Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-01
ARGUES STRONGLY FOR
GAME LAW ENFORCEMENT

Fortine, Montana, December 80 1880
Editor Western News:
The letter in the last issue of the
Western News signed "A Eureka Cit
zen and Reader expressed some views
on game laws with which / agree.
Strict enforcement of present and flu
ture laws is necessary il we wish to
maintain our supply of game in conf.
ing years The deer in Lincoln County
have in past years withstood almost
unrestrained killing remarkably we'll
But because of the publicity given TO
the game resources of this county as
a result of the excessive killing of deer
here last fall, because Of TIE opening
of the Roosevelt Highway through the
Rockies, and because deer of any age
or sex can be killed here, the number
of hunters coming from outside the
county will increase every year. I'm
less unlawful killing is prevented, the
deer will he unable to maintain their
present numbers.
Proposals are being made for Law
prohibiting all shooting within con-
siderable distance of all public roads
This provision would be helpful ii il
were observed We already have Law
prohibiting all shooting from highways
yet probably unu-fourth OF, The dees
killed IN this county are seeuTeii
! through the disregard of this law. II IS
unlawful to shoot deer with the aid
Of any artificial light, yet spotlight
hunting is done regularly, in season
and out. Already tonight | have heard
rifle shots from three different direc-
tons Deer are protected by law dur
ing the present season of the year. yet
hunting is being done practically every
day Hard times" is offered as an ex-
cuse for multitude of sins this sea-
son. but il does not explain the hun
dreds of law violations which occur
every year.
Continued lack Of enforcement leads
to growing disregard for law, and in
region where the citizen who at
/ tempts to help protect the game, rather
| than the law-violater. is condemned BY
/ the general public. the game supply
is in grave danger of depletion
AS every reader Of this knows, the
/ unlawful killing Of deer comprises only
fraction Of the total law violations.
Hundreds of fish are caught during
closed seasons, III protected waters,
and in streams with the use Of salmon
eggs as bait large fish that refuse to
bite are 'snagged,a dubbed, or speared-
| Fur bearing animals are taken BY
trappers not holding licenses, beaver
are caught unlawfully and their hides
| bootlegged. Grouse are killed regu-
larly during closed seasons Hunting
| ard fishing is done by aliens and by
citizens without proper licenses. Land
posted against hunting by owners wish
ing to afford game animals and birds
some sanctuary attracts hunters from
every direction In short, every law
which it is possible to break is violated.
This state of affairs exists not only
in Lincoln County, but, in lesser de-
gree, throughout the state. If more
Pviolations occur here than m most
! other counties, it is largely because the
opportunities for them are greater.
Our supply of game will no longer
withstand both the increased lawful de
] pletion and the usual unlawful killing,
| To prevent the unlawful killing VIE
must have more salaried wardens. Be
fore the fish and game commission can
employ more wardens, revenue for the
purpose must be provided by an in
i crease in license fees; and before the
commission will provide more wardens
it will want assurance from residents
all over the state that more waruerls
are needed and wanted Here, it seems
to me, is a real opportunity for Roc
and Gun Clubs and unorganized sports
men of Lincoln county to help pro-
vide for the game conservation tina
they all seem to wish.
, In letters expressing objections r.
the buck law for this county, there
have been several reports Of a scar.
city of bucks at the present time. Thi
is not the case in Fortune Trego- Stry.
ker district. Whitehall bucks are no
as common as does, but with tn
black tail conditions are differ
ent. In the fall of 1927 tn