VOLUMF 2 UAABFR 6 OFPICIAL PUBLICATION OF THF MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Good Pellowship TJO, BROTHER, it's the handclasp and the good ivord and the smile That does the most and helps the most to make the world tvorth ivhile! It's all of us together, or it's only you and I — A ringing song of friendship, and the heart heats high. A ringing song of friendship, and a tvord or tivo of cheer. Then all the world is gladder and the bending sky is clear! It's you and I together — and we're brothers one and all Whenever through good fellotvship we hear the subtle call, Whenever in the ruck of things we feel the help- ing hand Or see the deeper glow that none but ice may understand — Then all the ivorld is good to us and all is tvorth the while; Ho, brother, it's the handclasp and the good. ivord and the smile. MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission VOL. II. HELENA, MONTANA, JANUARY, 1930. NO. S. Licenses Hit Record DEMANDS being made upon Mon- tana's fish and game resources are reflected in convincing man- ner in the increased demand for hunting and fishing licenses among residents and particularly among tourists. Resident licenses for 1928 established the new high mark of 75,063, the greatest number ever pur- chased by sportsmen of the state in any year since the department was created, and then comes 1929 with another new record. Increased de- mands for licenses means that addi- tional courageous vigilance must be maintained in law enforcement and in restocking the streams and for- ests. Last year was likewise the heaviest tourist travel year, there be- ing 4,745 non-resident fishing licenses sold. The total is not yet complete, many stubs being in the hands of dealers. Figures gleaned from offi- cial reports follow: Resident Non-resident Licenses Fishing 1916 69,466 1,082 1917 72,113 1,012 1918 42,744 741 1919 70,429 252 1920 52,751 1,305 1921 59,348 1,879 1922 50,508 1,620 1923 .64,202 2,193 1924 56,113 2,064 1925 73,042 3,369 1926 71,249 1,133 1927 67,083 3,320 1928 .75,063 4,335 1929 .82,792 4,745 MONTANA has again established a new high record mark for fish- ing and hunting licenses among residents as well as eastern neighbors who annually turn the noses of their cars toward the Land of Shining Moun- tains. According to the compilation of figures for 1929, by Department statis- ticians, the 1929 marli for resident fish- ing licenses totaled 82,792 as against the former record mark of 1928 of 75,063. And this in the face of the fact that extreme dry weather and the dry- ing up of streams caused the Commis- sion to close these waters two months earlier and put on the ban November 1 except in lakes where adequate water was provided. While resident fishing licenses have been gaining, as shown in the accom- panying table, the increase of tourist licenses has also emphatically brought home to Montana people the necessity of adequate restocking of streams and the apparent need for meeting the cash demand required to support this heri- tage of woods and waters for future generations. When Montana was in its formative stages, trapping came before the lure of gold as an incentive to intrepid ex- plorers, and figures of the Department show that the industry still thrives. During the year 813 trappers' licenses were issued, 74 guides were licensed and 534 beaver-taking permits issued. There were licenses issued to 112 fur dealers and 29 fur dealers' agents. Four non-resident dealers paid for permits to operate within the state. One of the interesting facts displayed by the tabulation are figures showing the growth of the fur farming industry in the state. Licenses were issued to 168 game farms. These farms are bringing new wealth to Montana. They are producing valuable products and the industry is making remarkable strides. In this connection it might be well to call attention of fur dealers of the state to the following opinion which has just been handed down to the De- partment from the attorney general. The decision reads as follows: "You have requested the opinion of this office upon the following state of facts: "A licensed fur dealer in Great Falls desires to open up a place of business at Fort Benton and to place in charge there one of his fur buyers and the question is whether he shall be re- quired to take out a license. "Chapter 42 of the Session Laws of 1929 provides for fur dealers' licenses and also provides for a license by fur dealers' agents. A fur dealer's agent is defined as any person who is em- ployed by a resident or non-resident fur dealer as a fur buyer. There would appear to be no question that one who goes out from the fur dealer's place of business and engages in the business of fur buying tor the dealer would come within this definition and be re- quired to pay the $10.00 fur dealer's license." Department Figures on Licenses for 1929 Cash Receipts from All Sources — January 1 to December 31, 1929 Re.sident Hunting and Fishing Licenses (82,792) $16.1,584.00 Non-Resident Fishing- Licenses (4,745) 16,607.50 Non-Resident General Hunting and Pishing (1,070) :i, 210.00 Non-Resident Limited Hunting and Fishing (102) 1,020.00 Alien General Hunting and Fishing Licenses (3) 150.00 Alien Fishing Licenses (289) 2,890.00 $189,461.50 Less Agents' Commission 8,698.60 $180,762.90 Licenses for 192S and Prior Years — Net 1,372.31 $182,135.21 Licenses Other Than Hunting and Fishing Trappers (813) $ 8,130.00 Guides (74) 740.00 Seining in Public Waters (19) 95.00 Game Farm (168) 840.00 Taxidermists (12) 180.00 Beaver (534) 5,340.00 Fur Dealers (112) 112.00 Fur Dealers' Agents (29) 290.00 Non-Resident Fur Dealers' Agents (4) 100.00 $197,962.21 Other Income Fish Eggs $ 2.052.63 Beaver Tags (8,155) 4,077.50 Shipping Permits (2,512) 1,256.00 Alien Guns 25.00 Refunds 57.44 Fur Sales 5,883.25 Fines 12,286.43 Confiscations 6,943.73 Fish Royalties 122.61 Montana Wild Life 734.50 Sale of Capital Assets 1.50 Shipping Permits for 1928 and Prior Tears 80.50 Interest 71.82 Miscellaneous Income 94.50 $231,649.62 Less Biological Income 22,170.75 Total Net Income — Fish and Game Fund Income $209,478.87 MONTANA WILD LIFE Moet^ea Geeteir of Uo So Elk By W. M. RUSH, in Charge of Elk Study, U. S. Dept. of Interior, Yellowstone National Park, with Photos on Next Page by the Author DETAILED information on many species of our big game animals is sadly lacking. Some ot the smaller species of wild life, as mice, moles, muskrats, gophers, etc., have been the subjects of many pages of de- tailed writing, but as for moose, elk, deer, mountain sheep, goats, antelope and bear our data are fragmentary and incomplete. With our elk herds, for instance, such questions as the follow- ing have frequently arisen the past few years since the elk problem has devel- oped to the important place it holds: What are the food requirements of our elk? Do they eat the same kinds of forage as other big game animals or domestic sheep and cattle? How much range does an elk require? What are the limits ot altitude and snow depths that elk can subsist in? What are the mineral requirements in an elk's food? What sanitation requirements are nec- essary on the range or feeding grounds? At what age do the young breed? To what extent are they polygamous? Just what purpose do the antlers serve? What and when is the period ot ges- tation? Of lactation? Seasonal varia- tion of breeding? What is the normal birth rate? Death rate? Why do the elk migrate from one part of the range to another and what is the extent of these migrations? Can these migrations be controlled, and if so, how? Just what are the losses from predatory ani- mals, drowning of calves, starvation and other causes? What diseases are elk susceptible to? Do wood ticks cause a heavy loss in the herds? To what extent do elk compete with do- mestic stock for range and to what ex- tent is the state and government jus- tified in excluding domestic sheep and cattle from the public ranges to pro- vide for elk herds? Are the elk car- riers of disease or parasites to or from domestic stock? What balance should be sought in our mountain ranges be- tween elk, moose, mountain sheep, .goats, deer, buffalo and bear? Should complete extermination of predatory animals be sought on our game ranges? Should the herds be allowed to de- velop to such sizes that hay must be fed? The hows, whys, wheres and whats could be carried out to almost any degree of detail without many well authenticated answers being received. Funds for such investigative work are difficult to receive and it was not until 192S that Horace Albright, pres- ent director of the National Park Serv- ice, secured from private sources funds to carry on an elk study tor one year in the Yelowstone Park and the area north of the Park used by the elk for winter range. The work was begun in December, 1928, and is being carried on now by the different government and state agencies concerned with game protection, on a cooperative basis. The very pertinent question of "How is the work being done?" is worthy of some explanation. More than two- thirds ot the time of the investigator is spent in the field with the elk, ob- serving their food habits, movements with changes of weather, snow condi- tions, forage, and their general habits, collecting forage specimens, securing data on breeding, weaning, birth of calves, size and weight of calves, losses from bear and other animals. Investi- gating diseased and parasitical ani- mals. Taking photographs, both mo- tion and still. Counting bunch after bunch to secure the proportion of ma- ture males, cows, spikes and calves in the total herd. Traveling is done with saddle and pack horses usually, al- though considerable work is done with auto and foot travel near the roads. Some snowshoe work is necessary in the winter. Last year the entire elk range from Thoroughfare Creek to Yan- kee Jim Canyon was covered more or less thoroughly. About one-third of the time of the investigator is spent In the laboratory and dark room. Dissections of dis- eased animals are made, specimens pre- pared for diagnosis, botanical specimens identified and preserved tor reference, stomach contents examined, parasites collected, and photo work done. A card record is kept of notes secured in the field under .34 main headings and 120 subheadings which cover most of the important details connected with the elk's life history and its place in wild lite management. The Park Service has equipped two special rooms with about everything necessary to carry on this work suc- cessfully. A brief history of the Northern Yel- lowstone elk herd is necessary to ex- plain the extent of the problem. The elk were pretty well exterminated over most of its range at about the same time as the buffalo were. Some few hundred head of elk were crowded into the mountainous region of the Yellow- stone Park. Here under complete pro- tection and an ample supply of forage they increased rapidly until the food supply was insufficient for them dur- ing severe winters. In 1911 they left the Park, migrating down the Yellow- stone River for the foothill and plains country they had wintered in previous to the settlement of the country by the white man. In the spring they mi- grated back in the Park, minus, of course, a few hundred of their num- ber that had been killed by hunters and a few hundred more that suc- cumbed to starvation. These migra- tions have occurred since 1911 a num- ber of times, the largest and most dis- astrous being that of 1919. Several thousands were killed by hunters and several thousands more died of starva- tion, the total loss amounting to about half the herd, which was estimated to contain about 17,000 elk at that time. To provide winter range for these elk our Congress passed on May 26, 1926, an act which authorized an ap- propriation of $150,000 to purchase land for additional winter range, provided such governmental funds were matched by an equal amount of money from other sources. The Game Preservation Company of New York City had already been formed by prominent conserva- tionists, and had purchased some land. At the present time some fifteen tracts of land have been purchased at a cost of about $80,000 and further purchase will be made as fast as reasonable of- fers are made. Some of these lands are improved ranches with considerable areas of hay mead'ows which produce a large quantity of forage each year. The acquisition of these ranches of course eliminates a large number of cattle and horses from the range, thus further augmenting the winter supply of forage for the elk. An argument often heard is: "Why not reduce the elk herd to the number the winter range in the Park will sup- port?" This would be about 5,000 or 6,000 head and as the herd now num- bers 12,000 or 13,000 it would mean a cut of more than one-half. Now should our great and wealthy government de- liberately reduce one of the two great- est elk herds in the world to one-half its present size or should it expend a relatively small sum to keep it up, and provide tor the increase from the larger herd to be taken each year by hunters or to be taken for shipment to stock other areas? (It might be mentioned that this herd has furnished the nucleus for more than 20 herds of elk in other parts ot the United States.) Without exception large game preserves build up large herds of game animals with serious problems to solve in time as to food supply. Some examples are: Sun River elk, Bison Range elk and buffalo, Kaibab deer and Yellowstone Park elk. These problems in some cases must be met with a cut in the number of game animals but with the large unique and distinctive elk herds it seems justifiable to provide the additional range neces- sary. Heavy calf losses occurred here in the elk herd in the winter and spring of 1926-27 due to calf diphtheria (ne- crotic stomatitis). Investigations to date seem to prove that foxtail grass (Hordeum julatem) is the mechanical agent that allows the bacteria of this disease to gain a foothold in the ani- mals' mouths. Abnormal bone growths in many of the older animals have been found which would indicate that the disease is not confined to calves. Our studies to date indicate that this grass should be exterminated from the elks' winter range if such a thing is prac- ticable. Another grass commonly known as cheat grass (bromus tectorum) is spiked and barbed very much the same as foxtail and probably accentuates the damage done by the foxtail. Ergot is a fungus that infests some range plants, chiefly tall rye grass on the elk range, and may be the cause of some loss in game animals. Other fungi has been found on the range plants from which diseases may result. MONTANA WILD LIFE ^^^^^S ELK2^i^ C\S> YOUNGr PULL WITH HORNS IN VETLVE-T MONTANA WILD LIFE Hems aed Climks le Tlhe M Aieg Hv J. F. HEJfDRUKS, Superiiifeiideiit Montana State Game Farm at Warm Sprinfrs, with Photos by the Author DESPITE the fact that Montana is mantled by a snow blanket that serves to make some folks forget tishin' and huntin', it will be but a jiffy until it'll be necessary to check over the tackle and fight down the urge to get away from business. Then come the days when a wh-i-r-r-r in the woods sends things running up and down one's spine. Montana's State Fish and Game Department, too, is looking forward to those days in the woods and waters. The fish hatch- eries are operating full blast in order that streams may be restocked with fish to meet the growing demand. The state game farm at Warm Springs, one of the latest forward steps of the Com- mission, is nearing completion and at this time of year is an extremely in- teresting place. Heavy snows may take their toll of the Hungarians and hardy Chinese pheasants, hence it's a mighty fine thing for farmers to feed the birds. Especial care is being taken at the game farm to protect the limited sup- ply of brood stock from harm. Photo- graphs showing strides being made at the game farm are shown on the ad- Joining page. They are taken from snapshots prepared by J. F. Hendricks, veteran superintendent of the farm. They demonstrate that the dollar of the Montana sportsman is going far- ther, despite the heavy drains on the self-supported fish and game fund. The home built for the superintend- ent has five rooms, one an office, is modern and has full basement. To the north is a small lake, the highway is east and the Northern Pacific runs north and south back of the farm. Construction of the farm is progress- ing rapidly. Workmen have constructed 280 pens 24x24 feet, but not all the wire has been placed on them yet. During this stormy weather men are working on equipment for use next summer. There are 300 ringneck pheasants and 22 Mongolians at the farm and they will begin mating some time the first part of March. Six hens and a cock are placed in a pen. Then attendants begin feeding them laying food, which consists of meal one day and on alternate days ground raw liver mixed with corn meal and bran. During the laying season the eggs are gathered at 11 and 4 o'clock. Then they are incubated under domestic hens. It requires 22 days to incubate ring- neck eggs and 23 days for the Mon- golians. When hatched 25 chicks are given to each hen and they are put in one of the pens till time for liberation, which will be about ten weeks, but in warmer climates at seven weeks, and the birds will do well. The Hungarian partridge trap shown in the accompanying picture has been made by Mr. Hendricks. He is prepar- ing the traps for catching Huns for breeding purposes on the state farm. for it is hard to purchase good brood stock of Huns. He is trapping them in Deer Lodge county while the ground is covered with snow. Experts say It is impossible to force- mate the Hungarian partridge as they are non-polygamous. All of them are placed in a large enclosure and allowed to take their own mates. When mated they will leave the bunch. Then they are placed in a private pen. After mating another Hun finds no welcome with them, as they will kill the in- truder regardless of sex. They mate much sooner than the pheasants but won't start laying till a month after the pheasants. The Hun makes a nest by making a hole in the ground about the size of the palm of a hand, and will lay IS or 20 eggs in three or four lay- ers. Both male and female help with the duty of incubation. Here's A Bouquet Portland, Ore. Editor MONTANA WILD LIFE: I am much pleased with the material appearing monthly in your excellent publication. It is just the kind of mat- ter people ought to read. The pity of it is that publications like MONTANA WILD LIFE cannot be put in the hands of ALL citizens and not be confined merely to a limited number of those who already are more or less "sold" on your ideas. In a sense, you are "wast- ing your sweetness on the desert air." I presume that, like Western Out- of-Doors, MONTANA WILD LIFE is sent only to those who subscribe and pay for it. It seems to me that your Fish and Game Commission could do no better thing than to provide funds tor supplying it to every person who buys a hunting or angling license in the state even though it might be nec- essary to add a dollar to the annual license fee. Education is the answer to most of our fish and game problems. In the August issue of Western Out- of-Doors, under the title "Science and Game," I mentioned, editorially, the fine work your state has been doing on Flathead and Georgetown Lakes. I want to "lift" some of your stuff for my next issue if you don't mind. Fraternally yours, R. J. KIRKWOOD, Editor Western Out-of-Doors. LISTENS TO ORDERS The editor of a newspaper wheeled his chair around and pressed a button on his desk. The office boy entered. "Here," said the editor, "are a num- ber of directions from outsiders telling us how to run our paper. See that every one is carried out." And the office boy, gathering them all in a large waste basket, did so. Duck Limit Is Cut MONTANA'S limit on migratory waterfowl is due to be reduced next season. Secretary Hyde of the U. S. Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C, has announced that upon his recommendation the daily bag limits of ducks and geese allowed gun- ners will be reduced for the next sea- son, 1930-31, by changes in the federal regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The necessity for this re- duction has become evident from ex- haustive field investigation by the De- partment of Agriculture, which has dis- closed that waterfowl have not been holding their own in the last year. The unusual drouth that prevailed during the last season, and the reclamation of large former breeding grounds in the northwest states and Canada, have re- sulted in cumulative losses of great areas of marsh and water. This reduction has been vigorously insisted upon by the principal game associations, the Western Association of State Game Commissioners, the As- sociation of North Central States Game and Fish Departments, and several others. At its annual meeting the American Game Conference, attended by repre- sentative sportsmen and conservation- ists from all parts of the continent, adopted resolutions to this end. At its annual meeting in Washington in De- cember, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act advisory board, made up of representa- tive sportsmen and game conservation- ists from all parts of the country, passed a resolution by an almost unan- imous vote urging that this action be taken. Thirty states have passed legislation reducing the bag below the federal standards, and many of them have pro- tested at the holding of federal stand- ards above their state limits because of the difficulties created in enforce- ment. The regulations will go in force after the present season, and the bag will be reduced from present limit on ducks of 25 to 15 a day and on geese from S to 4 a day and a possession limit of 30 ducks and S geese is also prescribed. TES, YES— GO ON "I don't want any callers this after- noon," said the business man to the office boy. "If they say their business is important, just tell them that's what they all say." That afternoon a lady called and in- sisted on seeing him. "I am his wife," she explained. "That's what they all say," said the office boy. Fishing saves the nerves, saves the brain and saves the doctor bill. MONTANA WILD LIFE -pE?/v or s/rc^Lrs/-/ " ^^^^^cd BLffCK NECK -p/^Er/^S-ANTy MONTANA WILD LIFE MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS. Thomas N. Marlowe, Missoula, Chairman. G. T. Boyd, Great Palls. 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. VOLUME II. JANUAKT, 1930. NUMBER 8. WORTH OF MONTANA'S FISH AND GAME WHILE Montana sportsmen may be pondering over the worth of fish and game of the state, it might be well to consider the case of Kansas. Montana's mountains and streams are veritable gathering grounds for wild life as compared to the rolling hills and conditions prevailing in that state, yet Kansas fish and game au- thorities estimate that the state gets ten million dollars' worth of good out of its fish, game and birds every year. Here's a significant statement from "Kansas Fish and Game": Ducks, geese and other migratory birds shot every year would sell on the market for $1,000,000, and quail for $50,000. The 60,000 rabbits sent away every year bring around $50,000, counting jackrabbits. The prairie chicken bag will sell for $25,000. All other game, including rabbits shot for eating purposes, doves, etc., will bring $20,000. The actual business done by Kansas fur dealers exceeds $1,250,000 a year. A million dollars' worth of fish is eaten every year. The birds which are not shot but are pro- tected by the hunters are worth five or six million dollars every year in taking care of noxious weeds and harmful insects, as it is estimated by the Biological Survey at Wash- ington, D. C, that each bird is worth a dime a year to agriculture and that the average bird population is two to the acre. This estimate is probably too low. Just add these figures to see what you think about it. Is it worth while to carry on with game protection and propagation and the culture of fish? It you think these figures do not convince you, it is worth while to calculate a little on the value of recreation afforded citizens because of fishing, hunting and trapping. Kansas spends from twenty to twenty-five million dol- lars a year going outside its borders for recreation. It might spend as much trying to develop recreation within its borders. One person out of ten is paying the cost of maintaining something paying the state $10,000,000 a year in dividends. That one person in ten is either a hunter, fisherman or trapper who is buying a license. If you want your boy to travel the right road, you must travel it with him. For ordinary climbing here are some hints: Be careful not to start a boulder or rotten log if anyone is below you. Avoid deep draws and creek beds. Angle upwards where possible. Keep your balance and don't trust to branches or brush. It is easier to get up a difficult place than down it. LET US TEACH CONSERVATION WITH Montana's boys and girls back in school again, thoughts turn to wild life conservation education in the schools. Although no provision is made for conservation in the state course of study, the time is not far distant when such provision will be made. Delay is dangerous in consideration of what is happening to our natural resources, depletion of our forests, entailing high taxes and unstable water supplies, continuous lessening of game and fish, and other problems. If conservation is practiced at once, by everybody, with our woods, waters, and wild life, Montana as a whole will immeasurably bene- fit. However, since before conservation will be practiced by the mass of people education is necessary, it is high time that such education is under way, especially in our schools. Since conservation cannot, at present, be taught as one of the fundamental school subjects, lacking legal authoriza- tion, it can be taught by our teachers and studied and practiced by our school children. The conservation idea can be developed in schools by means of demonstration teams on the subjects of forestry, fire prevention, propa- gation of fish and game, and kindred subjects. It can be studied and practiced in opening exercises, field trips, and school picnics. It can be made real to the children by poster-making, and by corelating it with other regular subjects. Conservation provides the golden opportunity to make school work intensely practical and worth while. It pro- vides material necessary to arouse and keep up the in- terest of children in schools. The program provides some- thing definite towards insuring a good country and good citizens to live in it. "Teach the youth the way he shall go and he will not depart from it." Just when a man commences to think he is a big gun, some one comes along and fires him. GAME KILL DOUBLED THE New York Department of Conservation has recently completed checking of the reports on the kill of game in 1927 and found that the kill had doubled in seven years. Allowing for more complete reports than in 1920 the result indicates that the system of propagation and stocking, control of predators and law enforcement is pro- ducing results. The propagation of pheasants has been more than doubled, the state now operating four game farms and considerable game has been imported and planted. The law enforcement division reports punish- ment of 6,311 violators of the conservation law during the past year. An optimist is one who makes the best of it even when he is getting the worst of it. SIX THOUSAND DEER A YEAR FOR the last three years deer hunters of New York have bagged over 6,000 antlered animals a year, the tags returned for the 1929 season, just closed, num- bering 6,620. Most of the deer of New York are in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains and 22 counties are open to deer hunting of the 62 counties of the state. The total legal kill tor the last three years has been 19,977. There has been no open season on does and fawns in New York for ten years and it is estimated by the conservation commission that there are twice as many does in the state as bucks. As the deer of the state appear from the an- nual kill to be maintaining their numbers, that proportion does not seem to be too great. MONTANA WILD LIFE THIS MONTH'S COVER MEMORIES of the days of wagon trains, Indian raids, and the visits of intrepid explorers to the wilds of Montana are recalled by the splendid photograph of King Buffalo at rest, presented by MONTANA WILD LIFE as the cover design of the January edition. This splendid picture was taken by W. M. Rush of the Department of the Interior, stationed in Yellowstone National Park, who is engaged in making a study of the elk situation and its manifold problems. Other pictures of elk taken by Mr. Rush and an article of keen interest will be found else- where In this edition. No limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets credit. NATURAL HISTORY FIELD SCHOOL TO MEET a growing demand for instruction in nature study and to train field naturalists for the National Park Service, a school of field natural history will be opened in Yellowstone National Park on July 1, 1930. The Yellowstone Park is exceptionally well suited for the loca- tion of such a school owing to its great variety and abun- dance of wild animal life, its interesting geological prob- lems and its varied flora. The work offered will be of university standard and the teaching staff is drawn from the ranger naturalists who serve as guides and lecturers in the Yellowstone Park during the summer months. Each is a scientist of standing and the staff includes nationally known men. The headquarters of the school will be at Roosevelt Lodge. Each student will be expected to fur- nish his own automobile as the work of the school will take students to all parts of the park for study in the field. Students will be enrolled between the ages of 20 and 50 who have the necessary educational qualifications. The number in the 19.30 class will be limited to 35. The curriculum includes lectures, field trips and laboratory work in the study of botany, zoology, geology and geog- raphy as manifested in various parts of the park. There will be no charge for tuition but each student will be ex- pected to maintain himself and to pay a nominal fee for equipment and supplies. Not the number of boys to the square mile — but the num- ber of square boys to the mile. PREVENT HINTING ACCIDENTS REGARDLESS of the amount of campaigning and warn- ing against them the number of serious or fatal ac- cidents occurring during the hunting season seems to increase in much the same proportion as the increase of gunners. Most state game commissioners, many news- papers and other agencies circulate printed warnings in- tended to decrease the number of such accidents. Each licensed hunter in New York receives the following in- structions for preventing hunting accidents, which is printed on the back of his license: Never carry loaded guns in automobiles or other ve- hicles. When afield hunting birds, keep abreast of and know the exact location of your companion. In loading never point a gun in the direction of your companion. In climbing over stone walls and fences, first break or unload your gun. A bird quartering to the right in the vicinity of your hunting companion should never be fired on by a hunter on the extreme left and vice versa. Never leave a loaded gun standing against a tree or lying on the ground where a dog may get at it. Always keep your gun pointed away from your com- panions when you stop to talk. In handing a gun to a person for inspection be sure it is unloaded. Never shoot in the direction of your companions be- cause you consider yourself a good marksman. You are taking a dangerous chance. Carry a gun pointed down to the left. If you shoot left handed, walk at the extreme right of the party. At all times be careful. SPORTSMEN MEET IN SPRING MEMBERS of the Montana Sportsmen's Association will hold their annual meeting at Helena in March or April, according to word received from Glen A. Smith, chairman of the board. Mr. Smith, who is assistant district forester stationed at Missoula, will be in the east until March, hence the gathering of club representatives has been delayed. Another reason given by Chairman Smith for delaying the meeting is that John C. Frolicher of Missoula, new secretary of the association, has not yet had the time to become acquainted with the task and the territory. When everything is against you and the world looks black, remember the tea-lvettle — though up to its neclt in hot water it continues to sing. VITALITY OF THE GOOSE VITALITY displayed by members of animal and bird life is remarkable. No human could possibly endure some of the suffering experienced by nature's inhab- itants without losing life itself. Among the many records that come to attention is found an exceptional occurrence relative to the vitality of a Canadian goose. The follow- ing episode was enacted by a farmer named H. N. Clement, living near Lowell, Indiana. This gentleman was gunning in the once famous water- fowl shooting grounds of the Kankakee marsh and came upon a flock of geese. He succeeded in bagging several nice birds, one of which astonished him by having as a breastpin an arrow nine inches long. That goose became the wonder of the neighborhood and the study of scientists, the only conclusion reached being that wherever the wild bird came from, there he got the arrow, so unique in for- mation that it could be assigned to no tribe of Indians in the United States or any other known country. Finally a member of the National Museum said that the bird and arrow could have come from no other place on the globe than the Yukon Valley, for except in that region no such arrows are made. Science does not pretend to say how long the goose carried the arrow of a Yukon tribesman until it met its death from a shot fired by a civilized gunner down on an Indiana marsh. The bird disdained the weapon of a sav- age, but turned up its toes to the marksmanship of the Hoosier farmer years afterward, and thousands of miles from its summer home in the arctic desolation, as it was journeying southward. Athletes may come, athletes may go And fade as in a dream. The horsefly is the best of all; He's always on the team. SAVING OUR HERITAGE A DETROIT girl, aged 17, has won the Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., prize for a slogan which would in- spire the preservation of the countryside. The young lady wrote merely, "This is your country, preserve it." Public parks and beauty spots have suffered much from vandalism. There is a wanton spirit of destruction, espe- cially in the younger boys and girls, which is hard to analyze. One can understand a boy baseball player smash- ing a window as he knocks a homer, but it is rather hard to figure out the psychology of the youngsters who smash a drinking fountain, tear the arms off a statue or girdle trees with a knife or hatchet. Montana has such a wealth of natural scenery that even a little vandalism is scarcely noticed. One smiles indulgently as some enthusiast suggests beautifying our scenic spots like Nine Mile, the Skalkaho or the Morrison Cave. As well talk of beautifying Glacier or Yellowstone Park. Such efforts are similar to attempts to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to add color to the rainbow, or with a taper, to seek to garnish the rays of the sun. One does not improve very much on God's handiwork, though we may preserve it. Even the vandals can only slightly scar it. The little lady who won the slogan prize with "preserve it" had the right idea. — The Montana Stand- ard, Butte. A pathetic little thing — a horsefly sitting on the radiator of an automobile. The early bird not only catches the worm but gets first whack at the morning newspaper. 10 MONTANA WILD LIFE History of Geene Geairdnaes For 65 Years S' Robert H. Hill IXTY - FIVE years ago when Montana was in swaddling t e r r i - torial clothes, when bronzed chevaliers squandered all the gold dust in their pokes in the hurdy- gurdy hangouts of soiled doves, when millions were being washed out of vir- gin sands and no such thing was known as a bag limit on game, the first territorial leg- islature of Montana passed a bill which became a law on February 2, 1S65. It provided that fishing tackle, consist- ing of a rod or pole, line and hook, should be the only way that trout could be taken in any of the streams of the territory. The bill also prohibited the baiting of the hook with any drug or poisonous substance and the using of seines or nets. In 1869 a closed season was placed on partridge and quail for a period of three years. Grouse, prairie chicken, pheasant and fool hen were protected from March 1 to August 15 of each year. The first protection on moun- tain goats, buffalo, moose, elk, deer, mountain sheep, antelope and hare was a closed season between the dates of February 1 and August 15 of each year. Under a law passed in 1876 beaver, otter, marten and fisher were protected from April 1 to October 1. Geese and ducks were protected between the dates of May 15 and August 10. A law which became effective in 1877 prohibited the sale of game animals and birds. Under an act approved March 14, 1895, it became unlawful for any one person to shoot or kill any bison, buf- falo, quail or Chinese pheasants, or any female moose, female elk, otter, or beaver, or to kill more than two bull moose, three bull elk, eight deer, eight mountain sheep, eight mountain goats, eight antelope, or one hundred grouse or prairie chickens. In an article appearing in the MON- TANA RECORD-HERALD of Helena of May 29, 1895, Col. Huntley (W. B.) sug- gested that a test case be made to de- termine whether, during inhibited pe- riods, lakes or streams could be law- fully exploited by sportsmen. The ar- ticle, with a concluding remark from a member of a Helena sporting group, alleges that "a justice of the supreme court, an ardent, enthusiastic fisherman, will presently return from a trouting trip, and the president of the rod and gun club will proceed to the limit of an interview, with the purpose in view of obtaining a semi-judicial opinion from the highest source on the suffi- ciency of the game and fish law." Mr. Hill's Address ONE of the most interesting com- pilations of Montana fish and game history was prepared and delivered in an address to some 300 sportsmen at the tenth annual ban- quet of the Musselshell Valley Sportsmen's Association at Harlow- ton. January 16. The author and speaker was Robert H. Hill, Mon- tana's State Fish and Game War- den. After spending weeks in the state historical library perusing state records and old minutes of depart- ment meetings, Mr. Hill combined the facts into an informative article such as has never before been de- livered or printed. Hence MON- TANA WILD LIFE takes Justifiable pride in presenting these facts to its many readers. One of the first articles telling of convictions I found in reading old pa- pers, was where a bunch of Indians from Canada crossed the line into Flat- head county, June 10, 1895, and killed three deer. Officers arrested the In- dians who did the killing and took them to Kalispell, where they were fined $222.15. In 1901 a law was passed requiring non-residents, who were not taxpayers of the state, to procure hunting licenses to kill large or small game. The fee for the big game license was $25 and the fee for the small game license was $15. The bill requiring male residents to have a license for fishing or hunting in Montana became a law in March, 1905, without the approval of the gov- ernor, the bill not having been re- turned to the house in which it or- iginated within the time prescribed by the constitution. The fee to be col- lected for each license was one dollar. The law provided, however, that a license issued to the head of the family should include therein all female mem- bers of the family as well as all male members under the age of 21 years. An act approved March 7, 1907, per- mitted residents to fish without a license. A bill passed and approved March 9, 1909, required every person who desired to hunt or fish in Montana to have a license. In 1913 the law was amended to the effect that no female or boys under the age of 14 years were required to have a license. In 1917 the fee tor a resident license was raised to $1.50, one-third of which was to be used for the propagation of game birds and animals. Females under the age of 18 years and males under the age of 14 years were not required to have a license. In 1921 the resident license fee was increased to $2.00, with the provision that 25 cents out of each license fee was to be set aside as a fund to be used for the destruction of predatory animals. This fund is now called the Biological Survey Fund. Now, if you fellows are standing up well under this barrage of historical shrapnel, let's take a glimpse into some more of Montana's early history regard- ing the commission. In some cases it has been impossible to find names of appointees after the acts had been passed by the legislature, yet this thor- ough search has brought many to light and revived golden memories. On March 14, 1895, a law was passed by the Montana legislature creating a Board of Game and Fish Commission- ers, said board to be composed of three members, appointed by the governor. One member was to serve until Febru- ary. 1896; one until February, 1897; and one until February, 1898. The three appointed members were, immediately upon their appointment, to assemble at the state capitol and, by lots, decide among themselves as to their respective terms of office. This same law provided that it should be the duty of the Board of Game and Fish Commissioners to secure, through their agents and subordinates, the en- forcement of all the laws of the state pertaining to the preservation, propa- gation and protection of the game and fish of the state. They were to ap- point some resident of the state as State Game Warden, whose duties it would be to act as secretary and busi- ness agent of the board. The ap- pointed game warden was to hold of- fice tor a period of two years; and his compensation was to be fixed by the board, with the stipulation that in no case should it exceed the amount re- mitted to the state treasury by the col- lections of fines, which was one-half the fines collected for violations of the fish and game laws. In this same law the appointments of deputy state game wardens were made possible. Upon petition made to county commissioners throughout the state, from not less than 100 resident taxpayers of that county, requesting the appointment of a game and fish warden for the county, the Commis- sioners were compelled to appoint a deputy warden for the county, his com- pensation to not exceed $100 per month and one-half the fines imposed and collected through him in all prosecu- tions under the game and fish laws of Montana. I find that out of the 24 counties at that time only four ap- pointed a game warden during the fol- lowing five years. These counties were Silver Bow, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark and Fergus. Governor Rickard appointed W. B. Green of Flathead county, John F. Cowan of Silver Bow, and John O'Con- nor of Lewis and Clark, as the first members of the first Commission. Sev- eral changes in the personnel of the Commission were made during the fol- lowing four-year period. M. J. Elrod, who is now with the State University as business manager, was appointed in place of one o£ the first three ap- pointees, and he sei'ved as chairman. This Commission did not appoint a game warden until better than three years after the law was enacted, when MONTANA WILD LIFE 11 R. A. Wagner was appointed to fill the office. The entire law was short-lived, however, and this first Commission was abolished b3' repeal of the act in 1901. In 1901 the law of 1905. providing for the appointment of a Game and Fish Commission and the appointment of county wardens, was repealed, and a law enacted providing for the ap- pointment of a State Game and Fish Warden by the governor, the Game and Fish Warden to appoint not less than five, nor more than eight, deputy game and fish wardens throughout the state. W. F. Scott was the first State Game and Fish Warden appointed under this law of 1901, and the first warden ap- pointed with a fixed salary. The deputy state game and fish wardens appointed by Warden Scott were: U. H. Boucher, Altyn, Teton county; Taylor B. Green, Malta, Valley county; A. E. Higgins, Missoula, Missoula county; Samuel Scott, Deer Lodge. Powell county; John H. Hall, Great Falls, Cascade county; Henry Avare, Butte, Silver Bow county; Henry Ferguson, Bozeman, Gallatin county; and Thomas T. Thompson, Miles CSity. Custer county. A bill ap- proved March 8, 1907, provided for the appointment of a Montana State Fish and Game Commission, consisting of two members and the State Game War- den, who were to be appointed by the governor to hold office for a term of four years, with the e.xception of one of the first appointed two members, who was to hold office for only two years. The Commissioners appointed were George E. Doll, Pleasant Valley, Flathead county, and J. C. Cotlier, Great Falls, Cascade county. Henry Avare of Butte was appointed Game Warden De- cember 31, 190S. An act to increase the Montana Fish Commission to five members was approved February 11, 1911. The appointed members were: E. P. Mathewson of Anaconda. M. D. Baldwin of Kalispell, George E. Doll of Helena, W. M. Bickford of Missoula, and Henry Avare, State Game Warden. In 1921 the present law was passed, creating our present Fish and Game Commission, consisting of five members, appointed by the governor. The law provides that the State Game Warden be appointed by the Fish and Game Commission instead of by the governor. The law also states that not more than three members can belong to the same political party. One of the most interesting docu- ments I have found during research work for the preparation of this in- formation is the annual report of the Commission, dated December 1, 1900, a little more than 30 years ago. Morton J. Elrod of the University of Montana was then chairman. At that time a questionnaire was sent throughout the state, published in the papers, and re- sponses are interesting. With your per- mission I will read this questionnaire and a few of the comments: 1. Do you endorse the present game law as It stands? 2. If not, state your objection. 3. Do you believe in confining the killing of big game to males only? 4. If so, state your reasons. 5. Do you believe private individuals should be permitted to capture game animals for domestication and sale for parks without restraint or compensation to the state? 6. Do you believe that game ani- mals, birds or fish should be sold under any circumstances? Give your reasons. 7. Do you endorse the dates of the present open and closed season? 8. If not, what changes do you sug- gest, with reasons? 9. Are you in favor of requiring residents to pay for permit to hunt? 10. Are you in favor of requiring non-residents to pay for a permit to hunt? 11. If not, what do you recommend to secure funds to pay wardens, re- membering there has not been a dollar of appropriation yet. 12. Should guides be licensed and registered? 13. Should taxidermists be taxed? 14. Should taxidermists be required to make report of game mounted or brought in for mounting? 15. Should the state permit ship- ment of game out of the state, whether w^ith or without a tax, when killed legally? 16. What is the limit of game that should be allowed one individual in a season? Answer in detail. A Pair of Pets DEPUTY Warden W. J. Dorrington, a keen student of wild life, has taught his youngsters to love the open. While Dad Dorrington is out making coyotes scarce and protecting the game birds, this little Dorrington fondles his coyote pup, his dearest pet. 17. How many game birds and pounds of fish should be the limit per man per day? 18. Would you put a limit to the bag one can make of ducks per day? 19. W^ould you favor spring shooting tor ducks? 20. Are you in favor of a closed sea- son for trout or other fish? If so, state when. 21. What kind of game should be perpetually protected? 22. Do you favor protecting the an- telope for a period of years? 23. What are the proper legal limi- tations of the size of trout allowed to be taken? 24. Are you in favor of one-half of the fine going to the informer? If not, what would you have done with the fine? 25. Are you in favor of establishing a state fish hatchery? 26. Whose business do you think it is to protect game? Is it a state or county affair? 27. Give in full your idea of game wardenship, how they should be ap- pointed, how many, salaries they should have, and other ideas you may have. 28. What would be the result if game protection were placed in the hands of sheriffs and their deputies, and made a part of their duties? The comment of 1900 goes on to say that there are but very few endorse- ments of the law. In regard to killing males only in big game, sentiment was divided, with the slight majority op- posed to it. The principal objection was the difficulty in distinguishing one from the other in the field. Apparently no one is in favor of capturing game animals for sale or domestication with- out compensation to the state. The idea prevails that the state should re- ceive a stated sum for every animal taken. The great majority is opposed to the sale of game animals, game birds, or game fish, under any circumstances, the consensus of opinion being that when sale is permitted it presents a stimulus for the pot hunter, for whom detection is all but impossible. The present open season comes in for varied comment. For birds the sea- sou opens before they can fly. The sentiment is strong for a later date, very few approving the present date, which is August 15. For large game the majority is in favor of closing the season December 1, thus protecting the game during deep snow, when the slaughter is great. In regard to the question of requir- ing a permit in order to hunt the sen- timent is divided. Many are strenu- ously opposed to this, usually giving no reasons. Some are opposed to it, but offer no suggestions for raising reve- nue, or for protection. They demand protection, but suggest no ways for do- ing it, and oppose the method proposed. On the other hand, good, strong ma- jority are in favor of requiring a per- mit for hunters. Those favoring this are people who have given the ques- tion much thought, and the reasons are that those who hunt should help pro- tect the game, and it will be easier to locate law breakers, because the list of hunters is always accessible. It will 12 MONTANA WILD LIFE also put a check on depredations by Indians. The sentiment in favor of requiring non-residents to take out a permit to hunt is unanimous. Some put it high, the majority making it about double that required for residents. A large number favor a gun license. The ma- jority are also in favor of licensing and registering guides. The limit of game that should be al- lowed by law receives special attention from each correspondent. Most of them are emphatic in their opinions, but the opinions are exceedingly variable. Few agree to the present limit, most of them considering it by far too high. The answers on limit of game birds are likewise varied. One writer thinks a man should be permitted to shoot all he is able to kill in a day. Another thinks about fifty the correct number. A few hold to the present number. The majority think it too high. As to limit on catch of fish, some oppose any limit. "Catch all you can," is their motto. Some put the limit in pounds, others in inches. One man thinks 50 pounds a day is about right. Others say 20, 15 and even 10 pounds. One writer thinks no fish under nine inches should be taken; another thinks eight is about right; but the majority expressing it in length say none over five or six inches should be taken. One brilliant follower of Izaak Walton says any fish big enough to nibble should go into the skillet. But the sentiment is strongly in favor of a limit to the fish one may take. Very few oppose a limit to the bag of ducks. Those opposing it do so on the ground that they are migratory, go- ing north in summer where there is not protection, and south in winter where they claim there is no protec- tion. Since they are ours only while they rest on their journey, knock them over as fast as possible before the other fellow gets a chance. Pop them day and night, for tomorrow they fly! The great majority say "By all means put a limit on ducks." The man with such greed as to slaughter for the fun of it needs a tight check rein. For the sake of decency no man should kill more than he can use, for he cannot sell them, and those hunters who are not naturally decent should, by law, be compelled to be so. The bag of ducks is stated usually as about the same as tor other birds. Concerning closed season for trout, sentiment or opinion is about evenly divided, about as many holding the opinion for as against. The following birds or animals are named by more than one person for perpetual protec- tion: Buffalo, mountain sheep, moun- tain goat, quail, antelope, elk, moose, beaver, Chinese pheasant. The answers relative to the protec- tion of antelope for a period of years is decidedly in the affirmative. Many correspondents failed to answer the question concerning the fine, whether one-half should go to the in- former or not, but those who did so answer say it should. Some of the best informed men think this a very per- nicious clause, appealing to the worse rather than to the better nature of men. Old Man Bill Himself HERE'S an unusual photograph of a mountain goat taken and copy- righted by Charles I. Rice, se- lected from the collection of Deputy Warden W. J. Dorrington. Almost unanimously the answers are in favor of a state fish hatchery. The question concerning ownership of game was asked out of curiosity, to find out the opinions people held. The courts have already ruled that it is the property of the people of the state. It is impossible to give a summary of the opinions regarding wardens, their number, compensation, and appointment. To do so would be to quote from most of their letters. The question in regard to making protection of game and fish a part of the duty of the sheriff and his deputies was asked out of curiosity to see what people thought. The majority of the replies show the writers are already acquainted with tlie situation. It is now one of the duties of the sheriff, but little protection from this source is received. The slieriff has, already, as much as he can attend to, and to do this work would require his entire time, which it is impossible to expect. Records of the Commission show that 'way back 15 years ago — in 1915 — E. P. Mathewson of the Washoe smelter of Anaconda was chairman of the board, working with such men as Nelson Story, Jr., J. L. DeHart, as secretary; Major M. D. Baldwin, Judge Bickford and Anna Dunne, the clerk employed at the munificent salary of $300 per year. Two hatcheries were then operated and under the greatest of difficulties. Let's browse along a little further into the musty records, for they have an enchanting interest to sportsmen. On December 29, 1916, our good Joe L. Kelly of Anaconda was appointed to succeed Mr. Mathewson as chairman. That meeting marked the first pur- chase by the State Department of a shipment of ringnecked pheasants the feathered foxes who gave you fellows so much sport last November. Two dozen were brought from Murray, Utah, at a cost of $100 and released in Lin- coln county near Eureka on the To- bacco plains. Here are a few high points of De- partment history that bring to memory the names and achievements of many men who are still in harness: On March 21, 1919, J. H. Bronson was employed as superintendent of hatch- eries. On April 10, 1919, Joe Kelly was re- elected chairman with J. L. DeHart as secretary and warden. One of the most significant dates in the history of the Commission's work came on January 5, 1920 — ten years ago — when a mighty atom entered our midst and Thomas N. Marlowe, per- haps the best-known sportsman of the Treasure State and the northwest, at- tended his first meeting; April 20, 1921, Tom Marlowe was named chairman of the board and has served gallantly, firmly, graciously and eminently fair since that date. You know the words that tell of his achievement as well as the music. On February 11, 1926, E. C. Carruth and W. K. Moore became members of the Commission, the other members be- ing Tom Marlowe, Joe Kelly and E. A. Wilson. Gilbert T. Boyd became a member April 8, 1927, when Mr. Car- ruth resigned, and these gentlemen now constitute the board which is striving diligently and conscientiously to do what you want them to do in conserv- ing Montana's wild life heritage for your sons and mine. It has been well said that "History is essentially biography." The history of the personnel and achievements of Montana's Fish and Game Department — YOUR Department — the Department which you are aiding in sustaining through moral and financial coopera- tion, is in like manner made up of the biographies of leaders who have given time, attention and business judgment that Montana's reputation as a fish and game paradise may be maintained. Get these facts indelibly impressed on your minds: Montana has 56 counties, some of them larger than an eastern state, yet Montana has but 27 deputy game war- dens to cover these 56 counties. Montana has an area of 90,000,000 acres to be patrolled in fish and game conservation work. We have 3.3 game preserves covering 2,000,000 acres. More than 240,000 acres are set aside for the grazing of game on national forests adjacent to the northern boun- dary of Yellowstone Park. We have 14 fish hatcheries, the larg- est spawn-taking station in the world at Georgetown Lake, and 12 of these hatcheries have been established since 1920 — only a decade. Thousands of eastern tourists plan to turn the noses of their cars toward Montana next season to enjoy the sport your work is making possible. We ex- tend our hospitable arms toward our eastern neighbors, but the drain on fish and game must be met. If conservation ceases, our fields and streams will be- come barren. Your continued coopera- tion is a vital factor needed to make Montana — our Treasure State — a better state in which to live. A KNOCKOUT, ANYWAY "And then," said the teacher, describ- ing her encounter with a tramp, "I fainted." Little Willie gazed at her with awe. "Gee!" said he, "with your right or with your left?" MONTANA WILD LIFE 13 MONTANA'S kill of elk during the open season of 1929 has been held below 1,000, or less than the natu- ral increase. For the first time in the history of the state, cooperation of three important departments was brought about in the season just closed to bring about the checking of the kill, organ- ized patrol and adequate protection. This wholesome movement was made possible through cooperation of leaders of the State Fish and Game Depart- ment, the Forestry Service and the management of Yellowstone National Park. The checking station was estab- lished at Carbella during the open sea- son, near Yellowstone, with the general camp established some 15 miles from the station "on the firing line." Montana's latest elk season prevails in the Yellowstone district where it opens September 15 and closes Decem- ber 20. These dates have been set be- cause of the fact that the northern herd of elk declines to leave the park until wintry blasts force them out in search of forage. Out of the herd of something like 17,000 the kill this year was but 265, according to the check of the combined forces on patrol duty. The kill in the Sun River herd, the Highwood and Gallatin was in like manner less than in former years be- cause of continued warm weather and lack of snowfall except during a few days of the open season. When the season closed Old Man Winter began his annual parade and the elk are now well scattered and protected. At a joint meeting of the three de- partments at Livingston arrangements for the patrol were worked out by rep- resentatives. It was agreed that the work in the Yellowstone sector should be placed in the hands of Robert H. Hill. State Fish and Game Warden. Among those who participated in check- ing the number of elk killed and pro- tecting the herd from malicious killing were W. M. Rush of the Department of the Interior; Chief Park Ranger Bag- ley, Rangers Harry Trishman, Scotty Brown, Grier, Dudley Hayden, Jimmy DePree, Roy Brown, Deputy Wardens Tom Danaher, Tom Peasley, Jim Wea- ver, Frank Beller, Forest Rangers Eric P. White, Wetzel, Harry Coftman of the Absarokee forest, and Arnold at the game preserve ranch on the west side of the Yellowstone. At the organization meeting at Liv- ingston it was pointed out that, orig- inally, the patrol contemplated the state game wardens handling the area at that time outside the national forest in the vicinity of Gardiner; the park service the area inside the park; and the For- est Service the high country in back. The placing of Forest Service men in the back country was primarily for the purpose of observing winter conditions, presence of game, depth of snow, avail- ability of forage, and, to a great ex- tent, the prevention of poaching. Time proved that there was com- paratively little poaching being done in late years except for sporadic out- breaks, such as occurred in August, 1929, on Daly and Specimen Creeks. On the whole it had proved more advantageous to concentrate the major patrol effort along the "firing line." It was the consensus of opinion that the chief problem develops during the hunt- ing season. Tooth hunting has been practically eliminated, but it was felt that a patrol would be needed this season. Previous plans for handling unusual seasons, such as 1927, worked fairly well. It was suggested it would be advisable to have all men assigned to the work act under the direction of the State Game Warden. The park service agreed to furnish camp equipment and eight or ten horses. The Forest Service could, if needed, furnish ample camp equipment. W. M. Rush gave a discussion of problems encountered in his work. He stated that although the necessary leg- islation had been enacted providing for the acquisition of winter elk range, which has been estimated to involve a total expenditure of approximately $300,000, numerous problems affecting the whole game program such as the size of the elk herd that should be maintained, necessity of acquiring agri- cultural land, pasturage capacity of land to be acquired in terms of game, losses from disease and other causes, remain to be solved. It has been found possible to determine with reasonable accuracy the carrying capacity of range In terms of cattle and sheep, but as yet no satisfactory basis for determining the pasturage requirements of elk has been figured out. Elk feed much like cattle, although they are far more noc- turnal in their habits, and eat a much larger proportion of browse. Mr. Rush explained that there is very little information as to the elk birth rate. In the summer period the elk scatter over some 3,000,000 acres; al- though it is thought true, it is not known definitely whether the elk re- turn to the same winter range. Study indicates that the drift of elk, partially if not wholly, appears to be governed by the crusting of the snow. Loose snow, regardless of temperature, apparently does not cause drift to any great extent. Elk stayed high last win- ter, even at temperatures of 47 degrees below, evidently owing to the fact that they could readily paw away the snow and get ample feed. Storms may start elk, but if they can reach the forage by pawing they will drift back. The elk herd stayed lower during the summer of 1929 than usual, great numbers of elk remaining around Hayden Valley, Elk Park, and Specimen HERE'S a portion of the group of wardens, park rangers and for- esters stationed at the Yellow- stone patrol camp, just before starting the morning's work. In the group, from left to right are Thomas 0. Peasley, deputy state game warden at large; James A. Weaver, deputy warden; Harry Coffman; Robert H. Hill, State Game and Fish Warden; Walter W. Wetzel, of the park service; Dudley Hayden; Deputy Warden Thomas A. Danaher; G. W. Breden, the cook; and Deputy Warden Frank Beller. 14 MONTANA WILD LIFE Ridge, and on the country usually grazed in the fall, spring, and winter. The calf crop some years possibly reaches 60 per cent of breeding cows. Increase in the Sun River elk herd, it was brought out by Glen Smith, has been greater than appears to be the case with the park elk. The Sun River herd, with 200 in 1913, approximates 4,000 now. He said this increase no doubt is accounted for principally as the result of a smaller winter kill and better winter range. On the bison range the elk increase has been about 35 per cent. This is due to a larger proportion of breeding stock, no loss from hunting, and a range under fence. In counting for breeding stock among elk it is neces- sary to omit old cows and old bulls. This means that the percentage of cows capable of bearing calves is necessarily a much smaller proportion than with domestic cattle. There is need for bet- ter figures on breeding ages, propor- tion of bulls necessary, and like fig- ures. It was suggested that the elk kill in the northern Yellowstone herd, exclusive of the Gallatin herd, should be limited to 500 head for the 1929 season. It was argued that it was better to have even a greater kill than that if there is any likelihood of a "starvation winter" this year. It was pointed out that there is more feed available than in 1919, and sev- eral of those present estimated that the present winter range normally would carry around 9,000 head. In 1928 the feed was much better than usual; 1929 only an average year for feed. The best figures available show a total of 13,000 to 14,000 head of elk in the northern elk herd. There was a limited kill in 1928. Jackrabbits, Not Antelope Smile Nothing on earth can smile but man. Gems may flash reflected light, but what is a diamond-flash compared to an eye-flash and a mirth-flash? Flowers cannot smile; this is a charm that even they cannot claim. It is the prerogative of man; it is the color which love wears, and cheer- fulness and joy— these three. It is the light in the windows of the face by which the heart signifies it is at home and waiting. A face that cannot smile is like a bud that cannot blossom, and dries up on the stalk. Laughter is day and sobriety is night, and a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between them — more bewitching than either. — Henry Ward Beecher. Better DUCK Shooting V for waterfowl parched wild QEO. O. HAM Box 16 Order Wild Rice Seed Now For Spring Planting. Thou- sands of ducks will 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 Deputy Game Warden John E. Plank of Harlowton, in company with Sheriff P. J. Anderson of Petroleum county, investigated recent published reports of the damage purported to have been done to hay and pasture on the Gray ranch between Flatwillow and Yellow Water Creeks, in Petroleum county. This particular herd numbers about 200 and makes its headquarters on the old Jack Rowley ranch in the Yellow Water district, where the snow piles unusually deep. After a heavy snow and thaw a sudden cold snap froze everything and a heavy crust formed on the snow. The antelope drifted from their headquarters seeking feed, and it is said wound up on Pike Creek some two and a half miles north of the Ber- kin ranch, and roamed on and about the Gray ranch. Upon investigation by Deputy Plank and Mr. Anderson of the reported dam- age done by the antelope, examination of the hay stacks showed that the stacks the antelope had been near were intact, and the only one the herd had not been near plainly showed damage done by jackrabbits, and was the only damage that could be noticed. It was claimed that about 14 inches of snow covered the pasture on the ranch at the time the antelope took possession. If this condition existed and was cov- ered with a heavy crust as claimed, the antelope could not feed on the al- falfa pastures, but went out on the ridges and fed on the green twigs of the sage brush. It was evident they COULDN'T HAVE HEARD Neighbor: "Did you hear that ter- rible row in the street right after 12 o'clock last night?" Jones: "Can't say I did. Got home just about that time and my wife had expected me in at ten." 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 tor expert planting ad- vice and free literature. Wisconsin Aquatic Nurseries Box 331-D, Oshkosh, Wis. FOXES Pen- Raised Alflakan Blues and Pedigreed SilvBis. Older Now— Early Delivery more satiriactory. We guarantee, in Your hands or OuTB,100%iiicrea£e under ranching cnn- tractonadultBluee. 6 BankRef.forMyrs.andSatisBed customers. Breedei^Aeenta wan ted— Your real opportun- ity, •■Oneol the World'slareest"— Free booklet tells aU . CLEARY BKOS..FoxFann»,EiimireBldfr>°«TILE,UAA. had come back at night and bedded down along the creek, out of the way of the storm as much as possible. The day before the storm the band of an- telope started back to their range. This same herd had previously been seen by ranchers in the Yellow Water sec- tion, who reported them to be in fine condition. Compassion's Loving Cup When you're feeling sort o' blue like And you think you're out of luck, Did you ever stop to ponder On some other fellow's pluck? There are heaps of folks around you Who have found the way up hill. Who have kissed the cross o' failure And come up a-smiling still. There are those who toil and suffer That another's hope may live, Who have buried self forever In the effort just to give. Yours are not the only troubles; Count the other fellow's up. And you'll drown that germ of blueness In compassion's loving cup! Chinks; Most Beautiful Game Birds in Montana You too will say the same thing it 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 Grab A Glimpse of Montana Mountain Sheep That Man Is Rich- IT'S ONLY occasionally that sports- men catch a glimpse of mountain sheep high up above timber line in the crags of Montana. They are wily creatures and their sense of smell has caused them to be extremely wary of anything human. Among the wind- swept snags, in patches of snow high in the mountains, the sheep thrive in their natural habitat. On the crest of the hill stands wise old Billy, head up and alert, watching over his little band. State Trap Leaders FOLLOWING is a numerical list of temporary leaders of the various states who have shot at 1,000 clay (As Figured by Breidy, A. T. A. Office) targets or over, enough to qualify for the yearly honors, as shown in the pre- liminary checkup of the American Trap- shooting Association of America, sub- ject, however, to changes when the final averages are released. Ted Renfro of Montana is third: New Jersey— T. D. Hackett, Atlantic City 981g California — Lou Reed, Los Angeles 980U Montana— E. W. Renfro, Dell 9784 Pennsylvania — S. Crothers, Chestnut Hill 9776 Illinois — Pranli Hughes, Chicago 9761 Oregon — Franlf M. Troeh, Portland 9757 Kan.sas — Fred Etchen, Coffeyville 9729 Iowa — P. J. Lightner, Cedar Rapids 9719 Ohio — P. F. Cabbut, Massillon 9717 Utah— E. L. Ford, Ogden 9715 Colorado — Fred Vertrees, Denver 9705 Washington — J. L. Coffey, Port Angeles 9704 Arizona — George T. Peter, Phoenix 9691 Oklahoma — Gus Payne, Oklahoma City 9685 Indiana — M. E. DeWire, Hamilton 9682 Wyoming — C. P. Nelson, Green River .9661 Texas — H. A. Hausman, La Gi-ange 9660 Connecticut — E. H. Raymond, Danbury 9655 Michigan — Karl Maust, Detroit 9634 Wisconsin — C. W. Olney, West Allis 9631 Georgia — W. H. Lanier, Augusta 9626 Nebraska — John A. Nelson, Boelus 9626 South Carolina — Paul Earle, Starr 9613 West Virginia — Wm. Beury, Algoma.. .9600 Kentucky — D. R. Blackburn, Covington 9586 North Dakota — A. R. Chezik, Portal 9578 Mississippi — R. B. Hebdon, Friar's Point 9576 New York — George Dickhout, Albany.. .9555 Idaho — Guy Chiesman, Lewiston 9549 Vermont — L, L. Lane, Chester 9545 Jlassaehusetts — G. L. Osborn, Brookline 9540 Alabama— E. D. Plynn, Mobile 9534 Tennessee — Tom D. Snowden, Memphis 9525 South Dakota — Albert Wallace, Canton 9514 Virginia — C. B. Stickley, Vaucluse 9510 Delaware — Jas. L. Luke, Wilmington .9495 Minnesota — J. E. Dickey 9575 Florida — Harry E. Johnson, Haines City 9480 North Carolina — D. H. McCuUough, Charlotte 9463 Missouri — E. S. Stofer, Kansas City.. .9390 Dist. of Col.— F. P. Williams, Washington - 9335 Maryland — L. W. Abrams, Port Deposit 9288 Louisiana — W. P. Taylor, Shreveport .9252 Maine — W. N. Seavey — Lovett 9241 Rhode Island— E. C. Griffith, Pascoag .9159 New Hampshire — C. S. Henry, Nashua 9023 Arkansas — W. P. Smead, Osceola 8833 CANADA Ontario — Sam Vance, Tillsonburg 9528 Saskatchewan — E. M. Roush, Shaunovan 9457 Quebec — Clifford Goodhue, Sherbrooke .9121 T MORE Ducks 1072 W BIk. More food means more game. Com- plete line of planting materials suitable for Montana. Planting helps free. Write TERRELL'S AQUATIC FARM e Oshkosh, Wisconsin Hercules Alaskan Silver Black | Foxes Write for information and prices. Idaho Fox Farm Co. Porthlll, 1 Idaho, or Hugo Renlund, Red Lodge, Mont. Who gives the world the best he has From day to day; Who sees the good in every class On life's highway; Who never tries his wealth to mass But gives away; Who never robs another's heart Of any joy; Who never tries good friends to part Or to destroy The hope that's groping for a start In every boy; Who finds a joy in birds and flowers And babbling brooks; Who loves the sunshine and the showers — The shady nooks; Whose soul within him never cowers But upwards looks; Who values most the priceless things Not bought with gold; Whose voice with kindness ever rings To young and old; Who, with his sunshine, ever brings A joy untold. JUST ONE FIRESIDE HERO Proud Parent (who served in the A. E. F.) : "And that which I have just told you, son, is the story of my expe- riences in the World War." His Son: "But, papa, what did they need the rest of the army for?" OH, SAY, CAN TOU SEE—? She: "So you kissed that painted creature?" He: "Yes, I saluted the colors." 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. fonas Brothers Master Taxidermists 1036 Broadway Denver, Colorado J' 16 NA WILD LI MONTA FE Sec. 435%,P. L. &R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Belena, Montana Permit No. 27 Big Fish In Suicide New Lake Francis Hatchery and Spawning Station Almost with tears in their eyes trav- elers report that one of the huge pet fish on exhibit in the Imperial hotel in Grangeville has committed involun- tary suicide. The big fish, a brook trout raised from infancy by Charles R. Campbell, proprietor of the hotel, dashed his head against one of the rocks projecting out into the glassed pool in which he had frolicked for so many years. The fish, weighing prob- ably five pounds, was one of a number which Campbell raised as pets at the hotel and which he removes into natu- ral streams again once the boys get too big and rough for his glass pool. The fish are a constant source of delight to guests of the hotel who watch with apparent disinterest while some initiated guest carelessly rests his hand on the side of the pool. With a grand splashing of waters the fish make a wild charge at the hand with all the fury of untamed trout fighting a spinner. IRISH WIT Two Irishmen were excavating for a building, when a spectator inquired: "How is it, Pat, although you and Mike started work together, he has a bigger pile of dirt than you?" "Shure," was the quick retort, "he's digging a bigger hole." PINTS AND QUARTS Teacher: "Johnny, what is it called when four persons are singing?" Johnny: "A quartette." Teacher: "And William, what is it called when two persons are singing?" William (after a brief hesitation) : "A pintette." Long Wounded Elk Lives AN ELK that once refused to die though shot squarely between the eyes by some straight shooting hunter, has met his doom and today is in a taxidermist shop at Livingston for mounting. A Hysham, Mont., man journeyed to the regions surrounding Gardiner and after a search in the highlands spotted an elk. He brought down his game and, loading it on the train, headed for home. After reach- ing Hysham the man decided to have the fine specimen mounted. It was while preparing the elk for mounting that the discovery was made that the elk had survived a shot from a high powered rifle and lived to again roam the wilds of Park county. Clayton L. Skillman, who made the discovery, said that there was a hole in the skull approximately an inch around where the bullet pierced the elk's skull. He said that in his opinion the wound was made more than two years ago, verifying his statement by showing that the skin had completely grown over the hole made by the bul- let and that outwardly there was no sign of the wound. SOME years ago Lake Francis, near Valier, in Pondera county, attracted the attention of the Fish and Game Commission as being ideal for a future spawning station. As Georgetown Lake was supplying all of the cut-throat or black spotted trout eggs for the hatch- eries throughout the state it was de- cided to make a rainbow field at Lake Francis. Several plants of sturdy rainbow fin- gerlings were made in the lake. They thrived well and in 1925 temporary traps were installed In the "feeder canal" which enters the west end of the lake. These traps were installed to enable the Department to secure such data as would be needed in the construction of permanent traps, such as to the volume of water in the canal at the spawning season, the number of fish to be handled, the weather and road conditions at that time of the year. This proved a wise course to follow as it proved conclusively that a sub- stantial structure would be needed to hold up against the great volume of water entering the lake at this season. It also proved that the only successful way of handling the eggs from the spawning station would be to erect a hatchery or eyeing station at that site on account of the road conditions mak- ing it impossible to transfer the eggs from the traps to the railway for ship- ment to the other hatcheries through- out the state as is done at the George- town field. Construction work was started last September. Traps, patterned much after those at Georgetown, were in- stalled. Across the main canal is a structure known as a down stream trap which permits any volume of water to go over and down to the lake and at the same time stopping the fish and forcing them into the stripping pens on their journey upstream. The stripping pens are built adja- cent to the canal, the water entering the pens being regulated by dam boards at the two entries. A circular ripen- ing pen 75 feet in diameter was built adjacent to the stripping pens in which the green fish are held until ready to strip. The entire structure is built of con- crete— the walls extending three feet and a half above the creek bottom and aprons installed where there is to be any action of the water which might cut out the bottom of the traps which are of gravel. A building 70x40 feet was erected for the hatchery and living quarters for the employees. The hatchery unit con- sists of 40 troughs of a capacity of from ten to thirteen million eggs. The water supply for the building was se- cured from the canal and brought into the hatchery through a pipe line 2500 feet long. BUT THE WIDOW PROFITED "An undertaker was run over by an auto and died." "He didn't make much on that fu- neral, did he?" "No. In fact, he went in the hole." Four-Footed Neck Pieces In Montana's Wilds '^TSS^^^jk^SS 1 ^M : 1 .;'jisi;*!/^».'si : r« " iEr!:!^"iii 4^^^ ■■^ HOW'D you like to get into this splendid bunch of blue foxes and select a nice comfy fur for the sister, wife or sweetheart? This un- usual picture, with all its winter beauty, was taken at the Paramount Fox and Fur Farm, near Poison, while the blue boys were getting their morn- ing repast.