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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

Montana state fish and same

1 , L

CDontana

Alice £ee Eddy

Ualier, COontan.i

Mo/itana winds are the keenest winds
Of all the winds that blow.
Montatia stars are the brightest stars
That gleam on miles oj snow.
An endless plain, mountain tall,
A placid lake, a waterfall,
A beauty, a grandeur prevading all
Montatia!

Montana skies are the bluest skies

Oj all the skies I know.

Montana fields are the greenest fields,

Of all the fields that grow.

Sunshine and rain,

Metals and grain,

A land to win, a home to gain,

Montana!

. -

.,

■

MONTANA WILD LIFE

The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission

VOL. I.

HELENA, MONTANA, FEBRUARY. 1929

No. 9

THE Montana Sportsmen's Associa-
tion, threatened with trials and
tribulations, still lives as the re-
sult of the sincere efforts of a group
of determined members attending the
annual gathering held at the Placer
hotel at Helena on January 26. After
two days of deliberations, the climax
of the annual meeting came at the an-
nual banquet when a report of a select
committee was read announcing that
the state association had been given
new life and launched on a new pro-
gram of vitality. The motion to ask
the Izaak Walton League of America
to take over the organization of chap-
ters in Montana was voted down. For
the information of Montana sportsmen,
the following report of the annual meet-
ing, supplied by Chairman Glen A.
Smith of Missoula, is published in MON-
TANA WILD LIFE:

The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Glen A. Smith of Missoula.
He made a short report on the affairs
of the association during the past year.
' B. W. Nelson, acting as secretary for
the association, read the minutes of
the meeting of the governing board of
the association held at Great Falls Feb-
ruary 4. 192S, as follows:

"Chairman Smith and E. A. Wilson
were present as members of the board;
also Cecil V. Wilson, of Helena, repre-
senting Dr. Copenhaver, and H. M. Read
of Great Falls, representing Rev. Nel-
son in the meeting.

"Upon motion by Mr. Wilson, Mr.
Smith was unanimously re-elected as
chairman of the board for the ensuing
year. The matter of electing a secre-
tary-treasurer was deferred.

"Upon motion by Mr. Read it was
voted that the association pay $15 of
the cost of the fly rod presented to
President Coolidge last summer.

"Secretary Carpenter presented the
following program of work for the year,
which, upon motion by Mr. Read, was
unanimously adopted with the under-
standing that the more important fea-
tures shall be given preference. Co-
operation with the Kiwanis Clubs of
Montana in establishing recreational
areas throughout the state: continue
work in behalf of the north herd of
Yellowstone Park elk; submit a revised
(•(institution and by-laws in accordance
with action taken at the eighth an-
nual meeting; give consideration to
the plan of advertising Montana through
a representative of this association in
the 4-H Boys' and Girls' Clubs at the
Chicago International Livestock Show;

cooperate with other agencies in keep-
ing Yellowstone National Park and
other national parks and monuments
intact; bring about a correction of the
boundary of the National Bison Range
in western Montana; cooperate with
other agencies in securing the enact-
ment of the Forest and Wild Life Re-
search Bill by Congress; cooperate with
other agencies in securing migratory
bird refuge legislation by Congress;
cooperate with the Biological Survey
in banding ducks, etc.. in Montana;
bring about the establishment of addi-
tional permanent, safe areas for ducks
and geese by either state or federal
agencies, the planting of these and
other areas to duck foods, and the
protection of adjacent forage cover to
provide safe nesting areas above high-
water line; re-establish the old boun-
dary of the Gallatin Game Preserve in
the vicinity of the town of Gardiner;
cooperate with the Izaak Walton League
in securing an appropriation with which
to reclaim the Bear River marshes of

Lion and Lamb?

Puzzle: Find the Chipmunk

LAMBS may lie down alongside lions.
Montana chipmunks may also take
a chance with the family dog.
Here's proof that a wee denizen of
the woods has made a friend. This
unusual photograph showing the strange
friendship was taken by Howell Mc-
Kay, 312 Cedar, Anaconda, for readers
of MONTANA WILD LIFE. He writes
that the chipmunk, which fostered the
friendship of the dog and is seen
perched on Towser's head, oftentimes
has become so rough with his play-
mate that Towser closed his eyes while
resting to avoid a scratching.

Utah; give serious attention to the 1929
legislative program with a view of seek-
ing the fewest possible changes in the
laws, the idea being to offer just as
few and just as small bills as can be
made to answer the demands of neces-
sity, as it is quite likely the sportsmen
will find themselves on the defensive
during at least a portion of the ses-
sion ; organize at least one more group
conference with Livingston as the cen-
tral point; continue the campaign for
more rearing ponds on streams to be
stocked; more educational work needed
to prevent the destruction of feathered
friends of mankind, particularly as to
hawks and owls; assist local clubs to
sell their conservation programs more
generally to the public; study the Pow-
der River refuge matter with a view
of working out the suggestions of Dr.
Garberson relative thereto; study water
pollution and kindred matters with a
view of guarding against too great a
sacrifice of Montana's out-of-doors to
industrial development of the state; and
continue efforts to have more nature
study carried on in the schools.

"Those in attendance at the meeting
were guests of the Great Falls Sports-
men's Association at a sumptuous din-
ner that evening."

Representative Ben Nelson of Malta
spoke on the work before the legisla-
ture. He suggested, due to the great
volume of legislation, that nothing but
urgent bills be considered.

J. J. Harper read a paper discussing
the advisability of the federal govern-
ment operating the national forests, and
the probable outcome of any attempt
on the part of the state or of any pri-
vate individual to take over supervision.
Dr. Howard Welch of Bozeman
pointed out the fact that, if he was
correctly informed, 43 per cent of the
State of Montana is now exempt from
taxation because of federal and state-
owned lands.

President Glen A. Smith discussed
Mr. Harper's paper as follows:

"I might give you a few figures just
to show you what we have done in
connection with providing range on the
national forests for the game. The net
area of the national forests in Montana
at this time amounts to 15.S72.456 acres,
of which 937, 39S acres are closed to
grazing or are in state and national
game preserves. This amounts to 6
per cent of the total area of the na-
tional forests. There is waste range.
that is. so far as livestock is concerned,
amounting to 7,837,421 acres. A gross

MONTANA WILD LIFE

area of 8,S69,273 acres is set aside and
used only by game, including preserves,
inaccessible range and areas closed to
domestic stock. This amounts to 56
per cent of the total area of national
forest land in Montana.

a careful study of the game Bitua
tion In Montana, both from the summer
and the winter standpoint, shows that
purely summer range occupies about
11. '100,000 acres of the national forests,
while about 4,S10,SS9 acres, or 30 per
cent, of the national forests may be
considered as winter range, as against
70 per cent used as purely summer
range. This in general is the situa-
tion. The above will give you an idea
ut the necessity of providing winter
range outside the national forests. We
have ample summer range for game
everywhere, but some time when you
are out in the mountains during the
summer just try and picture the condi-
tions encountered during the winter
months. If we could properly dis-
tribute the winter range where the
game animals are, or divide it up prop-
erly with the summer range, all would
be well but in many cases winter range
in public ownership adjacent to sum-
mer range in public ownership is
wholly lacking.

"The stockmen have their side of the
matter and the sportsmen have their
side. True cooperation is the only way
in which the matter can be adequately
handled. I like to think of it in these
terms, that 'cooperation comes to its
finest flower in a spirit of trust of the

other fellow and very quickly dies in
a spirit of distrust.' If we are going
to cooperate, we have to cooperate on
thinking that the other fellow has his
side of the question just the same as
we have.

"Several years ago the Forest Service
made a careful study of the lands in
the national forests that would be ca-
pable ni carrying taxes, that is, that
an individual would pay taxes on. The
question as to what the taxes would
amount to if this untaxable land now
in the national forests should go to
private ownership, or the question how
much would be gained from placing the
already untaxable property into pri-
vate hands, it was found under the
present system of assessment and taxa-
tion that the taxes to be derived from
the now untaxable property in the na-
tional forests would be in the neigh-
borhood of some $342,000. This situa-
tion would exist as long as the lands
were capable of producing revenues
and would therefore justify any one
paying taxes.

"I want to call your attention at
this time to Benewah county in Idaho.
This county was the cream of the
white pine and cedar forests of the
United States. Years ago a great ma-
jority of it passed into the hands of
private individuals, and during the past
twenty-two years lumbering has been
in full sway. The great majority of
the private forests is now cut over or
burned and is in a state of low pro-
ductivity. Thousands of acres annu-

Bottle Fed Babies Thrive in Montana

W&fe&Mg

MONTANA sportsmen generally are
over-eager in protecting the sup-
posedly lost fawn, bui when per-
mission is secured from State Depart-
ment headquarters, these little animals,
in danger of being attacked by preda-
tory animals, have been left temporarily
in the care of their rescuers. Many
times a fawn believed lost is but hid-
den by the doe and the touch of human
hands causes the doe to desert it. If
left alone it will usually find the
mother. in the above picture are
shown three interesting snapshots. The
whitetalled fawn "Miss Snookums,"
shown in the lower pictures, was found

in a log jam on the north fork of the
Flathead river. At the right it is
shown being fed from a bottle by Mrs.
Charles Waters of Trail Creek, Mont.
At the right is shown the same fawn
nt seven months of age, eating from
the hand of Charles Waters. In the
circle above is shown an antelope fawn
whieh William Kruse of Trail Creek
raised in southeastern Montana. The
whitetall lawn ate anything from soap
to chewing tobacco and fish hooks,
making itself at home when the door
was open. It finally left home and was
seen no more.

ally come back to the county for de-
linquent taxes. The owners who placed
their money in it can't see anything
further for it. It is a perfect waste,
and unless some county, state, federal
or public agency takes this land over
and starts a new forest, which will
take a long time, it will continue more
or less idle land. Private capital can
not see any investment in it because
private capital can get good bond se-
curities bringing in 6 or S per cent,
and can not see the benefit to be de-
rived to them personally from regrow-
ing a forest, which would take some
75 or 100 years.

"Just for example, let us take what
would happen here in our own terri-
tory. Referring to the taxable prop-
erty you might get in time to come,
after all these lands have passed pat-
ent, around $350,000 in taxation. Now
what is on the other side? Under the
federal law 25 per cent of the gross
income goes to the states in which
these forests are located. At the pres-
ent time about $70,000 comes back to
the state for schools and roads. For
the present you would get more if the
lands were taxable but the income
from the national forests is bound to
increase as the uses of them increase,
which is conservatively estimated for
the future at about $250,000 per annum.

"The revenues are received from
grazing, timber sales, recreational uses,
and other special provisions which are
bringing in revenues. The state re-
ceives 25 per cent without any super-
vision or assessment, just handed to
it without expense of any kind. In
addition to this, I think that last year
there was expended in the State of
Montana on forests, highways, trails
and roads necessary to open up na-
tional forests, building roads between
communities, the sum of $1,400,000 and
as time goes on we can probably ex-
pect an increase for the construction
of roads and trails within the national
forests. If the state had to build these
roads, trails and other improvements
necessary for the protection and de-
velopment and furnish the necessary
administrative expenses, and stock the
streams, how far would $400,000 go?
In addition the cost involved from pro-
tecting the national forests costs the
government around $1,000,000 a year
for supervision and protection, as
against the $400,000 the state would
receive if they undertook the supervi-
sion of the national forests they would
have to put into the administration
and development of the lands the sum
of two or three million dollars annu-
ally. Therefore, I do not see how the
State of Montana can afford to own the
national forests, and therefore this must
be a national and not a state problem.

"Montana has considerable forest hind
and will probably have more in the
future as it may become necessary to
take over some lands now in private
ownership, the owners of which may
decide that the burden of taxes is too
great and desire that the state take
them over. So there is ample room for
both the state and federal governments
to carry this big problem of keeping
the forest lands of the state in a pro-
ductive state.

"Pennsylvania last year passed a bond
issue of $6,000,000 to acquire timber

MONTANA WILD LIFE

land in that state. This land was at
one time privately owned. This is an
important matter in Pennsylvania as
they pay out something like $45,000,000
a year in freight on lumber that is
shipped into the state. Under the pres-
ent system in Montana with our na-
tional forests we will never need to
import any lumber into the state, so
Montana is in the position of having
Uncle Sam grow timber at home in
order to save the freight on lumber
coming into her state. Based on a per
capita basis, Montana now owns more
state land than Pennsylvania."

Frank Rose gave a talk on the band-
ing of ducks and the work accomplished
by the Biological Survey and urged
that the work be continued.

Chairman Smith appointed a resolu-
tions committee consisting of W. C.
Phillips, Dr. J. H. Garberson and Dr.
Welch of Bozeman, which committee
was to adopt a resolution to encour-
age the furthering of the work of the
Biological Survey.

Dr. J. H. Garberson read the follow-
ing report, and it was moved and sec-
onded that the resolutions be adopted:
"Be It Resolved, That the Montana
Sportsmen's Association go on record
as urging the passage of the Norbeck
Bill now under consideration by Con-
gress, and that the Montana senators
and representatives be notified of this
resolution, and

"Whereas, The work of the Biologi-
cal Survey on the Bison Preserve of
Montana in banding ducks and record-
ing their migratory movements appears
to be furnishing data invaluable to a
survey upon which regulatory measures
must be based; and

"Whereas, This work is of such im-
portance that it should be further ex-
panded and developed; and

"Whereas, This said work has been
somewhat limited due to a lack of funds
and has only been possible in its pres-
ent scope due to the unselfish dona-
tion of time and labor by Mr. Rose.

"Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, That
the Montana Sportsmen's Association,
assembled at this their annual meeting
in Helena, urge that Congress ade-
quately provide for enlarging the scope
of this work and insure its continuance
over a sufficient period of time to give
the data collected its proper value; and
"Be It Further Resolved, That copies
of this resolution be sent to each sen-
ator and representative, to the head-
quarters of the Biological Survey, and
to the press."

Fred Williams of Bozeman made a
motion to the effect that the Montana
Sportsmen's Association recommend to
the legislature that the season for elk
be extended fifteen days, and to allow
the killing of one deer of either sex
in Gallatin county, but that this season
could be closed at any time upon five
days' notice being given by the State
Fish and Game Commission. A sub-
stitute motion was made that no
changes in the game laws be recom-
mended to the legislature by this asso-
ciation.

A substitute to this substitute motion
was made that this association recom-
mend to the legislature a bill empower-
ing the State Fish and Game Commis-
sion to open and close all seasons in

various localities as it might deem
proper.

After some discussion, a vote was
taken on the second substitute motion
and was defeated, after which a vote
was taken on the first substitute mo-
tion, which carried.

Secretary Nelson read a resolution
adopted by the executive board of the
Montana Sportsmen's Association at its
meeting January 25, 1929:

"Moved that it be the sense of this
meeting that the governing board rec-
ommend to the general meeting of the
Montana Sportsmen's Association that
the said Montana Sportsmen's Associa-
tion affiliate with the Izaak Walton
League of America provided that the
Izaak Walton League will agree to fur-
nish the desired cooperation in organiz-
ing the local clubs as Izaak Walton
chapters, and further that it be the
recommendation of the Montana state
association to the local clubs that said
affiliation be effected."

Secretary Nelson read a telegram for-
warded to the Izaak Walton League at
Chicago, Illinois, and their answer:

"Chicago, 111., Jan. 26, 1929.

"Glen A. Smith, Montana Sportsmen's
Association, Helena, Montana:

"Wish to congratulate executive board
of Montana Sportsmen's Association on

wisdom of resolution. Walton League
plan of organization is governed by a
policy of producing the greatest results
most economically. The league will be
very glad to cooperate in the following
fashion: By working with the present
executive officers of the association in
enacting the transition. Further it will
carry on the preliminary work with
the various local units by mail, in-
structing them how to make the transi-
tion and when and if sufficient response
has been developed will personally as-
sist in the development of a state body
and give further personal effort for a
limited time to solving local situations
and developing a program of activities.
This cooperation is predicated on the
basis of a membership with minimum
of four or five dollars, divided one or
two dollars to the chapter, one dollar
to the state and two dollars for na-
tional requirement which includes a
full year's subscription to Outdoor
America for each member. Minnesota,
Wisconsin and various other most suc-
cessful states have been developed by
this process. Will be glad to hear and
amplify further. Fred H. Doellner."

There was considerable discussion by
members as to the advisability of
adopting the resolution, and after due
deliberation a vote was taken. Only

The Grateful Man by Constance Marion Simpson

He hit my camp on a rainy day

A-coming from God knows where,
With a busted place in his overalls

And burs in his tangled hair.
He wasn't a fop, and he wasn't a dude,

But he surely was kind to me,
When he said that my method of cook-
ing beans
Was the finest he ever see.
Now don't forget that the hills are high

And the lone days wide between,
Till a man forgets that he's got a
tongue,
And his starving soul grows lean;
For God he put in the first man's heart

The longing for human praise;
And down through the millions of
changing years
That hankering stays, and stays.
I bedded him down the best I could,

And showed him the whisky jug.
1 didn't sleep good on the ground that
night
But the stranger was warm and snug;
I didn't sleep good, but I didn't mind,

For I listened to what he said,
When he swore that my blankets re-
minded him
Of his grandmother's feather bed.
Oh! he was the gratefullest man, I
think.
That ever came up the pass;
He praised my claim, and he praised
my grub.
And he bragged on my old jackass;
He praised the coffee I brought to him

Before he was out of bed,
Till my worn-out hat got far too small

For the size of my swelling head.
He stayed and stayed, till the spring
sun came
And the hill slopes all turned brown.
And the drab flood rifled the old sluice
box
With the snow thaw coming down;

Then he went away; I was needing
help,
For the bacon was low you see,
And the sluicing waters they don't last
long;
But he'd been so kind to me.
He'd been so kind that I couldn't bear

To mention, you understand —
That I needed help; so he shed some
tears,
And gratefully shook my hand;
Then he borrowed my shovel, and fry-
ing pan,
Tobacco, and grub, and then —
Went singing away up Old Three Fork,

And he never came back again.
He never came back, but he struck a
lead
At the forks of Little Bear,
A six-foot lead of the Peacock Blue;

And now he's a millionaire.
I met him once, plumb face to face,
On the Wolf Creek road last fall;
He looked my way as his car went by,

But he never saw me at all.
He never saw me, and my feelings
ached,
As I stood in the dusty trail,
A cheery grin — it was all I asked —

And maybe a friendly hail;
For the hills are high, and the hours
are long.
And the lone days wide between;
I wanted a grin — and all I got —

Was the stink of his gasoline.
Well, I suppose, there's a lot of things

When a fellow's a millionaire
That fill his mind, till his poor old
friends
Are crowded clean out of there;
Yet, once he was terribly kind to me;

He's rich, and I sure am glad —
Rut I wish he would bring my shovel
back,
'Cause I'm needing it awful bad.

M O N T A N A \\ I L I) L I F E

the clubs in good standing had the
privilege ol voting, each casting two

vuli's as Follows: Against, Laurel. Big
Timber, Augusta and Red Lodge. For
the adoption of the resolution, Miles
City. Libby, Billings and Great Kails,
The vote being a tie, the chair declared
the motion lost.

A motion carried "That this meeting
express complete confidence in the
present governing hoard, and that they
especially wish to ask every one of the
members to continue in his respective
position to help work out the problems
of the association, and thai any mem
bers whose terms expire this year be
re-elected for the ensuing year."

A report was submitted by Sam T.
Woodring, Chief Park Ranger of Yel-
lowstone National Park, as follows:

Comparative reports of elk killed by
hunters in Gallatin and Park counties.
Montana, showing percentages of losses
on counts secured during the years
1924 to 1928, inclusive (5 years'):

Gallatin Herd -1924, 190; 1925, 162;
1926, 121; 1927, 78; 1928, 81; total. 632.

Yellowstone-Lamar River Herd — 1924.
366; 1925, 88: 1926, 719; 1927, 1529;
PC's. 15; total, 2717.

The average number comprising the
Gallatin herd during this period was
2500 bead; the average number killed
annually by hunters was 126, showing
a loss of 5 per cent of the herd total.

The average number comprising the
Yellowstone-Lamar River herd during
this period was 17,350 head; the aver-
age number killed annually by hunters
was 542, showing a loss of 3 per cent
of the herd total.

Financial Statement, 192s

Laurel

Rig Timber .

Moccasin

Hobson

Augusta

Fors' lb

Twin Bridges

Harlowton

Mihs City

Libby

Billings

Tobacco Valley

Great Falls

Rosebud

Red Lodge

Receipts

13.75

13.50

17.50
9.50
9.50

L> mi

11.25
1 1.00
72.25

2

95.00
23.25
49.25
5 25
22.75

Total :. $3

DisburxementH

tary'S Salary:

January $

February
March

April

May
June
July
August

78.75

:,.iiu
10.82

::

22.20
12.60

•' 25
;:, mi
57 13

Total $213.30

Travel expense of secretary 2.36
Salary of stenographer: Jan..

$14.90; Dec. $2.50 17.40

24.30

Office -applies 28.60

Auti taxes, insurance I

Telegrams 34 20

Printing 77.20

Receipts, 1928

Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1928 $108 81

Club dues, 1927 44.90

Club dues. 1928 . 378.75

Great Falls Club donation to

elk program 10.00

Total.. $542.46

Disbursements 409.59

Balance Jan. 20. PCs 112.87

At the annual banquet of the asso-
ciation, served at the Hotel Placer
grill, the resolution was presented and
adopted which assures the continued
functioning of the association with re-
newed vigor during the coming years.
The resolution was read by Fred Wil-
liams of Bozeman and was prefaced by
his remark: "The Montana Sportsmen's
Association still lives." It was pre-
pared by the committee of leaders ap-
pointed by Chairman Glen A. Smith
after extended deliberation. The reso-
lution provides that the organization
shall function hereafter with dues of
the membership increased from 25 cents
to 50 cents, selects MONTANA WILD
LIFE as the official publication of the
organization, requests that the sub-
scription price of the magazine estab-
lished and published by the State Fish
and Game Commission be increased to
$1 and urges the employment of a full
time secretary whose duty it shall be
to organize clubs, solicit subscriptions
for MONTANA WILD LIFE and con-
tinue the work of the sportsmen.

Safe in Protecting Arms

Total $196.79

Total disbursements I0S 59

Forest Ranger Fitzgerald with a deserted
fawn in the Bitter Roots.

JOHN P. SHEBHAN of the state fish
hatchery at Hamilton submits the
above photograph taken in the West
Fork country of the Bitter Roots where
the ranger and a trail crew found the

lawn deserted by a doe lie writes
that deer in that district are not in
good shape because of the activity of
a louse. Sulphur salt is being put out
and the deer thai come to tic licks
are wintering in good shape. Lice and
ticks are seemingly driven oft the deei

by the salt.

It Cures His Ills

Editor MONTANA WILD LIFE:

1 write to tell you how much I have
enjoyed MONTANA WILD LIFE. It
seems to me that I have never read
anything relating to the woods and
streams that is comparable to the last
issue ot your wonderful publication.
It happened to reach me in a sick room
and has been a wonderful agent in
accomplishing a good deal of physical
rejuvenation in me. This periodical
reaches me through the courtesy of
Dr. Morton J. Elrod. a long time
friend.

HENRY M. HART.
Principal, Butte High School,

1903-1907.
Principal. The Lewis and
Clark High School, Spo-
kane, 1907-1929.

Venison in 1878

Think of a market price of 5 cents
per pound for buck deer, 6 cents lot
does and venison saddles at from 9 to
10 cents, the prices at which such meat
was selling legally on the St. Louis
market in December, 1S7S. Then con-
sider the earnest effort now being made
to reproduce deer.

The St. Louis Post and Dispatch of
December 12. 1S7S, gives the following
interesting game quotations for that
date, exactly fifty years ago:

"GAME — In much larger receipt and
generally lower; demand less active;
receipts in good condition. Sales:
Grouse at $2.75-$3 — latter selected:
pheasants dull at $2.75-$3; quail at 75c
round; selected undrawn 80-85c; rab-
bits 70-80c — latter for large 111.; squir-
rels at 30-40c; ducks at $2 for mal-
lard. $1.50-$1.75 for teal, $1.25-$1.50 for
mixed; pigeons 10-15c; deer at 5c per
pound gross for bucks, 6c for does —
venison saddles 9-10c — latter dressed;
wild turkeys at 5-6c per pound; 'pos-
sum 5c to 15c each."

A Word from Wisconsin

Editor MONTANA WILD LIFE:

We can no longer refrain from writ-
ing to compliment you on the excel-
lent publication, MONTANA WILD
LIF'F], which you arc1 putting out in
the interest of wild life conservation
and preservation in your state and
elsewhere.

The January number is particularly
well edited and beautifully illustrated.
It is very interesting from cover to
cover and makes a mighty favorable
impression on sportsmen and outdoor
enthusiasts wherever it is read. 1

Hut best of all. the strong logic- of
your arguments is converting all de-
cent men to see hunting and fishing
privileges in a higher and fairer light .
and unifying the citizenry of our land
in the matter of law enforcement. We

believe the bandit fisherman is doomed
to extinction. lie will soon find ton
lunch against bint. Systematic organ-
ized game protection is sure to win
the day. We congratulate Montana on
its work along this line. It is point-
ing the way for sister states to CollOW.
Best wishes. \v. X. HEDBACK.

President and Manager. Island
City Silver Fox Co.. Cumber-
land. Wis.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

MooteiMi to Mark Closed Streams

MONTANA'S closed streams and
same preserves are to be prop-
erly marked with attractive metal
signs, through initial steps taken by
the State Fish and Game Commission
at its last regular meeting on January
2!). The purchase of 5,000 metal signs,
3,000 for the game preserves of the
state and 2,000 for the closed streams,
was authorized by the Commission with
the matter placed in the hands of
Chairman Thomas N. Marlowe of Mis-
soula. Bright, striking colors, easily
visible to the angler or hunter, will
be painted on these signs intended to
serve as a double warning.

During the afternoon the Commission
adjourned to meet in joint session with
representatives of the Montana Sports-
men's Association at the Placer hotel,
it being the annual gathering of the
association. In the evening members
of the Commission attended the banquet
with representatives of clubs of sports-
men.

At the Commission meeting Game
Warden Hill read a letter from Paul
Arnett, commercial fisherman at Flat-
head Lake, protesting against the re-
cent order of the Fish and Game Com-
mission amending the rules and regu-
lations governing commercial fishing
at that lake. Mr. Arnett advised that
to have a seine at a depth of not less
than thirty feet would eliminate all
whitefish and Dolly Varden trout fish-
ing, as they live in shallow waters.
The matter was laid on the table until
a future meeting.

Mr. Hill read a letter from John
Tansil, attorney at Billings, asking that
the Commission open Mollins Lake, in
Yellowstone county, to seining. It is
the desire of Elso McCracken to seine
this lake to get rid of the bullheads
so that game fish may be planted. The
matter was referred to Commissioner
\V. K. Moore for his consideration and
investigation.

The Commission went on record fa-
voring the Norbeck game refuge bill,
and Game Warden Hill was instructed
to wire the congressmen from Montana
to this effect, write letters to the sec-
retaries of the rod and gun clubs and
do everything possible to see that this
bill comes up for consideration before
the present session of Congress ad-
journs.

Chairman Marlowe read a letter from
the Libby Rod and Gun Club asking
that the Commission pay a bill for
paint used on the Libby hatchery. Ed
Boyes advised that when the hatchery
was built it was not painted. The
members of the club painted the build-
ing, oiled the floors and built a flume
from the hatchery to the creek. The
bill was allowed and the Libby Rod and
Gun Club given a letter of thanks.

Chairman Marlowe read a letter from
the forest supervisor of Flathead na-
tional forest asking that a trap be put
in Holland Lake, in the Clearwater
country, to take out squaw fish. As
soon as the weather and road condi-

tions permit Deputy Warden Bergan
was instructed to take traps to Holland
Lake.

Mr. Marlowe read a letter from Sen-
ator George Cooper of Mineral county
stating that that county needed rearing
ponds along the streams in view of
the fact that many Idaho sportsmen
fish in that county consistently. Mr.
Marlowe and Dr. I. H. Treece were
instructed to investigate and take such
action as is necessary.

George Mushbach of Billings, United
States game protector, reported that he

Elegy Written in a Tourist
Camp Ground

The klaxon sounds the knell of parting
day.
Some late arrivals through the dust
clouds creep.
And three hours after we have hit the
hay
The noise calms down so we can get
to sleep.
Save where, from yonder pennant-clad
sedan,
A radio set emits its raucous squeal.
And, underneath a nearby light, a man
Pounds until daylight on a busted
wheel.
Beneath those tattered tops, those pat-
ent tents,
Where falls the dust into each sun-
burned pore,
Each on his folding bed of slight ex-
pense,
The rude explorers of the highway
snore.
Let not ambition mock their creaky
cars,
Their khaki clothes, of vintages oh-
scure.
Nor grandeur view, with hauteur like
a czar's,
The short and simple flivvers of the
poor.
The boast of shiny paint, the pomp of
power,
And all that charms the mo'oristic
fop,
Await alike the inevitable hour —
The paths of touring lead but to the
shop.
Can streamline hood or silver-plated
hubs
Back to its mansion call the missing
spark?
Can plush upholstery foil the clumsy
dubs
Who bang into your fenders in the
dark?
Full many a boob of purest ray serene
Succumbs each summer to the tour-
ing itch;
Full many a car is doomed to blush
unseen,
\nd waste its sweetness in a western
ditch.

— Stoddard King.

had been instructed by the l'. S. Bureau
of Biological Survey to confer with
the Commission relative to the Benton
Lake district near Great Falls, and
to investigate this territory with the
view to having it withdrawn by execu-
tive order and made into a migratory
bird refuge.

He also discussed the acquisition of
Big Lake, in Stillwater county, which
covers approximately 19 acres, for ref-
uge purposes. Part of this lake is
owned by the state, part by the fed-
eral government and another section
by the Northern Pacific Railway Com-
pany. Mr. Moore. Mr. Hill and Mr.
Mushbach were appointed to look into
the plan of creating a refuge at Big
Lake in Stillwater county.

Mr. Mushbach asked the Commission
why they objected to the creation of
a federal game preserve on the Miles
City Fort Keogh grounds, which ob-
jection the Commission had made in a
previous meeting. The Commissioners
advised that they did not want to
jeopardize capital they had invested in
the Miles City food cultural station by
allowing the creation of a federal ref-
uge on the same grounds. Mr. Mush-
bach said there would be no such dan-
ger. On motion of Mr. Marlowe the
Commission reconsidered the previous
action and went on record as being
in favor of the creation of a federal
refuge on these grounds, and decided
to take up the matter with the U. S.
Bureau of Biological Survey in Wash-
ington, D. C, relative to making a fed-
eral refuge on this territory, it being
understood that the request will not in
any way interfere with the rights of the
State of Montana and the Fish and
Game Department.

Kenneth MacDonald advised that the
fish troughs at the Libby hatchery are
in poor condition and was instructed
to ship redwood from the Anaconda
hatchery to Libby to be constructed
into troughs.

Representative Henderson of Granite
county brought a message from the
Granite County Anglers' Club, asking
that the hatchery at Rock Creek be
enlarged and additional troughs made,
inasmuch as so much fishing is done
in that part of the state that more
fry are needed. Mr. MacDonald was
instructed to send additional eggs from
Anaconda to the rearing ponds at Rock
Creek and investigate building other
ponds at Rock Creek to take care of
the need for additional eggs.

Commissioner E. A. Wilson advised
that he had attended a meeting of the
advisory board of the Dude Ranchers'
Association and that they had told him
individual members of their associa-
tion would willingly build rearing ponds
on streams on their properties at their
own expense if the Commission will
secure fry to plant in these ponds.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas X. Marlowe, Missoula. Chairman.
G. T. Boyd. Great Falls.
Joseph L. Kelly. Anaconda.
W. K. Moore, Billings.
E. A. Wilson. Livingston.

ROBERT H. HILL, Helena

State Fish and Game Warden

Secretary.

M 0 NTANA WILD LIFE

The Official Publication of the State

Fish and Game Department.

Published Monthly at Helena, Montana.

FLOYD 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.

YOU ME I

FEBRUARY, 192ft

NUMBER 9

CONGRESS PASSES BIRD REFUGE BILL

MONTANA sportsmen and bird lovers will rejoice at
the passage of the Norbeck-Andresen Bird Refuge
Bill by Congress. The importance of this measure
does not lie in the $8,000,000 authorized for the purchase
of marsh and swamp lands for migratory bird sanctuaries,
but in the fact that the government is now definitely com-
mitted to a policy of establishing a system of inviolate
refuges for the persecuted wildfowl and insect-eating birds
o( America.

This bill passed the Senate last April under the guid-
ance of Senator Peter Norbeck of South Dakota, and until
recently it reposed in the House Committee on Agriculture.
It was generally regarded as hopeless to secure final ac-
tion at this short session of Congress; furthermore, it was
supposed that the Bureau of the Budget would not approve
any new undertaking involving additional expenditures of
public funds.

Passage of this bill followed one of the most intensive
and best coordinated campaigns ever waged in the interest
of any measure for the conservation of wild life. It is
estimated that more than 200,000 supporting letters and
telegrams poured into Congress from all parts of the
United States during the last three weeks, many of them
from Montana.

This successful campaign was conducted under the
leadership of the National Committee for Wild Life Legis-
lation, which officially represents all the large conserva-
tion organizations of the United States and the state con-
tion officials. The committee consists of Dr. T. Gil-
bert Pearson, President of the National Association of
Audubon Societies, chairman; Carlos Avery, President ol
American Game Protective Association, vice-chairman;
Sets B. Gordon, Conservation Director of the Izaak Walton
■ue of America, secretary; Dr. John C. Phillips of Bos-
ton, treasurer; George D. Pratt, President of the American
Forestry Association; E. Lee LeCompte. Baltimore: R. (',,
I'.uvin. Denver; I. T. Quinn, Alabama; I. Zellerbach. San
Francisco: Gustavus D. Pope. Detroit; and Keith McCanse,
Missouri.

PACE AWAY YOUR TROUBLES

I HAVE told vou of the man who always put on his
spectacles when about to eat cherries, in order that
the fruit might look larger and mom tempting. In
like manner I always make the more of my enjoyments,
and. though I do not cast my eyes away from troubles,
I pack them into as small a compass as I can for myself,
and never lei them annoy others. Robert Southey

PROTECTING THE BIRDS

CREATING refuges or sanctuaries is proving more ef-
fective than legislating against hunting in the preser-
vation of birds. Urbanization of many broad regions
is destroying lakes, swamps, streams and forests which are
breeding places, havens and feeding grounds of wildfowl.
The sweep of a forest fire, the draining of a lake and
consequent loss of shelter for game destroy more birds
than the unethical hunter and predatory animals. If gaps
made in the flocks of game birds every hunting season
are to be filled during the breeding season man must see
to it that adequate breeding grounds are preserved or, if
destroyed, restored or supplanted by new ones. Montana's
Commission is taking such steps.

Wherever conditions are adapted to their requirements
wild creatures will be found. Destroy their refuge and
they will not return until it has been restored. Restore
an old sanctuary and birds and other game will return as
if by the call of some supernatural voice.

All know how easily one can attract wild birds to town
yard or country garden by providing food, drink and nro-
tection regularly. They are quick to learn where they
are wanted and just as instinctively know where they are
unwanted.

Some men are tractors, others only brakes.

MONTANA HARVESTS FISH EGGS

WESTERN OUT-OF-DOORS, published at Portland,
Ore., says: Oregon lays claim to the largest rain-
bow trout egg-taking station in the world — that at
Diamond Lake — where from seventeen million to twenty
million rainbow trout eggs are taken each year, e-ed and
shipped to the various hatcheries for further development :
but Montana, doubtless, has the largest miscellaneous game
fish egg-taking station in the world.

At Flint Creek station where Flint Creek empties into
Georgetown Lake near Anaconda, the State of Montana
recently completed a six-weeks harvest of 39,258,734 eggs.
This consisted of 25,019,158 native or cutthrout trout eggs,
390,456 rainbow trout eggs and 13.S48.820 grayling eggs.
Sportsmen must not confuse the latter with the so-called
grayling of Pacific coast waters. The Montana gravling
is a highly prized fish, resembling the trout and is tullj
its equal from either a sportsman's or an epicurean's stand-
point. It rises savagely to a fly and puts up a great
battle when hooked. It frequents swift mountain streams
but also finds cold, clear lake water to its liking. We arc
told that the Oregon Game Commission is introducing this
species to our waters. This is as it should be as Thymallus
montanus is reputed to live peaceably with his neighbors
and should he a valuable addition to our game fishes.

OREGON LARES TO HAWAII

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS are not as rich in bird and animal
life as the mainland of North America. There are
many species of interest and value but Americans
who have adopted Hawaii as their home have missed the
American meadowlark: consequently, arrangements have
been made for the shipment of fifty pairs of Oregon
meadowlarks to the Hawaiian Islands. The meadowlark
is desired in Hawaii not alone for its cheerful and beau-
tiful song but for its economic usefulness in destroying
insect pests. The State Game Commission of Oregon has
been requested to trap and supply the fifty pairs of larks
desired, with the approval of the V. S. Rureau of Riologi-
I 1 1 Survey.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOOR HERITAGE

WHILE the average gunner may look upon game as
something which, like Topsy, "jest growed," the
naturalist, the conservationist and the expert on
game protection and increase must take many diversified
factors into consideration, in order that the shooting ma <
be worth while to either the fully-accoutered sportsman
who hunts for the pleasure of it or the "single-gallus"
hunter bent on stocking the family larder.

That the game question is many-sided was apparent to
those who at the recent National Game Conference heard
discussions on the relation to game birds and game ani-
mals of ice age glaciers, airplanes, automobiles, coyotes,
hawks, sludge from oil tankers, Canadian gold strikes,
weather and what-not.

This notable conference brought together for the first
time representatives of practically every national organiza-
tion interested in game and fish conservation and restora-
tion, and related subjects such as forestry, streams and
the outdoors in general. Thirty-six states were repre-
sented, also Canada, England and Japan. Federal officials
and a number of Canadian officials participated in the de-
liberations of the great meeting which was held under the
auspices of the American Game Protective Association.

As to what long-extinct glaciers have to do with game
birds, Aldo Leopold, an authority, stated that the ring-
necked pheasant seems to thrive best on glacial soil in
Ohio, Iowa, Michigan and other states. Just why this
should be the case was left an open question. Less mys-
tery attaches to the statement by a government repre-
sentative and by George D. Pratt, chairman of the con-
ference, that roaring airplanes seriously disturb both game
birds and game animals in their wilderness habitats during
the breeding season and at other times.

The automobile was pointed to as making accessible
the natural retreats of game in isolated sections far re-
moved from railroads, and where formerly the taking of
game was limited to that required by dwellers in the back-
woods. Coyotes were charged with many depredations
against big game and even game birds in Alaska, the last
stronghold of American game. Defended for the good they
do in destroying rats and other vermin that prey on birds'
eggs and fledglings, on the one hand, and condemned for
attacks on birds and small game animals, certain hawks
came in for marked attention. The influx of prospectors,
miners and camp-followers in parts of Canada often re-
sulted in destruction of game and wildfowl without re-
straint, it was asserted. Adverse weather conditions came
in for their full share of condemnation because of the
effects on game of practically every character.

However, the thing which loomed largest in the minds
of observers at the conference was that a spirit of co-
operation and coordination of efforts was apparent on the
part of associations, societies and other organizations seek-
ing the same end — that of preserving or restoring Amer-
ica's great outdoor heritage.

NATURE LOVERS AII> WITH FINANCES

CRITICISM is often heard among sportsmen that mem-
bers of ornithological societies, demanding as much
in the matter of protection from game wardens as the
sportsmen themselves, contribute nothing to the salaries
of those men who patrol the game fields and prevent the
killing of song and insectivorous birds as well as the
game species. That there is some merit in this criticism
is without question. The nature lovers who have no par-
ticular interest in the interests of sportsmen are aided in
many ways by the moneys paid into the division of fish
and game by licensed shooters.

Even in the educational work carried on by the division
there is as much stress put on the protection and con-
servation of non-game species as upon the game species.
There has been some criticism, too, of this fact. But
sportsmen are only too glad to cooperate with any group
interested in conservation, even to the extent of putting
up financial backing.

With the creation of game refuges there is little doubt
that the non-game species are aided just as much as the
game species. It is also true that with the increased
number of game refuges and sanctuaries the patrol service
is handicapped by having more territory requiring strict
vigilance placed under its care.

ANTI-STEEL TRAP LEGISLATION

LEGISLATIVE bodies are now in session in most of the
states and in many of them the law makers are called
upon to pass on proposed legislation to curtail the
use of the steel trap in taking Cur-bearing animals. The
steel trap is opposed by the American Humane Associa-
tion as an inhumane device for taking fur-bearing animals
and legislation has already been secured through the influ-
ence of this organization in some states to restrict its use.
The question is one which can not be determined wholly
on the basis of sympathy for the animals which are taken
for furs. Trapping is necessary and it is desirable to have
it done in as humane a manner as possible. To this end
the National Association of the Fur Industry has offered
a reward of $10,000 for the invention of a device satisfying
the trappers' requirements and at the same time those of
the humanitarians. An annual prize of $150 is also offered
by this organization for the greatest advance toward the
mutually desired objective.

Sportsmen should be keenly interested in the progress
of this sort of legislation. Fur-bearing animals constitute
a tremendously valuable commercial product and they also,
where uncontrolled, constitute a serious menace to game
and other desirable forms of wild life. The interest of
sportsmen is to maintain control of such fur-bearing ani-
mals as are commonly known as "vermin" and prevent
their undue increase in numbers. The interest of the
trapper is to have fur animals in abundance; therefore,
a happy medium must be sought.

If you cannot work for more fish and game, at least
help finance those who are willing to work.

PHEASANT DESTROYS BEETLES

ANOTHER use has been found for the Chinese ring-
neck pheasant. Game commissioners of Pennsylvania
have announced that proof has been found that the
ringneck pheasant feeds on Japanese beetles, one of the
most serious insect pests found in eastern United States.
The stomachs of numerous birds which have been killed
have been examined and found to contain hundreds of
these destructive insects. It has also been shown that
the starling, an otherwise unpopular introduced alien bird,
feeds on the Japanese beetles. The skunk has also been
observed eating the same insects. The Japanese beetle,
brought to America in some imported Japanese plant, has
become established in certain parts of the east and has
grown to be a most dangerous pest to agriculturists and
horticulturists. Its devastations include orchards, vine-
yards, gardens, shade trees and all manner of useful plants.

CONSERVATION URGED BY VICE-PRESIDENT

AMERICA'S finest demonstration of pure idealism and
unselfish patriotism is the conservation movement,
in the belief of Charles G. Dawes, vice-president. In
an address over a nationwide radio hookup General Dawes
said:

"Those who adhere to conservation solely for the love
of the out-of-doors, who comprehend their duty only in
terms of planting a tree, purifying a stream, protecting
a bird's nest or otherwise making the out-of-doors a little
cleaner or more beautiful, have justification enough for
their work and reward in their accomplishments.

"But there is another aspect of conservation that chal-
lenges the attention of 125.000.000 Americans, and that is
the economic. On these grounds alone we may call upon
self-interest of our people and justify all the time and
energy expended in a conservation movement."

Vice-President Dawes deplored the depletion of the
forests without reforestation, the pollution of streams and
the lack of attention these things have felt from the people
and makers of laws.

FEAR INSURES FAILURE

TO BE ambitious for wealth, and yet always expecting
to be poor: to be always doubting your ability to get
what you long for. is trying to reach east by traveling
west. There is no philosophy which will help man to suc-
ceed when he is always doubting his ability to do so. and
thus attracting failure. No matter how hard you work for
success if your thought is saturated with the fear of fail-
ure, it will kill jronr efforts, neutralize your endeavors
and make success impossible. — Boudouin.

10

MONTANA WILD LIFE

.Resto©kieg the Famoes Madison

B) ( SABLES L. FUQUA, Kish ( iiltiirist in Charge of U. 8. Fish Hatchery at Meadow I reek

IT WILL Boon be time again to get
out ili" fish rod, replenish the 1 1 >
1 k. and start in pursuit of the

trout in .Molilalia's lakes antl streams.
Many of these flies will probably be
used on that splendid trout stream. the
Madison river. This stream, flowing
down from the Yellowstone Park, down
through the Madison valley, along the
outskirts of the little city of Bnnis,
may be aptly called the fisherman's

paradise.

I wonder how many anglers, when
fishing in these waters, will stop to
think about the origination and propa-
gation of these finny tribes. The lower
Madison Lake, the Madison river and
its tributaries are wonderfully adapted
to fish propagation as well as to the
pleasures of the angler. While high up
in the fastnesses of the ranges in the
Madison .National Forest bordering the
Madison valley will be found numerous
beautiful lakes and streams, some de-
void of fish life and others with large
numbers of the aristocratic native cut-
throat trout.

The U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, with
the cooperation of the State Fish and
Game Department and the National For-
Serrice, is endeavoring to stock all
of the virgin lakes and streams with
ibis native cutthroat trout, this fish be-
ing well adapted to the clear, crystal
streams and lakes found in Montana
The eggs for stocking purposes are

furnished from that wonderful spawn-
ing station of the Montana Fish and
Came Department at Georgetown Lake,
near Anaconda. Many are eyed and
hatched at the government spawning
Station at Meadow Creek, on the shore
of Meadow Lake.

All these virgin lakes and streams
are above impassable falls, therefore
fish in their wanderings have never
been able to reach them. The more
accessible waters are stocked with t'in-
gerlings taken up in cans on pack
trains by forest rangers or local ranch-
ers.

The more inaccessible waters are
stocked by the planting of the eggs
themselves, just before they are ready
to hatch. These eggs are packed in
ice in especially designed cases, and
taken on a pack horse by the rangers
and planted on the gravel bars and in
sheltered places along the shores of the
lakes to be stocked. Some of these
lakes will not be reached by the aver-
age angler for a number of years, but
will supply excellent fishing in years
to come. At the same time we are pre-
serving for future generations the na-
tive trout of Montana and the Rocky
Mountain region.

What could be better than a cut-
throat caught in a high mountain lake
or stream?

In the lower waters will be found
the native Montana grayling, the spec-

tacular and hard-fighting rainbow, and
the vigorous, dashing loch leven.

Cast your fly into any of the deep
holes in the Madison river from the
lake on up past Hutchins to Hebgen
Dam and you will have a fight on your
hands with one of these gamey fellows.
Or perhaps one would rather try his
skill from a boat in the lower lake.
You will find them there in just as
great a number.

The grayling, like the cutthroat, are
natives of Montana waters. Fish of
this species, planted from the Meadow
Creek auxiliary station, are from eggs
secured from the Fish and Game De-
partment's spawning station at George-
town Lake.

The rainbow has been brought from
Pacific Coast states and introduced into
these waters. This fish has done so
well in these waters that the U. S.
Bureau of Fisheries operates traps at
this station where from three to four
million eggs are secured yearly. The
resulting fish from some of these eggs
are used for restocking the parental
waters and other waters in the vicin-
itv. Some eggs are sent to the Boze-
man station of the bureau and used for
stocking other Montana streams. Eggs
are also supplied to the Butte Anglers'
Club hatchery and to the bureau's
hatchery in Glacier National Park.

The loch leven originally came from
Scotland. It can not be claimed, how-

Restocking the Feeder Streams of the Madison River

Upper Left — On the shore of No Man's Land in the Madison national forest Mr. Fuqua is shown preparing to unpack eyed eggs
for planting.

Lower Left — Ranger Merryfield of the Forest Service and Charles Fuqua of the Bureau of Fisheries with a pack of eyed native
trout eggs preparing to leave the ranger station for No Man's Land in the Madison national forest.

Center — Charles Fuqua with a sled load of fingetlings from the Meadow Creek hatchery in Indian Creek canyon.

At the Right — Ranger Merryfield with a pack of native trout fingerlings.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

11

ever, that this fish in the Madison is
of simon-pure strain, but there is some-
thing about this name which appeals
more strongly to our imagination than
does the more possibly correct designa-
tion, the European brown trout.

The first loch leven fingerlings were
brought from the Bureau of Fisheries

station, Spearfish, South Dakota, in
1 8 S 9 , and planted in the Madison river
and its tributaries inside the boundaries
of Yellowstone Park.

The brown trout were planted in Nez
Perce creek (a tributary to the Madi-
son) in Yellowstone Park in 1S90.

At the same time fish of these two
species were planted in the Gardiner
river, a tributary of the Madison river.

By 1915 they were abundant in all
those waters. From this small intro-
ductive plant came the present tremen-
dous numbers found in the lower Mad-
ison Lake and Madison river, where
the Meadow Creek spawning station
secured fourteen million eggs the past
season. In the meantime there had
been no planting of these fish until
the last few years.

In later years the U. S. Bureau of
Fisheries has been restocking heavily
with fry and fingerlings. While not
preferred by some of the older anglers,
this fish is rapidly growing in popu-
larity. This gamey trout will survive
the evils of deforestation and pollution
better than any other of the salmonidae.
The spawning station operated here is
the largest loch leven spawning sta-
tion in the United States. Montana
can well be proud of having two of
the largest trout spawning stations in
the United States, namely, the state
station at Georgetown Lake and the
government station at Meadow Creek.
And right at our back door is the gov-
ernment station on Yellowstone Lake
that exceeds Meadow Creek station and
rivals the one at Georgetown Lake.
This station supplies several million
native trout eggs annually for stocking
Montana waters.

From two to three million loch leven
eggs are furnished the state depart-
ment at their Big Timber and Great
Falls hatcheries, where thev are hatched
and the fish reared to the fingerling
stage before being planted. The bureau
is cooperating with the State Fish and
Game Department in stocking the Mis-
souri river from Great Falls to Helena
with this variety in the belief that this
area, especially the three big power
reservoirs, will soon become one of the
greatest loch leven fishing regions in
the world, besides which large num-
bers of spawn will be available for gen-
eral use. Before the coming of the
thrifty "Scotchman" this area had been
greatly depleted of trout owing to de-
forestation and pollution. Eggs of this
specie are also sent to other states
where the resulting fish have been
found readily adaptable to different
conditions.

The waters of the Madison valley
are probably as intensively fished as
any waters of the Northwest. The way
the wonderful fishing now found is
maintained is by the judicious planting
of the millions of fry and fingerlings
hatched yearly.

THE FIRST public report of the Na-
tional Committee on Wild Life Leg-
islation was made to the Fifteenth
National Game Conference at New York
in December by Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson,
the chairman of the committee. Game
Warden Robert H. Hill and Chairman
T. N. Marlowe of the State Commission
represented Montana at the gathering.

It was urged that the conference
support the committee's plan to work
for the enactment of the Norbeck bill
for the establishment of migratory bird
refuges as it passed the senate last
sp'ring, with the recommended elimina-
tion of the provision requiring" that
such refuges as the government does
establish shall later be turned over to
the states for management at the gov-
ernment's expense.

The conference also was urged to ap-
prove the committee's plan to secure
the elimination of the tariff on game
birds imported for stocking purposes.

These recommendations were the re-
sult of steps taken at the Seattle Con-
servation Convention last August to
coordinate the efforts of all the large
wild life conservation organizations and
the state game officials.

The National Game Conference, com-
posed of representatives from practi-
cally all organizations and state and
federal officials interested in wild life

conservation, unanimously endorsed
these recommendations and pledged its
hearty support of the committee's plans.

The members of the National Com-
mittee on Wild Life Legislation who
were in New York for this meeting in
addition to Chairman Pearson of the
National Audubon Association. were
Carlos Avery, president of the Ameri-
can Game Protective Association. New
York City; Seth E. Gordon, conserva-
tion director of the Izaak Walton
League, Chicago; Dr. John C. Phillips,
president of the American Wild Fowl-
ers, Wenham, Mass.; George D. Pratt,
president of the American Forestry As-
sociation, New York City; E. Lee Le-
Compte. State Game Warden of Mary-
land, representing the International As-
sociation of Game, Fish and Conserva-
tion Commissioners; Robert H. Hill,
State Game Warden of Montana, alter-
nate for R. G. Parvin of Colorado, rep-
resenting the Western Association of
Fish and Game Commissioners; Dr.
Harold C. Bryant, representing I. Zell-
erbach, president of the California
Game and Fish Commission; I. T.
Quinn, State Game and Fish Commis-
sioner of Alabama; Keith McCanse,
State Game and Fish Commissioner of
Missouri ; and Colonel William Mer-
shon of Saginaw, Mich., representing
Gustavus Pope of Detroit.

Montana Sportsmen Protect the Beaver

mm*:.:: - • :<&>

Federal Hunter Boyce is shown above alongside a beaver taken on the Marias river
and placed in the Beaver Creek game preserve. In the other picture Deputy State Game
Warden L. C. Clark, who is stationed at Havre, is shown maKing preparations to trans-
port beaver to the preserve. They were placed in an ordinary wooden box and made
no effort to escape.

THROUGH cooperation with the
Havre Rod and Gun Club the
State Fish and Game Department
has not only successfully transported
and planted 26 elk on the Beaver creek
game preserve, but 20 beaver have been
l rapped on the Marias river alive and

transported to the preserve where all
are doing well. Mr. Boyce is a gov-
ernment trapper employed in the fight
against predatory animals constantly
being waged by the State Department
in connection with the United States
Biological Survey.

12

MONTANA WILD LIFE

Fislh Problems at MooteirM9§ Hateheries

Hj JOHH >V. SCHOFIELD. Big Timber, Field Assistant in Charge of Hatcheries in Eastern Division

J. W. Schofield

MONTANA is
operating 14
fish hatcher-
ies, a large task
when one stops to
consider t h e fact
that the resident
fishing and hunting
license costs $2 per
year. There is no
other state in the
United States where
sportsmen pay so
little for a license
and get as much
for their money.
The average hunter
or fisherman will
spend a minimum
of $50 for his equip-
ment. In Montana

one is allowed to fish 300 days each
jrear and the limit is 40 fish or 20
pounds and one fish per day. In sev-
eral states the open season for game
fish fishing is from 60 to 90 days and
the license is higher.

In view of the small population of
Montana, most of our streams are in
as good shape now, as far as aquatic
food conditions are concerned, as they
were 20 or 30 years ago. Most of our
streams have do) been changed by man
with pollution of every sort as in the
crowded states, or drained dry to fur-
nish water for large cities. Seventy-
five per cent of Montana's streams are
practically virgin as far as pollution
is concerned, and therefore it is reason-
able to say the food condition is just
as good as 20 years ago.

Twenty years ago in Montana the
only stocking the streams received was
from natural reproduction. The fish
spawned, the eggs hatched, and the fry-
hatched from these eggs were not six.
' or ten inches long. The results
1 1 "in the hatched eggs were, first, fry.
then advance try, and then fingerlings,
one inch, two inches, and so on until
they were yearlings, and finally adults.
Therefore, if streams were well stocked
with fish 20 or 30 years ago under
natural reproduction, it would not seem
that .all the natural reproduction had
been eaten up by big fish.

Most fish culturists claim that under
natural spawning conditions only ten
per C( nt of th" eggs become fertile.
Therefore, the natural reproduction does
not compare with artificial stocking of
the streams as carried on by the hatch
9. A stream will support only so
mans fish, and streams, like pastui
can be overstocked. Consequently, the
fish are starved and the desired results
are not obtained. If a stream will not
lupport fingerlings one and two Ini
long it will not support larger fish.
tea plant a few larger
fish. six. eight and ten Inches 1
Thej manage to gel ihese fish Into the
i - before their fio- or 90-day
opens and for the first three or

four weeks fishing is good, but after
that fishing is nil.

Conditions in no two states are the
same, neither are stream conditions.
Therefore it is not feasible to compare
conditions in other states with Mon-
tana conditions.

The most striking cartoon I ever saw
appeared in the Saturday Evening Post
some time ago. It depicted an Indian
who had been duck hunting coming
hack with four ducks, which was suf-
ficient for his immediate needs. The
other half of the cartoon showed an
American sportsman coming back from
a duck-hunting trip, but he, unlike the
Indian, was loaded down with ducks
so that he could hardly walk. The
Indian was always a conservationist,
while the white man is a depleter.
What we need is more real conserva-
tion among sportsmen, which would
mean smaller bag and creel limits.

Montana has an area of 146,572 square
miles, or 94,000,000 acres. The Depart-
ment has a total of 24 game wardens
to patrol these 94,000,000 acres. Some
of these wardens have a territory to

patrol equal in size to some of the
smaller states. It is the duty of every
man, woman or child to tell the nearest
game warden about violations. When
a violator breaks game laws he is de-
priving you and your family of its
rightful share of game and fish.

The total of the fish food bill for
the state fish hatchery at Big Timber
from December, 1927, to October, 1928,
was $1,600. The cost of fish food for
the 14 hatcheries for a year will run
into a sum ranging from $12,000 to
$14,000. In addition to this expense
we must consider the payroll as well
as the fleet of trucks necessary to
carry on this work. Then comes the
maintenance of hatcheries, dwellings,
equipment, supplies and other expenses.

Daley Lake, in Park county, is a
large fresh water lake fed both by-
springs and subterranean water. It is
full of aquatic life and growth for fish
food. This lake covers a territory of
960 acres. Due to the fact that in
places there is no bottom, one is led
to believe it was an old volcano crater.
During the last five years the Depart-

Experts Taking Eggs from Montana Trout

Here are shown the fish experts of the Montana State Fish and Game Commission
at work taking spawn from grayling, rainbow and native trout at the spawning station
at the mouth of Flint creek where it empties into Georgetown Lake, near Anaconda.
The fish, held in the traps while running up the creek to spawn, are dipped out with
the long-handled nets, stripped by the staff of experts, the eggs carefully placed in cans
and. after beinn thoroughly cleansed and fertilized, the eggs .are then rushed to the
hatcheries. Dr. I. H. Treece. veteran fish expert of the Department, is shown bareheaded
in the immediate foreground clad in his slicker and waders, up to his waist in the cold
water stripping the big fellows. The spawning season usually lasts about six weeks and
hundreds of visitors are attracted to the station during the interesting operations.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

13

meiit has planted u total of oue million
fish in this lake. From the face of
this amount one would think it would
he alive with fish. However, in 96u
acres there is a total of 41,817,609
square feet and if these fish were
evenly scattered over the surface of
this water it would put one fish in
each 41 square feet of the surface.
Supposing that of the million planted
there 50 per cent reached adult size.
This would figure cue fish to every
82 square feet. So, in figuring this out
in square or cubic feet, we find it takes
a lot of fish to stock a place of this
size well. Wonderful catches are being
made in this lake right along and it
will not be long before it will be able
to hold its own from natural produc-
tion.

The Department has also heavily
stocked Lake Francis near Valier.
Fishing in this lake is also good and
it will not be long before it will equal
Georgetown Lake.

The Madison is considered one of the
world-renowned fishing streams. From
personal experience and hearsay we all
know fishing there is unexcelled. But
I wonder if it is realized that 85 per
cent of the stocking of this stream
consists of planting fry. In other
words, when the eggs hatch the fry is
allowed to absorb part of the yolk sac
and is then planted without having a
particle of artificial food.

I am not advocating the general
planting of eyed eggs and fry but am

Two fish planting trucks of the fleet maintained by the State Commission illustrating
the modern manner in which eggs and fingerlings are handled. The eggs from the
spawn-taking station at Georgetown Lake, the largest in the world, are placed in iced
cases, loaded in the truck shown at the left, and hurried to the hatcheries. The speedy
truck at the right, stationed at Georgetown, is equipped with a special tank, modernized
facilities for aerating the water and other devices for preserving fingerlings when taken
from hatcheries to streams for planting and restocking. The second of these tank trucks
is stationed at the Big Timber hatchery.

Planting fingerlings in the cool, placid
headwaters of one of Montana's trout
streams.

endeavoring to show that under good
conditions and when properly handled
by those who have had the experience
good results are obtained.

The entire output from the state's 14
hatcheries will average two inches in
length. When fish of this kind are
planted properly fine results are gotten,
as one must remember that under nat-
ural reproduction the eggs are depos-
ited in the spawning beds and hatched
in the streams.

The irrigation ditch is a factor with
which we have to contend. The toll
of fish taken by ditches is far greater
than the combined fish taken by the
sportsmen and the natural enemies
which prey on fish. Fish have their
natural enemies in snakes, mink, blue
heron, ducks, kingfishers and many
others. When all these factors are
given due consideration, one will realize
that a fish has his ups and downs the
same as everything else.

At Red Lodge at the tourist park,
on Rock creek, the Department has a
12-trough hatchery and one 60-foot rear-
ing pond. This plant is known as a
summer hatchery, one that is run from
May until September or October.

At Big Timber, located four blocks
northwest of the Northern Pacific depot
and supplied with spring water, the
Department has a 36-trough hatchery
and six 60-foot rearing ponds. This
plant is run the year around.

At Emigrant, one mile south of the
town and supplied with spring water,
the Department has a 14-trough hatch-
ery with four 60-foot rearing ponds.
This is a year-around hatchery.

At Lewistown, located six miles up
Spring creek and supplied with spring
water, the Department has a 12-trough
hatchery with three 60-foot rearing
ponds. This, like Red Lodge, is a sum-
mer hatchery.

At Great Falls, located six miles from
Great Falls at the noted Giant Springs,
the Department has a year-around 20-
trough hatchery and two 100-foot rear-
ing ponds and a third pond to be built.

The combined output of the above
five hatcheries for the past season was
in the neighborhood of 12,000,000 trout

of the following species: Native trout,

rainbow trout, loch leven trout, eastern

brook trout and silver and Chinook
salmon.

In addition to the above plants the
Department has recently completed
building in my district a pond cultural
station located three miles west of
Miles City, on the Fort Keogh reserva-
tion. This pond covers 78.9 acres and
has an average depth of four feet. It
was constructed at a cost of $16,000.
This is for the propagation of bass,
crappie, perch and other species suit-
able for warm water. In November,
192S, a second consignment of 250 pails
of adult brood stock was placed in
this pond. During the coming season
of 1929 the increase from the brood
stock should be encouraging.

The completion of the Gibson dam
on the Sun river will make an ideal
sportsmen's paradise, but it will take
a great deal of stocking before the de-
sired results are obtained. The build-
ing of another dam on the Missouri be-
low Great Falls will also add to the
fishing waters.

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1-1

MONTANA WILD LIFE

The Great ©pee Sprees

By KNOX I>. MOOKE

Editor's Note

KNOX D. MOORE, who is asso-
ciated with the General Motors
Acceptance Corporation at Butte,
is the son of W. K. Moore of Bil-
lings, member of the State Fish and
Game Commission. This article re-
garding experiences of a Montana
angler, as written by Mr. Moore, was
published in the General Motors mag-
azine and has since been given
greater circulation by being reprinted
in other Journals.

MONTANA is Doted for its fine fish-
ing and hunting, and in and
around the locality of Butte
there are any number of fine fishing
streams. Trout in these streams pro-
vide the greatest of sport. One of
these beauties, and incidentally they
are fine eating, can give a red-blooded
sportsman the thrill of a lifetime.
There is a knack in hooking one of
these elusive creatures, and once hooked
(he fun begins. If brought to the creel
you may consider it a job well done.

It so happens that this writer has
any number of ardent fisherman friends
from his boss down to the office boy,
but chief among them is that man of
the outdoors, my friend. Ed. Much has
been said, written and pictured of the
goll widow, yet little has been said of
One Of the greatest martyrs to the
cause the patient wile who sits home
with her knitting and awaits the re-
turn of her fisherman husband. Mrs.
Ed. and the writer's wife made one
mistake, and that is they married fish
bugs.

One day Ed. made the statement that
ii was too nice to stay inside, and. too,
he had a cold and needed to get his
feet in that greatest Of cures for sum-
mer colds, a good cold mountain stream.
Having somewhal of a cold myself, I

decided il advisable that we hie our-
selves to the fishing grounds and pro-
ceed i., doctor up. Willi this thought

in mind we casually broached the sub-

i another ardent sportsman,

and right away Joe was terribly stove
up. a condition of which we really were
unaware.

ai l i). m. we three, with an assort

mint nt flies and lines which no red

blooded trout could turn down, left
this great minis i a mp for a point ot

paradise, new in us. bat which we bail

beard was good, known as Canyon

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GEO. D. HAMILTON'S AQUATIC FARMS
Box 16 Detroit, Minnesota

creek. We were instructed to drive
to Melrose and inquire our way from
there.

At the latter place we were in-
structed to cross the Big Hole river,
turn to the right and drive to Glen-
dale. After numerous inquiries to see
if we were on the right trail, we ar-
rived at Glendale. There we were in-
structed to drive on about 100 yards
and turn to the right. We measured
this distance but could see nothing
that resembled a road. Much to our
surprise we learned that a cow trail
which appeared to go straight up the
side of the mountain was the road, and
in the same breath we were informed
that when we topped the divide we
would drop down into Canyon creek,
and how true that man spoke.

A council of war, maneuver, or what
have you, was held, and since we were
piloting a sturdy car, we decided that
if cows could go up there, we could.
We did. But what a climb. Two hun-
dred pounds more in the back seat and
we would have tipped over backwards.
We reached the divide and what that
native said about dropping was no joke.
If there had been any mud or ice on
I hat side we would have been going yet.

On our way down the writer, who
was riding herd on the car, saw what
he thought was a large bull snake,
but upon closer observation, from his
position in the driver's seat, discovered
that he was very much in error — it
was one of those demons of the west-
ern prairies, a rattlesnake, and the
grauddaddy of them all.

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Upon announcing my discovery in no
uncertain terms — and apparently my an-
nouncement was a huge success — Joe
and Ed. were making frantic efforts to
get out of our trusty buggy, even to
the point of going through the top.
Thanks to the sturdiness of the top
they were thwarted.

At this point a peculiar slant of
human nature arose, and that is the
natural instinct of man in time to
stress to trust no means of locomotion
but his feet.

Don't misunderstand the writer by
getting the viewpoint that he was the
only brave guy. I have encountered,
in my wanderings, numerous rattle-
snakes, and that honored phrase that
familiarity breeds contempt certainly
applied in this case, with no reserva-
tions. Also, remember the writer was
riding herd on the car.

In due course of time and after the
heaving of numerous boulders, this dis-
turber of our peace was dispatched
without ceremony. During the battle
the snake, after giving numerous warn-
ings with his bzzz-bzzz, decided to run.
For some reason he started toward Joe.
The snake didn't have a chance of
catching Joe, as he was going up-
country in nothing flat, handicapped
with large red hip boots, but the boots
didn't seem to make much difference.
Joe is a he-man from the wide open
spaces because, even with his handicap
of hip boots, high altitude and an up-
hill grade, he managed to holler at
every jump to Ed. to protect the snake
medicine. This serpent measured a
good five feet, still had six rattles, the
others having been torn off.

After this incident we again started
on our descent and reached our goal.
Then came a hurried scramble for
tackle, as the hour was getting late.
Joe was the first equipped and also the
first to get a strike. I have fished

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MONTANA WILD LIFE

15

a great many streams in this great
state of Montana, but never have I seen
as many fish in ice cold crystal pools
as I saw in Canyon creek. The bed
of this stream is about 20 yards wide,
with a stream of water about four feet
wide, the rest being brush, the kind
that leaves you with less than nothing
on as wearing apparel, skin included.

You fish this stream by wading down
the middle of it and occasionally a
deep hole is encountered, much to the
fisherman's discomfort. If you have
ever filled the bath tub with ice, let it
melt until there is sufficient water to
cover you and plunged in, you will
have a faint idea of how cold the water
in this stream gets.

After several hours of ardent labor
and much fun we finally retired to
our waiting chariot, took stock of our
catch and found we had landed seven
trout. They had evidently been feast-
ing for weeks. The hungry ones were
certainly few and far between. To
make matters worse both Ed. and Joe
had lost their fly books. I later dis-
covered they had lost them coming out
of the brush at a double quick after
having heard that invigorating song of
a rattler. Don't laugh, it's a serious
matter. I too moved faster than natu-
rally.

Our next task was to scale that moun-
tain and get back to civilization.
Thanks to our trusty buggy we ac-
complished this task. We hurried back
home to a glorious meal, the waiting
arms of our faithful "widows," a good
hot bath and a welcome bed, to dream
enraptured dreams of that big one we
didn't get.

Pheasants to be Watched

by Oregon Game Wardens

THE FARMERS of Oregon will learn
within the next 12 months whether
or not the Chinese pheasant is
valuable to them as a result of an ex-
tensive survey inaugurated by the State
Game Commission, according to F. M.
Brown, deputy state game warden, who
is directing the investigation.

According to Mr. Brown, deputy game
wardens in ten counties where Chinese

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pheasants predominate have been ap-
pointed to conduct the investigation.
These wardens will secure five birds
each month, beginning with June, pre-
paring the stomachs, crops and gizzards
for analysis, after which the specimens
will be turned over to the Oregon State
Agricultural College at Corvallis, where
the final examination and analysis will
be made and the results tabulated ami
published. The experiment station at
the college is collaborating with the
State Game Commission in making the
survey. In the college laboratories it
will be determined what these game
birds eat and in what proportion
throughout the entire year.

It is planned by this survey to setth'
definitely a long standing argument as
to the relative benefits or damage to
agricultural crops caused by these
birds. From time to time complaints
reach the game department that Chi-
nese pheasants cause damage to farm-
ers and gardeners by pulling up and

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consuming early planted corn, peas and
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509 Fifth Avenue (At 42nd Si J

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M ONTA N A WILD LIFE

Sec. 435%, P. L. & R.
U. S. POSTAGK

PAID

Helena, Montana
Permit No. 27

M©imteiiM9§ Sodkeye Salmon

B] ELI HELTON, Foreman of station Creek Hatchery

Big Uns in the Big Hole

IN FEBRUARY, L916, the Montana
Fish and Game Commission, through
efforts of Judge Walter M. Bickford,
who was then a member, secured 200,-
000 Bilver c i < >n i or land-locked sockeye
salmon, the scientific name of which is
Oncorhynchus nerka (Kennerl,i). These
eggs were Becured through L. H. Dar-
win, then state fish commissioner of
Washington. The eggs were hatched
and distributed from the Somers batch-
.iy. Their nature would be to return
to the ocean and for this reason they
were planted in land-locked lakes in

Sockeye Salmon

Flathead county, Rodgers Lake, Lake
Blain and Lake Five. Other plants
were made in Whitefish Lake, Bitter
Root Lake, Lake Mary Ronan, and a
few in Flathead. They were planted
the one time and have apparently dis-
appeared in some of the named lakes.
In Whitefish Lake. Lake Five, and Flat-
head they have increased. In Lake
Blain and Lake Mary Ronan they made
the wonderful growth of nine to twelve
pounds, and no better pan fish was
caught.

In Whitefish Lake, Lake Five, and
Flathead Lake they seldom reach six
pounds in weight. The cause for the
growth made in the two lakes is no
doubt explained in the fact that the
water is slightly warmer and contains
an abundance of feed.

In Lake Ronan they soon acquired
the name of Bilver salmon. Everything
the touched was covered with Bilver
In the fall of 1918, a little
over two years from the time they were
planted, they came on the spawning
beds in Lak.- Ronan ami we secured

aboul r.e.u ,gga winch were eyed at

the Somers hatchery.

Nearing tin- time of spawning the
male fish becomes greatly distorted.
They become deep and thin, acqi

treat hump on tloir back, absorb
their scales, become a brick red. and
grow a powerful set hi Icetli and ;i
long, protruding upper and lower jaw.
Because of their ferocious appearance
they were wrongfully called dog Bain
and condemned by many aportSm
For this reason they were not planted
in streams or lakes

Subsequent planting of true silver

on and Chinooh Balmon has proved

thai this land-locked sockeye salmon is

Hie better variety. The silver salmon

anil Chinook seldom reach three pounds

in weight in these waters and it is
practical!. Impossible to secure eggs for
replanting.

The small plant of this sockeye
salmon made in Flathead Lake, and
probably augmented by salmon coming
down the river from Whitefish Lake
in the last twelve years, will prove a
wonderful asset to Flathead Lake in
the near future. The fish takes a troll-
ing spoon or fly, and when hooked
comes out of the water in a series of
leaps often three or four feet. They
must he handled with care as they
have a tender mouth.

Owing to the fact that the parent
fish from which the original 200,000
eggs were taken have been land-locked
in a lake in Washington and have lost
all desire to return to the ocean, they
remain in fresh water lakes and propa-
gate. This variety of salmon can be
distinguished from other varieties by
its long numerous gill rakers, 15 above
and 22 below. This salmon dies after
spawning as do all salmon. This fall
we succeeded in securing about 30,000
eggs on a small spawning bed in the
south end of Flathead Lake, but with
improved equipment and an earlier
start next year we should be able to
secure a greater number.

Minnesota Watches Montana

Editor MONTANA WILD LIFE:

I wish to acknowledge the receipt of
the copy of MONTANA WILD LIFE, the
January number, and to congratulate
you upon the excellence of this publi-
cation, both as to contents and make-up.
Permit me to say that in my opinion
this is one of the most interesting anil
instructive outdoor publications that
has come to my notice — and I have
seen them all.

It is evident that Montana sportsmen
have awakened to the necessity of ef-
fective and concerted work for the
preservation of our game and fish, if
■ implete extermination is not to come
within a few years.

The predominant idea which seems to
prevail in the minds of the majority of
' i who enjoy hunting and fishing is
to kill in i he greatest possible num-
bers, and I believe that the publica-
tion of such a magazine as MONTANA
WILD LIFE in each of the states, by
Kami- and fish commissions, would cre-
ate a better understanding of the man-
ner in which this work of conserva-
tion is carried on and would result
in' ' beneficially.

GEORGE 1). HAMILTON,
President, George I'. Hamil-
ton A<|ii:ilie Farms, Detroit
Lakes, Minn.

"My good man, I never sent lor you
to tune my piano"

"No, sir; it was the people next
door."

Deputy Game Warden C. R. Price
and a prize catch.

THE Big Hole river in Beaverhead
county is gaining fame as a "treas-
ure" stream of the "Treasure"
state, according to Deputy State Game
Warden Charles R. Price, who is sta-
tioned at Dillon. He writes as follows:

"The Big Hole river heads in the
famous Big Hole basin in Beaverhead
county. It is bordered by Deer Lodge
county from the Squaw Creek bridge
to the Dickey bridge, by Silver Bow
county from the Dickey bridge to Mel-
rose and by Madison county from Mel-
rose to the Garrison place. From this
place on it is in Madison county en-
tirely and empties into the Jefferson
liver below Twill Bridges.

"The Big Hole river may be reached
by the Oregon Short Line at Maiden
Rock, Melrose, Brown's station and
(lien. The Butte to Dillon highway fol-
lows this river from Melrose to Glen,
making it convenient for fishermen
The river has abundant shade and
there are desirable camping sites along
the banks. From the first of July until
the river freezes it is perhaps one of
the most popular big trout streams of
the state.

"It has been my experience in fishing
for the big ones in the Big Hole river
to use a bait casting rod. For the last
two years I have won the trophies given
lor the largest trout caught and ex-
hibited in Beaverhead county. The
largest trout shown in the cut won
the trophy this year. It was a rain-
bow weighing eight pounds ten ounces
dressed. Last year the prize winning
fish weighed twelve pounds six ounces
and was also a rainbow. There are
also natives and loch leven. I have
caught natives that weighed five and
six pounds and loch leven weighing
seven pounds. Beaverhead county wel
I "lues you."

r,