The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-06-27
Flint Succeeds Rush
As Game Specialist

MISSOULA, June 24-The appoint
ment of Howard R. Flint, veteran for
ester and recognized leader in Wild
life conservation activities, to be game
specialist in Region One of the United
States forest service, was announced
yesterday by Major Evan w. Kelley,
regional forester. Mr.. Flint succeeds Mr..
W. NJ Rush, who was recently trans
ferred to the bureau of biological sur
vey as regional director of the surveys
activities in Washington, Oregon and
California
Mr.. Flint's interest in forestry and
wild life dates back to his early boy
hood, which was spent in the fields and
forests of Minnesota. Following up these
youthful inclinations, he attended the
University of Minnesota and the Uni
versity of Montana, and later did some
work at Harvard University, rounding
out fundamental training in forestry
and land economics. His opportunity to
apply the knowledge gained at these
various universities came when he
entered the forest service in 1910
Mr.. Flint's close association with the
forest and wildlife problems through
out the Northwest during the last two
and one-haf decades has fitted him
admirably for his new assignment.
Early in his duties as a forester, he
displayed keen interest in the wild-life
problems of the region. Mr.. Flint is =
keen observer, knows what he sees. and
sees what he looks at, and is a most
able field naturalist and investigator.
He is the author of large number Of
articles dealing with the multiple uses
of forested and semi-forested land He
recently retired as president of the
Northwest Scientific Association. the
presidency of which is one of the high
est honors that can be conferred by
this outstanding organization Of scien-
fists who represent the Northwest
region in this field
The problems Of wild life and range
management are under the direct sup
ervision Of Mr.. Glen A. Smith, assistant
regional forester, and it is in this divi-
sion that Mr.. Flint will carry on his
activities.
First of all, game management is
one phase of land management Mr..
Smith says, fand the proper manage
ment of fish and game and fur bearing
animals is problem in land use, and if
such management is properly coordi-
mated with the multiple uses Of forest
lands, including the grazing of domestic
stock, these Wild-life resources will
tend to increase and not decrease Mr.
Smith points out that Mr. Flints pre-
vious duties have made it possible for
him to become intimately acquainted
with the multiple land-use problems
throughout the region, and this, coupled
with the fact that he is well equipped
by education, experience, and natural
inclinations, makes him especially fitted
to the new post.
1t is already known that winter range
is requisite in the future supply Of
big game Of Montana and northern
Idaho. 1t will be Mr. Flint's duty to
study the forage resources on the
winter range Of big game, to determine
the capabilities and capacities Of these
various ranges to support big game.
Then, too, the matter Of the correlation
of land use by big game with other
forms of public use is matter which
will require his attention
Disease among game animals, causes,
and means of reducing the drain on our
game herds is an important part of
game and resource management. In this
field there is broad opportunity FOR
the study of ways and means Of COM
batting diseases and parasites, which
take an annual toll from the big-game
population. 1t is a field in which little
scientific work has been done.
In the determination of the areas
suitable for game and the utilization
factors on each of the national forests,
the study of the streams and lakes and
the development of plan of rehabilita-
ton Of fish life, looking toward max
ing the waters of the national forests
a fisherman's paradise, will be another
important phase of Mr.. Flint's duties.
While a bounteous supply of big
game and fish has a special appeal to
a large number of Montana citizenry
and will 20 long way toward attract
ing out-of-state people, these activities
cannot be allowed to crowd out other
important phases of conservation and
land utilization. Fur bearers, which
were once great revenue producers
and an item Of industry that brought
about the discovery and settlement Of
this Northwest territory, can become
leading factor again. 1t is known thai
environmental conditions are favorable
to the production of wide. variety, o.
fur-bearing animals, which may agar
be the basis of thriving industry
Those interested in the various anc
multiple phases Of land use may lool
forward with confidence that undei
A1r Elix. o.. Ill LII