Glacier County chief., 1939-04-07

Northern Montana, at one time
one of the most famous buffalo
hunting territories in the world,
abounded in many other game ami
mails as well. Early day explorers,
trappers, hunters and prospectors
were astounded at the abundance
of game on the prairie. Elk, deer,
antelope, muskrat, beaver, ducks,
geese, prairie chickens and sage
hens literally overran the country.
A 50-year period has seen the dis
appearance Of elk from the area and
mas reduced deer and antelope almost
to the vanishing point The last 10
years OF drouth resulted in a drop in
the muskrat population and almost
complete evaporation of water from
/, affected habits of waterfowl that had
made Bowdoin one of the most import
ant duck hunting grounds in the north
west
In the last few years remedial meas
ures have been taken and once again
Wlldlife OF northern Montana appears
on the increase. according to Deputy
Game Warden Harry Cosner The only
species showing a decrease in the area
IS deer. Both white tail and the black
tan deer have migrated south of the
Missouri river since water stored by
toms.
Muskrats are recovering from the
effects Of the small streams driving no
and are increasing. There are about
200 antelope and they as we'll as beavers
and all game birds are increasing.
Is Reservoirs Built
Within the Milk river land project
1oi
the soil conservation service has built
10 dryland reservoirs and they have
been stocked with small black bass,
crappies and other fish in cooperation
with. the state fish and game depart
ment.
Shallow portions of Al range reser-
voirs have been planted to food and
cover for waterfowl. A decided increase
IN the number Of waterfowl nesting on
the newly constructed reservoirs since
the planting was done is justification
for the work, officials believe.
establishment of migratory bird
refuge at Lake Bowdoin is one of the
important conservation projects In the
United States. Development has con-
sisted OF restoring nesting places. aug
menting, the water supply. planting
food and cover, construction OF refuge
puiiolngs. roads, trails. fences, an irri-
CATION system, reservoir and appoint
ment OF resident manager. Work has
been done with WPA labor.
Further development is contemplate
ed TINS season with the tentative ap-
proval OF dam on Beaver creek to
restore the original water supply to the
lake. In the last SO years water has
been diverted from the lake by man
made structures and the lake has grad
ually diminished. The railroad right of
way; irrigation canals and graded
roads have diverted water down the
rrnlR l,oy,
over the area covered by the lake.
viii Build a Dam
A 100-foot dam with radial gates to
allow water in the creek to pass or
which will divert that amount not
claimed by owners of Beaver creek
water rights will be constructed east
OF BoWdoin. A 2a-mile canal so feet
VIDE and about 5 feet deep, will carry
this diverted water to the old dry lake
bed north of Bowdoin on the bird
refuge. Dirt excavated from the ditch
VIII be staggered in piles 200 feet long
ana 400 feet apart; In this way the
ollch bank itself will not be barrier
70 seasonal flood waters from the creek.
THESE floods usually occur so suddenly
and IN such amounts that they cannot
be handled. About 40 men will be EN-
ployed on the dam construction and
az the refuge. The dam will cost about
S1Hoy h,, 4 new 60 horsepower tractor
chased and a dragline and several
trucks transferred from Lake Thibideau
in Hill county.
Restoration of the original water
supply and flooding of the dry lake
ped Will restore the most valuable nest
ing ground on the refuge The water
VIII be shallower and less alkaline than
Bowdoin lake.
Planting of food for winter feeding
VIII continue, with. special emphasis
on upland game birds. About 24OOO
shrubs and trees will be planted. Refuge
Manager B. M. Hazeltine reports that