The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-17
PROTECT THE GAME
An Amendment to the Interstate Law
Attracts Attention.
BUTTE SPORTSMEN RALLY
They Prepare Resolutions to For
ward to Senator Lee Mantle
State Legislation VIII Be Con-
sidered In Missoula.
BUTTE sPORTSMEN RALLY

The sportsmen of Montana and par
ticularly those of Butte, which boasts
of the largest and most influential
sportsmen club in Montana, are taking
a lively interest in a bill regulating
the transportation of game between the
different states and territories which
was drafted by F. S. Baird of Chicago.
chairman of the law committee of the
National Game, Bird and Fish Pro-
tective association. The bill is now in
the hands of Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom
and Congressman George Il. White of
Illinois. who have promised to intro
duce it as an amendment to the inter-
state commerce law. The members of
the Butte Rod and Gun club took steps
last evening to secure the support of
the Montana delegation in congress for
the bill, and they express the hope that
the other gun clubs throughout the
state will take the same action. The
measure is one of the most important
that the government could enact for
the preservation of the game of the
country, as ii would make easy the en-
forcement OF the non-export and nom
import laws of the states which have
these laws on their statute books.
Monetana has a law against either
the expectation or Importation of any
kind of game during the close season,
and all of the surrounding states have
laws that are almost exactly similar
but violations of them have been the
rule rather than the exception. Deer,
elk, ducks, grouse, sage hens and all
kinds of game are on sale in Butte,
both in and out of season and the
game laws have cut very little figure.
When the sportsmen kick to the deal
box Inv oYo Y q
was killed in Idaho or some other state
outside of Montana and shipped in.
When the county attorney is appealed
to he informs the indignant sportsmen
that the interstate commerce act stands
in the way of a prosecution, and there
the matter ends.
The bill referred to makes it unlaw-
full for any railroad. express company
or other common carrier or its officers,
agents or serva nts to receive for ship
ment from any place within any OF the
states or territories or the District OF
Columbia to any place without any of
the states or territories, or to any for
eign country for sale, for market or for
storage any moose, elk, deer, buffalo,
or bison, caribou, antelope, mountain
sheep or mountain goats, wild turkey,
prairie chicken or pinnated grouse,
sage hen, Monaghan or ring-neck
pheasant, grouse pheasant or part
, ridge quail, wild goose, duck, brant,
swan, woodcock, snipe, rail, plover or
other water fowl. 1t applies, however
only to states having laws against yhe
expectation or importation of game
similar to that of Montana. The full
text of the bill can be found in Ameri-
can Field of Feb. s.
The Butte Rod and Gun club last
evening adopted the following reSolu-
tions in connection with the bill:
Whereas, A bill has been introduced
to the United States senate and house
Cullom and Congressman George E
White relating to the transportation OF
wild game, and regulating Interstate
traffice of the same.
Whereas, The said bill is thought
by the members of the Butte Rod and
Gun club to be a most commendable
| bill; therefore, be IL,
Resolved, That the secretary of the
| club be instructed to communicate with
our senator, Lee Mantle, praying that
he work for the passage of said bill;
and, be it further,
Resolved, That the members of the
| club earnestly request that Senator Lei
Mantle urge Senator Thomas II. Car
ter and Congressman Charles S. Hart
man to support said measure.
M. Wright. Vice President.
Attest: c. II. Smith, Secretary"
The Butte Rod and Gun club is also
| taking the initiative in an organized
| effort which will be made TO secure the
passage of a better game law by the
next Legislature than that which Is now
in effect. A suitable law will be draft
| ed by the Montana Sportsmen's associ-
alton az it's next meeting in Missoula In
May, and all of the gun clubs of the
state will work for it's passage.