Moore, Billings.. ..Commissiower E.A.Wilson, Livingston. .Commissioner T. N. Marlowe, Missoula, Chairman R. H. Hill, Helena, State Fish and Game Warden, Secretary »-^MqK?5^^'g%^^ Official Publication of the State Fish and Game Department. Published Monthly at Helena, Montana Floyd L. Smith, Editor Subscription Rate $1 per Year — 15 cents per Copy- Advertising- Rates on Application Copy for advertisements subject to approval of State Commis- sion and must be in the hands of the editor at the State Capitol building, Helena, on the 15th day of the month preceding pub- lication date. VOL. IV HELENA, MONTANA No. 7 A. A. A. STARTS DRIVE TO SAVE WILD LIFE THE American Automobile Association has definitely en- tered the lists of -wild life conservation. In cooperation with the United States Bureau of Biological Survey, Charles P. Clark, general manager of the association, re- cently opened an educational drive on the need for -wild life restoration by turning the Washington headquarters tem- porarily into an exhibition of live game birds. In a statement to the American Game Association, Mr. Clark said he believed every motorist should realize the need for intelligent conservation. "The American people have been brought in closer con- tact -with the out-of-doors in the last decade of automobile development than at any other time in the past 50 years," he declared. "This contact has been greatly beneficial to the motorist, but also It often proves harmful to nature and her works. "It Is clear that if depletion of wild life and forests continues as it has in the past 10 years there will soon be little left of our great natural resources. To get to the heart of nature most men use the automobile. If the A.A.A. can convince them of the necessity of conservation, the bat- tle will be nearly won. "There are too many men whose pleasure and health depend on hunting and fishing to consider the legal pro- hibition ol such sports. "If we can influence the millions who annually 'ride iuto the country' after every recreation, from picnics to big game — if we can show them the necessity for a new and more rational attitude toward plants, birds and ani- mals— if we can impress on them that they also will suf- fer if present methods continue, then the A.A.A. will have done the nation a lasting service in conservation." WAITIN' FER A BITE Waitin' for the fish to bite, flies a-bobbin', pine trees sobbin' , Lake ail smiles and air so meller, leaves all gold 'n' red 'n' yeller, 'Taters bilin' in the pot, fish a-fryin' good 'n' hot. Can't you hear the mess bell ringin'? Don't you hear the cook a-singin'? 'Taint no place t' fret 'n' pout, for happiness is all about, 'Taint no place to be a-moanin', can't see any sense in groanin', Ain't there plenty to delight, even if the fish don't bite'' TENNESSEE RAISES HOGS AS GAME A MONO the game species listed by the Tennessee game department as flourishing In a 35,000-acre tract of woods recently acquired as a game preserve are "a herd of goats, reverted to the wild," and "scores of hogs which have turned wild after years of roaming the hills." The state now has more than 100,000 acres of wild land under protection as game preserves. FAMED DUCK LAKE IS RESTORED FIVE hundred wild ducks, wing-clipped and released as decoys, will next spring serve as the most memorable reception committee in the history of waterfowl re- storation. Their skyward quacks will say "welcome home" to Thief lake in Minnesota, once one of the most famous water- fowl nesting areas in the United States. For 15 years this area has lain bone dry, officially characterized as the worst mistake of the "ditch craze" which started sweeping the country in 1904. The $187,000 ditch system that drained Thief lake in Marshall county, Minnesota, has just been destroyed at a cost of $108,000. Financed by the Game and Fish Depart- ment out of the sportsmen's license fund, this is expected to repair a small part of the damage resulting from rec- lamation enterprises in that state between 1904 and 1916, when an expenditure of $13,000,000 left water and swamp areas over hundreds of square miles baked hard, (ire-swept and dry to a depth of 14 feet underground. The Thief lake project awaits melting snows and rains of spring to flood the area into a lake seven miles long. While motivated and financed by sportsmen as a waterfowl restoration move of national importance, the project will benefit farmers for miles around, who are waiting the re- turn of. moisture to their lands. The Minneapolis (Minn.) Journal, on the recent com- pletion of the last dam, remarked: "Lone groups of farm buildings, unoccupied and falling to ruin, school houses locked up and abandoned and a general air of desolation, are typical of the area and accent the mistake of unwise land reclamation. "It has cost $^95,000 in this comparatively small area to find out that reclaimed swamp land is not always adapted to agriculture; that swamps have a value as swamps; that nature in her wisdom has arranged certain balances, and that when man disturbs these balances, penalties follow." Lesser reflooding projects, instituted for the same rea- son, have been completed in California, Wisconsin, Michi- gan, and other states. Make it a Merry Christmas for your shootiu' and fisliin' pals in east and west. Send fnem a year's .subscription to MONTANA WILD LIFE. CATS "FORGOTTEN" BY SUMMER RESIDENTS IF BIRDS would be protected from predatory house cats they would materially reduce the loss caused by Insects and grubs to crops. Insects eat $800,000,000 worth of seed and crops In the United States each year, and a simi- lar amount also is required to keep the insects under con- trol The cat population in the United States is estimated to be 25,000,000 strong — a terrific menace to the bird life. Constant warfare should be waged against the cat. The chief damage is caused by cats abandoned along roadsides and left to subsist on whatever they may find. Farmers retain too many cats about their premises. It would be better if the farmer would plan to keep one or two cats for controlling the mice than to have a dozen half-starved animals about the place, most of which are forced to sub- sist on bird life. When colonies of summer residents return to their homes in the early fall they are apt to "forget" many of their pets, consequently it is not unusual to find many of these communities almost devoid of bird life. It would be far better if the creatures were put to death in some humane manner than to permit them to wander about the country- side in a half-starved condition preying wherever possible on .valuable wild life. Citizens are urged to keep their house pets under proper control or to effect some perma- nent method of removing them other than by casting them oft alongside the road. Page Eight r>WI!SE 1»RAI\AGK IS EXPENSIVE DR. GEORGE W. FIELD, biologist and foremost advo- cate of rainfall conservation, in a statement to offi- cials of the American Game Association, sees the dam- ming of drainage ditches in a part of the once famous swamp land area of Minnesota as "outstanding evidence that the people are awakening to the existence of a nationwide waste of run-off water which is costing the country an an- nual sum conservatively estimated at $4,000,oon.i)0n." He said he believes that agitation against over-drainage and for the reflooding of areas that formerly furnished nat- ural reservoirs, "while at present being pushed mainly by sportsmen, must eventually receive the backing of the whole public; the toll taken of lives, recreation and business is too great to be any longer economically tolerated." Dr. Field blamed a large part of this loss upon "unwise drainage, which contributes to the defective distribution of water and consequent floods and droughts in many regions." "There must be a change of national and state legisla- tive and engineering policies relative to flood control," he declared, "so that the major object will be flood prevention. Proper measures to restore or provide checks against the too rapid run-off of water, such as those once supplied by forests, swamps, lakes, ponds and meandering streams, would within a few years check effectively the existing an- nual loss of $2,000,000,000 from erosion of soils — to keep the figures at the lowest possible estimate. There is an an- nual charge to state and federal business 'overhead' from flood damage and from construction and repairs of river channels, ditches, dikes and levees of more than $1,000,000,- 000. And the annual loss to the nation in terms of potential value of fish, wild fowl and other birds and mammals can- not be less than another $1,000,000,000." Montana's state law requires that big game hunters mail the report card which form.s a part of the license, to the depart- ment by January 1, 1932, whether any game has been taken or not. Do it now! PLAY FAIK WITH FISH AlVD (JAME ALL may be fair in love and war, but hunting is neither love nor war and all is not fair in this great outdoor sport. Hunting is no longer merely a search for food. It ranks with other outdoor sports as a recreational pastime or game. All games have rules to insure each player an equal chance to win by wit or skill rather than by taking unfair advantage of his opponents. The rules for the game of hunting are the game laws enacted by the state or nation to whom the game belongs. Those who transgress the rules by hunting before the season opens, by exceeding bag limits or by hunting otherwise unlaw- fully are displaying poor sportsmanship. Let's be fair with fellow hunters and with the state that grants the limited privilege to enjoy a part of that which it holds as a trust for the pleasure and benefit of this and future generations. For "When the one Great Scorer Comes to write against your name. He writes not that you won or lost But how you played the game." To destroy is not to develop. To conserve is not to hoard. >VILU GAME HELPS HUXCiRY MLLLIONS FOOD value of game birds and animals taken by hunters over the country this year as a supplementary fare for their tables will amount to many millions of dollars, in addition to the worth of the recreation obtained in hunt- ing them, observes a bulletin of the American Game Asso- ciation. The Fish and Game Commission of New Jersey alone has estimated the food value of the game which will be pro- cured during the present season at $1,000,000. According to the commission, the hunting season "will furnish an in- creased food supply for tens of thousands of families." The Bureau of Biological Survey at Washington has credited the country's wild life with supplying meat and fur each year to the value of $1.50,000,000. Several state game departments are advising deer hunters to remember that, while no part of a game creature may be sold, a deer hide, properly tanned, makes a good coat, and the antlers a good place to hang it. FAIOIEKS FHIE.XDS OF SPORTS.MEN FARMERS are the best friends Montana sportsmen have so there will be more game, and this friendship can best be established by the actions of sportsmen them- selves. Farmers can provide shelter and food for game, and also reduce or keep under control their natural enemies, but when .gunners over-run and destroy the farmers' property, with no care or regard, one cannot expect much coopera- tion. Therefore, let us build up this friendship. In doing this some difficulties will be met, prejudice will have to be overcome in some cases and we will have to take the brunt for some acts committed by some unthinking or selfish hunters, but with a little tact, and patience this friendship can be established. No one should hunt or shoot without first securing the permission of the owner or tenant. If it is something worth having, it is certainly worth asking for. Fences should not be broken down, and if bars are taken down or gates opened, they should be replaced and closed. If any damage is done it should be generously replaced. And finally when through hunting, the farmer should be thanked for the privilege enjoyed, and more than likely the liunter will receive an invitation to return. A suggestion along this line is for the hunter to buy from the farmer a bushel of wheat, and then give one of the farmer's children a coin to scatter this wheat around at likely feeding spots during the winter when feed for birds may be scarce. This procedure is not going to solve the problem of surplus wheat, but it will save some birds directly; it will increase the friendship of the farmer, say- ing some birds indirectly, and the cost is a trifle. In scat- tering feed, it should be placed under bushes rather than in the open, so that, while feeding, the birds will have protec- tion. Grain scattered in sheltered nootcs during tliese wintery days means more and better bird shooting next tall. IOWA ADOPTS 25-YEAR PLAN ACTING under authority of an act of the last general assembly, the State of Iowa has launched the prelim- inary work in the development of a 25-year conserva- tion program. This is an historic undertaking, the first of its kind in America, and is predicated upon the theory that the Tall Corn State should plan now to make the most of her natural resources for conservation and recreational uses. A Chicago planning engineer has been given the con- tract. He and his staff, aided by Aldo Leopold, game sur- vey expert, officials of the state department, the U. S. Bi- ological Survey and the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, are study- ing the possibilities carefully. When the field work has been completed a unified plan of development will be worked out which will recognize the proper place of game and fish, parks and forests, lakes and streams, roadside beautification, historic shrines and road- side picnicking grounds. To develop a plan is one thing; to follow it consistently over a quarter of a century is another. But that's the only way to build sound conservation programs. Cheap fishing tackle may be dear at any price. WILD LIFE IS NATIONAL ASSET GOVERNOR DOYLE E. CARLTON of Florida, speaking before the Convention of International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners, recently declared: "Wild life, which constitutes the essence of our great outdoors, is among the major assets of any nation, whether measured by economic, political, social, moral, aesthetic or any other character-building standard. Time was when its one chief mission was to feed and to clothe the race. Now, in addition to its value as a food supply, it gives iiupulse to multiplied industries, with all that that means to the workers of the world. It brings happiness, health and inspiration to crowded millions of the land and helps to establish that independent, well-rounded, nature- loviirg. (lod-fearing citizenship, the one great goal of any nation wtu'thy of the name. To me, America, stripped of this great resource through indifference, waste or destruction, would cease to be America, having robbed its future genera- tions of those elements which make for the happiness of our people, for the building of citizenship and hence for the security of our institutions." Page Nine i^ONTANA WEIU© MFE HE American Game Con- ference, which last year reversed the meth- ods of game bird con- servation in America b: promoting game as a secondary farm crop, will meet again this year Dec. 1 and 2 at Hotel Pennsyl- vania in New York to tackle the wa- terfowl shortage as its chief problem. The conference will be composed of game officials of most of the states and Canada, leaders of sportsmen's organi- zations, scientific workers and nature lovers. Montana sportsmen will watch proceedings of the conference with in- terest. The American Game Policy Commit- tee, which formulated the plan adopted by the 1930 conference, will report on the progress made in various states un- der its recommendations. The new sys- tem of compensating landowners for re- storing game on their land has been put into actual practice in Indiana, Wis- consin, Nebraska, North Carolina and Illinois, officials of the sponsoring as- sociation announced. In these states laws were passed permitting land- owners to sell hunting privileges to sportsmen, in one way or another. A plan to finance a migratory water- fowl restoration program through a fed- eral hunting license will be one of the proposals scheduled for discussion at the conference. Since the purpose of the meeting is to decide on the best means for preserving the sports of hunting and fishing as well as game, it is expected that the conference will oppose discouragingly drastic restric- tion upon shooting and seek to promote immediate restoration of waterfowl breeding, resting and wintering grounds. Related meetings will include the an- nual gathering of game breeders and keepers, a conference of scientific re- search workers, the National Committee on Wild Life Legislation, the Southern Association of Game and Fish Commis- sioners, the Elk Commission, and the Outdoor Writers' Association. The numbers of wild ducks, greatly reduced by various adverse conditions, are being still further decreased by a disease caused by a little one-celled organism, a protozan known as leucocy- tozoon anatis Wickware, according to a report received by the Bureau of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture, from Dr. Earl C. O'Roke of the School of Forestry and Conser- vation of the University of Michigan. Doctor O'Roke has just completed his second summer's study of this disease at the University Biological Station, Douglas lake, and elsewhere in Michi- gan. Tliis organism has a complicated life cycle. In certain stages it occurs in the red blood cells, and in others in tissue cells of glandular organs. The parasite is transmitted from duck to duck by the bites of black flies or Buffalo Meat for Blackfeet Indians THE American bison, once the best friend of the Red Man, has again come to the rescue in helping to keep the wolf from the door of one tribe of Indians. When E. T. Scoyen, superin- tendent of Glacier National Park, was in the Yellowstone this fall he sug- gested to Director Albright of the Na- tional Park Service that no finer use could be made of the surplus buffalo in the Yellowstone than to furnish meat for the Blackfeet and other tribes. "The Blackfeet really are a part of Glacier National Park," Superintendent Scoyen told the director, "they are my neigh- bors, and I do not believe Uncle Sam could do a more humane thing than to furnish the meat of the surplus Yellowstone buffalo to aid these peo- ple." Following out Superintendent Scoyen's suggestion, Superintendent Forrest L. Stone of the Blackfeet Indian Agency went to the Yellowstone in late Octo- ber to make arrangements for securing the meat of 100 buffalo. The Indian office in Washington concurred in Su- perintendent Stone's request and the director of the National Park Service gave his approval to the furnishing of this meat. The only expense which the Indian Service will be put to will be for butch- ering, delivery to the railroad and ex- press. The Blackfeet are a buffalo- eating tribe and many hearts will be made happy and many old stories re- counted around camp when the meat arrives. buffalo gnats. Adult ducks harboring the parasites are apparently little af- fected by them, but ducklings succumb in large numbers. Death of the duck- ling may occur at the time of the first appearance of symptoms, but usually it does not take place until the twelfth day after exposure. The blood of a sick duckling is thin, pale, and watery, and contains numer- ous spindle-shaped parasites somewhat larger than normal blood cells. The most common lesion at autopsy is the greatly enlarged, blackened spleen. Doctor O'Roke has found the para- sites in wild mallards, black ducks, pin- tails, and widgeons, and in several va- rieties of domestic ducks. The dis- tribution of the disease is spotty, many flocks being entirely free from it, while others are 100 per cent infected. Farm- ers raising domestic ducks and per- sons raising wild mallards and black ducks in captivity or on protected areas report losses of from 70 to 100 per cent. Among Dr. O'Roke's experimental ducks, losses in his first summer's study were 35 per cent and in tlie second summer So per cent. It is of interest, says Doctor O'Roke, that in several caSes where persons at- tributed the disappearance of ducklings to predatory birds or animals, a check- up disclosed the presence of diseased birds which later died while under ob- servation. It is also significant, he says, that losses reported did not oc- cur in ducks younger than 10 or 12 days, which accords with the incuba- tion period of the disease, which is 10 days. Doctor O'Roke suggests that the small broods of young black ducks com- monly reported in certain parts of Michigan may represent the survivors of larger broods, the others having suc- cumbed to the disease. When a shortage of ducks, caused- by drought, drainage, and over-shooting necessitates restriction of hunting, it is especially important that conservation- ists consider other factors that reduce the number of ducks, says Dr. J. E. Shillinger, in charge of the Biological Survey's disease investigations, in com- menting on Doctor O'Roke's report. Various diseases, such as those caused by lead poisoning, botulism, water pol- lution, and intestinal parasites, play an important role in reducing the numbers of wild ducks, says Doctor Shillinger. Broadcasting an appeal to bird stu- dents and sportsmen to check on the flocks of ducks in their vicinity in or- der that a nationwide census can be taken of the waterfowl situation, the Izaak Walton League has called atten- tion to the fact that by a curious whim of nature some of the least desirable ducks as far as sportsmen are con- cerned had a better nesting season than many of the popular species which are eagerly sought after by hunters. The Conservation Department of the League has compiled a percentage table showing four groups of waterfowl af- fected by the drought areas in Can- ada. This table, prepared from maps drawn up by Hoyes Lloyd, supervisor of Wild Life Protection, Canadian Na- tional Parks, shows the dry areas and the breeding range of each species. It tells sportsmen that the American scoter, black duck, greater scaup, old squaw and surf scoter ducks had none of their breeding range in the drought area. Ten per cent of the breeding area of the American golden eye. Barrows golden eye and white-winged scoter was in the dry area. The third group of birds, including some highly prized species, had 40 per cent of their breed- ing range in the drought section. This list includes the green winged teal, the pintail, mallard, blue winged teal, and baldpate. But the ducks reported to be hardest hit by the drought area are found in the fourth group which had 75 per cent of their breeding range in the rainless sections of Canada. In this list one finds the canvasback, redhead, gad- wall, ruddy and shoveller ducks. Page Ten iVS-ONTANA 'wit^'B uf: Hktory of Fishieg DMe§ B^ek Ceeternes By IJenise Kutli Flint of Helena F Demise Ruth Flint of these stories I ISHING, one of M o n t a n a's greatest assets from the standpoint of development, is one of civilization's oldest methods of gaining a livelihood. The early history of France, Spain. Port- ugal, and England is a romantic record of the industry and its hatcheries. Allur- ing tales of cod, herring and other commercial species served as the incen- tive for further voy- ages of adventure and discovery. Proof served as a potent factor in the colonization of America. They were the forerunners of sports- manship as today displayed in angling for trout, grayling, and fighting sal- mon in Montana's crystal waiters. Cod fishing about Newfoundland was conducted by Normans and Britons as early as 15u4, and there is a tradition among fishermen of the Bay of Biscay that one of their number wlio had been fishing in the western Atlantic informed Columbus of the land in that region before the explorer had commenced his memorable voyage. An American writer on the early fish- eries of this country makes a plausi- ble case in favor of his contention that the Pilgrims could not have escaped the fishing mania which affected all other peoples of maritime Europe at the time, and weary exiles in Holland, noting the riches acquired by the Dutch from their fisheries, could not have been unmoved by accounts of vast schools of fish to be found on the shores of the New World. Settlement of colonies in Massa- chusetts was due directly to the pos- sibilities of establishing fisheries and the original proprietorships established in the first history of New Hampshire were the results of a desire to create wealth in this industry. That Montana should recognize this industry, such an important item in the lives of all sportsmen and lovers of the great out-of-doors, as an adjunct to the development of the Treasure State into a mecca for tourists, was first implanted in our minds by our Pilgrim fathers. By the imposition of a state license fee, voluntarily paid only by those de- siring to hunt and fish, Montana has established a State Fish and Game De- partment. This department has charge of extensive properties made available tor the perpetuation of fish in her streams and wild life and fowl in her mountains and on her prairies. Fish culture and propagation is car- ried on from well located hatcheries, accessible to lakes and streams for which the state is noted. Skilled at- tendants, trained for this work, during proper seasons of the year, collect the eggs, watch over them carefully during the hatching period and after feeding the fry until they have grown to the proper size, see that they are equitably distributed. In order to perpetuate fishing tor future generations and to furnish ade- quate fishing for folks today, the Mon- tana Fish and Game Commission oper- ates five spawn-taking stations and 14 hatcheries, including the internationally famous spawn-taking station at the mouth of Flint creek on Georgetown lake, from which, in 1930, were taken approximately 35,000,000 eggs that later became fingerlings for Montana's lakes and streams. Scientific surveys of the waters mak- ing up our streams and lakes are to determine where each type of trout, grayling, whitefish and others, thrive best. A program of establishing rearing ponds also has been under way in all sections of Montana where the fish can be kept safe from cannibal varieties until they are large enough to fight well, their own battles. Fish eggs are obtained from the fe- male just prior to natural spawning time. This is done by the attendants who, after trapping the fish, draw the eggs by a stripping process. These eggs are fertilized and distributed among the hatcheries. Trays are used for hatching purposes. In them, water is kept at proper tem- peratures. The process of hatching eggs is most interesting. In each tray can be found the eggs in different stages of development. A fish culturist goes up and down the rows of trays with a glass tube fitted with a rubber syringe for the purpose of extracting the un- fertile eggs or those that have spoiled. Helena Girl Writes Fishing History Denise Ruth Flint, author of the accompanying article, is the 16- year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Flint. 622 Harrison, Hel- ena. She is a member of the soph- omore class of Helena high school and a disciple of the out-of-doors. This well-written review of fishing was prepared by Miss Flint after studying the cabinet exhibit of the State Fish and Game Department, shown at the recent fairs in the state, which contains 48 bottles showing the development of a trout from the egg to fingerling size. Since she was a wisp of a girl. Miss Flint has been interested in denizens of forest, field and stream. She is a granddaughter of J. A. Mahood. who resides near the Station Creek hatchery on Flathead lake, and while spending her summers at the Mahood home. Miss Flint has been a keen student of hatchery methods as em- ployed there by Eli Melton, fish cul- turist. The water is kept running constantly through the trays to supply oxygen and to kepe the eggs separated as they soon spoil when formed into a mass. A 24-hour vigil is important as the stoppage of the water for even a short time would ruin the work of a hatchery for an entire season. The hatching of fish eggs covers a period of about 30 days from the time the eggs are placed in the trays until they are developed to sufficient size for feeding. Each specimen shown in the bottles of the exhibit represents development. It is interesting to note by a study of the exhibit, the first signs of develop- ment are the appearance of the eyes, which can be first easily noticed about the 21st day. On the 25th day there can be seen the appearance of a tail protruding from one edge of the egg sac. The head commences to take form in front of the egg. Gradually the tail in- creases in size and the head enlarges until the yolk sac has the appearance of hanging from the ventril side of the fish. The egg seems to disappear and formation of the fins and gills takes place when the specimen becomes a completely formed fish, ready to be fed and grown to the proper size for libera- tion. One Buffalo Robe- Three Cups of Sugar THE following extract is from an article appearing in the February, 1931, edition of the Journal of Mam- malogy, by Tracey I. Storer of Davis, California: "Recently I made the acquaintance of A. R. Eisley of Auburn Calif., who was in the vicinity of Fort Benton, Montana, in 1S72, and he has told me of some of the then current trade values of various skins. The prices paid by the traders follow: A good buffalo robe — 3 small tin cups of sugar, 2 small tin cups of coffee, or one 10- pounds can of flour. A wolf skin — two cups of sugar. A coyote skin — One-half cup of sugar. A beaver skin — One-half cup of sugar. "Mr. Eisley says that he has known an Indian to trade a good robe for a little 10-cent file to sharpen the knife. Licensed traders paid white trappers five dollars for a buffalo robe, three dollars for a wolf skin, and one dollar and fifty cents for a coyote skin. In 1S6S buffalo robes were being sold in eastern communities at twelve to fifteen dollars apiece." Lions stalk their game at night al- most exclusively. Page Eleven i^ONTAMA iviWEIL.ID) MFB MiUioes of Figh Labeir^tedl m Moetoea I'iiiitos liv Coiirlcs^ 'irts of the country. The European starling, recently brought to this coun- try, is an increasing menace to native bird lite throughout the east and is now spreading into Wisconsin." Page Twelve i^OMTANA •W31LID) MFB More Fislh for Youneg Moetaea Aeglers riiiitiis liv ( oiirte^^} I)i\isiiiii ol KNIi miiiI (