MUIE DEER

J PHOTO 8Y ^

Wr/V\-RUSH

-*sm

OPPICIAL PUBLICATION OF THF

MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

CDy S

ouvenirs

1 HERE'S nothing left for me
Of days that used to be.
I live in memory
Among my souvenirs.

A FLANNEL shirt in rags,
A hunting coat that sags.
A pair of sleeping bags
Among my souvenirs.

J± N empty shell or two,
A picture of a slough
With mallards flying through,
Among my souvenirs.

A FEW more relics lay
In dust from day to day,
And, though they're in the way
They bring me consolation.

1 COUNT them one by one.
The things that brought me fun,
And find a broken gun
Among my souvenirs —
In February.

— Outdoor America.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission

VOL. II.

HELENA, MONTANA, FEBRUARY, 1930.

NO. 9.

CONSERVATION of migratory water-
fowl in Montana through reduction
of the bag limit has been approved
by the State Fish and Game Commis-
sion and when duckists go forth be-
fore dawn next fall they must respect
the limit of 15 ducks and four geese.
Action of the Commission was taken
at the last meeting at Harlowton, in
cooperation with the federal govern-
ment which has lowered the limit from
25 to 15 ducks and from eight to four
geese. Montana's limit was made to
conform with that of the federal gov-
ernment several years ago to avoid
possible conflict in law enforcement.
Now that federal laws have brought
about the reduction other states are
falling in Une. Congress and govern-
mental departments have been besieged
by requests and petitions from all parts
of the nation, urging duck conservation.
During the last season in Montana,
with water low and the fall extremely
dry, comparatively few ducks were
killed. Only a tew decades ago they
were shot down by the thousands by
market hunters. At the last meeting
of the Commission Chairman Marlowe
reported that the Department of Agri-
culture has passed rules and regula-
tions, signed by the President, reducing
the bag limit from 25 to 15 ducks and to
4 on geese. Under the laws of Montana
the Commission has authority to change
the bag limits in this state on migra-

tory birds to confo-rm with the rules
and regulations promulgated by the
Secretary of Agriculture. The advisa-
bility of a uniform bag limit was dis-
cussed. Chairman Marlowe's motion
prevailed that the bag limit on ducks
in this state be reduced to conform
with the rules and regulations of the
Department of Agriculture, 15 ducks
and 4 geese per day, and that no one
person be allowed to have more than
a two days' kill in his possession at
any one time.

Chairman Marlowe reported that the
Department of Agriculture has passed
rules and regulations, signed by the
President, reducing the bag limit from
25 to 15 ducks and to 4 on geese.
Under the laws of Montana the Com-
mission has authority to change the bag
limits in this state on migratory birds
to conform with the rules and regula-
tions promulgated by the Secretary of
Agriculture. The advisability of a uni-
form bag limit was discussed. Chair-
man Marlowe's motion provided that
the bag limit on ducks in this state be
reduced to conform with the rules and
regulations of the Department of Agri-
culture, 15 ducks and 4 geese per day,
and that no one person be allowed to
have more than a two days' kill in his
possession at any one time.

The meeting o£ the Commission was
held at the Graves Hotel at Harlowton
January 16. Those present were Chair-

man T. N. Marlowe, E. A. Wilson, G. T.
Boyd, and W. K. Moore, Commission-
ers; Robert H. Hill, Secretary; Field
Assistant J. W. Schofield and Acting
Field Assistant Kenneth MacDonald;
Deputy Game Wardens Plank and Wea-
ver; George Phillips, President, and L.
R. Daems, Secretary, and other mem-
bers of the Musselshell Valley Sports-
men's Association; J. C. Frohlicher of
Missoula; and S. C. Shepard, President,
and W. E. Kier, Secretary, of the Lewis-
town Rod and Gun Club.

Petitions from the Swan Valley Musk-
rat Company and residents of that dis-
trict for an open season on muskrats
in the Swan River Valley were denied.

Game Warden Hill presented a peti-
tion from citizens and sportsmen of
Sanders county, asking that the Clark's
Fork of the Columbia be opened to
fishing thi'ough the ice for the 1929-30
season. It was pointed out that this
river has been open while most of the
streams in the state have been closed
since November 1. and the petition was
denied.

A petition from Ravalli county was
also denied requesting that the Bitter
Root River and tributaries be opened
to fishing during the winter months,
inasmuch as the majority of winter
fishing in that river is for whitefish.
It was suggested that by opening just
one stream, however, in a district, the
stream would probably be fished out.

When the West Was Young, These Humped Boys Ruled the Range

"^^■^ w^

m

THIS striking photograpii of fou;- buffalo on t.-.o ^pen range of Yellowstone Park causes Montana sportsmen to wonder if there isn t
a war-bonneted redskin lurking somewhere in the background, a prairie schooner in the distance. Aside from the federal bison
reserve at Moiese, where Frank Rose is in charge of the herd, many of these big fellows are protected in Yellowstone Pa/k.
The herds are increasing rapidly, many are sold to public parks, while at Moiese it is often necessary to butcher the bulls to hold the
herd to grazing capacity of the range. This unusual picture was taken by W. M. Rush, in charge of the federal elk study in the park,
who is working in cooperation with the Montana State Fish and Game Commission.

4 MONTANA WILD LIFE

Montana Elk Are Wintering Well Despite Bitter Weather

HERE'S a splendid picture of a portion of the northern herd of elk from Yellowstone Park which annually drifts down into the

Gallatin country. They are shown browsing among the bushes, taking a nip here and there and pawing beneath the crust for

forage. It's a sight for the sore eyes of unfortunate sportsmen who failed to bring home anything but their outfit during the

season which closed December 20. The picture is by W. M. Rush.

John L. Boardman, Secretary ot the
Butte Anglers' Club, asked that all of
the Jefferson River, and the Big Hole
River, from Twin Bridges to the Big
Hole Pumping Plant of the Butte Water
Company, and all of Georgetown Lake
be opened to fishing until the regular
closed season in March. Mr. Boardman
stated in his letter that none of these
waters are suffering from low water,
and the fishing is good. Chairman
Marlowe asked Mr. MacDonald for his
opinion and that of Dr. Treece as to
whether Georgetown Lake should be
opened. Mr. MacDonald protested the
opening of the lake that is the source
of the Department's game fish egg sup-
ply, as did Dr. Treece. Mr. MacDonald
suggested that, ordinarily, he would
recommend opening Georgetown Lake
in the winter months, and closing it
to fishing during the summer months;
but in view of the fact that most all
the streams and lakes in the state are
closed this winter, he w^ould not suggest
opening Georgetown Lake. No protest
was made to the opening of the Big
Hole and Jefferson Rivers. Petition for
opening the Big Hole River to fishing
was also read from the Twin Bridges
Rod and Gun Club.

Action was rescinded on the closing
of the Big Hole and Jefferson Rivers;
and the Jefferson River, in its en-
tirety, and the Big Hole River, from
where it flows into the Jefferson River
to the Big Hole Pumping Plant of the
Butte Water Company, was opened to
fishing until the beginning of the regu-
lar closed season, March 15, 1930. It
is unlawful, however, to fish in these
waters for game fish through the ice.

Petitions were received from residents
ot Anaconda and vicinity, asking that
Georgetown Lake be opened to fishing
during the winter months. Chairman
Marlowe advised that he had a letter
from the Anaconda Anglers' Club pro-
testing the opening of the lake to fish-
ing, and these petitions were denied.

A petition addressed to Commissioner
Wilson from Logan and Manhattan
sportsmen, asking the Commission to
open to fishing for whitefish the East
Gallatin River, from the mouth to a
point near Bozeman, was granted. The

conditions as outlined in the petition
are that there are very few trout in
the East Gallatin, while there is a
large number of whitefish.

Residents of East Portal, Montana,
asked that Rainey Creek, in Mineral
county, be opened to fishing during the
regular open season. This stream has
been closed for five years. Deputy J.
J. Meany advised that inasmuch as
Rainey Creek is a feeder to the St.
Regis, it would be unwise to open it to
fishing, and this petition was denied.

The claim from Barney Degner of
Grass Range for $500 damages to his
crops caused by antelope was tabled
until the next meeting.

A claim from Peter Saier of Martins-
dale for $100 alleged damages done his
hay crop by the elk which had been
liberated from the DuRand Ranch was
disallowed.

Warden Hill advised that the mem-
bers of the Forest Service who had at-
tended the game conference meeting,
held November 12 in Livingston, had
asked the Fish and Game Department
to pay some of the expense incurred in
taking down fences and rolling up the
wire on ground which has been pur-
chased by the Forest Service through
government funds for elk winter graz-
ing ground. It is estimated that there
are IS miles of fencing, and the cost
would be around $20 per mile to take
down and roll the wire. Commissioner
Wilson was delegated to investigate.

Mr. Hill read a letter from Glen A.
Smith, assistant district forester, rela-
tive to the work of William Rush, in
making a study of the northern elk
herd, diseases and general food condi-
tions of elk. The Biological Survey
had planned to pay Mr. Rush's salary,
while the Park furnished him with
quarters and traveling expenses, but
the Survey, due to lack of funds, is
unable to pay the salary. Mr. Rush's
salary is $2,800; and Mr. Smith advised
that the Forest Service would willingly
pay one-half of it if the Fish and Game
Department would cooperate by paying
the other half.

The Commission decided to enter into
an agreement with the Forest Service
for a period of one year and that be-

ginning May 1, 1930, the Department is
to pay in regular monthly installments
one-half of Mr. Rush's salary.

The request of C. A. Markham of
Paradise, asking the return of his gun
confiscated by Warden Goldsby was
denied. Mr. Markham was fined and
his gun confiscated for the illegal pos-
session of female Chinese pheasants.

A letter from the Big Rock Creek
Trout Club of St. Paul, quoting prices
on rainbow trout eggs, was read by
the Secretary. He was requested to
write them that the Department is not
in the market for rainbow trout eggs.

Mr. Hill presented letters quoting
prices on game birds. In view of the
establishing of the state game farm.
Warden Hill was requested to write
these firms that the Department is not
in the market for these birds. Mr. Hill
advised that the residence and garage
buildings at the game farm are erected
and paid for.

Mr. Hill presented a requisition from
Mr. Schofield for fire extinguishers for
the Big Timber hatchery, because there
is no water pressure to combat fires
in the hatchery building. The field
assistants are to investigate and report
at the next meeting.

A petition was read from sportsmen
in the Missoula district asking the Com-
mission to open the streams through-
out the state to whitefish fishing dur-
ing the regular open season. The gen-
eral conditions in the state relative to
whitefish were discussed. The motion
provided that the Bitter Root River, in
its entirety, the Missoula River, from
Drummond to its mouth, and the Black-
foot River from where Clearwater Creek
runs into it to its mouth, were opened
to fishing for whitefish only from Janu-
ary 25, 1930, to March 14, 1930, both
dates inclusive.

Chairman Marlowe read a letter from
W. B. Nelson, Secretary of the Great
Falls chapter of the Izaak Walton
League, advising that a road will be
built through the Missouri River Can-
yon, and suggesting that the Commis-
sion build a rearing pond at Midcanyon
to make that country an ideal fishing
ground. Mr. Boyd stated that it will
be a year before this road is completed.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

Commissioner Boyd and Field Assistant
Schofield were Instructed to investigate
and report at a future meeting as to
wliat, in their opinion, should be done
relative to building a rearing pond.

Chairman Marlowe read a letter In-
quiring whether licenses should be is-
sued to seine in Flathead Lake. There
is no seining at the lake at the present
time and it was decided that no more
permits be issued to seine in Flathead
Lake.

Mr. Marlowe asked the members of
the Commission to give some thought
to the method whereby the birds raised
at the game farm can be liberated.

The chairman read a letter from the
Western Montana Fish and Game Asso-
ciation, advising that their club had
appropriated $50 to keeping holes cut
in the ice at Nine Pipe Reservoir. A
great amount of water had been taken
from the reservoir and the fish are
congested. The club also asked that
the patrol work in Nine Pipe Reservoir
be continued under the cooperative
agreement between the Commission and
the club and it was agreed that the
Department continue the appropriation
of money for patrol work at Ronan,
effective January 1, 1930, for a one-
year period, the Commission to pay $25
a month for eight months and the
Western Montana Fish and Game Asso-
ciation to pay $25 for four months for
the salary of a patrolman.

The chairman read a letter from Mr.
Patton, President of the Dawson County
Rod and Gun Club, advising that their
club had investigated the Fox Lake
proposition and that they believe there
will be no objections to putting in a
dam and raising this lake so that it
will be a good duck shooting ground.
They stated the dam could be built for
about $600. Mr. Moore advised that he
had investigated this proposition last
year, but that before anything could be
done toward building a dam it is neces-
sary that tlie Great Northern Railway
Company give consent, inasmuch as the
lake is upon the Great Northern right-
of-way. He has written the Great
Northern officials relative to this ques-
tion but has received no reply. It was
agreed that Chairman Marlowe write

Foresters Report
Increase of Game

REPORTS from foresters to the
district office at IVIissoula show
increases in all varieties of
game animals in the Montana-Idaho
district except mountain goats, moose
and caribou. The census lists 748,000
deer, a gain of 47,000; 78,000 elk, a
gain of 4,000; moose, 6,970, a decrease
of nearly 1,000, and antelope, 8.500.
an increase of 800. There were 3,400
grizzlies and 52,000 black bear found
and 117,600 beaver, 19,300 mountain
goats and 13,800 mountain sheep.

this club that the Commission will ap-
propriate not to exceed $600 for the
building of this dam, providing the club
secure for the Department an easement
for this lake from the Great Northern
Railway Company.

Mr. Marlowe stated that sportsmen
around Harlowton had told him that
that community had never received any
duck food; and that Lake Lebo in
Wheatland county would make an ideal
place for ducks if food was planted
there. Mr. Moore advised that duck
food should be planted in Half Breed
Lake in Stillwater county. It was de-
cided to purchase duck food for Lake
Lebo in Wheatland county and for Half
Breed Lake in Stillwater county.

S. C. Shepard, President of the Lewis-
town Rod and Gun Club, requested that
the Commission suspend the closed sea-
son on the Judith River, from the
mouth of Spring Creek to where the
river enters the Missouri, the open sea-
son to begin February 1, 1930, and the
request of the Lewistown club was
granted.

Mr. Shepard advised that the elk
planted in the Armells district are in
good condition, and asked the coopera-
tion of the Commission in securing and
planting elk in the Snowy Mountain
district. Deputy Plank reported that
conditions were poor in the Snowy
Mountains for elk planting inasmuch
as guns can be carried on the game
preserve. Forest Ranger Lake advised
that in his opinion the Snowy Moun-

tains were not good elk territory be-
cause there is little forage, and elk
planted there would come down into
the ranching district in winter.

Mr. Lake addressed the Commission
relative to abolishing the Snowy Moun-
tains game preserve and establishing
a smaller game refuge, the boundaries
of which could be defined by natural
barriers. The chairman advised Mr.
Lake that this was a matter for the
legislature.

Mr. Marlowe read a letter from Glen
A. Smith relative to carrying on an in-
vestigation in the Thompson River
country, in Sanders, Lake and Flat-
head counties, with a view to better-
ing forage conditions for deer. The in-
vestigation can be done with little or no
cost to the Fish and Game Department
and it was decided that this investi-
gation be carried on, with the Fish and
Game Department and the Forest Serv-
ice cooperating.

O. V. Sanderlin of Lolo was given
authority to install his workable fish
wheel in one of the streams.

A discussion followed as to whether
or not it would be advisable to plant
a few valley quail as an experiment.
Mr. Hill advised that these birds had
not propagated successfully in the
northern part of Idaho.

Commissioner Boyd presented a peti-
tion from T. F. Carmody, Everett Nay-
lor and Walter Fredrick for permission
to seine non-game fish for commercial
purposes in the Missouri River and
adjoining slough below the lower dam.
Discussion followed in which it was
shown, from past experiences, that it
would be impossible entirely to elim-
inate the non-game fish from these
waters, and trout would be injured
were seining permitted. The petition
was denied.

Kenneth MacDonald was instructed to
go to Lake Francis during spawning
season to superintend the work.

Mr. Schofield asked whether or not
the Commission intended enlarging the
Big Timber hatchery. He suggested
that if the hatchery is to be overhauled
when weather would permit, he could
start work during the winter months.
Mr. Schofield was authorized to build

Monarchs of Montana Forests Bunch Up Like Contented Cows

WHEN the rigors of winter strike Montana elk, they are forced to fight the elements, paw through crusted and drifted snow for
forage or wander away from their summer habitat in search of feed. This bunch of plump elk, a part of the northern herd
in Montana for which adequate grazing lands are now being purchased, is shown on the pasture slope after a full meal, await-
ing the migration that precedes the next dinner. The picture is by W. M. Rush.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

the troughs necessary for enlargement
of the Big Timber hatchery, and se-
cure prices on the other work, making
his report at the next meeting of the
Commission.

Mr. MacDonald stated that the west-
ern division should have two new tanks
for distribution. He was given permis-
sion to have one built for the Anaconda
and one for the Somers hatchery.

Chairman Marlowe read a letter from
Glen A. Smith, chairman of the Mon-
tana Sportsmen's Association, advising
that that association has agreed upon
J. C. Frohlicher of Missoula as secre-
tary of the Montana Sportsmen's Asso-
ciation, cooperating with the Fish and
Game Department. The general duties
of the secretary would be:

1. To assume the duties of secretary
and treasurer of the Montana Sports-
men's Association.

2. To organize local rod and gun
clubs throughout the state and build up
their membership.

3. To foster and encourage a high
standard of sportsmanship.

4. To be responsible for and edit a
section in MONTANA WILD LIFE for
the State Sportsmen's Association.

5. To cooperate with the Fish and
Game Department and conservation or-
ganizations.

On motion of Commissioner Boyd the
Commission appointed Mr. Frohlicher,
according to the agreement with the
State Sportsmen's Association, to act
as Educational Secretary for the State
Fish and Game Department, he having
been elected Secretary of the State
Sportsmen's Association.

WHEN there's a chatter in the tree-
tops, when the warning bark is
accompanied by falling bits of
pine cones, Mr. Pine Squirrel is sound-
ing his greetings to visitors invading
his bailiwick. They're the chatterboxes
of the woods. It's seldom that a close-
up picture such as that shown above
is taken, except when the blue boys
have been tamed. The picture is the
work of W. M. Rush of the U. S. De-
partment of Interior.

Farmers Save Fat
Sum by Drive

Thousands of dollars have been saved
to farmers and stock raisers of central
Montana by activities of five sports-
men's associations during 1929, accord-
ing to a survey of records in the com-
mon enemy control contest, conducted
annually by the Fish and Game De-
partment. The two sources of greatest
potential loss were due to depredations
of coyotes on stock and gophers on
grain fields.

Sportsmen received credit for killing
8S.3 coyotes during the year, and 52,791
gophers. It has been estimated that a
coyote will kill about $15 worth of
stock a year, and that a gopher will
destroy at least a bushel of wheat.

Numbers of other predatory animals
and birds killed are as follows: 81 bob-
cats, 15 lynx, 1,771 weasels, 774 hawks,
7,201 magpies, 425 owls, 2,911 ground-
hogs, 85 kingfishers, 1,629 crows.

Clubs that have reported thus far
include the Upper Musselshell Valley
Sportsmen's Association of Harlowton,
the Lewistown Rod and Gun Club, the
Stanford Rod and Gun Club, the Big
Timber Rod and Gun Club and the
Northern Lewis and Clark Sportsmen's
Association.

Woodchuck Film
Shows Control

THE Eastern Woodchuck and Its Con-
trol" is the title of a two-reel mo-
tion picture just released by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. It shows the nature of the dam-
age done by woodchucks, or ground-
hogs, to alfalfa fields, fruit trees, and
garden crops, and also the various
methods of control that have been
worked out by the Bureau of Biological
Survey, including the use of calcium
cyanide and of carbon disulphide.

Formerly many Montana farm boys
hunted this rodent so persistently for
sport or for the bounty paid that hardly
a one was alive to look for his shadow
on "groundhog day," but now they seem
to have forsaken the gun for the auto-
mobile and its opportunities for rec-
reation and enjoyment, to the neglect
of the woodchuck. At any rate, the
woodchuck has increased in numbers
so rapidly in recent years that it has
actually become a menace to cultivated
crops in many of the northeastern
states.

The Biological Survey has met this
situation by intensive studies of meth-
ods of control and has so far solved
the problem that the farmer may keep
the number of woodchucks reduced, es-
pecially in and near cultivated fields,
with but little labor and at a com-
paratively low cost.

AT THE sixteenth American Game
Conference in New York City the
following resolution, among oth-
ers, was adopted:

"Whereas, the common house cat,
when permitted to run at large, con-
stitutes one of the worst of all ene-
mies of small game and birds. There-
fore, be it resolved that the American
Game Conference recommends that all
states enact legislation to restrict the
number of vagrant cats."

When a body of 500 level-headed men
assembled from all parts of North
America, including federal government
officials of the United States and Ca-
nadian governments and state officials
of all the several states, besides sci-
entists and sportsmen, solemnly de-
clares that the house cat is a danger-
ous menace, we have a right to as-
sume that they know whereof they
speak and should give serious consid-
eration to their declaration.

They say that the cat constitutes one
of the worst enemies of small game
and birds. Anything that is destructive
to birds, particularly the insect-eating
birds, is a menace to the welfare of our
country. We can assume that it is true
that success in the raising of farm
crops, and all fruits and all forest trees
depends largely upon the service of in-
sect-eating birds. It has been proven
over and over again by scientific re-
search that birds have often been
known to save trees and crops from
destruction and that they are con-
stantly working in that service. The
greatest enemy to agriculture and for-
estry is insect pests. Many of these

have always existed in our country but
many others have been introduced from
other countries. The loss incurred from
these insect ravages runs into billions
of dollars. Nearly every kind of de-
structive insect is food for birds and
nearly all birds which frequent our
farms and villages feed upon them.

There is abundant evidence that the
most destructive enemy to the common
insectivorous bird is the hunting house
cat. The volume compiled by the late
Dr. Edward H. Forbush of Massachu-
setts is a notable accumulation of such
evidence. This has been added to by
naturalists, bird students and game ad-
ministrators the country over. It Is
strange that more attention has not
heretofore been given to the control of
vagrant cats which are a menace, not
only to bird life but to public health,
as they are well known to be carriers
of many diseases.

The federal government has taken
cognizance of the seriousness of this
problem by issuing recently a leaflet
containing instructions how to make
a cat trap. It is not feasible to shoot
stray cats everywhere but a box trap
is effective and the animals so caught
can be humanely disposed of by poison
gas.

No one advocates the complete de-
struction of all cats. It is recognized
that a clean, healthy, well-fed cat is
rightfully regarded as a desirable house
pet and some may be useful as mousers
but the abandoned homeless cat is a
menace to wild bird life and to the
general welfare and ought to be ex-
terminated.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

Profs are Sportsmen

Hunting, according to a recent in-
vestigation, is the favorite hobby o£
about IS members of the state univer-
sity faculty at Missoula. Of this num-
ber, one is the wife of a professor, and,
according to reports, is far from being
"the least of these." The idea of pro-
fessors being stoop-shouldered book-
worms who find their bliss in scholarly
solicitude has been filed away in that
drawer marked "obsolete."

Both students and professors seem to
prefer the larger game to the wild
birds, and name Fish Creek, Monture
Creek, the Thompson River region and
the Swan Lake country as their favorite
haunts. One faculty member has his
secret haunt to which he migrates every
autumn. Others prefer to try them all.

February

Weather just a little cold,

Maybe so;
Snow on mountainside and wold.
Winds too impudent and bold.

Yes, I know.
But you can't forget one thing.
After February — spring.
Bleak and blustery and chill,

Well, perhaps;
Ice upon the window sill.
And the elm, as elm trees will,

Creaks and snaps.
But this thought should solace bring.
After February — spring.
Meadows brown and hedges bare.

Like enough;
Heavens dark, and frosty air.
Not a blossom anywhere.

Lonesome stuff.
But instead of sighing sing,
After February — spring.

Fur Prices Slump

The stock exchange collapse in New
York may have no effect on general
business conditions in Idaho, but it has
been a severe blow to trappers in the
Lewiston region in Idaho. There is no
market for coyotes or any other fur
caught in that section since the stock
crash and prices have dropped $3 to $4.
One local firm which sold 1,S00 coyote
pelts last season has been unable to
find a buyer for its stock. The Lewis-
ton country produces coyotes, bobcat,
weasel, mink, skunk, muskrat, marten
and otter furs.

HUNTER KILLED FOR ELK

The body of Frank Mayash, 57, with
two bullet holes in the head, was found
on the Rigler ranch, near Corwin
Springs. Mayash, a carpenter by ti'ade,
trapped in the winter time aud went
out one day to look at his lines. Offi-
cers indicate belief he was shot by
some other hunter in mistake for an
elk. He lived with his two sons, Frank
and Tony, near Pray. A daughter, Jo-
sephine, in Chicago, another daughter,
aud son, and his widow live in Austria.

Missoula, Mont.

The following letter received by the
editor of MONTANA WILD LIFE is
worthy of publication:

Laurel, Montana.

An article in the December issue of
your interesting and snappy little mag-
azine brings to mind the fact that we
can "go you one better." Another of
Montana's youngsters, M. S. Hurless,
will be 7S next March. He says he
would like to meet Dr. Hurlburt of
Poison, whose picture you recently pub-
lished, in the near future, at Billings
or near by, and match shots on 25 or
50 clay birds; just by way of getting
acquainted.

Mr. Hurless gets his share of game
in season, and keeps easy step with
men who have numbered less than a
third of his summers. He bagged ten
mallards in one day during the season
of 1929, and says that ten is too many,
that the limit should be five.

This snapshot taken by one of his
neighbors shows this young man and
one of the nine Chinks bagged by him
during the five-day open season. Some
of the other eight played an important
part in the banquet of Laurel's Rod and
Gun Club, December 6.

Mr. Hurless, who is president of our
gun club, is a retired employee of the
C. & N. W. railway, which company he
served for 15 years, in the Badger state,
then decided to enjoy the afterglow of
life, "Out Where the West Begins." He
has a shack in Laurel, Montana, and
one in the shade of the Rockies; spends
much of his time on the road between

the two places, and is at home to all
young nimrods at either place.
It you want to stay young as the years
speed along
Then mix all your labor with fun;
Give your job all your best, and then
take a rest.
And shoulder your old shotgun.
Now some dare to say, it is work and
not play
To follow the bay of the hound.
But the thrill of the chase, gives a lift
to the face
Which can not be purchased in town.
If you chance to step out for a small
mess of trout.
But slip on a slick stone instead.
If you find your duds soaked, and your
best rod all broke.
Now don't let it go to your head.
For it won't spoil your joy, if you take
it, my boy.
As a part of the price we must pay.
Though you carry a bruise, and lose
hat, coat or shoes,
You can laugh at the joke the next
day.

It you walk as a friend, you will find

a friend wherever you choose to

fare ;
If you go with mirth to a far strange

land, you will find that mirth is

there.
For the strangest part of this queer old

world is that like will join with

like.

And who walks with love for his fel-
low men an answering love will

strike.
If you walk in honor, then honest men

will meet you along the way;
But if you be false, you will find men

false wherever you chance to stray.
For good breeds good, and the bad

breeds bad; we are met by the

traits we show.
Love will find a friend at the stranger's

door where hate would find a foe.
For each of us builds the world he

knows, which only himself can spoil;
And an hour of hate or an hour of

shame can ruin a life of toil.
And though to the utmost ends of earth

your duty may bid you fare.
If you walk with truth and a friendly

heart, you will find friends waiting

there.

— Edgar A. Guest.

A TRUE FISHERMAN

"Doin' any good?" asked Jim Gilgore,
looking over the rail of the bridge.

"Any good?" answered the fisherman
below. "Why, I caught 40 bass out
o' here yesterday."

"Say, do you know who I am?" asked
the man on the bridge.

The fisherman replied that he did not.

"Well, I'm the game warden."

"Say," asked the fisherman, "do you
know who I am?"

"No," replied the officer.

"Well, I'm the biggest liar in the
country."

Sim Huggins says that when he sees
something he thinks is a deer he never
shoots at it if it's smoking a pipe.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas N. 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.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

The Official Publication of the State

Fish and Game Department.

Published Monthly at Helena, Montana.

FLOYD L. SMITH, Editor.

Subscription Rate $1 per Year — 15 Cents per Copy
Advertising Rates on Application.

Copy for advertisements subject to approval of State
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.

VOLUaiE II.

FEBRUARY, 1930.

NUMBER 9.

GAME PROTECTORS NOW UNIFORMED

ALL REGULAR field officers of the Pennsylvania Game
Commission and department heads now wear the regu-
lation uniforms and equipment authorized by the
board. The uniforms are patterned after the new uniforms
of the army officer, and are olive-green. Reefers patterned
after the old army officer's macklnaw have also been fur-
nished. The hats are of campaign style. Officers are also
equipped with police whistles. The Sam Browne belt, pis-
tol holster and puttees are of tan colored pigskin, and
with shoes to match present a pleasing appearance. The
regulation sidearm is a .38 special revolver. Two silver
white state seal ornaments are worn on each side of the
roll collar of both the uniform coat and reefer. A similar
ornament, only larger, is worn on the campaign hat. On
the left sleeve at the shoulder of both coat and reefer is
the commission's insignia which consists of a half circle
of maroon flannel upon which is embroidered the words
"Game Protector" in black letters and a solid black key-
stone.

The value of the uniform in law enforcement work was
greatly emphasized during the last season, especially when
worn while stopping and inspecting cars, and a great many
prosecutions resulted. Without uniforms officers were con-
stantly in danger of their lives when attempting to stop
automobiles and in one or two instances were even fired
upon and almost run down, drivers believing, no doubt, they
were being subjected to a "hold-up."

The uniform will be worn when searching the homes
of aliens for firearms and when searching any property
for evidence of the violation of game laws. Officers will
also wear the uniform .when appearing before sportsmen's
organizations, field trials or field meets, or any meeting
where the officer directly represents the game commission,
and at divisional meetings when the supervisor shall in-
spect equipment, etc.

Uniforming game protectors was adopted by New York,
Maryland, and other states some years ago. Several other
states are now falling in line.

Even ja. tombstone will say good things about a fellow when
he's down.

DUCKS WINTER IN CANADA

THOSE who believe that all the wild ducks migrate
down to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter sojourn
have something to learn about the habits of water
birds. It is a common experience of men in the north to
find wild ducks in the dead of winter frequenting some

Montana spring hole where they find open water and an
opportunity to feed. Apparently, low temperatures do not
affect them if they can find plenty to eat.

A report has recently come from Alberta of the work
of the Calgary Fish and Game Association in feeding ducks
through the winter. Last year hundreds of waterfowl
along the Bow River between Calgary and Ogden were
cared for under supervision of the association. The same
is being done this winter. Hundreds of ducks congregate
along the Bow where many of them remain all winter long.

Another report is made by the caretaker of a society
in East Calgary w-here more than 100 waterfowl were kept
during the winter by feeding. The varieties are mostly
pintails and mallards.

The Calgary Fish and Game Association also has a very
effective organization for feeding Chinese pheasants through
the winter.

Good salesmanship is selling goods that won't come back
to customers that will.

GOLFERS CARE FOR BIRDS

PROVIDING of food for birds on golf club properties
this winter is urged by the Golf Club Bird Sanctuary
Committee of the National Association of Audubon
Societies. A publication entitled, "Winter Birds as Guests
of Golf Clubs," has just been issued by the association.
The Golf Club Bird Sanctuary Committee consists of Dr.
Frank M. Chapman, American Museum of Natural History;
Eugene S. Wilson, vice-president, American Telephone and
Telegraph Company; Grantland Rice, sports writer; Robert
T. Jones, Jr., America's beloved amateur golf champion of
Atlanta; Bruce Barton, the author; and the chairman, T.
Gilbert Pearson, president of the National Association of
Audubon Societies.

The pamphlet states: "It is not the cold weather that
kills birds. It is the lack of food. Their presence adds a
touch of life and good cheer. As we feed these winter
guests we come to regard them somewhat in the light of
personal possessions, and with the satisfaction of one who
feels that he has done the right thing by his neighbors."

A well-soaked clotli wrapped around the camp trip water
bottle will keep it cool. Hang it up in a breeze in the shade.

PROTECT THE BALD EAGLE

PROTECTION of the bald eagle by federal law is being
advised by the National Association of Audubon So-
cieties. Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson recently stated:
"This majestic bird, which is the emblem of our country,
has greatly decreased in numbers during recent years. No-
where, within the limits of the United States, does it occur
in sufficient numbers to be destructive to man's interests.
Furthermore, its food consists largely of fish, most of which
are dead or helpless when secured. Although it is given
protection by the laws of most of the states, these are often
disregarded, and this splendid creature frequently falls a
victim to those who have a mere morbid lust to kill any
large and conspicuous bird that chances to come their way.
"It is felt," Dr. Pearson continued, "by thousands of
bird lovers and patriotic citizens as well, that the Congress
could do a most fitting act by extending federal protection
to the bird which, long ago, was chosen for our national
emblem. Such protection, it is believed, would do much
more than mere state legislation to safeguard the future of
this regal and majestic bird."

A little vinegar in water boiled in the camp pots or pans
will take away the smell of fish.

MONTANA WILD LIFE

DEVELOPING PUBLIC RELATIONS

THE newly started conservation commission of Ohio has
organized a public relations department which is func-
tioning as a unit of the commission. This is being
operated as a department of education and is regarded as
highly important to a comprehensive and systematic con-
servation program. It follows the example set by Mon-
tana's commission. This department, aside from doing the
general publicity work for the commission, maintains con-
tacts with farm organizations, sportsmen's clubs, schools
and other educational groups throughout the state and
handles all the publication work for the conservation com-
mission. The publication work includes the publishing of
bulletins, reports, pamphlets and books, and it is expected
that a regular monthly publication will soon be issued to
carry current news of the activities of the commission.

The purpose of the public relations department is to
make the people of Ohio "conservation conscious" and by
so doing to develop a frame of mind favorable to the carry-
ing out of the conservation commission's constructive pro-
gram.

Don't drink more water than you positively have to on the
trail. Ice water is inviting, but often causes cramps.

GAME CONSERVATION SUCCEEDING

ORGANIZATIONS which dedicate their efforts toward
conservation of wild life will be gratified to know
that there are apparent increases in the number of
all big game animals in the protected areas except moun-
tain goats, moose and caribou. This is the report of the
Forest Service on its latest annual game census.

Although it is impossible to "count noses" of game ani-
mals, the estimates are based on year-long observations
and studies by district rangers and other forest officers
thoroughly familiar with the ground, and are considered
the most accurate available. The latest estimates are
made as of December 31, 192S.

Compared with the preceding year, deer on the na-
tional forests showed a gain of 47,400 in the last census,
totaling 748,000 in number. The elk population increased
from 74,200 to 78,200. Black or brown bear totaled 52,200,
according to the census showing, while grizzly bear (includ-
ing the Alaskan brown bear) numbered 3,400. The esti-
mated number of mountain goats was 19,300, while moun-
tain sheep numbered 13,800. Antelope increased from 7,700
to 8,500. Moose, however, fell oft in number, only 6,970
being recorded, as compared with 7,950 a year earlier.
The number of beaver was placed at 117,600.

In an address before the American Game Conference
in New York recently, Paul G. Redington, chief of the
Bureau of Biological Survey, noted the progress of game
conservation in 1929 and enumerated the forward steps
that have been taken by states, conservation organizations,
and individual conservationists. "Many of the states and
many of the conservation organizations concerned chiefly
with the welfare of the birds and animals of the wild have
moved sanely and industriously to register achievements of
a distinctly progressive character," he said. "The 1929
record of action stands out clearly, and perusal of it should
bring, not complacency, but a great degree of satisfaction,
and a desire on the part of all to forge ahead with ac-
celerated speed to tackle the many unsolved problems
which we know exist and must be solved. Much of the
progress that has been made is due directly to the unanim-
ity of purpose and the shoulder-to-shoulder work of con-
servation associations of the country."

The secret of a successful outing is to see how little you can
take along and still be comfortable.

MISSOURI DEER INCREASING

FOUR years ago only about one hundred fifty deer could
be found in all the state of Missouri but at the pres-
ent time the chief of the Missouri state parks and
refuges, Martin A. Lewis, Jr., insists that there are more
than five thousand deer in that state. The method by
which the deer population has been so rapidly increased is
through stronger protective laws and propagation of deer
on state refuges where the animals have been given every
possible care. A considerable number of deer were pur-
chased and brought into the state and liberated on these
parks and refuges, and natural propagation has done the
rest. Deer hunting is prohibited in Missouri until 1933.

DUCKS RETURN TO HOME NESTS

A FLOCK of wild mallard ducks that had spent a year
with wings clipped on the farm of Leo F. Brune,
Grand Dalles, Wash., stockman and amateur orni-
thologist, then w^ere permitted to fly away last spring after
their wings had grown once more, have just returned, pre-
sumably from Alaska or some other northland vicinage.
The ducks greeted Brune vociferously, paddled to the bank
where he was standing, w^addled out on terra firma and
tugged at his trousers legs, and by other unmistakable
signs demonstrated that they were glad to be home again,
according to Bob Ballou of Portland.

"Wild ducks have a homing instinct equal to that of a
carrier pigeon," says Ballou. "according to the results of
an experiment made by Mr. Brune at his farm on the
Columbia River in Klickitat county. Mr. Brune has for
many years maintained a private preserve and feeding
ground for wild ducks and has fed hundreds of the quack-
ers every year.

"During this time he assembled a group of mallards
which he kept in restraint with clipped wings. Last year
he permitted the flying gear of his pets to resume normal
proportions so that they could join in the annual spring
migration of wild waterfowl to the northland, if they so
desired, with a view to testing their appreciation of his
hospitality in providing a place of refuge for them.

"Brune's flock of domesticated mallards answered the
quackings of their wild companions in the air last spring
and soared away to the north with them.

"Keeping a watchful eye for the return of the runaways
when the first southward flights began last September,
Brune was rewarded a few days ago when, much to his
pleasure and interest, he was greeted by familiar quack-
ings in a flock of recent arrivals."

The result of the homecoming firmly convinces Brune
that the theory he has been advancing for a number of
years in the matter of replenishing duck preserves is sound
and that his slogan, "Ducks will stay where they are fed,"
should be hearkened to by game officials and sportsmen
all along the line.

Don't follow old wood roads; they generally wander around
aimlessly and lead nowhere.

FEDERAL BIRD REFUGE IN MONTANA

TWO additional bird sanctuaries have recently been cre-
ated by President Hoover by executive order. One
of these is located in the group of islands known as
the Cedar Keys off the west coast of Florida. This will
be known as the Cedar Keys Bird Refuge and it will serve
as an important nesting and wintering ground for many
aquatic birds, including several species of herons, pelicans
and cormorants. Another refuge recently created embodies
an area of 12,234 acres at Benton Lake, Montana, near
Great Falls. It will be known as the Benton Lake Refuge
and will serve as a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl;
3,000 acres of the tract is water area with an abundance
of aquatic plant growth suitable for waterfowl food. In
addition to ducks, the area is resorted to by wild geese
and shore birds. Both these new refuges are being admin-
istered by the Bureau of Biological Survey of the U. S.
Department of Agriculture.

The "frailty of woman" allows her to be satisfied with the
shortcomings of man.

PUBLIC SHOOTING GROUNDS

MONTANA sportsmen may well heed the warning and
follow the example of the Pennsylvania Board of
Game Commissioners in one of its latest enterprises
in acquiring public shooting grounds before they have
been tied up by private clubs. During January the Penn-
sylvania Game Commission took title to a number of small
tracts aggregating 2,139 acres. This brings the total area
of state game lands to 165,061.5 acres. As a result of the
deal recently consummated jointly with the Department of
Forests and Waters the Pennsylvania Game Commission
will obtain from the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company
51,976.32 acres. Other areas selected by the commission
are scattered throughout the state.

If lost in unknown territory, find a stream and follow it
down. It will generally bring you out near habitation.

10

MONTANA WILD LIFE

MONTANA is reaping an ever-in-
creasing harvest of silver and
gold, not from the mines, the
forests or the farms of Lincoln county,
but from the pelts of silver foxes, ac-
cording to R. C. Smith of the firm of
Smith & Budina who operate the North
Star Silver Fox Farm, along the banks
of the Kootenai River. For approxi-
mately 80 miles this river winds its
way through Lincoln county. This sec-
tion of Montana offers the finest cli-
matic conditions for the raising of fur-
bearing animals.

Standing on the threshold of the fur
industry in this district. Smith & Budina
are unusually enthusiastic over possi-
bilities, which they feel are too little
known, of fur farming here.

Some of the outstanding features of
the district are mildness of climate,
and contrary to general belief ex-
tremely cold winters do not produce
the best fur; early frosts that insure
cold nights, with summer nights being
cool, warm days coming with the spring.
There is a minimum of dampness and
mud, the presence of which is detri-
mental to the health of the new-born
fox pups; an absence of vermin, fleas,
and lice to prey upon the animals;
mineral in the water which supplies
lime, thereby eliminating the necessity
of feeding lime to combat rickets in
the animals; cheap land, and low taxes.
These are only the high lights of ad-
vantages which will in time be utilized
by innumerable fur farmers here.

Kootenai River fur primes two to
three weeks earlier than in any place
in the state and among the archives
of the old tur company of London,
England, records more than one hun-
dred years old are to be found where
Kootenai fur ranked high in value, due
to one fact, and that, owing to ideal
climatic conditions, the leather was re-
markably tough and when made up into
fur garments had consequently more
durability.

Foxes begin breeding late in January
and continue until the latter part of
March, according to Mr. Smith, and the
pups come in April and May. Early
warm and pleasant spring is beneficial
tor the general health of the young
animals, and the absence of dampness
and mud frees them from the danger
of becoming chilled and cold.

"Not a flea has ever been found on
one of our animals," said Mr. Smith,
"nor have we ever found evidence of
any vermin or lice of any kind. This
insures the steady growth of a healthy
and full pelt of fur, without the dam-
age done by these mites and also the
damage done by the animal scratching.
A large area of this county is suitable
neither for farming nor stock raising,
but hillside aridness and rocks are in
no way a hindrance to the well being
and growth of silver foxes."

The North Star Silver Fox Farm, re-
cently named, was started a little over
two years ago with four pairs of foxes
and in December, 1929, eleven pelts

were culled from their lot and shipped
to the Seattle market, leaving 25 pairs
of the best animals in the pens. They
have 25 pens which will be increased to
50 pens this year to accommodate the
growing family.

Mr. Smith explained methods of kill-
ing the foxes which are approved by
the humane society, but he said he
much preferred the ether method as
the most humane in use today.

The forming of stock companies for
fur raising does not appeal to Mr.
Smith. He asserts individuals should
make a scientific study of the indus-
try from every angle before engaging
in it. The closest application to the
successful raising and marketing of
the animals is essential to the ultimate
financial success. Mr. Smith is con-
vinced that application of this study
in the right district will in time be a
commensurable and ever-growing in-
dustry in Montana.

But Montana's fur farmers are not
picking dollars off the bushes. They
have their troubles. Last spring the

OLD Man Coyote, otherwise known
as Senor Yip-Yap, isn't doing so
well in Montana since hunters of
predatory animals of the Fish and
Game Department, the stockmen and
the Biological Survey have been on his
trail. But here's a Yip-Yap that knows
where he is safe. He's a pet at the
Paramount Fo.x and Fur Farm near
Poison whore he was raised and fon-
dled by Mrs. Thurston, who is shown
holding him up for display purposes.

bear caused consternation among own-
ers of beaver farms in Lincoln county.
The story carries a laugh, as well as
a moral, but here it is just the way
Deputy W. J. Dorrington tells it:

"Del Fewkes of Troy, Lincoln county,
who operates one of the largest beaver
farms in the state, had a lot of trouble
last spring, caused by bear breaking
his fence and entering his beaver en-
closure. Mr. Pewkes has 160 acres of
cedar swamp enclosed and has to main-
tain a constant patrol. While hauling
grain for his beaver he ran onto a
four-year-old grizzly. He returned for
his gun and lion dog. The bear had
entered by means of a fallen tree. In
several places his fence had been
broken by this or other bears. Six
black bear have been shot close to
this farm and 14 bear were seen around
his farm. In feeding the beaver the
grain is distributed around the fence,
bringing them away from water. It is
evident that this easy prey attracted
the bear. They are unusually plentiful
in the spring in Lincoln county. The
amusing part of this story is that Mr.
Fewkes returned with the dog and an
empty gun. The dog chased the bear.
Then the bear turned and chased the
dog. The dog ran toward Mr. Fewkes.
After discovering his gun was empty
he ran toward the cabin and Mr. Tal-
mady, who does patrol work, was in
time to finish the bear."

Fox farmers, whose numbers are
steadily increasing in Montana, are
told how to keep their foxes in good
health in a leaflet, "Hygiene in Fox
Farming," issued by the U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture. In the leaflet
the author. Dr. Karl B. Hanson of the
Bureau of Biological Survey, director of
the U. S. Fur-Animal Experiment Sta-
tion at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., says
that control of contagious diseases is
one of the great problems in fox farm-
ing, but that it is possible to prevent
many diseases by maintaining condi-
tions most conducive to the health of
the animals. As sick foxes frequently
show no apparent symptoms of disease
until after their condition becomes seri-
ous, it is better to try to prevent dis-
eases than to attempt to cure them,
sa.\s the leaflet.

The leaflet discusses the relation of
climate, shade, and soil, and other fac-
tors to the health of foxes raised on
fur farms, and treats from the stand-
point of hygiene the matter of the loca-
tion of the farm, pens and kennels,
feeds and feeding, and disinfection.

WE'KK STKOISU FOR YOU

"Gimme some onion-skin paper."

"Must it be onion-skin?"

"Yeah. I'm writing a sad letter to
my girl and I want to make sure that
she'll shed tears over it."

ANOTHER "OLD SPECKS"

Eddie: "I can tell you the score of
the game before it starts."
Ramp: "What is it?"
Eddie: "Nothing to nothing."

MONTANA WILD LIFE

11

Money In Muskrats

As a fur-bearing animal, the musk-
rat now heads the list in com-
mercial importance for annual fur
production in the United States, ac-
cording to Ed N. Davis, president of
the Montana Muslirat Breeders, Inc.

The company of wliich Mr. Davis is
the head operates a fur farm about 23
miles southeast of Great Falls in the
Missouri River valley, and 250 acres of
marsh and swamp land are utilized in
the undertaking. The company was or-
ganized about two years ago and at
that time the farm was stocked with
500 males and 1,000 females, brought
in principally from Minnesota, Wiscon-
sin and Idaho. At the time the com-
pany was organized the state law pro-
vided that fur farms must be in opera-
tion two years before furs produced
may be marketed. The first trappings
on Mr. Davis' fur farm will take place
the latter part of March or first of
April, next, and it is expected that from
20,000 to 25,000 pelts will be taken
this season.

"The muskrat," Mr. Davis says, "is
the cleanest and neatest of animals.
At the farm during the winter season
the rats are fed carrots, a favorite food,
but they will never eat a carrot or any
other food without first washing it
thoroughly in the water. When they
finish their meal," Mr. Davis said, "they
scrub their faces most industriously.

The principal food of the wild muskrat
consists of the roots of water plants,
pond lilies, sedge, bullrushes, catttails
and other marsh growths.

"The animals multiply rapidly and
the industry is highly profitable if
proper breeding grounds and expert at-
tention is given to the enterprise."

Hankies and Bears

Editor MONTANA WILD LIFE:

Over Missoula way we have a friend
called King Bass Powell of grizzly
bear hunting fame. Name given by cer-
tain reporter who knows Powell's weak-
ness for that kind of fish and likes
to hunt bear; in fact he likes to hunt
bear so well we know of one occasion
where Powell with a friend called
"Hudson Bey" (well known sheik) sat
up all night over in the South Fork
country, waiting at a grizzly bear kill
of elk calf with about all the bed
clothes they had in camp wrapped
around them. Powell received a Christ-
mas present with the poem attached,
and written for this special occasion:
This white kerchief hae many a use-.
Its existence is not a mere excuse;
First for the trumpet if it must be

blown,
Don't make a noise as if a dishpan is

thrown.
The second use is just as plain.
It comes handy when hunting big game,

Drape It in front when chasing Bruin,
Then he won't realize his oncoming

ruin.
This red one was a second thought.
Recalling battles that have been fought;
Pay close attention to what I say.
Time may come when it'll save the day.
When Bruin's tired of play and turns

tables on you,
And you run out of heel dust and don't

know what to do;
Spread the red one plainly on the rear

view.
Quit running, go to flying and bid him

adieu.

MRS. L. H. POWELL,
MR. MARSH.

More Birds In Idaho

The Idaho state game department is
going to increase its production of Chi-
nese pheasants at the Lapwai game
farm to 10,000 birds a year. Game War-
den R. E. Thomas says.

"We shall insist on 10,000 birds this
year, and will send experienced game
men to assist Superintendent Charles
W. Myers in producing the results we
desire. The cost of production in Idaho
the last two years has been too high.
We expect to increase the production
without increasing the costs of opera-
tion. The operation of the farm dur-
ing the last year has cost about $12,000
and about 4,000 birds have been raised."

MONTANA
FOXE6
HAVE GOOD
MANNER.^

.■...-3

yJUSr HNVT/VCS- /f LITTLE TVN /7T DTNNER TIMST

,*»»-■><■

--/eO^ SAtr/T/-/ /fNP SQA7£'QP iV/S ^^OX^^S" c^

NIRS^TSOY O- SMITH AND SOMC OP

THE taivTe: foxe-s- on the- north

STAR STLVE-R FOK FARM .TROY MONT,

12

MONTANA WILD LIFE

IF GREAT herds of Montana elk,
driven from their feeding grounds
in forest reserves because of un-
usually heavy snowfall and the eating
off of forage by cattle in summer, con-
gregate in such numbers as to cause
damage to owners of private farm prop-
erty, it is probable that the Montana
State Fish and Game Department will
employ riders to plow through snow
on horses and keep the elk out of cat-
tle pastures.

This plan was announced by Robert
H. Hill, State Fish and Game Warden,
after a strenuous week spent investi-
gating the elk situation in the Sun
River district. He made a personal trip
under severe winter hardships through
the district where some 3,000 elk have
been forced to the area on Ford Creek
at the Whitcomb ranch, Smith Creek,
the headwaters of Todd Creek, tribu-
taries of the South Fork of the Sun
River and the Dearborn slope. This
area is .iust outside the boundaries of
the forest reserve and the Sun River
Game Preserve, east of Haystack Butte
and 17 miles southwest of Augusta.

The trip from Helena to Great Falls
was made by rail, from Great Falls to
Augusta by car, from Augusta 17 miles
to the J. B. Long ranches by sleds and
the investigation in that vicinity by
saddle horses. During one day the
party making the trip viewed about
1,500 elk in the lowlands.

■'The Sun River elk are in good con-
dition," said Game Warden Hill. "They
are active and move rapidly even in
the deep, drifted snow, much of which
will hold a saddle horse because of the
crust. We found none suffering from
lack of food and located but one en-
tangled in a barbed wire fence.

"Keen interest displayed by ranchers
and their willingness to cooperate with
us in solving the problem was most
gratifying. Weather conditions began
to moderate on the last day of the trip,
much snow was melted off the ridges,
and grazing was made available.

"The elk, which normally come to
the lowlands for their winter feed when
crusted snow covers the ridges, have
come down to find that the forage has
already been eaten away by cattle. Pri-
vate lands in the vicinity have been
fenced. In no case did we find where
hay stacks have been torn down or at-
tacked by the herds. They have, how-
ever, invaded the pastures which have
been reserved by stockmen for winter
grazing for their cattle.

"Under the state law there is no re-
course in damages permitted for inva-
sions of the herds, which are pointed
to throughout the nation as the few
remaining herds of America. But the
Fish and Game Commission, in an
emergency and in an attempt to aid
the farmers, may find it necessary to
try out the employment of a range
rider to keep the elk back away from
the cattle pastures.

"Every courtesy was shown us by
Baldy Buck, pioneer cattleman, in
charge of the J. B. Long ranches. He
welcomed us sincerely, provided us with

Know This Rascal?

THIS is not an advertisement for
canned peas. For the benefit of
Montana youngsters who have
never bedded down in the woods, who
have never had their knives and forks
carried away or some of their other
utensils lugged out during the night,
this picture is printed to acquaint them
with the Montana woodrat. He's shown
perched atop the can of peas with his
tail extending way out yonder. He's
a sprightly little beggar and has been
known to carry away to his treasure
house articles many times his size.
He's a miser who collects everything
to which he takes a fancy, despite the
fact that it may be of no possible value
to him. The picture was taken by
W. M. Rush of the U. S. Department
of the Interior.

horses and gave us every attention
possible. His courtesy was matched by
that of other ranchers. They are will-
ing to cooperate with the department
in every possible way to save the elk,
yet prevent them from doing damage."

Warden Hill was accompanied on the
trip by Deputy Warden A. D. Roucher
of Augusta, J. T. Weiseman, rancher,
and other cattlemen.

Game Warden Hill. Deputy John
Plank of Harlowton and associates then
made a trip of inspection to the Mar-
tinsdale region, where Harold Ingersoll
of Indiana, son of J. E. Ingersoll, Illi-
nois capitalist and owner of the Smith
ranch, has been conferring with Vernon
Galentiue, manager of the ranch, on the
possibilities of securing game to create
a preserve in some of the mountain land
owned by the company. Mr. Galentine
outlined a plan for Mr. Ingersoll's ap-
proval, which includes fencing just be-
low the timber line on Gordon Butte
to inclose about a section and a halt
of timber and grazing land, building a

log lodge in the hollow on top of the
butte and securing, as a starter, 20 head
of the elk now running in the Delphine
area.

Mr. Galentine offered, some time ago,
to take some of the elk and has told
Mr. DeGroate, ranger at the Musselshell
station, that he believes if the animals
are driven to the ranch they will stay
because the grazing land offers good
feed.

The ranchers in that district are
eager to have the elk driven some place
where they will cease to bother hay
stacks and pastures.

Hungry elk, with their food supply
cut off by frozen snow, are becoming
a nuisance to ranchers on Cottonwood
Creek near Ovando, according to in-
formation received by T. N. Marlowe,
chairman of the Montana State Fish
and Game Commission, from Harry
Morgan, deputy game warden at Ovando.
Mr. Morgan has taken steps to secure
hay with which to feed the animals.

■The elk are unable to feed them-
selves as the first snows of the winter
are frozen solid in the Ovando region
and the new snow has fallen on top,
so that the animals can not get through
to the ground. As a result about 80
head are said to have been congregat-
ing around the Linn Brothers and Harry
Sharp ranches.

Reporting on conditions in the Black-
foot valley, Mr. Morgan said the deer
are plentiful and in good shape, and
he anticipates an abundance of water
this season.

It has been extremely cold around
Ovando, the temperature ranging from
10 to 50 degrees below zero.

The severe winter of the northern
Rockies is again taking its annual toll
of the wild life of Glacier National
Park, according to Superintendent J. R.
Eakin. Strange to relate, there is no
cause for alarm, for with one exception
it is merely nature's way of keeping
the various species virile and vigorous
and restricting the animal population
so it will not exceed the food supply.
The "survival of the fittest" insures
there shall be no weaklings carried
over into the breeding season to lower
the virility of denizens of the wilder-
ness

The one exception is peculiar to
Glacier National Park only. The Great
Northern Railway skirts the southern
boundary of the park and near the
area of the greatest concentration of
deer. Some deer desert the feed yards,
go outside the park and walk on the
railroad track to escape the deep snow.

To date 30 have been killed by trains.
Despite this handicap, deer are showing
a gratifying increase.

Nature's way of preventing too rapid
increase in wild life and keeping it
virile are losses from predatory ani-
mals, breaking through air holes on
frozen lakes and rivers, snowslides and
"winter kill." An animal not suffi-
ciently vigorous to rustle for food dies
of cold and starvation.

Coyotes are not numerous in the park
this winter. Signs of only one mouu-

MONTANA WILD LIFE

13

tain lion have been discovered by
rangers on patrol and one evidence of
wolves has been observed.

Contrary to the usual belief, snow-
slides are destructive to moose, elk,
mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
Several years ago one snowslide de-
stroyed four elk. Last winter another
slide killed two moose. Deer usually
drift to the lower valleys and escape
thi.s menace.

T>VO OTHER FELLERS

"Hey, any of you fellers lose a
wrench?"

"Yea, me."

"What's your name?"

"Mike Connors."

"You ain't the guy. This wrench be-
longs to Pat. Pending. His name's on
it."

The Mountain Stream

Sparkling in its amber clearness.

Dashing heedlessly along.
Bringing message to the cheerless

With its hum of all day song.
Peopled with its speckled beauties

Madly dashing to and fro;
Adding to its many duties

Aid to irrigation flow.
Quickly hurtling heavy boulders;

Fathered by the winter's snow;
Pushing onward as it shoulders

Countless cares of those below.
Fed by springs of divers number.

Branching out to greater size.
Till at last it seems to slumber

Threading cobwebs to the skies.

—J. Nort White.

Luck and
Industry

Just being happy

Is a fine thing to do;
Looking on tlie bright side

Rather than the blue;
Sad or sunny musing

Is largely in the choosing.
And just being happy

Is brave work and true.

SO SORRY

"There hasn't been much stirring
iround our house lately."
"Why not?"
"Somebody stole the spoons."

Trapping is Pastime of Montana Railroad Man

TW. HILDEMAN, known to hun-
dreds of Montana friends as
• "Hildy," has a position with the
Northern Pacific as station agent at
Frenchtown, near Missoula, but he has
a hobby, in fact a bunch of hobbies,
in which he excels. He's a mighty good
railroad man and as fine a sportsman
as the west has yet produced. Only a
short time ago he was stationed at

Austin, near Helena. He uses a rifle,
shotgun and animal trap with results.
He's a keen student of ballistics, makes
a specialty of knocking over rifle and
trapshooting trophies and when he has
a minute to spare he goes out before
breakfast, kills a couple of mountain
lions, bags a bobcat or gets on the
trail of other predatory animals. But
Hildy's a modest chap and shuns pub-

licity. At the bottom in the layout
above and at the right center are pic-
tures of cats in traps. Hildy is shown
at the bottom center with a coyote
almost as big as he is and at the top
with a bag of snowshoe rabbits. Other
pictures in the group are some of the
coyotes Hildy has started on a career
toward the taxidermist.

14

MONTANA WILD LIFE

February Morn

BRE'R BEAVER, dripping wet with
chilly waters, Is doubtless compar-
ing his bravery with that of Sep-
tember Morn. Here he is, snapped just
as he poked his head above the frosty
February waters by W. M. Rush in
Yellowstone National Park. Some na-
ture fakir or radio fan might venture
the remark that he's "Singin' in the
Bathtub."

Things To Forget

If you see a tall fellow ahead of a
crowd,

A leader of men marching fearless and
proud.

And you know of a tale whose mere
telling aloud

Would cause his proud head to in an-
guish be bowed.

It's a pretty good plan to forget it.

If you know of a skeleton hid away

In a closet, and guarded and kept from
the day

In the dark; and whose showing, whose
sudden display.

Would cause grief and sorrow, and life-
long dismay,

It's a pretty good plan to forget it.

It you know of a thing that will darken

the joy
Of a man, or a woman, a girl or a boy.
That will wipe out a smile or the least

way annoy
A fellow, or cause any gladness to cloy.
It's a pretty good plan to forget it.

"Jack, there's a motorcycle following
us. Is it a traffic officer?"

"No, worse. It's the guy who collects
the in.stallments on this car."

Better DUCK Shooting

Order Wild Rice Seed Now
For Spring Planting. Thou-
sands of ducks win come to
an established rice field. We
also have wild celery. Sago
Pond plant, Wapato duck
potato and other attractions
and fur bearers. Also
rice for table use.
ILTON'S AQUATIC FARMS
Detroit, Minnesota

V

for waterfowl
parched wild
QEO. D. HAM
Box 16

Boy's Weasel Trap

Catches Bobcat

•

A CAT tamer has been found in
Missoula county. He is Robert
Moore, only 12 years old. He
tames bobcats. Robert, who lives
up Lolo Creek, set out a bunch of
traps for weasels. In one of those
traps he found a big bobcat, measur-
ing about 4 feet from tip to tip. He
killed the cat, skinned it and took
the hide, remarkably soft and richly
colored, into Missoula, where he sold
it, after asking advice of the sheriff.

Benton Bird Refuge

By executive order. President Hoover
has set aside, as a refuge and breed-
ing ground for birds, a 12,124-acre
tract at Benton Lake, in Cascade and
Chouteau counties, near the city of
Great Falls. The new reservation will
be known as the Benton Lake Bird
Refuge and will be administered by the
Bureau of Biological Survey of the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture.

The new refuge will constitute an im-
portant sanctuary for great numbers of
migratory waterfowl. More than 3,000
acres of the refuge is water area, with
an abundance of aquatic plant growth
for cover and food for wildfowl. Sev-
eral species of wild ducks, as well as
wild geese, are found on the Lake Ben-
ton marshes during their migrations,
and some of these birds breed there.
Shore birds also frequent the region,
chiefly in migration. The area was for-
merly a part of the Sun River reclama-
tion project administered by the Bureau
of Reclamation of the Department of
the Interior.

For the welfare of the birds and
other forms of wild life on the refuge,
it is made unlawful to hunt or trap
there, or to capture, willfully disturb.

Attract Wild Ducks

Natural aquatic food
plants will bring
thousands of Wild
Ducks to your fa-
vorite waters. Plant
WILD RICE, WILD
CELERY, PONDWEED SEEDS and
others guaranteed to produce results.
Prices reduced, discount on early or-
ders. Write for expert planting ad-
vice and free literature.

Wisconsin Aquatic Nurseries

Box 331-D, Oshkosh, Wis.

FOXES

Pen-R^Bed Alaskan Blues and Pedigreed Snvere. Order
Now — Early Delivery more satisfactory. We guarantee,
in Your hands or Ours, 100%increase under ranching con-
tract on adult Bluee. 6 Bank Rcf. tor 25 yrs. and Satisfied
cufltomers. BreedGi^Aeente wanted— Yourreal opportun-
ity, "Onoof the World's largest"— Free booklet tells all.
CLEABY BKOS„FoxFaniu.Eiii(iireBUs. ^iyn£.VSA.

or kill any wild animal or bird, or to
take or destroy the eggs of any wild
bird; to cut or burn any timber, under-
brush, grass, or other natural growth;
willfully to leave or suffer fire to burn
unattended near any timber or other
inflammable material; to leave a fire
near any forest or timber; or willfully
to molest, injure, or destroy any prop-
erty of the United States.

Little Boy

Oh, little boy with the big brown eyes!

Your dreams will reach into the skies.
Your hopes will be of love and fame.

Your hand will every scepter claim;
Your joys will ever light the skies. . . .

Oh, little boy with the big brown
eyes!

Oh, little boy with the big brown eyes!

In your small hands a future lies;
When on Lite's threshold wide you
stand.
All things you'll know .... you'll
understand.
And Life will bring you naught but
joy ....
Oh, little, happy brown eyed boy!

DEAR DOCTOR

The following letter was received by
a company which manufacturers corn
syrup:

"Dear Sirs: Though I have taken six
cans of your syrup my feet are no bet-
ter now than when I started."

Chinks; Most Beautiful
Game Birds in Montana

You too will say the same thing if you
have a bird or two mounted in our shop.
Plan to have a specimen mounted this
fall since the season may not be opened
again for several years to come. Its
gorgeous coloring makes this bird the
ideal decoration in either flying, stand-
ing or dead game position.

LENTFER BROS.

Successors to Jonas Bros.

TAXIDERMISTS

215 W. Park St. Livingston, Mont.

Phone 337-W

MONTANA WILD LIFE

15

Molly Cottontail

:-< -^^^^

MONTANA sportsmen who cherish
wild life in forest, field and glen,
seldom realize that Molly Cotton-
tail and John Rabbit are assets. In
many states they are protected and an
open and closed season is declared to
protect them and to insure proper
growth. In the west, however, it has
not been long since jackrabbit drives
were popular sport in many communi-
ties where the long-eared gentry dam-
aged crops. This bunny, however,
rivals roast chicken when dolled up in
a casserole.

ACCOUNTESG METHODS

A wholesaler who had a lot of trouble
in getting a certain retail client to pay
his bills finally lost patience and wrote
the merchant a threatening letter. He
received the following reply:

Dear Sir: What do you mean by
sending me a letter like that?

Every month I place all my bills in
a basket and then figure out how much
money I have to pay on my accounts.
Next I blindfold my bookkeeper and
have her draw as much money to pay.

It you don't like my way of doing
business I won't even put your bills in
the basket.

REJOINDER

Porter: "Did you miss dat train,
suh?"

Traveler: "No! I didn't like to see
it around, so I chased It out of the
yard."

T More Ducks

More food means
more game. Com-
plete line of planting
materials suitable for
Montana. Planting
helps free. Write

g

Forestry Foundation

PROMOTION of practical forest land
management in the broadest sense
of the term is the object of a gift
of $200,000 made by Charles Lathrop
Pack of Lakewood. New Jersey, to the
University of Michigan. This fund is
to be known as the George Willis Pack
Forestry Foundation in memory of the
donor's father, and the income from it
will be used by the School of Forestry
and Conservation in carrying out the
purpose of the foundation.

In establishing the foundation, Mr.
Pack stated that the School of Forestry
and Conservation was chosen as the
medium through which to carry out his
plans for the advancement of forestry
in this field "on account of its prestige,
its facilities for teaching the broad
principles of all phases of practical
forestry, and its experienced staff."

The income from the foundation is
to be used for the salary and expenses

Anglers Club Takes
Care of Pheasants

BECAUSE of the severely cold
weather, it has been found nec-
essary, according to Secretary
Neil Grogan of the Deer Lodge An-
glers' Club, to feed the flocks of
Hungarian pheasants in Powell coun-
ty with grain to avert the starva-
tion of these birds. The work is
being supervised by IMr. Grogan. The
feeding task was carried on last
year by the club and many of the
birds were saved from death.

AQUATIC FARMS AND NURSERIES
1072 W BIk. OSHKOSH. WIS.

TROPHIES of the
FALL HUNT

Realistically mounted perpetuate the
life-likeness of the specimen as well as
the thrill of the experience.

Art catalog with reproductions of
famous mountings FREE on request.

onas Brothers

Master Taxidermists
1036 Broadway Denver, Colorado

J'

of an experienced forester to be known
as the George Willis Pack professor of
forest land management, and for such
other expenditures as may be necessary
in carrying out the purposes of the
foundation. In accordance with the
wishes of the donor, who is keenly in-
terested in the practical application of
forestry, it is expected that the holder
of this professorship will devote the
larger part of his time to furthering
the practice of forestry in the woods
rather than in the class room. He
may, however, assist in the instruc-
tional activities of the school, and will
doubtless work particularly with gradu-
ate students.

Hercules Alaskan Silver Black |

Foxes

Write

for information

and

prices.

Idaho Fox Farm Co.

Porthin. 1

Idaho, or

Hugo

Renlund, Red Lodge,

Mont.

Help the Cause!

Subscribe Now !

To the Editor, MONTANA WILD LIFE,
State Capitol Building,
Helena, Montana.

Please send MONTANA WILD LIFE
to the following addresses for one year,
beginning with the next issue after re-
ceipt of this order. Check is enclosed
to cover these subscriptions at $1 each:

NAME

Address

NAME

Address

NAME

Address

NAME

Address

NAME

Address

MONTANA WILD LIFE

Official Publication of the Montana
State Fish and Game Department

16

MONTANA WILD LIFE

Sec. 435%.P. L. &R
V. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Helena, Montana
Permit No. 27

Glen A. Smith

STARTING a n -
other year of
its existence,
the Montana Sports-
men's Association is
organizing for the
pre - election cam-
paign. A traveling
secretary, John C.
Frolicher of Mis-
soula, who is in the
employ of the Fish
and Game Commis-
sion as educational
secretary, is in the
field. A definite
program will be ar-
ranged at the an-
nual April meeting
in Helena. Until
that meeting, sug-

gestions will be welcomed. They should
be mailed to the secretary at Missoula.
And it sportsmen desire to form a club,
or to revive an old club, or need help
in their membership campaigns, any
aid that the secretary can give will
be furnished gladly. His job is to aid
clubs in the state and he will welcome
the opportunity. .

The Montana. Sportsmen's Association
is the clearing house for sportsmen's
olubs of the state. It is organized "for
the perpetuation of Montana's out-of-
doors and the sport of sportsmen."

The Commissioners are Glen A. Smith
of Missoula, chairman; E. M. Boyes of
Libby, Dr. W. M. Copenhaver of Helena,
A H Croonquist of Red Lodge, Dr. J.
H Garberson of Miles City, W. B. Nel-
son of Great Falls and E. A. Wilson of
Livingston. John C. Frohlicher of Mis-
soula is secretary.

CUSTER CLUB IS BUST

THE Custer Rod and Gun Club has
been hard at work with its pro-
gram, and good success is reported,
especially at Lake Garberson. The
propagation of warm water fish in the
eastern part of the state by the State
Commission and the U. S. Bureau of
Fisheries will lead to better sport
over there. Not much success with
game birds, especially Chinks and Huns,
has been reported from sections where
there is no cover. The Custer hunters
have a problem before them in replen-
ishing the prairie chicken coveys.

WE WANTA HEAR

ABOUT experiences in driving elk
from one range to another.
What sportsmen and trappers
think of allotting certain districts to
certain trappers, so the fur will be used
and not mined.

Who among non-professional hunters
has killed a mountain lion since Janu-
ary 1.

When the first bear is seen out of
his den this spring. (It would be well
to give day, hour and minute.)

Why sportsmen's associations don't
take more interest in the common en-
emy control contest.

When each sportsmen's club in the

state will start its 1930 drive for mem-
bers.

ANACONDA CLUB DINES

THE anual dinner of the Anaconda
Anglers' Club will be held Feb-
ruary 15, at the Montana Hotel.
A whole buffalo has been secured for
the occasion. Sportsmen from Butte,
Helena, Anaconda, Philipsburg and
other towns have been invited. Chair-
man Thomas N. Marlowe of the State
Commission and John C. Frohlicher,
secretary of the Montana Sportsmen's
Association, have been asked to speak.

WHITEFISH IN OPEN STREAMS

MEMBERS of the Western Montana
Fish and Game Association of
Missoula are catching many
whitefish in the three open streams
near that city. The fish are all of
fairly good size, the reports state.

CwREAT FALLS AT MEETING

A LETTER from H. M. Read, secre-
tary of the Great Falls Sports-
men's Association, indicates that
their membership will be represented at
the annual meeting of the state asso-
ciation in April. The Great Falls
sportsmen have been among the more
active workers for game conservation
in Montana.

RUSH REPORT ON ELK

THE report of W. M. Rush, who is
studying the northern Yellowstone
elk herd, recalls to many enthu-
siastic sportsmen the time when the
Montana Sportsmen's Association joined
with the State Fish and Game Depart-
ment, the Forest Service and the Park
Service in obtaining more winter range
for the great wild life resources of
southern Montana. All the sportsmen
of the state urged the passage of house
bills that made available funds for buy-
ing this winter range. Sportsmen will
find that problems can be handled
through the Montana Sportsmen's As-
sociation.

MONGOLIANS ARE THRIVING

CHINESE pheasant flocks of the
Flathead reservation, where there
was a five-day open season last
fall, show little decrease in the num-
bers of male birds, says Deputy War-
den Jack Goldsby. The supply of Hun-
garian partridges has not been touched.
The pheasant situation is being han-
dled during the winter. Sportsmen
from St. Ignatius are feeding hundreds
of the birds, in cooperation with the
State Department. Deputy Warden W.
A. Hill of Missoula has feeding grounds
in his territory and is being helped
by sportsmen and farmers of the Bit-
ter Root valley and the lower Missoula
River valley. Cecil Wilson of Helena,
president of the Lewis and Clark Coun-
ty Rod and Gun Club, is urging farm-
ers to open holes in straw stacks so
birds may find food and shelter.

PAGE FOR ASSOCIATION

THROUGH the courtesy of the Mon-
tana State Fish and Game Com-
mission this page will be available
each month for the Montana Sports-
men's Association. Members of affil-
iated clubs who have something "on
their chests" are urged to put it on
paper.

PLANT QUAIL NEAR STANFORD

MEMBERS of the Stanford Rod and
Gun Club are going to try plants
of Bob White, the game bird of
the middle west, it was noted in a re-
cent news dispatch.

PARKS AND CAMP SITES

ROD and gun clubs are urged to
investigate possible public parks
and camp sites near their home
towns. Sportsmen's organizations find
that such work, in eastern states, pays
big dividends in good will and friend-
liness, as well as in financial ways.
Bring the problem to the annual meet-
ing of the association in April.

GLEN SMITH IN EAST

GLEN A. SMITH, chairman of the
state association, is in Washing-
ton, D. C, on a detail for the
Forest Service. He will return to Mon-
tana in lime to call the annual meet-
ing.

MEMBERSHIP FEES CUT

A DECREASE in the membership
fees tor rod and gun clubs join-
ing the Montana Sportsmen's As-
sociation for 1930 has been announced.
In place of the old fee of 25 cents
each for members of clubs, a sliding
scale has been adopted.

Clubs that wish to pay up their 1929
dues and send delegates to the annual
meeting in April of this year are re-
quested to send a list of their member-
ship with the check for the dues. The
check should be made payable to the
Montana Sportsmen's Association and
sent to John C. Frohlicher, secretary,
at Missoula.

The scale:

Clubs with 300 members or more $50

Clubs with 250 to 299 members 45

Clubs with 200 to 249 members 40

Clubs with 150 to 199 members 35

Clubs with 100 to 149 members 30

Clubs with 75 to 99 members 25

Clubs with 50 to 74 members 20

Clubs with 25 to 49 members 15

Clubs with less than 25 members 10

Individual annual memberships (not

included in clubs) 1

Memberships to dude ranches,

firms, etc 10

SAYS IZAAK WALTON

"Angling is somewhat like poetry,
men are to be born so. We may say of
angling as Dr. Boteler said of straw-
berries, 'Doubtless God could have made
a better berry, but doubtless God never
did'; and so, if I might be judge, 'God
never did make a more calm, quiet, in-
nocent recreation than angling'."