The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-12-06
Rod And Gun Club Starts Drive For
Membership At Dinner Wednesday
DR.. Vedovu Gives
Principal Address At
Specimens Session

Sportmen'S Session
The first postwar dinner Of
the Big Horn County Rod and
Gun club, held in the Catholic
church basement Wednesday
night, featured an address by
DIR. Vedova of Roundup, men,
Der of the State Fish and Game
commission.
DR.. Vedova described the past
and present work of the COM
mission and also discussed some
future plans of the group. He
mentioned the Importance of
exterminating magpies, which
are the most serious menace to
pheasants. The black and white
birds make the new crop of
Chinks smaller by devouring the
eggs. He recommended traps as
the best method Of control,
saying they had been proven
inexpensive and effective. Blue
prints for their construction
may be had from the commits
sion, he said.
In connection with the matter
of transplanting various game
birds and animals from con-
gested areas to those less thick
ly populated with game, he
said the commission plans to
plant antelope in the wide ar
ca between Hardin and Bill
ings. Surveys have shown that
antelope should flourish here,
he added.
DR.. Vedova also announced
that the Billings and Warm
Springs game farms are again
open for f~ull-seaSon operation.
He explained that the commits
| sion has found that placing tiny
trout in open rearing ponds
will produce more fish of suit
able size for planting at much
lower cost.
The number of licenses sold
in the state has doubled In the
last IS years, he pointed out,
and there has been some dis
cussion of increasing the license
fee. The commission would be
glad to have more funds to use
for an expanded conservation
program, he stated. With the
increase in hunters and fish,
ermen, the problem of conser-
! walton and restocking becomes
more necessary and more eX-
pensive. The legislature is the
only body empowered to charge
the license fees, and DR.. Vedova
recommended that sportsmen
discuss the matter with their
local representatives at the
state law-making body.
Dan w. Maddox acted as
POSTMASTER for the dinner and
introduced the various speakers.
Judge Ben Harwood of Bill
ings emphasized that one great
service a sportsmen's organiza-
ton can perform is to interest
a new generation in conserva-
ton of game and respect for
the laws of the state in con-
nection with the preservation
of good hunting and fishing.
B. L. Price of Laurel discuss
ed the importance Of getting
returning service men interested
in sportsmen's organization.
Leslie Fischbach, president Of
the Billings Rod and Gun club
and son of the local clubs
president, John p. Fischbach,
said. the Billings club wants to
cooperate with the local organ
ization, especially since the
problems of the two groups are
so nearly identical. He also
emphasized the Importance of
controlling magpies.
Paul Wilson of Laurel, presi-
dent of the Southeastern Mon
tana SportSmen'S association
spoke briefly, as did various
; members Of the local club.
Frank Starina, who is again
stationed in Hardin as game
warden, was introduced to the
group.
A message from Superinten-
dent Warren L. O'Hara of the
Crow Indian reservation was
read. MI. O'Hara regretted that
he was unable to be present
because of illness but wished
to assure the club that he will
cooperate with them in every
way possible.
A drive for members wa.
launched at the dinner, with
many Of those present signing
up and paving the 81 member.
ship fee. Everyone interested IL
hunting, fishing or wild lift
conservation is urged to con.
slider membership in the or.
ganization.
approximately 125 were pre.
sent. including delegations from
Lodge Grass, Crow Agency. Wv.
ola. Laurel and Billings as wei
as those from Hardin.
FORFETS BOND
Wfl1{a~a U--.- ~