The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-05-03
FEDERAL CONTROL OF GAME
EMPHASIZED BY NEW
FOREST REGULATION

MlSSOO l1A-(OnllOl Dy the FOREST
service of fishing and hunting on fed
eral lands in the national forests, with
in Which it is estimated that IS per
cent of the big game population of
Montana and northern Idaho now make
their homes for most of each year, is
provided for under certain circum-
stances and within areas to be definite
" specified, under new regulations just
made by Henry A. Wallace, secretary
of agriculture.
Based upon the facts that the forest
service has the responsibility for man
aging federal lands and their resources
within the national forests, that wild
| life is one of those resources, that the
forests furnish the principal part of the
range required by big game of the west,
and the principle that all national for
est lands and resources should be de-
voted to their most productive use, the
purpose and reasons for the new regu-
lations may be summarized as:
To protect, develop and manage Wild
life population on the National Forests
in such ways as will
|. Make the highest possible contfbu-
ton to social and economic defelop-
ment J.
O. Correlate wild-life population with
the carrying capacity of lands and
waters upon which that life depends.
3. Correlate wild-life resources and
uses with those of other national forest
resources and uses.
4. Help prevent overgrazing and ero-
sion; help protect watersheds, timber
and other forest resources; help reduce
fire hazard.
/ That broad powers are involved is
indicated by the regulation itself, which
states in part that:
g. he (the Secretary shall designate
such national forest or portion thereof,
establish hunting and fishing seasons
therefor, fix bag and creel limits, speci-
| fy the sex of animals to be killed,
designate the official to whom applica-
tons for permits shall be made, and
describe the terms and conditions under
which hunting and fishing shall be con-
J Quoted with view of carrying out the
purpose of this regulation"
Pointing out that it may only be in
voked in specific cases and on specific
areas which have not in the past con-
tributed satisfactorily to the production
Of wild life, Evan W. Kelley, regional
forester at Missoula, has called atten-
ton to the fact that the new regula-
ton calls for system of game man.
agement-including planned utilization
and controlled hunting-which fully
recognizes all factors having. to do with
the life history and welfare of big game
1.-THE forest service has for years
urged the adoption of such a system,
Kelley said. 1T is" he continued, mo
new experiment Its essential features
have been in operation in Utah-with
respect to elk originally planted there
from Montana and Wyoming herds
for years. And so successful have they
been that the Utah legislature has now
extended them, upon insistence OF loca
sportsmen, to deer as we'll
. A larger lawful kill by hunters ane
! sportsmen, rather than a smaller one
should be possible after the new pro-
J cedure is properly established, Kelley
believes
! but this is by no means the COM
| plete solution to our big-game prob
d lem" he added. THE key to that prob
lem in Montana and northern Idaho i
winter range. And that is so scarce il
the national forests where, in hard win
, ters, game are confined by heavy SNOW
to south hillsides, windswept points AMI
) narrow creek bottoms, that some 10 pc
cent of the big-game population j
: forced to leave the forests for 81,
weeks to two months period durinl
such winters. And much of the gam
which remains at lower elevations il
the forests during this critical white
period ranges on lands that have passe
to private ownership. To remedy thi
situation. program of acquisition
indicated
LET me emphasize" Kelley con
Guided, that regulation G-20A is de
signed solely to provide such wild-lii
management on national forest areas {
streams as will secure adequate pre-
lection, DEVELOPMENT and utilization :
all resources. 1t is hoped it will prc
mote closer cooperation and aid
the application of practical plans whic
have been developed by the forest sers
! ice and cooperating agencies