1978-02-15 Char-Koosta News

              BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. IGNATIUS, MONTANA PERMIT NO. 1 59865
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VOLUME 7   NUMBER 20     NEW MOON OF BANDS SPREAD ALL OVER     FEBRUARY 15, 1978
To Hunt Or Not To Hunt?   That Is The Question!
At the election on December 17, 1977, a questionaire was presented to voters concerning additional hunting regulations on the reservation and 540 members voted in favor.
The Tribal Council wanted additional information and a survey was undertaken to inform them. Tribal Wildlife Biologist, Bob Klaver, with assistance from the Tribal Fish & Game Department,  conducted  the survey.
Upon the recommendation from Klaver and Chief Wayne Mitchell, the Tribal Council voted to close big game hunting to tribal members. Severe snow conditions in the mountains have driven the animals down to the lowlands, causing them to cluster together in areas and making them easy targets for hunters. It was also reported that some of the animals were in poor condition. For these reasons the Tribal Council voted to close big game hunting to tribal members from Jan. 1, to May 31.
The controversial issue came to a head only four days later at the Feb. 2, Council meeting. An irate number of tribal members from the north end of the reservation objected strongly against the closure. Several of them pointed out the fact that wild game was their only source of meat and objected also to their
Eneas Pierre Kenmille - 90 year old member of the Kootenai Tribe objects to "No hunting" rule -which was in effect four days.
treaty  rights  being tampered with.
As a result of their appearing at the meeting, discussion and deliberation, the Council voted to rescind their action of Jan. 31.
However, a state of confusion still prevails.   We trust that some of the
turmoil is cleared up. The fact that the Tribal Council has re-opened the reservation to hunting, we would hope that Tribal hunters will use common sense and consideration in hunting reservation game.