The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-09-22
GAME REFUGEES

Devils Lake JournaD
some Misunderstanding appears to exist regarding
the policy OF the State Game and Fish commission as
sisted by the lzaak Walton League of America in
ing number OF game refugees in various parts of the
s,ate' especially IN Ramsey county. Many hunters COM
pam that these refugees dcprivng them of shoot
ing grounds, while number of farmers claim that the
creation OF refugees tends to increase grouse ducks
ana geese as to cndanger their crops.
There was time, not so long ago. when game
Ieiuge was practically unknown in North Dakota, and
hat was the time when the state more especalIv Tho
Lake Region the feeding, nesting and resting haven
1or millions OF wild ducks and geese. In those davs
some acres OF grain crops destroyed annually the
oIo timers tell u.s. especially by the great focks of
geese that swarmed the farms from the south in
the sprngtime and again in the early fall when thew
hs tnrGuen mere on their way south from Canada
ne Lake Region in those days, we are told. was the
entire nation. Fs u ''''
Since them geese have almost disappeared as o.me
pro, while the number of ducks is decreasing each
year. Grouse and prairie chicken are no longer plen
ana the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League
70 STOCK the praires and woods with pheasants
70 replace the fast disappearing grouse That The
neasans y really detrimental to farming has been dis
proved IN south Dakota. where they are plentiful but
wnere most OF the farmers have posted no.huntine
signs on their premises, indicating that they do not
consider the pheasants menace to their crons
!. lnasmuch ~ game il fast diminishing in the state
que probably to the advance Of civilization and tho
amount OF hunting done in the earlier time it is
asens tnat IN order that North Dakota may preserve
.s FeGutatlon a. hunters paradise, the State Game
ana rlsn commission must take drastic steps to pre
~: 3oi.c DiIuSs ana the most important stem in
ms is the creation Of game reserves where tho
pros might nest and thrive unmolested. The IzaaE
aiton League OF America has done much thronohout
country IN the preservation of game birds and game
ANIMALS N the preservation of game fish in tho
ana streams BY its fight against pollution and
the state Game and Fish commission and ~ the oc.i
enspter Q! the Izaak Walton League there will never
come time again to the Lake Region when dmcLs
grouse or other game birds will be as plentiful as
were N me days when the pioneers first fought
,s wy 70 lne virgin praires. The most that can be
expected by reason Of the creation of PANE raf :;
Ina! ialr number Of game BIRDS waterfowl and field
Drds, may De retained in the region and this we nm
oerstand . the purpose behind the Game and Fish com
guess, when ducks and geese and prairie ch;cIens ~
ssOuss VIII prove menace to growing crops nor to
tne wheat seed in the ground before the rrownr
ne axes Of the Region fast drying p the sionch.
are practically waterless and the inevitable
hnn. westward shift OF ducks and geese. Our only
!no1en we might expect that grouse hay return again
IN their former glory This year the grouse sea. s
no open until October the late Governor Sore IN ~
o. various game authorities having deferred the
opsnns OF the grouse season about two weeks on ac
state And the logical way in which to enco ~ .ne
- BY the creation Of refugees whsre
tpy might thrive unnoested-yet this does mt nc.r
tnat ne grouse will remain On these reserves sncs Il
sPpeeu g b trait Of their wild character to move
which th.y -. a,sas sa larger han the preserves
Ihousands e psepie IN The Lake Rssian-men Of II
g IT, ialmer.. Businessmen rich and poor-find
mamte pleasure each year hunting ducks and rrorss
cna = &c duty Ct The stats government through f.
~ - 49, si9n commsston to continue these pleasures
Inh ccmispion has lodged it, responsibility No true
spoTtsnan can :. ~