Protecting the Bear 



By James A. Macguiie, Editor Outdoor Life 



There is and has been a growing sentiment among many sportsmen for several 

 years that bears should be considered game animals, and protected under the laws 

 of all states. Many of the states have adopted this view of the matter, and 

 afford protection to these animals. Some of the leading sportsmen's Associations 

 of the United States have made a vigorous campaign along these lines, and are 

 largely responsible for the enactment of laws affording protection to this usually 

 homeless family. 



Montana is probably the home of as many, if not more bears than any state 

 in the Union, and to date they may be hunted, trapped and murdered during every 

 month of the year. They are only protected by their habits of annual hibernation, 

 and if, by chance, their dens are discovered during this period, they are dis- 

 patched while in a helpless condition. 



Aside from the fact, that I believe bears are entitled to protection, I also 

 believe that such protection from trappers, will largely aid in the protection of 

 other game animals, such as deer and elk, for many professional bear trappers 

 have no scruples against shooting deer or elk in the spring time to use as bear 

 bait for traps. 



Sun Rivci Game Preserve 



Aside from the steel traps and deadfalls used for the capture of bear, there is 

 a practice in vogue in Western -Montana, that is even more brutal and revolting 

 than permitting these animals to suffer hours and, perhaps, days, after having 

 a heavy steel trap clamped on one foot, shutting off all circulation of blood in 

 that portion of the limb, below the clamps and causing untold agony to the 

 captured beast, and that is, the practice of using ten gallon casks, in which 

 sharpened spikes have been driven in a slanting direction through the sides of 

 the cask at the upper or opened end, and alluring bear bait attached to the closed 

 end, on the inside of the cask. These are placed in localities that bear frequent, 

 (49) 



