The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-11-07
Study Game
Matters At
MiSSOula Meet
Give Serious Thought to
Many Factors in Wild
Life Management.
RODENTS CARRY
BUBONIC PLAGUE

]. w. Darlington, deputy game war
den, Charles Powell, forest ranger of
Rexford, and r. w. Frenming, forest
ranger from the Ants Flat station,
were at Missoula on Thursday Friday
and Saturday of last week attending a
school on game management conducted
under the auspices of the forest service
The school was conducted by j. K.
Dwinelle. forest Libby resident and
was in charge of William Rush Of
Portland, who is now at the head of
game matters in the national forests
Of the northwest district
Darlington reports that many mat
tiers were studied, including diseases
of game, forage resources, migration
Of deer and elk to winter range, ability
of forest to support game increase, pre-
datory animals, etc, etc. About rs men
from all parts of Montana We're in at
tendance at the meeting.
A Puzzling Problem.
A matter that is engaging the serious
thought of men at the head of game
management-and especially the bio
logical SURVEYS what policy to
pursue in respect to predatory animals.
At first thought the average person
would say there is only one thing to
do and that is to get rid of the pre-
datory animals. But experience is
raising doubt as to the wisdom Of
such policy under all conditions.
In order to save as many deer as
possible, a policy has been followed of
discriminating mountain lions. An
immense increase in the number of
deer follows and then the natural sup
ply of food is inadequate, the range
becomes overstocked and deer starve
to death by the hundreds. That has
actually happened in some sections Of
the West.
Predatory animal hunters are put in
the field to eradicate the coyotes. This
is followed by an over-running of the
land with rodents, which are very de-
structive to crops, destroying thousands
of dollars worth every year for the
farmers of the section where they are
allowed to become a pest. II coyotes
are allowed to propagate in reasonable
numbers, the rodents are held down
When all these various factors are
given consideration, it is realized it is
mighty difficult to improve on old
mother natures method in maintaining
wise balance among wild-life deni
zens.
Bubonic Plague Germ Here.
Another matter discussed at the
meeting was of much more serious
import A veterinarian was present
from Lewistown and spoke regarding
the spread into Montana of the flea
that carries the bacillus of the bubonic
plague. This flea is spreading over
the western United States. undoubted-
ly having gained entrance through some
western port 1t is spread by rats and
other rodents and has been found on
the ground squirrels in the Lewistown
area. The veterinarian said there IS
absolutely no question but that the
germs of this terrible disease are pres
ent here. Just why the disease has
not broken out among humans is not
known. but it is thought climatic or
some other factor may not be just right
for the DEVELOPMENT of the plague. On
the other hand, it may break out at any
time.
Here, again, is where the question CT
rodent control is Of immense import
ance IF the rodents can be eradicated,
the danger from this plague will also
disappear Shall the coyotes be al
lowed to increase in order to control
the rodents?
Thus one gains some slight insight
into the problems that are being
studied by the biological survey and
other government officials in working
out a policy to be followed in pred
atory animal control.