The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-09-09

The hOnk of the wild goose and h
Whirr of the mallard are commencing
to be heard in those parts of Montana
where migratory birds settle for a short
time during their flight from the north
to the south, and the nimrOds are
beginning to clean shOtguns and make
preparations for the opening of the
season, which is 80 minutes before
sunrise on Sept. 16.
The shooting Of migratory birds in
Montana ranks closely to fishing in the
realm Of outdoor sports. This year the
hunting Of geese and ducks holds espec-
ial interest for Sportsmen due to the
closing Of the season on upland game
birds, such as prairie chicken, grouse,
and pheasants. The season on upland
game birds will remain closed in all
parts Of the state until 1923, according
to Robert A. Hill, state game warden,
Many sportsmen, according to the
state game warden, were of the opinion
that the closing Of the season on up
land birds was not state wide. This, he
declares is not correct, and the hunters
must devote their efforts to the water
fowl this year.
Early Flight Indicated
Preliminary surveys by wardens Of
wild ducks and waterfowl indicate an
early flight. Numerous lakes and
sloughs were inspected by the wardens
and it was found that practically all
had attracted ducks. Several large
flocks of mallards M teals have left
their northern haunts n are hover
ing about the waterways of the state.
These conditions, it is stated, indicate
an early winter.
The season on migratory birds will
expire at sunrise, December 81, and until
that time the sportsmen are permitted
bag limits Of 25 ducks, 8 geese, 9 brant,
20 snipe III IS rails. Few sportsmen,
will care to bag the limit.
Migratory bird shooting is one Of the
most attractive sports common to sports
men Of most states. Much skill is re-
quired to obtain results, as each of the
in the speed Of their flight and their
aerial maneuVerS. The possibility OF
bagging the Canadian "honker' or the
brant lends zest to the sport.
Face Many Problems
The state fish and game commission
has long recognized the value Of this
! sport and that many problems must be
faced If the wild water fowl are to be
conserved. Recently in water adjacent
to Great Falls a battling disease Of ducks
depleted the northern flocks. In the
Bear river marshes Of Utah, in Oregon
and other states, the ducks fell by the
thousands by this disease.
Investigations revealed that o x
action Of certain soluble salts caused
the deaths in many instances. George
E. Muschbagh, United States game
warden, recently declared that in ont
Of the western water fowl sections 1
was found that for a distance of 81
miles Of shore there were 81 dead bird
: to the rod, a total Of nearly 1920 bird
a mile. or 100000 birds for the so miles
At Priest lake in March n April
1926, geese by the hundreds were killeC
, by an unknown disease. The Grea
Falls club recently voted an appropria
ton of which is to be used to proven
> a duplication of the depletion Of tn
northern flocks If possible.
other Clubs Act
2 Similar action has been taken by club
n in other counties, and through co
Y operative action it appears probable tina
2 migratory birds will be protected fror
4 such diseases.
This year, for the first time in years
sloughs and coulees are filled with water
eliminating for the time being at leas'
the necessity Of the water fowl extend
: ing their flight to the lakes Of the statt
These indications indicate a most favor
3 able season, according to sportsmen.