The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-11-26
ALL Records Broken
( At {. {. Meeting
Continued from page u


the moving OF logs out OF the state. Mr..
Klehm replied with the statement that
the logs ought to be manufactured in
the state where grown and believed
plan 10 that effect could be worked
out. Mr. Neils suggested that our con-
gressrnen be sounded out in that
respect.
Number of Wild Animals
Bob Byers gave statistics regarding
the number of deer and Others game
animals IN the forest. He said it was
estimated last year that there were L.
600 deer in the county. He also SAID
there had been 227 bucks killed by
hunters last year and an estimated kill
of 1900 deer by coyotes in the same
time. He said there were 700 elk in the
forest, 20 moose, 400 mountain sheep
and goats. 780 black and brown bears,
70 grizzly bears and few caribou. 1t
was also estimated that there are $500
COYOTES and 225 mountain lions in the
national forest.
The meeting then broke into dis
cussion OF the damage done to game
by COYOTES and hawks. Tom Brindley
spoke earnestly in support OF the con-
tent!on that the coyotes are killing oil
the deer in great numbers. He hold
how many good hunters had failed 70
get their game this year, III districts
where formerly the deer had been most
plentiful. Now few deer are ever seen
III those areas he said.
Paul Church stated that efforts hae
been made to secure predatory animal
hunters to be paid for by WPA money
Two men. Shelly and Sales, had been
placed in the field More could be OBJ
timed he said. if the proper steps are
taken.
Forest Ranger B A. Bealey then gave
highly interesting Information regard
inc game matters. He described nov
he and other rangers had been en-
Gagged for the past two or three WIN
ters in counting the game IN the forest.
This is done by visiting the places
where the game concentrates during the
winter and making a careful count. Inc
territory is divided into strips and the
game therein counted.
Mr.. Bealey said the experience led
him to the conclusion that there was
not much of a depletion III the num-
her OF deer. Last winter they counted
over an area exactly the same as had
been counted two years ago lhey
found a difference III the count OF less
than one-half Of one percent IN tlie
number of deer. He touched on the
argument that the buck law is resulting
in the killing of too many. BUCKS py
saving the counters had found one
buck to every eight does and lawns,
which was about the proper number. ne
said Bealey also stated that last VIM
fer. they had noted the number OF deer
killed by coyotes, the number nems
one day for 40 days. He SAID there
was no question but that coyotes &c Kill
deer throughout the entire year.
Walter Neils said he believed the
COYOTES were responsible Tor lever deer.
He said now when one sees deer
track one will frequently see the tracks
If two or three coyotes on it. lie be-
lieved the coyotes are doing away with
the deer instead Of the hunters. Nells
also said his company had taken stand
kisN'S IL
in lumber company meetings against
allowing sheep in the district He sug-
pested d higher price for licenses Il
necessary to keep out the sheep.
], A motion, proposed by Paul Chulcn,
was then adopted asking the biological
survey or other proper body to provide
more predatory animal hunters TO- the
district.
Commission Member Speaks
w F. Gutensohn of Whitefish, a
member of the state fish and game
commission, was the next speaker. Mr..
Gutensohn described the recent form-
ing of national game organization
which would thus provide representa-
ton in game matters in Washington.
He said coyotes were undoubtedly on
the increase and were killing deer. But,
said he, he laid the failure OF many to
get game this year to bad weather
conditions. The woods were dry and
noisy, thus aiding the deer to escape
the hunters. He believed depleted
deer supply might be due to hard
winter. and cited results that had been
noted among the elk to that effect. Mr..
Gutensohn said hunters should be
grateful to the forest service for their
good work and especially for the primi-
tive areas, which are most helpful to
wild life. He said hunters are con-
stantly asking for more game Wardens,
and the planting of more fish and game
That requires more money, he said
Montana produces more fish and game
for every dollar expended than any
other state" said Gutensohn. Increased
activity by the fish and game depart
ment will necessarily mean higher
price charged for game licenses, he
continued.
j. K. Dwinelle former Libby man and
NOV in charge Of game management for
the forest service at the regional Of
flee. entered the discussion with many
good ideas He said the arguments
and ideas advanced in these meetings
were a fine thing as out OF them would
eventually be worked sound game
policy. Mr.. Dwinelle's principal point
referred to the badly overstocked elk
range in various places of the region,
After describing that condition. he sug-
gested that the remedy would be law
to permit the fish and game commits
sion to designate the number Of game