470 . 



RECREATION. 



REPORT OF KALISPELL LOCAL CHAPTER. 



Montana is one of the greatest game 

 States of the Union, but our game has had 

 a hard time in past years. Deer, goats 

 and elk, more especially deer, have been 

 routed by pot hunters and game hogs. 

 The office of game warden was created 

 less than 2 years ago, since which time 

 much credit is due the present efficient 

 incumbent, W. F. Scott. Aided by mem- 

 bers of the L. A. S. in different parts of 

 the State, he has brought to justice many 

 violators of our game laws. Montana be- 

 ing large, and the State warden allowed 

 only 8 deputies, Mr. Scott was obliged to 

 divide the State into 8 districts, each con- 

 taining. 18,600 square miles. Such large 

 areas, consisting mostly of mountainous 

 country, with few railroads, make it hard 

 for the deputies to perform their duties to 

 the extent of their wishes. However, they 

 are all zealous workers and do remarkably 

 well. Within the last 20 months more ar- 

 rests and successful prosecutions for game 

 law violations have been made than in the 

 whole previous history of our State; and 

 much more has been done to prevent viola- 

 tions and to educate the people to respect 

 the game laws. Much credit is due Major 

 John Pitcher, Acting Superintendent Yel- 

 lowstone National Park, for the able assist- 

 ance rendered by himself and scouts. His 

 scouts have been appointed special depu- 

 ties, to act without pay, and they have done 

 much efficient work. 



The head, hide and market hunters have 

 been practically driven out of business by 

 enforcement of the laws, and the results 

 are evident at the present time. By the 

 combined efforts of State Game Warden 

 Scott and members of our League, Mon- 

 tana's last Legislature passed much more 

 efficient game and fish laws. Many im- 

 portant changes were made. Chief among 

 these is the abolishing of spring shoot- 

 ing of ducks, geese, brant and other water 

 fowl. This will give our ducks, which 

 have hitherto been driven North by the 

 spring hunters, a chance to nest in the 

 Montana lakes and rivers. 



Another good feature of our new law is 

 the changing of the season for hunting 

 large game from "September 1 to Decem- 

 ber. This leaves out December, when the 

 snow in the mountains is very deep, mak- 

 ing it possible to kill any number of deer. 

 Pot hunters always took advantage of the 

 snow to supply the lumber camps. 



Under our new laws all guides are re- 

 quired to procure a license, for which they 

 pay $10 a year. Each guide is made a 

 deputy warden and while acting as guide 

 for any person or party shall be equally 

 responsible with said person or party for 

 any violation of the game law. For failure 



on his part to report any violation of the 

 law he shall be liable to the penalty im- 

 posed. Each guide so employed by a per- 

 son or party is required to make a written 

 statement to the State game warden as to 

 the number of days he was employed, the 

 number of persons guided, their names, 

 residence and number of each kind of game 

 killed; and if non-residents the number of 

 their license. 



There is created by th'e act what is 

 known as the fish and game fund. All 

 fines, licenses and other moneys collected 

 under the provisions of the law shall be 

 paid to the State Treasurer and placed by 

 him in this fund. The number of deputy 

 wardens will be increased and their sala- 

 ries set at $900 a year, and mileage when 

 making arrests. 



Any one person is allowed to kill 3 deer, 

 one Rocky mountain goat, one elk, and one 

 mountain sheep during the open season. 

 Moose, bison, caribou, buffalo, antelope and 

 beaver are protected at all times. 



Montana is wonderfully blessed with 

 large game. Deer, elk and Rocky Moun- 

 tain goats are numerous. Mountain sheep 

 are becoming scarce and hard to get. Bears 

 have been more numerous the last season 

 than for many years. A party of 3 and my- 

 self, last September, killed one silvcrtip, 

 one black and 2 brown bears. 



I note the State game warden has esti- 

 mated the probable number of elk to be 

 between 25,000 and 30,000. Blacktail deer 

 are numerous West of the Rockies. 



The most troublesome lawbreakers we 

 have to deal with are the Indians, who go 

 out from their reservations in large bands, 

 accompanied by their squaws, ponies and 

 dogs, and kill all the deer in the locality. 



The Kalispell Chapter about 5 years ago 

 turned loose several coveys of quails in 

 Flathead valley and they are multiplying 

 rapidly. It is now common to hear the 

 whistle of the Bob White and frequently 

 see them while driving along the country 

 roads. Last spring the chapter planted a 

 large quantity of wild rice. As yet we are 

 unable to say how it is thriving. 



Our duck and goose shooting is good 

 and nearly all hunters return with a good 

 bag. Two of us on a 2 days' hunt brought 

 home 5 geese and a large bunch of ducks. 

 We are having a hard time with the dyna- 

 miters. We will soon land a few and make 

 examples 'of them. 



On behalf of Kalispell Chapter of the 

 L. A. S., I extend a hearty welcome to 

 League members and all true sportsmen 

 to visit our fishing and hunting grounds. I 

 promise them the best of sport and that 

 they will not return empty handed. 



Thomas E. Dosson, Midvale, Mont. 



