VOLUMF 1 NUMBER. 4 fc'lAL PUBLICATIOH OP THF STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Prairie IJrails by Constance CDarion Simpson "Helena, CDontana Some folks like the bridle paths that ivind through Central Park, And think that ridin' 'long the shore is quite a sportsome lark; But give to me the far, clean space of range-land in the tvest, And black-fringed slopes of canyon sides, for that's what I like best. A wiry pony under me, a trail stretched out before, A clear cool daivn, on up-flung peak, and I'll not ask for more. A swinging quiet, a rocky wash, a leap across a pike — When once you've ridden prairie trails, you know what ridin's like. Now some folks like the fancy eats that go with life in town. The whine of fiddles with their food, to help 'em choke it down; But give to me red embers, with blue smoke curlin' up, A tin-pan and a jack-knife, and a dented old tin cup; The amber fluid steaming in a blackened coffee-pot, A rough old battered frying pan, a flap- jack smokin' hot; A bacon rind, a spud or two, a bubblin' pot of beans; When once you've eaten prairie food, you know what eatin' means. And some folks seek the downy spots, when time has come to sleep, And sink their city softened frames in feathers warm and deep; But give to me a bed of boughs, the fire a-dyin' down. The friendly stars a-watchin' me, the mountains velvet brown, Outlined against the afterglow; a curlew whispering ; A sailing shadow overhead, an eagle on the wing; A wakeful cricket's monotone, a startled grouse's whiz; When once you've slept the prairie way, you know what sleepin' is. MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of The State Fish and Game Commission VOL. I. HELENA, MONTANA, SEPTEMBER, 1928. NO. 4. By GEORGE E. MUSHBACH, United States Game Protector G. E. Mushbach WHEN THE season for waterfowl opens in Montana on September 16 the duck hunter may look forward to excellent shoot- ing if present indi- cations are to be relied upon. Re- ports from various sections of the state are to the effect that ducks are plen- tiful. A careful sur- vey of waterfowl conditions in east- ern Montana, re- cently conducted by the writer, showed a most satisfactory and gratifying situ- ation. In the principal waterfowl areas of Yellowstone, Musselshell, Stillwater, and adjoining counties, wild ducks and several varieties of shore birds are more numerous this year than during any previous season of the last six or eight years. On August 9 an inspection of Big Lake, Stillwater county, disclosed an amazing congregation of waterfowl. This lake was virtually dry three years ago, but for the succeeding seasons has been refilling, gradually, until at the present time the water-level has reached a stage unequaled for the last seven or eight years. As a consequence of favorable water and feed conditions Big Lake, on the date mentioned, was teeming with waterfowl. At the time inspection oc- curred it was warm, better than 100 degrees in the shade, — of which there was none — and the ducks were rafted in a mass near the shore, or lined up at the water's edge. At places where the shore would be visible for from one to one and one-half miles, or more, there was a solid, unbroken line of ducks, of various species, for the entire distance. Upon being approached the birds close in would take to wing, they in turn putting up the others along the line until all in that particular section would be in flight, wheeling about for a brief period, then coming to rest again at some nearby favorable point. Each of these sectors contained any- where from 2,000 to 4,000 ducks. This condition prevailed, in various degrees, on every portion of the lake. A con- servative estimate of the ducks on Big Lake this day would be 25,000 to 30,000. Many of the birds were this year's local hatch. Back in secluded bays and sloughs families of young, not yet able to fly, were discovered in considerable numbers. These late-hatched ducks ranged from those in the downy stage, a day or so old, up to the "floppers" feathered but for their wings. Other sections of eastern Montana disclose an abundant crop of ducks. Lake Mason, near Roundup, totally dry a few years ago, is again well filled, and ducks are there in large numbers. This is an excellent nesting area and should provide fine hunting this fall, unless all signs fail. Particular stress is placed upon con- ditions in southeastern Montana be- cause of the fact that the outlook there has been very discouraging for the last several years. A succession of dry seasons played havoc with the homes of the waterfowl. The "duck factories" of that section went out of business, pretty much, and the product was lean. Last spring it was noticeable that op- erations were being resumed, although the hatching season was unfavorable due to an over-abundance of water coming after the nesting had com- menced. This condition did not exist, however, this spring and the "expectant mothers" had easy sledding. This is exemplified by the large fine families that have put in an appearance. Dur- ing bad years hen ducks trailed by one or two, or at the outside, five or six ducklings, prevailed. This year many families of eight to fourteen were ob- served and on one occasion an old lady with eighteen bouncing babies was noted, indicating no apparent attempt at birth control, nor interference from outside agencies. In years past hordes of wild ducks, geese, and other waterfowl winged their CONSERVATION MR. SPORTSMAN, conservation of Montana's natural resources means: More and better forests — More fish — More game — Better hunting — Greater opportunities for healthful recreation — More and better water — More and cheaper water power — More and better parks — In a word, a better state in which to live. way south each fall through a migra- tion lane extending almost due south from Lake Bowdoin, in Phillips county, across the state. This route of flight was interspersed for its entire length with small lakes and ponds suitable for resting and feeding grounds for the waterfowl as they wended their way, leisurely, on the journey to their winter homes. Well satisfied with the accommodations and bounty afforded on the southern trip, the performance was repeated each spring when the birds returned to their homes in the north- land to raise families, and would route themselves over the same territory. Many of the birds upon arrival in the state remained and brought forth their broods. However, a few years ago a succes- sion of dry years caused the majority of the lakes and ponds of eastern Mon- tana to go dry, forming an arid path in no way suited to the needs and re- quirements of waterfowl. Consequently the flocks detoured to a more desirable route. The areas that formerly har- bored them knew them no more and the water bird population was reduced to a mere corporal's guard. Then, two seasons ago, came the commencement of the wet cycle, and dry lakes and ponds gradually started to come back and to renew their former state. With it came the birds, not in their former large numbers, but a no- ticeable increase. Scouting parties, per- haps, on reconnoiter, were these. Ap- parently the report was favorable for traffic was resumed, increasing until the former path of flight has been nearly fully re-established. The flights seem to be back to normal almost, or at least reaching an abundance greater than at any time within the last eight years. Food conditions appear to be much improved also, which no doubt is an additional credit for the increase. The efforts of the Montana State Pish and Game Commission in introducing suit- able duck food are evidently bearing fruit. This is particularly true of the wapato, or duck potato, which was formerly scant where it appeared at all. Beds where this plant is now prolific have been noted. Due to the fact that no plantings were made in these par- ticular areas it is significant, and it may be inferred that the fowl them- selves effected the distribution, having gathered the plants at other points where the Commission had caused plantings to be made. MONTANA WILD LIFE Closed Se^soe Heetieg oe Niee Pipe By J. B. HALM, Missoula, Montana BEEN FISHING?" asked a sports- man friend a short time ago. "No, I've been hunting," I re- plied. "Hunting what?" he queried witli a puzzled look. "Oh, ducks and birds at tlie Bird Refuge on Nine Pipe Reservoir," and as I produced a bulging envelope of pictures, he seemed relieved. After looking over the collection, he said: "Why, I never dreamed there were so many birds up there." I admitted that I had also been sur- prised. Almost every week-end this spring and summer has found me tramping around the bird refuge with a camera. There is a noticeable increase in nests and nesting birds within tlie refuge over previous years, due, I am sure, to the fence built two years ago by the Montana State Pish and Game Com- mission, for the exclusion of stock from the area, which permits the accumula- tion of an ever-increasing amount of grass, weeds and tulles. This affords shelter for the nests and young birds, and insect food as well. In one place I counted fifteen broods of ducks within a radius of a few Hr>TIXO WITH A CAMERA THE SPORTSMAN who does his hunting with a camera is a rare bird, yet his wholesome species is increasing. J. B. Halm of Mis- soula, author of the accompanying interesting article and the photogra- pher who has taken these remark- able pictures of migratory water- fowl in Montana, has a cabin on the shore of Nine Pipe reservoir in Lake county and goes there from Missoula to spend his rest days during the summer and fall, making observa- tions of nesting conditions. The State Fish and Game Commission recently fenced the reservoir and se- cured a lease from the reclamation service. The Commission is paying a caretaker eight months of the year to patrol the area and keep out roving stock. In this work the Western Montana Fish and Game Association is aiding. It's but an- other demonstration of what is be- ing achieved in preserving wild life through activities of the State Com- mission, cooperating with clubs of sportsmen. acres. These were mostly mallards, some coots, mergansers, widgeon and one teal with her brood of nine young- sters. As I came upon the latter the little mother tried all her cunning an- tics to coax me away from her little family. The avocet, that graceful long-legged wader, has also found a refuge there for its nests and unless exterminated by thoughtless gunners, that almost ex- tinct bird, with its sharp "plink, plink" cry, will again become a familiar sight in western Montana. In one section of the enclosure I noticed signs of stock, the grass was trampled and the tulles broken down. Tliere I found no nests save a few blackbirds. I was told some one had taken advantage of the overseer's tem- porary absence and turned stock in. On one small island, scarcely larger than a city lot, I found sixteen avocet, five killdeer, four common tern, two sooty tern, two sandpipers, one widgeon and several blackbirds' nests. Had stock been permitted to roam here few, it any, of these nests would have been tliere. Almost without exception every egg has hatched and released its little feathered prisoner. In photographing and studying the birds and wild life around the bird refuge on Nine Pipe, I came across many places within adjacent wheat fields where as much as one-quarter Here's a group of significant pictures taken at the bird refuge at Nine Pipe by J. B. Halm of Missoula. On the outstretched hand is a baby avocet, the daughter of the beautiful mother equipped with the long bill in the picture on the opposite page. Nests of the mallards are cozied by feathers plucked from the breast of the mother. The warfare against weasels, foes ot the game birds, is indicated by the traps and their victims hanging on the sign at the preserve boundary. Constant vigilance is required to protect the nests and young from attacks of natural enemies. MONTANA WILD LIFE acre of grain was destroyed, stalks were broken down and the heads gone or threshed out. "Ducks." was my ver- dict. I decided to find out just which ducks did the damage. I soon found that my decision had been too hasty and that the ducks were innocent of this depredation. Gophers were the culprits. These little pests were carry- ing off and destroying great quantities of grain. A few farmers have complained of ducks damaging their crops. While I have no doubt this is true to some ex- tent, especially after the grain is cut and in shock, my findings thus far have been that the ground squirrel is really responsible for the greatest de- struction. I, for one, feel that further cooperation with the farmer in the ex- termination of this pest in the vicinity of the refuge would do much toward creating a closer relationship between the farmer and the sportsman. M ' son, aged eight, has already caught more than one hundred of these ro- dents, and also two weasels around the refuge. The weasels, without doubt, were directly responsible for the death of at least two young ducks and pos- sibly some tern which we found near their den with their necks torn. I found most duck nests in the tall grass and dry weeds; some were under fences and others in adjoining alfalfa fields. One mallard nest which I had photographed was destroyed by crows just beneath a fence in a comparatively open place and crows sitting on the fence evidently took advantage of Mrs. Mallard's absence and raided the nest. Alfalfa fields seem to be favorite places for the mallards, as few farmers irrigate the first crop, and as the birds mostly hatch before the first cutting, few nests are destroyed and the ma- jority come off with large early broods. One spoonbill had her nest out in the open in the dry grass within the pre- serve, only a few feet from where she had it last year. The nests of coots and mergansers were, almost without exception, afloat in the water among the tall grass and tulles. The mallards have begun to flock up and from present indications the duck crop will be better than average this fall. FIR MEX USE TKIE X.VMES AT A MEETING presided over by President Humphrey of the Fed- eral Trade Commission the repre- sentatives of the fur trade industry, 90 per cent of which were represented, agreed to abandon the use of false and misleading names for manufactured furs in advertising. It has been the practice of many manufacturers and dealers to use any name they might consider suitable or attractive and that would tend to help sell the goods. The public is entitled to know what it is buying and should not be sold "beaver," "mink" or "seal" which is in reality rabbit, house cat or muskrat. That the fur industry has agreed to discontinue this sort of mis- leading advertising is to its credit and will be appreciated by the public. Neither is it likely that the fur trade will be unfavorably affected. The agreement entered into at the conference above referred to included the following: In describing a fur the correct name must be the last word of the descrip- tion, and if any dye or blend is used the word "dyed" or "blended" must be inserted between the name of the fur simulated and the true name. Thus "Hudson seal" would be correctly des- ignated as "seal-dyed muskrat." All furs shaded, blended, tipped, dyed or pointed must be described accord- ingly, as: "Black-dyed fox" or "pointed fox." In referring to a country or section in the name of a fur, the correct coun- try of origin must be used, and trade- marks must not be, by intent or other- wise, misleading or capable of misin- terpretation. .VO\EY I>' ANGLE WORMS EASTERN anglers who answer the call of Montana's out-of-doors are making it possible for Gillman AUer, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. O. E. AUer, to earn his summer spend- ing money at the "Ole Kaintuck" dude ranch on the Boulder river operated b ■ his parents. Gillman has become an angle worm merchant. He operates a small store at the dude ranch. It is adorned with signs telling of his wares and among items on the price list are: "Pop. Candy, Matches, Flies," and also "Fresh Angle Worms, 10 Cents; Grass- hoppers Caught to Order, 15 Cents." These remarkable photographs of nesting ducks taken by Mr. Halm on the Nine Pipe bird refuge in western Montana are splendid examples of the game bag of the sportsman who hunts with the camera. Mother Mallard, looking forward to a downy brood of little quacks, is shown in two instances, paying but little attention to movements of the photographer. The beautifully marked avocet with the long bill is one of Montana's most attractive shore birds. She uses less care in the building of her nest and hatches Johnnie and Jennie Avocet in a less pretentious home than that of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. Bluebills, pintails, teal, black mallards, and all the rest of the migratory waterfowl family make their spring and summer homes at this sanctuary. MONTANA WILD LIFE leteirfeirieg With N^eir© Written for MONTANA WILD LIFE by JACK MINOR, Famed Exponent of Conservation IN GLANCING over the many articles written on the crow, I notice several writers fall back to this old, worn- out argument, "interfering with the balance of Nature". I would like a full explanation of the meaning. Does it mean that no person should at- tempt to assist Nature? If that is what you are trying to tell me, let me kindly say you are wrong, for I have tested it out and know if man will take God at His promise and work in harmony with Him that man can even change the migrating route of the (owls of the air. Now remember, I only have an ABC Sunday School education, but there are a few of His lovable promises I have been privileged to test out and I know they are true. For illustration, I ask you to read Genesis 1:21-26 and 28, when He said, let man have dominion over all. Could anything be written plainer? Last summer our Nettie raised sixty bred-to-lay Plymouth Rocks. We killed and ate twenty-two of the twenty- five roosters. The pullets started laying in October. Now, if we had left the twenty-five cockerels with the thirty- five pullets, would we have had eggs all winter? Don't forget the fowls of the air are all ours and they will come to us for our assistance and protection. Forty-eight years ago this spring our family moved here on the farm that was then all woods, but on our arrival we were terrorized by the rattlesnake stories we heard and really I was expecting to see snakes as large as clothes props that would strike you at a distance of ten or fifteen feet away, and then all was over except a brief report in the weekly town paper: "Those who knew him best, loved him most", and so forth. Well, in a few months I got well acquainted with these rattlers, but, believe me, they were only a little larger than our largest garter snakes and could only strike about a foot or eighteen inches. I have killed as high as six on one Sunday. In fact, I would hunt for hours to find a rattler just to tease him and get him striking a stick. But in a few short years the danger was all over, for, where the snakes were, grew the fields of waving wheat and corn; but. mind you, in order to do this we had to "Interfere with Nature". Which was for the best for humanity — a rattle- snake jungle or a productive grain field? My esteemed friend, Thos. Baty, of London, Ontario, kindly savs: "If Jack ever had a pet crow, he never would kill it." Really this makes me laugh. Say, I wouder if there is a man in America who has gathered up more pets from the woods than I have. Crows, crows, why bless your life, I have had them by the dozens and I will admit they are just JACK MINOR Jack Minor of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada, has nothing whatever to commercialize on his bird sanctuary. He has had so many requests for plans of his crow trap that he gave full plans and specifications to the United States Bureau of Biological Survey, which has made blueprints and printed full Information and de- tails. Montana sportsmen wanting full plans and blueprints of this crow trap can have them by making application to the United States Bu- reau of Biological Survey, Washing- ton, D. C. as cute as they are black. I once had one that would say "Look out!" so plain and sharp that he would cause you to flinch, but I never kept but one to be over a year old. Then he, like all the rest, died, guilty of murder in the first degree. In 1898 I enclosed four acres with a wire fence seven feet high. There I raised English and Ringneck pheasants for profit. This pheasantry was right alongside of my brick and drain tilt manufacturing plant. I could watch my machinery and overlook the pheasan- try all from the same spot. In this way I made my hobby more than self-sustaining and gathered stores of knowledge about the enemies of our birds, and let me say to any young man, breeding game birds for profit is a lovable occupation and there is good money in it. The seven-foot fence is not necessary. All that is required is a dog-proof fence; but remember, unless you educate yourself how to destroy their many enemies, you had better give up the job about two weeks before you start, (or this little innocent-looking weasel that is no larger than a Northern Ontario chipmunk will kill from 20 to 30 of your baby pheasants in one night and crawl through one-inch mesh wire net- ting to do it, but remember, you are "interfering with the balance of Na- ture" if you kill him. I believe the indoor naturalist calls him the mouse weasel, because the ma- jority of his food is mice. Crows must be checked or they will steal every egg laid unless your brood pens are under netting. But after the young pheasants are hatched, I found the hawks and weasels their worst enemy. Fi(ty rods due north o( this engine room door is an elm tree and morning after morn- ing have I seen a crow perched in the top watching my neighbor's turkey hen come through the line fence just 90 rods east o( the tree. Mr. Crow would sit and watch and the very minute the turkey came out of the fence row and started back toward home he would fly straight over and get the egg she had laid. This could all be seen with my field glasses. Smart? I should say so! They are the shrewdest thieves of the bird family, but you say to kill one you are "interfering with the bal- ance of Nature," for God put them here. Yes, I say, God also put the bedbug here, but He gave man dominion over them, and the present generation would hardly know one if they saw it. Crows! God did not put them here to control our poultry, nor our song, insectivorous and game birds. He did not even allow them the privilege of controlling themselves. He left all of this for man to do. Please think that over and look up what He says regard- ing this point. And as for the grass- hoppers the crows eat, this turkey hen's family would condense all of them into a Thanksgiving dinner or into 25 or 50 cents a pound, just as you choose. Now I am not contradicting a word that has been said about the crows Jack Minor's crow trap in which he has caught thousands of these black rascals. Photo shows a catch of 510 taken at one time. MONTANA WILD LIFE eating a few wire worms and grubs and so forth, but here is what I know about it: It he can find them, he will rob at least 100 of our more desirable birds' nests in order to raise his family of four or five, while if any one of these murdered song and insectivorous birds were left to mature, it would do twice as much good as a crow ever did Now if a man wants to make money that man must study money. The pros pector is more apt to find earthly gok than the astronomer. In other words if a man concentrates on one line he is more apt to catch something on that one hook. My friend, Mr. Baty, says if I had had a pet crow to study their habits I would know more about them. Let me reply to my friend and kindly say, when he has studied them enough to catch them by the thousands he will know more about them. Personally, 1 have studied birds more than I have my financial obligations, and I am glad of it. They have brought me closer to God and man. If my life's study hasn't taught me something about the habits of the crow, how did I catch 510 of those organized murderers at one catch? Will you please think that over? I do wish there was nothing but good in the ways of all birds, for I don't want to kill any of them, but how can I be humane and protect a baby murderer? In the spring of 1914 I drove to Point Pelee, about 15 miles, where my intimate friend, Foest H. Conover, and I pulled 360 little red cedar seedlings out of the sand. There was none of them over a foot in height. I brought them home and planted them in the clay on May 15, 1914. I cultivated them for five years and today fully 95 per cent of them are over 12 feet high and have been bearing fruit for the last three or four years. Now isn't that "interfering with Nature"? This is where the five robins that wintered here got their food, and oh, say, we have had a cardinal added to the song- sters, and there hasn't been a day but what he has sung for us and he has fairly set me cardinal crazy or wise and is going to be the cause of more of my "interfering with Nature," for I am going to import some of these winter and summer singers. I am go- ing to put a pair in each cage. Then, in March, I will let the male bird out, but will feed him on the outside of the cage. Here he will stay, just flitter- ing and singing among the trees, but will not go far from his mate who is still in captivity. Then, after he has got well acquainted with the whole outside proposition, I will let her out and in this way I expect to have the whole place cardinal with song. Dear readers, don't let me try it first. Jump in ahead of me. It can be done. Yes, if you are privileged to live in the country, you can make your home into a little earthly heaven by "interfering with the balance of Na- ture," as you call it, but as I term it, "assisting Nature," for you can get seedling trees from our government forestry departments free of charge. If you will plant 500 of them in the proper place and formation around your home, by cultivating them the same as you would hills of corn for the first five summers, which will not take you over one day a year, in ten years' time THE COMMON CAT Bird Killer and Destroyer of Wild Life The life history of the common cat is written in blood. A conservative estimate of the number of cats in the United States is approximately 25,000,000. Careful observers who have watched and protected birds for a number of years report individual cats killing from 2 to 12 birds a day. Ornithologists estimate that from 60,000,000 to 75,000,000 birds in the United States are killed annually by cats. The stray or half-wild cat kills more small game birds and game animals than any other destructive agency. Experienced game keepers regard the cat as one of the most vicious of vermin and destroy it whenever possible. Thousands of domestic cats revert to the wild state and prey upon game birds and game animals. A sportsman may kill only five upland birds per day in Montana but the cat respects no bag limit. Each year we restrict the killing of game birds and game animals, but the cat knows no closed season. — Izaak Walton League of America. FISHERMEN ENTER BOZEMAN CONTEST these trees will be from 12 to 15 feet high and will break the wind off your home and on a cold, wintry day will reduce your fuel bill, and if you can be big enough to ignore the criticism of men and take God's promise as a guide, your assistance will double and treble the quantity and quality of the birds at your home every year. Scotch pines I planted on a sticky clay field in the spring of 1914 have now grown into a lovely little forest, but the lower limbs are bent by the weight of from 3,000 to 5,000 mourning doves that have roosted there during August, September and October of the last few summers. This beautiful, frosty morning that father used to call "the 17th of Ire- land" I awoke before the stars had closed their eyes and how could I go to sleep again and miss such a musi- cal feast, for that cardinal I had men- tioned apparently had his voice focused right on my open window, saying in distinct tones: "Good cheer! Good cheer! Good cheer!" This is mingled with the low notes of the song spar- rows, and even the robins are trying to join in the chorus. In spite of all this, I will admit I was about to doze back into dreamland again when, all at once, the honking of at least a thousand wild geese seemed to echo from every spot on the premises, saying "Home again!" Re- ally, my thoughts drifted nearly one- half century back to the morning we left Ohio, when a dear old Yankee by the name of Calvin Pease said to me: "Good-bye, Jackie." Then, as he gripped father's hand, which I believe was for the last time, he said: "John, do you think you can make a living over in Canada for your big family?" Father apparently gripped his hand tighter and he looked him square in the face and replied: "Calvin, we are going to make more than a living; we are going to make a life." But never did the in- terpretation of this statement ring louder in my living room than it did this morning. HENRY ALTENBRAND, Jr. manager of the Intermountain Fair which will be held at Bozeman September 11-14 inclusive has introduced a fishing contest as one of the features of the annual exposition. The State Commis- sion has arranged to place one of the educational fish and game exhibits at the fair this year to add further interest. The country tributary to Bozeman, the seat of the Inter-Mountain Fair, pro- vides some of the finest trout fishing in the United States, and the contest is open to all under the following con- ditions: Fishing to be done on September S, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, in territory within 100 miles of Bozeman. Arrangements have been made to receive fish on September 8, 9, and 10, at Owenhouse Hardware Co. Store; J. R. Poor & Son Grocery; and at Shepherd's New Place, Main St., all of Bozeman, where entered fish will be tagged and placed on ice tables and on September 11 taken to Fish and Game Exhibit at the Fair Grounds, where all entries from then on till closing will be received unttl, 5 p. m. on September 13 — the hour and date of closing. Judging will be completed and awards made on Friday, Septem- ber 14. Awards will be made on the length of the fish only. All entries will be placed in the following specie classifi- cations: Rainbow (Including Steelhead). Nat- ive (Black Spotted or Cut Throat). Loch Leven (Including German Brown). Eastern Brook. No limit to number of entries but only one winning allowed in each class to any single contest or exhibitor. Classification of species will be made by W. T. Thompson, Superintendent of the United States Fish Hatchery, Boze- man. Exhibition and measurements for awards under direction of Deputy State Game Warden Frank R. Marshall, Boze- man. Many valuable prizes have been pro- vided for all four classes in the above outlined contest. Fly rods, casting rods, automatic and casting reels, fly books, creels, rod cases, flies, spinners, bait, leaders and many articles of value and interest to all fishermen and sportsmen. Non-resident fishermen are welcome to compete and all information fur- nished and every courtesy extended by the Bozeman Rod and Gun Club, Boze- man Chamber of Commerce and Inter- Mountain Fair office. "Montana Wild Life" is the name of a magazine published as the official organ of the Game and Fish Department of that state. It is a 16-page publication devoted to subjects having to do with the conservation of the state's fish and game resources and other subjects of immediate interest to sportsmen of the state and those of the nation, looking toward Montana as their summer playground — Fins, Feathers and Fur, official publication of the Minnesota Department of Conservation. MONTANA WILD LIFE MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS. Thomas N. Marlowe, Missoula, Chairman. G. T. Boyd, Great Falls. Joseph L. Kelly, Anaconda. W. K. Moore, Billings. E. A. Wilson, Livingston. ROBERT H. HILL, Helena State Fish and Game Warden. Secretary. MONTANA WILD LIFE The Official Publication of the State Fish and Game Department. Published Monthly at Helena, Montana. FLOYD L. SMITH, Editor. Introductory Subscription Rates 15 Cents per Copy — 50 Cents per Year Advertising Rates on Application Copy tor advertisements subject to approval of State Commission and must be in the hands of the editor at the State Capitol building, Helena, on the 15th of the month preceding publication date. VOLUME L SEPTEMBER, 1928. NUMBER IV. MALLARD TIME IS HERE IT'S ONLY a few days until greenheads will be winging their way over the marshes. Canvasback time is com- ing. And likewise the open season on grouse, prairie chickens and sage hens. September 16 marks the opening of the shooting season on upland game birds and migratory waterfowl. Trigger fingers of Montana sportsmen are itching for action. Through foresight of the State Com- mission in closing the upland bird season throughout the state last year because of the danger of losing the seed birds after a bad nesting season, the feathered foxes of the field have multiplied rapidly and indications point toward one of the best seasons afield in decades. Through a con- scientious program of education, sportsmen have been weaned away from the killer impulse that once prevailed. They have learned to en,joy cooperating with the Commis- sion in its efforts toward sane conservation of wild life and results are apparent. For the information of Montana sportsmen these ex- tracts are taken from the state law: Open Season on Grouse. — The open season on sharp- tailed grouse, blue gi'ouse, fool hen, ruffed grouse, com- monly called partridge or pheasant, prairie chicken, sage hen or sage grouse, begins September 16 and closes Sep- tember 25, both dates inclusive. Five in the aggregate is the bag limit. Protected Birds. — There is no open season on quail, Chinese or Mongolian pheasants, commonly called ring- neck pheasants, Hungarian partridge, ptarmagin or wild turkey. Open Season on Migratory Game Birds. — In keeping with the federal law, the Montana open season on migratory waterfowl has been set at September 16 to January 1. The bag limit is 25 ducks, which likewise complies with the federal bag limit; eight wild geese in the aggregate, eight brant, 20 Wilson or jacksnipe. 25 rails and gallinules, 25 sora, 25 coot, 15 greater and lesser yellowlegs. By special act of the Commission Teton countv, north of the Teton river, has been closed to upland bird shoot- ing, as well as the total area in Daniels, Sheridan and Roosevelt counties. Flathead county is closed to shooting of sharp-tailed grouse. (OIVSERVATION CONVERSATION A SEPTEMBER night in camp. Supper over — maybe even the pans are washed and put away. Nothing much to do before rolling into the blankets, except to put more sticks on the fire, then just sit, and smoke, and talk — some. And what will you talk about? Scenery? That tough portage behind? Plans for tomorrow? That big trout that struck and struggled and got away, or the smaller ones, of course, which you landed? Fine! But are you giving a thought to the problems of per- petuating your privileges out-of-doors and of passing them on to others? And are you talking about it with your companions? Nowhere are conditions more favorable for rating sports- manship than along the outdoor trails, and nowhere is the opportunity for instilling a spirit of better sportsmanship greater than around the campfire. It is all very well to recall and discuss the pleasures and experiences in the open that have been yours during the day, but it is highly important that you consider ways and means by which these experiences are to be continued. The statement that there is too much conversation in conservation is untrue. Conservation is so largely a mat- ter of education that you can't talk too much about it — provided, of course, that you're reasonably sure of what you're talking about. If you're not sure, it's far better to study the subject and keep talking than to keep quiet and let the other fellow take care of it. Regardless of where you mav be — in town, on the trail, in the field or forest, or on the lake or stream — the big thing is to give serious thought to the subject of conserving our outdoor resources, and regardless of where you are, to talk about it. Practice conservation during the day, and discuss the subject around the campfire before turning in for the night. — Fins, Fur and Feathers. HUNTERS ARE INl'REASIN(i THE NECESSITY of game restoration in Montana and her sister states, as well as adequate protective meas- ures if the supply is to be maintained on a basis to meet the demands of the increasing number of hunters, is shown plainly by figures on hunting licenses compiled by the Bureau of Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture. These figures show that for the 1926-27 hunting season more than 5.750.000 licenses were issued for the taking of game in the United States, including Alaska. The revenue was in excess of $7,800,000. New York led all other states, with a total of 620,414 licenses issued, and revenue of $822,415. Figures for the past few hunting seasons show the rate at which licensed hunters are increasing. For the season of 1923-24, there were 4,395,038, and the revenue was $5,594,982. One year later, there were 4,904,740 licensed hunters, and the revenue was $6,190,863. For the season of 1925-26, licenses totaled 5,168,353, and revenue $822,415. TAGS MANY GEESE IN ONE day during the past spring. Jack Minor, noted conservationist and owner of the Minor bird refuge at Kingsville, Out., caught, tagged and liberated 203 wild Canada geese, of which 37 had been tagged in 1926 and 1927. The others were all given a tag containing Jack Minor's postoftice address, on the reverse side of which is a verse of Scripture — Minor's unique way of spreading the Gospel. Many hundreds of birds which had not been tagged in previous years ,were caught at his refuge and tagged this season. The tagging system proves that geese winter in the Southern states and breed in the Hudson Bay territory and Baffin Land. MONTANA WILD LIFE CAKP I'KKSISTKMK TWEXTY-TWO years ago, Tom Davies, McGregor, la., farmer, drained a pond on his farm stocked with carp. John Heilman, a neighbor, took two of the fish home and put them in a watering tank four feet long, two feet wide and two feet deep. One of the carp flopped out and died. The other is still in the tank, according to reports to the Minnesota State Fish and Game Department. The survivor has not been fed, but has subsisted 22 years on bits of grass and hay and grains of oats dropped from the mouths of horses and cows as they came to the tank to drink. Twice a year the tank is cleaned, and the carp is placed in a pail of water during the process, then returned to the tank. In spite of its age it is only 14 inches long, because, it is believed, it has been underfed and its growth has been stunted. Anyhow, the case seems to throw some light on the prevalence of the carp. >ASH BICKINOHAM WITH FOWLERS NASH BUCKINGHAM, for a number of .^ ears in charge of the game restoration program of the Western Cartridge Company of Alton, 111., has accepted the position of executive secretary of the American Wild Fowl- ers, an organization formed a year ago tor the purpose of promoting the preservation and increase of migratory fowl. The organization is now undertaking a survey to determine the extent to which wildfowl are interfered with by crows in the nesti'ig areas of Western Canada. The survey is being undertaken in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey and the University of Edmonton by per- mission of the Canadian government. Headquarters have recently been opened by the Ameri- can Wild Fowlers at 5nS Lennox Building, Washington, D. C. Dr. John C. Phillips, well known naturalist, sportsman and author, is president, and Charles Sheldon of Washing- ton, explorer and authority on conservation, chairman of the executive committee. Mr. Buckingham is nationally known as an authorit " on wildfowl and is an author of considerable note, particularly on sporting subjects. As executive secretary he will bring to the organization a wealth of knowledge essential to the proper and efficient functioning of the Wild Fowlers. They are to be congratulated on obtaining his services. SKM) I> YOIK ST BSCRII'TION IN KEEPING with its great program of conservation of fish and game resources of Montana through policies of education, the State Fish and Game Commission has mailed the first four copies of MONTANA WILD LIFE to thousands of enthusiasts throughout the nation. The re- sponse has been gratifying. Men and women are deeply interested. They appeal for a continuation of the work. They sense the necessity for preserving nature's heritage for future generations. They are eagerlv watching the growth of the official publication of the Department. To make this growth possible it is necessary that subscrip- tions be mailed at once. Half a dollar for 12 copies each year is a nominal amount. Heed the impulse and send in your subscription with those of your friends. Sample copies will soon be discontinued. I>F(>RM THK LEGISLATIVE t'AXDlHATE THIS IS the season of the year when the legislative candidate is abroad in the land. There are many at large throughout the country interviewing citizens and soliciting votes. It is to the interest of wild life conserva- tion that sportsmen and others interested in the preserva- tion and restoration of animal lite cultivate these candidates and take such steps as may be necessary to see that they are supplied with such information as they need regarding conservation. There are two methods of dealing with the legislative candidate: one is by means of an ultimatum wherein con- servation programs are supplied and the candidate given an opportunity to accept or reject such programs. A better way. undoubtedly, is to supply the candidate with all avail- able information regarding the needs of legislation and trust to his common sense and good judgment to act for the best interests of preservation and restoration of wild life, if elected. Ultimatums are apt to cause a feeling of resentment, whereas cooperative methods are always wel- come. Failure of legislative programs for conservation can usually be traced to lack of educational work in laying foundation for them. BEAVER SLAK^HTEK IS BEIXi tlRBED MONTANA'S State Fish and Game Commission has been waging a relentless battle against beaver bri- gands. Continued efforts covering a period of years have been put forth to curb needless activities of trappers. Montana is one of the few remaining homes of the beaver. The demand for their hides has grown to such propor- tions throughout the world that fortunes are being made in the traffic. This has brought attendant evils and the increase of poaching, falsifying permits, shipping without permission and assorted ills. Efforts have been made to put more teeth in Montana's laws. Deputies have been instructed to run down violators. Figures compiled at headquarters just before press time indicate that gratify- ing results are being achieved. Just roll these figures over in your statistical mind and weigh their importance: Back in 1925 — just three years ago — 562 beaver trapping permits were issued by the Department under the law. During the same year 1,S43 trappers' licenses were issued and in that year 6.190 beaver hides were tagged. In 1926 the total beaver hides tagged reached the amaz- ing mark of 9,377. The beaver permits issued totaled 607 and 1.3.38 trappers' licenses were issued. During the season which is just closing there have been 5,442 beaver hides tagged as against 9,377 during the pre- ceding season, 423 beaver permits were issued and 1,134 trappers licensed to operate. There were 3,935 more bea- ver hides tagged last season than this year because of the vigilance of wardens in the employ of the State Commis- sion. And 579 of the beaver trapped this season have beeu reported captured on Indian reservations. Think it over. An opportunist is one who meets the wolf at the door, and appears the next day in a fur coat. THE CHINESE PHEASANT MONTANA'S farmers and sportsmen, motorists and tourists, soil tillers and professional men who love the open, are flooding the State Commission with queries on: "What is to be done regarding the Chinese pheasant?" While many clubs of sportsmen have asked a short open season on the beautiful ringnecked birds, an equally large number have come forth with the appeal to continue protection. While some farmers complain that the birds are pests in grain field and garden, others are equally imperative in their declaration that the birds are destroying thousands of bugs and insect pests and that they are a direct benefit rather than a detriment. The motorist and tourist write: "We love to see these beauties along the road. Don't allow them to be slaughtered." The conservative sportsman who has watched the multi-colored males cock their saucy heads and high-hat everybody in sight, agrees that to open the season after these almost domesticated birds have been protected will mean slaughter. They are gamey creatures and in other states have learned to care for themselves during the open season despite the slaughter that marked the opening day when they were taught to flush at the bark of a scattergun. Action on these requests has been deferred by the Commission until the September meeting. If a short open season is granted in response to petitions, it is probable that the date will be separate from the open season on upland game birds. Even a cork can rise with the tide. (;AME EXHIBITS AT FAIRS VISITORS who attend the larger fall expositions in Montana this year will be attracted to the official exhibit of the State Fish and Game Department, which will be in charge of Thomas O. Peasley, deputy game warden at large. This exhibit is now being gathered throughout the state. It already includes specimens of buffalo, antelope, deer, elk, moose, bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote and timber wolves. This display has been arranged by the Commission for educational purposes. In former years it has been the big attraction of each fair. Plans have been completed for making the display at the Lewistown fair August 28-31, at the Midland Empire fair at Billings September 3-7, at Bozeman September 11-14 and then at the Montana State Fair at Helena September 24-28. In addition to the big game display, native Montana game fish will be displayed at the aquariums constructed at Billings, Bozeman and Helena. 10 MONTANA WILD LIFE Dr» F€ar§oe==Fraeed of the Birds M Dr. T. G. Pearson rO N T A N A- sports- men deeply interested in the conservation of wild lite for future gen- erations are like- wise interested in knowing personally the outstand- ing leaders of the nation championing the cause. Few have attained greater renown than T. Gilbert Pearson, LL.D., president of the National A s s o c i - ation of Audubon Societies. Dr. Pear- son is well known to hundreds of Mon- tana sportsmen. His Interesting article on "Cats and Birds" in the August edition of MONTANA WILD LIFE has aroused much comment. In keeping with the amazing results achieved through activities of Dr. Pearson and his associates, this review of his career, written for MONTANA WILD LIFE by his secretary, Ethel W. Jackson, is es- pecially timely. This biographical sketch is to appear in The National Cyclope- dia: THOMAS GILBERT PEARSON, orni- thologist and conservationist, was born at Tuscola, 111., November 10, 1873, son of Thomas Barnard and Mary (Elliott) Pearson. He was educated at Guilford College, North Carolina, where he grad- uated with the degree of B. S. in 1897, and at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C, where he graduated with the same degree in 1899. Later he took special courses at Harvard Uni- versity. Prom 1899 until 1901 he was professor of biology at Guilford College and during 1901-04 he held the same position at the State Normal and In- dustrial College for Women. When he was only 12 years old he became intensely interested in collect- ing birds and later he paid his expenses through preparatory school and through college tor eight years by collecting specimens of birds for college museums. This interest in bird life has con- tinued without interruption and for the last quarter of a century Dr. Pearson has been one of the most prominent leaders in the cause of protection of wild birds and animals, not only in this country but throughout the world. In the winter of 1902 he organized the Audubon Society of North Carolina and in March, 1903, the North Carolina legislature, having been deeply im- pressed by an address delivered by Dr. Pearson before a joint session of this body, Incorporated the Audubon Society of North Carolina with the powers of a game commission. The law also ex- tended the general protection to the birds of the state, no such statutes having previously existed. He continued to serve as state game commissioner under the title of Secre- tary of the Audubon Society until 1910. During this period he also lectured throughout South Carolina, organized an Audubon society there, and drafted and put through the legislature of South Carolina a bill identical to that passed by the North Carolina legisla- ture. In January, 1905, he, together with others, directed incorporation of the National Association of Audubon Societies, and since that time he has been the only officer of this association to devote his entire time to its work, serving as secretary an dexecutive of- ficer from 1910 and as president since 1920. The headquarters of the national as- sociation are located in New York City. Its activities cover a large field. It is active in promoting state and federal legislation for wild bird and animal protection; owns and maintains bird sanctuaries and game refuges: supports a corps of lecturers who address thou- sands of audiences annually; organizes annually 350,000 children into bird- study clubs; publishes bird pictures, leaflets, bulletins and a magazine, "Bird-Lore": cooperates with federal, state and conservation societies offi- cials; and is affiliated with bird pro- tective societies throughout the world. Having established this work on a sound foundation in this country. Dr. Pearson extended its influence through- out the world by traveling and lectur- ing in Europe and by organizing the International Committee for Bird Pro- tection. This body now operates through national sections, including representatives of the leading scientific societies in twenty countries. As chair- man of this committee Dr. Pearson is in close touch with all the more im- portant movements tor bird protection throughout the world. He organized, financed and presided over the World Conference for Bird Preservation held in Geneva, Switzer- land, May 21-22, 1928. To him is due the credit for developing the National Association of Audubon Societies into the largest organization in the world interested in the protection of wild life, and under his able management the annual income in 1927 exceeded a third of a million dollars. He has also been instrumental in in- troducing and in having enacted bird protective laws by congress and by many state legislatures; especially well known are the results of his efforts in the years 1910-13 in securing state and federal laws prohibiting the use of bird feathers for millinery adornments. He is the author of "Stories of Bird Life" (1901); "The Bird Study Book" (1917); and "Tales from Bird-Land" (1918). He was also editor-in-chief of "Birds of America," 3 volumes (1917) and senior author of "Birds of North Carolina" (1919). Much of the educational literature which has emanated from the National Association of Audubon Societies since its organization has been written by Dr. Pearson, who is also a frequent contributor to scientific and popular magazines on ornithological subjects. He is a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, D. C; the Explorers' Club and the Boone and Crocket Club of New York City and an honorary member of the Camp Fire Club of America. In 1925 he was elected president of the Federation of Bird Clubs of New England. In the same year he was decorated with the National Order of the Oaken Crown of Luxembourg, and in 1924 the University of North Caro- lina conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. His religious affilia- tions are with the Society of Friends. He was married at Greensboro, N. C, June 17, 1902, to Elsie Weatherly of that city and is the father of three children: Elizabeth, wife of C. T. Jack- son, of New York City: T. Gilbert, Jr.; and William Gillespie Pearson. The family home is located at No. 2257 Lor- ing Place, New York City. CODE OF OUTDOOR ETHICS The following condensed code of outdoor ethics was compiled by Seth E. Gordon, conservation director of the Izaak Walton League of America, and an outstanding authority on sportsman- ship and conservation: 1. Your outdoor manners tell the world what you are when at home. 2. What belongs to the public isn't your own — play fair. 3. Respect the property of rural resi- dents— ask before using it. 4. Save fences, close gates and bars, go around planted fields. 5. People, livestock, trees and birds were never meant to be target practice backstops. 6. Respect the law — catch enough legal fish to eat, then quit. 7. Protect public health — keep springs and streams clean. 8. Clean up your camp and don't litter the highways with trash. 9. Finish what you start — careless- ness with fires is cussedness. 10. Leave flowers and shrubs for others to enjoy. Do your share to keep outdoor America beautiful. "If this code is followed, even 50 per cent, by the vast numbers of people who are taking to the out — of — doors this summer, the condition of our great natural playground, hard pressed by the outdoor movement occasioned by modern transportation which threatens it," Dr. Henry Baldwin, national presi- dent of the organization, said. A COUNTRY SEAT Sportsman: That's Lord Dasham. I've shot at his seat, you know. Non-sportsman: I say! Had he made you most frightfully annoyed about something, then? — London Opinion. MONTANA WILD LIFE 11 WHEN the final scattergun barked its farewell message at the an- nual Montana state trapshooting tournament, sponsored by the Montana State Sportsmen's Association at Butte July 15, such trapshooting scores had been made as caused shotgun enthusi- asts of the nation to gasp. John J. Robinson, fire laddy from Anaconda, broke three all-time records tor Montana's thirty-fourth tournament before the last bird in the three-day meet was officially "dead" at the Butte club's range on the last day, July 15. In the feature race, the 200-bird Ama- teur Trapshooting Association state championship event, Robinson ran a The Scores Jnlj 13 Jnly 150 150 16-jd. 16- jd. H. S. Mill.s 147 143 C. E. Kerr 139 144 C. B. Huish 13S 142 Oran Moore 121 130 •Jim Groves 146 142 D. G. Stivers 126 138 T. T. McMahan 137 139 P. Antonioli 98 124 J. G. Wiant 131 134 •Earl Pry 129 123 Ben Holter 142 143 C. C. Goddard 141 140 Mrs. D. G. Stivers..- 116 128 C. L. McNeal 140 140 Mrs. O. A. Schulz 113 102 W. R. Wilcoxson 148 147 •C. L. Plannigan 145 144 P. G. Knight 143 146 L. Tealy 132 142 J. Latimer 144 144 O. A. Schulz 146 147 E. W. Renfro 149 146 J. A. Poore 145 135 N. J. Birrer 145 144 R. E. Tisdale 144 144 L. R. Schulz 136 133 H. Snyder 139 135 A. J. Schulz 143 136 E. J. Morrison 138 137 H. A. Pease 128 135 G. L. Beclier 140 144 ♦Milt Anderson 137 134 E. L. Ford 148 149 C. Stump 132 142 J. J. Robinson 149 149 •Rush Razee 148 147 V. W. Rothrock 148 147 Sam Sharman 147 144 S. C. Arnold 148 142 Guy Egbers 144 148 *G. K. South 145 142 E. J. Boe 140 146 J. Thompson 126 121 Gus Prazer 135 130 Earl Johnson 126 85x100 P. W. Peckover 128 131 Ed Dickinson 137 144 Jack Boehme 136 139 J. Murray 140 141 C. O. Campbell 126 132 E. C. Swartz 129 135 L. S. Gemmett 138 136 G. T. Jones 132 138 Wm. Hasley 137 123 C. A. Tuttle 129 132 A. C. Ellinghouse 139 140 P. Tolson 138 137 J. J. Leary 137 135 E. J. Osborn 136 140 Mrs. L. R. Schulz ...61x100 56x100 J. Li. Sommers 137 142 Ed McGivern 143 C. H. Smith 121 127 Robert H. Hill 138 141 Pred Kessler 135 135 M. D. Chatfield 122 125 Ed Walker 137 137 A. McLeod 47x50 30x50 Mrs. J. Teague 41x75 A. Nelson 127 P. Pappin 138 4 Inly i5 !!i 100 10(1 Pt. 16-jd. Hp. 46 98 92 3X 94 86 40 33 92 89 42 92 SO 42 94 73 89 40 90 78 97 89 97 SO 31 92 84 94 85 66 3X 94 92 42 97 89 46 97 99 42 88 92 49 97 92 47 9S 93 45 97 97 37 97 90 47 96 89 45 98 83 37 81 85 411 93 86 42 93 91 43 88 84 38 91 90 46 98 96 87 49 98 94 41 93 91 47 100 92 49 99 90 47 97 94 46 95 94 44 100 90 45 97 89 47 93 94 33 99 93 86 SO 86 93 98 46 87 95 41 95 86 39 90 89 93 91 85 90 87 92 X4 90 33 77 86 44 90 94 33 85 93 38 93 92 35 95 68 87 37 98 88 32 84 79 93 33 90 86 39 89 91 44 87 91 35 40 85 89 MONTAN.l CHAMPIONS Amateur Single Champion, J. J. Rob- inson, Anaconda, 200x200. Amateur Single Runner-up, E. J. Boe, Great Falls, 196x200. Amateur Double Champion, J. Lati- mer, Butte, 49x50. Amateur Handicap Champion, F. Knight, Great Falls, 99x100, 23 yards. Amateur Women's Champion, Mrs. D. G. Stivers, Butte, 178x200. Amateur All-around Champion, F. Knight, Great Falls, won shoot- off, 339x350. Amateur All-around Runner-up, J. J. Robinson, Anaconda. 339x350. Amateur High-over-all, E. L. Ford, Ogden, Utah. 596x610. Professional Single Champion, C. L. Flannigan, Great Falls, 194x200. Professional Single Runner-up, G. A. South, Great Falls, 190x200. Professional Double Champion, G. A. South, Great Falls, 47x50. Professional Handicap Champion, G. A. South, 94x100, 22 yards. Professional All-around Champion, G. A. South, Great Falls, 331x350. Professional High-over-all, Rush Ra- zee, Denver, 591x610. M. Grinde 132 .34 89 90 Sarauelson 134 3S 89 91 F. Grove 123 86 85 u. w. Macartney 130 4' 94 87 P. A. Henningsen 47x50 4' 93 C. M. La Due 26x50 64 77 H. L. Hale 95 92 J. A. Hasley 92 91 H. L. Hart 89 84 Ployd L. Smith 84 J. E. Murphy 68 Mrs. N. J. Birrer 82x100 85 Mrs. J. Latimer 76x100 74 Reynolds Prosser 139 94 95 Ben Stme 95 R. H. Dyer 79 W. Kearns 94 B. H. Mason 66 •Professionals. perfect 200, the first of the kind ever scored in a Montana tournament by an amateur, and one of the few regis- tered under the same conditions in the United States. The previous high mark for Montana was 197. Robinson's first record was hung up Saturday when he completed a run of 222 consecutive targets before missing one. After the miss he finished the day with an unbroken run of 123. Winding up the championship race with another perfect 100, he topped his 24- hour old record with an unbroken run of 223. Robinson won the high average hon- ors with a count of 490 out of a pos- sible 500. Just one better than the high mark of 4S9 set by Ted Renfro of Dell, and also better than any pre- vious score by a Montana shooter in a home tournament. Frank G. Knight of Great Falls, for- mer state singles champion, also broke a record when he won the state handi- cap championship with a score of 99 out of a possible 100. As a 1927 leader he had to do his shooting back at the 23-yard mark. Joe Lattimer of Butte broke still an- other record when he broke 49 out of 50 doubles in that championship race. In a special shoot-off for the all- around championship, Knight beat Rob- inson, 38 to 35x40. They had tied on 339x350. In the state singles race four tied for second honors with scores of 196x200. E. J. Boe of Great Falls won the shoot-off for the runner-up medal with a perfect 25, V. W. Rothrock of Montana's Trapshooting Champions FRANK G. KNIGHT Great Falls Handicap Champion JOE LATTIMER Butte Doubles Champion JOHN J. ROBINSON Anaconda Singles Champion 12 MONTANA WILD LIFE Billings getting 24, Ted Reufro and Otto Schulz of Sheridan 23 each. Mrs. D. Gay Stivers of Butte won the women's championship with a score of ITS out of 200, which, incidentally, beat a number of men. Non-resident and professional honors were equally hard fought for. E. L. Ford of Ogden, Utah, was high on all targets with a score of 596 out of 610. G. S. Becker, Ogden, broke 590x610. Rush Razee of Denver led all pro- fessionals in the same field with 591. Great Falls professionals copped all the honors for their class. Charlie Flannigan won the singles with 194. G. A. South won the doubles with 47, the handicap with 94, and the all- around title with 331 out of 350. What is believed to be a world's rec- ord was made in the three champion- ship events. Only two targets were lost out of 350, one in the doubles and one in the handicap. High scores in the 200 state championship ta^-^ets in addi- tion to those mentioned were G. F. Egbers. 197; Roy Tisdale and Steve Ar- nold, 195; Frank Knight, Joe Latimer, H. L. Hart, 194; R. H. Hill. 193: C. Goddard, Jack Boehme, W. R. Wilcox- sen, 192; J. A. Poore, N. J. Birrer, Hol- ter, Somers, R. Prosser, 191. In the handicap, E. W. Renfro, 97 from 24 yards, Ed Dickinson (Shreveport), 21 yards, and Prosser, 20 yards, 95. In the doubles, E. L. Ford. Ogden, and Rush Razee, 49; Otto Schulz, G. A. South, N. J. Birrer, J. J. Robinson, V. W. Rothrock, 47; Gus Becker, H. S. Mills, Frank Knight, Sam Sharman, 46; E. W. Renfro, R. Tisdale, Guy Egbers, 45. Helena will be host to the annual tournament in 1929, the shoot having been unanimously awarded at the an- nual banquet at the Hotel Finlen. Fred E. Kessler of Helena, one of Montana's best known sportsmen, was elected president of the State Association, with Robert H. Hill, State Game Warden, as vice-president, and C. H. Smith of Butte secretary. Mr. Smith has been secre- tary for 34 years. DISEASE AMONG DEER SIX DEER which were captured in Jackson Hole for park purposes all died from a disease known as "calf diphtheria." It seems that disease is not unknown elsewhere but is the first instance of its appearance in Jackson Hole. 0. J. Murie, biologist of the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey, who has been among the game herds in Jackson Valley the past year, discovered this disease. Information is not at hand as to the contagious character of this dis- ease or whether it is transmissible to other species. A part of Mr. Murie's work is investigating the character and causes of this disease and others and methods of preventing contagion. Commissioner Bruce Nowlin of Wyo- ming states that elk had a compara- tively easy winter and there were mini- mum losses on account of lack of for- age or other causes. In an announce- ment made early in June, Mr. Nowlin states that practically all elk had then left Jackson Valley and were headed for the summer ranges north of Buffalo river and the upper Gros Ventre coun- try. More Mallards-More Sport Written for MONTANA WILD LIFE By CARLOS W. AVERY President American Game Protective A::3Dcint'cn ONE OF the causes of contention be- tween small and large bag limit propagandists is because of the different conditions under which shoot- ing is done. The individual gunner who is compelled to secure his oppor- tunity for shooting wherever he can find it in competition with others has very little opportunity to attain the legal limit of waterfowl. Very natu- rally he feels that the federal limit of 25 ducks per day is excessive when he is seldom able to reach the lower limit of 15, the maximum allowed by many of the states. Shooting clubs, however, which own or control marsh and other w-ater areas where waterfowl congre- gate, find less difficulty in securing legal limits whatever they may be and as a matter of course are not impressed with the necessity of reducing them. Such clubs usually limit their shooting to certain days and certain hours of each day, allowing some days of each week and a portion of each day as rest periods for the birds when they are undisturbed, an arrangement which is not practical on open shooting areas available to the general public. It has been suggested, and the sug- gestion seems reasonable, that clubs composed of men who have means to do it establish breeding units on their club grounds and breed mallard ducks arti- ficially and liberate them so that they might in fact breed their own shooting. In some cases this is actually done and as many ducks are bred and re- leased as are shot by the club so that the club shooting doesn't interfere with or diminish the wild stock. There is much merit In the proposal that the breeding of mallard ducks for shooting should be encouraged much more than it is. Sportsmen's clubs might well carry on such enterprise for the benefit of the shooting in which they are interested whether it is con- trolled exclusively by the members or not and individuals, farmers, and others might be encouraged to keep the waters of their own land well stocked with birds of their own raising. There is almost no limit to the ex- tent to which this could be carried on and the number of ducks, particularly mallards, might be enormously in- creased in this way. Experimental work in breeding may also develop a system of successfully rearing other species of ducks besides mallard in large numbers in the course of time. DARN CARELESSNESS Simple Sam, innocent and harmless, lived a solitary life at the edge of town. One evening he came tramping along Main street carrying a red lantern. "What are you doin' with a red lantern, Sam?" asked a b stander. "I just picked it up. Some fool left it by a hole in the street." Ohio School Ma'ams Hook Montana Trout RUTH DOLL Lucasville, Ohio ALMA YEAGER Portsmouth, Ohio Here's another demonstration of the pulling power of Montana's trout streams. These two Ohio school teachers came all the way from the state that claims to be the birthplace of presidents to spend their summer vacation casting for Montana trout. They had heard stories of the Madison but were doubtful. Under the guidance of Albert Tally. Helena sportsman, they were taken to the scenic stream below Ennis where they landed this string of Loch Leven and Rainbow trout. Now they're spread- ing the gospel throughout Ohio. MONTANA WILD LIFE 13 Ae^eoeda Ae^leirs^ Glefo Aetivities By JAKE KENiVE, Seoretiiry DURING the last several years the work of planting trout fry in the streams and lakes of Deer Lodge county has been borne by active mem- bers of the Anaconda Anglers' Club. They in turn have received every pos- sible assistance from the very efficient members of the staff of the state fish hatchery located at Anaconda, main- tained by Montana's State Fish and Game Commission. Among varieties planted were the rainbow and native. Some of the eastern brook were also placed in streams best suited for this species. The task of planting fish in streams and lakes was not great, as these lakes and streams are easily reached in auto- mobiles or team, but the stocking of lakes higher in the mountains with only paths or blazed trails leading to them was work cut out for he-men. The manner of planting the try in these lakes was a problem. For the last few years the fry has been carried in five-gallon cans, requiring two men to each can. After a hazardous trip over rocks and fallen logs, it was found in almost every instance that a large percentage of the fry was lost, as in a trip of this kind it is a case of the survival of the fittest. About this time some of the younger members of the anglers' club got busy and after a few trips with two men to a can the/ scouted around for ways and means of lessening the hardships and reducing the loss of fry to the minimum. A word dropped here and there finally brought results from an old prospector who hinted that the old packboard similar to those used by squaws to carry their papooses should be a help. Yankee ideas were brought into play and as a result a packboard with a can to fit is now being used. The resulting loss of fry is of no con- sequence. On one trip in 1,000 fry were carried on the back of one man and but seven were dead on arrival at the lake, a distance of several miles from the main road. On another trip recently made 1,500 3-inch fingerling natives were planted in a mountain lake 22 miles from Ana- conda. Two hours after leaving the hatchery the fry were in the lake; 45 minutes of that time was on foot where it was impossible to use either wagon or packhorse, and not one of the little fellows was lost. The accompanying sketches convey more clearly the packboard and fisii can now in use on these trips. Just a word in regard to proper care of fish fry where it is impossible to obtain ice, and where an overnight stop might be required: It would be well to camp near a freshwater stream and after ascertain- ing as nearly as possible the tempera- ture of the water in both the can and creek, deposit can in stream over night. Care should be taken to submerge can to about the level of water in the can, thus eliminating any chance of the water in the can becoming stagnant. The mode of transporting fish fry, as used by these members of the Ana- conda anglers, may solve a problem for sportsmen throughout counties of Montana in whicli such lakes or streams are located. Sportsmen wishing any further in- formation on this mode of transporta- tion of fry to lakes not accessible by motor car or wagon, will be given blue- prints of board and can by writing the secretary of the Anaconda Anglers' Club. Here's the way enthusiastic members of the Ar.aconda Anglers' Club cooperate with the State Fish and Game Commission in planting trout fry in inaccessible headwaters of mountain streams. These thorough sportsmen pack the cans of little fish on their backs into nooks in the hills after taking them as far as possible by team and pack horse. The first leg of the Journey is usually made by one of the speedy automobile trucks operated by the Commission. When the roads pinch out into trails, the buckboards and pack horses are brought into play. When the trails peter out and horses are useless, sportsmen tote the cans on their backs. They're doing all this in order that good fishing may be assured to future generations. 14 MONTANA WILD LIFE WHEN members of the State Fish and Game Commission gathered at Lewistown August 4, peti- tions of sportsmen were recognized and areas closed to hunting of upland game birds and big game. The open season on upland game birds begins Septem- ber 16 as prescribed by law. On the same day the season opens on migra- tory waterfowl. The upland bird sea- son extends 10 days, while that on waterfowl runs to January 1. Teton county, north of the Teton river, was closed to the shooting of up- land game birds on petition of the Bynum Rod and Gun Club. Daniels, Sheridan and Roosevelt counties were likewise closed to the shooting of up- land birds on petition. Similar action was taken in Powell county on petition of the Deer Lodge Anglers' Club. Action regarding declaring a short open season on Chinese pheasants was deferred until the September meeting. Applications have been received from several clubs, among them being from the Lima club. Red Lodge, Big Horn, Browning, Whitehall, Belgrade, Bain- ville and Lewis and Clark. A portion of Flathead county was closed to elk hunting following a hear- ing at Kalispell. The season on sharp- tailed grouse was closed indefinitely in Flathead county on petition of the Flathead Game Protective Association. The Commission ordered Tetrault, known as Carpenter Lake or Lake Irene; Morand, O'Brien, Timber and Prank Lake, also known as Lost Lake or Island Lake, all in Lincoln county, closed to fishing during June, July and August of each year and an open sea- son permitting fishing through the ice was fixed for the remainder of the year. During the summer the water in these lakes is too warm for fishing. The matter of testing Dickey Lake, be- tween Whitefish and Stryker, to deter- mine the varieties of fish there, was brought before the Commission. Game Warden Hill was ordered to investigate complaints following the opening of Lander's Fork to fishing, which allege that land owners in the Big Blackfoot valley are charging fish- ermen for the privilege of crossing their land. Lander's Fork was opened at a former meeting on petition of Lewis and Clark county sportsmen and petitions have now been received ask- ing that it be closed again. Half Breed creek, rising in Liberty county and running in a northerly direction, was closed to fishing until further orders. Montana fish will be exhibited at the Lincoln Park aquarium and the Central States aquarium at Washington, D. C, through cooperation with W. T. Thomp- son, Superintendent of the Bureau of Fisheries at Bozeman. These will be winter exhibits. John W. Schofield, field assistant in charge of hatcheries, was instructed to superintend the building of fish rearing ponds in the Bear Paw Mountains in Blaine and Hill counties. Mr. Scho- field was also instructed to proceed with the building of a rearing pond on Sixteen Mile creek near Bozeman. Harry Cosner was appointed deputy game warden of the second grade to "COLLY" Strain Silver Black Foxes Large, Healthy, Prolific Foxes Born and Raised in Montana for Many Generations Our Booklet, "Silver Fox Farming," Will Be Mailed to You on Request Write for It Beartooth Silver Fox & Fur Farms Breeders of Better Fur Red Lodge, Mont. Northern Fur Company Buyers of RAW FURS Missoula, Montana. ooooooooo Specimens of the different species of bear suitable for rugs, lion and other preda- tory animals of the state, can be bought from us at all times. Taxidermist and Fur- rier in connection with the business. Kant Sink Em Metal Boats For Rowing or Outboard Motoring Write the WATSON BOAT WORKS W. 2019 Division St., Spokane, Wash. MONTANA WILD LIFE 15 succeed Daddy Minugh In the Malta and Lake Bowdoin district. The Fort Benton Rod and Gun Club informed the Commission that it does not desire an open season on Chinese pheasants but would like a short open season on Hungarian partridges. Ac- tion was delayed until the September meeting. The Commission voted to send Game Warden Robert H. Hill, Chairman Thomas N. Marlowe, Dr. I. H. Treece and John W. Schofield to the meeting of the Western Association of State Game Commissioners at Seattle August 27-31 and the joint sessions of the American Fisheries Association and the International Association of Fish, Game and Conservation Commissioners on the same dates. Mr. Hill is president of the Western Association. At the meeting of the Commission at Anaconda June 27, all streams in Broadwater county, with the exception of the Missouri, were closed to fishing between September 15 and November 15, as petitioned by the Broadwater County Rod and Gun Club. The Mis- souri river was opened to fishing through the ice as an experiment, with the understanding that reports of catches are to be made to the Depart- ment. Miller creek, from its source to Fisher river, including all its tributaries, and Flower creek from the dam to its source, were closed to fishing on peti- tion of the Libby Rod and Gun Club. The closed season was suspended on fishing in landlocked lakes near Brown- ing, including Gold Lake, Hidden Lake, Crescent, Harry Coat, Bull Child, Dandy Jim, Browning, Mad Plume, and Black- boy Lakes. The requested reduction of the size of the Sun River elk herd suggested by the State Livestock Commission and several gun clubs was ordered con- tinued for further investigation. Rein Lake in Sweet Grass county was closed to fishing from May 1 to June 15 of each year and from June 16 to April 30, both dates inclusive. Dr. I. H. Treece was instructed to construct a rearing pond on a site tributary to Three Mile creek in Powell county. It was ordered that hereafter when rearing ponds are constructed that the work be done under the super- vision of Commission experts to avoid mistakes and needless expense. The Stanford Rod and Gun Club was voted $50 to aid in the construction of a rearing pond under supervision of John W. Schofield. Herman Sailor of Absarokee was ap- pointed special deputy game warden in the territory formerly patrolled by Dick Richards. Warden Hill reported that the pond culture station at Miles City had been completed, inspected by members of the We show you how to bring more ducks to your waters by planting their favorite foods, Giant Wild Rice, "Wild Celery, etc. Pall is Nature's sowing season — a good time to plant; 10% discount on orders entered before Sept. 15. booklet free. Write TERRELL'S AQUATIC FARM 1070 W. Blk. Oshkosh, Wisconsin Commission and found satisfactory. The total bill of $14,880 or $549 less than the original contract price has been paid. The Commission instructed that a letter be addressed to the contractors thanking them for their work. On suggestion of Dr. Treece the Commission ordered a change in the dead lines of Georgetown Lake, open- ing fishing in Stuart Mills creek and bay. Two rearing ponds were ordered con- structed on the Stillwater under the supervision of John W. Schofield, as well as one on Sheep creek below Cascade. It was voted that preference be given to ex-service men in the employment of men for the Department. Dr. Treece and Chairman Marlowe were delegated to investigate sites for rearing ponds desired by the Western Montana Sportsmen's Association near Ravalli. A written resume of the work being accomplished by the biological station on Flathead Lake was submitted to the Commission. The Commission likewise received a detailed report of the prog- ress of MONTANA WILD LIFE, offi- cial publication of the Department, ap- proved it and expressed itself as pleased with results. m DEMAND The party who picked up black, white and tan male hound puppy on Cedar Point road, about fifteen-mile post, Sat- urday afternoon, kindly get in touch with Jackson's Meat Market. — Ad in Mobile Register. Helpful THE Leo. M. Goldberg Fur and Wool House, Inc. One of the Largest Direct Buyers in the Northwest, of All Kinds of American Raw FURS 1040 Helena Avenue Helena - - Montana SET 'EM UP A patrolman had brought in a negro woman somewhat the worse for wear, and the desk sergeant, with his very best scowl, roared: "Liza, you've been brought in for intoxication!" "Dat's fine!" beamed Liza. "Boys, you can start right now!" FOXES 5?«>-IW'BdAl»BbmBhieB and Pedigreed SihrwB. Order Now— Early DefaToy more Batiafa