VOLUMF3 UA^BZ'R 5 ___„., T PHOTO ROCKY \ BY A . mountain) "Tn''^'^' r '«- -■j^ - ^ tei. »»• J'.- /:^ J -if "dprtcAu a^ubIicatiok) ' ^^ '.S*TATE* mw Alb GAMe DEPARTMENTS ._ ^ .:■ , ^^ ^ * 'I* S \ ■>d* X ^friendship By Edgar A. Guest To OU do not need a score of men to laugh and sing with you; You can be rich in comradeship ivith just a friend or two. You do not need a monarch's smile to light your tvay along; Through weal or woe a friend or tivo ivill fill your days with song. So let the many go their way and let the throng pass by; The croivd is but a fickle thing which hears not when you sigh. The multitude is quick to run in search of favorite new, And all that men can hold in grief is just a friend or two. When winds of failure start to blow, you'll find the throng has gone — The splendor of a brighter flame will always lure them on. But with the ashes of your dreams, and all you hoped to do, You'll find that all you really need is just a friend or two. You can not know the multitude hotvever hard you try; It can not sit about your hearth; it can not hear you sigh; It can not read the heart of you or know the hurt you bear. Its cheers are all for happy men and not for those in care. So let the throng go on its ivay and let the crotvd depart; But one or tivo will keep the faith when you are sick at heart; And rich you'll be and comforted, when gray skies hide the blue, If you can turn and share your grief ivith just a friend or two. A> MONTANA WILD LIFE Th e Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission VOL III. HELENA, MONTANA, OCTOBER, 1930 NO. 5 .V.ae ))oea.c. ...§ ^ Seperieteedeet of Fisheries K Kenneth MacDonald ■ E X X E T H F. MacDOXALD of Auaconda has been named Super- intendent of Fisher- ies by the State Fish and Game Commission, under provision of the state law, and has established his headquarters at Hel- ena. Action w a s taken at the meet- ing of the Commis- sion at Helena on September 29. Those present were: Chair- man T. N. Marlowe; E. A. Wilson, W. K. Moore, J. L. Kelly and G. T. Boyd, Commissioners; Secre- tary Robert H. Hill; Field Assistants Treece and Schofield; and B. F. Gerry of Missoula. Commissioner J. L. Kelly made the following motion: "I move that the order of the Commission of June 7, 1929, appointing Robert H. Hill as Su- perintendent of State Fisheries be re- scinded, effective September 30, 1930." Seconded by Mr. Moore. Carried. Mr. Kelly then made this motion: "Under the provisions of Section 3665, providing that the Commission appoint a Superintendent of State Fisheries. I move that Kenneth F. MacDonald be appointed Superintendent of State Fish- eries, effective October 1. 1930, at a salary of $3,600 per annum, for the reason of his long and faithful service with the Department, his many qualifi- cations and for the further reason to comply with the Soldiers' Preferential Law, which is now on our statutes, that he has seen eighteen months' serv- ice overseas in the late war; that he be required to furnish a bond as Super- intendent of State Fisheries, as required by Section 3664 of the Revised Codes of Montana; that he be authorized and given full power to select any and all assistants necessary for the proper con- duct of his office; and that he have headquarters in Helena, Montana." Sec- onded by Mr. Moore. Carried. Sealed bids for the construction of the dike and canal at Fox Lake, near Lambert. Montana, according to the specifications of the State Engineer, were opened by the chairman. They were as follows: Carl Branthen of Reed Point, 43c per cubic yard excava- tion; Jerry Callahan, Glendive, 56c p^r cubic yard excavation: and Prahl and October The frost is out, and in the open fields. And late within the woods, I marked his track; The unwary flower his icy finger feels. Look, how the maple o'er the sea of green Waves in the autumnal wind his flag of red! First struck of all the forest's spread- ing screen. Most beauteous, too, the earlier of her dead. Go on; thy task is kindly meant by Him ^\1iose is each flower and richly-cov- ered bough; And though the leaves hang dead on every limb. Still will I praise His love, that early now Has sent before this herald of decay To bid me heed before the approach of winter's sterner day. Sawtell, Miles City, 40c per cubic yard excavation. The following order was made on motion of Mr. Moore: "I move that the contract for the building of the dike and canal at Fox Lake, near Lambert, Montana, be given to the 16"w- est bidders, Prahl and Sawtell, of Miles City; and that we enter into the con- tract, they to furnish proper bond and to build this dam according to the plans and specifications of State Engineer James, in a workmanlike manner and with all possible haste." Game Warden Hill advised that he had received requests from sportsmen's clubs in several counties for an open season on Chinese pheasants and on Hungarian partridges, in compliance with the open season as made by the Commission at the last meeting in sev- eral counties. In accordance with the order of the Commission, Mr. Hill, upon receipt of proper requests, added the following counties to the list open to the hunting of male Chinese pheasants: Custer, Treasure, Broadwater. Blaine, and Petroleum; and added the follow- ing counties to the list open to the hunting of Hungarian partridges of either sex; Broadwater and Pondera; the open season to be November 23 to 27, both dates inclusive, 1930; the limit to be three birds per day; and the limit in possession at any one time to be six. The action of Mr. Hill was ratified. Chairman Marlowe read a request from the Big Timber Rod and Gun Club for an open season on these birds, and Mr. Wilson asked for an open season in Park county on these birds, and they were included. Mr. Hill presented a letter from the Billings Rod and Gun Club, wherein they favored an increased license fee, and asked the cooperation of the Com- mission in building a rearing pond on the Stillwater River. Mr. Schofield ad- vised that he had been making plans and investigations for this work. Neil Grogan, secretary, and Dr. C. A. Belk, president of the Deer Lodge Anglers' Club, discussed with the Com- mission the elk situation in Powell county. They asked that the Commis- sion declare an open season on bull elk only in that portion of Powell county from the headwaters of Dog Creek to the Jefferson county line, which is on the east side of the Deer Lodge River; and an open season on bull elk only . on the west side of the Deer Lodge River. Mr. Hill advised that there is already provided, by the legislature, an open season on elk of either sex in that portion of Powell county lying south and west of the Deer Lodge River, and that it is impossible for the Com- mission to open this portion to shoot- ing for bull elk. In view of this fact, and to avoid slaughter of these animals on the west side of the Deer Lodge River, the following order was made on motion of Commissioner Kelly: "I move that the season for elk in that portion of Powell county, lying south and west of the Deer Lodge River, be closed for the 1930 season." In connection with an open season on bull elk in Powell county on the east side of the Deer Lodge River, Chairman Marlowe read a letter from Senator C. H. Williams, stockman and rancher in the Deer Lodge vicinity. Senator Williams, who had personally stocked his section with elk, strongly opposed an open season in that portion of Powell county. Mr. Grogan and Dr. Belk gave their arguments for an open season on elk in this portion of the county. Mr. Grogan also asked the coopera- tion of the Commission in planting duck food along the Deer Lodge River. The Commission replied that they have not the funds at the present time for this expenditure. Mr. Grogan invited the Commission to meet with the Deer Lodge Anglers' Club in N^ovember, when the annual banquet of the club will be held. Montana Wild Life Frank Froebe of Lake Helena asked the Commission for a permit to seine for carp in Lakes Helena and Hauser witti Thomas Medanich, who has had a permit for the last year, the carp to be sold in eastern markets. The request was granted. The Secretary asked the Commission if it is their desire to allow the season to remain open on muskrat trapping. Chairman Marlowe's motion carried "that we go on record that there will be no closed season on muskrats dur- ing the regular 1930-31 trapping sea- son." Game Warden Hill asked the Commis- sion whether members desired the sea- son to remain closed to marten trap- ping and it was ordered that the season remain closed to marten trapping for the 1930-31 season. The matter relative to closing Lump Gulch Creek in Jefferson county was tabled. Mr. Hill reported that he had written the Bozeman Rod and Gun Club to get their views relative to reopening Six- teen Mile Creek, in Meagher and Gal- latin counties. The Bozeman club had advised against the opening of the stream, in view of the low water con- ditions of the stream. The request from the Upper Musselshell Valley Sports- men's Association for the reopening of Sixteen Mile Creek was denied, and the stream closed until May 21, 1931. At the preceding meeting of the Com- mission the closed season was extended into all streams running into the lakes in Deer Lodge, Granite and Powell counties, on which there had been an extended closed season. This order has been published and the streams posted. Warden Hill presented a request from the Anaconda Anglers' Club asking also that the streams running out of these lakes be closed for one mile. Due to the expense of advertising and posting the streams mentioned in the commu- nication from the Anglers' Club of Ana- conda, under date of August 26. 1930, the matter was tabled. Warden Hill read a petition from citi- zens of Jefferson county, asking the Commission to close to fishing Elkhorn Creek for three years. The fish are small and need protection to grow and multiply. The petition was granted, and Elkhorn Creek, in Township 5 N., Range 3 W., and Township 6 N., Range 3 W., in Jefferson county, was closed to fish- ing for three years, the order effective October 16, 1930. Mr. Hill read a request from the Toole County Sportsmen's Association, at Shelby, for a closed season on deer in Toole county for 1930 and it was ap- proved until further order of the Com- mission. Warden Hill read a letter from Dep- uty Dorrington. asking that duck food be planted in lakes in Lincoln county, but this matter was tabled until the Fish and Game Commission is supplied with more funds with which to carry on this work. Warden Hill presented a request from Earl Mclntyre of Great Falls for the return of his gun, which was confis- cated by Deputy Roushar, Mr. Mclntyre having shot pheasants out of season. The request was denied. Mr. Hill read correspondence relative to a game law violation case in which arrests were made by Deputy Thomas Danaher. Three young men from Salt Lake City had violated the law on Heb- gen Lake, shooting ducks from a boat, out of season, and one of them with- out a license. Deputy Danaher secured a conviction, confiscated the boat, mo- tor and gun used in the illegal killing of ducks. The confiscated articles were the property of S. M. Covey of Salt Lake City and he petitioned the Com- mission for the return of his boat, mo- tor and gun. Letters from Deputy Dan- aher, with statements of tact relative to the case, were read. The request was denied. Warden Hill read a letter from Dep- uty Warden Krost, who advised that it had come to his attention that survey- ing had been done on Medicine Lake, and property around this lake had been appraised by federal employees, with a view of perhaps creating a federal bird sanctuary on this lake. Chairman Marlowe was requested to take up this matter with the chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey for the purpose of getting an expression, and report at the next meeting. Mr. Hill presented a petition from citizens of Shelby asking for the ap- pointment of J. R. Van Horn as salaried deputy game warden for that district. Due to lack of funds at this time pe- titoners were advised that it is im- possible for the Department to appoint a deputy game warden at Shelby. Mr. Hill advised that Ernest Miller of the Elkhorn Ranch, Bozeman, Montana, has offered to let the Department have motion pictures of wild life for the cost of development. Mr. Hill was au- thorized to thank him for the courtesy. A letter from C. 0. Edwards and J. L. Dillings of the Great Falls district claiming damage to their crops by an- telope was presented and denied. Mr. Hill read a letter from the Upper Musselshell Valley Sportsmen's Asso- ciation, wherein they explained that they desire to build a second large rear- ing pond on McVey Creek. The loca- tion will cost $100 and the building will cost approximately $500. The pond, when finished, will enable Harlowton sportsmen to retain fish until they reach a good size. It is the plan of the Harlowton club to pay half this expense if the Commission will pay the other half. Mr. Schofield advised he had investigated this proposition and recommended the building of this pond. Mr. Schofield was authorized to spend not more than $300 in cooperation with the Upper Musselshell Valley Sports- men's Association, for the construction of this rearing pond on McVey Creek, in Wheatland county. Mr. Hill read a request from the Toole County Sportsmen's Association for a salaried game warden for their district for two months, but because of lack of funds the request was denied. Mr. Hill read a letter from the United States Bureau of Fisheries, in reply to the Commission's request of the bureau for 5,000,000 loch leven eggs this fall from the Madison spawn-taking station, in which the commissioner of the bu- reau stated that they can not definitely promise the Department 5,000,000 eggs, but would put the state down for 2,500,- 000 eggs. The question arose as to what percentage of eggs taken by the bureau at the Madison should be deliv- ered to the State Department of Fish and Game. Chairman Marlowe's mo- tion prevailed that the new Superin- tendent of Hatcheries check up on this proposition to ascertain as soon as pos- sible the number of loch leven trout eggs taken by the Bureau of Fisheries in Montana, and advise the Commission so that members may know how to proceed further in the matter; and that the superintendent also be instructed to ascertain the number of loch leven eggs taken by the bureau in the State of Montana during the seasons of 1928 and 1929; and to further ascertain where these eggs were sent. Mr. Hill read a letter from W. T. Thompson of the federal hatchery at Bozeman, wherein Mr. Thompson ex- pressed his regret at having had pub- lished in the MONTANA FARMER an article to the effect that the Depart- ment would furnish fish from the Miles City station to farmers who had reser- voirs on their property. Chairman Mar- lowe advised that he had written Mr. Thompson, explaining that it was im- possible to furnish fish fry to indi- viduals for private waters, inasmuch as the revenue for this Department is fur- nished by the public, and the fish must be planted in public waters. Discussion followed relative to secur- ing a pass for the fisheries car for fish distribution in the state. This mat- ter was tabled until the next meeting. Mr. Marlowe made a report of the claim he had made against the Railway Express Agency for the loss of IVz cases of fish eggs, shipped from Ana- conda to Bozemaji on a federal waybill. This claim had been dropped because the Federal Bureau of Fisheries had agreed to take the loss. Mr. Hill read a letter from J. W. Kin- ney offering to make an exchange of salmon eggs for eastern brook eggs this year. Dr. Treece advised that he had written Mr. Kinney that the De- partment would not be interested in such an exchange this year. Mr. Hill presented a claim for ex- penses for July from D. R. Crawford of $130.65. Mr. Marlowe was authorized to verify Mr. Crawford's claims and make a final settlement. Mr. Hill read a letter from A. M. Hoover of Minneapolis relative to food conditions in Lake Morrison. No ac- tion was taken. Mr. Hill called ujon Dr. Treece for his report of conditions at Martin Lake, in Lincoln county. P. V. Klinke of Fortine had requested permission to take eastern brook spawn from the fish in this lake on a percentage basis with the Department. Dr. Treece advised that Mr. Klinke's plan is feasible, and he recommended the issuance of the permit. The request was granted to take eastern brook trout eggs from Martin Lake, upon the terms set forth in his request; and that Martin Lake, Montana Wild Life in Lincoln county, and the streams flow- ing into this lake, be closed to all fish- ing from October 1 to December 1, 1930. Mr. Hill read a petition from sports- men of Broadwater county, asking that the Missouri River be opened to fish- ing for whitefish through the ice, in view of the fact that whitefish are more edible during the cold weather and there are many needy families who would benefit. The request was granted, and fishing for whitefish through the ice during the regular open season, in the Missouri River, in Broadwater county, was allowed, until further or- der of the Commission. Mr. Marlowe advised that at a pre- vious meeting the Commission had closed to fishing a portion of Rock Creek, in Granite county, because a land owner along this portion of the stream had been charging a fee. Since the closing of the stream several had been arrested for fishing therein, caus- ing hard feelings, and the man who owned the property along this stream has agreed not to charge fishermen, if the Commission will rescind the closing order. The order of the Commission was rescinded. Mr. Marlowe presented an application from C. J. Kelly of Butte for 3.46 acres on the Flathead Forest Reserve, to be used in connection with a private pond. The Forest Service would not issue the permit for this ground until approved by the Commission. Deputy Warden O'Claire was instructed to investigate and if he finds there are no objec- tions he advise the Forest Service that the Commission has no objection. Mr. Marlowe advised that he had of- fered the old residence at the Libby hatchery to the Libby Rod and Gun Club for $300. Dr. Treece stated that it is advisable to sell the house, rather than to try to move It. The offer of the club was accepted. Chairman Marlowe presented an ease- ment for the new Libby hatchery site from the J. Heils Lumber Company of Klickitat, Wash., and pronounced it sat- isfactory. The Commission accepted the easement. It was ordered that all ease- ments and deeds in possession of the Department be filed for record in re- spective counties. Chairman Marlowe brought up the matter of putting in permanent rearing ponds near Arlee, for raising larger fish. There are approximately 15 acres In a good location offered for sale for $1,000. The water has been analyzed by Dr. Howard and found perfect so far as the adaptability to the raising of fish. The Arlee club is interested in cooperating in this work. The chairman was authorized to go ahead with this proposition and make the purchase of this land at as reasonable a price as possible. Mr. Marlowe read a letter from Elmer G. Phillips, foreman of the Libby hatch- ery, wherein he advised that he had se- cured an estimate of $730 for material for the new residence at the Libby hatchery, the house to be 24x34, with four rooms. The matter was referred to the new Superintendent of Hatcheries with authority to proceed with the work as he sees fit. Flaming Courage See the myriads of autumn leaves. In divisions, battalions, brigades. An army with banners of crimson and gold, In battle array, by stream, on hill- sides, in glades. In a last stand against frost-king and cold — Type of organic lure for thrilling, exultant strife — _ Rushing to death in one last majestic flame Of glorious, ecstatic life. — Miles J. Cavanaugh, Butte, Mont. Mr. Marlowe read a letter from the Thompson Falls Rod and Gun Club, complaining that there is a dam in the Thompson River, left from an old irri- gation dam site, which is an obstruc- tion to the fish in this river. Deputy Warden Meany was instructed to inves- tigate and report at the next meeting. Mr. Moore explained that there are several streams around Hardin and in Big Horn county which are closed to fishing, but that the breeds, acting upon their Indian rights, fish in them, and the purpose of the Commission in clos- ing these streams to fishing is de- stroyed. The matter of opening, or keeping these streams closed, was re- ferred to Secretary Gerry of the State Sportsmen's Association, he to take up the matter with the Superintendent of the Indian Agency there. Mr. Moore was authorized to secure the easements for a proper location on the Stillwater River for a rearing pond before the next meeting of the Com- mission, if possible. Dr. Treece advised that he had given the contract for repairing the ice house at Anaconda to Theodore Eck of that city, whose bid for the work had been approximately |350, and that the work had been completed satisfactorily. The action was approved. Mr. Kelly suggested that J. F. Hen- dricks, Superintendent of the Game Farm, be allowed to buy wheat by the carload, now that he has a warehouse in which to keep it. This will lower the price of the wheat about 100 per cent. He was authorized to purchase about 20 tons of wheat, pooling the order with the State Hospital. Mr. Kelly advised that men starting a dude ranch near Georgetown Lake would like to secure a few Chinese pheasants for that district. They have offered to liberate them and to feed them during the winter months. They also agreed to protect these birds from hunters. Mr. Kelly was authorized to secure pheasants tor them from the Game Farm. Discussion followed as to a tentative program for future work, should the legislature raise the hunting and fish- ing license fee. Commissioner Kelly suggested that, if an increased license fee is approved, the Commission should keep in mind some method of pension- ing or compensating deputy game war- dens in the employ of the Department who had served faithfully. B. F. Gerry of Missoula, acting Secre- tary of the Montana State Sportsmen's Association, who succeeded J. C. Froh- licher in that capacity, was employed as Educational Secretary of the State Fish and Game Commission, to work in cooperation with the Montana Sports- men's Association (as their secretary), and the State Fish and Game Commis- sion (as their educational secretary), and that $2,500 per year be appropriated from the fish and game fund for his salary, the Montana Sportsmen's Asso- ciation to pay his expenses in connec- tion with his work, this order effective September S, 1930. Mr. Boyd advised that the men at the Sun River dam, doing reclamation work, would like to have Birch Creek in that district closed to fishing. The fish in this stream are small and need protection, and water from this stream is being used by the reclamation work- ers for drinking purposes. This creek, in Lewis and Clark county, was closed to fishing in its entirety, until further order of the Commission. Mr. Boyd stated that he would like a portion of the Missouri River, east of the Great Falls hatchery, closed to fishing, inasmuch as fish are being fed there by hatchery employees, and fish- ermen Interfere with hatchery work. The Missouri, in Cascade county, from the west end of the state hatchery prop- erty for 25 feet into the river, and in an easterly direction down the river for 400 feet, was cjosed to all fishing until further order of the Commission, this territory to be marked with buoys. Mr. Boyd advised that last year, when the river was frozen, sportsmen were feeding ducks along the Missouri River, but during the hunting season the birds were all scared away. He suggested that these birds will come back again this year and should be protected, hence it was ordered that the Missouri River, from the Black Eagle Falls to the Rain- bow Dam Falls, be closed to the hunting of all waterfowl at all seasons, this order to be effective until further order of the Commission. The request of the Deer Lodge An- glers' Club for an open season on bull elk In that portion of Powell county from the headwaters of Dog Creek to the Jefferson county line was again given consideration. After a thorough discussion of the situation the petition was denied. Mr. Hill presented a telegram from the Izaak Walton League Chapter at Great Falls asking for a closed season on deer in the Rockies, from the Dear- born River to Blackfoot, Glacier Park, and In view of the fact that the re- quest came so late and that the Com- mission had been given no opportunity to investigate, it was denied. Another telegram from the Thompson Falls Rod and Gun Club protesting the opening of the elk season in Sanders county was read. In view of the fact that the season had not been opened in that county, no motion was neces- sary. Montana Wild Life WHA yo'all gwine wid dat cam'ra, Mistah Joe?" I looked up and saw Mr. Jerome Benjamin Jack- son, my old darky friend, hobbling to- ward me along the rows of his potato patch, his hoe poised staff-like, his dark, good-natured face aglow beneath his big straw hat. The painted terrapin. "Just going over to the pasture pond to look at our grebe families. How's the rheumatism this morning?" "Oh, putty fair, putty fair, thank yu' suh, can't complain." I thought I detected a glint of ex- citement in the old man's eye. "Evah see a goof us bird, Mistah Joe? I done foun' a nes'. " "Goof us bird? I never heard of it." "Nevah heard 'bout de gootus bird?" He eyed me with suspicion. "That is, I don't think I have," I hastened to reply, "possibly I don't knew them by that name." "Ain't seen no goofus bird? An' yu' a bird man chasin' birds ev'y day?" "Just what's this goofus bird like?" "I'll show you, Mistah Joe." Having stoked his pipe with a generous supply of my proffered tobacco, he led the way across the field, still using the hoe as a cane, his baggy overalls flap- ping as he shuffled along. "When did you see this bird?" I ven- tured, keeping apace with the stooped old man. "Wal, I di'n' 'zactly see it but I sho' foun' da nes'." "How did you know it was a — a — goofus bird's nest?" I insisted. The old man stopped and faced me in mild disgust. "My ole mammy tole me all 'bout dem birds when I was a I'il kid. Dey ain't ez big as a goose, but de's biggern a sparra. Ain't ez white ez a swan or black ez a crow. 'Fo' I ran away fum home, us used to fin' skaddles o' nes'es 'long de 'Nongahela Rivah." I watched the old man closely, won- dering if he were realy in earnest. "Does this bird live In the water?" I interrupted. "N-no, not 'zactly." "What did these goofus birds you saw, look like?" "Wal, a — a — , you see, I nevah 'zaccly saw one. but I done et a pow'ful lot o' their aigs." I gave up. Our route lay towards the pasture pond where two families of horned grebes and several coots had their young. We flushed a pintail duck from her nest in a clump of wild mustard but did not stop. We had reached ihe edge of the little pond rimmed with reeds and cattails. Mr. Jackson hobbled along without caution. I followed with considerable apprehension lest we should frighten this rare bird. "We had bet- ter be careful, hadn't we?" I suggested in a whisper. One immature egg scarcely 14-inch in diameter brought the total to IS. "No danga, Mistah Joe. Dey don' fly afta sunup, leastways I nevah saw one. Dey is fly-by-night birds, dem goofus birds is." I was keenly disappointed but fol- lowed my guide, circling the pond to its north side. Suddenly the old darkey stopped on the gentle south slope in a small opening almost bare of vegeta- tion. "Thair she am!" he exclaimed as he pointed proudly- with his hoe to a flat sunbaked cake of mud, perhaps a foot in diameter, and an inch thick, with a slight depression in the center. "I — , why that's a turtle's nest," I said. I fully expected to hear the old fellow burst out into a hearty laugh at his joke, but instead he gave me a look which reproved me for my igno- rance. "Tuttle's nes', man, da's a goofus nes' and the aigs is thair, sho's you bo'n." "Yes, but it's a turtle's nest, just the same. Belongs to an order of rep- tiles, the t'helonia." "Reptile? Man, dat ain't no snake's nes'. Yu'se foolin', Mistah Joe, da's a goofus nes'." "No, it's one of the family of Cin- osternidae, not really a turtle; it's the painted terrapin, has aquatic habits and lives in that pond," I said. "Yu sho' knows a passel o' words, Mistah Joe. But — e — ra — " Plainly the old fellow was disgusted but was too much of a gentleman to argue the point further. It was evi- dent that as an ornithologist I had fallen below zero in Mr. Jackson's esti- mation. With a penknife we carefully removed the covering from the center of the hard clay platter and exposed the eggs. Gently I removed and measured them: eighteen 1.30 x .85 eliptical. leathery, calcareous eggs; one small, round and immature egg, scarcely one-quarter inch in diameter, brought the total to nine- teen. "Dem goofus aigs sho' am fine. Is yo'll pow'ful sho' 'bout dem bein' tut- tle aigs?" chuckled my friend, his kindly face animated by his convictions. "The burden of proof seems to be on me," I said. After a search we found several more nests, also some excavations where work had been discontinued; the pros- pective nester had apparently dug until a stone was struck, then relinquished the site for another a few yards away. The painted terrapin, Clirysemjs Bel- li!, of western Montana, is a very de- liberate, innoxious animal. Time is not reckoned by these plodders when build- ing a nest. I have come upon them in the morning and even at midday work- Cj ^^ ^m^r^i^^^ With a penknife we carefully removed the covering from the center of the hard clay platter and exposed the eggs. Montana Wild Life ing diligently but unhurriedly at their given task. Impervious to the discom- fort of the broiling sun and swarms of mosquitoes and gnats, I have patiently watched them for hours. Mrs. Terrapin, first having selected a place to her liking, moistens the hard clay, then alternately with the sharp claws of her hind feet, begins scraping out a hole about two inches across, lifting the moist earth, footful after footful, from the hole and pushing it behind her about the crater. After much moisten- ing and scooping and turning 'round and 'round, she has succeeded in bur- rowing out a round cavity three or four inches deep, which is as far as she can reach, even by canting her shell. One by one into this pit she drops the pink or yellowish parchment-like eggs until the clutch is laid, then with her hind feet she scrapes the loose earth back into the hole, covering the eggs. Hav- ing completed the task, without so much as an inspecting glance she crawls away unperturbed and carefree toward her favorite pond, leaving all responsi- bilities behind. This animal is a slave to inherent instinct, the innate process as assigned by nature is slow, mechani- cal and robot-like. I have never known a terrapin to return to the nest after depositing the eggs. Incubation is left to the mercies of the warm sun and the gentle workings of Nature. When the little ones hatch, they are scarcely larger than a half- dollar. Burrowing out through the loose earth shortly after hatching, they instinctively make for the pond where they disappear. The mature terrapin of western Montana grows to a fair size, the largest that I have found ranging between eleven and twelve inches in length. Determined to prove to my friend that his goofus bird was a myth, i con- structed wire screen cages about two feet in diameter around several of the nests, digging the edges into the earth to prevent the escape of the young. Ground squirrels, however, completely outwitted me during my absence and frustrated my plans by burrowing be- neath the cages and either eating the eggs or releasing my prospective pris- oners. The mature terrapin possesses a great tenacity of life. Mortality among the young, however, is very high in this locality due to their predacious enemies, the skunk, snake, and ground squirrel, who exact a great toll by dig- ging up and eating the eggs. Although I see Mr. Jackson quite often, I have not as yet succeeded in scoring conviction in his mind: perhaps it is just as well — he still believes in goofus birds. Montana Bird Season Is Nearing Mrs. Nuwife: "Why. Tom! And this is the first $5 extra I've asked you for. What if it was $100?" Hubby: "That's what I'm practicing for now." "This article," remarked mother, look- ing up from the paper, "says that very few stout people are criminals. I won- der why that is?" "I expect it's because it's so hard for them to stoop to anything low," said father. MONTANA scattergun fans are look- ing forward to an unusual year afield when the season arrives for Hungarians and Chinese pheasants. For the benefit of shotgun wielders of the state, the official bulletin of the State Fish and Game Commission is published herewith. Stick it in your hunting jacket. At a regular meeting of the State Fish and Game Commission in Helena, Montana, September 29, an order was made declaring an open season on male Chinese pheasants for the season of 1930 in the following counties: Beaverhead. Big Horn, Blaine. Broad- water, Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Cus- ter, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Flathead, Lake, except that portion which is drained by the Jocko River and its tributaries; Lewis and Clark. Missoula, south of a line running east and west through the town of Lolo; Park: Pe- troleum, Phillips, Powell, Ravalli, ex- cept that portion of the county which is covered by the Bitter Root Stock Farm; Rosebud, all that portion of Sanders drained by the Little Bitter Root River, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure and Yellowstone. The season is opened on Hungarian partridges of either sex for the season of 1930 in the following counties: Beaverhead, Blaine, Broadwater, Cas- cade, Chouteau, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Duck Hunter Bags Deer With Shot Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Hill, all that portion of Lake except that which is drained by the Jocko River and its tributaries; Lewis and Clark, all of Missoula south of a line running east and west through the town of Lolo; Park, Phillips, Pondera, Powell, Ra- valli, except that portion of the county which is covered by the Bitter Root Stock Farm; that portion of Sanders drained by the Little Bitter Root River, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton and Yellowstone. The open season on these birds for 1930 begins with the 23rd day of No- vember and ends with the 27th day of November, both dates inclusive. The bag limit is three birds per day, which may include three Hungarian partridges of either sex, or three Chinese cocks, or three in the aggregate, it being the intention of the Commission that the bag limit shall be but three birds per day, whether they be male Chinese pheasants or Hungarian partridges of either sex; and no person shall have in his possession more than six of any such birds at any one time. The Fish and Game Commission has decided to leave open the trapping sea- son for muskrats. Therefore, fox, mink, fisher and muskrats may be trapped during the regular trapping season, December 1 to April 15, both dates in- clusive, under a trapper's license. The season on marten is closed this year. WILLIAM GRAYUM. Missoula bar- ber, who turned duck hunter for a day, brought in a deer killed along the river bank a few miles west of the city. Grayum and Perry Up- church left on a duck-hunting trip along the river. At a point in the river Grayum approached the bank of the stream and saw the antlers of a four- point buck swimming towards him. He waited until the animal was on the gravel bar before he shot. The mo- ment the deer landed on the gravel bar, however, it scented Mr. Grayum, hidden in the brush. Grayum fired with his shotgun as the animal plunged back into the water and started to swim back. In mid-stream the deer suc- cumbed to wounds in the head and neck, turned over and started floating down the river. Grayum followed his quarry a mile and a half along the bank. The deer lodged on a rock. Because there was no other way to reach the animal, Grayum took off his clothes, found a log, which he straddled, and with his hands as oars paddled across the river. He was able to drag the 200-pound deer up the bank but had to get a farmer with a horse to take it on across the stream. Mountain Lions Feed on Deer IN THE estimation of Andy Kamp of Lewistown, who, with Conway Bryte, Bill Meichert, Dick Kier, secretary of the Lewistown Rod and Gun Club; Joe Songer and Zene Williams, re- turned from a hunting trip in the Belt Mountains with three bucks, mountain lions in that area do more damage to wild game than most hunters have comprehension of. While hunting in the territory around their cabin, be- tween Middle Fork and Yogo, Mr. Wil- liams during one day of hunting saw tracks of four mountain lions and Mr. Kamp tracked a large lion through fresh snow for more than seven miles. Though it is almost impossible to see a lion during the day. this party of hunters feel certain that numerous lions in the Belt Mountains kill an un- told number of deer and other game every winter. Two small boys halted before a brass plate fixed on the front of a building on which was inscribed the word "chi- ropodist." "Chiropodist!" remarked one of them puzzled. "What's that?" "Why," replied his companion, "a chiropodist is a feller that teaches canaries to whistle." Montana Wild Life Moetaea Figh and d G. T. Boyd, Great Falls. .Commissioner Jos. L. Kelly, Anaconda.. Commissioner W. K. Moore, Billings.. ..Commissioner E.A.Wilson, hivingston.. Commissioner Thomas N. Marlowe, Missoula, Chairman 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. VOL. Ill OCTOBER, 1930 NO. 5 GOOD SPORTSMEN ARE CAUTIOUS MONTANA'S big game season is on and hundreds of sportsmen are returning from the hills and dales with antlered prizes roped to the running boards of their cars. Conditions have favored the increase of deer and elk. The buck law is still bringing definite results and the gain is apparent to every seasoned hunter. Inci- dentally, the resident hunter, under present laws, pays $2 for a fishing and hunting license. Sportsmen throughout the state have endorsed an increase to $3 to enable the State Fish and Game Commission to carry on its vast pro- gram of fish and game conservation and propagation. How many pounds of meat in a deer or elk could be bought for $2? Will $2 cover the actual value of fish taken before the opening of the big game season? What percentage is $3 of the cost of the fishing and hunting outfit? Think it over. The Montana Standard of Butte calls attention to the caution imposed by the State Game Warden upon hunters who take to the mountains in quest of big game as timely advice. "The tragedies of the woods are growing more and more frequent," says the editorial. "They emphasize the intenseness of purpose and, in a degree, the heedlessness and carelessness of the American people. The real hunter is a clear-eyed, calm, well-balanced and resourceful man. He never shoots without knowing what he is shooting at. But the woods are full of novices, whose intentions are good and whose interest in a fine sport is most com- mendable. But it is these inexperienced hunters who con- stitute a menace to all who go out tor big game. They are thrown into a fe.ver of excitement that becomes almost a panic when they see the brush moving. Often they blaze away without ever actually seeing their quarry. Too late, often it has been discovered that it was not a deer or an elk, but another hunter, who caused the slight movement in the underbrush and the old story is published in the papers 'shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.' "If all hunters will heed the precaution advocated by the State Fish and Game Commission there will be no danger of such tragedies in the woods of Montana. 'Don't shoot until you see at least six inches of horns on your deer,' is the advice of the Commission. Such a precau- tion not only prevents accidents, but it will avoid violation of the law, which prohibits the killing of female animals and young." If the advice is heeded we will hear fewer conversa- tions of this sort: "Gus," said Bill, as he caught up with him on the way back to camp, "are all the rest of the boys out of the woods yet?" "Yes," said Gus. "All six of them?" "Yes; all six of them." "And they're all safe?" "Yep," answered Gus, "they're all safe." "Then," said Bill, his chest swelling, "I've shot a deer." Some men have dens in their homes. Others growl all over the house. THE DUCK WAR THE thought of 6,414,454 men with guns is rather alarm- ing. It sounds like war and suggests wholesale de- struction. Dr. William T. Hornaday, American natural- ist and game conservationist, says an army of that size has set forth this year to kill wild ducks. The men have the motor car to aid them; they are able to go great dis- tances and reach formerly inaccessible regions more easily and quickly. Their campaign is hard on the wild duck population. Within a tew years, it is said, many species of wild duck will be extinct, wiped out in the name of sport and pleasure, not in the search for needed food. Nothing much can be done about it. Public conscience is not yet widely stirred on that subject. Until it is, it will be difficult to persuade legislators to enact more protective game laws and difficult to persuade hunters to give up their fun. — Butte Daily Post. 3I0NTANA NEEDS MORE GAME WARDENS IS THE spirit of fair play and true sportsmanship pass- ing with the old-time hunter and fisherman? Is a de- sire to protect and restore wild bird, animal and fish life instinctive, or should one expect to find it only in a generation raised from childhood in an atmosphere of the out-of-doors? These are some of the questions old timers and educators are asking. Violations of game laws are increasing. Numerous ar- rests are made and heavy fines often are imposed for shoot- ing pheasants, deer and other game out of season. Many hunters take more game in season than they are allowed. Many persons hunt at night with searchlight or torch — all of this is illegal, as well as unfair. Large seine nets are used illegally to make huge catches of fish. Some anglers poach on waters that are closed in order to give some fish a chance to increase. Numerous fishermen take undersized fish that should be put back into the water until they have reached maturity. Such practices are not only illegal — but they are un- sportsmanlike. Game laws have been passed during recent years to protect the wild life of this nation. The closed season is one way to restore game by protecting it. No doubt many violators, however, are sportsmen and conservationists at heart, and their criminal acts result from ignorance of conservation, restoration methods and protective laws. Many of these can be converted into real sportsmen if every agency and individual working for com- munity betterment will teach the high ideals of conser- vation. But in Montana, as in other states, there are vandals who care nothing for the spirit of fair play. Montana needs more game wardens. There are now but 27 game wardens in the 56 counties. Some counties are as large as an eastern state. The increase in the resident license fee from $2 to $3 will aid in alleviating the situation. Montana Wild Life SPORTSMEPf ARE SAVING DUCKS THOUSANDS of Montana sportsmen are turning then- attention to constructive conservation and restoration measures. Not only hiave many declared they will not take the duck limit, but will feed the ducks and endeavor to have "rest" days set aside for them. On these days there will be no shooting. Such voluntary practices already exist in localities of nearly every state, a self-imposed re- striction of the hunters upon themselves. Hunters also are planning the planting of permanent duck foods. The better foods are wild celery, wild sago, wild duck millet, wapato or duck potato, and wild rice. Wild celery is a favorite food for canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills. Widgeon, teal, pintails, mallards, coots and geese will also come to wild celery waters. It thrives in fresh and slightly brackish waters, preferably in bays and nooks, submerged. It is excellent food for game fish, too. Wild sago is perhaps the best all-round duck food that can be planted, the Ohio officials declare. Its seed clusters are eaten greedily by mallards, teal, widgeon, and its tubers are food for canvasbacks and redheads. It grows best in fresh waters and ponds, in waters slightly alkali or hard. Marl bottoms are good for planting sago. It grows sub- merged. Wild duck millet is good mallard food. Teal, pintails, widgeon, coots and all puddle ducks come to mil- let. It grows best in lowlands, mud flats, lakes and ponds that lower in the summer. AVapato or duck potato is food for all waterfowl, especially mallards. Seeds, roots and tender runners of the wapato are excellent duck food. It provides also shelter for food and game fish. It grows in water from a foot to two feet deep, or on mud flats and in marshes. It is a fresh water plant. Wild rice is food for all wild ducks. Mallards, teal, canvasbacks, redheads, widgeon, pintails, and coots fly miles for wild rice. It grows best in fresh water streams and lakes, or ponds that have a current. It is planted in about three feet of water and grows best where water stage does not change over one or two feet in depth during the year. The squirrel hunter with his long rifle of the old days never wasted a shot. He should be emulated by the boobs who waste a million crippled ducks every year by shooting at birds out of range. ONE FOR EDISON CANDIDATE SALMON lay their eggs in gravel riffles where action of the water will keep the eggs clean. If dirt or debris cover the eggs they will not hatch. Black bass lay their eggs in nests on bottoms of lakes where there is no current. As a consequence Papa Black Bass has to fan the eggs until they hatch — which has brains and how cum? How would an Edison candidate answer this one while sav- ine some one from the desert? Our sturdy ancestors never thought the time would come when mother would come home all fagged out from bridge and father stagger in exhausted from miniature golf. GO WEST, IS ADVICE TO DUCKLINGS HORACE GREELEY'S famous "Go west, young man, go west," may have been followed on occasion with an inner urge suggested by the word "duck." At any rate the advice can now be juggled to read, "Go west, young duck, go west." Montana has a place for them In Kan- sas— a state which some may suppose from both the geog- raphy and Literary Digest surveys to be somewhat dry — wild ducks seem to have found a particularly ideal haven. Alva Clapp, state fish and game warden, writes that when conditions in Kansas are unfavorable for one sort of plant the ducks eat, they become favorable for another sort. He continues: "When the drought tried to dry up the lakes it affected part of the duck food supply, but left margins of flooded banks, just the thing for growth of smartweed and wild flax, which the ducks appear to like equally well. I've noticed that ducks concentrate in clouds on Cheyenne Lake and Meade County State Lake all winter, never thinking of going farther south. Such ducks as come our way will be well taken care of. We'll feed them Kansas grain if necessary." MAKE A FRIEND OF THE FARMER GAME conservation presents many problems toward the solution of which organized Montana sportsmen are giving valuable assistance. Sportsmen generally are assisting game wardens with good results. Another matter of importance is the maintaining of friendly relations be- tween hunters and farmers. Game gets its food supply more or less at the expense of the farmers, and the farmer is entitled to the intelligent consideration of every one de- siring to hunt on his land. The possession of a hunting license does not carry with it the privilege of injuring the property of the farmer. This is a matter where great good can be accomplished by Montana sportsmen's clubs in promoting a friendly cooperative feeling. In many locali- ties sportsmen and hunters enjoy the most friendly rela- tions with the farmers. In others, particularly in the vicin- ity of the larger cities, complaints of depredations com- mitted by hunters are numerous. This is particularly true during the pheasant season. It is perfectly obvious that vandalism is injurious to sport, and this is one of the most serious problems we have to solve if free hunting is to continue. The vandal hunter is not a sportsman and must be suppressed. The pot hunter has been pretty nearly eliminated by coopera- tion with the Game Commission and the organized sports- men. The vandal hunter should come next; he should re- ceive careful attention at the hands of the organized sports- men for the protection of the farmers and real sportsmen. In this country the fashion of going without a hat was set about 1905 or 1906 by Harry Kemp, the poet. Mr. Kemp was not moved by fear of premature baldness or other health con- ditions. He had no hat. CHECK UP ON THE GAME IF SPORTSMEN want more game, they should aid the State Fish and Game Commission by taking stock regu- larly of the game in their community, study wild life foods and cover and know the approximate toll of preda- tors to help officials speed up restoration. The reason why sportsmen, nature lovers, farrriers and game officials the country over do not always know exactly how to remedy the situation is because the causes of wild life depletion and means of remedy vary so greatly from section to sec- tion, state to state, and oftentimes from county to county. That game survived under natural conditions is one thing — its survival under present conditions is entirely another matter. There are not enough people — including sportsmen, farmers and lovers of the forests, fields and streams — who have as yet a sufficient realization that restoration of wild life must be considered in the main as an artificial process. There are not enough people who realize the problems and difficulties that state game officials encounter and must overcome. In other words, the men who are trying to solve the problems of restoring game to our coverts and fish to our streams are not getting the support they should have from the public as a whole. Many of us believe that our woods, fields and streams can teem with wild life once more — perhaps in even greater numbers in the years to come than at any time in the past. Some scoundrel had it in for a Chicago beauty shoppe, so he threw a bombbe through the show windowwe. BIRDS SING BY REQUEST IF AMERICA doesn't conserve its wild life, song birds will sing by request, probably on mechanical records; leer, bear, raccoon will be seen only in zoos and mu- seums, and wildfowl will be only a name. We must re- double our efforts to not only conserve but to restore all wild life, particularly now that drought, forest fires and floods have destroyed so many of the wild folk and fish. 10 Montana Wild Life MONTANA'S big game huutiug sea- son, in the majority of counties, opened on October 15 and by some strange fantasy. Lady Luck had her arms around sportsmen for the first general snow of the season fell the night of October 14 and tracking was excellent on the opening day. Because of strict enforcement of the buck law, deer are reported plentiful throughout the state. For the guidance of hunt- ers of Montana, the State Fish and Game Commission has prepared this di- gest of the big game laws. It should be carefully read by every man who holds a hunting license. The regular open season on deer and elk in Montana Is from October 15 to November 15, 1930, both dates inclusive. The counties which are closed to deer hunting entirely are: Gallatin. Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Richland, Yellowstone. Rosebud, Custer, Musselshell, Powder River, Carter, Roosevelt, McCone, Car- bon, Phillips, Garfield, Petroleum, Treas- ure, Blaine, Toole, Valley, and that por- tion of Fergus county lying north of the township line between Townships 18 and 19, and east of the range line between Ranges 24 and 25; all of Gla- cier and Pondera counties lying within the Lewis and Clark National Forest: and all that portion of Big Horn county lying east of the 107th meridian. In general only bucks may be taken, except in the following counties: Min- eral, Madison. Glacier, Lake, Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders. In the other counties which are open only one male deer, with horns not less than four inches from top of skull, may be taken. The counties which are closed to elk hunting entirely are: Fergus, Chouteau, Valley, Golden Valley, Daniels, Roose- velt, Fallon, Wibaux, Richland, Granite, Phillips, Stillwater, Sanders, Silver Bow, Broadwater, Musselshell, Hill, Sheridan, Judith Basin, McCone, Big Horn, Lin- coln, Rosebud, Mineral, Beaverhead, Powder River, Garfield. Carbon. Cas- cade, Meagher, Blaine, Yellowstone, Liberty, Carter, Custer, Prairie, Daw- son, Toole, Ravalli, Treasure, Wheat- land, Lake and Sweet Grass. All of Lewis and Clark county will be closed to elk hunting, except that portion lying within the following de- scribed boundaries: Beginning at the point where the Big Blackfoot River intersects the county line between Lewis and Clark and Powell counties, running thence up the north bank of the Black- foot River to Cadotte Creek, thence up Cadotte Creek to the top of the Con- tinental Divide, thence northerly along the Continental Divide to Scapegoat Mountain where the headwaters of the North Fork of the Blackfoot begin, thence down the North Fork of the Blackfoot River to its intersection with the county line between Lewis and Clark and Powell counties, thence along said county line to the point of begin- ning. Open season on elk is from No- vember 1 to November 15, both dates inclusive. This is known as "Blackfoot Territory." All of Jefferson county will be closed to elk hunting except tor a short open season from November 12 to November 14, both dates inclusive, to hunting of bull elk only (with visible horns). Missoula and Powell counties are closed except in that portion of the drainage area of Clearwater River and its tributaries and that portion of the counties north of the Big Blackfoot River; and except that portion of Mis- soula county within the drainage area of the Swan River and its tributaries: and that portion of Missoula and Powell counties within the drainage area of This Chuck Is Not Afraid of Shadow the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries. Regular open sea- son. All of Gallatin county is open to elk hunting except that portion north of the township line between Townships 3 and 4 North. Regular open season. The open season on elk in Park county is from October 15 to December 20, both dates inclusive. Elk can not be shot in this county between 5 p. m. and S a. m. In Teton county, not included within a game preserve, and that portion of Lewis and Clark county lying north of the North Fork of the Dearborn River, the open season is from October 15 to December 1, both dates inclusive. This is called the Sun River district. In Ravalli county in that portion drained by the West Fork of the Bitter Root River, the open season on elk and deer is from September 20 to October 20, both dates inclusive. The open sea- son on goats in this same territory is from October 15 to November 15. both dates inclusive. This territory is known as the "Bitter Root." In Granite and Deer Lodge counties the open season on elk is from Novem- ber 10 to 12, both dates inclusive. In Ravalli county, in that portion lying east of the Bitter Root River, the open season on elk is from November 11 to November 15, both dates inclu- sive, of 1930. In Flathead county no elk hunting is allowed in that westerly portion bounded on the east as follows: Be- ginning at the point of intersection of the northerly boundary of Lake county with the west shore of Flathead Lake to the mouth of Flathead River: thence northerly along said Flathead River to the intersection of the North Fork of the Flathead River with the same, thence northerly along the North Fork of the Flathead River to the Canadian boundary. HERE'S an unusual snapshot of a marmot, rock chuck, woodchuck or whatever be the name applied by Montana folks — and he's apparently not afraid of his shadow with winter approaching. The picture is submitted by Sam Freeman of Dillon, who writes that the chuck was not raised in cap- tivity from a pup. but was trained when full grown. Mrs. Pete Westergaard. shown in the picture, is associated with her husband in the operation of a sum- mer camp on Hidden Lake, and has made a pet of the stranger. He's still suspicious of folks to whom he has not been properly introduced and allows no one but his trainer to touch him. WHOOPS Gazoobis and Aspirin (registering at hotel): "Any rooms?" Clerk: "Have you a reservation?" Gazoobis: "Say, what do j'ou think we are a coupla Indians?" Book Agent to Farmer: "You ought to buy an encyclopedia now, for your boy is going to school." Farmer: "Not on your life! Let him walk, the same as I did!" HER FIRST GAME She fatter the scrimmage) : "Football is an awfully rough game, isn't it?" Her Escort: "Why. yes. You didn't expect to see it settled by arbitraticm, did you?" Montana Wild Life 11 To MEET the heavy demand for rain- bow trout, the Montana Fish and Game Commission decided some years ago upon Lake Francis, near Va- lier in Pondera county, as water suit- able for this specie and proceeded to stock it heavily for the purpose of mak- ing it the rainbow spawning station of the state. This, in conjunction with Georgetown Lake, with its black-spotted trout, would leave but little to be de- sired in the way of trout eggs. Construction work on the traps and hatchery or eyeing station was started about the middle of September of last year and was completed by the end of November. The plant is located on the feeder canal about five and a halt miles from Valier. The hatchery water is taken out of the canal a half mile dis- tant and carried into the building through an underground pipe line. The hatchery is substantially con- structed of concrete floor and founda- tion and houses 40 redwood troughs which have a capacity of from 10,000,000 to 12.000,000 eggs for the season. Built into the hatchery building are three- room living quarters for the employes and a shop room. The traps, patterned much after the Flint Creek traps at Georgetown Lake, are of concrete walls with concrete aprons where there is any danger of the water cutting the bottom of the trap. During the spring of 1930 a total of 3.121.000 steelhead rainbow eggs were collected. These eggs were eyed and shipped out to the hatcheries over the state for hatching and distribution. Much better results should be obtained in the next few seasons, as the plants of rain- bow (Salmo Shasta) which have been made in the lake during 1927-28-29 will reach the spawning age in this order and should bolster the egg take mate- rially. During the 1930 season better than 300.000 fingerlings of this specie were planted in the lake from the Great Falls hatchery. It is difficult to imagine any lake equaling Georgetown Lake for egg pro- duction, but from every angle Lake Francis compares most favorably. In area it is larger than Georgetown, water has more depth and contains an unlimited supply of natural food. One major point in its favor is the water supply during the spawning season — located, as the traps are. on the feeder canal, assures an abundance of water at the right time as the irrigation com- pany is then filling the lake with all available water and as the supply comes from their upper reservoir and a large drainage area an abundance is assured. Dude Ranchers to Meet at Billings THE annual convention of the Dude Ranchers' Association will be held for the second consecutive time in Billings, November 17. IS and 19. Ses- sions will be in the Northern hotel, it was announced by I. H. Larom of Val- ley. Wyo.. president of the association. Invitations have been extended to Governor Emerson of Wyoming. Gov- ernor J. E. Erickson and congressional representatives of both states, the an- nouncement said. Assurance has been given that heads of state departments will be present, besides officials of the government. Forest Service, National Park Service, Biological Survey and other federal bureaus whose work is in contact with the dude ranch industry. Representatives of the Montana Sportsmen's Association and similar or- ganizations of several northwestern states also may attend and an important subject of the convention will be the drafting of resolutions aimed at more effective legislation for the protection of fish and game in various states rep- resented at the meeting. Passenger traffic officials of the Northern Pacific and Burlington rail- roads also are to take part in the de- liberations and business sessions. T. Joe Cahlll, executive secretary of the association, who is now putting the dude ranchers to the front at New York and Boston rodeos, will be at the meet- ings. An enlarged program for putting the industry before people of the country will be worked out and details of the 1930-31 advertising season will be ap- proved, it was announced. Officers of the association are, besides Mr. Larom: A. H. Croonquist, vice-pres- ident, and Ernest Miller, secretary- treasurer. Directors are Paul Van Cleve. Big Timber: Simon Snyder, Painter, Wyo.: Frank Horton, Buffalo, Wyo.; J. W. Howell, Cody, Wyo.; Chas. Moore. Dubois, Wyo.; L. H. Lambkin, Lincoln; A. R. Alderson, Birney; Chas. R. Murphy, Livingston, and Irving Corse, Moose, Wyo. "Yes, it is really remarkable." ob- served mother at the head of the table. "Clifford seems to eat twice as much chicken when we have visitors." "Indeed!" exclaimed the lady visitor. "And pray, why is that, Clifford?" "'Cause that's the only time we have it!" replied the truthful lad. 12 Montana Wild Life MEMBERS of the Butte Anglers' Club, perhaps the largest organi- zation of sportsmen in Montana, have dedicated what is regarded as the largest rearing pond in the world. The ponds, made possible through coopera- tion of the Butte club with the State Fish and Game Commission, are at Maiden Rock, one of the scenic spots of the state. Several thousand persons, including members of the Butte Anglers' Club and their families and anglers from nearby towns, gathered for the dedication of the new trout-rearing ponds. Mrs. D. G. Stivers officially dedicated the ponds when she released about a third of a million rainbow trout fingerlings into the waters. Mrs. Stivers was presented to the crowd by William Carpenter, president of the Anglers' club. .The day was perfect and a general program of sports was enjoyed. Dave Kilroy, chairman of the picnic commit- tee, had everything in readiness for the visitors. He also acted as master of ceremonies. Mr. Carpenter made a brief talk, outlining the purposes of the con- struction of the ponds and publicly thanking those who made the construc- tion of the ponds possible, either through their financial aid or by work. He especially thanked Mrs. Stivers. Mayor M. Kerr Beadle of Butte was one of the speakers. He said that he had been a member of the Anglers' Club since its inception and that the club was doing untold good in bringing sport and happiness to the working men of Butte and his family. He highly com- plimented the committee and officers of the club in the fulfillment of their ef- forts in the building of the rearing ponds. The ponds were named for W. D. Thornton, former well known Butte business man and sportsman, but now of New York. Mr. Thornton, who re- turns to Montana every summer for a month's fishing on the Madison River, gave a large contribution which made the completion of the project possible. Picnic baskets were brought and the club furnished coffee, doughnuts, cream and sugar. The committee handling the refreshments consisted of Ben Hardin, chairman; Fred Rosselet and R. W. Osenbrug. Dr. C. S. Renouard, B. J. Gunderson and Larry Manion looked after the athletic events, and W. L. Beaty had to do the judging of the newly-caught trout. The prize for the largest rainbow landed during the day went to Ben Henry, who brought in one weighing two and one-half pounds. Ben Mole took second prize with one weighing two and one-quarter pounds. Winners of the events were Floyd Noyes, first; B. J. Gunderson, second, in the golf driving contest; Emmett Gal- lagher, first, and H. Bergman, second, 75-yard dash for boys under 14 ; Doris In, first, and Susan Stockdale, sec- ,, 75-yard dash for girls under 14; and M. J. Biner, first ii> the anglers' foot race. F. Hoffman and F. Delaney placed first and second in the 100-yard free- for-all dash; Mrs. Scott placed first and Mrs. Biner second in the baseball-throw- ing event for women. Mrs. Gransberry, first, and Mrs. Biner, second, were win- ners of the hat and coat race for women, while Mrs. P. Delaney and Mrs. W. Gallagher received first prizes for having the largest families present. President William Carpenter's address follows: "Fellow anglers: For several years it has been the desire and ambition of the Butte Anglers' Club to construct an up-to-date trout-rearing pond for the propagation of game fish and one that will enable us to keep our fast-deplet- ing streams well stocked and preserve the name of Montana as a 'sportsman's paradise.' "We believe this to be the largest trout-rearing pond in the world. It is 2,300 feet long with an average width of about 30 feet, and is divided into eight sections or eight separate ponds and has a capacity of about 4,000,000 young fish that can easily be raised to an average length of four to five inches before they are liberated into the streams. The construction of this pond cost about $3,200, of which one-half was raised by our club and the other half being supplied by the Montana State Fish and Game Commission. As I have said, this pond has a capacity of about 4,000,000 fish, but in order to operate it to capacity we will have to have your support, and I believe that it is your duty that when you buy your fishing license, you should at the same time take out a membership in the Butte Anglers' Club. If you do this it will not be many years before the Big Hole River and tributaries will have the finest fishing in Montana. "Two years ago the officials of the Montana Power Company gave the Butte Anglers' Club permission to use an old power building for a fish hatchery. This hatchery is located about eight miles up the river, the building of which has since been equipped with 30 stand- ard size trout-hatching troughs, with a capacity of more than 4,000,000 eggs and a grayling battery capable of hatch- ing 2,000,000 eggs. "There has been a great deal of work connected with the building of this pond and we especially want to thank John L. Boardman and his committee for the able and efficient manner in which they discharged their duties in making this rearing pond possible. We also wish to thank the members of this committee consisting of Mr. Boardman, Dr. H. H. James, Fred Huette, Ben Hardin, Wm. L. (Babe) Rooth and Earl K. Miller. "We also want to thank John O'Don- nell, J. W. Warren, Morris Lathrop and Frank B. Winger for helping in survey- ing and laying out the ponds; also Wil- liam Stussy and A. C. Pratt of the Mon- tana Power Company for going over the details of the plans and making sug- gestions which will make the ponds permanent; L. M. Van Etten for acquir- ing title to the ground; Floyd Noyes and members of the Exchange Club for their assistance in soliciting funds; Fred Pilling and William Bennett for giving us an easement title to that part of the land included in their farm, and I also want to thank our congressman, J. M. Evans, for his interest in the matter of Butte Anglers' Club Hatchery at Divide Montana Wild Life 13 introducing in the house of representa- tives a bill which will give us title to the land upon which our rearing ponds are located, also for securing from con- gress an appropriation of ?35.000 for the establishment of a fish cultural station at Meadow Creek and the Madison River, and the Butte Exchange Club, whose members worked untiringly to raise the necessary funds for completion of the ponds. "It is the intention of the Butte Anglers' Club to name this plant the William D. Thornton Rearing Ponds. This action is taken in consideration of the great personal interest and magnificent financial support that Mr. Thornton has for many years given the Butte Anglers' Club. The amount has been large enough to mean the differ- ence between success and failure of our effort. "We have malnta,ined the activities of the Butte Anglers' Club for the past 27 years upon annual dues of $1 each, and now that we have undertaken the additional work of rearing our fish, our annual feed bill will amount to more than $2,000, and I wish you would bear this in mind in the future when you are asked to contribute your' dollar and will induce enough of your friends to support the club to make up this added expense. "Throughout all the history of the club there has been one individual who has given more of his personal service to the club than any other. I refer to Col. D. G. Stivers, past president, and in recognition of this valuable service we have asked his wife, who is also an ardent follower of the sport of angling, to perform the ceremony of dedication." Scratching Post for Poor Fish INLAND city though it may be, Wil- liston, North Dakota, boasts an aquatic wonder, a fish flea. That the unusual flea was discovered by a jeweler may make this seem more than ever a fish story but here's the how, when and where: The jeweler noticed that one of his pet goldfish was ill. He watched it carefully, observing that the patient squirmed a great deal. In fact, had the fish been a dog, he would have decided at once that it had fleas. By means of his microscope, he claims to have de- tected a small object on the fish. He asserts he removed it and all was v.'ell again. The flea, with its biting, had caused all the trouble for the poor gold- fish. One of the possibilities suggested by this remarkable discovery is the addi- tion of new equipment to the fish bowl and it is probable that a scratching post will soon be a requisite of any well regulated aquarium. Then, again, why not promote an aquatic flea circus? That should at- tract attention if the pests can be prop- erly trained. Deputy Wardens Honor Marlowe T. N. Marlowe AS AN expres- sion of appre- ciation for the splendid work ac- c o m p 1 i s h e d by Thomas N. Marlowe in more than 10 vears as a member of the State Fish and Game Commis sion, the 27 game wardens of the state have presented him with one of the fin- est guns obtainable. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- lowe were invited to the home of W. A. Hill, deputy game warden at Missoula, for an evening's game of bridge. Mr. Marlowe, however, was surprised to find that a number of Missoula sportsmen were also in- vited and that the occasion was ar- ranged to present him with the gun and 27 letters written by the donors, lauding his achievements. On the stock of the gun, which is of walnut, appears this inscription: "Presented to Thomas N. Marlowe, Chairman of the Montana Fish and Game Commission, by the Game War- dens of Montana, 1930." The gun was made especially by the Winchester Arms Company of New Haven and this company made a donation toward the gift. It is a 12-guage pump gun with a ribbed barrel. The gun was enclosed in a beautiful leather case. Mr. Marlowe was appointed as a member of the Commission in 1919 and since April. 1921, has been chairman, an office he has held longer than any other man since the Commission's es- tablishment in 1911. Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor, Thy hair soft, lifted by the winnowing wind ; Or, on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep. Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while the hook Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers; And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Steady thy laden head across a brook; Or by a cider-press, with patient look Thou watchest the last oozing, hours and hours. Where are the songs of spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them; thou hast thy music, too. While barred clouds bloom the soft, dying day. And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue; Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river swallows, borne aloft Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn; Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft The redbreast whistles from a garden croft. And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. Autumn Season of mists and mellow fruitful- ness! Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that 'round the that-eaves run ; To bend with apples the moss'd cot- tage trees. And fill all fruits with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel ; to set budding more. And still more, later flowers for the bees Until they think warm days will never cease. For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells. Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? Patrol Is Planned To Protect Elk TWENTY-TWO men will be assigned to game patrol work north of Yel- lowstone Park this season, as the result of a conference of Forest Serv- ice, State Game Department and Na- tional Park Service officials, held at Mammoth Hot Springs. Five hundred head of elk was fixed as the limit which may be killed from the northern herd at the Yellowstone canyon, out of Gardiner. After that number of casualties, the State Game Commission will close the season. This does not apply to the elk coming out in the Madison or Gallatin valleys. Last year 165 elk were killed in the Gardiner or Yellowstone herd, 465 in the Gallatin herd, and about 100 in the Madison herd. Winter feed conditions are slightly better this year than last, as the region enjoyed more rainfall than in the past, the precipitation for August being three inches greater than at any time in the last 40 years. The open season will continue from October 15 to December 20, having been extended somewhat because the elk do not leave the park until severe weather forces them out. The herd numbers about 10,600. Checking stations and the patrol sys- tem were adopted again to permit an accurate count on the kill. The dele- gates favored alternate hunting days in Yellowstone Valley, north of the park, to give the animals an opportu- nity to scatter more widely. 14 Montana Wild Life Moetae^ Mae Wieg Federrf Prooiotioe George Mushbach GEORGE E. MUSHBACH, federal game protector in the Montana area since 1919, has been named superintend- ent of the great Bear River migra- tory bird refuge in Utali and has left the state to take up work assigned him )y the department of Biological Sur- vey. He will also be inspector of game refuges in 11 western states. Mr. Mushbach, who was born in Alexandria, Va., came to Montana in 18S5 with his parents, his dad, J. E. Mushbach, now being custodian of the state capitol buildings at Helena. The early days of the younger Mushbach were spent on his father's farm in Carbon county. In June, 1913, he was deputy game warden under the late J. L. DeHart and remained in that work until 1919 when he was selected federal game protector in this area after competitive examina- tion. He has maintained headquarters at Billings and now moves to Utah. In its program of wild life conserva- tion, one of the most important things the United States government is doing is the establishing of refuges for migra- tory birds throughout the United States, according to Mr. Mushbach. In addition to several refuges which were started through special acts of congress, a bill passed in 1928 author- izes the expenditure of $8,000,000 during the next 10 years for the acquisition and development of other suitable areas for migratory bird refuges which will always be inviolate sanctuaries in which no shooting will be permitted. The government has purchased two areas under this law; one of 32,000 acres in South Carolina and another of 5,000 acres in the San Luis Valley in Colorado. Officials of the Bureau of Biological Survey, which has charge of the game conservation work, have in- spected a number of areas in Montana and other western states as possible refuges. Among projects which are already under way under special enactments is the Bear River refuge of which Mr. Mushbach will be in charge. More con- struction work in creating conditions Better DUCK Shooting V 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 for waterfowl and fur bearers. Also parched wild rice for table use. GEO. D. HAMILTON'S AQUATIC FARMS Box 16 Detroit, Minnesota for migratory birds has been done on this project than any other. Around 30 miles of dikes have been built and con- trols have been placed in the Bear River, so that the water can be kept at all times at the most suitable depths. There are about 52,000 acres in the project of which 40,000 will be under water. The section is a natural marsh frequented b;i all types of waterfowl. In dry seasons a duck malady attributed to the heavily mineral impregnaicd waters has caused the loss of thousands of wild ducks in this region and one of the purposes of the project is to create a body of fresh water where this condition can be regulated. The largest project thus far developed is the Upper Mississippi Wild Life and Fish refuge which contains 163,468 acres. This consists of Mississippi bot- tom lands on both sides of the river for a distance of 300 miles in a narrow strip which runs through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. At the last session of congress ap- propriations were made for the acquisi- tion of a large tract of land on the Cheyenne River bottoms in Kansas. The land has been acquired and work on the project is now in progress. The Benton Lake refuge 12 miles north of Great Falls in Montana has the promise of becoming a valuable area among the smaller refuges. It consists of 12,334 acres and was created through the withdrawal of public lands by presi- dential proclamation. The Fort Keogh range station has also been made a federal refuge for migratory and upland birds and also for such game as may be on the re- serve. The main purpose of the refuges Is to provide suitable nesting, breeding and feeding grounds for the birds along the paths of the main migration. It has become apparent, according to Mr. High Class Mink .$90.00 pair. Castor- rex and Color-rex Babbits from Tni- ported Stock $20.00 and np. STRONG'S FUR FARM Box 411, Livlng'ston, Mont. Mushbach, that steps of this kind have become necessary to perpetuate the migratory waterfowl. Conditions during the last two years have been unsatisfactory owing largely to drought conditions in the northwest. A careful investigation by the Biological Survey has revealed the fact that the hatch in Canada where 75 per cent of the birds which come to this country annually are reared has been reduced this year 50 per cent under last. Owing to the drought, the hatch last year, particularly in Saskatchewan and Al- berta, was under normal. For a number of years the inroads by agricultural activities and the drain- age of former habitats of migratory fowls have reduced the areas which the birds once inhabited. Swamp lands in many sections have been drained. The settling and cultivation of lands has also reduced natural ponds and lakes as the spring runoff of water which formerly filled them is now largely ab- sorbed by the cultivated lands. It is therefore important it the sup- ply of migratory birds is to be main- tained for the sportsman and wild lite hunter that steps be taken to provide areas sufficiently large and well adapted in the natural conditions under which they thrive and increase. In the com- ing 10 years there should be a won- derful improvement as the result of the establishment of these refuges, Mr. Mushbach believes. As it will take time before the bene- fits from these refuges will be felt, the need of other measures for the protec- Outstanding Are the trophies mounted In our shop. FINS— FURS FEATHERS Lentfer Bros. Successors to Jonas Bros. Taxidermists 216 W. Park St. Livingston, Mont. Phone 337-W SERVING- 118 Montana Cities and Towns THE MONTANA POWER CO. Montana Wild Life 15 tion of the birds has become apparent. One of the most important of these, which was put into effect tliis year for tlie first time, is tlie reduction of tlie daily bird limit in the opeu seasons on ducks and geese. By order of the Secretary of Agricul- ture under the national migratory bird law, the limit has been reduced from 25 to 15 a day for ducks and from eight to four tor geese. A two-day bag limit of 30 ducks and eight geese, which are all that may be in the possession of any hunter at one time, was also provided. These regulations went into effect at the beginning of the hunting season. The government, as well as state de- partments and sportsmen's associations, is calling on the sportsmen of the coun- try generally to reduce the kill on their own volition to a point as much below the point of legal requirements as pos- sible. In many sections sportsmen are mis- led into believing that there are great quantities of ducks, because the birds have concentrated on suitable water areas as a result of the dry conditions elsewhere. In some areas, where there were formerly only a few hundred birds, there may be thousands this year, leav- ing the impression that the number of birds is increasing. These birds in a wet year would be spread over many small ponds and lakes now dry. The Bureau of Biological Survey is charged with the administration of the migratory bird laws which were enacted to give effect to the treaty between Great Britain and the United States for the protection of birds migrating be- tween this country and Canada. In all but a few states the laws have been made to conform with the federal regulations. In the states where the laws do not conform, the federal law takes precedence e.\cept where the state law gives greater protection to the birds. After the passage of the law in 191S there was quite a noticeable increase in the supply of migratory birds until during the last two seasons, when with the untoward weather conditions it has FOXES Pen- Raised Alaskan Blues and Pedigreed SiIvcts. Order Now — Early Delivery more satisfactory. We guarantee, in Your bands or Ouis, 100%increase under ranching con- tract on adult Blues. 6 BankRef. for 25 yrs. and Satisfied customers. Breedei^Agenta wanted— Yourreal opportun- ity, "One of the World's largest" — Free booklet tells all "I.EAKT BROS..FoxFaniu.EmpsreBldg..SEA'rrLE.U.S.A been necessary to give further protec- tion. As a result of the law, spring shoot- ing has been abolished which was for- merly prevalent in a number of sections. The sale of game birds has also been prohibited. The open seasons on water- fowl have been regulated by zones and considerably shortened. Refuges for big game and for the upland birds not covered by the migra- tory bird law are also a part of the program of the federal Biological Sur- vey. The government now has five big game refuges for buffalo, antelope, elk, deer, mountain sheep and other animals. The National Bison Range near Moiese in the Flathead country is perhaps the best known of these to Montana people. In the Jackson Hole country of north- ern Wyoming, the government has win- ter feeding grounds for the southern elk herd of Yellowstone Park. Various game agencies and sports- men's associations are also working on a program to acquire considerable areas of land on the northern border of Yel- lowstone Park as a winter range for the northern herd. Congress has ap- propriated $150,000 contingent on its be- ing matched by private funds for this purpose. It Is proposed to exchange certain lands along the border and also to make purchases from private own- ers. The present problem of the north- ern herd is one of winter range within the park. In winter, however, they are forced out of the park and often do considerable damage to private interests. Feeding grounds for the antelope herd within the park have been established through purchases from private funds along the Yellowstone River north of Gardiner. This is administered by the Park Service. The antelope come down to Gardiner in the winter and are held on these grounds. MONTANA MADE The Pott Trout Files Hand Woven Hackle and Bodies of Selected Hair F. B. POTT Missoula, Montana SPORTSMEN — Recognize this as Headquarters for All Hunting, Fishing and Camping Equipment THE MONTANA HARDWARE Department of Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Butte, Montana In Nebraska the government owns the Niobrara refuge where there are buffalo, elk, deer, antelope and upland birds. In the Sully's Hill refuge in North Dakota, buffalo, elk, deer and both migratory birds and upland birds are found. The Wind Cave refuge in South Dakota finds space for protected buffalo, elk, antelope and upland birds. Through these measures the govern- ment and other agencies interested in wild life conservation hope to prevent the wild ducks and geese and the vari- ous upland birds such as grouse and quail, from meeting the fate of the pas- senger pigeon and heath hen, once equally abundant, while the buffalo, elk, deer and antelope, which were once close to extinction, will be allowed to increase to the limits of the particular ranges available for them. Wifie (in a telegram): "In four weeks I have reduced my weight by half. How long shall I stay?" Husband (wiring back) : "Four weeks." If George Brown, who deserted his wife and baby twenty-five years ago, will return, the aforesaid baby will knock the stuffin' out of him. — Frivol. Teacher: "Johnny, take this sentence: 'Lead the cow from the pasture.' What mood?" Johnny: "The cow, ma'am." Hercules Alaskan Si ver Black Foxes Write for information and prices. Idaho Fox Farm Co., Porthill, 1 Idaho, or Hugo Renlund, Red Lodge Mont. 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. Jonas Brothers Master Taxidermists 1036 Broadway Denver, Colorado 16 ^ .^Z-',^' Montana 7 Wild b Life Sec. 4351/2, p. L.&R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Helena, Montana Permit No. 27 WILD LIFE VALUABLE DURING the Civil War times and shortly thereafter, over two hun- dred million dollars in gold was washed from the gulches in Montana. The people who first attained this great wealth paid little for it. Our wild life is one of our few resources that com- pares in many ways with this gold," according to B. F. Gerry, secretary of the Montana Sportsmen's Association. "Nature has been much kinder to us with our wild life in giving us a great abundance of practically all species and making it possible for us to utilize this great natural resource tor all time to come if we as sportsmen and broad- minded and appreciative citizens will but exercise a small amount of good sportsmanship, realization and apprecia- tion of this great wealth. It is only necessary that each and every citizen lend his aid in a small way continu- ously to enjoy our wild life, and it will eventually yield more than the gold has in the past. "Over 40,000,000 people vacation each year and we are fortunate in that Mon- tana, with the two National Parks, of- fers the greatest recreational region in the world. Many states receive mil- lions of dolars from tourists each year. Minnesota alone received nearly $S2,- 000,000 in 1929. Our future tourist trade will -leave millions of dollars in our state and our wild life is one of the greatest attractions. Surely this is a crop worth cultivating. Will our forests, vallejs, and streams continue to be as attractive if we allow this wild life to become depleted? "Outdoor recreation builds stronger and cleaner bodies and minds. All of the gold in the world could not accom- plish this, nor is it worth as much as good health. "This great state has unlimited pos- sibilities and many undeveloped re- sources. We are in need of more peo- ple and our wild life can and will play an important part in making Montana more attractive from a residential standpoint. New citizens generally en- ter a state first as tourists. If they receive a favorable impression they often have a desire to make that state their future home. "Civilization upsets Nature, and each year our preservation becomes more dif- ficult and naturally requires more money to carry on. The laws of Nature demand compensation tor everything, and Nature has her own unrelenting code, which few people fully realize. Without replenishment we cannot hope forever to continue to draw upon her supply of wild life and not deplete it. "The time is now present when we must propagate more than ever if we are to enjoy the same abundance in the years to come. If this cannot be ac- complished it then will become neces- sary to shorten the open seasons and reduce the bag limits. "More propagation and protection of wild life, fish hatcheries, rearing ponds Sufficient A little house, a bush, a tree, A laughing child to play with me. A task that fills the fragrant days. But leaving time for prayer and praise. A garden bright with pink and gold, Full harvest as the year grows old. For every day some bookly gain; For twilight, music's sweet refrain. A dozen friends with gifts of cheer. And love, more tender year by year. With these, and Autumn at the door — What mortal man could ask for more! — Thomas Curtis Clark. and game farms will require more funds. This increase can be brought about by an increase in our lisuing aim uuua.id licenses. This increase will help to carry on this important work and also help to check depletion of our wild life so that we may continue to enjoy the many advantages of our present abundance. "The Montana Sportsmen's Associa- tion has gone on record in favor of an increase in license. Their work is car- ried on for the benefit of all citizens in the perpetuation of Montana's great out-of-door life." TOOLE FOB $3 LICENSE THREE dollars is favored by the members of the Toole County Sportsmen's Association as the logical amount to charge for the Mon- tana hunting and fishing license. This action was taken at the regular monthly meeting held at the Capitol Cafe at Shelby. After a discussion re- garding the matter of the change of the license fee from $2 to $3 a vote was taken with the members being unanimously in favor of the increase. It was agreed that $2 for license fees doesn't bring enough revenue for the Commission to do the amount of game preservation work in the state that should be done. The Toole county as- sociation has felt this in their recent efforts in trying to get a game warden stationed in their county. BANDED DUCK KILLED TOM CHAMBERLAIN, 2116 Seventh Avenue North, Great Falls, was the first duck hunter in Montana to bring down a bird with a seal at- tached to one of its legs, according to reports. Chamberlain was hunting on the opening day on the sloughs east of Agawam. He knocked down a large mallard duck on which he found the Survey seal No. A650237 and a request to notify the Biological Survey depart- ment at Washington, D. C. ELK DECLINE TO MOVE THIRTY fat elk take the position that it's far better to be on the inside looking out than on the outside looking in. Released from the DuRand elk ranch pastures near Martiusdale so that they might live within the nearby elk preserve, these sleek animals re- fuse to leave the vicinity of their for- mer home. Life was easy there and food was good — why change? As a result the elk have been loitering close to the ranch fences, apparently beg- ging to be taken back. Their attitude has given rise to a problem of animal salesmanship — how best to sell them to the advantage of a preserve. ANOTHER BANDED DUCK A MALLARD hen duck killed by Charles Hertz on the VanGundy pond near Deer Lodge had a copper band on one of its legs on which the following words were stenciled: "Notify Biological Survey, Washington, D. C, A661221." ELK MA¥ SUFFER HEAVY losses in the Sun River elk herd in northern Montana are possible if the coming winter is a hard one, according to Glen A. Smith, president of the Montana Sportsmen's Association, who has returned from the region. There are now 5,000 to 6,000 head of elk in the Sun River country. Heavy use of the range by the elk last winter is one of the reasons for the menacing situation at present. The drought and the grasshoppers are large contributing factors and the winter range is not in good shape. There was a good calf crop this year, but if there is a hard winter season the chances are that there will be some losses, Mr. Smith said. The elk have been forced to come down from the highlands into private tracts for some seasons and as the range is not as good as last year, they will probably come out of the reserve in large num- bers this winter. WIN PRIZES IN DRFVE TIE Upper Musselshell Sportsmen's Association's annual predatory ani- mal drive has ended, and the points made by boy contestants were taken from time to time to Sheriff Clark's office. It was determined at the sheriff's office by the president of the association, H. H. Hendrickson, that Charles Shumaker of Two Dot had .won first prize, a .22 repeating rifle, his total number of points being 6.641, with the following predatory animals killed: 16 coyotes, 11 weasels, 24 hawks, 74 magpies, 78 crows, 10 woodchucks and 2,240 gophers. Second prize was won by Arnold Sherbun of Harlowton, an $il bamboo fishing rod. He reported having caught 620 gophers and was allowed 1,240 points.