INDIANS MUST SECURE PERMITS FROM STATE TO SELL FUR CATCHES

Arrangements between the agency office here and the state game and fish department were made by one of the latters representatives, G. A. Recko, here a short time ago with relations to Indians hunting, fishing and trapping on the trust lands. Mr. Recko was also checking cases thought to be of an uncertain background, and emanating from last winters fur catch.

It is now necessary for Indians who wish to sell pelts taken from animals caught on trust and government reserve lands to obtain from the agency office here or from Farm agents of the several reservation districts an affidavit as to the number of hides to be sold or disposed of, when and where they were caught, and to whom they are to be sold. This affidavit is then sent to the commissioner at Bismarck who in turn will issue a permit to sell the furs.

Under the old method the affidavit was obtained either here or from one of the farmers and enclosed with the shipment of furs. This method has proven unsatisfactory and the above steps is being taken to avoid further mixups.

The lower part of the Standing Rock reservation is subjected to a different set of rules of the South Dakota laws. There the method employed is that the Indian must apply through governmental channels for a permit to trap. When this permit is granted he may then take game from any trust or government reserve lands. In disposing of the hides he must make affidavits and submit them to the state department and they in turn send him a permit tag bearing number for each pelt.

To come to the technalities of such ruling they would be found wanting but such cooperation with the state deparment will lessen future troubles and therefore it is a wise step.