Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-03
URGES SP0RTSMEN
To ORGANIZE FOR
GAME PROTECTION
Secretary of Rod and Gun Club
Believes There's Danger
of Extinction.

To see the forests of Montana, once
the greatest game fields in the country,
stripped of their game until only a few
remote sections in the state afford
good hunting grounds, and to fish for
hours with little luck in its streams
where years ago he found the finest
trout fishing in the west, has been the
tary of the Great Falls Rod and Gun
club, and old time sportsmen in Mon
tana.
Unless concerted effort on the part
of organized sportsmen's associations
is made to perpetuate the fish and
game in Montana the state will soon
lose and never again regain the repu-
tation it has justly earned of being a
paradise for sportsmen." he said.
Would Increase Game and Fish
Legislators unassisted by organized
sportsmen have little conception of the
game legislation needed, and even when
wise laws are passed, they are i'm
potent and of slight value unless there
is organized sentiment blind them for
their enforcement" he said.
The Great Falls Rod and Gun club
is an organization which has for its
object the increase of game and fish
for the purpose of affording pleasure
to those who enjoy hunting and fish
ing. 1t is composed of sportsmen who
are looking out for their own enjoy
ment and the enjoyment of those who
are to come after them, who realize
the necessity of organized effort and
who are willing to combine their eff
forts with others to accomplish that
end.
The method of accomplishing this
end is, first, by procuring proper laws
and, second, by creating a public senti-
ment in favor of the enforcemnt of
those laws. The best laws that car
be drafted will accomplish little with
out a sentiment in favor of their en-
forcement. TIL creation of such a
sentiment should, therefore, be the
primary aim of every sportsman.
Must Change Sentiment
Laws will be enforced to the extent
that they are backed by public senti-
ment, and to that extent only. We
all know that in the past and even
at present many regard the game laws
as a joke, and boast of their infraction.
This sentiment must be changed-and
that soon. If the sportsmen by a COM
bined effort will insist upon law en-
forcement. public sentiment will soon
change. If citizens learn that viola
tons of the game laws are unpopular
and will not be tolerated. game will
rapidly be replenished. This can be
accomplished through an educational
campaign conducted by the sports
men, |
Mr.. Steward pointed out that the
state fish and game commission would
be able to accomplish much more if it
could have the solid backing of the
earnest sportsmen of the state. Game
laws will never be effective until their
violation is looked upon with the same
seriousness of other law violations. be
said.
Cooperation Required
"Once the sportsmen let it be
known that they mean business and
intend to bring violators of our game
laws to justice, an increase in our
game and fish will at once become
noticeable.
This sentiment for game protec-
ton so essential TO a proper enforce
ment of the game and fish laws can be
created only by a continuous and per-
sistent educational campaign, and by a
prolonged systematic campaign and
the public can be educated to a proper
respect for the game and fish laws.
When that time comes. and not until
then, will closed seasons and bag
accomplish real results.
"A few sportsmen cannot accomplish
these things. 1t requires the CO.
operation of all sportsmen in organ
lied form. A failure to stand to-
now means a still greater task
in the future and a serious curtail-
ment. if not the entire elimination of