40 



MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



of such a high character that frequently applications have been made for the 

 specimens to be sent out of the state. 



On several occasions the federal government has sent a man here to take por- 

 tions of the exhibits to parks and aquariums in the east, particularly the speci- 

 mens of Loch Leven trout and grayling. 



These exhibits, proving such a great attraction to the people of the state, 

 affords a splendid opportunity for the attendants to put over to people with 

 whom the department comes in contact the message that the departrr.ent is 

 absolutely self-supporting, that it spends not a dollar of the money paid to state, 

 county, city and town treasuries as taxes, and that the department is making 

 every effort to perpetuate the wild life of Montana that future generations of 

 its citizens may have it in generous numbers to enjoy. 



Leaflets bearing these messages have been distributed at these exhibits, as 

 many as 10,000 having been passed out to the visitors to the exhibits in a single 

 fair season. 



Other educational work is done in connection with these exhibits as opportu- 

 nity affords. The value of different species of game and other birds as destroy- 

 ers of insects is brought to the attention of the people, as is also the predatory 

 animal and bird control work carried on in cooperation with the organized sports- 

 men of the state, which work, carried on year after year, is ridding Montana of 

 thousands upon thousands of harmful animals and birds. 



The wild life exhibit of the department has become so popular with the patrons 

 of fairs that managers have expressed the earnest hope that the department will 

 continue the practice. 



Contests conducted among boys' and girls' clubs of the state as well as organi- 

 zations of sportsmen, in ridding the state of predatory birds and animals have 

 brought remarkable results in saving game birds. Hawks, magpies, crows, goph- 

 ers, woodchucks, coyotes, mountain lions, the eggs and feet of predatory birds and 

 other features are counted as points and valuable cash prizes are annually 

 awarded by the department to the winning clubs within the state. The younger 

 generation is thereby being interested in the conservation of our wild life. 



KILLER CATS FALL IN MONTANA DRIVE 





M 





<\M .' £. 



^' ^. M 



Ilrre's (inotlnr butch of predatory animal hides of various hinds that's ample proof 



of irliat paid hunters are doinej to preserve wild life. These hides were piled and strun;/ 



up alongside the mountain cahin of the liunter as mute evidence of effieieneii. 



