WM^ VOL. V No. 1 Montana Fish and Game Department Official Publication ^"f.J/^ P'^///// 'M3. ^S>i 'n;v \ - ^\ ^1': :' V, \\^ ^^^\N •\\^^ Wk V^j '/y/. '/ ' /,/ /y />■, x^ DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS Because of Montana's vast area, the need for re-location of certain Fish and Game Department operations closer to the local level has long been recognized. The first move toward de-centralizalion of certain activities was realized when the Commission authorized district head- quarters buildings for each of the Department's seven warden supervisor districts. The first of these will be placed in opera- tion at Bozeman. Others are scheduled for completion in Miles City, Billings, Great Falls. Glasgow, Missoula and Kalispell. The buildings are designed to furnish storage for district equipment and office space for district employees. The head- quarters will be utilized by all field personnel, sportsmen's clubs, adult education groups and authorized organizations which wish to participate in Fish and Game Department programs. The type of building adopted as being most ideal for dis- trict headquarters use is shown above. Most buildings will be of steel construction with single truss roof to eliminate the necessity of supports. Each will have approximately 4,000 square feet of floor space of which 1,200 square feet will be devoted to office space, and the remainder for storage. These headquarters will facilitate central storage for equip- ment pools, eliminating the necessity of duplicating certain types of equipment within the district. In addition, each will have a main conference room large enough to accommodate a sizeable group. Here educational programs will be scheduled; movies, slides and demonstrations can be set up easily; panel discussions and departmental meet- ings can be conducted and many other departmental activities can be expanded for better local coverage. For the first time since the Fish and Game Department was created in 1901, field personnel will have a place to conduct inter-departmental meetings without depending upon other or- ganizations to furnish a meeting place. This spring, 20 deputy game wardens from all over the state will attend the "In-Service Training" school at Montana State College in Bozeman, utilizing the sleeping facilities of the headquarters building and its office space as a central study and meeting place. A central headquarters vrill prove a real convenience to hunters and fishermen as well as landowners and others as they can contact Department employees easily to discuss prob- lems and business matters. MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Official Publication State of Montana J. Hugo Aronson, Governor MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Walter Banka, Chairman William T. Sweet Mctnson H. Bailey, Jr. Ralph D. Shipley H. W. Black ^^i^^ jg, A. A. O'Claire, Secretary DIVISION DIRECTORS Walter J. Everin Chief Deputy Walter M. Allen Fisheries Superintendent Robert F. Cooney Wildlife Restoration W. Kenneth Thompson Information and Education M. J. Watt — - - Chief of Law Enforcement Ovie N. Woolverton Chief Clerk Mink are best known for their beautiful fur and short tempers. They are one of the nation's most important fur bearers and are found in relatively large numbers throughout Montana. Mink have long been one of the mainstays of trappers' income and last year, their fine, dark pelts brought nearly $120,000 on the Montana fur market. While not as specialized as other members of the weasel family, mink are easily the most versatile. They are nearly as much at home in water as the otter, can climb trees if necessary like the marten, and can take care of themselves on the ground by running, burrowing or fighting like the weasel or badger. Although semi-aquatic by nature, mink diets are widely varied. They eat some fish, frogs, crayfish, mollusks and other water- dwellers as well as small rodents, eggs and sometimes reptiles. 7HM---^«"~='^*^^^ m^^^" ■'^^d^r^"-'**' . . . but while its value for fishing is here question- able, the remaining water is still too valuable to be left flowing . . . . . . therefore, the stream's value for a fishery is not left in question. Only on a year-round basis is the zero value of this stream obvious. «i^t~i# «y-# v^ ■■* ^ ' —^ Yes, Montana's best waters are gradually dis- appearing. Pollution is taking its toll . . . whole channels are being changed by the road builders, through agri- cultural practices and flood control . . . streams are being completely de-watered for irrigation purposes . . . or flooded by impoundments . . . their vital cover is being destroyed through brush clearing for culti- vation, grazing or logging. As long as Montana can preserve its aquatic habitat, the state will enjoy excellent fishing. When the habitat is gone, there will be no more fishing . . . M^gsssrars iidm I 11 rfflwiriwwi '«iii»M< a88aiBaM»>wita.in>.i«iniiir. ..t^ai* ~^ "c^zy //k / by Joe E. Gaab, Big Game Biologist If you can't bring the mountains to the goats, then bring the goats to the mountains — at least that was the theory of Fish and Game Department employees a few years back. Fiowever, only the optimistic could hope to catch any number of these residents of the rocky crags. And of those who visualized such a fan- tastic dream, not even the most optimistic dared hope for the out- standing success of this revolution- ary operation. Yet in 12 years, a little band of goats freed in the mountains north of Big Timber increased so rapidly that they could be hunted on a per- mit basis. Now, there is considerable evidence that even heavier hunting is desirable. This project started as a dream of Fish and Game personnel and a rancher named Barney Brannin. In Brannin's back yard lay thousands of acres of tumbled, jagged rocks known as the Crazy Mountains. This isolated range with peaks reaching over 1 1 ,000 feet had all the require- ments of good mountain goat habitat — but no goats. Department fieldmen went to work, and Bob Cooney, now director of the Wildlife Restoration Division, was given the job of capturing the goats. After unsuccessfully trying to cap- ture kid goats in nets, the crew con- 15 In the early stages of transplanting mountain goats, the animals were carried by pack horses from their original habitat to trucks. This tedious method has since been replaced by speedier means -which include the use of rubber boats and airplanes. eluded that catching goats on foot was a foolhardy task. They then devised a trap which took advantage of the goats' natural craving for salt and other minerals. Crude corral-type traps were con- structed in the back country of known mountain goat range in the Sun River area. Into these traps, the goats were enticed with block salt. It worked. Goats were captured and packed down tortuous mountain trails to pickup trucks and then driven to Sweet Grass Creek in the Crazies. Twenty-one goats were captured and released in this manner between April 1941, and April, 1943. Apparently the Crazy Mountains had everything needed for good habitat because soon each canyon and peak had little groups of goats. By 1951, the species was known to occupy most of the region believed suitable and department personnel began to consider the herd as a pos- sible site for trapping or hunting. However, a detailed census was required and after experimenting with counts from the ground, it was concluded that the airplane was the logical means of doing the job. Treacherous canyons, down drafts and high peaks all contributed to make this a dangerous, though effec- tive goat censusing method. By fol- 16 lowing careful flight plans, and work- ing each canyon completely at vary- ing elevations, a tally was complet- ed. When added up, 278 Rocky Mountain goats had been counted. Even more startling was the adult- kid ratio which showed 38 percent of the herd were kids. From studies made on the ground, another remarkable fact was ob- served. Whereas most of the produc- ing femoles in old, established goat herds were known to normally have only single kids, this newly estab- lished herd was producing many twins and even triplets. This phenomenon has also been observed in other species such as deer where conditions are just right, food supplies are good and other fac- tors are favorable to increased re- production rates, the number of off- spring often exceeds the number nor- mally expected. To the game manager, this indi- cates an obvious and necessary move — hunt the herd while it is in- creasing and prevent stagnation found when the population comes into balance with its environment. Of course, hunting requires some control since the herd in the Crazy Mountains would not support unlim- ited hunting. With the permit system, a definite number of goats can be taken each year without jeopardizing the basic breeding herd. Equally im- portant is the biological stimulus re- sulting from keeping the herd pro- ducing at its peak. In 1953, thirty permits were issued and in 1954, fifty permits were made available. Hunter success has been high in spite of the difficulty of moun- tain goat hunting. This herd, then, represents a real accomplishment in game manage- ment since it is producing hunting to more hunters in an area where goat hunting was unknown. If managed properly by sufficient hunting, this herd will continue to produce hunting of that fine trophy animal — the Rocky Mountain goat. Object of all wildlife restoration activities is to provide more and better hunting for sports- men. The fine trophy below ^was taken from the transplanted Crazy Mountain goat herd. OPERATION CLEANUP A blanket of clean, white snow is temporarily covering the unsightly trash left by careless campers, fishermen and tourists along Montana's highways and recreation areas. But spring thaws will soon reveal the rusting cans, broken bottles and other garbage of the "Litter Bugs." It is not enough for these "Litter Bugs" to leave an ugly mess . . . their thoughtlessness often results in No Hunting, No Fishing and No Trespassing signs. Anaconda Boy Scouts and Conser- vation Club members, sponsored by the Anaconda Sportsmen's Association, de- cided last summer to do something about the cluttered shoreline of George- town Lake. The lake is a favorite vacation spot in Montana, located with- in easy driving distance of some 100,000 people who use it steadily the year around. Along only a very small por- tion of the lake, scouts picked up nearly 8,000 discarded bottles and beer cans. <^^ In addition to policing the area in the initial cleanup, the Ana- conda Sportsmen's Association has placed garbage cans along the shore and in congested areas and provides a truck which will collect the refuse weekly. Sanitary facilities were provided by the Montana Fish and Game Department and the sportsmen. . . . "Operation Cleanup" demonstrates a method which can be adopted and duplicated in many other areas of Montana. It is unfortunate only in that children have to clean up the debris of their elders ... or that a few conscientious adults have to clear up the litter of others. Land Acquisition In Game Management BY BOB COONEY— Director. Wildlife Restoration A few years ago the Sun River elk herd was in serious trouble. Seventeen years of costly herding had acted only as a temporary stop- gap to the real problem — a lack of winter range. A heavy concentra- tion of game had been formed during the winters by pushing elk back from the foothills. Deep snows at higher elevations prevented them from going far back into the moun- tains. Forage in this narrow belt was becoming seriously depleted. Even with all of the herding effort, elk were breaking out during storm periods to forage on private pastures. This situation could not have con- tinued much longer. A drastic cut in herd numbers would be unavoid- able. Then the elk got a break. A tract of grazing land became available in the foothills and prairie edge. In 1948 it was purchased by the Fish and Game Commission. With in- cluded state and public domain lands, nearly twenty thousand acres thus became available to the elk. It was ideally located directly at the end of historic migration trails. Even during periods of severe storms for- age was readily available for ap- proximately three thousand elk. Heavy use in the back country ceased. Conflict with neighboring ranches was virtually eliminated. Winter losses became negligible. The most important and often lacking goal in the management of an elk herd — adequate winter range — had been achieved. This represented an excellent ex- ample of how a major game problem was solved by the purchase of a THE SUN RIVER ELK HERD — One of the nation's best examples of proper game manaqemenf. % 1 1\''^^^'^^^\ — -T -r—'l { VALLtY j „„o5EVELT j 1 1. Bowser Deer Range 12. Blackfoot-Clearwater I 3. Sun River Game Range I U. Judith Game Range I 5. Bull Mt. Game Range 1 6. lJadi3on GaiTie Range 17. Gallatin Game Range Goose Island Project 9. Ninepipe Game Bird Area A 10, Freezout Waterfowl A, 11. Little Muddy Waterfowl ^12. Dodson Game Bird Area A 13. Fox Lake Waterfowl critical tract of winter range. Acqui- sition has become an important as- pect of present day game manage- ment. Although small and widely scattered in the over-all picture of lands within the state, these tracts are of vital importance. They have been carefully selected on the basis of need. Each has been studied in the light of local economy to make sure that wildlife development would represent the most important usage of these lands. In order that the tax base would not be disturbed the Montana Legis- lature has made it possible for the Fish and Game Commission to pay annually to counties, in which such lands are located, an equitable amount in lieu of taxes. During the late 40's other tracts of big game winter range, in addi- tion to the Sun River, were pur- chased. However, during the last several years emphasis has shifted to obtaining key marsh land areas for the production of waterfowl. These will also assure public hunting in Dorticularly important areas during the years to come. Wildlife Restoration funds, made available to the states from an ex- cise tax on sporting arms and ammu- nition, have been used to supple- ment Fish and Game Department monies in making this program pos- sible. The lands purchased, how- ever, have become the exclusive property of the Montana Fish and Game Commission and are managed by them. The following summary lists the tracts purchased to date and briefly describes their primary values in Montana's wildlife develop- ment program: 20 Big Game Winter Ranges SUN RIVER GAME RANGE— LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY This represents a tract of 11,750 acres of deeded land, plus included state and public domain lands to make the area nearly 20,000 acres. This area was obtained in 1948 and has represented a vitally needed winter big game range. It has been used each winter since by a majority of the elk from the Sun River herd (approximately three thousand head). BLACKFOOT-CLEARWATER GAME RANGE— MISSOULA AND POWELL COUNTIES This is a tract of 10,936 acres of land lying near the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clearwater Rivers. It was obtained in the fall of 1948. With adjacent leased lands this area represents important winter range for elk and deer drifting down from the higher summer ranges of the Blackfoot and Clearwater drainages as well as from the Upper South Fork of the Flathead. During the period that this range has been available to big game, a particular effort has been made to draw elk off surrounding pri- vate lands, thus helping to alleviate a serious problem of big game con- flict with agricultural interests. JUDITH GAME RANGE— JUDITH BASIN COUNTY Lands obtained in 1952 were added to a tract purchased earlier, thus creating a winter range for big game of 4,137 acres. This area lies at the edge of the forest near the confluence of the South and Middle Forks of the ludith River. It represents a natural wintering ground for the majority of elk from the east slope of the Little Belt Range. By holding big game on this state-owned tract it has been possible to materially lessen a serious problem of conflict with private lands that has existed in that area for many years, and thus maintain a larger huntable herd without disrupting local economy. GALLATIN GAME RANGE— GALLATIN COUNTY Two areas have been obtained in the Gallatin Canyon in an effort to relieve a very critical shortage of winter elk range. A tract of 6,188 acres, located in the Tepee-Buffalo Horn area just below the Yellowstone Park boundary. The other tract of 440 acres is made up of meadow land range at the mouth of Porcupine Creek midway down the Gallatin Canyon. In addition to vitally needed forage made available the latter purchase has also solved a problem of elk use conflicting with private lands. 21 MADISON ELK RANGE— MADISON COUNTY A tract of 1,260 acres was obtained in 1954 by the Montana Fish and Game Commission on Bear Creek on the west slope of the Madison Range. As this land is located directly on the main elk migration route from the Gallatin, it is considered highly important in the management of big game in that area. Forage made available on this tract will tend to hold elk off private lands below. Should additional lands become available at some time in the future to round out a more adequate winter range, this tract would fit in very well with such a program. BOWSER LAKE AREA— FLATHEAD COUNTY This tract, consisting of but 199 acres about the edge of Bowser Lake north of Kalispell, is far more important to wintering game than its size would indicate. White-tailed deer in large numbers move into this area late in the fall. Deep snows at higher elevations tend to constrict game use to a relatively small tract of winter range in this area. The develop- ment of forage within this section for deer will add much to its value from a game standpoint. BULL MOUNTAIN RANGE— JEFFERSON COUNTY This tract of 1,993 acres was purchased in the spring of 1954. It is expected that it will add materially to the critically needed winter range for big game, principally elk, in the Bull Mountain-Whitetail area. In ad- dition, use by elk on this range will lessen the possibility of conflict on surrounding private lands. Waterfowl Development Areas FREEZOUT WATERFOWL AREA— TETON COUNTY The land purchased in this area is located in a strip about the edge of Freezout Lake. It consists of 1,155 acres purchased in 1954, plus ap- proximately 3,000 acres under lease. The lake and these adjoining lands will be developed and improved for the production of waterfowl. In ad- dition the area will represent an important location for public hunting. Waterfowl food crops produced in this area will serve the additional pur- pose of holding birds off surrounding private lands, thus lessening the possibility of undesirably heavy waterfowl usage. State OAAmership has also made it feasible to construct a water control canal connecting the lake with the Teton River. This structure will make it possible to control the water level of the lake which is essential to the maximum development of waterfowl. It will also prevent the flooding of a nearby state highway, railroad, and private lands which has repre- sented a serious threat in the past. This area is comparable to the famous Ogden Bay in Utah in size and waterfowl production possibilities. 22 NINEPIPE AREA— LAKE COUNTY During the past year 1,292 acres of land bordering the Ninepipe Waterfowl Refuge have been purchased by the Montana Fish and Game Commission. It is anticipated that these lands will be developed for waterfowl and upland game birds by diking, pothole development and cover and food plantings. Public hunting is an additional and very im- portant consideration in this program. FLATHEAD LAKE GOOSE ISLANDS— LAKE COUNTY Two islands in Flathead Lake, one of 30 acres and the other of 24, have been included in this program. Although rather small in size, these timbered rocky islands are of immense importance from a wildlife stand- point. They represent key Canadian goose nesting sites. It has been found that the local goose production depends largely upon their success in finding suitable locations for nesting. These relatively undisturbed islands in Flathead Lake represent the most desirable nesting sites in the entire valley. Should they become occupied the resulting human activity would preclude goose nesting which would in turn seriously deplete the production of this primarily important waterfowl species. FOX LAKE— RICHLAND COUNTY The purchase of 682 acres within and about the edge of Fox Lake near Lambert represents a very important step in the restoration of this once highly significant waterfowl area. The improvement of an existing dike, will create a more stable water level. This, coupled with necessary food and cover plantings, as well as fencing, will greatly improve the area for waterfowl. This development work, along with the assurance of ready access, should make this one of the most important waterfowl production and hunting areas in eastern Montana. LITTLE MUDDY WATERFOWL AREA— CASCADE COUNTY There has been a purchase of 640 acres made in the Little Muddy waterfowl development area west of Cascade. With the reconstruction of a dike, desirable water levels can be maintained in this area. Its loca- tion in relation to waterfowl flyways along the east side of the Rocky Mountains system, gives assurance of heavy waterfowl populations when the development work is completed. Some additional acquisitions should be carried out in order that this area be completed. Public hunting represents an additional important objective. MILK RIVER (DODSON) WATERFOWL AREA— PHILLIPS COUNTY Lands lying about the edge of the Dodson impoundment, amounting to 378 acres, were obtained in order that this region could be further de- veloped for waterfowl and upland game bird production. 23 Mountain whitefish are among the most abundant fish in the cold water streams and lakes of Montana. This close relative of the highly esteemed trout is the mainstay of the state's winter fishery and also contributes to the creel of the summer fisherman. The status of this fish among Montana's anglers is quite variable. Some fishermen consider this fish to be a wandering busy- body who frequently shows up to take the Number 16 ginger quill just when a five-pound rainbow is showing some interest in the fly. Others will take the white- fish with any species of game fish and enjoy catching it. Its status as a food fish shows similar variation. A few fishermen would not of- fer a whitefish to a stray cat while others prefer the flesh of this fish to that of trout. Each angler has a right to his own opinion of the moun- tain whitefish. However, be- fore he becomes too critical of this fish, he should take a second look at the qualities that are expected of a game fish. If a game fish is to make a major contribution to the creel, it must be present in numbers that will give rea- sonable assurance of success- The Rainbow's Country Cousin by J. J. Gaffney Fisheries Biologist ful trips. Also, the fish must be capable of putting up a good "scrap" when taken on proper tackle. Although palatability is of secondary importance in a sport fishery, it is also a factor to be considered in evaluating a game fish. Does the mountain whitefish meet these requirements? This fish is found in most of the cold water streams and lakes that drain the western half of the state. It is most abundant in the large rivers and the lower portions of primary tribu- taries but is found less com- ^\ monly in secondary tribu- taries and lakes. It is not uncommon for sev- eral fishermen to take limits of whitefish in a few hours from a single hole on such streams as the Missouri, Yel- lowstone, Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Flathead, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers. Flat- head lake also provides good whitefishing at certain times during the winter. Records kept by individual fishermen show some catches as high as four fish per hour with catches of one and one-j half fish per hour being com- mon on some of these streams. Trout streams which yield one and one-half fish per Properly clothed against -wintery blasts, fishermen need not aban- don this sport v^hen the snow flies and temperatures drop. 24 hour are considered good fishing streams. Winter fishing in Montana requires some- what heavier tackle than that used during the regular season. Ice formation in the guides limits the use of fly rods or spinning rods. A long cane pole is most satisfactory for winter fishing. It is often necessary to lift a fish over the edge of shelf ice; therefore, the fine tapered leaders used by trout fisher- men are not practical during the winter season. Because of this heavier tackle, some fisher- men have a tendency to "horse" their fish and thereby underestimate the fighting ability of the whitefish. During the regular fishing season, these fish are taken in much the same manner as trout are taken. The whitefish does not make the spectacu- lar jumps or the long runs that a rainbow makes but they will put up a dogged under- water fight when taken on light tackle. The palatability of any food item is largely a matter of personal preference but that pref- erence may be influenced by a number of factors. Some fishermen have never eaten white- fish because their friends tell them that these fish are undesirable. A few such people have been pleasantly surprised when they sampled their first fried whitefish fillet. In a controlled experiment, six unbiased judges gave desirable ratings to samples of whitefish which were judged on aroma, tex- ture, flavor and tenderness. Removing the skin and the fatty deposit along the backbone removes a flavor that is objectionable to some people. Smoking is a very popular way of pre- paring whitefish, especially during the win- ter season. For a nominal fee, usually ten cents a fish, a fisherman can have his fish smoked at a commercial meat curing plant or by a commercial smoke house operator or he can easily build his own backyard "fish- smoker." Although the mountain whitefish meets all qualifications of a game fish, it has been little utilized by most Montana fishermen. A recent modification of fishing regulations al- lows fishermen to take a daily limit of white- fish in addition to a limit of trout and other cold water fish during the open season. Recent years have shown a growing inter- est in the mountain whitefish as a game fish and it is hoped that this interest will continue to grow, thereby enabling Montana sportsmen to utilize this resource more fully. »^^^s^>^s^>^s^^^w^^ For the rugged iisherman, pursuit of whitefish provides sport not only during the winter and early spring, but can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. *#'<«^V Sec 34.66, P. L- & R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 50 HELENA, MONTANA CKVGi 'sionno