The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-11
AS TO HE GAME LAWS.
Here Is New Argument Upon the
Question

To the Editor of The Standard:
Not long ago an agent OF Howard Eaton Of
McdOTa, Dakota, came TO Hennery'S Lake and
purchased carload Of live elk. shipping them
over the Utah Northern destined for Pittsburg
Penn. IL is understood that they were TO be
turned into the city park. Now what strikes
wonder is that certain others are doing their
utmost TO get bill passed in the legislature pro-
hibiting the catching OF wild game.
Vic smith. who bears the reputation OF hay-
| ing been the boss buffalo hunter OF the plains
and who undoubtedly stands to-day without a
peer as a hunter and who Is accounted the best
rifle shot In Montana, W interviewed on the
subject Of capturin. game. He is the first man
to attempt to capture wild elk on snOwshoes, a
practice which others speedily acquired. Mr..
smith. in partnership with another gentleman.
ran a large game farm up at Hennery's Lake.
Idaho. They caught and shipped about loo
elk to Austin Corbin and they were placed by
Mr.. orbin In his famous game preserve. Mr.
Corbin states THAI when elk have disappeared
In the west he Will have a large band roaming
over his place.
smith sold out his interest in the game bust
ness when he discovered that others competing
In the capture of game had cut the prices.
Smith stated that not more than one elk IN 20
lost his life IN captivity. whereas not more than
one in 10 escaped when the Indians or unscrupu-
lous hunters got after them. Furthermore they
are naturally OF domestic tendencies and there
is no reason why il properly handled they
should not roam the hills and be as gentle as
the reindeer of Lapand.
Smith claims that 1000 elk were killed last
year by Indians in Montana, Idaho and Nyo-
ming. The settlers of Jackson's Hole. to a man,
agree that 1900 G at the least winters in that
section, and that 800 elk died there last winter
owing to the scarcity of feed owing to the very
severe winter. At this rate in a few years, elk,
like the buffalo. will be thing of the past or
will have reached he proverbial scarcity OF
hens teeth, and it looks to reason that the only
way To preserve our game is by captivity.
Smith says that as far as his knowledge eX-
tends he knew of but one moose, grown, to sur
vive capture and that was the property OF him
self and partner. Some live three or four weeks
but they generally last about two days. They
will suk, lie down, hold their breath as long as
possible and death soon Overtakes hem. He
claims that elk and mountain sheep caught
grown are as hardy as cattle, but moose, deer,
antelope and mountain goats, to thrive must be
taken young.
IL is lamentable to think that while the game
is being slaughtered by the Indians and good
many pOtted on the quiet by men who do not
observe the law, that any one should contem-
plate for moment pushing bill through TO
deprive our noble and fast disappearing game
of its only protection. lnste id OF preventing
the capture of wild game the practice sh uld
be fOstered and eventually al parks could have
a good band. The bison became practically eX-
tinct for the want of protection. Then why not
raise game like other animals so that the COM
Ing generation NAV feast their eyes upon that
which otherwise they could not
DAN GRIFFIN.
LIMA, Jan. s. 1895.