The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-27
TO SAVE THE BIG GAME
More Stringent Laws Should Be
Enacted.
MOOSE NEARLY EXTINCT
They and Other Wild Game Could Be
Tanned II Properly Protected
An Example Prom Maine
The State Should Act.
To the Editor Of the Standard:

To the Editor Of the Standard:
The request has come from various
quarters that something be written about
a very important subject for our law
makers. and all who have the future OF
the state at heart. Montana is certainly
the most important state in the union re-
sarding wild game OF a certain kind,
found but seldom outside the state. and
found within its borders In very limited
quantities at present. to become entirely
extinct In a few years II more stringent
measures are not taken to preserve Il.
The natural resources Of the state for
the preservation of game. with laws en-
forced. are of such a nature that 1t would
increase I'm unlimited quantities for fu-
ture years. The extensive and many noun
tain ranges. with almost inaccessible
gulches and small vesleys between them:
the large tracts of very rough and rocky
country. where little patches of grassy
land may be found at an elevation for
ever dispelling the idea that any other use
can ever he made of II: the thick and
tangled woods. stretching for many miles
along the borders of ranges OF hills and
mountains found all over the state; these
wilds Will either he the home of the
most important kind of wild game found
upon earth to-day or lonely and useless
in the future.
In relation to most of the wild game of
the state. including birds of various
kinds. che laws are about as nearly per-
feet as IL seems possible to make them.
and the game will fare well provided these
laws are properly enforced: but in re-
gard to moose. wild sheep and goats.
there are some features which IL would
be wise for our legislators to take ac-
count Of. II Is well known that only
about 20 moose exist to-day i'm this entire
state. so vast in its area and so abund-
ant In its natural provisions for this very
scarce animal. One of these animals will
bring at the lowest figure s.. 200 I'm the
market i'm New York n properly tanned.
and that they can be tanned without any
danger whatever is manifest by the num-
Der which are now i'm happy captivity I'm
the various localities in the state. There
is one In Anaconda to-day. the property
OF ID. a. Speaker, an old-time resident. 1t
was captured In infancy and has been
very healthy and has grown remarkably
since. 1t IL valued at $500 to-day. though
but a little over being a yearling. II a
law were passed entirely prohibiting the
slaughter of these noble animals. and at
the same time allowing the young to be
captured alive and reared. the number
captured would not hold "A very large ra-
tic to those which would escape. and thus
many would be saved I'm the various To-
~calities in the state in their native Wild
ness and others in captivity. That the
moose can be saved by stringent laws. APP
piled as they should he. is evident by the
more wild moose and more tame ones
state of Maine. which to-day contains
than all of Montana. although the size
and natural resources for this animal in
Maine hold 40 comparison whatever.
When such comparison Is made Montana
should have at least a dozen Of these an
imals to Names one.
In relation to wild sheep a very great
mistake has been made. They have mostly
died off because OF the peculiar disease.
which man alone can cure. hat has in
fected them during the past dozen years
on more. Old .-unteTs tell of finding many
Of these creatures dead upon the side
hills. next to the sun. 10000 and 1000
feet above sea level. with all the wool
gone because OF tie scab. II these ami
mails were allowed to be taken captive
and tanned IL would preserve them to
the state and its citizens who are occu-
pied in that pursuit-of whom there are
quite a number-would have some re-
Enumeration. and our parks and institu-
tlons of learning would all derive "A ben
eft. for the present rate OF extinction
there will not be a wild sheep in Mon
tana in a few years. Whenever there is a
band Of any consequence the Indians are
allowed to slaughter them i'm a most wan
ton manner as was witnessed at the
htadwaters of the Big Hole river not so
very long ago. The few that the scab
does not carry of are either slaughtered
by the Indians or the whites. for want
of suitable game wardens. for whom suit.
able provisions should be made, and their
duties enforced.
In regard to the wild goat. It can be said
that they are much more numerous than
either the sheep or the moose. although
these are being killed at all times in the
year by those who live nearest their
places of retreat. and who fear no danger
from any one ever discovering them in
the act or knowing anything about IL. IL
seems very important to many people that
Montana be as wise as some other states
in the union and make the game laws 50
stringent and enforce them SO well that
these magn.fcent natural parks scattered
all over the state be not made lonely by
the game all being destroyed. TO return no
more i'm the centuries to come. The head
of tie Wise river country Is so much like
a natural park and its places OF refuge
so many and extensive for all kinds of
game that II could be made to rival the
Yellowstone National park to some ex-
tent; and what IL true Ga this region is
just as true of many other regions I'm va
rious parts of the state. Every argument
that can be brought forward when the
popularity of Montana. its pleasure-giv-
ing properties. its benefits for the future
and its desirability as a great region for
recreation for this great nation. and for
the world to some extent; when IL Is rom
sidered I'm this light. every that