The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-04-20

amounting to only 57,327 in 1881. Trap
pings so far this year indicate the de-
cline is continuing.
The trapping of coyotes closely fol-
lows the muSkrat. There are. on the
average, approximately 5000 coyotes
captured every year by the trappers,
not including the work of persons con-
nected with the predatory animal con-
troll work. Despite the average, there
were only 3,258 coyotes captured in
| 1888 when furs were lower than they
are at the present time.
One finds it hard to realize the mag
nitude of the industry and its financial
value ON the one hand and the great
devastation that the predatory animals
commit every year on the sheep. game,
poultry and livestock in this state.
According to heads of the Montana
Wool Growers association. predatory
animals killed 1885 deer and 802 elk
from 1925 to 1888 while all the hunt
ers in the state killed but 33.184 deer
and l 1,270 elk during the same period.
All predatory work in this state is
conducted by the United States bio
logical survey with headquarters in
Billings. The recent organization OF
so CWA hunters to launch a drive on
all predatory animals throughout the
state was welcomed by Montana stock
men Letters are received daily at the
Billings office from woolgrowers, stock
men and poultry raiSerS telling of the
depredations of predatory animals.
Under the classification of predatory
f%urbearing animals are coyote, wolf,
mountain lion, lynx. weasel, skunk,
civet cat. polecat, black-foOted ferret
and bobcat. The predatory work has
been greatly handicapped during the
last year due to the drastic reductions
in the force. However. predatory ami
NAL hunters working under the biol
ogical survey destroyed 1878 coyotes
in the fiscal year ending July l, 1888.
Approximately II bobcats were killed
and three mountain lions were destroy
ed. The bureau works in cooperation
with the Montana livestock commits
sion and cooperative hunters. One
hunter alone killed 1874 coyotes during
that year. There were eight workers
on the average, employed by the survey.
1t is difficult to estimate sheep losses
caused by predatory animals. No def
mite check is available but at the last
state convention of the Montana Wool
Growers association held in Billings, the
sheepmen reported that predatory an
imals are increasing and causing a
greater damage every year.
Among the classifications of fur
bearing animals that are not predatory
are included marten, otter, fox, musk
rat, fisher, mink, raccoon and beaver
all requiring trappers license.
The highest state bounty is paid on
the mountain lion amounting to $25
during all seasons of the year. A bounty
OF 81 is paid on coyotes during April,
May and June. There are comparative
~ few mountain lions captured in this
state although there are a great num-
Der, particularly in western Montana.
The fur of the mountain lion is
practically worthless except for speci-
men purposes although some years
when fur prices are higher than at
present, a good fur will bring from $40
to SIS. It often takes three to four
weeks to capture a mountain lion after
the finding of fresh tracks.
There are between 10000 to 100 900
mink trapped yearly in the state; 1000
to 5000 fox, 700 to 1000 raccoon and
from 1000 to 1900 marten, according
to the state department.