LAW ENFORCEMENT 



A growing America is seeking more outdoor rec- 

 reation and demanding more of resource agencies. 

 During the past twenty years many new tasks hove 

 been added to the responsibilities of the Montana 

 Fish and Game Department. Many of these new 

 responsibilities have been delegated to the Enforce- 

 ment Division. 



Twenty years ago Dr. McFarland, then State 

 Game Warden and head of the Department, realized 

 the need for improving the standards of Fish and 

 Game personnel. His progressive thinking and plan- 

 ning initiated the first in-service training session to 

 better train personnel in the various fields of wildlife 

 management, law enforcement and public relations. 



The game warden of yester-year was mostly 

 concerned with the enforcement of regulations of the 

 wildlife resource. His primary duty was patrolling 

 his district on the lookout for people hunting during 

 closed seasons and taking more than the legal limit 

 of fish and game. In the "good old days", the 

 waste of game resources caused by surplus animal 

 populations dying on over-used ranges was of little 

 concern to anyone because then there was plenty 

 for all. This lack of management went by apparently 

 unnoticed because nature left enough in most cases 

 so there was no shortage until the thirties when 

 game populations hit an all time low. Times changed, 

 and more intensive land use caused the wildlife 

 habitat to dwindle providing less opportunity for 

 hunters and fishermen to bag their game or fill their 

 creel. Because of the increased number of recreation- 

 ists and because resource management is becoming 

 more recognized as a necessity, the public is insisting 

 that wildlife management be done in a more efficient 

 manner. Today there is no place for waste because 

 the demand often exceeds the supply. 



The Montana Fish and Game Department is 

 coping with the increased use of wildlife resources. 

 We are finding new ways to provide sportsmen with 

 as much hunting and fishing as possible. 



The game warden's position is a difficult one 

 and more complicated than it was a few years ago. 

 He must have a basic knowledge in fish and game 

 management, ability to administer good public re- 

 lations, be well informed on laws and regulations 

 and have special training in law enforcement. The 

 enactment of new laws to provide more and safer 

 recreation has placed further demands upon the 

 officers. 



Firearm and Hunter Safety 



Field administration of the Firearm Safety Law 

 is another important task of the warden force. This 

 law provides for a course of instruction in the safe 

 handling of firearms for children between 12 and 18. 

 This instruction not only makes a safer hunter of 

 Montana's youth but is also an added incentive for 

 parents to set a safe example for their children. 



Boating Laws 



A uniform boat and water safety law was passed 

 during the biennium that set safety regulation for 

 boaters and for other uses of water areas. The Fish 

 and Game Department and specifically wardens are 

 charged with enforcing this law. With the increased 

 interest in boating and water skiing, the enforcement 

 of this law becomes more time consuming. Frequent 

 complaints are directed to the officer concerning 

 reckless operation of boats. Fortunately, few people 

 are injured by these thoughtless water antics but 

 these incidents are annoying to other boaters and 

 water users. Reckless boat maneuevers do not usu- 

 ally leave tracks; consequently, considerable time 

 is consumed investigating boating violations. 



Boat Registration Inspection. 



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