Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-08-15


thwarting the destructive coyote
and red-nose squirrel. inroads of
their work in Glacier county an
nuallv causing unbelievable losses
to stockmen and farmers in gen.
eral, were taken this week fol-
lowing meeting in the Lions
club room in the Yegeh Hotel
Monday afternoon at which r.
&. Newell. county extern j o n
agent, and Robert Isaac, district
agent of Fish and Federal Wild
Life Service, of Havre. proposed
d cooperative set-up in which
federal and state funds would be
used to match those of ! 10 c a !
groups and agencies.
A second meeting was set for
October l with plans for a large
attendance to BE- arranged in the
meantime.
Mondays meeting had been
set for 1:30. but believing that
Indian stockmen who we're con-
cerned with sale of their lamb
crop at the Agency would he in
terested in the proposal, Newell
postponed discussions for sever
al hours. However, few were in
attendance. yet stockmen present
realizing the need of a vigorous
campaign against coyotes and
rodents went on record On be-
half of most of the county's
stockmen. proposing the Glacier
wool and lamb pool as a sponsor
in the matching of funds with
the Fish and Wild Life Service.
The understanding is that the
Glacier wool and lamb pool, if
it assumes sponsorship. will SOL
iclt the cooperation OF Of h e r
local groups, since the en- & 8
achieved would fguratively
spread butter upon the entire
community loaf"
In explaining the set.up Isaac
pointed out that the bounty meth
Cd of controlling coyote infesta-
ton was disapproved by the Fish
and Wild Life Service, expert
ence having revealed the lack of
good faith on the part of some
trappers. He said there was no
reliable way of checking up on
coyote scalps originating over
the Canadian line.
He outlined the approved set.
up i'll which experienced trappers
would be employed. their se:ec,
ton to be made by the local spon-
soring group. He ventured to
say that on the basis OF two cents
tribute a head on sheep as repre-
scented by the Glacier wool and
lamb pool, the Fish and Wild Life
Service would contribute $500.
Trappers would be required to
submit periodic reports o the
Service. Trapping wou d be
done by one or more trappeFs
and at times of the year when re-
suits would be more effective. 1t
was suggested that the fur OF
coyotes taken during the prime
season be part of the compensa-
ton allowed trappers, such a
Ilan to aid with a revolving fund.
1t was conceded by Isaac that
the plan would interfere W i t h
present trappers who oper rate
with unconcern towards the best
interests of the stockmen. | u
his experience, he said, he knew
of those who dld not modest the
old coyotes lest they disturb the
goose that laid the golden egg
In other words, progeny was be-
ing produced at the expense of
stockmen. TO destroy the par
ents was to deprive themselves of
q rich harvest of coyote puppies.
1t was pointed out that an Ell
fective campaign must get the
cooperation of the Indian Service,
Park Service and Glacier county.
Newell said that the county COM
missioners had expressed their
willingness to contribute finan.
cial aid.
With 10 to Is per cent of Glac-
Ter land of the trapping ION e
decided and 80 to IS per cent tri.
bal. allotted, etc., legal permits
sion of trappers to operate with
maximum effectiveness was the
crux of the situation.
Yet, with the de + e n 8 e of a
thriving industry at stake. Mon.
days meeting was a prophetic
gesture of what is to come about.
Stockmen agreed with Isaac
that the carrying capacity +
their grazing land was gradually
being diminished because of the