Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-11-26
THE WHITE MAN Is A SELFISH
HUNTER.


populated with millions Of wild game birds
and animals and III few short years, by the
rapacity Of his hunting, he depletcs the sup
ply to such an extent that the state has to
step i'll and take drastic steps to save cer-
tain species from extinction In fact, there
are numerous instances where certain game
animals and birds have actually become ex,
tinct and the same fate would have followed
many other species if paternal govern
ment had not interferrcd with the senseless
slaughter
That long step will be taken this
winter in the depletion Of the wild deer of
Lincoln county is the firm conviction of
number of sportsmen Of this district who
have the conservation Of the game resources
of the country at heart This is due to sew
eral causes.
It was a serious error, so state these
men, to change the open deer season to end
on November % instead of November ID as
heretofore That throws the open season
farther into the time when snow arrives
thus making easier the bagging of deer
That result has happened this year. x
heavy snowfall III the mountains has driven
the deer III countless numbers down into
lower areas where they have fallen victims
to hunters rifles. La addition to the local
residents of the county. scores Of hunters
from the outside have come III for the deer
hunting season. The presence of snow that
drives down the deer and makes tracking
easy has resulted III an unprecedented
slaughter Of these fine game animals. Last
year forest and game officials estimated
that 1000 deer were killed in Lincoln county
This year the estimate is that that number
will be doubled. That is heavy toll on
the deer resources Of any district
And that is not all Of the bad features
Of the changed open season. The later sea-
son comedies more closely with the rutting
or breeding season of the deer, when the
meat Of the bucks IS often unusuable.
Hunters knowing this are refusing to kill
bucks and arc waiting until they can get
doe. The killing off of the does is Of
course one of the worst things that can be
done, one Of the worst blows to the future
deer crop Of the district. This is no UNI.
founded alarm. Libby men relate in
stances Of being out with hunters who re-
fused to shoot at bucks for the reason here
stated.
Another factor that is resulting i'll the
two rapid depletion Of the deer supply is
the quite universal disregard for the re-
strictions Of the law regarding numbers Of
deer killed. If reports are to be believed
it i a common thing for man to get all
the way from one to four deer during the
season. This surplus of meat is being taken
care Of BY canning While times are hard
the meat thus obtained is welcome adj
abundantly filled, yet this open disregard
Of the law even at such times as this is estab
fishing precedent and an impression III the
minds Of the public regarding game mat
tcrs that will be difficult to overcome
Others kill for the sport Of the hunt regard
less Of the law that says man shall have
only one deer during the season. This
whole aspect Of the matter is nothing more
nor less than a good example Of the contel1=
ton that the white man is selfish and
shortsighted creature when it comes to
hunting Kill while the killing is good and
let the future take care OF itself.
Neither is the new tag law working out
successfully, if reports are to be believed
That law was designed to help stop the I'M
lawful killing Of deer. 1t is not working that
way here, according to report. 1t is not
an uncommon practice, so it is reported, for
hunter to get deer and place his tag on
lit. He then takes the deer home cuts it up
and cans it or otherwise disposes of it, takes
off the tag and straightway goes out and
gets another deer and tags it with the same
old tag.