*&-«&** <"*!»* > %. **'■ DECEMBER m? -.*&> - * * - 4 •■" f * ,<■ M^-r0^ ■ IP •• * TsUe Open Crail % Constance CDarion Simpson '.Helena, CRontana I'm leaving the city of brick and steel, Where the restless millions flow; I'm going back to a life that's real, Away from the sham and shotv; You can have your buildings that tower on high, Your traffic that hums and roars; It's me for the arch of the kindly sky — The life of the big outdoors. I've served my time in the busy mart, A martyr to clock and bell, And I'm off again to Nature's heart, For rest and a breathing spell! I'm hiking back to the unmarked toays, Where the wind blows clean and free; It's the silvery nights and the golden days — And the hills and the plains for me! I have turned my back on the vast turmoil. Where the loorkers come and go; I have said Goodbye to a life of toil, In tin city's vast ebb and flow! I have closed the book on a ten-hour creed, And shaken my dinner pail, Ami I've got no boss but myself to heed — And the boss of the OPEN TRAIL! I - - MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission VOL. I. HELENA, MONTANA, DECEMBER, 192S NO. 7 M R. E. Bateman 'O N T A N A sportsmen who are aiding in supporting the State Fish and Game Commission's pro- gram o£ wild life conservation are likewise lending a helping financial hand in protecting cattle and sheep and game from dev- astation by preda- tory animals. Ac- cording to authori- tative figures com- piled by the state livestock commis- sion and the Fish and Game Depart- ment, 68,885 resi- dent hunting and fishing licenses were sold in the state at $2 each in 1927 while at the same time $18,777 was paid out in bounties for the killing of 9,358 coyotes, one wolf, two wolf pups and two mountain lions. Careful analysis of these figures is illuminating to men who love the out- of-doors and who are likewise interested in knowing that their moral and finan- cial efforts are bringing results. Montana's State Fish and Game Com- mission is maintained solely by funds derived from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, fines collected for vio- lations of the fish and game laws, the sale of confiscated furs and arms and the issuance of licenses to guides, trap- pers, fur farms, beaver permits and the tagging of beaver skins. The De- partment is given no state appropria- tion. It draws nothing from the gen- eral fund and is entirely self-support- ing. Out of funds paid into the Depart- ment, the staff of 24 deputies in the 56 counties is paid, operating expenses of 14 state fish hatcheries are met, rearing ponds are being constructed on a cooperative basis with clubs of sports- men, the only biological station of its kind in the nation is maintained on Flathead Lake, the largest warm water rearing pond in the world is operated at Fort Keogh near Miles City and the greatest spawn-taking station known to exist is conducted at the mouth of Flint creek on Georgetown Lake. Then there are expenditures for Hun- garian partridges, Chinese pheasants and other wild life liberated in the state, the purchase of thousands of pounds of fish food annually, the plant- ing of duck food, the acquisition of shore lines for future hunting grounds for posterity, the creation of game pre- serves and scores of other activities in which every sportsman and member of the Commission is intensely interested. Few Montana sportsmen are familiar with these salient facts. Few realize that 25 cents out of every $2 paid for a resident hunting and fishing license goes into the biological fund to pay bounties and aid in maintaining the staff of hunters engaged in predatory animal control. Under the leadership of R. E. Bateman, this staff of hunters is accomplishing gratifying results. Three departments maintain this staff of animal experts in order that game as well as sheep and cattle may be protected. There are the members of the staff maintained by the federal government, those paid by the State Fish and Game Commission and those paid by the livestock commission. The entire staff of the three divisions varies in number from 15 to 25 during dif- ferent seasons. These men are salaried hunters. They receive no bounty for the predatory animals killed. The hides and fur taken by the hunters are shipped to Billings periodically and sold at public auction. BOUNTY ON ANIMALS EXCEEDS LICENSE FEE MONTANA has 10 counties in which, according to statistics compiled by state livestock ex- perts for 1927, the bounty fee on predatory animals exceeds the license fund paid by sportsmen for the right to fish and hunt within the state. These resident sportsmen pay $2 for their licenses and 25 cents out of each license fee goes into the bio- iogical fund. The following figures are significant: Total License Bounty County Licenses Fees Paid Blaine 390 $780 $1,354 Carter 8 16 606 Fallon 34 68 242 Liberty 47 94 378 McCone 12 24 168 Petroleum 61 24 204 Powder River 24 48 375 Prairie 40 80 208 Valley 382 764 1.114 Wibaux _ 47 94 98 Hunters of the Biological Survey are more effective in their work than farm- ers and stockmen who trap and kill for bounty alone, according to R. E. Bate- man, leader of predatory animal con- trol. "The bounty hunter is looking for- ward largely to the cash to be collected for the scalp as well as to the welfare of his flock," said Mr. Bateman, "while the paid biological hunter goes after killers and gets them. Take, for in- stance, a band of sheep that has been attacked by coyotes or bear. The fed- eral hunter will mark down and trap or kill the marauder. The bounty hunter may permit the killer to run at large while he traps out a nest of pups and devastation among the sheep continues because the killer is too crafty for wiles of the farmer." Figures accompanying this article show that Montana has 10 counties in the 56 where the bounties paid on pred- atory animals reach a figure greater than that paid by sportsmen for resi- dent hunting and fishing licenses. In Carter county only eight resident li- censes were issued in 1927, bringing $16, while $606 was paid in bounties. True it is that in many of these coun- ties there is little hunting or fishing, yet the figures demonstrate the ex- tremes to which sportsmen, under the law, are going in efforts to exterminate predatory beasts. Receipts from fur sales of animals trapped by federal hunters cooperating in Montana are sent to the biological fund at Washington, D. S. Receipts from the sale of Montana furs trapped by hunters employed by the state live- stock commission go into the state livestock fund. Receipts from fur sales of animals trapped by hunters employed by the Fish and Game Commission go into the fish and game fund. Montana's law now provides that $7,500 annually shall be taken out of the fund made up of 25 cents sub- tracted from each license fee, for the biological fund to pay bounties on predatory animals. After the $7,500 has been contributed what remains is used to employ hunters. This amount has been so small at times that the fund has been exhausted early and hunters financed by the Fish and Game Department have been called in when most needed in the field. The Montana Department of Agricul- ture has issued an estimate showing that Montana's population on January MONTANA WILD LIFE 1. 1928, was 546,078. The estimated population has been prepared by coun- Taking these figures as a basis, and comparing them in parallel col- umns with resident license figures and the bounty paid in each county, these amazing comparisons result: 1927 1927 1927 Bstimaltd Number of Fees lor Amoo.nl 1927 Resident Resident Paid in Popula- Licenses Licenses Bonnlv tion Beaverhead Big Horn 1.737 539 390 10 2,597 8 5,908 572 266 2,630 54 1,942 1,657 12 345 115 591 1,225 696 758 1.491 . 3.S39 47 1,973 1.416 12 594 644 4,350 813 2,558 61 347 565 24 1,544 40 1,930 163 231 373 1,208 629 8,196 1,071 630 522 833 50 382 659 47 . 2,943 $3,474 1,078 780 1,140 5,194 16 11,810 1,144 866 378 532 5,260 68 3.SS4 9,314 7,172 24 690 230 1,182 2,450 1,392 1.516 2,982 7,678 94 3,946 2,832 24 1,188 1,288 8,700 1,626 5,116 122 694 1,130 48 3,088 80 3,860 326 462 746 2,416 1,258 16.392 2,142 1,260 1,044 1,666 100 764 1,318 ■'1 5,886 51, sci 32 1,354 30 106 606 542 412 90 214 166 242 2,170 34 244 88 6 116 1,968 20 132 60 378 190 168 46 2 44 212 122 204 2,412 270 375 208 206 150 548 2 218 162 232 532 46 8 1,114 204 98 130 5,061 9.5C9 6,960 Iwater , .. 2,637 14,032 3,432 39.3S4 7,348 11,224 6,616 Deer Lodge ..... 8.S95 19,642 4,507 17,975 Flathead IS, 533 17,849 Garfield 4.36S 5,843 Golden Valley 2,665 3,278 Hill 12,677 4,569 Judith Basin 4,342 9,810 Lewis & Clark 18.3S4 1,571 8,263 6,058 BIcCone 4,686 2,209 Mineral 2,013 18,919 .Musselshell Park 7.2S6 11,002 2,176 Phillips . 7,476 6,108 3,058 5,734 4,045 9,061 lliver... Powell 9,674 7,276 11,513 4,731 10,418 64.S08 6,761 4,176 5,978 4,908 1,066 13,802 4,184 2,339 35,259 Sheridan Stillwater .. Sweet ' Teton Toole Valley Wheatland Wibaux Yellowst' >n< Totals 68,885 $137,770 $18,777 546,078 The pay roll for October shows the division of hunters engaged in preda- tory animal eradication under supervi- sion of R. E. Bateman: Federal Hunters Lewis Bakken, Custer county. K. K. Bati man. Ycllov. Btone. Oscar N. Evans, Powell. I. B. Hurley, Beaverhead. Peter Manalge, Wheatland. I,. (;. Mason, Golden Valley. EL, P. HcFarland, Fergus. Walter Standlsh, Big Horn Pete Vermandel, Yellowstone. Ben P. Vogler, Mineral. Game Commission Hunters county. is Conner, I'nu i 11. John Krause, Beaverhead. Lynn Marsh, Yellowstone. Burt Parma, Hill. d Reinhai her. Roy Vani e, Broadwater. Lee Vermandi I, R Ft, B. Warren. Meagher. Livestock Commission Hunters C. E. lleebe, Glacier county. Matt Berger, Garfield. Stephen Boyce, Valley. Oscar Brunett, Beaverhead. M. G. Daniel, Wheatland. Chauncey Groom, Rosebud. Dink Groom, Rosebud. Ed Guenther, Prairie. Ted Johnston, Madison. Arthur Sime, Gallatin. Denny Wonder, Madison. During October the federal govern- ment pay roll for its share of the Montana hunters reached $1,145, the livestock commission hunters received $1,239 and the Fish and Game Commis- sion hunters $1,016. The report for the month shows that federal hunters killed 92 coyotes, the livestock com- mission hunters bagged 87 coyotes and the Fish and Game Department hunt- ers 72. The following table, prepared by the Montana livestock commission, is like- wise illuminating. It shows that in 1927 a total of 9,359 coyotes was pre- sented for bounty and that the total amount paid to bounty hunters in the 56 counties last year was $18,777. In- cluded in the amount paid in bounties was the fee for two mountain lions in Fergus and Missoula counties, a wolf and two wolf pups in Powder River county: Statement of Bounty Paid— 1927 Shore Birds Winter in South America County Coyotes 932 Bounty Paid $ 1,864.00 32.00 1,354.00 30 00 Big Horn Blaine 16 677 i ii oadwater 15 Carbon 53 303 106.00 606 00 Cascade 271 542.00 Chouteau Custer 206 45 412.00 90 00 Daniels 107 83 214.00 166 00 Deer Lodge 121 1,075 Fallon 242.00 2,170.00 34 00 17 Gallatin 122 244 00 Garfield 44 88.00 3 6 00 Golden Valley Granite 58 116.00 Hill 984 1,968.00 20 00 10 66 132 00 Lake . Lewis and Clark Liberty Lincoln 30 18D 84 60.00 37S.00 168 00 95 190 00 23 46.00 1 2 nil 12 44.00 hell Park 106 61 212.00 122.00 102 204.00 Phillips .. .. Pondi ra ... Powder River 1.206 135 178 2,412.00 270.00 375.00 104 208.00 Ravalli Rlchlai! 103 206 00 274 548 00 75 150.00 1 2.00 109 218.00 81 Stillwater 162.00 116 232.00 266 532.00 Toole 23 46.00 ■ 4 557 102 8.00 1,114.00 204 00 49 98.00 tone 65 130.00 WHERE do our migrating shore birds go when they leave their breeding grounds in the north- ernmost parts of North America for the south in the winter? Many persons would reply that they supposed the birds go to the marshes along the gulf coast or perhaps down into Mexico and Central America. Such an answer would be in error, for many, if not most, of the shore birds live in summer season practically the whole year around. When they leave their northern home early in fall, it is to fly southward into spring in South American localities more or less similar to those they frequent in their north- ern summer months. The woodcock, according to Dr. Alexander Wetmore, formerly a biologist in the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture and now Assistant Sec- retary of the Smithsonian Institution, is the only species of shore bird hunted as game that does not in part cross the equator during its southern flights. On September 6, 1920, Doctor Wet- more was in the Chaco in western Para- guay and notice the first flights of golden plovers to arrive there. On the same day a party under Francis Harper, of the Biological Survey, observed golden plovers that had not yet left Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta, Canada. Doctor Wetmore spent ap- proximately a year in Paraguay, Uru- guay, Argentina, and Chile observing and collecting information regarding migrant shore birds. Of the list no fewer than 24 species of shore birds pass as far south as Argentina and Chile, and migrant shore birds are known on the Falkland Islands and in Patacoast of the southern part of South America are among the import- ant areas concerned in the welfare of the shore birds. Increase of human population and expansion of the cul- tivated areas of South America are hav- ing their effect on the number of the migrants, as also are the hunting customs in the South American countries. Protective legislation there is in its infancy, and many game birds have little or no protection, although Doctor Wetmore finds that there is a growing tendency to establish closed seasons and to limit the butchery of game. BECOHATEP FOR BRAVERY Little Doris: Did you have many love affairs, daddy? Father: No. dear: I fell in the first engagement. TIME, PLEASE Parson: Does you-all take this man in1 bettah or fo' worse? Bride-elect: Lan' sake, pahson, how kin Ah tell so soon! Totals . 9,359 $18,777.00 MEDICAL All) Smiff: How did Joseph manage to reform that, nagging wife of his? Bjones: He bribed her beauty doctor to tell her that talking caused wrinkles. MONTANA WILD LIFE W R. H. Hill, State Game Warden HILE the Montana State Fish and Game Commis- sion has conducted an interesting ex- periment in declar- ing a two-day open season on the im- ported Chinese pheasants, in se- lected localities, it's mighty interesting to dig into scien- t i t i c information and find just what eminent experts have discovered in an intimate study of the life and hab- its of the gaily col- ored strutter, whose habits have caused so much discussion of late in Mon- tana. According to a history of the species prepared for the Charles R. Conner Museum of Washington State College by Dana J. Leffingwell, Ph.D., curator, the pheasant is one of the birds well known to the ancients and was held in great esteem. The species was discovered by the Greeks on the banks of the River Phasis, now known as the Rion, in 1263 B. C. and was called by them Phasianus Ornis, the Phasian bird. In late years the bird has been introduced around the world because of its ease of artificial propa- gation. In his extensive treatise on the life and habits of the birds, Dr. Deffing- well continues as follows: Calls There are certain calls given by pheasants which show their feelings. The challenge crow of the cock and the alarm cackle of the frightened bird, both indicate the emotions of the bird at the time they are given. The calls may be given with varying degrees of loudness, yet all seem divisible into emotional notes. I have observed five distinct calls in the young birds up to seven weeks of age. These may be classified as fol- lows: Content call — this is usually given either when the birds are feed- ing or when they are about to settle down for the night. This call sounds like ter-rit or ter-wit, accented on the last syllable, and is given in about the same key as the alarm call. Caution call — this call appears to be a modified content call, but is given more loudly and with a bubbling effect, best inter- preted as terreep or turreep. The note is given when something peculiar is placed before the chicks, for on several occasions I gave the little birds earth- worms, which they would approach and survey, uttering this call. Flock call — the flock call is usually given when the birds are scattered and serves as an aid in reuniting the chicks. This note may be written tee-erp. or pre- erp and is repeated at short intervals. Alarm call — this call is given as a warning note when any strange thing appears, and is usually not repeated. It may be written as tee-u, sharply and quickly given. Fright call — this is a loud peeping, which the bird gives with all its might, and is usually only given when the chick is caught by one of its enemies. When uttered, it will frighten all the pheasants within earshot to cover. It may be written as tee-erp, accented on the first syllable. It sounds much like the loud flock call, but is always given more vehemently and loudly than the rail." note. When about seven or eight weeks old the young male pheasants often attempt to crow. At this time it is entirely a vocal effort, for I have ob- served no wing beating. Sham battles between young cocks were observed at this time. When alarmed the birds will often "cucket." uttering the characteris- tic alarm note of the male pheasant. The most common calls of the adult birds are the challenge calls, and the alarm note. The challenge call is a drawn-out utterance, and might be writ- ten a w k — kack, the first part of the note being about twice as long as the latter part. The actions accompanying the call seem to me to be as follows: When about to crow, the cock draws himself up into an erect position. At least two strokes of the wings are given preliminary to the call, which, after an interval of approximately one- twenty-fifth of a second is followed by a rapid flapping of the wings, from five to seven strokes being given. The wings are held rather stiffly, and the force of the beat is directed upwards and inwards, somewhat after the man- ner of a drumming partridge. The two preliminary wing beats are given at in- tervals of about one-twenty-fifth of a second, while those given after the call begin very rapidly but soon diminish in vigor. The force of the latter strokes seems to push the pheasant backwards against its tail, which is partly flat- tened on the ground and acts as a brace. The alarm call is often known as the "cucket" note. It is a di-or tri-syllabic call which may be given as cucket. tucket, or tucke-tuck. When suddenly frightened from the ground, the male birds invariably give the tri-syllabic call, as they fly away to safety. The challenge call and the alarm notes are the ones most frequently heard, for it is only by good fortune that one can get close enough to wild pheasants to hear their other notes. Habits Locomotion — Walking: The gait of an undisturbed pheasant is slow and digni- fied, the average length of each step being about four inches. The birds usually do not go far without stopping to look around, for with them, as with other brightly colored birds, constant vigilance is always necessary. The male bird often prefers to fly away when frightened, while the female usu- ally crouches, relying on her protective coloration. Both sexes will take to the air when alarmed by a dog or a fox. Running: Pheasants, males espe- cially, are very adept at running off through the vegetation without hardly moving a grassblade. The birds can travel quite swiftly in this way, and for this reason are disliked by hunters, especially those who use a hunting dog. When running through the grass the body is held low, and the neck is out- stretched, parallel to the ground. The average distance between tracks of a running bird is usually about six inches when the bird is in the vegeta- tion, and about twelve inches when it is in the open. This has been deter- mined by measuring the distance be- tween tracks in the snow. Swimming: Tegetmeier (19111 gives several instances of pheasants swim- ming across bodies of water. Both young and old birds have been seen swimming. Beebe (19221 notes that crippled birds have been seen to swim across rivers in China. Flying: The flight of pheasants is quite swift, though Beebe (1922) finds that it is not as strong as in some other members of the family. Cock birds are stronger fliers than are the hens, and with a few rapid wing-beats can soon fly out of danger. The distance which a pheasant can fly is generally considered to be less than a mile. Tegetmeier (1911) gives a record of two hens which were be- lieved to have flown across the river Humber in England, a distance of four miles, but this was with a strong breeze behind them. Other records given by this same writer, however, show that birds attempting to cross bodies of water usually gave up after flying three-fourths of a mile. In flight the feet are usually carried under the tail, although if the bird flies but a short distance, they are drawn up close to the breast. Townsend (1909) observes that pheasants may carry their feet in front, drawn up against their breast, when flying but a short distance or when just starting to fly, but when well on the wing, they extend the feet close under the tail and under tail coverts. Young pheasants when flying more than 15 or 20 feet, usually put their feet up under the tail, a habit which is learned when the birds are about five weeks old. Tegetmeier (19111 finds that the ve- locity of flight of pheasants, as tested by Mr. R. W. S. Griffith in 1SS1 was over 30 miles per hour, the fastest bird attaining a speed of 3S miles per hour. Roosting: As a rule pheasants pre- fer to spend the night on the ground. although it is not uncommon to find them roosting in the trees. Where ground vermin is plentiful the birds MONTANA WILD LIFE usually take to the trees to spend the night, and are especially partial to larch or tamarack trees (Larix sp.l. Finley (Ms) observes that in Oregon, pheasants are now roosting In the trees. Dusting: Pheasants are fond of dust- ing, probably to control lice and mites. According to Allen (1924) this was ob- served by the Greek philosopher Aris- totle, who. in writing some three cen- turies before Christ says, "Some birds dust themselves and others bathe, some neither dust nor bathe. Those that do not fly but live on the ground, dust themselves, as the domestic fowl, par- tridge, grouse, lark and pheasant." Peregrinations: It is a well known tact that pheasants have a tendency to Stray away from their home coverts. The distances which the birds travel never been ascertained, although Merriam (1889) notes that within two months after some pheasants were re- leased in Oregon, a pair was observed 50 miles from where the birds were set at Liberty. In 19"."p. with the assistance of Prof. Arthur A. Allen. 466 young pheasants were banded by the author in an effort to obtain some accurate data on their wanderings. Twenty-four of these birds were taken during the past few years near Ithaca, of which we have accurate data on 16. Of these records of travel, but two exceeded two miles, while the average distance covered was hut one and one-fifth miles. One bird, how- ever, went six miles, and another three miles. Response to shocks: Pheasants ap- pear to be extremely sensitive to tre- mors and shocks. It is probable that the crowing which these birds give on apparently hearing distant explosions and the like, may not be hearing but rather feeling the shock or tremor caused by the explosion. Apparently pheasants will respond by giving their alarm note, not only to audible notes like the report of a firearm, but also to distant shocks due to earthquake, or heavy explosions, which apparently they f( opinion that during the summer pheasants are for the most part insectivorous. Mr. Ware I in cpist. June 10, 1923) writes that he has found as many as 47 grass- hoppers in the crop of a pheasant. Burtch (1920) finds that in the summer the principal food of the pheasant eems to be Insects, such as grasshop peis, June bugs and caterpillars, and further notes that the birds often eat ants. In the fields and gardens pheasants are also beneficial as is proven by the analysis of the crops of two pheasants examined by W. L. Finley. A female MONTANA WILD LIFE pheasant, killed in Oregon on the first day of November, had eaten 34 grass- hoppers, 3 crickets, S beetles and 280 weed seeds. The crop of another bird taken during the same month contained 303 cut worms and 60 blue fly haggots. In Minnesota, F. D. Blair, the super- intendent of game farms, believes that pheasants destroy more mice per bird than do most of the hawks and owls (Anon. 1924). It is, however, as game that the pheasant best serves man. In the northeastern states, especially — where the heath-hen and the wild turkey, which a century ago were highly es- teemed as upland game, have vanished over all their former range, where the ruffed grouse is fast disappearing as more and more of its habitat is claimed for agricultural purposes, and where the bob-white is nowhere plentiful — the ring-necked pheasant has found a place for itself as a bird worthy of the hunt- er's skill. Thousands of these birds are killed every year, and in their pur- suit afford much pleasure to the sports- men. In the middle and far west pheasants have been acclaimed as worthy of the title game. In Idaho, Oregon and Washington ring-necks are more hunted than are most of the native species, not only because of their many gamy quali- ties, but also for their delicious flesh and gorgeous plumage. Pheasants are truly game birds, for they are both hardy and prolific, and in the wild state are quite free from diseases. They are easily propagated artificially, and if given protection from their enemies will increase very rapidly. Negative Value: Pheasants may be injurious to agriculture in several ways. They may be destructive to beneficial insects and to newly-planted or sprouted crops, as well as to garden produce. Their destruction of beneficial insects cannot be controlled, but as these are eaten for the most part in uncultivated areas, this damage is not great. Comparatively few beneficial insects seem to be eaten by the pheasant. Of these, the only one which is utilized not uncommonly by these birds is the tiger beetle, Cicindella 6-guttata. The larvae of these beetles prey upon other insects, most of which are considered harmful. The state game warden of Idaho writes that in that state pheasants are more or less destructive to crops, corn in particular, in some instances de- stroying entire rows of corn at or about the time the first sprouts appear through the ground. Dr. E. W. For- bush tells me of an instance in Massa- chusetts where a whole field of corn was destroyed by pheasants, but this was before pheasant shooting was al- lowed there. Pheasants are also in- jurious to garden truck. Pheasants are said to be destructive to other game, especially grouse and quail, and they have also been accused of killing young rabbits, but there seems to be no basis for these beliefs. From this evidence it might seem that pheasants are far more harmful than beneficial, and that they should be reduced in numbers so that the loss to agriculture would not be so great. But rather than remove or kill off the birds which have been raised and dis- tributed at great expense by the state, let us see if their depredations can not be controlled in some way. The greatest damage done by pheas- ants is to newly-planted or newly- sprouted corn. Probably pheasants are blamed for much of the work of crows, which are also fond of this grain. Kalmback (1920) finds that the damage to corn and other grains done by crows may be lessened by treating the seed with a deterrent, such as coal tar or red lead. Coal tar, this writer con- tinues, "should be used in the pro- portion of about a tablespoonful to half a bushel of seed grain, the grain having been previously heated by the application of warm water, and then drained. A continued stirring of the grain will eventually result in an even coating of tar. The seed may then be spread out on a dry surface or may be dried by the application of an absorbent medium, as ashes, land plaster, or pow- dered earth." I laced a handful of treated grain in a partitioned box, together with some untreated grain, and put it in a cage containing four birds to see if the pheasants would eat it, if no other food was given. The birds ate up the un- treated grain the first day, and ap- parently refused to touch the treated grain during the next two days, after which it was taken out and the birds fed. This experiment was repeated sev- eral times with the same results. I then set 100 pieces each of un- treated and tar-treated corn to germi- nate. The untreated corn was to act as a check to determine the amount of seed which did not germinate, and the delay in germination caused by the treatment. Time 2 days 4 days 7 days 5 days 13 days days days days days Test No. 1 seed — % Check- -■:, 0 30 16 90 60 96 72 98 74 98 Test No. 2 18 74 64 74 78 98 78 100 Test No. 3 86 94 7 days From this data we may see that the tar-treated grain is delayed from two to four days in germination. A loss in germ inaction of not exceeding 25 per cent in the tar-treated grain may be expected. In general, pheasants may be classed as beneficial, rather than injurious, to agriculture. Not only are they consum- ers of large numbers of weed seeds, but both adults and young are partly insectivorous during the summer when insect life is so abundant, and eat many insects which are distinctly bene- ficial in controlling field mice. Wher- ever abundant, however, pheasants may injure newly-planted and newly-sprouted grain, especially corn, but these in- juries may be controlled at a little expense by coating the seed with coal tar. Individuals or coveys may damage garden truck, in which case they should be trapped and removed, or killed. There seems to be no basis for the belief that pheasants destroy the nests of or interfere seriously with other game birds. The birds are strong fliers of good size and delicious flesh, and may be considered a welcome addition to the fauna of any country. After Dad had hooked the biggest bull trout in the creek. Sonny proudly lugged the king to the frying pan. He's a coming Montana sportsman. ELK NEAR C.LENDIVE Editor Montana Wild Life: I have been a resident of Glendive for the past 25 years, in fact ' came out to Dickinson, N. D., in 1891 with my parents and have been over the bad lands all up and down the Little Missouri ; have hunted deer, both black- tail and whitetail, mountain sheep and bear in this territory and have seen lots of elk horns lying around and there is no doubt they were a native here at one time. Now, what I want to ask is. why can't we have some of the elk that are too numerous up in the mountains put in these bad lands along the Yellowstone river? Seems to me that there are parts of this country down here that would take care of a good many elk. Why not have some of the local game wardens look into this and find out if it would be advisable, and perhaps if they got to be too numerous we could have an open season here and keep them down so they would not bother the ranchers and farmers. Please give this a little consideration and let me hear what you think of it as we still have some deer both along the river bottoms and in the bad lands and I would certainly like to see an elk once in a while when driving around in the hills. C. M. STEELE, 211 S. Sargant Ave., Glendive, Mont. MONTANA WILD LIFE MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS. Thomas X Marlowe, Missoula, G. T. Boyd, Great Falls. Joseph L. Kelly, Anaconda. \Y. K. Moore, Hillings. E. A. Wilson, Livingston. Chairman. ROBERT H. HILL, Helena State Fish and Game Warden Secretary. MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of the State Fish and Came Department. Published Monthly at Helena, Montana. KLOYD L. SMITH, Editor. Introductory Subscription Rates 15 Cents per Copy — 50 Cents per Year. Advertising Rates on Application. Copy for advertisements subject to approval of State Commission and must be in the hands of the editor at the State Capitol building, Helena, on the 15th of the month preceding publication date. VOLUME I DECEMBER, 1928 NUMBER 7 THE MEANEST SCOFFLAW CONSERVATION of game and fish is now recognized as an important national reclamation project. The term conservationist at one time carried with it the con- ion of a fanatical "spoil-sport" who shuddered at the sight of a gun and lamented as cruel the indulgence and privilege of hunting and fishing. This is no longer true. Enlightened states are energetically carrying out con- structive programs for the preservation of hunting, clear streams and remote loveliness. The conservationist of to- day is he who stands for what is right and is not afraid to protect his share of a square deal. Game codes are being remodeled to fit well-demonstrated plans of game restoration. Game commissioners are pro- mulgating and influencing common sense laws of bag, season and game propagation. Every dollar of license ■ paid by hunters and fishermen is used to further The game warden, acting in a protective capacity during open seasons, now devotes bis time to game breeding during the nesting and rearing period. One of the greatest difficulties confronting game war- dens where conservation in the modem sense is just be- glnning to gain a real foothold is the apprehension, quick prosecution and conviction of those who violate seasonal hunting laws and bag limits and who indulge in game "bootlegging." We have unfortunately with us yet "pot hunters" who shoot regardless of season, bag limitations, or trespass laws. They then by devious ways dispose of their kill to "scofflaws," willing to pay for this panderage. Wildfowl unlawfully grace the tallies of many social elite during the hunting and social seasons and the "kills" ble by the bootleg route. The person who buys is just as guilty in 0 race as the person who kills. When game "bootlegging" ceases to be a misde- meanor and becomes a felony for seller and buyer the or of conservation will cea B to dn Till* MONTH'S COVER ANOTHKi: Btrlklng Montana photograph is presented to of MONTANA WILD LIFE on the cover of the le^. laber publication, This splendid pii the work of K. D Swan ol Missoula and i published through courtesy of the United states Forest Service, The rama is that of the upper and lower Big Creek lakes in the B I '.at lonal Foi est Mr. s« an Is a i portsman who hunts wit! ra and bis unusual photographs Of wild life and the forest have won national ret MONTANA IS REPRESENTED THOUSANDS of American sportsmen of the crowded east look toward Montana for their summer vacations, their fishing and hunting. To maintain Montana's prestige the State Fish and Game Commission has continued its campaign of conservation, restocking and planting in forest and stream and results are apparent. Hence, when the sessions of the Fifteenth National Game Conference were called at the Pennsylvania hotel at New York City, Decem- ber 3 and 4, Montana was especially invited to be repre- sented. After consideration by the Commission, Chairman Thomas N. Marlowe of Missoula and State Game Warden Robert H. Hill were detailed to act as emissaries from the Treasure state. Men whose names are known through- out the nation as authorities on fish and game, conserva- tion and preservation of wild life, were prominent on the extensive program and Montana's missionaries served their state well in carrying the gospel of the west to the metropolis. THE OPEN SEASON ON CHINKS CHINESE pheasants, multicolored Mongolian foxes of the field, have given Montana sportsmen a thrilling demonstration of their ability to take care of them- selves during the open season. For two davs wielders of the scattergun combed the hedges and stubble, the irriga- tion ditch growth and the tumble weeds for the birds that only a short time before had disdainfully crossed the roads ahead of their cars, scoffed at intrusions and to all ap- pearances taunted hunters to enter their domain. But dur- ing the two days, November 24 and 25, but few Chinese pheasants were killed. After continued appeals, the State Fish and Game Commission opened the season in stipu- lated areas. Many predicted a slaughter because of the manner in which the foxy Chinamen had become domesti- cated. But the slaughter failed to materialize. The China- men seemingly were endowed with superior instinct. They kept under cover. When flushed they scooted to the foot- hills. And when volleys were fired they zoomed through the pattern. It's safe to say that the bird has adequately demonstrated to sportsmen that he's gamey. There's no music like a little river's. It plays the same tune (and that's the favorite) over and over again, and vet does not weary of it like men fiddlers. It takes the wind out of doors; and though we should be grateful for good houses, there is. after all, no house like God's out-of-doors. And lastly, sir. it quiets a man down like saying his prayers. Robert Louis Stevenson. STATE BUYS 15,000 RABBITS ENGLISH pheasants and Missouri rabbits to the value of nearly {28,000 have been ordered by New Jersey for the pleasure of sportsmen. The fish and game commission is also considering the purchase of 500 pairs of Hungarian pheasants, to cost about S" ."ai each The rabbits. 15,000 Of them, are expected to arrive late in December after the close of the open season and will be liberated in various sections of the state. Since 1922. when the first purchase of approximately 10.000 was made, the commission has bought about 58,000. Records show thai 166,568 rabbits were killed in 1926. Admit 2.0fin of the English pheasants have arrived. They cost $3.50 each. Last year there were 21.000 ringnecked pheasants liberated from state hatcheries. In addition, the commission Supplied eggs to farmers with the stipulation that the birds should be freed after they were grown. In 1020. 75,599 pheasants were killed in the slate MONTANA WILD LIFE OFFICIAL STATE BIROS THERE exists today a movement to have every state adopt officially a state bird. Already there are many "state flowers" so why not have a state bird, is the question raised by the National Association of Audubon Societies which is sponsoring this movement. Hot contests have already developed in many places where the people have been divided in their choice. In one state the selec- tion was made on the ground of a sentiment totally foreign to an interest in the bird itself. This was in Alabama, where after the bird-lovers had virtually decided upon the mockingbird, patriotic women's organizations secured legis- lative adoption of the yellowhammer because of the fact that a famous Alabama battalion marched away to the Civil war with a yellowhammer feather in each cap. Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, president of the Audubon Association, gives the following list of states that have adopted state birds: Alabama, yellowhammer; Oregon, Kansas and Ne- braska have all chosen the western meadowlark; Maine, the chickadee; Florida, the mockingbird; District of Colum- bia, the wood thrush; Louisiana, the brown pelican; Mis- souri, the bluebird: Virginia and Wisconsin, the robin. Con- tests for a choice are now going on among nature organi- zations. In these states the interest has extended into the schools and thousands of pupils are registering their pref- erence among their feathered friends. THE VALUE OF ORGANIZATION STRIKING demonstration of the value of sportsmen's organization has been brought in a report from Ne- braska. An interesting condition concerning the prairie chicken has occurred. This bird was found to be so scarce this year, with an act of the legislature necessary to close the season. Therefore, every Izaak Walton League chapter and farmers' organization pledged that they will not hunt this season. Damp nesting period is the reason for the shortage. BAND 127,105 BIRDS LAST TEAR THE NUMBER of birds banded by the United States Biological Survey during the fiscal year ending June 30, 192S, was 127,105, the Survey announces. This represented an increase of more than 35,000 over the num- ber of birds banded during the preceding year and brings the total number tagged since 1920 well above the 400,000 mark. At the end of the present fiscal year there were 1,400 cooperators engaged in banding wrork under the super- vision of the Survey. Of these 24 banded 1,000 or more birds during the year. GRIZZLY BEAR IS BECOMING RARE THE BUFFALO was never half as near total extinction as is the grizzly today." This is the startling state- ment made by Will C. Barnes, assistant United States forester, in summing up the annual game census of the national forests as it relates to the grizzly bear. The census discloses that there are only grizzly bears in the national forests in the United States, outside of Alaska, and 50 per cent of these are in Montana; not a single individual grizzly is reported from any of the na- tional forests in California, a state in which these animals were once abundant. Nothing could more definitely indicate the necessity for protecting this great carnivorous species, unless it is the intention to pursue it to extermination. The Alaska brown bear also shows a heavy decrease in numbers since the last census and a definite need for cur- tailing hunting privileges in the limited area where this animal is found. HOUSE CATS MENACE TO GAME THERE are two kinds of good cats: Those kept strictly on the owner's premises, and dead cats." This is the opinion of W. B. Grange, superintendent of game for the Wisconsin state conservation commission, who reports that cats have been the greatest menace of all predatory animals to the propagation of pheasants in Wisconsin this year. "The common house cat is one of the worst menaces to the increase of game birds and small game animals in Wisconsin," said Mr. Grange. "Far too many people in the state, who are too kind hearted to drown an unwanted litter of kittens, will turn them loose in the woods. These cats develop into the worst kind of predatory animals as far as birds and small game are concerned." Mr. Grange suggests that cats should be licensed just as dogs. Further, the money derived from licenses would constitute a fund from which recompense could be paid for damage. Farmers who can prove that they have lost sheep or other livestock by predatory dogs can be reim- bursed for their loss by the state. Mr. Grange thinks that the same should apply to cats. In the past dogs have been a constant nuisance in some parts of the state because they chase deer in the woods. This trouble is being done away with now because dogs caught running deer are being shot on sight. Mr. Grange thinks that the same should apply to cats found roaming the woods. Cheerfulness is to life what perfume is to the flower. TAGGING MICHIGAN FISH MICHIGAN conservation commission has recently made arrangements for the tagging of 10,000 brook, rain- bow and brown trout before liberation. The fish will receive small metal tags on their gill covers, each bearing a number. They will then be turned loose in streams throughout the state and a study started of their migratory habits. The information sought is similar to that now obtained through the banding of birds by federal government agents, which covers range, food habits, and general distribution. VERMIN CONTROL PLAN DECLARING that foxes, cats, weasels and other vermin annually destroy more small game than is killed by hunters, members of the New Jersey board of fish and game commissioners have asked the cooperation of every warden in a campaign to help check this loss. The board finds that many gun clubs already have or- ganized campaigns to control the vermin in the immediate vicinity of their own hunting grounds. Foxes and stray cats are regarded by sportsmen as the two chief menaces to rabbits, quail, pheasant and grouse, and where these animals have been thinned out in a community the game rapidly has increased. It is said it is difficult to induce the Filipinos to live within their incomes. Americanization appears to be making progress there. WISCONSIN SPARES THE HAWKS THE Wisconsin Game Commission takes exception to the theory that the only good hawks are dead hawks and declares in a circular to the public that only two kinds of hawks found in that state do any appreciable damage; namely the Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned hawks. The commission protests against wholesale shoot- ing of hawks and declares that the Marsh, Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and Sparrow hawks are beneficial. W. B. Grange, Superintendent of Game of the Wis- consin Conservation Commission, is authority for the classification of hawks in that state and takes the responsibility of advocating protection for all but the two kinds named above. Sportsmen generally are not disposed to accept the judgment of ornithologists as final in this matter. There is evidence that the Marsh hawk and the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed are on occasion guilty of much depredation on game birds. It is admitted that the Marsh hawk is responsible more than any other one factor for the failure to preserve the heath hen on Martha's Vineyard. Allan Brooks, the well known Canadian naturalist, furnishes unquestionable proof of the very great destructiveness of the Marsh hawk on the breeding grounds of waterfowl. As a matter of fact there is not sufficient evidence at hand on which to base any arbitrary assumption as to the rela- tive good and bad in hawks. Much more information is needed. Meanwhile, it would be well to protect the breeding grounds of game birds from hawks and crows. There is very little doubt but what much destruction can be traced to these birds in such places. This is not to say that they may not be beneficial under some circumstances. 10 MONTANA WILD LIFE iportsmee Feed Soowboeod Deer AFTER smiling skies of a mellow- Indian summer had kept winter away until about December 1, up- Betting the dispositions of hundreds of Montana sportsmen because of the lack of deer tracking snow, the north west has been in the grip of snow and cold that has. in many cases, threatened food supplies Of (her and elk. Despite the fact that fickle Nature deprived them of their annual chunk of venison by shielding white tails and black, sports- men have responded and are feeding the animals in spots where hay is re- quired. Farmers have become interested in caring for the deer as well as game birds. When necessity arises they have distributed alfalfa as well as wheat and in all cases they have found the State Fish and Game Commission willing to cooperate with them. IJLVS^HH 1 ,* %, aim* 9 "' * V L .-■*• the deer and elk. They pay but little attention to the caretakers with their sleds laden with hay but are keenly interested in partaking of the food when snow covers their grazing grounds. The annual hegira of elk from the Yellow- stone Park into the Gardiner district is due. The open season on elk in that vicinity extends until December 20. Reports from West Yellowstone indicate that the elk started moving from that part of the park several days ago when a seven-inch snowfall started them. Alfalfa fed to deer on the Kootenai. Note the shed horns in the foreground. Bales of alfalfa hay are being fed to deer on the Kootenai river. Note the holes eaten in the hay by the hungry animals. The accompanying pictures, taken in the Kootenai river district of Montana, demonstrate the peculiar habits of the deer and their eagerness to accept the food offered by sportsmen. They are largely night feeders, spending the days snoozing on open hillsides where the atmosphere is balmier. In Glacier National Park as well as in Yellowstone authorities are main- taining open air boarding houses for Hay fed at this point saved many deer from being killed by night trains as it kept them away from the alfalfa stacks en the river where they were in the habit of night feeding and crossing the tracks to reach the stacks. About 50 deer are feed- ing regularly. In the daytime they may be seen on the hillside south of the hay, lying around in groups of two and three. Hnuetle^ §»ea§oe Ethie§ Bj SETB E. GORDON, Conservation Director, izaak Walton League of America THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE is constantly striving to improve out- door conditions, to increase bene- >1 wild life, and to make all America iore attractive and enjoyable out- door land. No period of the year pre ter need for directing the iii- American people to estjons for proper outdoor conduct than tin' hunting season. Many outdoor writers devote columns UCh matters as where to hunt, how to i i and the Kind of equip- ment to use. Such basically essential problems as perpetuating and increas- ing the game supply, improving the between farmers and sports- iii!.' human life are items which are invariably neglected. The Izaak Walton League believes that clean sportsmanship, all even break for both the hunter and the hunted, constant vigilance to prevent accidents, and a square deal for the land owner are matters which can not be stressed too forcefully. America needs more real sportsmen pulling to- gether in a common cause. We in ed less of 1 1 1 < - "hoodlum" element. observance ol the following sugges- tions will help perpetuate America's oi publicly-owned game and assure more and belter sport for every- body 1. A human life is worth more than all the game in America- see clearly before shooting. 2. Carelessness with firearms is criminal play safe and avoid accidents. ::. Healthful recreation and the thrill of the- chase are a true sportsman's prime objectives always. 4. Observance of the law and eradi- cation of the game hog are responsi- bilities no sportsman can evade. A few fools with matches kill more game than many shotguns — pre- vent fires. 6. Only vandals destroy farmers' fences, injure their stock or disregard their wishes. 7. Heal sportsmen never try their skill about farmyards, pastures and on trespass signs. 5. Saving ample seed stock, and feeding it during the wintertime, will perpetuate the snort. MONTANA WILD LIFE 11 AS A MEANS of obtaining precise information relative to North American wildfowl, the Bureau of Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture, with the aid of volunteer cooperators throughout the country, is engaged in banding large numbers of birds. The bands are made of aluminum or copper, and in addi- tion to a serial number they carry the legend "Notify Biological Survey. Wash- ington, D. C." Montana sportsmen and those in other states are requested by the Department of Agriculture to aid in these investi- gations by reporting to it all banded birds that come to their attention. In addition to the number that is on the band attached to the bird's leg. the date and place of capture should be ' given. In reply the department will supply the banding record to the per- son rendering the report. At the opening of the 1928 hunting season between 15 and 20 stations were in operation for the banding of these birds, while at many others birds have been banded in large numbers' in pre- vious seasons. These stations extend from Maine and South Carolina on the Atlantic coast to Washington, Oregon, Montana and California in the west, with others in the Canadian provinces and in Alaska. More than 30,000 ducks and geese have been banded, and valu- able information already has been re- ceived from the reports sent in by hunters. Sportsmen accordingly are urged to examine the ducks and other wildfowl they kill and report every band obtained. The following records from the band- ing files of the Biological Survey will illustrate the character of the Infor- mation that is being accumulated: A mallard banded at Leduc, Alberta, on October 23. 1926, was killed at Robert- son Lake, Texas, on November 27, 1926. Two mallards banded at Browning. 111., in November, 1922, were killed, one near Sacramento. Calif., in December, 1923, and the other in Glascock county. Georgia, in November, 1924. Another mallard banded in January. 1923. at Culver Island. Mo., was killed in June of the same year at Willow Lake, Mackenzie. A baldpate, or widgeon, banded in August at Davidson, Sas- katchewan, was killed near Houston, Texas, in December of the same year. A green-winged teal banded at Avery Island, La., in December. 1922, was killed in September, 1923, at Lethbridge, Alberta, and three others banded at the same time and place were recovered in the fall of 1923 and 1924 from points in the Sacramento Valley. Calif. An- other of these little ducks, banded on the Bear River marshes. Great Salt Lake, Utah, in July, 1926, was killed in November of the same year in the State of Sinaloa. Mexico. The problems studied by this method of research chiefly relate to the mys- terious migrations of birds. New and pertinent facts are continually being brought to light through an intensive application of the banding method, and it is to aid these investigations that Montana sportsmen are asked to co- operate by reporting all banded wild ducks and other species killed during the season which closes December 31. Glacier Park Deer Have Open Air Boarding Houses M- As t a j^m Superintendent Eakin of Glacier National Park finds that many of the animals would be unable to get natural feed through the deep snow, and open air boarding houses such as that pictured above have been a big factor in preserving the deer life of the park. They pny little attention to the caretaker pitching alfalfa out of the sled. 12 MONTANA WILD LITE Yip-Ysip Is Eeemiy of Wild Life HE'S A TOUGH hombre, this Senor Yip-Yap! The ranchers are against him. Poultry raisers thirst for his blood. Sheep men breathe easier when they know one of his tribe has met death. Even the federal government through the Biological Survey is on his trail month after month with a band of trained, keen, paid hunters. And yet this Senor Yip-Yap keeps on increasing or holding his own in his old ranges. As good measure, he pops up in another part Of the country where he was er heard of before, starts murdering sheep and raiding hen roosts just as though he had always lived in that neck of the woods. If anyone tells you. says an interest- ing article in December Sunset, that the government and ranchers combined ar< about to obliterate one of the most picturesque animals of the old west through their campaign against the coyote — and it sounds reasonable that no four-legged critter could persist with such warring as has been planned against him— then just tuck a few of the following tads away in your head regarding the tribe of Yip-Yap, the tes of the western ranges: Formerly the coyote was pretty gen- i onfined to the great plains area. Now he has spread out like the advance scouts of an invading army all the way Into Alaska. He has made himself at home in the region west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon. He has migrated to the old burned-over land in the upper peninsula of Michi- gan. Even tin Empire state has a coyote problem. In Orleans county. New York. a small band has made its appearance and in the past year has levied a toll (10,0 n the sheep industry in this new stronghold. Another evidence of adaptation is be- ing demonstrated by the coyote. For- merly he did not attempt to kill the larger animals. He would rarely attack k. But of late years coyote kills of beef stock are increasing. Willi the old gray wolf gone, the coyote must l| htcr his own beef and he is find- ing was to do it Wild cane- is also suffering from the attack of Yip-Yap. Deer, full grown ami of taking care of them Selves nuclei normal conditions. Stand no chance at all when coyotes catch them in heavy crusted snow that will carry the weight ol the coyote crew but will not bear up under (lie sharp of the deer. A little strug- ■ . a little fighting 1" i haps, and the i. uck is changed from the beau tiful thing of the foresl wilds into warm Bteamy coyote meat, within the I few weeks a pack of COyotl pulled down a buck deer in the eastern foothills of the Medicine Bow moun- tains iii open country after a wild chase. Yip-Yap is becoming a killer of big game. Can a coyote kill ducks? Perhaps he is not quite fast enough to pounce on teal or mallard as they rise from the water, but he does steal eggs from their nests. He has been seen in nearly a half foot of water in the lakes in San Luis Valley, wading around, nosing into the tules, hunting for the nests of the ducks. That this was what he sought has been proven by finding many nests of wild ducks robbed by coyotes. Still another way the coyote horde is a menace on western stock ranges. He carries rabies. At least three outbreaks have oc- curred. About twelve years ago rabid coyotes were found in Nevada. They carried the disease into Utah and Cali- fornia, thence to Idaho and eastern Oregon. The first organized campaign against the coyote occurred as a result of this outbreak of the dread disease. Field parties were sent out, the best methods then known in poisoning and trapping were followed. It took a full two years to stamp out the rabies and get the situation under control. Another outbreak occurred in Wash- ington. The most recent was in the cow and sheep ranges in the southern sections of the San Isabel national for- est of Colorado. Stock, domestic dogs and scores of coyotes ranging in that land of beautiful and picturesque moun- tains, were victims of the disease be- fore the campaign finally blocked the attacks of the rabid coyotes. The dis- ease even appeared on the west side of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, a high line of peaks in the San Isabel forest. Coyotes crossing the range in the neighborhood of Pass Creek carried the disease into the valley west. But it is in the field of livestock depredations and the slaughter of poul- try and young things that the coyote has built up reason for his drastic con- trol if not obliteration. Newly born calves, pigs, deer, elk, baby grouse and even song birds are his special prey. About 70,000 head of livestock were killed by predatory animals on the ranges of western national forests in one year recently. Coyotes were the cause of much killing, particularly in the flocks of sheep that move up the slopes as summer pushes back the snow banks and brings bright green to the timberline grazing allotments. This killing of stock, killing of game, the slaughter of uncounted wild birds, has all led to the big fight that men have been directing against the tribe of Yip-Yap. UNBEARABLE The applicant for cook was untidy and insolent in appearance. "Don't hire her," whispered Jones to his wife. "I don't like her looks." "But," remonstrated his wife, "just consider the reputation for cooking she bears." "That doesn't matter," said Jones, testily. "We don't want any she bears cooked. We don't like them." Montana Hunters War on Coyotes This catch of coyotes, taken in the one month of November by E. B. Warren, has been responsible for the destruction of many game birds and animals. This is but another demonstration of the effective work being done by predatory animal hunters. MONTANA WILD LIFE 13 ACTUAL obser- vation of the defense of their young against coyotes by antelope is described in The Service, as related by Ben Kroll, gov- ernment hunter in the predatory ani- mal control service of South Dakota. Montana sportsmen who are protecting what few of the lit- tle animals that re- main in the Treas- ure State will be interested. Mr. Kroll's observations also included the collection of evidence against the coyote as a destroyer of antelope and game birds. He says: "We received a call from the keeper of the state antelope preserve to send a hunter there, as he was having trou- ble with a pair of coyotes inside the preserve. Ben Kroll was hired for the work and spent the first two days on the top of a high butte in the center of the preserve, called Antelope Butte, watching the maneuvers of the pair of coyotes that he soon located. By the use of field glasses he could get a good view of everything they did. Toward evening two coyotes came out of a brushy draw and started working up wind to where a small bunch of an- telope were lying down. When the coyotes were within about a hundred yards, they began to separate and work back and forth hunting. The old an- telope began to get very nervous and occasionally one would whistle. Several bucks at once came to the bunch and began to chase the coyotes and strike them with their forefeet. The coyotes would dodge the attack and then make a run at the antelope, but the latter would outrun them. As soon as the antelope let up their attack the coyotes would go hunting again and this would start the antelope to fighting once more. The antelope finally drove the coyotes away. The fight was too fast to ven- ture a shot for fear of hitting an an- telope. "Along the latter part of the evening of the second day one coyote came out to a spot where three female antelope had been for two days, with young hidden close by. This coyote tried to hunt out one of the young. There were only three old ones this time to do the fighting. When the old coyote got too close, first one and then another of the antelope would make a mad rush. Several times in dodging the coyote had to roll over to keep from being cut to pieces by the sharp feet of the antelope. The fight lasted for about half an hour before the coyote was driven away, and while it lasted it was not safe to risk a shot at the coyote. "The next day I was with Mr. Kroll, and after a short time we located the den not over 60 rods from where he had witnessed the two fights. We got one of the keepers to help dig out the den, and in it were found the remains of three young antelope and the wings and feathers of a number of sage hens and grouse, scattered about near the part where the pups were. We got out six pups and upon examining their stomachs found them to be full of the flesh of young antelope. Traps were placed for the old ones. The next day Mr. Kroll shot the male coyote, and when we examined his stomach we found it full of sage hen eggs — over a quart of them. The old female got out of the preserve and had not re- turned when I left. "While I was at the preserve I saw about 75 little antelope. There were a number of twins and one bunch of triplets. I watched the old one hide them, and when she had gone I tried for an hour to find them but had to give it up. Then both the keeper and I made another hunt, but failed. The little ones are concealed in cactus patches, where it is very difficult to get to them. The old mother antelope feeds the little fellows about every three hours, staying with them not over ten minutes at a time. As soon as they are through feeding they are hidden and the old one leaves them." A NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON WILD LIFE LEGISLATION has been organized at Washington, D. C. It is generally recognized as the most advanced step ever taken in behalf of the wild life of America, and will bring about a coordinated nation- wide movement such as has never be- fore been possible. This committee was organized in compliance with a resolution passed at a joint convention of conservation of- ficials and leaders of organizations at Seattle the latter part of August. The personnel of the committee con- sists of Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, presi- dent of the National Association of Audubon Societies, New York City, chairman ; Carlos Avery, president of the American Game Protective Asso- ciation, New York City, vice-chairman; Seth E. Gordon, conservation director of the Izak Walton League of America, Chicago, secretary; Dr. John C. Phil- lips, president of the American Wild Fowlers, Wenham, Mass., treasurer: and Messrs. George D. Pratt, president of the American Forestry Association, New York City; E. Lee LeCompte, State Game Warden of Maryland, rep- resenting the International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Com- missioners; R. G. Parvin, State Game and Fish Commissioner of Colorado, representing the Western Association of Fish and Game Commissioners; I. Zellerbach of the California Game and Fish Commission; I. T. Quinn, State Game and Fish Commissioner of Ala- bama; Keith McCanse, State Game and Fish Commissioner of Missouri, and Gustavus Pope of Detroit. Members of this committee are all recognized leaders in conservation af- fairs, and because of their geographical distribution throughout America will bring together the best thought of the entire nation on this important subject. In addition to perfecting an organi- zation and laying plans for future ac- tivities, the committee decided to make the Norbeck Migratory Bird Refuge Bill, which has passed the senate and is now pending in the house, its first order of business. Government offi- cials concerned, as well as other con- servation leaders, were invited to ap- pear before the committee. After due deliberation the committee decided to support the Norbeck bill in principle as it now stands, but will recommend such minor amendments as may be desirable to make it effective. In effect this means that the plan is to secure from congress an annual ap- propriation of one million dollars for the creation of inviolate migratory bird refuges throughout the entire country rather than ask the sportsmen of America to contribute the funds through a federal hunting license. It also means that the government will not undertake to sugply and administer public hunting areas adjacent to these refuges, but will feave that matter en- tirely in the hands of the several states. There has been determined opposi- tion to both the federal license and the public hunting grounds features of the original bill, and the committee be- lieves the plan above outlined will meet with universal approval. 14 M O N T A N A W I L D LIFE Oeeimses Hit New Record INCREASING demands tor Montana hunting and fishing licenses prom- is, t«i semi the 1!»2S figure to a new high record. At the start of the season. before the opening of the fishing sea- son in May. State Game Warden Robert H. Hill sensed the increasing demands made upon Montana fields and streams and ordered a supply of 90,000 blank licenses for state residents. Little more than a week ago this supply had been exhausted and it was necessary to send a rush order to the printer tor addi- tional blanks. Many of these are in the hands of dealers in hooks which have not been issued, but the supply at head- 1928 II & K. May $ : June 39 July 29.130 August 21.216 ■ mber 14,884 October 15.048 November 9.980 Totals $131,730 No. Licenses 65.S65 quarters at the state capitol at Helena was a blank. In 1925 the total resident licenses issued totaled 73,042. In 1926 the total decreased somewhat and at the close of the year the figure was 71,249. Figures compiled at headquarters of the Commission as of December 1, 1928. show that 65.865 resident licenses have been issued with hundreds of dealers yet to report and .10 days remaining in the year. The following table shows the sales of licenses and funds received since the fishing season opened in May: Non- Res. P. $ 360.50 1.613.50 2.516.50 4.361.011 2.740.50 Gen. Non-Res. J -in 60 .in 30 Lim. Xon-Res. $ 10 20 20 150 560 170 $930 93 Gen. Alien $150 50 150 100 $450 9 Alien Fishing $ 410 1.080 460 23il 120 1711 140 $ $ Total 3.238.50 42.127.50 32,236.50 25.S57.00 1.428.00 479.50 :,lii 1.770 17.866.00 12,639.50 $13,409.50 3.S57 $2,640 ss $2,610 261 51.S59.50 70.173 Tule Lake Bird Refuge Established in California 1'iiblic Shooting Grounds Provided in Southern Portion BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, President Coolidge has created the Tule Lake Bird Refuge in northern Califor- nia, thus bringing to 80 the number of wild life reservations administered by the Bureau of Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agri- < u] t ure. The new refuge consists of 10,300 acres of government lands in northeastern Siskiyou county, within the Klamath irrigation project. These lands are flooded to a considerable ex- tent by waste water and thus form an llent waterfowl resort. Paul Q. Redington, chief of the Bio- logical Survey, states that it is a most important addition to the list of wild- fowl refuges established by executive r and by acts of congress. Tule Lake has long been the Mecca for such wildfowl as the mallard, redhead, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, avocets, stilts, and other shore birds. It also is a favorite wintering ground for the cackling geese, a bird that breeds on the north- ol \laska. The layout ol the area Is such, due to mud conditions along the shores, that a natural refuge has existed In the northern part ol the Tule Lake area, but sportsmen have in the past ■ I their recreation on other portions of the area. In order not to mete out undue hardship to these sportsmen, it was deemed advisable to allow a con- tinuance of hunting privileges on an area at the southern end of the lake, and accordingly the secretary of agri- culture on October 10 approved an or- der permitting hunting on 2,800 acres south of the line forming the north boundary at Sections 33 and 34 of Township 47 North, Range 4 East, Mount Diablo Meridian. The inviolate refuge, therefore, comprehends 7,500 acres of land extremely valuable for resting and feeding grounds for the birds which frequent the area. Mr. Redington further states that this refuge, which lies just south of the SUBSCRIPTION COMBINATION American Game Protective Association, 2273 Woolworth Building, New York City, N. T. Herewith find remittance of $1.50 for membership in the Association Including subscription to "AMKRI- CAN GAMK" and "MONTANA WILD LIFE." Combination Price Membership In American Game Protective Assn. Subscription to "American L m my desk at The Louisville Times, iuse that is about as near as I can come to living on a farm and meeting the requirements of an urban occupa- tion, I believe I know something about the farmer's stake in general conser- \ a i ion. I say "general conservation" because fish and game conservation, to get any- where, must be linked with forest con- servation, which conserves the supply of water tor streams and lakes, and anti-pollution, which makes, or keeps, the water of streams and lakes, springs and wells, fit for fish, and human be- ings, to use as God intended it to be used. When I was a boy, on a 1,400-acre farm in western Kentucky, the clear- ings surrounded by virgin forest, there was no butcher shop within seventeen miles, and maybe not at the end of the seventeen miles of earth road, over a knob country, which ran to the county seat. I say "maybe" because I can not recall having heard any one in our household mention a butcher shop as a jarj source of table supply. We killed a fat mutton occasionally, in winter when the meat would keep, and more rarely, a bullock. But as a rule contents of a large smoke house in which hung hams, shoulders, jowls, middlings and the furred and winged contents of forest and field, and the tinned contents of river, creek and lake provided all of the "fish, flesh and fowl" any family could want, and we devoted little thought to "good red her- ring." In those days, in that region, a tenant house cost nothing but the labor ol felling the trees, hewing and notching the Ions, riving the boards for the roof splitting out the oak rafters, dress ins for the floor, with the adze, or hauling a log to the sawmill and having the floor planking Well, :■• s, there were window to be bought, and metal hinges might be used on the door, and even a lock with knobs, instead of a wooden latch, with the string hanging out In daytime, a welcome to the stranger or i.bor. But the COSl Of Hi" trim- mings was little. Firewood? Acres, tens of acres, hun- dred , thousands ol acres Bur- rounded the tanning country. Kails for fences? Countless In the oak and ash, and even the black walnut, for the splitting. ii didn't cost much to live. Coppers • not used. 'I'h' was a nickel. If you bought a which was priced at 16 ci you paid 16, or -on paid 20. a i opper coin was a curiosity. But money It 1 " ■ ery- thlnj I bat I used mu and the fact that were nol In cir- culation didn't seem to bother any one. There was always hunting, and bj that 1 mean good hunting. The deer had not been killed out, by reckless shooting of does, fawns and bucks alike. The wolf traps were rusting in corners, in disuse. But turkeys, ducks, geese, squirrels, coons, possums, quail — rabbits were killed if they got in the way rather than because they were re- garded as game — swarmed. Expert riflemen — using cap-and-ball rifles — scorned to shoot a squirrel save in the head, as a rule, and I have seen a man come in in the early fore- noon with thirty squirrels, bagged since daylight, his bullet driven home with a hickory ramrod before each shot. I knew one man who liked squirrel brains. He always shot his squirrels in the forequarters, that neither the brain, the saddle nor the hind quar- ters should be torn by a bullet. Any day in spring, after corn plant- ing time and before the corn was a foot high you could walk along the edge of a large cornfield bordered by the woods find see turkeys in the field. They were wary and difficult to shoot, distant dark spots on the cornland, moving slowly about, picking up corn. Any boy could kill ducks, on the wing or on the water, and geese, more difficult game, fell to the guns of ex- perienced hunters. The river was often literally "black" with both kinds of waterfowl, and in the sloughs along the river the ducks especially were plentiful. Fishing? The creeks and the lakes, the latter along the river in the bottom land, or, in some cases on islands in the river, provided game fish. Jug fishing in the river, or trotline fishing, was rewarded by catches of large fish, the cats sometimes running to 80 or luu pounds. Many of the woodland streams were so clear that a boy fishing for small fish — up to a half pound or so — could see them take the hook. And swim- ming In such water, in the cool depths of the untouched forest, was a summer diversion hardly matched by "bathing" at a summer resort. The farmer's stake in conservation is just this. Pennsylvania now has hunting— restored hunting — which Seth Gordon says is better — in so far as big game is concerned — than it was when Daniel Boone explored Kentucky. Eveu if Seth, formerly of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and now Conserva- tion Director of the Izaak Walton League, exaggerates a bit, and maybe he does, it is a fact that they are kill- ing plenty of deer, in fact have too many in places, and S00 bear a year, in Pennsylvania, and I heard a fellow say that he saw brook trout in a stream within the town limits of Bradford, in that state; even if Seth does exag- gerate they have brought back in Pennsylvania a good deal of that which made life easy; made living cheap and made entertainment, for boys and' men, plentiful, in western Kentucky in my boyhood. And they are bringing back the forests in Pennsylvania, and in New- York, and in sundry other states. And all of this can be done in every state. And who has a greater stake in its being done — without cost to him, and while he sleeps — than the farmer who is a little sore because bo\ s leave the farm, and a good deal sorer because it is so gol durned hard to make buckle and tongue meet, farming, with about as much to buy as there is to sell, be- cause the forests and the fish and game are gone, and the soil so depleted? Here's another example of the work of the vand.il who prowls the woods and shoots regardless of state fish and game laws. The carcass of this cow elk was found before the season opened in the Blackfoot country on Copper Creek near Lander's Fork by Otto Huntcnberg and Daniel Haupt, Helena sportsmen. The vandals who had killed the animal illegally took the right hind quarter and the loins and left the remainder for predatory animals. The carcass was still fresh when the Helena men, who were fishing in the vicinity, found it. The picture was taken by Mr. Huntenberg.