Montana labor news., 1944-08-10
SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION OFFICER RAPS
GAME COMMISSION IN RADIO ADDRESS

FIRST: In behalf of the Rocky Noun
tain Sportsmen's Association and my
self I want to express my deep appre-
citation to KGIR and John K. Claxton
for allotting me this time on the radio
to discuss the fish and game situation
in Montana
I want to assure the sportsmen and
citizens of Montana that every state
ment that is made here this evening in
criticizing the Montana Fish and Game
Commission can be vouehed for by the
very best Of evidence. Evidence that
has been accumulated over the past
three years from sportsmen throughout
the entire state and for which we are
deeply grateful.
In the Butte Daily Post of June 18th
Governor Ford states that wild life is
one Of our greatest resources, and We
heartily agree. But, when he goes on
to say that he is proud of the fine work
the Montana Fish and Come Commits
sion is carrying on, we just as heartily
disagree. We sincerely feel that the
present Montana Fish and Game Com
mission is one of the most unpopular
most unappreciative and most unrepre-
sentative that Montana has ever had the
misfortune to have
Most unpopular in that they have alb
solutely ignored the wishes Of the vast
majority of the sportsmen.
Most unappreciative in that they have
not co-operated in any constructive way
with the independent sportsmen organi-
cations.
Most unrepresentative in that they
were never selected to give expression to
the rank and file of those who purchase
hunting and fishing licenses.
In the few moments that have I will
endeavor to show the sportsmen and citi-
zens of Montana why the Rocky Noun
tain Sportsmen's Association feels that
the present Fish and Game Commission
is a detriment to the state of Montana
and menace to all sportsmen in gen.
eral.
Montana is the third largest state in
the Union, has more than 10000 miles
of fishing streams, $500 lakes, more
miles Of fishing streams per fisherman
than any other state in the Union. With
these facts staring the Fish and Game
Commission in the face, they immedi-
stely upon taking office shortened our
regular fishing season to about six
months In addition to this the Mon
tana Fish and Game Commission put
into effect numerous rules and regula-
tions detrimental to the sportsmen. The
regulations were many and varied, and
in many instances confusing to the
sportsmen. The regulations were many
and varied, and in many instances con-
fusing TO the well-meaning sportsmen
and citizens.
one Of the most unreasonable regula-
tions promulgated and enforced by the
Montana Fish and Game Commission
was an order whereby only one species
Of fish could be legally caught in certain
waters; whitefish here and trout there,
and you fishermen who were not up on
the legality of the whitefish fishing
here and trout fish fishing there paid
to the tune of $27.50. You will also
know that last winter all restrictions of
this kind we're done away with, and
fishing for all species Of fish were al
lowed in practically all waters. We at
tribute this change of fishing on the
part of the Montana Fish and Game
Sva~,,,,,;reio,, 20 +ba ,,ofovorahIe advpr-
tising given over the air and in the
press by the Rocky Mountain Sports
mems Association Another discriminat-
ing regulation is the one-fish limit at
Harrison lake. Imagine fisherman
driving hundred miles or more to
catch ONE fish, especially when he
knows that at certain times of the year
magpies and crowds are reaping har-
vest on the hundreds of fish that find
their way into irrigation bitches. Ac
cording to very reliable authority there
are more fish being destroyed by the
pelicans, cranes, crows and magpies than
are found in the creels of the sports
men How absurd it is to limit the fish
erman to ONE fish when a condition Of
this kind exists. Has there been any
effort on the part Of the Montana Fish
and Game Commission to control these
vicious predators? NONE that we have
heard about.
The closing Of our Game Farms at
Warm Springs and Billings and creating
q so-called hatchery at Fort Peck on
federal-controlled property by the Mon
tana Fish and Game Commission was
one more bone of contention, one more
controversy. The closing Of these Game
Farms at Warm Springs and Billings
that previous commisEions had spent
thousands of dollars on was certainly
not for the best interest of the sports
men. We can remember, and not SO
long ago, when to see a Chinese pheas-
ant was rarity But due to the faith
fulness and untiring efforts of Joe
Hendricks (and 1 hope he will pardon
my using his name) pheasants at the
present time are scattered from one end
of the state to the other in plentiful
numbers. If Joe Hendricks could attain
this showing in such a short period OF
time, what could he have accomplished
had the plant at Warm Springs been
operating for the past three years. What
was the Fish and Game Commissions
objective in closing two very important
state-owned hatcheries that cost thou
sands of dollar, and rebuilding on fed
eral property? Was ii 10 cooperate