urging him to enforce the law of Montana, which specific- 

 ally provides protection for all wild buffaloes. It was 

 pointed out that inasmuch as the buffaloes now roaming 

 in the Flathead Valley are fully known to be entirely 

 beyond control of man, so far as their capture and em- 

 pounding are concerned, they are de facto wild animals, 

 and as such are entitled to protection. 



Without delay, Mr. Avare laid the matter before 

 the Attorney-General for the State of Montana, who 

 promptly rendered an opinion to the effect that the 

 buffaloes in question, being de facto wild animals, are 

 entitled to protection; and that it is therefore the duty 

 of the State Game Warden to prevent them from being 

 molested by hunters. 



With highly commendable energy and promptness. 

 State Game Warden Avare despatched a Deputy Game 

 Warden to Flathead Valley, to inform Mr. Pablo and all 

 concerned with the buffaloes which it was proposed should 

 be killed, to make a series of holidays and for the produc- 

 tion of revenue, that they must not be molested; and in 

 pursuance of this announcement, the proposed "buffalo 

 hunt" was abandoned. All persons interested in the 

 perpetuation of the American Bison have good reason to 

 be grateful to Mr. Avare for having so promptly stopped 

 a proceeding that, if carried into effect, would have been 

 nothing less than a disgrace to the State of Montana. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



W. T. HORNADAY. 



