MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



the last few years. The foxhounds are used largely on the trail of mountain 

 lions and bobcats, although many coyotes are shot ahead of the hounds. 



Approximately 2000 miles of poison lines have been strung in Montana by 

 regularly salaried hunters. Xo carcasses are poisoned. Small baits are used 

 around the carcasses, which are used simply as bait stations. Stockmen and 

 farmers interested in the eradication of predatory animals annually donate for 

 our use many worthless horses for this work. Hunters pick up all poisoned bait 

 when their work is completed and they are ready to start spring trapping, to 

 avoid all possibility of poisoning dogs. Vei-y few complaints have been received 

 of dogs meeting death through eating the poisoned meat as compared to the 

 thousands of coyotes taken in this manner. Care of the hunters is responsible. 



Stockmen of Montana have been profuse in their appreciation of work accom- 

 plished by hunters. They freely admit that the present system of employing 

 salaried hunters has given their herds greater protection than ever before and 

 the death toll taken by predatory animals is dwindling. In many cases a few 

 old killers prowl around the ranches. Stockmen are unable to employ skilled men 

 willing to brave the dangers of outwitting the cats. By making application for 

 the services of state or government hunters they are supplied with the talent of 

 skilled men capable of stopping the stock killing. Many letters of favorable 

 comment are regularly received commenting on the work of these trained hunters. 



In Montana localities where the wolves ran in packs of from 1.5 to 20 only a 

 few years ago these hunters have cleaned up the animals and the farmers have 

 not been hesitant in expressing their appreciation. Experience has taught sports- 

 men and stockmen that a pair of adult coyotes killed in fall or winter is equiva- 

 lent to taking seven or eight pups in the spring. The average litter of coyote 

 pups number about seven and in some cases as many as 12 have been taken from 

 a single den. 



BUirr wtdllirr and forhiddin;) drifts hold )W fear for hunters of prrdntori/ animals. 



Tlir picture slious one of tin C. E. Beehe huntinti camps on the Soutli Fork of the 



Flathead river in April, u-hi n sprinri sunsliine was sprcadincj its warmth elsewhere. 



