The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-10-21
Income From
Tourists One of
Largest Industries

the people of Montana, rated the in
come from tourists as the second
most profitable industry of the state.
State Game Warden James A. Weav-
er affirms this view and declares
that Montana's abundant wild life
its fighting trout, its colorful and
plentiful native and imported game
birds, its elusive deer, powerful elk
and bear-compose that element of
Montana's charm that will perpetu-
ate this states romantic appeal to
nature lovers of the nation and
the world.
Appointed by the state game COM
mission with the approval of Gov
ernor Roy E. Ayers State Warden
Weaver has the duty of enforcing
game laws for the protection of wild
life, of propagating and fostering
wild life and of promoting coop
Grafton between sportsmen and the
personnel of the game department.
As secretary of the commission and
chief executive officer, his duties
require thorough knowledge of
latest theories of conservation, prac-
teal enforcement of the laws and
ability to publicize one of Mon
tanas greatest assets, its wild life.
Many Activities
Arrest and prosecution of law
violators, while necessary, is by far
the least important part Of the work
of the state game department, War
den Weaver asserts. The depart
ment operates ID fish hatcheries,
eight spawning stations and one
pond cultural station. The depart
ment also operates two game bird
farms and its field force of % depu-
ties, five special deputies and scores
of cooperating sportsmen keep close
watch ON all wild life at all seasons
of the year.
Numerous game preserves and
refugees are maintained, posted and
patrolled to provide sanctuary for
animals, birds and fowl. By pro-
noting the sale of licenses of all
kinds, by collection of fines from
violators, by selling confiscated
skins, pelts, guns, fishing tackle and
equipment. the department finances
its operations and conducts bust
ness with annual yearly expendi-
lures approaching 100000 Not one
dime of the taxpayers money is used
by the fish and game department,
Warden Weaver points out. All of
its funds come from licenses and
operating revenues.
Coyotes Are Worst Menace
Greatest menace TO wild life are
the natural wild enemies, State War
den Weaver says. Coyotes rank first
because they are more numerous.
Next comes mountain lion, wolves,
and predatory birds, such as eagles,
hawks, owls, etc. Coyotes take a
terrible toll of deer III the winter,
continually prey upon smaller ami
mails and native birds. Because Vel
lowstone Park offers breeding
sanctuary. the animals are increas-
ing in that district Recent confer
ences with park officials have ex
acted a promise to the game depart
ment that these pests will be thinned
out by park rangers this winter.
A mountain lion will kill deer
every other day during the rearing
season, Weaver believes
Greatest aid to wild life conserva-
ton, State Warden Weaver says, are
lied in the various rod and gun clubs
and sportsmen's groups.
Montana sportsmen cooperate
readily with efforts of the depart
ment to conserve our wild game and
fish," MIR. Weaver says. These clubs
spend their own money, the time of
their members and their energy to
help all branches of the depart
ments work. In hard winters they
feed the birds and deer; they plant
fish in streams under the guidance
of the departments deputies, they
spread the gospel of conservation
through their meetings and period
Gals They help promote the sale
of licenses and constitute a moral
force in the community that makes
rigid enforcement of game laws pos
sible. The department is at all
times ready and anxious to listen
to their views as to open and closed
seasons and other activities, grants
their requests for fingerlings for
stocking streams and In every way
gladly cooperates with the sports
men in Montana"
A Great Game State
Montana remains one of the great
est wild game states in America. In
LnR WIGS surrounding 16llOWSloHG
park and western Montana, majestic
moose breed and browse under per-
petual protection from hunters.
Greatest menace to the states nu-
merous elk herds is lack Of winter
feeding grounds and these animals
are open to hunters to bring the
herds down to size that will per
NIT them to thrive on natural fod-
der. Great success has been achieved
in propagating the Chinese or Ring
Necked pheasant. This year the de-
partment has liberated 10000 of
these gallant game birds.
Hungarian partridges, which do
well in the middle and eastern sec
tons of the state, have been hard
hit by drought which has destroyed
their natural feed, and two severe
winters. The season on huns has
been closed in all counties this year
and the department hopes to pro-
pagate some of these fine birds at
its bird farms. Hawks and eagles
are their most deadly enemies.
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