10 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN MONTANA 



Columbia Chub. Taken in Yellow Bay, Flathead Lake 



"The appropriation made to the use of the Game and Fish Com- 

 mission from the game funds to replenish and return game and fish to 

 our forests and streams, was something like $40,000 for the last two 

 years; this for the maintenance, upkeep and general expenses in con- 

 nection with hatcheries, and the distribution of the fish throughout the 

 state. 



"We who are trying to do the work realize that without the help 

 of the people, the utmost effort of the Game and Fish Commission, or 

 of the Department of Game and Fish must be futile. I call the atten- 

 tion of those who do not hunt to the fact that under our law they are 

 joint owners in the wild game and birds of this state, and we beg of 

 them to help conserve these things before it is too late. 



"The year 1919 will undoubtedly go down in history as the year 

 in which wild life in Montana met its Waterloo. The terrible drouth 

 which had lasted for a period of months and years and reached its 

 climax in 1919, resulted in hundreds of our splendid trout streams dry- 

 ing up and as a result many millions of game fishes were de>stroyed. 



"As a result of the heavy snowfalls early in the season, big game 

 was driven from high altitudes and summer ranges to the lower levels, 

 where, owing to faulty game laws, thousands of elk and deer fell vic- 

 tims to the unerring marksmanship of the Montana sportsman. 



"The present time is the opportune time for the honest to God 

 sportsmen to become active and lend a* helping hand in correcting the 

 many irregularities to be found in the Montana game laws, by sending 

 only such men to the legislative halls as may be known as true sports- 

 men, believing in protection and conservation of wild life, thereby sav- 

 ing one of Montana's greatest assets. Among the many natural re- 

 sources that Montana possesses her wild life is acknowledged to be 

 one of the greatest assets and attractions. 



