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BIENNIAL REPORT ISSU^^^^^OED^rMu)

MONTANA

MAY 2 8 1970

LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY of MONTANA

Wildlife

bulletin

Published by the Montana Fish and Game Commission

Volume One

Nov., 1944

Number Five

A PRIME BUCK MULE DEER

Big Game Seasons

The general Deer and Elk Season began on October
15, 1944 and will end on November 15, 1944 in Montana.
However, there are a number of areas where a post sea-
son on Elk has been provided to enable hunters to take
the desired number of Elk to conform with good game
management practices for that particular area.

Following is a brief description of the areas that will
remain open for the hunting of Elk after the close of the
general season on November 15, 1944. Hunters who
desire more information on these open areas should con-
tact their local Deputy Game Warden or obtain "a copy of
the 1944 Synopsis of The Montana Big Game Regulations.

Beaverhead County: Elk season, either sex, extends
to December 31, 1944 in that area drained by Squaw
Creek and Doolittle Creek.

Granite County: Elk season, either sex, extends to
January 31, 1945 in area South of Skalkaho road west
from Highway 10A to Middle Fork of Rock Creek and
and south to line between Townships 4 and 5 North.

Flathead County: Elk season, either sex, extends to
November 30, 1944 in area south of Glacier National Park
drained by Bear Creek from Summit to Nimrod and Middle
Fork drainage from Nimrod to Moccasin Creek.

(Please Turn to Page 4)

Page 2

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

SURFACE FEEDING DUCKS

COMMON MALLARD

This large duck, often spoken of as the greenhead, is the best known
of the ducks in Montana and many winter within the state in the vicinity of
open water. They often nest a considerable distance from water, commonly
on the ground, though occasionally one has been found to utilize the aban-
doned nest of a hawk in a tree. When alarmed they have the ability of
springing almost vertically from the water's surface.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL

This teal is the smallest of our ducks. Their swift erratic flight will test
the skill of any sportsman. Green markings on the speculum of the wing.
They are hardy little ducks as their winter range extends up into Montana.
Their down and grass-filled nests are found concealed in the long grass of
the shoreline or even at times some distance back from the water.

BLACK DUCK

A large duck, coloration slightly darker than the female Mallard. Sexes
alike. Head and neck paler than the rest of the body. This is the most
common of the ducks of the eastern portion of North America. It is classed
as the most wary of the ducks. Is a rare visitor here in the state.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL

This duck is almost as small as the Green-wing. The bright blue wing
patches on both the male and female is the most obvious distinguishing
feature. This may be seen even when the birds are on the wing. They
are lovers of warm weather and are the first of the ducks to start the migra-
tion toward their winter feeding grounds.

GADWELL

Common in Montana; often called the gray duck. Is of medium size.
May be distinguished from other pond ducks in that it is the only one with
white in the speculum, or the brightly colored area on the secondary wing
feathers. Has a chestnut wing patch and yellow feet.

CINNAMON TEAL

Both the male and female show the blue wring patch. The male is
easily recognized by its dark cinnamon-red plumage. The female, however,
is very difficult to distinguish from the female Blue-wing teal. The range
of this duck is confined to the western portion of the continent; in fact, it is
rarely seen east of the Continental Divide.

BALDPATE OR WIDGEON

The Baldpate nests within Montana. It is a smallish duck somewhat
brown in general coloration. The white crown of the male has given him
the name Baldpate. The white patch on the forewing is in contrast to the
white on the hind part of the wing (speculum) of the Gadwall. They rest
very buoyantly on the water. Is a shy and nervous duck. They often feed
among Canvas-backs and other diving ducks, and have been seen stealing
food from the beaks of these ducks.

SHOVELLER

This handsomely colored duck is often called spoonbill from its strikingly
broad spoon-shaped bill. Except for this disproportionately large bill, the
Shoveller resembles somewhat both the Blue-wing and Cinnamon Teal. All
possess the striking blue wing coverts. As with the Blue-wing Teal the Shovel-
lers are lovers of warm weather and conseguently start their southward
migration early in the fall.

AMERICAN PINTAIL

Sometimes called gray duck or sprigtail. This medium sized duck may
be recognized by his slender, graceful neck and pointed tail. The Pintails
are fast and graceful in flight. They are found among the first of the ducks
taken by hunters in the fall. Montana is well within their nesting range.

WOOD DUCK

The drake of this species has been justly classed as the most beautiful
of our ducks. The elongated crest on the head of both sexes, plus the striking
combination of irridescent colors of the male, makes this an easily identified
duck. The Wood Duck is not at all common in Montana. Their chief range
is found in the eastern half of the United States and along the west coast.
As the name would imply, they often freguent trees. This is the only truly
tree-nesting member of the River and Pond ducks. They choose natural
cavities in the trunk or large branches of trees for their nesting sites.

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 3

DIVING DUCKS, MERGANSERS and RUDDY DUCKS

REDHEAD OR AMERICAN POCHARD

One of the larger ducks, only slightly smaller than the Canvas-back,
which it somewhat resembles. Differs from the Canvas-back in that the back
is darker gray. Bill is rather short and the head is rounded and high-domed,
in contrast to the long bill and elongated head of the Canvas-back. Montana
is well within the nesting range of this species.

BUFFLE-HEAD

These are among the smallest of the ducks and are only slightly larger
than the teals. A handsome little duck with a disproportionately large
black head marked with a triangular white patch. The female is rather
plainly marked. A strong swimmer and diver. It is able if necessary to
burst at full speed into the air from beneath the water's surface. The Buffle-
heads are tree nesters, often using deserted woodpecker holes for this pur-
pose. If no trees are available, however, they may nest in a bank like a
Kingfisher.

CANVAS-BACK

This large duck has gained worldwide fame as a table delicacy. This,
coupled with their unsurpassed speed in flight, makes them a favorite among
sportsmen. The Canvas-backs are excellent divers and have been known
to secure food at a depth of twenty to thirty feet beneath the surface. When
swimming under water they use both their feet and wings. The Canvas-
back migrates southward rather late in the fall.

HOODED MERGANSER

This handsome little duck with its striking fan-shaped crest is a rival
in beautiful plumage to the Wood Duck, with which it is often associated.
It is an expert diver and uses both feet and wings under water. They nest
in hollow trees and have been found competing with Wood Ducks for choice
nesting sites. The Hooded Merganser is one of the swiftest of ducks in
flight. This little duck may be easily distinguished by its narrow, cylindrical,
rather heavily toothed bill.

SCAUP OR BLUEBILL

For convenience the greater and lesser Scaups have here been grouped
under the one heading. In life it is difficult to differentiate between the two.
The larger duck will average about one guarter pound the heavier. They
differ, however, in some aspects of their life habits and behavior. Both are,
however, strong swimmers and excellent divers. All hunters who have
attempted to retrieve wounded Scaups will attest to this. The Scaups are
hardy ducks, migrating south rather late in the fall.

AMERICAN MERGANSER

Commonly called fish duck or sheldrake. A very large duck, the
largest of the Merganser group. The only duck on this continent of 'which
the female is crested and the male is not. These ducks are primarily fish
eaters. As they swim very rapidly under water they are able to capture
even the swiftest fish. They will nest either upon the ground or in trees
according to the availability of proper sites.

AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE

This chunky, medium-sized duck is often called whistle-wing or whistler,
due to the distinct whistling sound caused by the rapid beating of their
wings. On a cold winter evening this sound reminds one of the distant
tinkling of sleigh bells. The Golden-eyes are superb swimmers and divers.
Their nesting habits resemble those of the Wood Duck in that they utilize
hollow trees as nesting sites. They appear in Montana in large numbers
in the late fall and remain in areas of open water throughout the winter.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

Both the male and female of this species of Merganser possess a straggly
double-pointed crest. Are expert fishermen, being able to dive with the
agility of the grebes. In taking flight they have considerable difficulty in
rising from the water or land and must patter along for some distance before
becoming airborn. This Merganser always builds its nest upon the ground.

BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE

This species is often called the Rocky Mountain Golden-eye as it is
most abundant in this region. They are tree nesters, often nesting about
the margin of some high mountain lake. The male may be distinguished
from the American Golden-eye by having a white crescent shaped mark
between the eye and the base of the bill, rather than a round spot. The
Barrows is far tamer than the American Golden-eye.

RUDDY DUCK

This chunky little duck is often aptly called butterball. The spring
mating plumage of the male is most distinctive — striking features are the
bright blue bill, the reddish brown back, pure white cheek markings, and
spike-like tail feathers that are often held erect resembling a little fan. An
inflatable air sac is found in the neck of the male, giving him a ludicrously
bullnecked appearance. Because of the distance the legs are set back on
the body, neither the male nor female can walk on the land. They make up
for this, however, in the water as they surpass most ducks in their ability
to swim and dive.

Page 4

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Along Montana's Waters

It has been customary in previous issues to briefly
describe one watershed, giving a description and infor-
mation concerning the fishing.

In the August issue, the Yellowstone River was briefly
described and it was intended to describe the Missouri
River drainage system in this issue. However, space will
not permit even a summarized report on such a major
drainage and, for this reason, we have selected only one
of its major tributaries and will deal with the Gallatin
River.

The Gallatin, the Madison and the Jefferson Rivers
converge near Three Forks, Montana, from which the
community derives its name, to form the Missouri River.
The Gallatin River drainage is approximately 115 miles
in length and is comprised of the West and East Forks and
the Main Gallatin itself, together with many tributaries.
It flows in a northerly and somewhat westerly direction
with many of its headwater streams arising in the Madi-
son and Gallatin Mountains and Yellowstone Park.

Much of the terrain through which it flows is ex-
tremely fertile as is evidenced by anyone motoring
through the Gallatin and adjacent valleys.

It has been found that whenever watersheds drain a
terrain as fertile as the Gallatin, the streams themselves
reflect the fertility of the soil and are either as productive
or as barren as the ground over which they flow. The
Gallatin, for this reason, is very productive of both plant
and animal life and the abundance of fishing to be found
therein and the fishing pressures to which much of this
stream is subjected, reflect in no small degree the fertility
of its waters.

Within the Main Gallatin are to be found Whitefish,
Rainbow, Loch Leven, Grayling and Eastern Brook Trout.

The East Gallatin, comprising approximately 30
miles of fishing water with nineteen tributaries, will be
found to have Loch Leven, Whitefish, Eastern Brook, Gray-
ling, Rainbow and Native trout. The Main Gallatin is
comprised of a total of 47 tributaries, varying in length
from 2 to 30 miles and offering a diversity of fishing from
Natives only to all of the above-mentioned species, in-
cluding Golden trout.

Located on the many tributaries of the Gallatin are
a total of 41 lakes which are deemed suitable for fishing.
Many of these lakes are situated at extremely high alti-
tudes and vary in acreage from 2 to 15 acres. The ma-
jority of these lakes are inhabited by Cutthroat only. How-
ever, there are several exceptions, such as Emerald Lake,
Heather Lake and Summit Lake which also have Rainbow
and Grayling, and the Hyalite, Cascade and Hellroaring
Lakes which contain Eastern Brook, Cutthroat and Rain-
bow.

Inquiries are often received requesting information
as to where our Native Montana Grayling might be

found in the waters of the Gallatin and the following is
a list of the streams in which Grayling are known to exist:
Bridger Creek, Squaw Creek, Swan Creek, Moose Creek,
Portal, Porcupine, Buffalo Horn, Sage, Taylor Fork, Wapiti,
Little Wapiti, Cache, Meadow, Cinnamon Buck, Beaver,
Northeast Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin, Dudley
Creek, Deer Creek, Cascade Creek and Hellroaring Creek.
All the tributary streams, with only one or two exceptions,
contain Natives at the headwaters with Rainbow, Eastern
Brook or Loch Leven in the lower stretches.

The responsibility of keeping the waters of the Galla-
tin River amply stocked with the above-mentioned species
of game fish has been delegated to the Bozeman Hatch-
ery, operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Those who have the opportunity to visit this area will
enjoy seeing one of the many scenic areas lying within
Montana's borders. The drive through the Gallatin Can-
yon, with ample time to whisk a fly over many of the
tempting stretches of water found along the route, is an
experience long to be remembered.

BIG GAME SEASON— (continued)

Gallatin County: Elk season, either sex, extends to
December 1, 1944 throughout entire area open during the
regular season or until 500 elk have been taken.

Judith Basin County: Season on antlered Elk only
extends to February 28, 1945, in that portion of Judith
Basin County lying South and East of the South Fork of
the Judith River.

Lewis & Clark County: Elk season, either sex, ex-
tends to January 15, 1945 or until 600 elk have been taken
in the Sun River area. The area South of the Dearborn
River to Lyons Creek and East from the Continental Di-
vide to the Missouri River will be open to Elk of eitheir
sex from November 15, 1944 to December 31, 1944, or until
250 Elk have been taken.

Madison County: Elk season, either sex, extends to
December 31, 1944 in Bear Creek area east of Highway No.
1 from Mill Creek to Indian Creek to the Madison-Gallatin
Divide.

Park County: Elk season, either sex, extends to
March 1, 1945 or until desired number have been taken
by hunters.

The Deer Season in that portion of Lake County
drained by the Swan River extends to November 30, 1944
on Buck Deer only.

A small section in the Wall Creek-Standard Creek
area in Madison County will be open to the hunting of
deer of either sex until December 16, 1944 or until 100
deer have been taken from the area.

The Moose is a browsing animal and since its neck
is too short and its legs too long it cannot stand on level
ground and graze.

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 5

W. A. HILL

WITH OUR WARDENS . . .

W. A. Hill, veteran Deputy Game Warden, in charge
of the Great Falls District, began working for the Fish and
Game Department in 1921. He is known throughout the
State to many sportsmen and game violators alike, as
just plain "Bill Hill."

Bill was born at Norton Mills, Vermont in 1869, the
son of a Gunsmith. His dad presented him with a muz-
zle-loading shotgun of about .28 gauge when he was
only five years old. With such a start, it is no wonder the
Wild West fever struck the lad when he was fifteen and
he started out on his own.

"When 1 left home they told me I would be back for
supper, but they didn't see me for nine years." Bill re-
lated. "I started out on the trail that led via freight trains,
to Ashland, Nebraska, where I got a job plowing corn.
Nebraska was West to the Easterners', but 'East to the
Westerners', I discovered, so I traveled on to American
Falls, Idaho. There I hired out to Sam Gwinn, a cattle-
man, and was sent to Raft River, Idaho where Gwinn had
holdings. My stay at Raft River was short, after United
States Agents arrested the Foreman of the ranch and his
brother for a stage coach robbery, and I moved on."

"My first work in Montana was for Ben Sheffield,
then a Big Timber rancher and in recent years, a Jackson
Hole Dude Rancher in Wyoming. In 1886 I hired out as
a cowpuncher for Ben Phillips of the Quarter Circle P,

located on Wolf Creek below Stanford, Montana. There
I became well-acquainted with my companions, Charlie
Russell, famous Western artist, Pete Van, Horace Brewster
and other early day notables. After the fall roundup, I
drifted to Walla Walla, Washington and stayed for the
winter. In the Spring of 1887 I headed back to Montana
and stopped at Helena where I got a job with Gans <&
Kline of the Triangle Bar Ranch out of Big Timber. In the
Spring of 1888 I again worked for Ben Phillips and aided
in pushing a big herd of cattle across the Missouri River
at Claggett, which was an old time refueling stop for Mis-
souri River wood-burning steamers. The cattle crossing
the Missouri River at this point was one of the first inva-
sions of the Bear Paw Mountain area for a cattle range."

"For the next year I traveled along the West Coast
from Washington down through Oregon and California.
In 1890 I headed North again to Montana and landed
in Red Lodge. There I became acquainted with Liver-
Eating Johnson' a colorful old-timer."

Bill was 21 now, 6 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds.
He was very proficient with his "dukes" and popular in
the boxing ring or "squared circle." His first appearance
in the ring was in Billings in 1886. Later in Red Lodge,
he recalls he fought and defeated Jack Stone, who
claimed the State Heavyweight Title.

"Not all of my fights were in the ring," Bill said with
a grin, "I cleaned up on Paddy Doyle and the Coffee Kid
in barroom fights."

"In 1891 I went South to Greybull, Wyoming to break
horses on the Pitchfork Ranch, but left the next year when
the Johnson County cattle war between the cattlemen
and the combined forces of the homsteaders and rustlers
broke out. Not having any part in the argument, I de-
cided that the best thing to do was to leave, so I headed
North to Powder River, in Montana, and worked for the
McConner's outfit."

In the fall of 1892, Bill rode a stock train to Chicago.
There he began appearing with boxing shows but since
he did not like the training, he soon sought another job.
During the World's Fair in 1892 he was a member of the
Columbian Guards, who acted as policemen during the
Fair.

With a little money in his pocket, he decided to visit
his Vermont home in the fall of 1893, which was nine
years after they said "he would be back for supper." In
the spring of '94, Bill traveled Westward again, working
his way by means of boxing exhibits to Big Springs,
Texas, where he worked for the slaughter outfit for $30.00
a month and beans. "But the beans were damn scarce,"
said Bill, so he high-tailed it out of Texas to California
and on to Winnimucca, Nevada. In Winnimucca he col-
lected a purse of $500.00 in a prize fight and promptly
headed for Livingston, Montana, where he acted as a
guide in the Jackson Hole Country with Frank Beller, who
was later Sheriff of Park County for 20 years.

"This partnership was short-lived," according to Bill,
"when we had to make a forced march to the safety of
the Yellowstone Park line in order to escape the clutches

Page 6

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

of the law in the shape of "Soldier Brown', famous Wyo-
ming Sheriff and Game Warden, and who wanted to see
our hunting licenses, which we didn't have. We had a
bunch of horses and the Sheriff was traveling light and
we damn near got caught."

In 1897 Bill Hill joined the stampede to the Klondike
region in Alaska. He climbed "the Hump" with the others
but did no panning. He contented himself with buying
claims and selling them the next day at a good profit. In
'98 he returned to the States and was unsuccessful in an
attempt to join Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. When
asked "How come they didn't take you into the Rough
Riders", Hill replied, "The medics said powder burns in
my right eye made me a poor soldier. Why, I was a
crack shot by then. I began packing a Colt's Single Ac-
tion .45 in '88 at Livingston — and I never laid it aside until
1905."

"I could do a little bragging in those days about my
shooting. I remember the time Charlie Mix, who ran a
saloon at Stanford, backed me against Sheriff Morris
Sullivan of Lewistown in shooting at targets. Mix set up
beer bottles across the street and the first to miss one of
the bottles had to stand the drinks for the crowd. The
Sheriff lost and Mix hollared for the whole town to come
in on the drinks."

Shortly after 1905 Hill left Montana and landed at
Lewiston, Idaho, where he was a Deputy Sheriff for a
year. Then came three years of work which was the
forerunner of his present job, the task of being Game
Warden for the old Idaho County of Nes Perces.

While in Idaho he homesteaded a site in the Craig
Mountains and his stepson, Thomas J. Smith, still holds
the deed to the land.

In 1916 Hill went to Missoula and for a number of
years was a lumberjack and chief fire fighter and trail
builder for the Forest Service.

In June 1921 he was appointed Deputy Game Warden
by the Montana Fish and Game Commission and was
assigned to the West Yellowstone District. In October
of the same year, he was transferred to Great Falls, but
a month later was dispatched to Mineral County where
poaching was reported rampant. At the close of the
hunting season he was sent to Thompson Falls, where
he remained until the spring of 1922 when he was sent
to Philipsburg, again on the trail of poachers. In 1923
he was transferred to Missoula and put in charge of the
Missoula and Ravalli areas until the fall of 1934. He was
then transferred to Wolf Point and in the spring of 1935
was again sent to West Yellowstone and later in the
summer returned to Great Falls. He was then transferred
for a time to Harlowton and in April 1937 returned to
Great Falls, which District has been assigned to him ever
since.

After nearly 24 years as a Deputy Game Warden in
Montana, Mr. Hill is a keen observer of our wildlife and
in reminiscing, relates: "I have had a chance to watch
the various species of wildlife come back in good num-
bers under sensible protection and propagation. Best of
all, I have seen the sportsmen come to frown on game
hogs. Once it was considered a great accomplishment
to come home with wagonloads of birds, game and fish.
Today, it is different and many sportsmen are proud of
the fact they do not kill or take the limit."

Bill Hill is one of the old timers on the staff of depu-
ties but it hasn't made him like his job less. Do you want
to know what his ambition is? To own a home in the
tall pines and be a Deputy Game Warden to the last.

COMPARISON OF RESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FEES OF MONTANA WITH ADJACENT STATES

RESIDENT LICENSE FEES

Game Bird and Fishing License

Angler's License

Bird License

Combination Hunting and Fishing License

Big Game License

Hunter's License

Elk Permit

Deer Permit

Antelope

Mountain Sheep Permit

Bear Permit (special)

Moose Permit

Mountain Goat Permit

Deer Permit (special)

'Big Game or Hunter's License Required.

MONTANA

WYOMING

IDAHO

UTAH

$ 2.00

$ 3.00

$

$

1.50

2.00

2.00

2.00

5.00

2.00

4.00

1.00

3.00

1.00*

10.00

1.00*

1.00*

5.00
15.00

5.00
15.00

10.00*

2.00

OREGON WASHINGTON

3.00

5.00

3.00
5.00*
3.50*
2.50*

3.00

5.50*

SUMMARY:

Cost to a Resident Sportsman to fish, hunt game birds,
kill 1 deer, 1 elk, 1 bear, 1 goat and 1 antelope in
Montana and adjacent states

$ 4.00

No Mt. Goat
$10.00

No Antelope
$14.00

No Mt. Goat
or Antelope

$14.00

No Mt. Goat
$16.00

No Goat or
Antelope

$ 8.50

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN Page 7

State of Montana

Fish and Game Cdmmissidn

HELENA, MONTANA
MEMBERS J. S. McFARLAND

ELMER JOHNSON, Chairman, Glasgow November 8. 1944 State Fish and Game Warden, Helena

WM. CARPENTER, Butte ELMER G. PHILLIPS

I. W. SEVERY, Missoula Supt. state Fisheries, Helena

A. C. GRANDE, Lennep

E. G. VEDOVA, Roundup .,*•'' E,VER!N,

Chief Deputy, Helena

ROBERT F. COONEY, Director
Wildlife Restoration Division, Helena

To His Excellency
Sam C. Fore-
Governor of the State of Montana
Helena, Montana

Dear Governor Ford:

Transmitted herewith is the Montana Fish and Game Department's
Financial Report for the biennial period from May 1, 1942 to April 30, 1944.

The Commission has forged slowly, but steadily, ahead with its conserva-
tion and restoration programs. Due to the war, there has been a severe shortage
of equipment and personnel. The large balance on hand is due to the accumula-
tion of funds through curtailment of our many activities.

The equipment of the Department is in need of replacement and large
expenditures of money will be needed when it is possible to obtain new
materials.

In a recent nation-wide poll, it was estimated there will be an increase
of 30 per cent in fishermen and hunters immediately following the close of
hostilities. This presents all conservation departments with a grave problem
and obligation. This Department will require more funds if it is to meet its
obligation to sportsmen. It is felt that this revenue may be derived largely from
an increase in the license fees.

The Department acknowledges, with a deep sense of gratitude, your con-
tinued interest in the welfare of Montana's wildlife resources and appreciates
the support which you have given the Commission's conservation program.

Respectfully submitted,
MONTANA FISH and GAME COMMISSION

Secretary

Page 8

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
MAY 1, 1942 - APRIL 30, 1943 AND MAY 1, 1943 - APRIL 30, 1944

STATEMENT OF INCOME

CLASS OF INCOME License Fees
Hunting & Fishing Licenses & Shipping Permits:

Resident Bird and Fish $ 2.00

Resident Big Game 1.00

Resident Sportsman 5.00

Non-Resident Fishing 5.00

Non-Resident Bird 10.00

Non-Resident Big Game 30.00

Alien Fishing 10.00

Shipping Permits 50c & 60c*

Tourist Fishing 2.50

Total

Less Dealers' Fees

Income from Sale 1942 & 1943 Licenses

Plus 1941 & 1942 Licenses Remitted late — during
above periods

Total Income from sale hunting & fishing licenses....

Number oi ]

Licenses Sold

Income

Income

-42, 4-30-43

5-1-43,4-30-44

5-1-42,4-30-43

5-1-43,4-30-44

99,406

99,669

$198,812.00

$199,338.00

47,889

46,892

47,889.00

46,892.00

82

163

410.00

815.00

1,340

1,419

6,700.00

7,095.00

341

251

3,410.00

2,510.00

339

374

10,170.00

11,220.00

60

73

600.00

730.00

3,477

3,612

1,738.50

2.167.20

5,351

4.052

13,377.50

10,130.00

$283,107.00

$280,897.20

15,185.30

15,184.20

$267,921.70

$265,713.00

5,621.20

2,767.20

$263,542.90

$268,480.20

Licenses & Permits Other Than Above

Beaver Tags

General Trappers' Licenses

Land Owner Trappers' Licenses

Beaver Trapping Permits

Guides' Licenses

Taxidermists' Licenses

Antelope Permits (Special Season, 1943)

Seining Permits

Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses

Fur Dealers' Agent Licenses

Non-Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses

Certificates of Identification

.50

8,625

9,282

$ 4,312.50

$ 4,641.00

10.00

462

739

4,620.00

7,390.00

1.00

635

793

635.00

793.00

10.00

856

1,115

8,560.00

11,150.00

10.00

78

76

780.00

760.00

15.00

5

6

75.00

90.00

1.00

750

750.00

5.00

4

5

20.00

25.00

1.00

393

460

393.00

460.00

10.00

9

23

90.00

230.00

25.00

9

14

225.00

350.00

.50

452

328

226.00

164.00

$ 19,936.50

$ 26,803.00

Miscellaneous Revenue:

Fines

Confiscations — Sale of Furs

Confiscations — Sale of Rods, Guns, etc

Confiscations — Sale of Fish and Meats

Game Farm — Sale of Brood Hens

Sale of Elk — Yellowstone Park

Sale of Elk Study

Refunds

Other Revenue

Sale of Fish Eggs

Sale of Furs — State Trapped

Total Income — By Collections

Income -by Reimbursement from Pittman-Robert-
son Funds for Wildlife Restoration Division

TOTAL INCOME TO DEPT. DURING ABOVE
PERIODS

•Shipping Permits sold for 50c through April 30, 1943 and for 60c thereafter.

$ 11,714.07

8,675.25

640.35

$ 8,387.92
29.34

4,848.34
1,660.29

1,854.00

12,504.21

1.00

1,312.34
316.46

163.80

316.04
813.51

13,614.90

$ 55,451.01

$ 11,400.81

$348,930.41
64,131.67

$306,684.01
22,037.44

$413,062.08

$328,721.45

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 9

MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
May 1, 1942 — April 30, 1943 and May 1, 1943— April 30, 1944

STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS

May 1, 1942-

-April 30, 1943

Commissioners

$ 3,507.82

Administration

48,306.40

Game Division (Deputies)

73,990.99

Game Farm — Warm Springs ....

8,965.93

Game Farm — Billings

7,458.76

Game Farm — Fort Peck

21,186.05

Fisheries Division:

1

Hatcheries: Anaconda

$ 9,585.12

Great Falls

9,349.73

8,456.58

Lewistown

7,515.15

Big Timber

7,739.83

Poison

4,382.88

Ovando

949.01

Libby

9,358.48

Emigrant

8,092.50

Somers

6,978.97

Havre

Red Lodge

423.36

9.39

U. S. Hatchery: Miles City

914.30

Spawning Stations: Georgetown

Lake.. 190.20

Bitterroot

93.00

Lake Ronan

180.00

West Yellowstone ...

3,868.00

Alvord Lake

140.62

Ashley Lake

306.82

Lake Agnes

75.00

Willow Creek

162.73

Marlowe Rearing Pond — Arlee ...

4.311.36

Investigation, Propagation and

306.33

Total Fisheries Division ...

83,389.36

Checking Stations

3,083.76

Miscellaneous Activities

11,923.21

Wildlife Restoration Division:

Coordination

$ 6,142.52

Surveys and Investigations

46,671.93

Beaver Development

1,082.00

8,036.37

Posting Game Preserves

86.21

Water Facilities

12,003.21

Total Wildlife Restoration

Div.:

74,022.24

1,328.73

8.37

$337,171.62

Less cancelled warrants: 1942-43 period*
TOTAL DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES DUR-

884.84

ING ABOVE PERIODS ...

$336,286.78

*Cancelled warrants for 1943-44 period
deducted from project totals.

already

GAME BIRDS LIBERATED

Summer
1943

Chinese Pheasants 9,685

Chukar Partridges 200

May 1, 1943— April 30, 1944

$ 2,588.80

43,439.62

81,812.38

900.00

352.22

21,558.61

7,431.22

10,272.33

5,690.48

7,349.07

10,013.94

3,339.53

885.05

8,480.97

7,631.55

6,713.19

4.35

1,517.80
247.73
115.14
189.00

3,298.13

420.99

525.81

42.38

18,225.85

1,188.33
81.66

9,096.82
39,703.89
764.79
7,501.02
1,111.07
6,616.87

Summer
1944

20,869
273

93,664.50

1,368.63
9,872.58

64,794.46

35.86
1,999.43

$322,387.09

$322,387.09

Total 9,885

21,142

Page 10

MONTANA WILD

LIFE BULLETIN

RECAPITULATION OF EXPENDITURES

Years Ending April 30, 1943 and 1944

April 30, 1943 April 30, 1944
Administration

Operation $ 46,014.48 $ 40,901.29

Capital 1,797.48 2,166.83

Repairs and Replacements 494.44 371.50

Total $ 48,306.40 $ 43,439.62

Commissioners Expense

$ 3,507.82 $ 2,588.80
Game Division (Deputies)

Operation $ 70,682.94 $ 76,406.10

Capital 129.37 270.97

Repairs and Replacements ..^ 3,178.68 5,135.31

Total $ 73,990.99 $ 81,812.38

Game Farm — Warm Springs

Operation .'. $ 7,667.73 $ 900.00

Capital

Repairs and Replacements 1,298.20

Total $ 8,965.93 $ 900.00

Game Farm — Billings

Operation $ 6,230.86 $ 69.74

Capital 171.25

Repairs and Replacements 1,227.90 111.23

Total $ 7,458.76 $ 352.22

Game Farm — Fort Peck

Operation $ 13,493.93 $ 18,755.55

Capital 7,212.99 2,276.62

Repairs and Replacements 479.13 526.44

Total $ 21,186.05 $ 21,558.61

Fisheries Division

Operation $ 77,012.98 $ 86,920.01

Capital 3,741.78 2,826.04

Repairs and Replacements 2,634.60 3,918.45

Total •. $ 83,389.36 $ 93,664.50

Checking Stations

Operation $ 2,785.55 $ 1,339.28

Capital 274.28 27.45

Repairs and Replacements 23.93 1.90

Total $ 3.083.76 $ 1,368.63

Miscellaneous Activities

$ 11,923.21 $ 9,872.58

Wildlife Restoration

Operation $ 67,249.81 $ 61,213.49

Capital 5,576.62 980.34

Repairs and Replacements 1,195.81 2,600.63

Total -.$ 74,022.24 $ 64,794.46

Mammoth Elk Camp

$ 1,328.73 $ 35.86

Montana State Purchasing Department

Funds drawn by the Purchasing

Department $ 8.37 $ 1,999.43

Total Expenditures: Fish and Game

Department $337,171.62 $322,387.09

Adj. Acc't. 1942-1943 Cancelled War-
rants deducted from total only
and not from projects 884.84

NET TOTAL Expenditures:

Fish and Game Department $336,286.78 $322,387.09

MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

RECAPITULATION OF FUNDS

May 1. 1942 to April 30, 1943 and May 1, 1943 to April 30, 1944

Balance Forwarded: April 30, 1942 $ 32,699.90

Less 1941 check in process of collection 210.70

Actual Balance forwarded $ 32,489.20

Income: May 1, 1942-April 30, 1943 348,930.41

Reimbursement from Revolving Fund 3,000.00

Funds Available During year $384,419.61

Expenditures During year from Fund 131 271,659.16

Balance April 30, 1943— Fund 131 $112,760.45

Balance forwarded: April 30, 1943 $112,760.45

Income: May 1, 1943-April 30, 1944 306,684.01

Funds Available During Year $419,444.46

Expenditures during year from Fund 131 285,319.78

Balance April 30, 1944— Fund 131 $134,124.68

Fund No. 104-11 — Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson)

Balance Forwarded: April 30, 1942 $ 16,810.53

Income: May 1, 1942-April 30, 1943 64,131.67

Funds Available During Year $ 80,942.20

Expenditures during year from Fund 104-11 64,627.62

Balance April 30, 1943— Fund 104-11 $ 16,314.58

Balance Forwarded: April 30, 1943 $ 16,314.58

Income: May 1, 1943-April 30, 1944 22,037.44

Funds Available During Year $ 38,352.02

Expenditures during year from Fund 104-11 37,067.31

Balance: April 30, 1944— Fund 104-11 $ 1,284.71

Plus Pittman-Robertson Accounts Receivable:

April 30, 1944 (Apx.) 47,396.99

Potential Funds — Wildlife Restoration:

April 30, 1944 $ 48,681.70

Above Two Funds Combined (Total Fish and Game Funds)

Balance Forwarded: April 30, 1942 $ 49,510.43

Less 1941 check in process of collection 210.70

Actual Balance Forwarded $ 49,299.73

Income during year: By Deposits with State Treas $348,930.41

Income during year: By Reimbursement P. R. Funds 64,131.67

Total income during year $413,062.08

Reimbursement from Revolving Fund 3,000.00

Funds Available during year $465,361.81

Expenditures during year — Both Funds 336,286.78

Balance April 30, 1943— Funds 131 & 104-11 $129,075.03

Balance Forwarded: April 30, 1943 $129,075.03

Income during year: By Deposits with State Treas 306,684.01

Income during year: By Reimbursement P. R. Funds 22,037.44

Total income during year $328,721.45

Funds Available during year $457,796.48

Expenditures during year — Both Funds 322,387.09

Balance: April 30, 1944— Funds 131 & 104-11 $135,409.39

Plus P. R. Accounts Receivable: April 30, 1944 (Apx.) 47,396.99

Potential Fish & Game Funds: April 30, 1944 $182,806.38

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 11

FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS

May 1, 1942 May 1, 1943

to to

April 30, 1943 April 30, 1944

Fishing in closed waters 21 18

Possessing over legal limit of game .... 29 18

Fishing without license 51 38

Fishing during closed season 22 5

Illegal possession of seines, net or spear 7 1

Fishing with set lines 17 13

Posession of and fishing with salmon

eggs or fish spawn 4 21

Fishing before or after hours 3 4

Fishing within 300 feet of a dam 1 2

Possessing more than 5 fish under 7 in. 1 5

Possession of or fishing with minnows 1

Pollution of streams 1

Fishing with improper license 2

Illegal possession of beaver hides 8 6

Selling untagged beaver 5 1

Failure to keep proper record of fur

transactions 6 1

Dealing in furs without proper license 5 1

Trapping during closed season 7 7

Trapping without license 3 3

Illegal trapping of beaver 1 4

Shipping furs without permit 5 4

Illegal possession or sale of furs 6 6

Operating fur farm without a permit 1

Illegal transportation of beaver 2

Shooting or possession Chinese Pheas-
ant Hen 7 9

Shooting on a Bird Refuge 7

Killing or possessing game birds dur-
ing closed season 34 18

Killing game birds from automobile,

highway or motor boat 15 5

Hunting game birds without plug in

gun 11 5

Shooting game birds before or after

hours 35 13

Possessing over limit of game birds.. 7 2
Hunting and killing game animals out

of season 16 15

Illegal possession of big game 19 8

Hunting with improper license or with-
out license 11 8

Hunting game animals with artificial

light 2

Hunting on closed area or game

preserve 19 16

Swearing to false affidavit to secure

license 8 3

Shooting doe or fawn deer 4 8

Illegal possession of grizzly bear 2

Transporting game animals without

Shipping Permit 1

Trespassing or hunting on posted land 3 5

Transfer of Big Game License or Tag . 9 1

Failure to tag deer or elk 2 9

Shooting elk before hours 43 1

Wasting game meat 2 6

Selling or purchasing elk carcass 2

Killing buffalo 1

Killing moose calf 1

Alien in possession of firearm 1 2

Killing cub bear 1

Shooting game animals from highway .... 6
Hunting big game without wearing

red clothing 1

Totals 465 306

VIOLATIONS BY COUNTIES

May 1, 1942

to

April 30, 1943

Beaverhead 8

Big Horn 3

Blaine 4

Broadwater 3

Carbon 5

Carter 1

Cascade 10

Chouteau 1

Custer 3

Daniels

Dawson 6

Deer Lodge 11

Fallon 9

Fergus 20

Flathead 23

Gallatin 28

Garfield

Glacier 6

Golden Valley

Granite 8

Hill 1

Jefferson 16

Judith Basin 2

Lake 41

Lewis & Clark 10

Liberty

Lincoln 24

Madison 11

McCone 1

Meagher 5

Mineral 8

Missoula 24

Musselshell

Park 64

Petroleum 2

Phillips 5

Pondera 8

Powder River 1

Powell 2

Prairie

Ravalli 14

Richland 7

Roosevelt 10

Rosebud 1

Sanders 14

Sheridan 6

Silver Bow '- 1

Stillwater 10

Sweet Grass 1

Teton 2

Toole 1

Treasure

Valley 1

Wheatland 2

Wibaux 4

Yellowstone 17

Totals 465

May 1, 1943

to
April 30, 1944

6
2
12
3
3

4
4

14
13
12

2

4
5
5
7
17
7

13

33
2

11
4
4
4
7
2
4

11
1
1
4
3
8
7
1

10
2
3

10
2
3

4
18

306

Page 12

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

1942 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES— MAY 1, 1942 to APRIL 30, 1943

Resident

County Bird & Fish

Beaverhead 1,915

Big Horn 1.040

Blaine 698

Broadwater 759

Carbon 2,074

Carter 160

Cascade 8,141

Chouteau 1,171

Custer 960

Daniels 275

Dawson 840

Deer Lodge 3,121

Fallon 30

Fergus 3,295

Flathead 6,397

Gallatin 4,616

Garfield 45

Glacier 1,410

Golden Valley 229

Granite 801

Hill 1,983

Jefferson : 874

Judith Basin 603

Lake 2,524

Lewis & Clark 5,309

Liberty 200

Lincoln 2,081

Madison 1,768

McCone 90

Meagher 812

Mineral 638

Missoula 6,265

Musselshell 940

Park 3,414

Petroleum

Phillips 660

Pondera 1,208

Powder River 109

Powell 1,592

Prairie 80

Ravalli 2,837

Richland 926

Roosevelt 843

Rosebud 406

Sanders 1,694

Sheridan 552

Silver Bow 9,047

Stillwater 1,755

Sweet Grass 1,187

Teton 1,043

Toole 880

Treasure

Valley 1,208

Wheatland 968

Wibaux 176

Yellowstone 7,558

Idaho

Washington

Sold and paid for by 4-30-43 99,406

Paid during May, June & July ... 801

Total Sales (7-31-43) 100.207

Resident

Non-Resident

Resident

Resident

Resident

Alien

Big Game

Sportsmans Fishing

10-Day Fishing

Bird

Big Game

Fishing

Totals

1,073

2

67

409

7

2

1

3,476

335

1

5

17

8

1

1,407

81

2

2

....

783

483

1

7

4

4

1,258

954

1

13

66

3

3,111

133

293

3,499

7

42

142

17

25

7

11,880

407

125

16

1,719

277

2

1

1,240

5

280

88

5

1

2

936

1,031

8

7

59

4,226

102

132

2,234

3

11

42

1

5,586

3,571

4

32

329

5

30

8

10,376

2,834

4

272

1,865

25

34

7

9,657

6

51

448

4

27

8

1,897

119

2

350

477

1

25

1

1,305

64

1

6

12

5

2,071

556

2

14

1,446

451

1

7

1,062

988

2

30

201

4

5

3,754

3,461

12

39

106

16

55

2

9,000

40

240

1,496

1

36

182

14

3

3,813

1,135

2

37

266

2

7

3,217

10

100

597

1

3

23

1,436

413

53

85

7

8

2

1,206

3,260

6

65

190

35

55

2

9,878

449

1

2

10

1,402

2,761

4

20

99

8

25

3

6,334

52

2

2

4

2

1

723

401

1

10

1

1,621

116

225

1,110

4

40

1

19

1

2,767

39

....

119

1,891

24

195

3

10

4,960

58

1

24

5

1,014

71

3

917

185

1

592

1,173

71

199

4

6

1

3,148

3

5

560

3,451

7

47

114

5

2

12

12,685

1,109

24

67

1

6

2

2,964

929

22

102

3

4

3

2,250

638

6

16

5

10

1,718

216

2

1

8

1,107

31

20

16

2

1,277

618

8

15

2

2

5

1,618

22

198

2,120

4

28

117

118

5

2

9,952

158

168

22

348

82

46

122

5,351

5
339

173

47,889

1,340

341

60

154,808

182

1

3

44

3

14

2

1,050

48,071

83

1,343

5,395

344

353

62

155,858

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 13

1943 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES— MAY 1, 1943 to APRIL 30, 1944*

Resident

County Bird & Fish

Beaverhead 1,852

Big- Horn 912

Blaine 696

Broadwater 717

Carbon 2,052

Carter 240

Cascade 9,180

Chouteau 791

Custer 956

Daniels 226

Dawson 896

Deer Lodge 2,967

Fallon 309

Fergus , 3,256

Flathead 6,703

Gallatin 4,645

Garfield 104

Glacier 1,408

Golden Valley 329

Granite 774

Hill 2,060

Jefferson 867

Judith Basin 745

Lake 2,662

Lewis & Clark 5,365

Liberty 252

Lincoln 2,135

Madison 1,635

McCone 106

Meagher 784

Mineral 603

Missoula 6,005

Musselshell 926

Park 2,894

Petroleum

Phillips „ 587

Pondera 1,218

Powder River 129

Powell 1,484

Prairie 135

Ravalli .'. 2,839

Richland 863

Roosevelt 847

Rosebud 429

Sanders 1,664

Sheridan 395

Silver Bow 8,770

Stillwater 2,219

Sweet Grass 985

Teton 1,076

Toole 906

Treasure

Valley 1,426

Wheatland 1,047

Wibaux 170

Yellowstone 6,511

Idaho

Washington

Total Sales 99,752

*Of the above, the following
licenses were sold before April
30, 1944, but remitted for dur-
ing May and June 83

Resident

Resident Non-Resident

Resident

Resident

Resident

Alien

Big Game

Sportsmans

Fishing

1 0-Day Fishing

Bird

Big Game

Fishing

Totals

957

2

78

454

4

2

3,349

242

2

7

12

3

2

1,180

99

3

3

801

485

2

10

3

1,217

753

18

56

2

3

2,884

237

477

3,986

50

17

49

10

26

7

13,325

215

1

5

1,012

416

3

2

1

1,378

10

236

139

7

2

1,044

1,528

9

3

41

4,548

171

480

2,140

22

6

35

1

2

1

5,463

3,971

11

54

181

4

29

14

10,967

2,498

1

223

1.442

41

56

6

8,912

18

122

498

6

21

10

1,943

119

2

7

457

500

1

10

3

1,288

269

9

3

16

1

1

2,359

537

1

11

1,416

474

2

6

1,227

974

2

23

116

7

3

3,787

3,452

16

38

87

14

67

4

9,043

40

292

1,489

53

162

1

13

1

3,855

1,006

7

45

185

O

1

2,881

12

118

596

4

4

17

2

1,407

424

36

62

15

O
Q

1,143

3,228

2

51

183

16

41

1

9,527

405

5

5

1,341

1,849

6
2

29
2

58
4

2
6

17

6

4,861

67

668

405

14

13

2

1

1,653

131

260

1,018

15

49

4

27

1

2,598

78

213

1,840

12

75

1

9

4,776

44

1

1

28

937

67

1

4

919

231

....

660

1,145

42

169

13

14

1

3,048

8

1

404

3,944

6

15

75

6

6

14

12,836

790

3

20

39

3

1

3,075

709

24

34

3

5

1,760

626

2

29

18

5

9

1,765

252

1

13

5
12

2

1,179

53

1,491

668

7

6

5

1,733

17

1

188

1,089

4

21

69

31

3

3

7,731

....

447

144

31

622

47

98

1

5

151

46,919

27

165

1,419

4,054

251

374

73

153,007

114

Page 14

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

FISH DISTRIBUTION BY HATCHERIES FOR YEAR
July 1, 1942 — June 30, 1943

Eastern Loch Sockeye

Station Natives Rainbow Grayling Brook Leven Salmon Mackinaw Totals

Anaconda 738,506 607,948 3,411,938 36,200 244,800 5,039,392

Big Timber 324,400 456,668 2,500 197,000 275,000 1,255,568

Hamilton (Daly) .... 603,610 294,800 10,000 184,850 90,165 1,183,425

Emigrant 521,250 483,925 93,000 307,000 1,405,175

Great Falls 735,500 207,000 143,160 379,000 1,464,660

Lewistown 152,000 200,500 198,500 120,000 671,000

Libby 250,177 117,650 128,500 9,600 505,927

Ovando 173,480 462,248 635,728

Poison 271,240 262,500 533,740

Somers 1,569,000 220,000 5,000 195,000 1,002,000 40,000 3,031,000

*Miles City

4,603,663 3,841,739 3,636,438 1,176,210 1,415,965 1,002,000 49,600 15,725,615

*Black Bass — 64,917 Fingerlings; Crappie — 35,760 Fingerlings; Catfish — 38,390 Fingerlings; Bream — 50,000 Fingerlings.

FISH DISTRIBUTION BY HATCHERIES FOR YEAR
July 1, 1943 — June 30, 1944

Eastern Loch Sockeye

Station Natives Rainbow Grayling Brook Leven Salmon Mackinaw Totals

Anaconda 584,378 447,826 3,008,270 98,800 325,280 4,464,554

Big Timber 255,000 561,628 210,200 505,470 1,532,298

Hamilton (Daly) .... 297,760 391,466 689.226

Emigrant 426,960 370,800 181,500 255,000 1,234,260

Great Falls 345,000 405,530 390,000 130,500 1,271,030

Lewistown 118,472 358,550 173,840 140,000 790,862

Libby 232,110 142,410 100,000 259,050 733,570

Ovando 158,872 125,396 284,268

Poison 752,100 167,800 858,000 1,777,900

Somers 1,162,000 279,800 190,500 930,000 2,562,300

Arlee 235,950 21,340 257,290

*Miles City

4,568,602 3,272,546 3,108,270 1,503,890 1,356,250 1,788,000 15,597,558

*Large Mouth Bass — 96,764 Fingerlings; Golden Shiners — 363 Adults; Bream — 6,295 Fingerlings; Catfish — 76,980 Fingerlings.

fTSH EGGS COLLECTED AT STATE SPAWNING STATIONS AND ACQUIRED THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

July 1, 1942 — June 30, 1943

Eastern Loch Sockeye

Station Natives Rainbow Grayling Brook Leven Salmon Totals

Alvord Lake 2,779,348 2,779,348

Ashley Lake 2,438,320 2,438,320

Lake Agnes 3,571,392 3,571,392

Bitterroot Lake 79,200 79,200

Georgetown Lake 1,302,100 399,096 1,701,196

Hebgen Lake 6,151,200 2,621,792 8,772,992

Lake Ronan 207,504 207,504

3,740,420 6,437,904 3,970,488 2,779,348 2,621,792 19,549,952

FISH EGGS COLLECTED AT STATE SPAWNING STATIONS AND ACQUIRED THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

July 1, 1943 — June 30, 1944

Eastern Loch Sockeye

Station Natives Rainbow Grayling Brook Leven Salmon Totals

Alvord Lake 2,098,938 2,098,938

Kilbrennen 1,729,376 1,729,376

Ashley Lake 1,781,640 1,781,640

Lake Agnes 935,680 935,680

Bitterroot Lake 152,320 152,320

Flathead 2,042,652 2,042,652

Georgetown 788,628 17^,104 108,800 1,072,532

Hebgen 6,978,774 4,321,344 11,300,118

Lake Ronan 180,880 180,880

2,570,268 7,487,078 1,044,480 3,828,314 4,321,344 2,042,652 21,294,136

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

Page 15

Big Game Checking Stations

The Fish and Game Department has set up regular
checking stations at several strategic points adjacent to
important big game hunting areas. The primary purpose
of these checking stations is to afford hunters a conven-
ient point at which they may report their kill. The in-
formation thus obtained is extremely important in the
proper control of the big game herds in these areas.

In several cases the seasons are setup so that hunt-
ing will be stopped when a given number of elk or deer
have been taken. In such localities this closing date may
be quite accurately foretold by information obtained at
the checking stations. Undesirable slaughters of game are
thus avoided.

The number of game animals taken by hunters,
whether it reaches the allowable figure or not, is of ex-
treme importance in making plans for a sustained yield of
game.

Most hunters have become accustomed to the loca-
tion of the regular checking stations. For the benefit,
however, of the hunters entering new areas the following
list is given: The Augusta station, located on the main
street of Augusta. At this station elk, deer, goat, and
bear are checked out of the Sun River country.

Squaw Creek checking station, on the highway above
Gallatin Gateway. For the purpose of checking elk, deer
and bear taken in the Gallatin Canyon hunting area.

Wanagan station, located at the Wanagan store on
the highway between Livingston and Gardiner. • For
checking the number of elk and deer to be taken out of
the Gardiner area.

Ennis station, located at the eastern end of town near
the bridge. For the purpose of checking the number of
deer and elk taken out of the Madison drainage.

Utica station, located in the Fish and Game cabin
just out of Utica on the main road up the Judith River. For
the purpose of checking the number of deer and elk
brought out of that big game area.

Coram station, located on the Forest road near the
entrance to the South Fork of the Flathead hunting area.
For the purpose of checking the number of elk, deer,
mountain goat and bear brought out of this area.

In addition to the regularly established points men-
tioned above, several mobile stations will be set up in
areas where they are found to be necessary. The co-op-
eration of sportsmen in checking at these stations is ap-
preciated.

An average of the numbers of big game licenses sold
during the last five years indicates there will be approxi-
mately 43,000 resident sportsmen and 380 non-resident
sportsmen who will hunt big game in Montana this fall.

Since we do not have a complete record of the hunt-
ing accidents in the State during the past few years, no
estimate on the number of accidents involving gunshot
wounds and fatalities can be made. However, each year
there are several tragic accidents, causing loss of life and
many accidents involving loss of limbs and others of less
serious nature.

The Fish and Game Commission has set hours of
daylight shooting in the Gardiner area in Park County,
and Tepee Creek Drainage in Gallatin and Madison
Counties for the protection of hunters. A State law re-
quires all hunters of big game to wear red clothing or
red on their clothing. The following "Ten* Commandments
of Safety" are recommended by the Sporting Arms and
Ammunition Manufactures Institute, and should be fol-
lowed by all persons who handle firearms:

"SAFETY FIRST — ALWAYS"
Make That Your Motto

1.
Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun.
This is the cardinal rule of gun safety.

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 with a loaded gun.

One of the rarer animals which has been seen occa-
sionally in this State is the Wolverine. Several have been
reported in the wilderness areas of the Flathead National
Forest.

Never shoot at a flat,
water.

hard surface or the surface of

10.
Do not mix gunpowder and alcohol.

NOV 2 I '80 I0< PM

Page 16

l' ■ <■>

MONTANA WILDLIFE BULLETIN

IN MEMORIAM

On Sunday, October 8, 1944, Harry Cosner, long a
loyal and friendly employee of the Fish and Game De-
partment, passed away at his home in Malta.

Harry was among the oldest employees of this De-
partment, having been a Deputy Game Warden for 25
years. He began work under W. F. Scott, the first State
Game Warden, in 1906. Harry left the employ of the
Fish and Game Department in 1915 and went into private
business at Malta. In 1928 he again entered the service
of the Depanment as Deputy Game Warden and re-
mained until his death.

The passing of Harry, at the age of 77, leaves an
empty spot in the hearts of his many friends and fellow
employees of the Fish and Game Department.

ATTENTION SPORTSMEN!

This issue of the Montana Wildlife Bulletin is the
5th to be published and distributed by the Depart-
ment. Below you will find a coupon provided for your
convenience in order that you may subscribe to the
Bulletin. The next issue will be printed in January
and there will be six copies during the year.

In the Bulletin, we are attempting to supply you
with current conservation matters and also to keep
you posted with the conservation projects which
have been completed or are in progress. We will
welcome suggestions as to specific 'wildlife topics
you would particularly like.

All of the money derived from subscription funds
will be used for the publication.

If you are interested in becoming a subscriber
to the Montana Wildlife Bulletin, please send your
subscription in at once.

A Pinto Elk

Last fall Supervisor Karl A. Klehm and Walter Neils
of Libby were hunting deer in the Dunn Creek area. They
noticed a little group of five or six elk. One appeared to
be marked with white. By the use of binoculars they were
able to study the animal quite closely. Its head and
neck to its shoulders were white; the front legs were white
nearly to the body; there was a wide stripe along the
lower part of the body. The outside of the hind legs and
rump were also white. The rest of the body was slightly
lighter than an ordinary elk. They classified the animal
as being a two-year-old cow.

This spring Jesse Fox and several other rangers saw
the same elk, and this time not over one hundred feet
from the Dunn Creek road.

Occasional tracks have been seen of the Fisher, in
the Upper Whitefish Range near the Canadian Boundary.
The Fisher is perhaps the most valuable and rarest of our
fur bearers.

In contrast to its name, the Fisher is not a fish-eating
animal and does not live near the water. They resemble,
in their habits, the Pine Marten or American Sable, to
which they are closely related. The Fisher is consider-
ably larger than the Marten, sometimes attaining a maxi-
mum weight of 18 pounds and a length of 36 inches.

FORMER EMPLOYEES NOW IN THE ARMED FORCES

J. P. Campbell
C. N. Lindsay
R. H. Lambeth
Lester Newman
Jack Thompson
Waldo Vangsness
Don Brown
Donald Wright
Ben Wahle
Leo LaTray
Emmett Colley
Bob Brink

Robert Casebeer
Wm. E. Schultz
Julius K. Stinson
Burke Thompson
Forest Keller
Ed Furnish
Bill Thompson
Ken Thompson
Gene Sherman
Raleigh Shields
Ross Snyder
Vern Campbell
Harold Fletcher

CUT ALONG LINE

STATE OF MONTANA
Fish & Game Commission
Helena, Montana

Please enter my subscription to the Montana
Wildlife Bulletin for one year. Enclosed please find
$1.00.

MONTANA WILDLIFE

Sec. 562, P. L. & R.
U. S. POSTAGE

BULLETIN

PAID

HELENA, MONTANA

Permit No. 8

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Address