The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-11-28
Many Gather
For Fish And
Game Meet
Large Number Enjoy Dinner
and Fine Entertainment
That Follows.
MUCH INFORMATION
ON GAME MATTERS

The large number of Libby sports~
men who gathered last Saturday at
the annual fish and game meeting
of the Libby Commercial Club were
privileged to listen to two very fn~s
structive and interesting addresses
The first address was by I. V. An
derson, regional forester in charge
of wildlife, from the regional forest
office at MiSsoula. The other Nd
dress was by John Schofield, state
superintendent of fisheries.
"Of all the phases OF conservatism
| am confident that in wildlife man.
agement has progressed the furth-
est said Mr. Anderson And that
was the keynote Of his address. Mr.
Anderson covered 50 many branches
of wildlife management that only L
few can be mentioned.
Il am very glad, indeed, to see the
general interest taken in game matt
tiers by the sportsmen of the stAte,"
said the speaker. Because when
everyone shows real interest in
wildlife resources, we are moro aue
of working out practical program
and putting it over successfully"
Mr.. Anderson then proceeded to
enumerate a number Of ways In
which his department is active.
He said that during the past year,
in cooperation with the state de-
partment, the forest service Ind ~
sisted in planting from 10 to II mill
lion fry and million lingering.
They had also helped distribute 5
tons OF game salt. This was 4 spe-
cially difficult task when the rug
ged terrain where the salt is dis
tributed is considered. He aid
5000 pounds had been carried into
the rugged Sun River area, which
meant many difficult trips. Mr.
Anderson said his department.
worked i'm the h1lle1t- Aaopepo431A
with the state fish and game depart
ment and stated that 10 forest Of
ficers are now under appointment
as game officials and have full au-
thority to handle culprits who vio-
late game laws.
+ Studying Big Horn Sheep
Mr.. Anderson also spoke OF the
study now being made of the Big
Horn sheep in the Libby area.
Trained men are conducting a study
of this band of sheep, Of which
there are about 100 head. The OBJ
iect Of this study, Mr.. Anderson said,
is to investigate into the life habits,
food, etc. OF the sheep, then use
the knowledge gained in a better
management of the sheep. II an
increase in the herd results from
this study, it might be possible later
to declare an open season and per-
NIT few heads to be taken, he sug-
gested
He said his department is also as
sisting the state in the capture of
few Rocky Mountain goats-al-
though he said the goats hadn't yet
been caught. They wish to get
from 10 to IL goats and transplant
them to the Crazy Mountains in the
Livingston area. That is great
dude ranch country, he said, and
goats in the mountains would prove
an added attraction to the dudes.
Mr.. Anderson also referred to the
overgrazing of forage crops He
spoke of the Selway district in
Idaho. In that area there are about
1000 elk, and the last season there
were about 1000 hunters A count
showed 1900 hunters going in
through the Lola Pass station. Most
of them were not wealthy sports
men, he stated. Few could stand
the expenditure the rich men put
out on such trip, something like
$3.50 for 10 days. On the other
hand, the department plans to aid
the common man in his desire to
have few days of sports and bag
his game. In line with that plan,
hunters shelters are being built
and other facilities installed to make
more available this sport.
In closing Mr. Anderson referred
at length to the damage done to
forage crops by the overgrazing of
sheep and wildlife in various dis
tricts, especially in the Thompson
Falls area. He said this was ser
ious matter and should be given
the most careful study SO as to work
out a program that would conserve
the natural food in the mountains
and valleys and at the same time
permit a certain number of domestic
stock to Craze in the forests while
conserving sufficient food supply
for the wild game. He suggested
that board be appointed to give
the matter careful study.
Fisheries Superintendent Talks
E. M Boyes, chairman of the fish
i Il
in charge Of this phase of the pro-
gram, thanked Mr.. Anderson for
his fine talk and said he had always
found the forest service most will
/ ing to cooperate In all game work.
When Chairman Boyes introduced
John Schofield, state superintendent
of fisheries, he remarked that Mr..
Schofield was carrying on a great
program Of conservation over the
state and added in passing that Mr..