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STATE DOCUMENTS

VOL. II— NO. 3

Official Publication
Montana Fish and Game Department

1952 Hunting In Montana

DEER — Regular Season — October 15-November 15, inclusive, plus special seasons to be set by

the Fish and Game Commission.
ELK — Regular Season — October 15-November 15, inclusive, plus special seasons to be set by

the Fish and Game Commission.
BEAR — Concurrent with regular elk season, ending November 15.
GOAT — First half: Sentember 15-19, inclusive; Second half: October 15-19, inclusive.
MOOSE — Last area closes December 15; hunting by special permit only.
ANTELOPE — Last area closes November 16; hunting by special permit only.
MIGRATORY WATERFOWL — 60-day continuous season: October 10-December 8, inclusive.
UPLAND GAME BIRDS— (Pheasant and Hungarian partridge) October 26— November 11.

MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

Official Publication

State of Montana

John W. Bonner, Governor

MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

Edward M. Boyes, Chairman
Walter Banka Thomas S. Morgan

William T. Sweet Manscn H. Bailey, Jr

Robert H. Lambeth, Secretary

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Hunters who today travel from all parts of the state and other parts
of the nation to enjoy the excellent antelope and deer hunting
afforded in eastern Montana may find difficult to believe that a short
forty years ago, these now abundant species were in danger of com-
plete annihilation.

Between 1880 and the early 1920s, game hunters from all over the
world had so seriously drained the wildlife resources in this "Land of
the Long Look" that from a one-time Great Plains paradise (which
boasted bison, deer, elk, antelope, sheep and even grizzlies) it be-
came unbelievably depleted or game.

Fortunately, a few far-sighted individuals were able to halt
irresponsible hunting practices with timely regulations and bag
limits. But the vast herds of buffalo were gone, the Audubon sheep
extinct, many of the deer and all of the elk, bear and Big Horn sheep
had fled to the protection of the higher mountain regions.

Only in the past twenty years has definite progress been made in
building up the remaining species, primarily mule deer and ante-
lope. It has been a long, hard, often heart-breaking fight, but today's
populations and harvests of deer and antelope are a living tribute
to the accomplishments of proper wildlife management.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME II No. 3

Marjorie Mitchell, Editor
Vernon Craig, Artist

Why Either-Sex Seasons Are Necessary 3

Policy Engineers — Your Fish and Game Commission 4

Montana Sportsmen's Projects 7

Is The Size Limit Fair On Eastern Brook Trout? 8

More Ducks For Eastern Montana... 10

Youth Conservation Education 12

Marten In Montana 14

Checking Station— 500 Feet 16

Don't Lose Your Head — If It's A Trophy 18

Watch Those Ricochets 21

Proper Care Insures Better Wild Meat 22

Ten Rules For Hunting and Shooting Safety 24

Autumn Issue — 1952

@ove% ^ayet

In Montana this year, thousands of hunters thrilled to the sight

i| of a big game animal in the cross-hairs of their 'scope. Mule deer,

'' such as the buck on our front cover, are by far the most abundant

'i game species found in the state. Most recent population estimates

[' for Montana show well over 150,000 animals with heaviest con-

I1 centrations in the Big and Little Belt Mountains, the Crazy Moun-

! tains, Beaverhead County, Beartooth Plateau, the Missouri River

!; Breaks and throughout western Montana.

Although this species is commonly called "mule" deer from their
'i characteristically large ears, the name "blacktail" is often erro-
) neously applied because of the small black hairs at the tip of their
otherwise white tail. However, the true Columbian Blacktail Deer
is found only in the Western Coastal area of the United States.

EDITORIAL:

Why Either Sex Seasons Are Necessary

Mere mention of shooting doe deer greatly disturbs some people.

Part of the objection is sentiment and part a sincere, but un-
founded, belief that doe seasons will jeopardize the future of Mon-
tana's deer herds.

The facts, however, as shown in this state as well as most other
states where large deer populations exist, clearly indicate that un-
less some female deer are harvested, herds actually will be in
danger — of starvation.

One of the most obvious facts, and often the most difficult for
sportsmen to realize, is that deer damage to forage often takes a
greater toll of deer than do the hunters.

In Montana, there is a definite limit to areas where the big game
must spend the critical winter months when snow is deep and
temperatures low. Such areas are called winter ranges and repre-
sent only about ten percent of total available range.

Thus, with a definite limitation on range, a corresponding limit
comes into effect on the amount of food available. An insidious
problem then arises from the fact that repeated, heavy use of forage
plants often results in less and less forage production which will
suooort fewer and fewer deer.

The end result is loss of many hundreds of deer by what must be
a slow agonizing death — starvation.

The positive and brighter side of this story shows that a well-
managed herd of big game living on good range may actually have
a higher rate of reproduction than a herd living on poor range.

This was pointed out in Montana when reproductive organs of
female deer were collected from hunters in several areas. Analysis
of these organs by biologists determined the number of fawns pro-
duced by does.

It was found that a definite relationship existed between the'con-
dition and abundance of forage and the average number of fawns
produced. In one case, where food was very scarce, the does
averaged only one fawn while in an adjacent area, each breeding
doe produced an average of nearly two fawns.

No game manager would ever advocate scrapping the buck law
or declare that the either sex season is justifiable without excep-
tion. For some areas will support buck hunting only, while others
will suffer if surplus does are not harvested.

The point which should be clearly understood by sportsmen is
that game laws must be flexible enough to allow the application of
sound management principles in solving each individual wildlife
problem as it arises.

Policy Engineers: — Your

Although Montana's 1895 legislature created a Commission to regulate
fishing in the state, the Montana Fish and Game Commission as it functions
today was not approved until 1921. Since then, this five-man group has
successfully carried out the big job of formulating adequate regulations and
management policies to protect, preserve and propagate our wildlife.

All of Montana's wildlife resources — fish, game, waterfowl, game and
non-game birds and fur-bearing animals — are under the jurisdiction of the
Commission. Any decision of this group affecting any of these species is
reached only after carefully weighing the facts in the problem and exhaus-
tive study of recommendations from all interested groups which include
sportsmen, stockmen, ranchers, land owners and department biologists.

§««S«

Commission Chairman Edward M.
Boyes of Libby represents the coun-
ties in District One — Lincoln, Flat-
head, Sanders, Lake, Lewis and
Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell
Ravalli and Granite.

Born in Scotland, Mr. Boyes has
lived in Libby for the past 35 years
where he is depot agent for the Great
Northern Railway.
He is an active mem-
ber of the wildlife
committee of the
Libby Chamber of
Bfc Commerce and for
£ manv years partici-

m| •"• Kd in Montana

Wildlife Federation
activity.

Mr. Boyes has ably assisted in
fish planting programs of the De-
partment in many remote and inac-
cessible lake and feeder stream
areas south of Libby. He has also
helped in elk planting operations in
many parts of Lincoln county.

He is a Shriner, a member of the
Lions Club, Kiwanis and a former
mayor of Libby.

E award M.
Boyes

As Tom Morgan will tell you, he
came to Montana from Pennsylvania
in 1909 to verify for himself the
fabulous reports of the hunting and
fishing in this state.

Liking what he found, he has since
become well-acquainted with fish
and game problems in various sec-
tions of the state, having lived in
Havre, Great Falls, Deer Lodge and
for the past 30 years in Miles City.
In his 63 years, Mr. Morgan has
fished and hunted
throughout much of
the United States but
considers Montana a
leader in these out-
door sports.

Now retired, he is
a member of the
Milwaukee Railroad
Service Club in Miles City, Masonic
Lodge, Elks Lodge, and has been
affiliated with rod and gun clubs for
more than 50 years.

Mr. Morgan represents the coun-
ties in District Five — Golden Valley,
Musselshell, Stillwater, Carbon, Big
Horn, Yellowstone, Treasure, Rose-
bud, Custer, Powder River, Carter,
Fallon and Prairie.

Fish and Game Commission

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of Montana for terms of
four years and may be re-appointed for additional terms of office. Chosen
primarily for their keen interest and experience in wildlife conservation, they
receive no compensation for their services except for expenses incurred be-
tween their homes and Helena where meetings are held every 30 days.

Continuing from the previous issue of Montana Wildlife, which featured
short biographical sketches of Commissioners William T. Sweet of Butte
and Manson H. Bailey, Jr., of Glasgow, brief introductions to the other mem-
bers of the Commission are presented on these pages to better acquaint
Montana sportsmen with the "men who make the rules."

Walter Banka came to Montana
with his parents in 1910 to what is
now Pondera County. Since then, he
has proved up a homestead, worked
in the mining and lumber industries
and operated a dry land farm and
stock ranch until retiring 8 years ago.
During the legisla-
tive session of 1941,
as representa-
tive from Pondera
county, he introduced
House Bill 55, assent
to the Pittman Robert-
son Act, and was on
the House Fish and
Game Committee.
As Commissioner for District Three,
he represents Glacier, Toole, Liberty,
Hill, Pondera, Teton, Chouteau, Cas-
cade, Judith Basin, Fergus, Blaine,
Meagher and Wheatland Counties.

In addition to his duties as Com-
missioner, Mr. Banka travels exten-
sively each year to Canada and
Mexico for hunting and fishing and
has followed migratory birds from
the Arctic Circle to the Mexican
wintering grounds. He is a member
of several sportsman and fraternal
organizations and enjoys "shooting"
wildlife with 16mm movie camera.

Walter Banka

Selected by the Fish and Game

Commission November 1, 1949, R. H.

Lambeth not only became Secretary

of the Commission but the youngest

State Game Warden

nin Montana history.
Prior to this post, he
was district warden
^ ^ supervisor in Mis-

■ ^p^ soula for one year

B Jf M and was a deputy

^^■Afi^^H game warden at Pol-
Lambeth' son from 1939 to 1948
with the exception of three years in
the Army Air Force from 1942-45.

Within the Department, it is his
job to coordinate Commission deci-
sions and recommendations with
activities of the enforcement, fish-
eries and wildlife restoration divi-
sions. Well qualified in the field of
wildlife management, Mr. Lambeth
considers the system of competitive
examinations and pre-duty training
for all game wardens, established
in 1951, one of the best examples of
improved department operation.

A native of Poison where he re-
ceived his secondary education, he
has also attended Montana State
College and is a member of Elks and
Masonic Lodges.

Montana Sportsmen's Projects

THIRD IN A SERIES

Managing the wildlife resources of
a stale the size of Montana can have
its headaches, but many of these
problems can and have been re-
duced as a result of outstanding help
and cooperation from local sports-
men's organizations.

A good example of this type of as-
sistance was instituted by the Helena
Wildlife Association last year when
a complex land management prob-
lem arose in the Canyon Creek-Dear-
born area of Lewis and Clark County.

Acting on the request of land
owners in that vicinity, the Montana
Fish and Game Commission had
authorized a hunter's choice season
there to harvest surplus deer thus
balancing the herd with available
forage as well as relieving pressure
on that area's agricultural crops.

To be effective, hunters had to be
admitted to the area which consisted
almost entirely of private land. But
many of the land owners, fearing for
the safety of their livestock under
such a heavy influx of hunters, had
posted almost all of their land with
"No Hunting" signs.

The Helena club took the lead in
accepting the challenge to iron out
the wrinkles in this complicated
problem. President Lou Hoffman
appointed Al Riegel and Virgil Janes
to arrange meetings with local
ranchers and to suggest that each
ranch designate an area for the sole
use of livestock.

These areas would be respected
by hunters and stock would be free
from disturbances of high-powered
rifles.

At this time the Big Game Com-
mittee of the Cascade County Sports-
men's Club offered their assistance in

the problem. It took two meetings to
present an acceptable plan to the
land owners but the sportsmen's sug-
gestions finally were approved.

Then came the task oi replacing
the "No Hunting" signs with "No
Hunting Or Trespassing Without
Permission" signs. Through radio
announcements, newspaper adver-
tisements and word of mouth, pros-
pective hunters of the area were ad-
vised to inquire at each ranch for
information on which pasture was
closed for the protection of the stock
it contained and which land re-
mained open for hunting.

As a result of these attempts to
sincerely recognize the problem of
the other fellow, the highly success-
ful hunt proceeded without a hitch.

This is just one concrete example
of the Landowner-Sportsmen-Fish
and Game triangle working together
for common benefits. Other clubs in
the state have accomplished similar
projects that have resulted in better
relationships and more opened hunt-
ing territory.

The future of hunting is in the
hands of the sportsmen. If they make
an all-out effort to build the con-
fidence and friendship of Montana
land owners, plenty of hunting area
is assured. Furthermore, if the vast
majority of the hunters who do
respect the rights of the farmer and
rancher will aid in apprehending the
few who violate the rules of common
decency, this relationship can be im-
proved everywhere.

What better project could any
sportsmen's club have than making
friends of the folks on whose land
much of our hunting must be done?

Is The Size Limit Fair On Eastern
Brook Trout?

by Charles K. Phenicie
Chief Fisheries Biologist

A minimum size limit of seven
inches, designed to allow trout to
spawn at least once, has been a
part of the Montana fishing regula-
tions for some time. However, in
regard to eastern brook trout, this
regulation is especially fallacious
and may be considered detrimental
to the best interests of many Montana
sportsmen.

A brief examination of data from
a few Montana streams will point up
disadvantages of a seven-inch limit.

In the northwestern corner of the
state near Eureka is Pinkham Creek,
a tributary of the Kootenai River. In
1951, District Biologist Frank Stefan-
ich made a census of the stream's
population. Of the 226 brook trout
he obtained with his electric shocker,
only 15 fish or 6.6 percent were of
legal size.

District Biologist Nels Thoreson of
Belt made similar surveys in his area
in the same year. In the vicinity of
the Arthur Ranch on Big Elk Creek
above Twodot, he secured 44 brook
trout of which only four fish or 9.1
percent were of legal length. Simi-
larly in Sheep Creek, north of White
Sulphur Springs, only 21 percent of
the 168 eastern brook trout taken
with the electric shocker were of
legal size.

These figures should be compared
with similar ones for other species
to gain their full meaning. Lower

down on Big Elk Creek, Thoreson
found that the population graded in-
to a predominance of brown trout.

Forty-six percent of these fish were
of legal length. Forty percent of the
rainbows of Sheep Creek were above
legal length, as were 67 percent of
the whitefish, 50 percent of the cut-
throats and 50 percent of the rain-
bow-cutthroat hybrids.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 on the opposite
page, represent the length distribu-
tions of the brook trout in Pinkham,
Big Elk and Sheep Creeks.

In Figure 1, note the large number
of brooks that constitute the five and
six-inch size groups. Then note the
small number in the seven and eight-
inch groups. The fish in the smaller
size groups are large enough to be
caught and used by the anglers, and
yet approximately 80 percent of these
will be allowed to die unharvested
because they have not attained a
seven-inch length. Only about 20
percent of the brooks survive to a
harvestable size.

Figure 2 shows a similar situation
for the brooks of Big Elk Creek, and
Figure 3 represents the brook popula-
tion in Sheep Creek.

This is not a biased picture. The
same has been found in waters
spread all the way from Red Lodge
to Troy. As a rule the few bodies of
water wherein good sized eastern
brook trout are found are those where
natural spawning is limited.

In some waters with the initial

8

introduction of the brook trout, very
large fish were caught, but when
they had reproduced themselves for
a few years, the size of the fish taken
by anglers decreased progressively.

Investigations also show that these
low ebbs in the fishery are accom-
panied by the fish maturing at very
small sizes. A sample of 76 brook
trout was taken from Slough Lake,
south of Columbus in 1951, by two
men fishing for about two hours with
hook and line. Not only was the
average size of their catch only sev-
en inches, but between 43 and 68
percent of the brooks under legal
length were mature while of those
over legal length, only 16 to 19 per-
cent were still immature.

The unknown factors in brook trout
management still exceed the record-
ed facts. It does appear from the
evidence at hand, however, that the
large number of sub-legal brook trout
is partially responsible for the limited
number that attain legal size.

The seven-inch legal size limit is in-
deed serving its purpose in allowing
the brooks to spawn once before dy-
ing. It is doing even more — for it
allows the greater majority to spawn
and die without ever reaching the
legal possession size!

The obvious solution to this prob-
lem is to remove the seven-inch
length limit. This may meet with a
storm of protest from sincere sports-
men who feel such action would be
detrimental to the trout population.
However, evidence indicates that this
would be a wise move in that the
fishermen would be permitted to

1

70|

1 •

PINKHAM

60l

■ S

w CREEK

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40

30

20

10

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§2-2 9 4.0-4 9 6.0-6 9 8.0-8.9

3.0-3.9 5 0-5 9 70-79

Figure I

15
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5

[BIG ELK

.CREEK

( 1 r

3 0-3 9 5.0-5.9 7.0-7.9 9.0-9 9

4 0-4.9 6.0-6.9 8.0-8 9

Figure II

45

1

1

SHEEP CREEK

40

35 >

.30 V

20

•

L9

L° __

— — -_^_^—

5

n — ^

0

1 1

TT-n

20-2.9 4.0-4.9 60-69 8.0--J8.9 O 0-10.9

3.0-3.9 5.0-5.9 \_^70^=7.9~ 90-9.9

Figure III

catch many hundreds of fish that
otherwise die from natural causes.

Good fish management should be
directed toward complete utilization
of harvestable fish without endanger-
ing supplies of the breeding stock.

wotimmmm

Since the early 1940s, widespread
stock reservoir and farm pond con-
struction programs have produced
thousands of new water areas in
eastern Montana.

Where 20 years ago water was
scarce or lacking, reservoirs now
intersperse the semi-arid portions of
the state, ranging from one pond
every four or five square miles to
several ponds per square mile in
some areas.

Since these reservoirs have been
of considerable value to many forms
of wildlife, and particularly to water-
fowl, the Montana Fish and Game
Department initiated a project in
the summer of 1949 to study the
relationship of newly created water
areas to waterfowl production.

About 150 ponds were chosen in
representative areas (50 each near
Circle, Hammond and Roundup) for
continued yearly studies. Informa-
tion has been gathered pertaining to
the physical and vegetative charac-
teristics of the ponds and their re-
lationship to waterfowl production.

10

By Richard H. Smith
Field Waterfoul Biologist

Observations have been made
each succeeding summer on these
sample areas to determine the spe-
cies and total numbers of ducks
raised and also production trends
from year to year.

The average surface acreage of
the study ponds at "normal water
level" was 3.2 acres. Moisture con-
ditions have been generally favor-
able for waterfowl production in the
eastern part of the state during the
last three summers.

The reservoirs are used during
both spring and fall migrations by
large numbers of ducks and occa-
sionally by geese. Seven species of
puddle ducks (ducks that must feed
in shallow water) have been ob-
served with broods on study ponds.

In order of importance, these pud-
dle ducks are mallard, pintail, blue-
winged teal, baldpate, gadwall,
green-winged teal and shoveller. The
mallard, pintail and blue-winged teal
produce about 75'/< of the ducks each

year and the remaining four species
provide the other 25' , .

Over a four-year period, the blue-
winged teal have raised the largest
average broods, the pintail the
smallest. The diving ducks (redhead,
canvas back, ruddy, scaup, etc.)
have not been observed nesting on
the study areas as these species
usuclly require larger water areas
and more extensive emergent cover.

Yearly production figures (the ac-
tual number of ducks raised to fly-
ing stage are based on brood counts.
These counts are made at periodic
intervals throughout the summer to
insure that both early and late
broods are counted.

During the last two summers, an
average of 1 .7 broods were raised on
each pond. Broods of all species
averaged slightly over five ducks per
brood by the time they reached the
flying stage. This is about nine
ducks for hunters from each pond.

Figuring production in 1951 and
1952 on an area basis, about two
ducks per square mile were raised
within the three study areas which
totaled 518 square miles. Although
the figure is small, the importance
is manifest when the larger area in-
volved is considered.

Approximately six out of 10 of the
study ponds supported one or more
breeds during the last two years.
Studies designed to determine which
types and sizes of areas were most
desirable as breeding areas showed
that 90 '/, of the ponds that did not
produce any broods were less than
three acres in size. Thus, larger
ponds, affording more permanency
and security, raised more broods.

The studies also indicated that the
presence or absence of emergent
cover around the edge of a reservoir
was an important factor in brood
production.

Reservoirs with sufficient protective
cover around the edges raised more
broods than those with barren shore-
lines or where the cover had been
grazed -down by livestock. Thus the
protection of this cover through fenc-
ing may be of considerable import-
ance in the management of water-
fowl breeding ground habitat.

Reservoir construction has not only
increased waterfowl production over
large areas in recent years, but has
also created many new hunting
areas which are helping the Mon-
tana hunter take a fair share of the
ducks produced here.

Shorelines grazed bare by livestock (above)
are not conducive to waterfowl breeding.

•

Sufficient cover, adequately protected (above),
will greatly encourage brood production.

11

Vernon Craig (kneeling left) of the Montana Fish and Game

Department explained to a group of campers how to construct

farm ponds and stock reservoirs to provide more water areas

for fish and waterfowl habitat.

International aspects of conservatf
bers of the International Farm Y&I
the United States to study farm
right, they are: Francisco Rico frt
New Zealand and Pek

Youth Conserve

Recognizing a definite need to acquaint Montana's youth with
basic principles of conservation practices, representatives of state and
federal conservation agencies have worked cooperatively for the past
several years toward this educational goal.

One of the best examples of this effort is the annual 4-H conserva-
tion camp, now in its sixth year, attended by teen-age boys and girls
representing more than half of Montana's 56 counties.

This year, 32 boys and 32 girls were selected from their own 4-H
groups to attend the camp at Little Bitterroot Lake in Flathead County,
July 7 through 11. In addition to the 4-H members, attendance included
eight 4-H leaders, 14 county extension agents, five guests and the 10
members of the resource staff.

Co-directors of the camp were Margaret Kohl, Assistant State 4-H
Club leader from Bozeman. and Karl Parker, Range Management

Electric fish shocking equipment of the Mon-
tana Fish and Game Department was demon-
strated to campers by Frank Stefanich. This
method of obtaining fish for tagging purposes is
the principal means of determining species
migration patterns. Several shocked fish later
placed in small containers showed that the fish
suffered no ill-effects.

Directors of camp activity were (left to right
of Montana State College; E. F. Barry and Pa
C. Cech from the Forest Nursery of Montana
and Game Department, and Cliff Davis, Dep

State

i

were pointed out by three mem-
Exchange visiting rural areas in
d conservation methods. Left to
Puerto Rico, Russell Gaston from
Hujala from Finland.

One of the special interest groups (above) built a model
forest and farm to show the relationships of forest-watershed-
soil conservation measures. Another group (background)
studied a different phase in this type of conservation.

.tion Education

Specialist from Bozeman. Assisting in the presentation of conservation
material were representatives of the Fish and Game Department, Forest
Service, Flathead Soil Conservation District, Montana State University
and Montana State College.

Some of the many activities enjoyed by campers during their
four full days of outdoor living are shown on these pages. From their
early morning bird identification hikes to a field trip to nearby Hungry
Horse Dam, the group set a fast pace in learning first-hand the meaning
of this year's camp theme — "Living Tomorrow Depends Upon Conser-
vation Today."

Next year, more boys and girls are expected for these and other
conservation classes, and plans are being formulated for similar camps
in other sections of the state.

>w), Frances McDonald, Rural Health Specialist
\. Ingebo of the U. S. Forest Service; Franklin
tate University; Ken Thompson, Montana Fish
ment of Zoology and Entomology at Montana
>llege.

On the last day of camp leaders of each special
group fitted together jigsaw puzzle pieces,
painted by Vern Craig, representing each con-
servation agency to form a composite picture
(below). Campers learned that conservation of
any one natural resource is directly related to
conservation of other such resources.

Few people are familiar with the arboreal characteristics of marten. They are, however,
almost as much at home in trees (above) as on the ground.

MARTEN IN MONTANA

by Fletcher E. Newby, Fur Biologist

Although from point of population
and yearly trapping revenue, the
marten bows to more valuable fur
animals, the mink and beaver, this
colorful animal constitutes an impor-
tant contribution to Montana's fur in-
dustry and is a living symbol of the
wilderness areas of the state. Pos-
sibilities for increasing the production
and value of Montana's marten popu-
lations exist and are being studied
by the Fur Resources Section of the
Fish and Game Department.

Two sub-species of marten are
tound in Montana of which the British
Columbia marten, Martes americana
abietinoides, is about 20 percent more
valuable than is the Pacific marten,
Martes americana caurina. During
the 1950-51 trapping season, the av-
erage price of the more valuable
marten was $22.00 per pelt, while the
poorer type averaged $18.25. Ap-
proximately 35 percent of the marten
catch in the past two seasons was
composed of the better pelts. These

are taken chiefly in Lincoln and Flat-
head counties.

Pelts of marten taken from locali-
ties where the two varieties of marten
interbreed naturally are intermediate
in value. This suggests that it would
be possible and desirable to improve
the pelt quality of the pure Pacific
type by extending or introducing

Traps to capture marten alive are concealed

in the ends of fallen logs, sites chopped out

of rotten snags, or concealed in various other

places known to be frequented by marten.

14

breeding stock of the more valuable
British Columbia marten into the
range of the Pacific type.

Additionally, Montana has con-
siderable areas of suitable marten
habitat which at present support very
few or no marten. These include
areas in which marten populations
were decimated by ever-trapping in
earlier times and extensive burned
areas on which regeneration of forest
cover has progressed to a stage suit-
able for utilization by marten. If the
results of pilot studies are favorable,
restoration of these areas will be ac-
complished with transplants of the
British Columbia marten.

Live trapping and tagging studies
also provide information upon the
value of large refuges or reserves in
sustaining marten populations in sur-
rounding areas. Glacier National
Park and the Sun River Game Pre-
serve are now being studied.

Traps used for the live-capture of
marten are constructed of welded
wire mesh and are of several sizes
and types. The traps fold flat, and
ten to fifteen, according to size, can
be transported on a pack board.

To lure the marten to the vicinity
of the trap, a scent composed of rot-
ted fish, oil of catnip, oil of rhodium
or other aromatic substance is used.

For all their small size, marten exhibit their

own brand of ferocity. When cornered, they

will scratch and bite viciously, regardless of

size of the adversary.

Trussed un in a cone, marten are easily ear-
tagged, weighed, aged, sexed and examined
as to reproductive status.

The most satisfactory bait found to
date is kippered herring, as this type
of bait does not decompose rapidly
and has a scent which is apparently
attractive to marten.

Marten are not particularly wary
animals and extreme care is not re-
quired in preparing the sets. Once
the marten is captured, a wire cone
is attached to the opening of the trap.
The back of the trap is struck sharply
to send the marten into the cone
which is forced down around him.

When the marten is held securely
in the cone, a small metal tag, serial-
ly numbered, is placed in each ear
with a specially designed applicator.
After the tags are affixed, the animal
is weighed, sexed, aged, examined
as to reproductive status and in
movements studies, released.

In addition to marten, studies are
being conducted on muskrats, beav-
er, mink, otter and wolverine. How-
ever, the emphasis of study is on the
more important fur animals and those
which are in low populations or face
extinction in the state.

15

L nop

CHECKING STATION-500 FEET

Those bright red letters advise

Montana hunters that the Fish and
Game Department is interested in in-
terviewing hunters, whether or not
they have been lucky in the field,
for their answers contribute invalu-
able information for use in managing
the state's wildilfe.

During open hunting seasons,
thirty stations operate near big game
areas while four to eight temporary
stations gather data on the upland
game birds and migratory waterfowl
on heavy hunting days.

Because the chief function of these
stations is to obtain information on
game in certain areas, they might

16

more accurately be called "research
centers."

Wherever possible, personnel on
duty are trained biologists who can
identify the hunter's waterfowl, tell
him the age of his deer or offer other
interesting information. Generally,
the attendant can suggest a better
hunting spot for the unlucky hunter,
based upon game kills recorded.

For the most part, checking stations
depend on the voluntary cooperation
of hunters, the majority of whom
prove helpful wherever posible. They
will freely discuss their luck with the
attendants, ask questions and answer
the simple interview.

However, there are a few hunters

who react differently. They apparent-
ly feel that these stations are for one
purpose only — "to catch Mr. John
Hunter violating a game law," and,
guilty or not, will speed by without
a backward glance.

If these hunters were only aware
that the future of their sport is fa-
vorably influenced by checking sta-
tion reports, they would gladly co-
operate by adding their information
to compile more accurate reports!

For the individual hunter's contri-
bution does not become just a statis-
tic but rather, forms a part of the
valuable working index needed to
measure each year's hunting suc-
cess.

For example, a definite kill figure
is established for some big game
regions and for the welfare of the
herd, it is desirable to come as close
to this figure as possible.

Age and sex classifications indi-
cate whether hunting pressure is light
or heavy and whether natural re-

Most of Montana's checking stations are

mobile and can be moved from area to area

as hunting seasons or pressure demand.

Although some stations remain open 24 hours

a day to check heavy hunting traffic, the

majority of hunters report between the hours

of 6 and 10 p. m.

production is maintaining the basic
breeding stock needed for species
perpetuation.

Migration information, mortality
rates and life span are determined
for various species of wildlife from the
returns of ear tags on animals and
leg bands on birds, many of which
are collected at checking stations.
Condition, size and the rate of re-
production are. also determined. All
of this information added to the field
research work accomplished by the
Fish and Game Department during
the rest of the year, forms the foun-
dations for determining future hunt-
ing seasons and bag limits.

Reporting at checking stations is
a simple yet very important way
that every hunter can contribute to
the management of the wildlife he
enjoys hunting and add to his own
knowledge of the game and areas in
which he hunts.

17

Don't Lose Your Head-
If It's A Trophy!

Preservation oi game trophies as
a means of displaying a hunter's
success and ability dates far back
in history. Only the largest, finest
heads are customarily preserved and
subsequent quests for more magni-
ficent specimens add even greater
zest to the sport of hunting.

From the standpoint of the game
manager, trophy hunters serve a
beneficial purpose in harvesting old-
er animals (often possessing the
larger horns) which are no longer
of value in maintaining a thrifty game
herd. Of course, trophy hunters do
not hunt for head and horns alone,
for game laws require utilization of
meat from any big game that is
killed.

In the past, Montana has produced
several record trophies which include
the second largest mule deer head
as well as several other species
ranking among the top ten in the
world. These are fifth place mountain
lion and grizzly, a sixth place ante-
lope and seventh place Rocky Moun-
tain goat and big horn sheep. It
seems highly probable that many
Montanans have disregarded what
might have been record trophies be-
cause they lacked information on
the subject.

The mule deer head taken in Mon-
tana prior to 1907 and measuring
33% inches along the outside curve
and 33 V* inches at the greatest
spread, represents the largest trophy
of this type in the United States. It
may be seen at the National Collec-
tion of Heads and Horns in New York

City. The world's largest record head
for mule deer (see page 19) is pri-
vately owned in England.

Such removals have become the
fate of many of America's finest tro-
phies and today many record heads
of North American game grace the

Diagram shows where to cut animal's head
for best cleaning and taxidermy results.

trophy rooms of foreign countries,
particularly England. Many other
large, or perhaps record, heads are
believed to lie unnoticed in attics of
American homes.

Efforts to unearth such old trophies
and to record new ones are now
being made by the Boone and Crock-
ett Club of New York. Not only are
world records being sought for native
big game species but the Club hopes
to locate the finest trophy of each
species taken during current hunting
seasons.

Because there is a possibility that
record trophy animals are still being
produced, the Boone and Crockett
Club has asked hunters to report any
large head and horn specimens.

18

Even if heads do not meet measure-
ments of world record trophies, a re-
port on any animal of unusual size
or quality can be used as an index
to determine which localities produce
the best heads or will provide a
yardstick for comparison of game ani-
mals of today with those of fifty or
one-hundred years ago.

In addition, the Montana Fish and
Game Department will issue certifi-
cates of honor for the best trophy
animal of each game species hunted
in the state. This will include mule
and whitetail deer, elk, moose, ante-
lope, bear and goat.

Contestants in the head and horn
competition for certificates from the
Montana Fish and Game Depart-

ment must complete applications for
their species similar to the sample
data sheet for pronghorn antelope
shown on page 20.

In Montana, official measurements
may be taken by Dr. Phillip L. Wright
at Montana State University, Dr. Don
Ouimby of Montana State College,
or any biologist with the Montana
Fish and Game Department.

Entry blanks for other species are
available from the Fish and Game
Department.

Montana hunters are urged to
measure their own trophies for unof-
ficial comparison within the state.
Statistics submitted to the Montana
Fish and Game Department will be
publicized in a future issue of Mon-
tana Wildlife.

WORLD RECORDS

— TROPHY HEADS

Species

Length of

Circum.

Greatest

Mo. of Pts.

Where

Date

Outer

of Main

Spread

Each

Killed

Taken

Curve

Beam

Horn

Mule Deer

34

5

371 4

19-18

Wyoming

1886

Whitetail Deer

3034

4%

33 1/2

12-14

B. Columbia

1905

Columbian Blacktail

(Coast) Deer

30V2

5

23 1/2

3- 3

California

1927

Arizona Whitetail

15%

23/4 •

143/8

3- 3

Mexico

(prior to
1906)

Antelope

20 5/ 16

7

163/16

Arizona

1899

Elk (Wapiti)

641/2

8

52

7- 6

Wyoming

(prior to
1899)

Moose (Canadian).

371/4

8 1/4

73

15-14

Alberta

1922

Rocky Mn. Goat....

I2V2

51/2

7

(palm
121/4)

B. Columbia

(prior to
1916)

Grizzly Bear

(skull- -I6V2)

Alaska

1921

Black Bear

(skull -131/4)

Texas

1906

Mountain Lion

(skull— 9 5/16)

(Nose to

tail— 96)

Colorado

1901

Bison

Yellowstone

Natural

(now protected).
Bighorn Sheep

22 3, 8

14%

35%

Park, Wyo.

death

(now protected).

491/2

161/8

23%

Canada

1920

19

OFFICIAL SCORING SYSTEM for North American BIG GAME TROPHIES

Suppl. Data

Col. 1
Right Horn

Col. 2
Left Horn

Col. 3
Difference

A. Tip to Tip Spread

B. Inside Spread of Main Beams

IF Inside Spread of Main Beams exceeds

D-2 Circumference at 1st Quarter

D-3. Circumference at 2nd Quarter

D-4. Circumference at 3rd Quarter

TOTALS

ADD

Column 1

Exact locality where killed

Date killed By whom killed . .

Present owner

Address

SUBTRACT COLUMN 3

Guide's Name and Address

FINAL SCORE

Remarks: (Mention any abnormalities)

19.

I certify that I have measured the above trophy on

at (address) City State

and that these measurements and data are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, made

in accordance with the instructions Ljiven.

Witness: Signature:

INSTRUCTIONS

All measurements must be made with a flexible steel tape to the nearest
one-eighth of an inch. Official measurements cannot be taken for at least
sixty days after the animal was killed. Please submit photographs.
Supplementary Data measurements indicate conformation of the trophy.
Evaluation of conformation is a matter of personal preference.

A. Tip to Tip Spread measured between tips of horns.

B. Inside Spread of Main Beams measured at right angles to the center line
of the skull at widest point between main beams.

C. Length of Horn measured from lowest point in front over outer curve to a
point in line with tip.

D-l. Measured around base of horn at right angles to axis. DO NOT follow
irregular edge of horn.

D-2-3-4. Divide measurement of LONGER horn by four, mark BOTH horns at
these quarters even though the other horn is shorter, and measure circum-
ferences at these marks. If the prong occurs at approximately D-3, take this
measurement immediately above the swelling of the prong.
E. Length of Prong — measure from tip along upper edge on outer curve to
point in line with back of horns determined by an edge touching both
horns.
20

Watch That Ricochet !

Dangers of ricocheting bullets can
never be over-emphasized. Wise
hunters, recognizing the risk of shoot-
ing at a flat, hard surface or a water
area, will avoid targets in these sur-
roundings or try for a better shot
from another angle.

The self-explanatory photographs
of gelatin blocks reproduced on this
page through courtesy of Olin Indus-
tries, Inc., show the dangerous un-
predictable path of glancing bullets.

Normal penetration of unimpeded bullet.

Rock forces bullet to deviate and go "wild."

Compare rock ricochet with normal bullet.

Bullets fired over or at water often "skip" Gelatin block shows how a bullet glancing off
changing direction of missle, reducing power. a water surface takes an upward direction.

21

Proper Care Insures Better Wild Meat

If you prefer beefsteak to venison or elk steak because you find the
"gamey" taste of wild meat unpalatable, it would be a safe bet that your
game animal was not properly killed, adequately cleaned or well-prepared.

Correct dressing and a few imaginative culinary tricks offer the success-
ful hunter not only a rare

taste treat, but make a vv*i^MK5§ -^ ' ■■*"

sizeable reduction in the

family meat budget. The

actual cookery remains a

matter of individual taste,

but the basic know-how of

dressing an animal will

preserve a maximum of

the naturally good flavor

of wild meat.

The best game meat
comes from an animal that
has not been running or
frightened too much and
killed with a clean shot.
Also remember, it is il-
legal and poor economy to
waste game meat so don't
lose the cripples.

Approach your downed game
carefully. Sometimes an animal is
only dazed and reflex actions could
mean a bad accident. It is generally
unnecessary to stick the animal as
internal bleeding will usually drain
the blood unless it has been shot in
the neck or head.

Dress the carcass immediately for
animal heat and bacteria can spoil
meat in a few hours or seriously af-
fect the flavor. Open the stomach
cavity by a careful cut starting at the
base of the tail and extending to the
breast bone. Then open the neck and

Necessary equipment for dressing includes a small meat

saw or sharn hunting axe and knife, 15 feet of % inch

rope, heavy cord and wining cloths.

remove the windpipe to prevent
souring.

Do not cut the intestines or other
viscera. Tie off rear gut and cut, then
cut diaphragm and remove lungs
and heart. Carefully saw or chop
through pelvic bone and remove rear
gut and anus, and in female animals,
the genitals. Evidence of sex for
either male or female animals must
be retained in the dressing process.

Wipe the body cavity with cloth- ■-
don't use water. Save the liver, heart,
tongue, kidney and brain to cook.

22

Thorough cooling of the carcass is
imperative for good flavor. Skin and
quarter the meat as soon as possible
by cutting down the
backbone and be-
tween the second and
third rib from the
rear. Use a meat saw
or sharp axe.

Remove any blood-
shot meat and hang
the remainder in mus-
lin sacks or rub the
surface with blood to
form a glaze when
it is dry.

If quartering is im-
possible, the animal
should be hung or
elevated to allow air
to circulate freely
around and under the
entire body. Good
circulation will pre-
vent the meat from
spoiling.

Loading game in
or on a car away
from air and trans-
porting it during the
heat of the day cer-
tainy will not improve the flavor.

If the meat must be carried any

Cooling meat is MOST IMPORTANT.

Diagram shows how one man can

elevate animal to allow maximum

circulation.

distance, be sure it will get plenty
of air and arrange your travel time
after sundown. Dragging meat even
short distances is not
advisable, but if ne-
cessary, allow the
meat to cool and set
before moving. If
animal must be drag-
ged, make only small
cuts in the body cav-
ity to avoid getting
the meat dirty.

Big game should
hang about ten days
at 35 to 40 F. be-
fore cutting it up into
standard meat cuts.
This allows body en-
zymes to work on
muscle and tenderize
the tissues. Meat will
not age when frozen.

The large quantity
of meat that a single
animal provides can
be stored best in
meal-sized parcels at
commercial storage
or in home freezing
units. Plastic paper,
foil or a double wrap of heavy meat
wrapping paper will protect it.

NECK

CHUCK SADDLE
/

WSPARERIBS FLANK
SHAJWJ///

HAUNCH

Diagram above shows the hunter one of the many ways to butcher game. Do a good job.
Clean meat thoroughly with cloths (don't use water.) cut away excess fat and tissue, wrap
and store in freezing unit. If the hide is not wanted, sell or give it to someone who can use it.

23

Ten Rules For Hunting and

1. Treat every gun with the respect due a leaded gun.

2. Carry only empty guns, taken down or with the action open, into your
automobile, camp and home.

3. Always be sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.

4. Always carry your gun so that you can control the direction of the
muzzle even if you stumble.

5. Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger.

6. Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.

7. Never leave your gun unattended unless you unload it first.

8. Never climb a tree or a fence n
with a loaded gun. nOIDO SQPienS

9. Never shoot at a hard flat sur- ^B&k CHARACTERISTICS
face or the surface of water.

10. Do not mix gunpowder and

alcohol. \f4F?

3. NO ANTL€RS

4. WILL W€AR
CLOTHING SIM-
ILAR TO YOURS.

1. TWO ARMS

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE
!S NO TAG ON YOUR LI —
CCNSt FOR THIS MAMMAL
REGULATIONS PROHIBIT
SHOOTING THIS CREATURE
DURING ANY SEASON OF
TH£ Y€AR.

GUNS AR£ VERY DAN-
GEROUS WHEN IN CARE-
LESS HANDS/ recognize:

THE DANGER. OBEY THE
10 COMMANDM£NT5 Of
SAf£TV.

Shooting Safety

BACK VI£W
MAN „ | PlfR,

SID€ VI€W

VX/WEN HUNTING F£V€R \5
5HVERE, H€ MAY APPEAR
A5 A GAME ANIMAL TO
EVEN THE MOST EXPER-
IENCED HUNTER. YOU
TOO COULD BE WRONG.

UNDER ORDINARY CON-
DITIONS IT REQUIRES BUT
LITTLE EFFORT TO DIS-
TINGUISH MAN FROM
OTHER ANIMALS, BUT

SO IF YOU . . .

1. Never take a chance with a gun — Don't risk lives

2. Shoot clean, kill clean, or miss clean

3. Don't waste wild meat (to do so is a law violation)

4. Observe and assist in the enforcement of game laws

5. Respect the property and rights of others and leave a clean camp

6. Prevent fires — The forests and prairie are the homes of wild animals —
Protect our natural beauty and resources

. . . YOU ARE A GOOD SPORT AND A HAPPIER HUNTER!

GEOaQE d. h
BOX 142
PETERSBURG ,

Helena, Montana

Sec. 34.66, P. L. & B.

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 50