Response: Predators

Dear Editor and Readers,

Apparently, Mr. Heinlein isn't too impressed by the role Predators play on the elk and deer population. The only knowledge I have over him, with what they can do to the deer population, is what I can remember as a boy in the 1940s. There were no deer. My granddad shot the last deer he saw in South Valley in 1907, and the next deer that was seen on the old home place was 1948, the next year, either 1949 0r 1950 the FW&P opened a 3 day season, bucks only. By 1951-52 I got a chance to hunt myself. By 1955, a hunting license included 1(general season) elk tag and 2 deer tags. How did this happen? 1080 coyote poison was made legal in 1946. By 1948, you hardly ever saw a live coyote. You should have rode the range with me, about 100 yards from the bait stations. Many dead coyotes, that was as far as they made it. Do I have respect for a coyote? My folks raised sheep, I would love to tell you what I saw as a boy.

As far as the western MT. hunters, please ask the bitter-root elk and deer hunters how their game animals are surviving with the growing Wolf and Bear population. Many say they would rather hunt at home, but-----------.

Howard Pippin

Saco, Mont.