Fish and Game Commission rt/lotSC&Li UMt^ay?t^ QUARTERLY REPORT *» V JULY « SEPTEMBER - 19U8 Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Projects Montana Stale Library 6UC1B HJ Tho MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION NO 13L3JE- ----- LIBRARY Or- GLACIER NATIQI Gate t¥/Yf _.. JULY - SEPTEMBER „9U8 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Montana State Library http://archive.org/details/quarterlyreport02mont HOTS Personnel . . ••••■••••• 1 Introduction „ „ ... 5 1-R Surveys and Investigations - Western Montana Big Hole-Monida : Big Game Vfinter Study, 1947-1948 Richard L. Hodder 4 Flathead-Sun River Unit: Pre ~li mi nary Census of Rocky Mountain Goats. . . . George Goers 17 Vegetative Readiness and Elk Migrations. . . . . . « • • Ade Zajanc and Stewart Brandborg 28 Elk Calf Tagging Merle Rognrud 55 Gallatin Unitt Calf Elk Tagging Report - Gallatin . J. E. Gaab 5? West Gallatin Winter Elk Study, 1947-1948 „J. E. Gaab 42 Calf Elk Tagging - Yellowstone Park Win. F. Koch 86 1-R Eastern Montana Choteau Units Elk Damage on Everly Ranch • Don Brown 89 Missouri Breaks Unit: Range Inspection of Bighorn Sheep Pasture. .Robert L. Casebeer 92 Musselshell Unit: Aerial Antelope Inspection . . . . . Don L. Brown 98 Investigation of Deer Damage on Lettuce. .... .Don L. Brown 102 Powder River Unit: Deer Study in Ashland Division. ..... Kenneth E. Riersgard 106 1-R Game Birds Little Belts Unit: Meagher County Sage Grouse Population. . . . .Fred L. Hartkorn 115 Madison-Ruby Unit: Sage Grouse Population , , , , I, S, Maloit 119 Survival and Productivity of Hatchery Reared Spring Released Hen Ring-necked Pheasants. . . . .Fred L. Hartkorn 122 Poplar Unit: Pheasant Habitat Development. • • David Lane and Fred Hartkorn 125 (Continued) INDEX (Continued) Pag€ State-Wide s 1948 Pre-Season Pheasant Census Fred L. Hartkom 129 Preliminary Ring-neck Pheasant Population and Productivity Check .Fred L* Hartkorn 133 North Central States Migratory Waterfowl Research Meeting .¥. K. Thompson 144 Swan-Blackfoot Units Powell County Sage Grouse Check in 1948. ... Fred L. Hartkom 148 Teton Units 1948 Preliminary Ring-neck Pheasant Check, . . . • W# S. Maloit 15£ Letter of Transmittal and signatures « 157 ii WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION PERSONNEL Robert F. Cooney ■ . . . . «, . . <,«.<, . . . . . . o <, » . . o . Director W. Ken Thompson . . . . . . „ . . . o . . . . . . . . .Assistant Director Faye M. Couey . . . . ..... <> . . . . o . . . . . .Big Game Biologist Win. Ro Bergeson ... ............... . Game Bird Biologist Hector J. Lacasse ................ .Draftsman-Photographer Dorothy Nopper 8. ............ ...... Secretary-Bookkeeper Midge Mongrain ........ .,,..... .......<> Claims Clerk Margaret Dixon .................... « Junior Bookkeeper Ann Cumming ................ ........ (.Stenographer Don Brown ................. ..Assistant Big Game Biologist Merle J. Rognrud .............. Assistant Big Game Biologist Robert J. Greene ............. .Assistant Game Bird Biologist Edward Blaskovich ........... Assistant Draftsman -Photographer J^oWx6nC6 DrOVfTl ooooooooooooooooo oeoooooo r X6-LQlTl^ri Robert Casebeer ........... .......... cRange Fieldman Kenneth Davis ....... ...... ......... Field Assistant Wynn Freeman .................... oWaterfowl Biologist do Hi o LrB.aD oo.o..«o.oooo.oott.ooooo.o univ Manager wo xi o riarKness ooo.ooo.o.oo.oo.ooooee uunxor roreman Fred L. Hartkorn «.•...... ...... .......0o Fieldman Richard L« Hodder ...... ........ ...... .Range Fieldman Wm. F. Koch . ......... ........ Junior Foreman Franklin D. Lawrence ............... Assistant Shop Foreman Edward Ee Ludtke .................... .Field Assistant Lloyd Eo McDowell •••••••••••o..»o»« .Temporary Fieldman James McLucas ............. ......... Field Assistant So A. Mongrain ......... ........... Warehouse Foreman Bruce Neal ................. .....o...o Manager Robert Neal .••••..••..•••••..*.. Assistant Fieldman Jack Owens ........ •••...•. ........ Senior Foreman Kenneth Riersgard ......... ...... .... . . . . .Fieldman Gerald Salinas ....... ....... ....... .Field Assistant Jack Eo Schmautz .o.. ...... ........... Unit Biologist Rex C. Smart ..................no.... Shop Foreman George Sturtz <>.... ............. .Junior Field Assistant Donald Williams .................... .Field Assistant Ade Zajanc ................... Assistant Unit Biologist INTRODUCTION This quarterly report covers the period from July 1st to September 30th, 1948. The -work reported on for this quarter consists of segments of our 1-R Investigative Program, Both big game and game birds are treated in these reports. The material on big game is divided Into two general headings,' those having to do ?dth Yfe stern Montana and those dealing with problems in the eastern portion of the State. A considerable amount of coverage is given the game bird problems and the work accomplished to date. The majority of the reports are in regard to current progress. It is expected that a detailed final report, quite probably separately bound, covering the Montana Goat Study will be completed this winter. October 15, 1948 5 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Western kontana) DATE October 15, 19U8 BIG HOLE-MONIDA MANAGEMENT UNIT BIG GAME WINTER STUDY 19U7-19U8 DATE: October 1, 19U7 to June 30, 191*8 PERSONNEL; Richard L. Hodder, Fieldraan, Wildlife Restoration Division Eldon Jo BaKer, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division DESCRIPTION OF TERRAIN AND CONDITIONS. The Big Hole-Monida Gane Management Unit is located in the extreme southwestern corner of Montana and is delimited by the Continental Divide on the southwest and south, by the Trail Creek road on the north s and by the Hole River on the east from Wisdom to Jackson. The continuation of the northeast side of this irregular unit follows the road from Jackson to Dillon and then U. S„ Highway 91 south from Dillon to the Continental Divide to Monida. The area included within these boundaries is approximately 2U00 square miles. The topography of this narrow unit stretching along the Continental Divide is composed of rugged mountains and adjoining foothills,, Vegetation is extremely variable „ Timber types are largely lodgepole with spruce and fir at higher elevations. The foothills are typically cov- ered with a sage-grass type, and the bottom lands, for the most part5 are wild hay meadows and pastures in which large stringers of willow are fre- quent. Winter weather in this unit is known for its severity s both in snow accumulation and in low temperatures. However, during the past winter sea- son, conditions were relatively mild. PROCEDURE; Because the winter program of this big game crew was concentrated in the Madi son-Ruby Management Unit, most of the information obtained in this Big Hole-Monida Unit is of a supplementary nature to the previous report. Therefore, the most intensive studies in this unit are in sub-units 3 and k which are contiguous to the Madison-Ruby Management Unit. Investigations were conducted in each problem area by pickup, on foot or snow-shoes and also, by aerial flights in the case of the Big Hole moose problem. Ranchers and local residents in these problem areas were contacted for their opinions, observations and recollections of historical game populations in the area. HISTORY OF C.AUE IN AREA BIG iiORiJ SHEEP Mountain sheep were plentiful in the Horse Prairie region when i..r. Charles Brenner of Horse Prairie was a young man. He remembers seeing them frequently while riding for cattle. He observed that eagles and, occa- sionally, a lion were perhaps the ■most common predators upon the young lambs in this area. Many sheep skulls and other evidence of the presence of these herds still . Sheep bones are frequently found up Nip and Tuck Creek where 5 "IND IT " I "f TO F1W FE5D IN DEEP 3N0W BJtf B 8 H 1913 many of the sheep died from s cabbies infection introduced by domestic sheep0 ELK No one was found who knew of the presence of old elk herds in this region. Elk were planted in Horse Prairie in 1913 o The plant consisted of 26 head that were brought in by train on the old Gilmore and Pittsburg Rail- road that ran through Horse Prairie on the way to Leadore, Idaho, These elk were fed throughout the winter on the Brenner ranch. Up to the time of their release the following springy four elk had died,, leaving a total of 22 successfully planted. DEER No mention of elk in this area was made in the Lewis and Clark Journal, however, it was recorded that after much hunting, two deer were shot. The lack of game and other food had caused many hardships among the Indians in this region at that time, for Lewis and Clark found them in a severely emanciated state. Mr. Brenner states that back in 1870 or, there- abouts, there were practically no deer in the country. Deer were scarce until recently, possibly, because of the steady hunting pressure caused b the Indians in the reservation located just over the Idaho boundary. Since the discontinuance of this reservation, deer numbers have increased rapidly. MOOSE Moose were practically unknown in this area until about 1910 when the first moose tracks were noticed. Later in the same year, three moose were seen along high mountain streams. They have increased steadily. ANTELOPE Mr. Duke Davis on Medicine Lodge Greek relates that the entire country abounded with antelope some 30 years ago. Since that time, antelope were eliminated entirely. Lately, within the past two years, an influx of antelope from the Idaho side of the Divide has again started a permanent herd in the Horse Prairie area, WOLVES Wolves were extremely common on Horse Prairie and in the Big Hole until about 1922. They were wiped out only after the introduction, by trappers, of modern scents which cane into use about this times The last wolf seen by Mr. Brenner in the Horse Prairie Area was in 1935 « Wolves were so prevalent in Horse Prairie that they killed 116 cattle during the winter on the Donovan ranch, a few miles above the Brenner place. Calves were always fenced in because they were such easy meat for these crafty predators. It was about this time that the Brenners were forced to fence their ranch with a wolf -proof fence to save their remaining herd. This heavy fine- ly woven wire fence proved very effective in cutting down losses due to wolves. Mr. Brenner says that the last wolf killed in this area was on Christmas 1929 • This wolf had attacked and killed one weaner calf and had eaten part of another which it had not yet killed. In 1930, about 20 calves were lost and their deaths were attributed to wolves because of the tracks in the area and other sign. None of these wolves were seen, however, Mr. Brenner shot a pure white arctic wolf that had elusively frequent- ed his ranch for several years. This wolf was verified as a true arctic wolf by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C. Possible progenies of this wolf were shot by Dan Pendergast in the Bip; Hole and by Pete Westernard on Horse Prairie in 192^>„ Both of these wolves were reported to be white with a black streak running down their backs from the neck, 8 Neither of these men kept their trophies , but Mr. Brenner has the tanned hide of his arctic wolf displayed on the wall of his living room. Mr. Ernest Orr, bounty inspector for the county, passed his wolf bounty record books to this game crew. A table showing kills and bounties claimed follows. TABLE 1 WOLF BOUNTIES FROM RUBY VALLEY STOCK ASSOCIATION, MADISON NATIONAL FOREST AND SHEEP GROWERS' ASSOCIATION AS SHOWN BY CLAIM RECORD NAME OF HUNTER WOLVES KILLED DATE W. R. Gray C. F. Jones Mathew Reis C. F. Jones D. S. Vail Lawrence McKinney W. R. Gray Grover L. Harron R. W. Gray R. W. Gray R. Iff. Wagner R. W. Gray R. W. Gray R. W. Gray R. W. Gray R. W. Gray R. W. Wagner 5 Aug. 11, 1920 3 Oct. 235 1920 1 Nov. 11, 1920 1 Dec. 2, 1920 1 Jan. 10, 1921 1 Feb. 2, 1923 1 Jan. 28, 192U 1 Feb. 26, 192k 1 June 21, 192k 1 Oct. 7, 192ii 1 Dec. 20, 192k 1 Dec o 2k, 192k 3 Jan. 1, 1925 2 Jan. 235 1925 1 Feb. 12, 1925 3 Apr. 20, 1925 1 Dec. 1, 1927 9 XYOTES Coyotes have always been present in the Big Hole-konida Unit accord- ing to local residents. They were relatively few, however,, but became excessively plentiful only after the elimination of the wolf. LIONS Lions have been rare in this unit and have not increased to any extent. FINDINGS i Since 3913* when 22 elk were successfully planted in Horse Prairie, they have increased and have provided hunting for many seasons. Their numbers, however, are now practically static because of this hunting which has been open for the taking of both sex including calves. Another reason for this static condition is that the elk season in this area has not been starting until 2 weeks after the deer season has been in effect. This dif- ference of seasons in identical areas has caused many elk to be shot and killed prematurely. Because they are illegal before November 1st during the deer season which opens on October l£th in this county, many elk carcasses are left behind to spoil. The number of illegally killed elk, plus the kill during the open season from November 1st to November 15th, has been such a drain on this herd that their increase in late years has been negligible. Although tiiis herd was originally started in the Horse Prairie Area, the Lulk of the elk soon chose the Medicine Lodge Creek drainage as their major summer range. The winter range for this has been largely in Idaho on the exposed southern side of the Gonti nentai Divide in the Idaho Game Pre- serve. Mr. Jack Brenner relates that he saw as many as 90 head of elk in .this . preserve two years aco. 10 PURE WHITE ARCTIC WOIP SHOT BY MR, BREKKER 11 There is now an apparent tendency for more elk to winter on the Montana side of the Divide than heretofore. It is thought that many addi- tional elk would winter in Montana if they were not forced into the Idaho Game Preserve by hunting pressure during the deer and elk hunting seasons » Mr. Roy Mart, Forest Ranger at Lima, made several trips into this area last March and April. He has counted as many as 30 elk wintering in the area, all of them well distributed through the medicine Lodge Drainage,, For the last two winters , a group of 10-12 bull elk have wintered on the exposed rrassy slopes behind the Horse Prairie Ranger Station* These elk have been seen regularly by the Brenner family,, The presence of these elk in this location may indicate that more elk might be wintering on exposed areas in the Bloody Dick Creek drainage . This possibility was investigated but neither elk, nor elk sign, was found,, Mr, Relia Yfilburn, government trapper, reports that he saw several elk in Big Sheep Creek Basin in early spring,, He also saw many tracks of cows and calves. lie estimated the number at about 20 heado During the many trips into the Sheep Creek, medicine Lodge, and Horse Prairie areas, no elk were actually seen by this big game crew. From reports received, from indications in the fields and from information receiv- ed from Deputy Game harden, Charles R. Price, an estimate of 200 head for this entire area is offered. Local residents were reluctant to voice their opinion as to the probable total number of this herd. RSCOMMiilNDATIONSg It is the opinion of this crew that the deer season in this area should coincide with the elk season from November 1st to November 15th, thus eliminating the cause of accidently killed elk before the elk season opens. Reducing the deer season from October l^th to November l£th, to 12 November 1st to November 15th will snorten the period of hunting pressure to one-half the present time. This reduction may help to increase the number of elk wintering on the i..ountana side of the Continental Divide. It is proposed that the elk hunting in this area oe restricted to the taking of bran ch-antle red bulls, for only by protecting the creeding females and calves can this herd be increased to the population which the large available winter range will support. It is further recommended that an intensive study of elk be made of this herd this coming season and that a census be conducted so that definite information will be available for future manasTement. DEER For many years deer have been relatively scarce in this area. Since the abandonment of the Indian Reservation on the Idaho side of the Continental Divide, deer numbers have increased steadily. Only lately have they become nu merous. • Englegard Creek k Hamby Creek 2 Berry Creek 5 Total 37 Moose sign was abundant in many drainages in v/hich no moose were seen whatsoever^ and conversly, several moose were seen in areas where there were but a few tracks. All moose seen were in dense willow patches along streams and marshy areas. Those in the timber or further up the creeks , could not be observed because an extremely low altitude was found necessary in order to see these animals. Even at low altitudes, it is believed that many moose were missed because of the characteristic denseness of the willows and because of the effectiveness of moose in hiding under overhanging willow clumps <> Reactions of the moose to a low-flying airplane passing overhead were varied. Some of them took off through the brush at a mad pace. Others remained undisturbed. However, these were few. Still others crouched beneath overhangin willows as though hiding from the plane. It is obvious that this method of determining a moose population is not effective. Some other method must be devised, rk: ...nidations 8 It is suggested that some method or combination of methods be devised before extensive census attempts are made on moose in this management unit. It is recommended that a form be drawn up and i.iailed to various ranchers and trappers in the Big Hole area on which they can record numbers of moose seen, the location, sex5 and the date of the winter season. If a reasonable return from such a form is received by the Fish and Game Depart- ment, information may be assembled that appears unobtainable in any other way under present systems of study,, Submitted by? Richard L. Hodder, Range Fieldman "Wildlife Restoration Division Date: August 30 , 19H8 16 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Western Montana) DATE Gctober 1$, ±9h& FLATHEAD-SU"; RIVE t UNIT A PRELIMINARY GEIISUS OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOATS IN DEEP GREEK AND THE SOUTH FORK OF THE TETON RIVER DATE? June 26th through July 2nd, 19U8 PERSONNEL; James McLucas, Field Assistant., Wildlife Restoration Division George Goers, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division Stewart M. Brandborg, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division INTRODUCTIONS Since 1939) 63 Rocky Mountain Goats have been removed from Deep Creek for transplanting. Before contemplating further removal of animals it was necessary to obtain some information on the present status of the goat population, the importance of adjacent ranges in supplying trapping stocky and the effect of migrational patterns on population size in the area where trapping has been carried on. An effort was made to locate and establish salting grounds for mountain goats on any favorable trapping sites that could be reached by jeep. METHODS AliD RESULTS? 17 Three men participated in the count. Observations were made with six power binoculars and a 20 power Argus Spotting Scope. The routes of travel and an account of each days observation will be described on the following pages. The approximate routes of travel for each day's coverage are shown on the accompanying map. On June 26, three observers traveled by jeep to the goat trap that lies on the bench between the South and North Forks of Deep Creek. There were a number of tracks around the twenty-five pounds of block salt that remained within the trap from previous salting. An abundance of tracks and sign indicated that a fairly large number of animals were using this lick. A total of 27 mountain goats were seen on the North Fork of Deep Creek. Three adults and one kid were seen on the south-facing slope to the north of the South Fork. Twenty-three animals were seen in the cliffs one-quarter mile to the northeast of the trap. The age classification for most of the goats observed on this investigation are shown in Table 1. The interspersed rrass and timber types of this area apparently compose a favored winter habitat. Table 2 shows the relative abundance of the more important species on this range. Several species of browse showed evidence of having been used heavily during the past winter. This was most noticeable on the mountain maple (Acer glabrum) y dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) s and willow (Salix sp. ) which showed heavy kill of last year's terminal growth from heavy browsing. A number of goats were observed feeding on Mountain Maple. Close observation of the plants showed that leaves and current stem growth had been consumed. Several nannyberry bushes 9 (Shephex-dia canadensis), also show some utilization of current , rowth. Currant bushes (Ribes sp. ) showed mod- 18 erate use of leaves and this year's stem growth. A skull and lower mandible were collected from a mountain goat which had apparently winter killed among the scattered trees and rock outcroppings a few hundred yards northeast of the trap. The 27th of June was spent in covering the area that lies to the northeast of the trap for the purpose of ascertaining the number of animals that were occupying the nearby range. Only ten mountain goats were seen but it was felt that several more were using the range at this time. A number of well defined goat trails were seen on the south-facing slope to the north of the North Fork of Deep Greek. The occurrence of these might indicate that there is considerable movement of animals from the area to the north and west of the North Fork to the range lying between the South and North Forks of the Deep Creek drainage. The lower exposures of this area may constitute one of the major winter ranges of the area. The ridge that lies west of the trap was traversed on June 28. From there the higher ranges on the South Fork of Deep Creek, Chute Mountain, Billie Creek5 Slim Gulch, and Sheep Gulch were observed. Twelve goats were seen near the head of Sheep Gulch. No goats were seen on the South Fork of Deep Creek on this or subsequent observations. There were, however, several well defined trails on the north-facing slopes that lie to the south of the South Fork drainage. The presence of these indicates that either mountain goats or mountain sheep use this range to a considerable extent during some seasons of the year. Nine mountain sheep including six ewes and their lambs were seen on the east-facing slopes near the head of Rain Creek. Two adult mountain goats were bedded within two hundred yards of these sheep. On June 29th the Willow Creek drainage was observed from the lower 19 slopes of Ear Mountain. Ten goats were observed on the exposures that lie to the south of Willow Creeko No animals were seen on Ear Mountain. Some time was spent investigating trapping sites in the vicinity of Ear Mountain. About a dozen goats were observed on the lower south-eastern face of this peak during May. J. C. Salmond, a local rancher, reported that about a dozen animals are seen on this range the year around. During this investigation, however, no animals were observed ranging on or near the Ear Mountain area. A trapping site was located on the head of a small draw which drains from the south-eastern face of Ear Mountain. It was thought that this could be reached by jeep during early spring when the animals would be using this lower range and could be taken in a live trap. The approximate location of the site is shown on the accompanying map. On the afternoon of June 30, a trip was made up the South Fork of the Teton River to Headquarters Pass and northward along the Sun River- Teton Divide to Our Lake. A good view of the area lying at the headwaters of the Teton and the west-facing slope of Ear Mountain was had from these points. Twenty-eight goats were seen on the area around Our Lake and on the range to the north. Fresh tracks were seen along the trail a few hundred yards ea3t of Headquarters Pass. The animals making them appeared to be mov- ing northward from the upper South Fork of Deep Creek. All of the 28 animals were observed at about six o'clock when they were feeding on talus and open grassy slopes. Rierdon and Upper Slim Gulches were covered July 1st on horseback. A total of 26 goats were seen on the east-facing slopes of these two drain- At. l'jast 50 head of cattle were ranging on the meadows along the 20 headwaters of both creeks. Two cattle salt grounds that were observed showed signs of having been used to a considerable extent by goats. A goat skeleton was collected at a point one-half mile east of the Passraore Cabin on Deep Creek. This animal was first discovered in May, a few days after it had died. Parts of a skeleton from an unborn kid were found anong the bones of the adult goat. Some time was spent during this investigation in contacting local residents who were thought to have information on the mountain goat herds in this area. Ray Gibler reported that there was considerable apprehension among local sportsman over the annual removal of goats from the Deep Creek area. He is of the opinion, however, that the trapping of the past has had no detrimental effects on the goat population of the area. The occurrence of 20$ kids in the 99 animals that were aged during this investigation indicates that productivity of young has not been adversely effected by such removals. TABLE 1 Age Classification of Mountain Goats Seen In The Deep Creek-Teton River Trapping Area, June 26 to July 2, 19hQ DATE ADULT YEARLING UNCLASSIFIED TOTAL 0 27 h 10 12 11; 0 10 0 28 _0 _26 Total 71 8 16 115 Total Classified 99 June 26 22 2 3 27 3 0 3 28 2 0 0 29 7 0 3 30 18 h 6 July 1 19 2 5 21 The presence of trails "which are shown at their approximate locations on the map may be indicative of considerable movement from extensive summer ranges to the more limited winter ranges that lie in the vicinity of the Deep Creek trapping site. Gibler believes that there is a regular fall migra- tion from the headwater of Deep Creek and the South Fork of the Teton to the lower Deep and Willow Creek winter ranges. This he thought is followed in spring by a reverse migration to the higher summer ranges „ Such migrations may compensate for removal of animals from the area around the Deep Creek trap. The fall movement of goats from adjacent feeder ranges is probably responsible for the continued trapping successes at Deep Creek. Without this type of migration from adjacent areas the goat pop- ulation of lower Deep Creek would possibly have been depleted by this time. The general migratory picture as derived from contacts with local sources and our observation of trails is shown in Fig. 1. The trails extend from the lower North Fork of Deep Creek across Sheep, Slims Upper Rierden and Green Gulches to the higher areas along the Sun ?dver-Teton Divide, Goat trapping crews in the area during Liay reported that several goats wintered along the lower most cliffs on the South Fork of Deep Creek. It would seem that a trap could easily be installed to the south of this drainage which would permit removal of some of these animals during the winter period. A jeep could be driven to the bench near the mouth of canyon where a trap could be operated during late winter and early spring. In view of the 115 animals which were counted during this preliminary investigation it would appear that there is no danger of depleting the pop- ulation of mountain goats on the Deep Creek-Teton River Range under a conservative trapping program. It seems certain that a more intensive census would reveal that the population is larger than indicated by this count, 22 Until this is made and the size of the herd can be definitely established, it is not advisable to trap nore than twenty animals a year from the area. Close checks are needed to reveal any population changes which result from the removal of this number of animals. SUMLiARY AND CONCLUSIONS: In a week's survey of Deep 3reek aria the South Fork of the Teton River a total of 115 mountain goats were counted. There were 71 adults , 8 yearlings, and 20 kids in the 99 animals which were classified as to age. The occurrence of 20 kids in these 99 animals is indicative of a substantially high reproductive rate. Future removal of animals would in all probability not have an adverse effect on the herd if not more than 15 animals a year are trapped. Migration and movement from adjacent ranges apparently offsets the effect of removal from the Deep Creek trapping site. More intensive checks should follow this preliminary survey if an accurate count of the mountain goats in the Deep Creek and Teton drainages are desired. The possibility of making early spring censuses when the animals are still occupying the lower winter ranges should be investigated. The presence of goat si:;n on cattle salting grounds indicates that these are being used to a considerable extent by the r;oats while occupying the higher summer ranges. This salting may result in the failure of salt traps to attract animals during the summer when it is accessible on the cattle ranges that adjoin goat habitat. The occurrence of about twenty poats in the vicinity of the trap until July indicates that some animals remain on the lower ranges throughout the early part of summer. Two potential trapping sites were located. One of these lies in the lower southeast slope of Ear Lountain and the other on the bench south 23 of the South Fork of Deep Creek. Submitted by: George Goers, Field Assistant Stewart M. Brandborg, Fieldman Date; August 5, 19hQ 21| TABLE 2 Relative Abundance of Forage Species on Deep Creek Goat Range Scientific Name Common Name Relative Abundance Trees Picea Engelmannii Pinus albicaulis Populus Tremolo ides Pseudotsuga taxifolia Salix sp. Shrubs Acer Glabrum Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Arteraesia Sp. Ceanothus velutinus Cornus stolonifera Juniperus sp. Ribes sp. Rosa sp. Shepherdia canadensis Spiraea sp. Symphoricarpos albus Forbs & Herbs A c hillea Lanulosa Anemone sp. Antennaria rosea Arenaria sp. Astragalus sp. Balsamorrhiza sp. Castilleia sp. Charnaenerion angustifolium Cirsium sp. Cogswellia sp. Delphinium sp. Erigeron sp. Galium boreale Geranium sp. Heuchera glabella Lupinus sp. Uertensia sp. Pedicularis sp. Phacelia sp. Polemonium sp. Potentilla sp. Sedum stenopetalum Senecio triangularis Engelman Spruce TThitebark Pine American Aspen Douglas Fir Willow i-lountain liiaple Bearberry Sagebrush Snowbush Dogwood Juniper Currant Rose Russetberry Lleadowsweet Snowberry Yarrow ^indflower Pussy Toes Sandwort Loc owe ed Balsamroot Indian Paint brush Fir ewe ed Thistle Biscuitroot Larkspur Wild Daisy Bedstraw Geranium Alumroot Lupine Bluebells Fernleaf Phacelia Polemoniom Cinquefoil Yellow stone crop Arrowhead Ragwort Common Common Common Common Scattered Abundant Common Rare Common Common Scattered Common Scattered Common Rare Rare Scattered Rare Scattered Common Common Scattered Rare Rare Scattered Scattered Scattered Rare Rare Scattered Common Scattered Scattered Scattered Scattered Rare Scattered Scattered Rare "continued" 2S Relative Abundance of Forage Species on Deep Greek Goat Range (continued) Scientific Name Common Name Relative Abundance Forbs & Herbs Sieversia ciliata Old Lian's Whiskers Scattered Grass Agropyron spicatum Wheatgrass Common Festuca idahoensis Idaho Fescue Common Koeleria cristata Junegrass Common 26 FIG. 1 MAP OF uEBP CREEK -TETON RIVER GOAT RANGE TO CHOTEAU Routes of Travel and Areas Covered during investigation Goat trap and North Fork of Deep Creek. _ Rain and Billie Creek, Sheep and Slim Gulch, and South Fork of Deep Creek. x South Fork of Willow Creek and Ear Mountain 4 Headquarters Pass, Rooky Mtn. , Lonesome Ridge, and Our Lake. c Rierdon and Slim Gulches. (2) Number of goats observed. # Possible trapping site. jjm Location of goat trails. Probable spring migration routes of mountain goats from *^ winter to the higher summer ranges. 27 STATE Montana PROJECT 1~R (We stern Montana) DATE October 15 » 1948 FLATHEAD-SUN RIVER UNIT VEGETATIVE READINESS AMP ELK MIGRATIONS IN INDIAN CREEK AND THE WEST FORK OF THE SUN RIVER DATE; May 2 - June 11, 1948 PERSONNEL: Ade Zajanc, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division Stewart M, Brandborg, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division METHOD AND FINDINGS s Elk niigrational patterns and range utilization in the Indian Creek area on the Sun River !s Upper West Fork vrere observed in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain goat investigation made in that area from May 24 th to June 10th. Daily trips from the Indian Pt. Guard Station to the Red Buttes permitted observation of elk movement in this section. The trip up the West Fork on May 22, allowed observation of elk distribution along the lower reaches of this river. On. this date ten elk were seen in traveling from Harmon Gulch to Pretty Prairie. On the fol- lowing day about one hundred animals vrere counted in the parks and open meadows of the lower Y/est Fork, 28 All of these were seen along the river bottoms on the lower five mi- les of the West Fork0 No animals were observed on the higher open slopes or hillsides . Thirty-four elk were seen during the time that daily trips were made up the Vfest Fork to the Red Butte study areae Most of these were seen on the 24th and 25th of May. Elk tracks observed in the snow on Molly Creek Pass indicated that most of the animals moved from the Flathead to the Sun River during this period. It was estimated from tracks that approximately one hundred elk migrated from the Flathead into the Sun River during the time of our obser- vation. The tracks were seen to cross the divide about 300 yards north of the Molly Creek trail. Most of the migrating elk appeared to move down into the West Fork of the Sun River. Only a few of the tracks observed along Indian Creek were headed up- stream toward Molly Creek Pass. Little sign and very few animals were seen on the higher snow-free southern exposures of Indian Creek* An attempt was made to define the stage of vegetative development on some of the lower south-facing slopes of Indian Creek. By observing the progressive development of the vegetation on this southern exposure, it was hoped that an index to range readiness might be derived. It was recognized that growth in such situations will be earlier than on the upper slopes and northern exposures, and that forage in such situations can be utilized at an earlier date than on the less favorable sites. The south-facing slope selected for observation lies about one-third of a mile below Indian Creek Falls and extends two hundred yards up the south slope from the creek bottoms. The verm iredominant at the time of both observations on 29 - May 25th and June 8th » Twenty-one plants were checked on the two dates. Notes on the stage of development at the time of each observation may be seen on the accompanying table „ ^-t was felt that the current season's plant development was later than during the average year, this can probably be at- tributed to the unusually late spring* By obtaining additional data on the development of forage species in the different macroclimates of this area it should be possible to determine the earliest date that forage can safely be utilized. Care should be taken not to confuse retarded growth and low density of plants on the poorer sites with what is thought to be excessive game use of the forage species9 It appears that natural soil and climate conditions are largely responsible for the low density and somewhat dwarfed appearance of the vegetation on these higher ranges. Observations made at this time indicate that the early season utilization of forage by elk on the Indian Creek range is not excessive*, Although vegetative development was late it appears that the effects of the animals on this forage is negligible* Small localized areas on the creek bottoms and lower slopes are the only places that show any evidence of current forage use. Submitted bys Ade Zajancs Fieldman Stewart M« Brandborg, Fieldman July 12, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 30 CO On CO CD c ctJ Co c M I R O o CM CD J-. 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PROJECT 1-E (Je stern Montana) DATS October 15,, 1948 FIATHEAD-SUN RIVER UNIT ELK CALF TAGGING, SUN RIVER DATE : June 4-10, 1948 PERSONNEL: Frank Lancaster, Senior Foreman, Wildlife Restoration Division Lloyd McDowell, Fieldraan, Wildlife Restoration Division Jim lie Lucas, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division Merle Rognrud, Assistant Big Game Biologist, midlife Restoration Division PURPOSE : Elk calf tagging during June 1948 in the Sun River is a continua- tion of the program begun by U. S. ?orest Service personnel in 1937« Per- manent records are made each year of the tagged calves to which will be add- ed the tag return data as it is received by the Fish and Game Department e As tag return data accumulates a pattern of elk movement and migrat- ion should become apparent. In addition, the relationship of the Sun River and South Fork elk herds will become more definite and other miscellaneous information will be recorded. This long time program will lead to better 33 understanding and management of the two elk herds . PROCEDURE g The tagging crew consisted of four fieldmen operating from Cabin Creek June 5th and 6th. Three riders rode between Gates Park and Cabin Creek June 7th and 8th. Elk Hill, Sulphur Hill, Biggs Flat and Gates Park were covered by the crew. The fieldmen covered strips to locate the elk calf in the vicinity of where a lone cow or band of elk were seena When a calf was found,, one rider dismounted, approached the calf from the rear and held it down while another crew member placed the ear tag« Some calves remained in place after tagging, others ran to join the cow elk. Occasionally a calf would not remain in place when approached but could be made to drop after a short run by the rider e Calves were also seen which were too active for tagging. Most calves were found in the open grass-shrub vegetative type or along the tim- bered edge of the forest „ FINDINGS? The tagging crew arrived after the peak in elk calving. This was partially compensated for by having two more riders, but a greater number could have been tagged by being in the field about June 1. It is felt that the plan for more riders would tag a larger number of calves in a shorter period of time with a minimum of disturbance to the elke Following is the list of calves tagged in the Sun River, June 59 6S 7, 8, 1948. 34 TAGGED ELK CALVES SUN RIVER, 1948 Ear Tag Date Series Number Sex June 6 C-160 11 5 C-16.1 M 6 C-162 M 6 C-164 M 8 C-165 M 6 C-167 M 6 C-171 F 6 C-173 F 5 0-951 F 5 C-952 M 5 C-953 F 6 C-954 M 7 C-955 F 5 C-961 F 5 C-962 F 5 G-063 F 7 C-964 H 7 C-968 F 8 C-970 F 8 C-971 M 10 Males 10 F( smales Locality Sulphur Hill Elk Hill Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Elk Hill Elk Hill Elk Hill Sulphur Hill Gates Park Elk Hill Elk Hill Elk Hill Gates Park Gates Park Sulphur Hill Sulphur Hill Total 20 elk calves tagged, 1948 The 1948 Sun River elk calf tagging b rings the total to 599 since 1937 0 This long time program yields information over a period of years e Recent suggestions have been made, particularly by Bruce Neal, Deputy Game Warden, that the Sun River affords an excellent opportunity for tagging adult elk on their v/inter range „ Corrals, vrings and other facilities for handling these elk could be built along one of their travel routes so larger numbers of elk could be tagged in one season. Results from adult elk tagged each year combined -with the elk calf tagging data should give more adequate return information for the Sun River elk herd. RECOLHENDATIONS : 35 A four man crew be in the field about May 25th for tagging elk calves in the Sun River,, Investigate the possibility of tagging adult Sun River elk on their -winter range* Submitted by? Merle Rognrud, Ass't. Big Game Biologist June 21, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 36 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Western Montana) DATE October 15,, 1948 GALLATIN UNIT 1948 REPORT CF THE CALF ELK TAGGING PROJECT ON THE WEST GALLATIN RIVER AREA DATE; May 29, 1948 through June 15, 1948 PERSONNEL: L, C, Clark, Deputy Game Warden, Bozeman Bob Neal, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division J, E. Gaab, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Cooperation of Forest personnel and the use of National Forest facilities vrere greatly appreciated during the tagging period* Further appreciation is to be Nextended to local sportsmen for their cooperation in making this project successful, FINDINGS ? 1. The distribution of the elk this year "was comparable with their distribution last year in that they were scattered and at higher elevations than they had been in previous years. 37 2. The migration of elk from their winter range to their summer range seemed slower and the drift wasn't in concentrations but rather in small groups, A concentration of about three hundred and fifty elk in the Daly Creek area previous to the tagging period broke up later as those ani- mals filtered through the timbered drainages of Black Butte 5 Specimen and the North Fork of Fan Creek, At no time during the tagging period this year was there any concentrations of elk in Fan Creek and along the Upper Gallatin River comparable with the concentrations f round in that area last year* 3. The migrating elk from the Madison River area to the Taylor Fork area on the West Gallatin River were found to have migrated late in small numbers over the Madison-Gallatin divide in the vicinity of Cache Creek Pass during the latter part of the tagging period. Elk observed in the upper Meadow Creek area, believed to have drifted from the Madison area* on which they wintered, were first discovered on the 10th of June. The calves with those elk were traveling with their mothers, and were probably ten days old. Those calves were probably dropped in the Madison drainage. 4. The weather conditions this year were more favorable than last year. During the 18 day period this year there were only two days of light rains o The rest of the period was bright sunlight . Last year's weather was continuous rain, cloudy and cool. 5. A life history note that may prove helpful in future tagging operations was the indication at least this year that the cow elk will drop her calf generally under some type of cover close to a open area. As soon as the calf is able to wobble about its mother will take it into the ebrush or opening to hi.de it during the day. 6. The effectiveness of the methods used were brought out this year 38 by the number of tagged calves that were recaught. Example s One day in Daly Greek five calves were tagged, three days later three of the five calves that -were tagged previously v/ere re caught, 7. Several observations made this year are some indications of pre- dation among elk calves by the coyote and black and brown bear. On the 1st of June, 1948 a coyote was observed attempting to kill an untagged elk calf but was unsuccessful after the approach of three mature cow elk. On the 4th of June 1948 a brown bear was observed after successfully killing an untagged elk calf which was at least 10 days eld. This bear had grasped the calf by the throat, when the calf was hid in sagebrush, and was observed carrying the calf in its mouth from the sagebrush into the timber where the bear had probably contemplated eating the calf when he was "spooked off" by the observer. On two other occasions near the mouth of Fan Creek., when elk calves had been caught by fieidmen and the calf would emit several shrilling dis- tress calls, presumably the same bear would hear the commotion and rush to the scene. It is only logical to conclude that this bear knew the calf elk's distress call and that he might fight off a smaller bear or coyote and take the calf as carrion for itself, RESULTS? 1. A total of eighty-six (86) calf elk were tagged during the 1948 tagging season. The following chart shows the tag numbers, dates, etc. 2. One female moose calf was tagged. Submitted by? J. E, Gaab, June £4, 1948 Idlife Restoration Division J. E. Gaab, Fieldman 59 ELK EAR-TAGGING RECORD 1948 Gallatin Forest Tag No. Date - bagged Sex Age (day) Location Tagged 581-511 June 4 F 6 Black Butte 596-597 June 4 M 2 Monument 600-601 Jane 4 F 2 Monument 602-603 June 4 F 2 Monument 606-607 June 4 F 10 Monument 702-703 June 5 F 3 Fan Creek 704-705 June 5 H 2 Fan Creek 598-599 June 5 M 6 Fan Creek 608-609 June 5 F 3 Fan Creek 610-611 June 5 M 1 Fan Creek 604-605 June 5 M 1 Fan Creek 612-613 June 5 M 2 Fan Creek 618-619 June 5 F 2 Fan Creek 620-621 June 5 F 2 Fan Creek 615-616 June 5 F 4 Fan Creek 614-617 June 5 M 1 Fan Creek 624-625 June 5 F 3 Fan. Creek 590-591 June 6 M 3 Tepee 461-462 June 6 M 2 Daly 476-454 June 6 M 3 Daly 451-448 June 6 M 8 Daly 463-464 June 6 M 10 Daly 465-466 June 6 M 10 Dally 710-711 June 6 M 6 Daly 467-468 June 6 M 2 hrs. Daly 592-593 June 6 LI 1 Daly 420-421 June 6 LI 2 hrs. Daly 720-721 June 6 F 7 Daly 622-368 June 6 LI 8 Daly 594-595 June 6 LI 1 Tepee 708-709 June 6 F 6 Daly 723-724 June 6 11 2 Daly 722-725 June 6 F 1 Daly 714-715 June 6 F 10 Daily 483-484 L&y 29 5 Daly - May 30 M 3 Black Butte 510 May 31 LI 3 Savjmill 541-542 ay 31 LI 5 Meadow 545- 7 31 F 3 Deadho r •- 7 'i 31 LI 3 Meadow -425 June 1 F 4 Deadhorse - -486 June 1 U 2 Daly -496 June 1 F 1 Daly -490 June 1 F 2 Daly -198 June M 4 Porcupine Tag No. Date tagged 553-554 June 2 555-556 (Moose) June 2 623 was lost 557-558 June 3 559-560 June 3 514-515 June 3 479-480 June 3 579-580 June 3 481-482 June 3 584-585 June 3 577-578 June 3 576-476 June 3 561-562 June 4 494-493 June 4 586-587 June 4 588-589 June 4 719 June 7 712 June 7 713 June 7 716 June 7 717 June 7 651-652 June 8 653-654 June 8 655-656 June 8 695-696 June 9 677-678 June 9 773-774 June 9 697-698 June 9 657-658 June 9 659-660 June 9 661-662 June 9 693-694 June 9 699-700 June 9 681-682 June 9 683-684 June 9 685-686 June 10 663-664 June 11 665-666 June 12 667-668 June 12 687-689 June 12 751-752 June 12 755 June 12 753-754 June 12 688 - No good 756 - No good Sex Age (day) Location tagged F 1 Porcupine F 3 Porcupine M 1 Tepee F 3 Tepee F 5 Sawmill M 1 Daly M 4 Daly M 5 Daly 11 5 Sawmill F 4 Sawmill M 10 Saxvmill F 4 Tepee LI 3 Tepee F 6 Black Butte F 1 Black Butte U 5 Monument F 6 Monument M 6 Monument M 10 Monument IT 12 Wickiup F 4 River above Fan Cr, F 4 River above Fan Cr, M 4 River above Fan F 1 Fan Creek M 5 Fan Creek M 2 Fan Creek M 4 Fan Creek F 12 Fan Creek M 12 Fan Creek H 1 Fan Creek M 6 Fan Creek 1.1 6 Fan Creek M 7 Fan Creek F 3 Fan Creek M 12 Meadow Creek F 4 TSapiti 21 8 Fan Creek F 4 Fan Creek M 4 Fan Creek M 4 hrs. Daly Creek F 4 Daly Creek F 5 Daly Creek 41 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Western Montana DATE October 15, 1948 GALLATIN UNIT 7JEST GALLATIN WINTER ELK STUDY 1947-1948 Submitted bys Jo Eo Gaab, Fieldman September 10, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 42 TABLE OF CONTENTS AT68. COVSrSG. ooe»eo»»9o»on»»oooo»occoaoo90 40 xSrSOIlIlSx* eoeo»»*»»»9»»»oococeoeeeoooo»a QO L/&t6S »o»o»»90»o»oe*o»»»oe»oo»aeooo»ooo ^tO Brief Physical Features of the Area. ...... .«,».... .„<><> 45 \j 0"V S J? £L g S #o*o»o*e«ee99«o<»oo9ooo9ooooooee 4fcO Brief Historical Sketch of the Area. ...... .oo.oo.o.oo 46 Past Elk Populations, Hunter Utilization and Winter Loss •••••<> 46 Livestock use. ..•..•..•.oooa».ooooooooooo 4o Present Elk Populations. o..... .••»•••.. ..oooooo 49 Aerial Survey of November 18, 1947 ...ooo«8<»«oo«<»o(»e 50 Aerial Survey of December 10, 1947 ...ooo».<>oeoeoooe 54 Aerial Survey of March 13, 1948, »oooo»0»c.ooof>a0ee0 56 General Information on Present Elk Population. o.0oooeo.»o 59 Factors Affecting the Elk Population .......oeoooooeoo 61 i-lXgra"tl OnS o »»•••••• 9 a o o o ° o o o e o o <-■ o o o o o :■ o OO Experimental feeding, an attempt to prevent heavy winter loss. . o o 63 ii earner oondiuions ..co.o* ooo.oo.oaooaooo.ao '^ t'l Xn~Cer LtOSS. o«.#.eo9«.o.o«O0«o.oooooooo<> /O OSX KaT/lOo OOO.....O.9OOd0OO0OOOOOO0OOO. ' Calf Crop of Annual Increase of the Elk Herd .ooooooooo.. 78 i. rQQ9.t X 0X1 o o O O * • O O C O O O © » 0 0 O OOOOOO O o 0 O OOO J ' ' JJXSS8.S0O ©oooo#*#«»o*o©ooo©©o©oooooo©o» '%/ Common Use of tho Range by Big Game Species*, ooooocoooooo 83 LilX e XlXSuOi*y' i;'Ou6o « 9»«««©ee<->© ©ooo»oooo©oooo© Ou Re commend at i ons © »»****»*«»»«*»»*»»*«*«9«0*# 84 MAPS MD TABLES Gaiiatin Elk Herd* .00999990 •o.ooooooooe.o.o. 4fc/ Test Gallatin Domestic Livestock Use ..ooooo.ooooooeoo 49 Migrating Elk Above Snowflake Springs. ...oeooo.o.oo.oo 50 43 T'aps and Tables (Continued) Unit Allotments Shows Location and Numbers of Domestic Stock Within the Upper West Gallatin Forest ••••••••»••»»••• 51 Number and Location of Elk During February and March. • •••»•»»» 59 Accumulative Snowfall at Squaw Creek Ranger Station •»•»••••«• 74 Winter Loss Among the Elk during 1947-1948 .,,.««. « c ... o « 76 Sex Break -Down of as Many Elk as could be Sexed and Aged Accurately, • »••••*••••*•••••»»•••» 77 44 GALLATIN UNIT WEST GALLATIN WINTER ELK STUDY 1947-1948 1. Area Covered The area covered during this study included the entire West Gallatin River drainage and areas adjacent which influence the West Gallatin elk herd. The West Gallatin River is in southern Montana and a part of northwestern Yellowstone National Park* Areas adjacent to the West Gallatin River that were taken into consideration included the headwaters of the Gardiner and Madison Rivers. 2. Personnel Bob Ileal, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division J. E0 Gaab, Fieldinan, Wildlife Restoration Division 30 Dates The study began in October 1947 and continued through May, 1948< 4. Brief Physical Features of the Area The elk (Cervus canadensis) winter range is largely in the 45 Canadian Life Zone. The area is bounded by mountain divides on the east and west which reach into the Hudsonian Life Zone, The areas comprising the major portions of the elk winter range are wide sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) stream valleys, bordered by timber, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia), 5. Coverage Every means available were used for transportation to traverse the area, airplane, automobile, snow toboggan, horseback, snowshoes and on foot. Three aerial reconnaissance flights were made; November 18, 1947; December 10, 1947; and Farch 13, 1948 „ Each flight was executed in two hours and a quarter to two hours and one-half • Ho S, Highway Ho, 191, v/hich follows the River, made the major portion of the elk wintering range along the River accessible by car. The tributaries were covered on horseback when the snow condition permitted it. When any portion of the terrain was not accessible otherwise, it was covered by snow toboggan, snowshoes or on foot, 50 Brief Historical Sketch of the Area a. Past elk populations, hunter utilization and winter loss. It is of common opinion that the elk were originally a plains animals, but with the coming of civilization, they were pushed into the mountainous regions. Excerpts from literature pertinent to wildlife compiled by II, P, Skinner, former Yellowstone Park naturalist, in the Roosevelt Wildlife Bulletin, Vol, 4, Ho, 2, outlines "The Early History of Elk in Yellowstone National Park", This outline indicates that prior to 1890, elk were scarce within the Park Boundary, Prom 46 1891 to 1908, elk were in abundance. In 1908 a mention is made that winter storras and deep snows caused large bands to drift out of the Park and down the valleys of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers <> Interviews with local people recall that up until the early 1900* s^ it was a rarity to kill an elk in the TTest Gallatin Canyon* From the early 1900' s to 1920, evidently the elk population in the TTest Gallatin area kept increasing until 1919-1920, the Forest Service estimated the herd at 1,400, From thence to the present, the elk population has fluctuated from 2,000 to 3,000 head. The following table^ compiled from Forest Service and Fish and Game Department records, relates the history of the elk population, TABLE I, GALIATIII ELK HERD Year j •Estimated • Actual j Hunter ; Tinter ; Remarks '"o, in Count ; Utiliza-j Loss j Herd « tion j 1919-20 j 1400 j 400 ; 200* j *100 illegal. 100 wolves 1920-21 \ 2000 j 35 ; 90 ; Average loss 1921-22 J - 2500 ; 20 ; 100 j 1922-23 \ 3000 < 105 ; 4 1923-24 s 3000 ; 57 | 101 - 1924-25 ; 2000 ; | 176 ; 103 j 1925-26 . ! 2000 ; ' 142 • 20 \ 192 6-27 \ 1800 ] 1 51 ; 200 • Heavy loss 1927-28 \ \ 1900 \ 101 j 90 « Average loss 1928-29 \ 2000 \ '35 \ Ho loss j 1929-30 \ 2425 \ 1815 ', 350 \ 12 ; (Continued) 47 Table I (Continued) Year j [Estimated \ Actual ; Hunter • Winter » Remarks ; No. in ; Count jtTtiliza-j Loss ; Herd j ; tion • 1930-31 ; 2100 « ; 1671 ! 40 ; 30 ; Light loss 1931-32 j 2500 • 174 \ 256 1932-33 ; 2500 • 2475 ; 600 j 90 5 Average loss 1933-34 j 2550 \ \ 1822 i \ 43 90 < 1 Average loss 1934=35 \ 2650 125 • 48 ; ; Checking Sta. established. 1935-36 • 1150 \ ; 900 j 156 1936-37 ; \ 2650 ; ; 2218 ; 102 j 6 j 1937-38 \ 2750 \ 2198 \ 76 \ 171 ' : 1938-39 \ 2390 | 574 ; 37 \ 1939-40 \ 2600 j ! 80 • 50 \ 1940-41 ' • 2600 \ • 728 ; 31 3 1941-42 \ 2495 \ 1662 j - 410 • 50 \ 1942-43 < 3100 \ 1177 j 235 3 Est. of loss from gunshot wounds - 75 » 1943-44 < 2178 ; • 2178 \ 305 \ 49 \ i 1944-45 \ 2200 ; • 482 j i 250 J Est0 of loss from gunshot wounds - 50 1945-46 \ 2500 i 738 J 30 ; > Est. of loss from gunshot wounds - 70 1946-47 j 2500 \ ! 887 \ 400 ] 300 actual count 1947-48 \ 1500 \ 1372 j 218 ; 103 j Total winter loss b„ Livestock TTse Between 1890 and 1906, the present winter elk range was uzed by domestic stock to quite an extent. This Forest District was creatod in 1906. In 1908 the first area in Montana to be set aside for 48 game was decreed, and closed to the grazing of domestic stock by the Forest Service, This area was located on Bacon Rind, Snows lide and Monument Creeks and is still a part of the Gallatin Game Preserve,, In 1915 3,000 head, mostly cattle, were grazed on Taylor Fork, Buffalo Horn, Elkhorn, and Porcupine Creeks. After this there vras a gradual dwindling of the amount of domestic stock that was permitted en Forest lands. Land vras acquired as fast as possible by the Forest Service, especially on winter elk range8 By 1930, the number of permitted cattle was 375. To date this number has been reduced to 352 head. The following Table and map of unit allotments shows location and numbers of domestic stock summering within the upper ".Test Gallatin Forest. TABLE II WEST GALLATIN DOLES TIC LIVESTOCK T^SE Area < Forest « Private Sheep: ; Muddy Basin Allotment j ; 500 ; 500 (i'.Po) Yellow L'ule Allotment 5 500 ; 500 V ±1 Ol O J Beaver Creek Allotment ; 500 5 500 (IT.P.) Buck Creek Allotment ; 500 5 500 (N.P.) Deadhcrse Creek Allotment ; 600 ; 600 (K.Po) Cache Creek Allotment ; 600 ; 600 (IT.P.) Carrot Basin Allotment ; 1 600 i 600 ("t p s Little Wapiti Allotment j ; 600 600 \ - o - o J Horses : Eldridge lianagement Unit ; 60 (3 moSo) I 30 (3 mos.) Cinnamon Management Unit I 42 (4j=r mos.) < Sare Creek Management Unit ; 155 (4 mos,) Special Use Pastures ; 10 (4 mos.) Cattle- "Test Fork Management Unit 5 122 (o? mos,, ) (3gr mos0 ) \ 173 (3-|- mos©) T-uck Creek Management Unit ; 60 Eldridge Creek Management Unit ; 170 7« Present Elk Populations 49 On November 17, 1947, 7 representatives from the Forest Service and 2 representatives of the Fish and Game Department counted the migrat- ing elk above Snowflake Springs 0 TABLE III MIGRATING ELK AB07E SNOWFLAKE SPRINGS Drainage Number of elk Tepee Creek Daly Creek Gallatin River above Fan Creek Gallatin River, Fan Creek to Speciman Creek Wickiup Creek Monument Creek Sawmill and Lodgepole Gulches Snowflake Springs Total 773 815 56 11 125 5 312 21 2,118* ♦This count didn't include any native elk. &.0 Aerial Survey of November 18, 1947 Purpose; To obtain information regarding the inter- relationship between the Gallatin and surrounding elk herds,, Also to gain information on the distribution of elk in the West Gallatin drainages. Procedure; Two hours and fifteen minutes were spent flying in a two-place Cessna airplane, rented from the Lynch Flying Service at ide, Tontana. We left the Belgrade airfield at one o*clock in the afternoon and flew up the west side of the West Gallatin River bisecting 50 West Gallatin Domestic Livestock Use 9. Ik Sheep : I— Muddy Basin Allotment 2 Yellow Hule Allotment 3— Reaver Creek Allotment ** Buck Creek Allotment S — Peadhorse Croek Allotnent 6 Cache Creek Allotnent ' — Carrot Basin Allotment Little TJapiti Allotment Horse Br 9— Bldridge I'anarement Unit ' Cinnamon llanagement Unit " — Sage Creek ranagenent Unit Special Use Pastures Cattle: '3— *est Fork l!anagement Unit IH- Buck Creek ?'anager.ent Unit IS— Eldridje Creek Management Unit SI its tributaries a few miles up from the River to Bacon Rind Creek, thence up the river to within a mile of its source, back along the mountain divide between the Gallatin and Yellowstone Valleys from Bighorn Pass and Fawn Pass, to the head of Speciman Creek, thence back down the east side of the river and to the Belgrade airfield,, Visibility was excellent for this flight and little wind was encountered,, Cache Creek Pass and the Tepee Creek area on the Madison River drainage were the only areas that were fogged in. Findings: 1. There was no evidence of elk migration from the Yellowstone River drainage into the West Gallatin River drainage or vice versa at this time. There was no sign of game three miles below Bighorn Pass, There was no evidence of trails leading over Fawn Pass or axry of the minor passes along the mountain divide separating the Yellowstone Valley from the West Gallatin Valley as far along as Sportsman's Lake. Along this divide the snow appeared to be about 36 inches deep, 2. Although Cache Creek Pass between the Madison and West Gallatin Rivers was not visible, we observed that there were not any game trails leading to this Pass from either side, 3„ Migration trails forming in Speciman Creeks as evidenced in the snow, were followed across the head of Wickiup Creek, thence into Black Butte Creek and on into Daly Creek via the Black Butte-Daly Creek Pass0 Elk were seen trailing across the head of Tepee Creek into the South Fork of Buffalo Horn Creek, There wasn't evidence yet of any heavy migration from Buffalo Horn Creek across the head of Elkhorn Creek and into Porcupine Creek, 4, Elk were concentrated in Daly and Tepee Creeks and 52 in Lodgepole and Sawmill Gulches. Seven Forest Service employees and two Fish and Game Department employees counted 2S118 elk in this area yesterday, November 17th, 1947e 5C The scarcity of game sign and about a two foot coverage of snow on the Bacon Rind-Snows lide Plateau and in Fan Croek^ and the headwaters of the West Gallatin "River from ten miles from its scourcep indicate that the elk primarily have been forced to drift down from their high summer range. Also from the heavy concentration of elk near the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and from the groups migrating from the concentration, it is evident that these elk aren't yet settled on their winter range. 6, A life history note; Observations from the ground the past few days and from the plane on the 18th of November, 19479 seem to indicate that drifting elk, when they stop to rest and ruminate do not take cover in the timber for protection 0 but lie on the open slopes in a group while the elk that have summered in the near vicinity of the same area take cover in the timber during the day. Those groups observed were a small band that summered southeast from Crown Butte in Daly Creek and a group that summered in Monument Creek and at the heads of Lodgepole and Sawmill Gulches <> The driiting elk observed were in Daly and Tepee Creeks 0 7. Fourteen unclassified Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep were observed in the Deer Creek-Asbestos Creek area0 Conclusions; 1. Observations from the plane indicate that there hasn't been any migration of game species to or from the West Gallatin aroa recently. 2» The elk in the West Gallatin River area at this time are drifting from their summer range to their winter range* Recommendations ; lo In the future,, weather permitting s an aerial reconnaissance should be made to further study the elk migrations from summer to winter range,, b„ Aerial Survey of December lOth^ 1947 Purpose r To gain an overall game distribution picture of the West Gallatin area and to determine whether or not there has been any intermingling of game species from the West Gallatin River drainage into the Madison River drainage 0 Procedure r Two hours and fifteen minutes were spent in the air„ The type of plane used was a two-place Cessna^ rented from the Lynch Flying Service of Belgrade^ Montana0 The route taken was southwest from the Belgrade airfield to the mouth of Cherry Creek on the Madison River9 thence up the Madison River to Indian Creek by skirting the foothills at an elevation low enough to observe game and game sign? thence up Indian Creek over Cache Creek Pass to the head of Meadow Creekp thence across the West Gallatin River into Euffalo Horn Creek across the head of Elkhorn Creek into Porcupine Creek across Squaw Creek and down the Wilson Creek-Little Bear Creek Ridge, thence back to the Belgrade landing fieldo Visibility was excellent for this trips but a good deal of wind was encountered and the air was proportionally rougho Findings? 1» Sixty-one mule deer were observed from the plane between Jack Creek and Indian Creek» 20 Haystacks that are close to the foothills between Jourdain Creek and Indian Creek show evidence of being damaged by game* 54 The heaviest concentration of game sign was observed just north of the Bear Creek Ranch on the sparsely timbered slopes near the Forest Service boundary,, 3e No elk were observed in the Madison area0 The elk season in that area was open at the time of this flight and evidently hunting pressure had the elk held higher and on timbered s lopes o 40 There wasn't any sign of game on Indian Creek from the mouth of Norman Creek to Cache Creek Passs except tracks of one or possibly two moose on McLite Creeko 50 There was no evidence of any recent migration of game through Cache Creek Pass or the pass just to the northo 6C Roughly 350 elk were counted on Meadow Creek and 450 on Porcupine Creeko These elk were in bands of 25-50 in these drainages with the exception of about 100 head on the west exposure of Porcupine Creeke Elk were also observed in Buffalo Horn Creek9 Grouse Mountain, Elkhorn Creek9 Twin Cabin Creekp Deer and Asbestos Creeks* 7e From as close an observation as possible the elk in most areas are pawing through about a foot of soft granular snow© 8» Observations from the ground made in the morning before this flight revealed but very few in Tepee and Daly Creekse A few days later 95 elk were counted above Speciman Creek along the river0 9„ Nine Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep were observed j two younr; rams„ one lamb and two mature ewesp in Deer Creek and four unclass- ified in Asbestos Crooko Conclusions: 10 From the amount of damage done to the 55 haystacks on the east side of the Madison River from Jourdain Creek to Indian Creek by game, the ranchers -will probably need aid from the Fish and Game Department to lessen this damage,, 2„ There hasn't been any migration of game species through Cache Creek Pass recently,, 3e The West Gallatin elk herd is very well distributed, making maximum use of their -winter range 0 40 The snow at the time this flight was made, was soft and granular and about a foot deep over most of the elk winter range j therefore, it doesn't impede travel or hinder foraging., c, Aerial Survey of March 13th, 1948 Personnels J, E. Gaab, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division James Stradley, Pilot., Lynch Flying Service Purpose; This aerial coverage was made to aid in a ground crew survey in counting the West Gallatin elk herd. It was the third of its kind during this winter season,, These flights have been of invaluable aid in locating isolated bands of elk in the higher 5 more remote, back-country ranges,, They serve as a guide for the ground crews in that miles of tedious snowshoe traveling can be el- iminated and efforts can be directed to areas where elk are de- finitely known to exist. Tracks show up very plainly to aerial observers even in heavy timber and this is a guide to the foot traveler as to how far up a drainage he needs to cover. 56 Procedures The crew took off from the Belgrade airfield at 9%\\5 A.M. and returned at 12s 00 noon. The plane was a 120 Cessna,, This is a two-place,, side by side airplane, with excellent observation facilities and with sufficient power to make it a very safe' mountain plane. The route taken was up the west side of the West Gallatin River , swinging over West Forks Taylor Fork and then crossing through Tom Miner Pass. Coverage was made on the west side of the Yellowstone River drainage from Cinnabar Creek to Big Creek. Then the route swung back through Windy Pass to the Gallatin side„ down Porcupine Creek and down the east side of the West Gallatin to Belgrade. Findings and Conclusionsg Forty-one small groups of elk were located on this flight. Small groups of elk that were located in this flight that had not been observed by the grotind crew previously,, were added to the total elk count,. Some of these more isolated groups which were seen only from the airplane are listed below. These groups contained from four to ten animals. Twin Creek Deer Creek Dudley Creek The big rock slide on the North Fork of the West Fork Beaver Creek Buck Greek Cache Creek - two groups Shedhorn Mountain Sage Creek Monument Creek Cinnabar mountain Big Spring Creek Big Bear Creek Little Bear Creek These isolated groups were added to the findings of the ground crew which had been simultaneously conducting a drainage by drainage cover of the elk. The result was a quite accurate count of the elk wintering in the West Gallatin Canyon,, This total was 1537* he ado Recommendation ss lo Aerial Reconnaissance is a practical aid in big game census work - particularly with elk, 2e This method of coverage should be correlated immediately with a ground crew coverage. Clears, bright weather is essential, 3o The Cessna 120 is recommended as an excellent type of airplane for this type of work. If possible? the same pilot should be used each time as his intimate knowledge of our objectives is necessary for the most accurate coverage. 58 d«, General Information on Present Elk Populations During the months of February and March when the elk were well established on their winter rangep repeated counts were made in nearly every area where a small band of elk were wintering to derive a most accurate count for the entire areae The following table shows the number and approximate location of the elk during those two months0 TABLE IV NUMBER AND LOCATION OF ELK DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH Winter Range Number of Elk River - mouth of Snowslide Creek Monument Creek Black Butte Creek to Tepee Creek Snowflake Springs Grouse Mountain Sage Creek Taylor Fork Creek Pulpit Rock to Cinnamon Creek Buffalo Horn Creek Buffalo Horn to Elkhorn Creek Mouth of Buck Creek Twin Cabin Creek to Red Cliff Creek Buck Creek to Beaver Creek Twin Cabin Creek to Porcupine Creek Mouth of '.Vest Fork Creek Beaver Creek to West Fork Creek 12 15 282 18 22 75 145 14 30 23 20 30 30 50 74 20 (Continued) 59 Table TV (Continued) Winter Range Number of elk* "West Fork Creek Dudley Creek Dear Creek Asbestos Creek to Cascade Creek Levinski Creek to Greek Creek Below Greek Creek Squaw Creek Spanish Creek Mouth of the Canyon - Jack Creek to South Cottonwood Total 78 30 15 25 20 20 82 42 200 1*372 Thirteen hundred and seventy- two were all the elk that the observers making this study were able to locate0 This included small groups of isolated elk in such areas as the big shale slide on the North Fork of the West Fork Creek, vicinity of Cache Croek0 Shedhorn Mountain^ Monument Plateau, Daly Pass and others 0 For the last three years there has been a known migration of elk out of the West Gallatin River drainage into the Madison River drainagee This year this migration took place during latter December and January., On January 13, 1948, one of the observers watched part of this migration as 74 elk went over Cache Creek Pass into the head of Indian Creeko The migration route used the heaviest this year was from Meadow Creek up the Cache Creek-Deadhorse Cr=ek ridge to the Madison-West Gallatin divide 60 into Indian Creek,, thence across Indian Creek, south of Sphinx Peak into Bear Creek, thence dorm Bear Creek to near the mouth of the Canyon where they faced intense hunting. The hunting pressure has a tendency to cause a -wide,, fan-like P distribution of those migrating elk from Corral Creek to Cedar Creeko Lesser migration routes are over the Tumbledown Creek»lTo Man Creek Pass at the south end of Shedhorn Mountain during the same time as the Cache Creek Pass migration0 An earlier movement to t he north of Cache Creek Pass that crosses the Inspiration Trail before it reaches Lizard Lakes© Those elk were native Buck Creek elk being driven into Indian Creek by hunting pressure in October and November <> On March 6„ 1948 „ an aerial survey was made of the elk winter° ing on the Madison and 6 days of snowshoeing revealed 323 elk on the east side of the river0 The Deputy Game "Warden's report on the success of the hunting season on the east side of the Madison River was 303 elk taken by hunters0 The number of elk wintering in the Madison and the number taken during the hunting season leads the observers to believe -chat approx- imately 700 elk migrated from the West Gallatin to the Madison this past winter, 1947»1948o By the last of March when the censusing of the elk wintering in the West Gallatin was completed,, 103 winter killed elk had been discovered* 1„372 Elk wintering in the West Gallatin 700 Elk that migrated into the Madison _103 Winter loss 2„175 Elk in West Gallatin herd for a period of a few months during last fall (1947)0 80 Factors Affecting the Elk Population 61 FAWN PASS OTG IffGHATION TRAIL IK TIE VICINITY OF FAWN ! 62 a„ Migrations The migrations of the West Gallatin elk are rather complex and unpredictable 0 The extent of the present observer's knowledge indicates that there has been an intermingling of the West Gallatin elk herd with the Northern Yellowstone herd in the vicinity of Fawn and Bighorn Passes along the Gallatin and Yellowstone divide c There were indications of elk drift- ing from south at the Crowfoot ridge t Yellowstone Park^ from the head of Grayling, Duck and Cougar Creeks on the upper Madison drainage into the West Gallatin0 There is also probably a considerable migration from the Tepee and Cabin Creeks on the Upper Madison into the West Gallatin0 There is substantial evidence that there is also a fall migration of elk from the West Gallatin to the Madison in the vicinity of Cache Creek Pass0 b0 Experimental feeding, an attempt to prevent heavy winter loss© In April, 1947, Fish and Game Department personnel and other representatives of the Upper Gallatin Conservation Committee staged a winter kill (elk) count on the West Gallatin drainage below the Yellowstone Park boundary,, The National Park Service held a similar count during the same time on that part of the West Gallatin River inside the National Parko The total number of c; rcasses found was 299 not including those inside the Parko The total loss was estimated at 400 including those inside the Parko The percent loss computed from an estimate of the elk wintering in the West Gallatin at 1800 heads is a 22 percent loss0 The attributing factor considered responsible for this lo-s was an e arly heavy snowf all which later melted down and then froze into a covering of ice two to three inches in thickness over the entire area0 This iced condition impeded pawing efforts by the elk to 63 obtain a substantial amount of grass for their subsistence „ As the elk in this area must rely considerably on grass which was relatively inacces- sible, malnutrition evidently became the direct cause of a relatively heavy winter loss0 In view of the severe losses during the winter of 1946-47, an attempt at experimental feeding was conducted by Fish and Game Department personnel the winter of 1947-48 0 The intensive feeding of elk has long been a subject of eon~ siderable controversy,, It has been used quite extensively in Yellowstone National Park and in Jackson Hole, "Wyoming,, Reports of these feeding operations are for the most part negative,. The concentration of game on the feeding grounds has had a tendency to spread disease<> Constipation has apparently been an important factor contributing to the loss of elk during previous feeding trials,, Death has occurred from some unknown cause attributed to the change that artificial feeding has on the animal9 s digestive system,, Usually mechanical injuries occur when elk are concen- trated in restricted areas, (However D none of these usual detrimental affects were observed during this feeding experiment )0 The elk soon become semi -domesticated and will rely entirely on the artificial feeding o This adds to the cost of the operation^, con- tributes to the spread of disease „ and lessens the feasibility of artificial feeding. It was found in this experiment, and the others that the animals most needing the additional forage were forced away from the hay by stronger individuals. The personnel charged with the feeding operations this past winter on the West Gallatin River took into consideration the dif- ficulties encountered from the past experiences of others in Yellowstone 04 National Park and Jackson Hole^, looming 0 In an attempt to overcome some of the difficulties of artificial feeding the following methods were put to use0 lo The primary objective that was constantly kept in mind was to only supplement the elk*s natural grazing and browsing habits with enough artificial feeding to give each animal a full rati on0 It was found that some animals did not need artificial feedings others had to rely almost entirely on the hay0 2© To avoid congestion,, an attempt was made to feed no more than twenty-five elk at any one feeding station* 3„ To keep the feed grounds clean of fecal pellets „ each station was widened by placing the hay on snow that hadn't been trampled by the elk„ Sometimes this wasn't necessary because a new snow would have covered the fecal material left at the station© 4<> The hay used was in bales and was scattered in small quantities over an area larg ' enough that each elk feeding at the station might have a portion to itselfo This preven- ted some fighting and driving off of the weaker animals by the stronger,, 5. The feeding operation started on February 19th and lasted through March 21st<> The feeding stations were only supplied with hay every other dayQ This practice kept the elk pawing and browsing and not relying entirely upon the supplemental 65 f oodo From March 22nd through the first week In Aprils hay was supplied at each station daily0 During this period the elk remained close by the feeding stations and discontinued pawing and grazing until warm weather had lessened the snow depths and bared some ridges at which time the elk left the feeding stations completely to forage naturallyQ 60 The hay used was mostly timothy in an attempt to duplicate the natural food as closely as possible© 1 o The hay used was free from noxious weeds to alleviate the changes of mechanical injuries to the animals8 mouths 0 80 The feeding stations were placed in the timber where possible0 This provided natural cover during storms0 Feeding in protected areas also saved a loss of hay from wind actionc The more greedy animals are less apt to chase the other animals^, particularly the calves from the hay<> 9o Placing feeding stations near aspen groves was avoided because the animals inhabiting these areas for a period of time have a tendency to scar the larger trees© 10o There were 23 major feeding stations establishedo During the 48 days feeding period 22i| tons of baled timothy hay were fedc The total cost of the hay plus hauling charges was $740,00o 11 o The hay was put out with a toboggan by men on snowshoes 66 from a truck on the highway <> Factors -which presented problems in establishing feeding stations were as follows s ac Amount of elk in the immediate vicinityo In this regard an attempt was made to feed not more than 25 elk at a station^, b0 Amount of available natural forage0 This was a determining factor whether or not to supply artificial feed and to what amount 0 Co Age and physical condition of the animals0 Generally the mature elk didn^t need a supplemental ration,, nearly all calf elk were emaciated and needed feedingo do Suitable area to establish a feeding station! conifer cover was used in most cases p avoiding quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) groves to lessen damage to barko A sizeable area was necessary in order to expand the station so that the animals would not be eating among their own fecal pellets0 60 How to entice the animals to take advantage of artificial feedingo It was noticed that calf elk in many cases isolated themselves on steep5 precipitous^ rocky slopes and were reluctant -co move to feed stations o Examples of Different Situations Encountered Elk on opposite sides of the Gallatin River near the mouth of Sage Creek presented different problems 0 About 40 elk of mixed ages on the west side of the river need supplemental feed because they had nearly utilized the natural forage in that vicinity,, This group was fed 67 at two stations 0 two bales of hay every other day until they had taken all the available natural forage* They were then fed each day to prevent loss among the animals and to prevent depletion of the natural forage0 Two calves were lost from this group of elk becaxise they were fought away from the station by stronger mature animals 0 They weres therefore^ unable to receive sufficient hay to sustain life0 All of these elk utilized the hay readily0 Across the river in the steep^ rocky p precipitous slopes about ten calves had isolated themselves as singles among the cliff s0 Hay was placed at several locations near the base of the cliffs0 The calves^ unlike the mature animals B would not take advantage of itQ In an attempt to feed these calves , hay was carried to the individual bedSj, but this practice only alarmed the animals and moved them higher and further out of reacho A further attempt was made by stringing hay from a small grove of Douglas fir trees at the river's edge to the base of a cliff under which the calves might passc This was partially successful because 17 mule deer started using this station and made trails to and from it "which a few calves followed and found the hay« After the calves began using the station^, the problem of predaxion by coyotes increasedo Two calves were killed at this station* Immediately "coyote getters'™ (cyanide guns) were placed on or near the remainder of the carcasses0 Only two coyotes were taken probably for the reason that the scent used was that to be used during breeding season and the breeding season was about over,, Also the coyotes were in packs of four to eight and pre- ferred killing a calf rather than returning bo one which they had previously k I 68 M3THJD OF TRANSPORTING HAY TO TEE ELK FEEDING STATIONS The situation regarding calves might possibly have been alle- viated had the elk in that vicinity been moved before the calves became isolated and emaciated to the extent that they could not stand herdingo Conclusions lo Controlled feeding of elk in cases of necessity appar- ently has its merits,. In cases of isolated elk where snow or ice conditions impede natural foraging, it seems a necessity to provide a supplemental ration by artificial feeding, 2„ During the past winter in the ITest Gallatin area it seemed imperative to feed small groups of calf elko In January and February many calves became isolated from the older elk* It seems natural for the calves to inhabit precipitous, rocky slopes whei'e the snow is sh allow e Generally these slopes provide very little forage^ and the calf becomes emaciated,, They then become easy prey for predators , particularly coyotes , especially during periods of extreme sub-zero weather o In addition to the actual kill by coyotes , it was felt that many other factors might be listed as contributing to death in addition to the chief factors of malnutrition,, The more important of these are listed as follows g ae Disturbance from predators causing in some cases mechanical injury from falls over cliffs, slipping in snowslides, etc b0 A partial blindness apparently caused by a vitamin deficiency,, c0 Internal Parasites % Fringed tapeworms, Thysanosoma actinioides Tapeworm, Moniez ia sp» Stomach roundwormj Ostertagia ostertagi 70 Lungwom, Dictyocaulus hadweni Larvae of deer botfly , Ceohenomyia pratti No evidence was found of the liver fluke, Fasciola magna , on this range0 do External parasites Winter tick, Dernacentor albipictus There was no evidence of scab mites, Psoroptes communis, found in this area during the past winter 9 It was found that these calves could be saved by artificial feeding if it .were possible to get them to take advantage of ite The difficulty in feeding some of these animals is the inability to get them down off the slopes to the feed stations, even short dis- tances in some cases 0 Attempts were made to carry hay up the slopes which resulted in just alarming the calves «, If there were a few older elk or deer in the vicinity that would come to a feeding station the calves would follow, if not, all efforts to save the animal seemed fruitlesso 3<, In this area during H:h«* winter of 1947-48, the calf elk were the only age group that unquestionably needed supplement tal forage* Elk of the other age groups ivhich were fed no doubt survived the winter with more vigor than had they not been fedo 40 About 1,372 elk were accounted for as wintering vrithin the West Gallatin drainage during this winter, 1947<=48<> Of that number, 84 calf carcasses from winter kill were found 0 Regarding 18# as the annual increase of an elk herd, figures show that 34% of the annual increase (calf crop) wen lost, or using 103, the total 71 EI2C AT A FEEDING STATION AT THE MOUTH OF THE TOST FORK 72 carcasses founds the total winter loss was 7<>5%9 It is felt that the predominant factor, contributing to this loss was two months of severe sub-zero weather, and extreme snow depths c The average yearly snowfall for the past 11 years in the area has been 100«,03 inches, this winter's snowfall was 149 inches,, 50 Based upon the results of last winter's carefully managed elk feeding program in the Gallatin, as well as similar work in other areas it is felt that during periods of emergency, such work may be justified as a management toolo The following benefits were observed s a© Relief from a condition of severe malnutrition, particularly among calves, b„ Drawing elk away from depleted range areas „ c0 Control of migrations - particularly in checking movement onto newly reseeded areas,, Summary The artificial feeding of big game has long been a subject of considerable controversy0 It appears that a poorly planned and carelessly executed feeding plan will result in serious damage to the species treated,, It has been demonstrated, however, that a supplemen- tal feeding program, carried out under careful supervision and in accordance with a definite plan will have beneficial results,. During the winter of 1947«48 severe conditions set in early in December <> This resulted in a particularly critical situation 73 as it followed a winter of far more than average lossc During this pre- vious winter, an actual check was made of 299 dead elk in the Gallatin ranges „ Facing the second severe winter in a row with the expectation of a high winter lossp a decision was made to carry out a planned feeding program,, This program attempted in every way to keep from the difficulties that had been evident during such work in the past. In that the two-man survey crew (l~R) was stationed in the area, it was decided that much worthwhile information could be gained by having them tie into this program where possible^, incidental to their regular workc Their chief responsibility was to determine the effect of this feeding program on the Gallatin elk herdo They also aided in working out a placement pattern in accordance with the best possible management o Co Weather Conditions TABLE V ACCUT.1JLATIVE SMJWPALL AT SQUAW CREEK RAEGER STAT 1017 Winter Of Number of Inches Snowfall 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941=42 1942-45 1943-44 98,75 7 6. 35 yy. 45. 102.25 84, 82o (Continued) 74 Table V (Continued) Winter Of » Number of Inches Snowfall 1944-45 I 121.5 o 1945-46 j 1150 1946-47 • 130, 1947-48 • 149, The average snowfall for this eleven year period is 100©03 inches » The snowfall during the time of this study was 149 inches or 1/2 again that of normal. Daily minimum and maximum temperatures for comparison are not available0 February and March temperatures were consistently 10° below- zero Fahrenheit to 35° below zero.. (The minimum temperature that the Cinnamon Ranger Station thermometer would record*,) de Winter loss The following Table shows the winter loss among the elk during the winter 1947-1948, A total of 103 lost of 7,5?£ of the entire herd that wintered within the West Gallatin River drainage* Eighty-one and five tenths percent of the entire loss was among the 1947 calves0 Reasons for the heavy loss among the 1947 calf crop are attributed to the heavy snowfall (Talbe V) and the persistent extreme sub-zero weather*. 75 TABLE VI Area °Female°Male • TJniden- ° Year- ; | ; tified 3 ling Total Inside the Park Lodgepole Gulch Tepee Creek Snowflake Springs Sage Creek Taylor Fork Across River from Sage Creek $ Across River from Taylor Fork • Wilson Gulch s Buffalo Horn Creek 320 Horse pasture (west) o t Vicinity of Cinnamon Ranger Sta; Elkhorn Creek % » Buck Creek % » Between Buck & Beaver Creeks $ I Twin Cabin Creek Mud Creek Highway Camp Porcupine Upper West Fork Creek Loner West Fork h- River Swamp ; > Dudley Creek j I Deor Croek j 1 1 3 2 5 3 3 10 13 8 6 1 1 2 5 8 7 2 1 4 2 1 2 3 3 5 3 3 12 13 11 2 2 76 Table VI (Continued) * » • • s> Area j Female??. :ale • Uniden- S Year- o 9 Total o- © J 9 • J tified ? ling S> 9 9 » • • i • • 9 9 * * o 9 Boose Creek • © 9 J © 0 9 » 1 9 » O o 9 o 9 m 9 1 Karst Camp © • t 9 > t 1 0 i 9 6 9 a 9 o 9 o f 1 Squaw Creek o • 9 9 9 O » » o o » 9 1 s 9 o » « » 1 * a 2> 2 Total 10 103 eB Sex Ratio TABLE VII THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS A SEX BREAK-DCTO OF AS MANY ELK AS COULD BE SEXED AIJD A TED ACCURATELY. • • • * Location ; COWS Bull s; • 9 Spike s? Calve S j ■ s Total I ! West Fork 64 8 * 1 2 ! 1 74 Elkhorn 13 9 9 • • > o 10 • 9 32 Black Butte to Tepee Cr, ; 225 ? o 19 o 9 e 11 © • © 9 27 © .9 282 Mouth of West Fork ; 28 o 9 * i 10 1 0 9 e 4 a 9 a .9 43 Lower West Fork J 5 • 9 © 9 » 3 © 7 * o 15 Twin Cabin 14 o 9 • 2 © o 4 o S 5 9 B 25 Deer Creek 25 • • 9 5 > o 0 2 • * 1 • S I 33 Cinnamon 3 o $ * 9 • o 0 o 9 • © 2 .9 14 Total % 377 9 62 0 0 21 a 58 518 t 3 a * 0 s Three hundred and seventy^seven cow elk minus 21 yearling heifers (assuming the yearling sex ratio is 1 to lj => 21 being the number of spike bulls counted) , leaves 356 mature cows0 Three hundred and fifty** six divided by 62, the number of mature bulls B shows the sex ratio as 1 bull to 5C7 cowso Of the total number of brlls seen to the total number of elk seen minus the calves, the sex ratio shows 1 bull to 7055 cows^ however p this isn't considered as accurate as the above table,, f o Calf Crop or Annual Increase of the Elk Herd Eighty-four calf carcasses found during the winter loss count were 601 percent of the total live elk countedo Prom the above sex-ratio tablep 58 calves is 11 percent of 518 sexed animals 0 Six and one tenth percent plus 11 percent gives a 1701 percent total calf crop* go Predation The relatively heavy population of coyotes within the area has a reflection upon the calf elk population0 This study having been conducted in a rather severe winter a many instances of irritation by coyotes among weak were observedo Calf elk in precipitous areas were easy prey for coyotes . The agitation of the coyotes often proved fatal to the weak calves „ When a weak calf was approached by coyotes p they often fell and slid down the steep slopes into deep snow and were unable to "et up0 there the coyotes often killed the oalves0 Calves that took to the river ice in an attempt to evade coyotes would fall and not be able to get up before the coyotes had killed themc One wolf track was observed and followed several miles, but only snowshoe rabbits were found to fall prey to this animal0 78 One lion was reported within the areas but no sign of this animal was found by the observers 0 Predation among newborn elk calves „ Note elk tagging report on the West Gallatin^ 1948„ h„ Disease The following is an excerpt from a letter dated March 27th, 1948, from Dr. Hadleigh Harsh, Head, Veterinary Research Laboratory p Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana, concerning an autopsy report on a female elk calf „ "* *, our post-mortem examination indicated that the calf died of malnutrition as there was no indication of the presence of any disease condition,,1' "She had a few lung worms* There were 13 fringed tapeworms in the small intestine which should not cause any particular trouble© II o round worms of any kind were found in the entire intestinal tract except three whip worms in the caecum* There was a good feed of hay in the paunch, and practically nothing elss» The rectum was distended with hard fecal pellets indicating constipation,. There were a number of elk ticks particularly in the region between the hinc legs in the rear0" "Joe Gaab called our attention to the fact that this animal was apparently blind. Examination of the eyes indicated that she probably vas not completely blind, but in the crystalline lenses of both eyes there was a small opague area in the center 0 This condition of the lenses may have been dtie to malnutrition as the lack of certain vitamins may cause eye disturbances©" Several animals were autopsied in the fieldo Causes of 79 death found to be malnutrition, however g a representative amount of para- sites were found? namely^ intestinal and stomach worms, lungworms5 and external parasites^ winter ticks0 None of these parasites were found so numerous as to cause deatho No larvae of the deer botfly was founds but could have easily been overlooked0 One calf moose was found dead caused by a concentration of the larvae of the deer botfly in its nasal pharynXo Liver fluke was not observed in any of the animals examinedo FIELD AUTOPSY REPORT AREA: TCest Gallatin DATE? May 4fl 1948 DRAINAGE: Taylor Fork SPECIE AUTOPSIED: Moose (Alces americana shiras) SEX OF ANH.'AL: Female AGE OF ANII'ALs Approximately 11 months., PATHOLOGICAL SY?!PTOMS BEFORE DEA^H: The day before death occurred to this animal^, it appeared very emaciated and stood hanging its heado Its jaws were swollen up around its eyes, and its throat around the region of its belle, Both jaws were lanced and a colorless 8 ordorless fluid was discharged, presumably salivae The following morning after a snowstorm*, the animal was found dead© AUTOPSY FINDINGS: External parasites: Few winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) External lesions? None Internal Parasites: One lungworm (Dictyocaulus hadweni)s 28 larvae of the deer botfly (Cephenomyia so,) in the larynx and nasal pharynx0 No other internal parasites discovered in the hearty liver, stomach or intestines, 80 . ■m'lTi 1 51 6 ' * i it | kiMijilifiiiiiiLB DEER BOTFLY LARVAE TAKEN FROM INFECTED MOOSE 81 YEARLING MOOSE SHOWING THE AFFECT OF THE PRESENCE OF DEER BOTFLY LARVAE .1 lW^ SAME ANIMAL AS ABOVE. NOTE THE SWELLING OF THE HOSE AND THROAT 82 Internal lesions s Hone STOJIACH COHTEFT? Partially full, nearly all willow shoots 0 io Common Use of the Range by Big Game Species Generally throughout the area studied the competition for range among the big game species was practically nil0 Contrary to the beliefs of many*, the moose and elk within this area this winter (1947-48) did not inhabit the same areas consequently they were not competing for the same forage, Ls a general rule the moose in this area, this past winter, wintered in areas under too severe conditions for elko The moose stayed higher in deeper snow and browsed more conifers than did the elk0 One hundred and fifty-five mule deer were accounted for within the elk winter range above Karst CampQ One- hundred and twenty-f ive of these animals were accounted for from just below the mouth of the West Fork to Earst Camp - an area used without competition to any great extent by elk*, mule d^era and Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep,, However, about thirty-five mule deer were fed hay at the mouth of the West Forkc Eighteen mountain sheep were accounted for in the Deer Creek band? - 5 rams, 9 owes9 and 3 lambs 0 This band was the only sheep found to be wintering on the West Gallatin drainage,, Several small bands that summer within the area, winter in either the Madison or Yellowstone drainages,, Of the 5 mountain goats released in the Spanish Peaks area in the spring of 1947, no sign was observed as to where they wintered,, Life History Note lo Hatural distribution 83 The natural instinct of elk to distribute themselves over available winter range in proportionate numbers to the amount of forage in each area seems more effective than any method of management originat- ing from man. Management tools can affect particularly the migratory habits of elk to advantage where the influence of civilization has changed the natural distribution. Before planning any management device B due consideration should be given to the animal9 s instincts,, These thoughts considered in relation to the "West Gallatin elk indicate that a short hunting season is an advantage in that the hunter activity has less tendency to hold the elk at higher elevations. This will make possible better distribution throughout the available winter range 0 Recommendations § 10 The Upper Gallatin Conservation Committee has set the carry=> ing capacity of the elk winter range on the TPfest Gallatin River drainage at 1500 elko Those elk counted during the critical winter months after all migrations were completed v/as 1372 heade Applying a 10^ error factor or 137 to the total counted elk shows that the carrying capacity is reachedo TCe recommend that the harvest from this herd be based on this carrying capacity figure in order to prevent further reduction of the elk herdo 20 We recommend that the Lladison County hunting season in the vicinity of Bear Creek be extended to reduce the Gallatin migratory elk in that area and lessen the damage on private lands until such time as land can be acquired to provide winter ranr;e for those elko 3, VTe recommend that the hunting season be extended at the mouth of the West Gallatin Canyon to alleviate the elk damage done to 84 private lands in that area0 4<> Provisions for feeding elk in severe winters should be made to eliminate heavy winter loss0 5C The salt plan for the West Gallatin area should be completely abandonedo 60 Provisions for a checking station on Highway 2To0 191 at the head of the West Gallatin River he made in cooperar-ion with the Yellowstone National Park Service 0 Submicced byi; Jo Eo Gaabp Fieldman September 10 0 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 85 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Western Montana) DATE October 15, 19k& STATE-WIDE CALF ELK TAGGING - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK DATE; May 2U - June 12, 19U8 PERSONNEL: Wm. F. Koch, Junior Foreman, Wildlife Restoration Division Kenneth Davis, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE; In cooperation with Yellowstone Park calf elk tagging records have been compiled for several years. As tag return data accumulates the pattern of elk movement and migration is obtained. It is believed that this informa- tion will be important in the management of this herd. PROCEDURE? The two-man crew with the assistance of the Park Service tag j calves in the Glenn Creek, Gardiner River, Indian Creek and Panther Creek areas. The territory was covered on horseback,, FINDINGS % 86 The following is the list of calf elk tagged in the Yellowstone Park Area in 1°U8: ELK TAGGING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 191*8 Date May 26 May 27 May 27 May 31 May 31 May 31 May 31 May 31 June 1 June 1 June 1 June 1 June 2 June 2 June 2 June 2 June 3 June 5 June 7 June 7 June 8 June 9 Tag Number 251-252 177 178 182-183 153-15U 155-156 157-158 181-186 159-160 161-162 163-16U 165-166 187-176 179-180 167-168 170-171 172-173 189-191 188-185 193-190 199-200 196-198 Species Area Tagged F Glenn Creek F Gardiner River F Gardiner River F Gardiner River M Gardiner River M Gardiner River M Gardiner River M Gardiner River M Gardiner River M Gardiner River F Gardiner River M Gardiner River F Panther Creek F Gardiner Creek M Gardiner River F Gardiner River F Gardiner River F Panther Creek M Gardiner River M Gardiner River F Gardiner River F Gibbon Meadows Q7 ELK TAGGING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 19U8 Date Tag Number Species Area Tagged June 9 19U-195 F Gibbon Meadows June 10 286-288 M Electric Mountain June 11 289-290 M Gardiner River October 15, 19U3 Submitted bys Wrrio Fo Kochc, Junior Foreman Wildlife Restoration Division 88 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Eastern Montana) DATE October 15, 19U8 CHOTEAU UNIT ELK DAMAGE INVESTIGATION ON EVERLY RANCH DATE; September 2? 19U3 PERSONNEL; Charles Loberg, Deputy Game Warden,, Fish & Game Department Don Lo 3rowns Assistant Big Game Biologist,, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE; A letter of complaint was submitted to the State Fish and Game Department by Mr. Arthur "Wo Everly regarding elk damaging his oats and potatoes. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the amount of damage and to make recommendations to alleviate further damage. PROCEDURE; The trip was made from Roundup to Stanford by plane and then on to the Everly Ranch via jeep with Deputy Game Warden Loberg. The fields in question were investigated with respect to cause and effect of said damage « 89 FINDINGS; Mr. Everly owns a quarter section of land approximately one mile inside the boundary of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in the Highwood Mountain So On this field Mr. Everly has seeded six acres to oats and approximately one quarter acre to potatoese The field being on the divide between Arrow Creek and Highwood Creek5 is in the path of a natural crossing for elk as they travel east or west through the mountain So Deputy Game Warden Lo'oerg inspected this area in mid-July shortly after the damage had occurred and reported the elk had browsed on the potato tops and had eaten approximately one third of the oat cropo The inspection of September 2nd revealed a good stand of oats and a fair potato crop^ Although the tops of the potato vines had been clipped rather heavily, a random hill dug up showed three very nice sized potatoes* Mr. Everly stated he was satisfied he would have a fair oat crop, but thought he would get only about one-half as many potatoes as normally o CONCLUSIONS; It is concluded a herd of elk, migrating from spring range to high summer range, passed through Mr« Everly9 s field causing said damageG However, because it was early in the season^ the crop made a very good recovery. A few elk tracks indicate there are some elk staying in the immediate vicinity of the field, but not inflicting unreasonable damage » yo HECOMtfENDATIONSs It is recommended Mre Everly be encouraged to use this quarter section for hayland and not for highly vulnerable oat and potato crops. He has indicated he may do so0 No further action is recommended,. Submitted bys Don Lo Brown5 Assistant Big Game Biologist October 13s 19U3 Wildlife Restoration Division 91 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R. (Eastern Montana) DATE October 15, 1948 MISSOURI BREAKS TOUT RAKGE INSPECTION OF THE BIGHOPJI SHEEP PASTURE DATE; July 20 to July 23, 1948 PERSOIgjEL; Robert Casebeer, Range Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division K. V. watt, Student Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE: To inspect general terrain, vegetative cover and the forage species preferred by the bighorn sheep ■within the enclosure* Also to check the ■water holes, salt use and the census of the herd* FILINGS; Climatic conditions have been quite favorable for an excellent groov- ing season. Old tine residents in the area state that this is the best growing season they have seen, ".feeds and annuals are very scarce and grasses have excellent height groirth, good density and most species have produced excellent seed crops. Within this region there are three principal native cover types of 92 vegetations 1. The grass type is usually found on the plateau areas ? ridge tops, or south and west exposures where erosion has not been at an accelera- ted rate. Forage density of this type for the current growing season aver- ages 45 to 50 percent, composed principally of blue grama grass5 needle-and- thread grass, bluegrass and blues tern, with such shrub species as big sage, silver sage and scpawberry, and a variety of forb species. 2. Yellow pine timbered areas are commonly found on the north and east exposures. The understory is made up largely of shrub species such as wild rose9 chokecherry5 gooseberry, snowberry and juniper « 3. Steep, sparsely covered, gumbo exposures constitute the third type. The forage density is low, seldom exceeding five per cent 5 and composed mainly of drouth resistant species such as rabbit brush, greasewood, shadscale, yucca and snakeweed. This area is the most susceptible to \vater erosion because the sites are so steep, the soil lias such a high clay con- tent and the vegetative cover is so sparse,, Following is a list of plant species collected and identified in and near the bighorn sheep pasture. The list includes the most abundant species in the area but does not exhaust all the flora that could be found* Grasses and grass like species : Agropyron smithii (Bluestem) Agropyron s pica tun (Blue wheat grass) Andropogon scoparius (Prairie beardgrass) Aristida sp. (Three-awned grass) Boutcloua gracilis (Blue grama ) lanovilf a longifolia (Prairie sandgrass) 05 Carex fillfolia (Niggerwool sedge) Koeleria cristata (Junegrass) Huhlenbergia cuspidata (Plains muhly) Poa sp, (Bluegrasses) Schedonnardus paniculatus (Tumble grass) Stipa comata (Needle-^and-thread grass) Forb species s Achillea millefolium farrow) Linum lewis ii (Wild flax) Ualvastrum coceineum (False mallow) Monarda merit haefolia (Horse nint) 'etalostemon purpureus (Prairie clover) 'otentiLla sp. (Cinquef oil) Psora lea argophyl"ln (Indian turnip) Tragopogon pratensis (Oyster plant) Browse species s Artemisia cana (Silver sage) Artemisia canadensis (Sage specie s) Artemisia frigida (Silver sage) Artemisia tridentata (Big sage) Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale) C hr ys o thamnus naiiseosus (Rabbit brush) "V-itierrezia sarothrae (Broom snakeweed) Juniper us communis^ (Dwarf juniper) OpuntJU fragilis (Prickly pear cactus) irunus i.;f..j.r.ocarpa (Black choke cherry) ■3 triloba ta (Squawberry or sumac) 94 Ribes montigenum (Gooseberry-currant) Rosa sp„ (Wild Rose) Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Greasewood) Shepherdia argentea (Buffalo berry) Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry) Yucca glauca (Small soapweed) No quantitative analysis could be made of the forage preference of these sheep in this short time Only a qualitative enumeration of those species taken can be given. Of those species identified the folio-wing have been utilized by bighorn sheep during the summers Carex filifolia (Niggerwool sedge) — The most desirable and fully utilized species » Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale) Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Greasewood) Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Rabbit brush) Yucca glauca (Small soapweed) Muhleriber.gia cuspidata (Plains muhly) Calamovilfa longifolia (Prairie sandgrass) Andropogon scoparius (Prairie beardgrass) So it is evident that the preference of these sheep on this type of range is for the more alkaline loving and drouth resistant species even in this year of an abundance of grass. Shadscale, greasewood^ rabbit brush and yucca would be the species to withstand quite a severe drouth when most all the other species would pass out of the picture. This fact indicates the success these sheep may have during the drouth periods which can be expected in the future in the Lfi.ssouri Breaks,, Additional evidence of the natural desirability of this area for 95 bighorn sheep habitat was found. The north boundary fence of the pasture faces out toward the rugged liLssouri Breaks proper. From the south fence only the plateau and rolling farm and range lands can be seen« The sheep have a well beaten path all along the north fence, evidently trying to get out toward the more rugged parts of the Breaks,, No sign of any path exists along the south fence. There is no sign of use on the salt blocks placed within the pasture. Salt has been lost from the blocks by leaching but there was no pawing or tracks anywhere to indicate the sheep have tried to get any artificial salt* Yfater is still present in the holes blasted in the bottom of the drainage within the pasture but they are rapidly filling with eroded soils from the slopes above. Twenty-one sheep were counted and it is certain all animals within the pasture were seen. Definitely classified as to sex were three large rams and six ewes with Iambs. Three more, thought to be yearlings ? stayed with the ewes and lambs. Of the remaining three 5 probably two year olds5 it is thought that one is a male and two were females. If so there should be a crop of eight lambs next spring. All the sheep looked to be in excellent physical condition and very active. Evidence indicates the ewes and lambs spend most of their time in the most steep and rocky section of the pasture and utilize the timbered areas for bedding-down during the hot part of the day„ The three big rams 7/ere always seen together and usually in the grassy draws in the headwaters of the drainages • OONCUJSIOIB ; 1. Summer food preferences of bighorn sheep in the lUssour Breaks 96 are for the more drouth resistant species 9 those which will still be pre- sent in the dry years which can be expected in this areae 2. The sheep within the pasture show a desire for the more rugged portions of the pasture and have worn a path along the north fence ? the only place from where they can see the broken terrain of the nearby Missouri Breaks . 3„ These sheep have thus far shown high success in their adapation to this habitat and from the previously presented evidence we can expect a successful herd to build up here* 4, Artificial salting will probably be unnecessary for sheep in this area. 5, The 1948 lamb crop of the fifteen sheep within this pasture is six* RECOIJIENDATIONS : le The water holes within the pasture should be dynamited soon after the first of September each fall the pasture is maintained,, 2, An examination be made of the winter conditions ? the feed avail- able, and the types of food utilised* This should take place late in the winter but before any thawing makes the area inaccessiblg,, Submitted bys Robert L, Casebeer* Range Fieldman September 155 1948 Yfildlife Restoration Division 07 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Eastern Montana) DATE October 15a 1948 MUSSELSHELL UNIT AERIAL ANTELOPE INSPECTION YELLOW WATER TRIABLE DATE; February 29, 1948 PERSONNEL; Raleigh Shields, Deputy Game Warden, Montana Fish and Game Department Waldo Vangsness, Deputy Game Warden, Montana Fish and Game Department PURPOSE: During the past few years there have been various reports that antelope were becoming very numerous in the Yellow Water Triangle « Subsequent to the last hunting season, several ranchers have requested an increased kill. Therefore, it was the desire of this crew to inspect this area relative to numbers of antelope present and to make season recommendations accordingly, PROCEDURE t Deputies Shields and Vangsness, using a twD place Luscombe airplane rented by the latter, took off from the Roundup airport and strip counted the 98 area as shown on the map„ (Figure 1) The area was not covered 1.00% 9 but the crew is of the opinion the count represents over 90$ of the antelope within this region0 FINDINGS? The area known as the Yellow Water Triangle 9 consists of approxi- mately 247 square miles „ A few small fields of cultivated land can be found within the area, some Ponderosa pine cover the low hills in the northwest corner, but for the most part it is sage-covered grazing lands 0 The ground was bare and visibility was very good* In addition to the 490 antelope tallied, the crew saw two coyotes and three Golden Eagles „ The largest group seen was 64 antelope and six singles were listedo CONCLUSIONS % Inasmuch as the 490 antelope counted are only part of the total number of antelope found in southern Petroleum County, it is concluded there are sufficient antelope to warrant issuance of 100 permits for 1948 „ This is in compliance with the request made by the ranchers of this area* RECOMMENDATIONS % As mentioned before , the Yellow Water Triangle consists of 247 square miles in which there are at least 490 antelope, in addition there is an es= timated 350 antelope in the adjoining 432 square miles 9 which is also open to the hunting of buck antelope. Therefore, it is recommended permits be issued for 100 buck antelope in Petroleum County for 1948,, Submitted by: Don L, Brown, Assistant Big Game Biologist 21, 1948 Wildlife ltestoration Division 100 LIBRARY OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Betton, Montana MONTANA FISH aKD GAME DEPAPTIOTT Dis0 No0 X ANTELOPE AERIAL STUDY Flo No„ X Area - Yellow Water Unit - Musselshell Pilot - Vangsness Observer = Shields Take off - 8sO0 Land - 10s40 Flying Hours - 2?40 Approx0 Mileage -265 Ave© Alt0 - 300 Weather - Clear Visibility - Good Strip Width - \ to 1-mile Noo Antelope Pe™arks-activities~reactions°>dir0 of travel 6 Flatwillow Crealr 4 Flatwillow Creek 31 Pike Creek Area 1 Pike Creek Area 7 Pike Creek Area 11 Pike Creek Area 25 Pike Creek flj-ea 15 Pike Creek Area 10 Yellow Water Creek 2 Yellow Water Creek 9 Yellow Water Creek 33 Pike Creek (Lower) 1 Yellow Water Creek 1 Yellow Water Creek 21 Yellow Water Creek 30 Spring Creek 23 Spring Creek 34 Spring Creek 29 Spring Creek 64 Elk Creek 3 MacDonald Creek 1 Elk Creek 1 Elk Creek 16 Yellow Water Res0 23 MaeDonald Creek 10 Elk Creek Divide 35 Lower Elk Creek 26 East of Yellow Water Pes0 18 Southeast of Yellow Water Pes0 101 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Eastern Montana) DATE October l$a 19U3 MUSSELSHELL UNIT INVESTIGATION OF DEER DAMAGE ON LETTUCE DATEs September 7 and 85 19U8 PERSONNELS G8 0„ Johnson, Deputy Game Warden, Fish & Game Department Don L. Browns Assistant Big Game Biologist,, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSES Raising lettuce on a commercial scale Is something new to the Upper Musselshell Valley and deer are going to be a major menace to its suecesso Mr» Cates of the Northwest Produce Inc at Harlowton. reported by mail to Deputy Game Warden Johnson, that the deer were foraging on his lettuce fields « Inasmuch as there are 60 acres in the field sown to lettuce,, it represents a considerable investment and the Fish and Game Department is interested in helping control any deer damage <> Thus-, the purpose of this investigation is to work out if possible , some practical method to keep the deer from inflicting 102 unreasonable damage to the lettuce field,, PROCEDUKEg The above personnel inspected the lettuce field on the afternoon of September 7thc Later the same day an aerial inspection was made to determine the number of deer in the immediate vicinity,. Later that night the area was visited to determine the effect of a car,, spotlight and shotgun in scaring them away„ On the morning of September 8th5 the field was again inspected with the owner <, Mr„ Cates, to determine the extent of damage to the salvageable heads of lettuce „ FINDINGS; The first ground inspection revealed deer tracks uniformly throughout the entire field and various heads of lettuce showed signs of damage o On the aerial check six head of deer were counted in the area and with the heavy underbrush there could have been many more that were not seen0 An attempt to run the deer away with the airplane was unsuccessful and merely caused them to seek cover in the willows „ On the third inspection with the owner,, it was brought out that some of the lettuce that appeared to be damaged by deer had been hit by hallo Mro Cates stated he expected to harvest approximately one-third of the entire field between now and the first heavy frost, but if it turned out to be a warm fall perhaps a little more,, At present Mr« Cates does not believe the damage by deer is excessive j but is afraid it might later develop into a serious problem,, The field being near the highway makes the deer unafraid of cars and difficult to scare from the field „ Deputy Johnson fired a few shots from a shotgun at a long range without any effect on the deer,, only when he was close enough to pepper them did they leave the fieldo The deer traveled at random among the lettuce plants nipping one here and there and occasionally eating one or two completelyo The heads that were only nipped- however, will not be harvestable0 According to Mr„ Cates the head will become rust covered and of no commercial value e CONCLUSIONS; It is concluded the damage to the lettuce field is not un- reasonable and will not detract an appreciable amount from the total value of the fieldo However,, if a heavy frost does not kill the plants within the next couple of weeks the deer may become a limiting factor. The deer were there before the field was ..own to lettuce andj therefore, it should be the responsibility of the owner to protect it from such existing factor s0 HBCOMMEMDATIOHSs Deputy Johnson said he would continue to scare the deer away from the field if he could be furnished the shotgun shells. It is commended he be supplied the shells and if necessary additional help if the weather continues to be warn. It is further recommended the closed area on the Upper Mussel- shell River be opened to hunting of buck deer with the regular season „ IOU There is a surplus of harvestable deer in this closure on a very limited range » Submitted bys Don Lo Brown Assistant Big Game Biologist October 13 s 19U8 Wildlife Restoration Division K)5 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-lt (Eastern Montana) DATE October 13% 19U3 POWDER RIVER UNIT DEER STUDY IN THE ASHLAND DIVISION OF THE CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST DATE AND PERSONNELS The present project was begun on July 29th, 19 U 3, by Kenneth Eo Riersgard, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division and will be continued into November, 19U3„ There have been interruptions of about three, one-week periods due to other more urgent duties,, PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE; The Montana Fish and Game Department has been aware that the Ashland Division is one of the better mule deer habitats in Eastern Montana, but sufficient data for proper management has been lacking,. In order to find these pertinent facts on several aspects of the deer situation a plan for obtaining such data was drawn up by Don Lo Brown, Assistant Big Game Biologist, Wildlife Restoration Division© Considering the area to be covered and available personnel, the first phase -- that of obtaining an overall picture.-- could best be accomplished by interviewing ranchers in and adjacent to the Forest boundary o This roughly corresponds to the area lying between the Tongue River and Pumpkin Creek of the Yellowstone River drainage system,, 106 There have been reports of damage by deer to stands of alfalfa seed in a part of the area^ and by obtaining the opinions of all the ranchers regarding deer density ? its relation to the land use5 re- actions toward hunter ss present seasons., and other sidelights to the deer situation^ a better basis would be obtained for any future ad- justments that might be necessary,, FINDINGS a The Ashland Division of the Custer National Forest covers approximately £5>0?000 acres* The timber is predominantly Ponderosa pine type mixed with deciduous trees and shrubs in the creek and river bottoms,, The pine stands are generally quite open and a good under- cover of grass can be found in all areas,. There are open grass lands*, principally of the short grass type5 blue grama and Stipa sp„ along the divides and on the mile-wide benchlands of the main creekse Within the main Forest boundary there are some private lands 0 They usually run the length of the creeks and are generally- less than one mile in width0 The principal land use is cattle s with ranchers raising some small grains for cash crop in the more tillable creek bottoms o Hay for winter feeding is provided by cut upland hay and alfalfa,, Alfalfa is grown successfully by nearly all of the ranchers,, the acreage varying from 25 to 200 acres,, The second stand of alfalfa is sone times left for seed and threshed in late September or October,, During the past three or four years the seed has brought a high price on the market and for this reason it is a good source of income in years when favorable growth conditions permit seed to set 107 and ripene Alfalfa seed seems to be highly susceptible to grasshoppers, hailc, and unfavorable moisture and soil conditions and is consequently not a crop that can be relied upon to succeed with much regularity,. Many people maintain that the newly formed seed pods are a preferred food item of deer, especially because it offers a green feed when natural deer feed in the hills has dried and become less palatable,, The deer apparently cause the damage by actual eating of the seed pods rather than by trampling of the plant stalks* Nearly all the alfalfa growers know that some deer feed in their fields, but the conflict arises from the few instances where deer come down in greater numbers than in most localities,, Water is a critical factor from the standpoint of the cattle- men in the area. Many springs have been developed and reservoirs built by the Forest Service^ and some water improvements have been made by ranchers,, Water is more critical in the northern half of the Forest than in the southern half,, due in part to the greater abundance of live creeks in the latter area which offer good water through most of the grazing season „ A condensation of the views and comments of the ranchers in the Ashland Division leaves the following general remarks regarding deer„ 1« Hunting pressure is heavy except in the southwestern part of the Forest,, east of the town of Birney0 Hunting parties from such distant points as Carbon and Yellow stone Counties add to the influx of deer hunters from more adjacent point s„ a0 Residents believe poaching by spotlight hunting takes a considerable toll among the deer population 108 besides being a menance to livestock and private property,. Five ranchers reported six head of cattle and one horse killed by hunters in the past two years „ b0 Most unanimous agreement exists throughout the area on the very ruthless and unsportsmanlike behavior of some hunterso Their attempt to seek relief from the hunter concentration is the chief reason for the Stockmen's Association in this region recommending adoption of a permit system on deer and/or longer seasons© 2<> At least 90$ of the ranchers interviewed had no con*- plaint against deer„ They f3el that deer have played an important part in the economy of this area and they are willing to share the resources with game0 3<> Strenuous complaint against the deer eating alfalfa seed in the fall season comes from two ranchers on Upper Otter Creek <, Com- plaints of less strenuous nature were expressed by five other ranchers who live on Taylor and Indian Creek s9 tributaries of Otter Creek o These ranchers claim to suffer unreasonable damage to their haystacks during the mid-winter months of January and February „ They have used barbed wire fences unsuccessfully,, aD Mr„ Merle Fletcher on Otter Creek raises 200 acres of alfalfa and claims to have lost $39000 in seed to deer„ He has counted 100 to 1^0 head of deer on the 200 acre field in one night by spotlight, 109 and has tried to chase them with his car5 but without successo bo Mr0 Harry Lo Brown has only 18 acres of alfalfa seed, but claims that by his irrigation system he can raise $100 worth of seed per acre and that in 19U7 the deer reduced his seed crop by 1/3 in spite of his five foot woven wire fence o Both of these parties state that they will take matters into their own hands if relief is not provided and the deer come into their fields in comparable numbers next year — 19h9o The 19U8 crop has been largely eliminated for seed possibilities by grasshoppers,. Spot checks made? indie ate5 and local observers agree^ that range conditions are so much better this year that the deer have not been frequenting the bottomlands as early as they did last year0 No thorough counts of the deer in this large alfalfa field have been made to date5 but a series of such counts during the next few weeks will give an indication of this year's concentration » ko No data has been obtained on actual deer density,, but a comparative scale indicating deer population as scarce^ common^ or plentiful^ can be made5 based entirely on the comments of resident ranchers 0 Deer would seem to be "scarce to common'8 in the northern ?0% of the Forest area — to a line drawn east and west along Ten Mile Creek o In an area that includes a major portion of the Forest west of Otter Creek plus the area between Ten Mile and Elk Creeks^, the residents9 estimate would place the density at "common" «, This area is roughly 30$ of the total „ The remainder of the area5 an estimated 110 20$ probably has a deer density that could be estimated as "plentiful"* Within this area is found the locality from which all the complaints have arisen, 5© One of the most prevalent comments received was in regard to the buck -doe ratio among the deer» Estimates varying from l-l£ to l-5>0 bucks per doe were received,, These views do not agree with the sex-ratio count made jointly in late 19h7 by the Fish and Game Department and the Forest Service^ nor with the opinions of a few seemingly good observerso 60 The attitude of nearly all the ranchers toward wildlife in general^ seems to be reasonable and in many cases enthusiastic „ The inhabitants are pleased that the deer population has risen to its present level from the scarcity of that of U0 years ago,, and the hope was expressed several times that no such dearth of game prevails again o SLWARYg The Ashland Division of the Custer Forest is a good deer habitat which shows no evidence of over-use of deer forage0 Seasonal distribution of deer is apparently quite uniform except for a few local shiftso This Division is also a favorite hunting site for many hunter s0 All parts are readily accessible and very little inconvenience is experienced in getting or bringing out deer„ By the same token, patrolling and checking of hunters is correspondingly difficult,, Ranchers in the area express concern on either of two problems concerning deere The most prevalent of these is directed against 111 those hunters who fail to respect the rights and property of others and abuse their hunting privilege,, The ranchers do not as a rule5 object to people hunting on their land who exercise reasonable caution and judgment,, and much of their land is not posted against huntingo The fact that most of their cattle are still grazing on public lands during hunting season and are thus exposed to hunters' guns is of further concern to the rancher,, The other and most formidable problem is that of interference by deer with the successful growing of alfalfa for seedo Only two such instances now exist and they are confined to a seven mile strip on the bottomland of Otter Creek and involve an overall alfalfa acreage of 2^0 acres0 The chances for successful raising of this crop are better than average on much of the bottomland in this immediate area because of sub-irrigation from the creek o It is very probable that if the present high seed prices remain there will be an increase in the alfalfa acreage in this Upper Otter Creek area by more ranchers attempting to supplement their incomes through the growing of alfalfa for seed0 "tfith a two bushel grain sack of alfalfa seed worth between fifty and sixty dollar ss it is a very attractive method of paying for newly acquired land,, and growers are quite sensitive to any destructive agent „ Deer apparently converge on these green alfalfa fields from a radius of several miles and are able to move from good cover directly into the feed areae In this part of Otter Creek5 the timbered hills begin abruptly at the bottomland,, the grassy benchlands on either side of the creek are either non-existent or less than l/k of a mile 112 in widtho Farther down the creek these open benchlands are up to a mile wide and probably serve as a barrier to easy movement of deer from their bed grounds in the timber to the green bottomland fields „ The deer have been observed coming into the alfalfa fields a half hour before sunset and invariably the does and fawns are the first to arrive o By observing again two hours after dark the bucks can be seen arriving,, The late arrival of bucks may account for the average resident believing the sex ratio is very unbalancedo No census has been made*, but it seems apparent that deer are considerably more abundant in the southeastern part of the Forest including Upper Otter Creek than in any other part of the Foresto The majority of the residents in the above area believe the deer population is increasing there o In the northern $0% of the Forest most residents believe the deer population is de- creasing o The Powder River Game Preserve which includes part of the southeastern corner of the Forest may be a factor in deer distribution in the Upper Otter Creek area, but no conclusive evidence of it has been obtained to date,, RECOMMENDATIONS; lo That a sex ratio count be made as planned this fallo 2o In view of the fact that a problem of serious proportions could arise if the deer population continues to conflict, with the present or expanded agricultural practices,, special measures may need to be taken to redice the deer herd,, Because the conflict is so localized 113 the reduction must be limited as closely as possible to the damage areio 3o Deer trapping should be attempted on the Merle Fletcher Ranch in the near future „ He states that the deer would be most easily trapped on his fields during November^ and he will assist in a trapping operation,, Report's that Custer and Carter County Sportsmen Clubs would be willing to give financial assistance to trapping operations^ if they could have deer planted in their counties., are being investigated,, Uo Knowledge of the total mule deer population in the Ashland Division is meager,, A better estimate of total numbers, at least in the area with the greatest deer density , should be attempted before the next grain harvest season,. Such data is essential before a reduction measure such as a special doe season should be used,. The success of a trapping operation would determine in part, the need for further deer reduction,, 5o The petitions proposing the removal of lc.000 does from an area of 1,,000 sections of Otter Creek drainage include too many deer and too much area, based on present information,, 60 Efforts should be extended toward obtaining and maintaining the cooperation of land-owners in finding a solution to these problems that will best suit all inters sts0 Submitted byg Kenneth E„ Riersgard^ Fie 1dm an October 5 s 19U8 Wildlife Restoration Division 11U STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R Birds DATE October 15, 1948 LITTLE BELTS UNIT MEAGHER COUNTY SAGE GROUSE POPULATION CHECK IN 1948 DATE; July 22-26, 1948 PERSONNEL: Win. R„ Bergeson, Game Bird Biologist., YEldlife Restoration Division Fred Le Hartkorn5 Fieldman,, Y/ildlife Restoration Division David Lane, Assistant Fieldman,, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE: This check was made to determine the population trend of the sage grouse in Meagher County and to add to the Department's fund of knowledge concerning pertinent natural history aspects of the sage grouse in that area» METHOD OF STUDY: Six routes^ which in most cases circumscribe a section of land*, had been established in this area in 1942 and rewalked in 1946 during July0 These routes were rewalked and the number 5 age., flushing distance^ cover type and distance from water recorded in each instance that sage grouse were observed . All routes were rewalked by the same number of observers at approximately the same time of day. The population trend was indicated by comparison of this 115 year's observations with those made in 1942, and 1946 0 In cases where the land use had changed considerably a substitute route in the immediate vic- inity was walked „ Two new routes were established in areas previously not censusedo Road counts were made during the evening period by slowly driving over lightly traveled roads and recording the number and age of all sage grouse observed* An effort was made whenever broods were observed to flush all the young and obtain an accurate count of them* FINDINGS s A total of 49 sage grouse were observed in £4 miles of walking the six census routes in 19485 whereas 32 sage grouse were observed in 1946 am 37 in 1942 o (Table I) This would indicate that sage grouse are 35 percent more numerous in 1948 than in 1946 and 24 percent more numerous in 1948 than in 1942 „ Two road, counts were made over the same 20 mile route on the evenings of July 22nd and 25th and 219 sage grouse or 5047 sage grouse per mile driven were observed,, (Table III) Many of the same broods were observed in approx- imately the same place on the evening of July 25th that were observed on the evening of July 22nd „ A total of 61 broods were observed while walking routes5 road counting,, and along roads traveled enroute to the various census routes. (Table II) Brood sizes ranged from one young to 12 young per brood. These broods totaled 349 young making the average brood size 5<>72 young . In 1946 the average brood size was 2.4 young and in 1942 the average brood size was 5.9 young 0 Young birds ranged in size from less than him size to hen pheasant size. In two instances young birds of distinctly different sizes were observed in the same 116 group and in one instance a brood was accompanied by two hens0 Crows and magpies were common over the area0 Marsh hawks and fer« ruginous rough-leg hawks were present over the area and based on rancher observations are preying on sage grouse to a severe degree 0 A golden eagle was also observed in the area. Coyotes are very scarce in this area due to recent control programs a CONCLUSIONS r Based on observations made9 via Iking established routes , it is indi« cated that sage grouse are 35 percent more numerous in 1948 than in 1946 and 24 percent more numerous in 1948 than in 1942 » The average brood size in 1948 was 5»72 young s in 1946 2,4 young and in 1942 5,9 young. Submitted by? Fred L« Hartkorn, Fieldman Wildlife "Restoration Division July 27 a 1948 117 Table I Comparative Abundance of Sage Grouse In Ifeagher County During July 1942-46-48 Strip Number Miles Valked All Sage Grouse Number 42 46 48 42 46 48 42 77 79 80 81 82 84 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 1 5 5 20 6 2 9 10 0 9 8 3 11 4 16 7 0 ,25 JLa (CO 5 J. o > «5 2„25 0 e75 1 4 1,75 Total 24 24 24 37 52 49 1,54 -S.: O JL~i :„?s 85* 86* 78* 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 30 84 3 4 31 * New routes 0 This route thrown out due to extreme count in 1946 only0 Table II Sage Grouse Brood Sizes in 19425 1946„ 1948 Number of broods Total number of Average Year vrith one hen bi^ood size 1942 28 155 509 1946 8 19 2038 1948 61 5.72 Tabls III Sage Grouse Observed on Road Counts in 1948 Date July 22 5 1948 July 25? 1948 Total I ;.n£>-' ""sage grouse habitat driven 20 20 40 Grouse Observed Adults young Total 3t- 60 88 71 159 120 99 219 Grouse grille 6*0 4„95 5.47 '19 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R Birds DATE October 15,, 1948 MADISON-RUBY UNIT MADISON COUNTY SAGE GROUSE POPULATION CHECK 1948 DATE; August 83 1948 PERSONNEL; Fred Hartkorn? Fieldman_„ Y/ildlife Restoration Division David Lane,, Assistant Fieldman,, "Wildlife Restoration Division ".Villiam S„ Maloits Assistant Field^an^ Wildlife Restoration Division Carl Daniel, Deputy Game Warden^ Tnitehall? Montana AREA STUDIED.' Rochester Basin3 Madison County,, Montana PURPOSE s This check ivas made to determine the population trend of the sage grouse (Centrocercus ur ophas ianus ) in the Rochester Basin Area5 Madison County and to add to the Department • s knowledge concerning pertinent natural history sets of the sage grouse in that area* Six sage hens were planted in this area in September 194S from trapping in Carter County » This plant was made 119 to supplement the native population,, METHOD OF STUDY; Routes were established on the drainages of the basin and the adja- cent sage area. These routes were walked and the number, agej, flushing dis- tance and cover type were recorded in each instance that sage grouse were observed. An evening roadside census was made by driving slowly over little traveled roads and recording the number and age of all sage grouse observed. An effort was made whenever broods were observed to flush all the young and obtain an accurate count of them. FINDINGS; A total of one hundred and fifty-six sage grouse were observed in ten miles of walking the three routes. The routes were confined to the spring fed streams and the birds were adjacent to water at 'this time (eleven A. Mo to two-thirty P.M.)© One roadside census was made on the evening of August 4th and thirty- three birds were seen on driving four miles through the sage grouse habitat^ an average of 8.25 birds per mile* A total of eight known broods were observed while walking routes and roadside census ing. Brood sizes ranged from four young to eleven young per brood. These broods totaled fifty-five young making the average size brood 6.9 young. Five sage grouse were found that had fallen to predators. One im- mature coyote was seen in the area and ferruginous rough-leg hawks are pre- sent in the area. 120 CONCLUSIONS g The sage grouse population in the Rochester Basin area seems high in relation to the size of the area and compared to other sage grouse habitat area in Montana 8 However, it is the opinion of the observers that the total population of the area is under 500 sage grouse* Mr« Carl Daniel5 Game Yfarden in this area,, believes there are up to £„000 sage grouse in this area based on his year around observations-. Submitted bys William S„ Maloit, Assistant Fieldman August 55 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division STATE Montana PRO JECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 15 9 1948 MADISON-RUBY UNIT SURVIVAL AND PRODUCTIVITY CHECK CF HATCHERY REARED, SPRING RELEASED HEN RING-NECKED PHEASANTS DATEs August Z and 35 1948 PERSONNELS Fred L, Hartkorn, Fieldman5 Wildlife Restoration Division David W. Lanes Field Assistant^ Wildlife Restoration Division william S, Ualoit, Field Assistant,, Wildlife Restoration Division Carl Daniel5 Deputy Game Warden,, Montana Fish and Game Department INTRODUCTION^ In the light of apparently low survival of hatchery reared ring- necked pheasants released in the summer and fall periods a number of hens were kept over the winter of 1947-48 at the Warm Springs Game Farm and released in late April*, Sixty-two of these hens were released on the Park Taylor ranch in the Jefferson River valley southwest of Whitehall, Al- though these pheasants were not banded or otherwise marked it was hoped that 1ZZ due to the relatively low wild population of pheasants in the area, it might be possible to observe significantly larger population numbers in the vic- inity of this release if these hens had survived and reproduced satisfact- orily*, PURPOSES To determine if spring released,, hatchery reared pheasant hens had survived and reporduced on the Park Taylor ranch. PROCEDURE? The Park Taylor ranch and the adjoining farms were visited at var- ious times in the day and all open places such as recently mowed fields, the railroad right-of-way passing through the place, and short pastures were scanned with, field glasses in an effort, to observe any ring-neck pheasants* Visual checks were made at sunrise on both mornings as it was believed the birds would come out into the open at that time of day* Three observers walked through most of the cover in the area on several occasions. The ranch operators in the vicinity were contacted and their observations of the pheasants sought. FINDINGS % One hen pheasant with four young was observed along the railroad track on the morning of August 3rd and one hen with no brood was observed along a road in the hay field on August 4th • A lone cock was flushed while walking through the heavy vegetation along a creek passing through the Taylor ranch. The farm operators in the area of the release reported seeing "quite a few" pheasants during the spring and while engaged in summer field work. 125 Less than one pheasant per mile of habitat driven over county roads in this area just after sunrise was observed. This would suggest a relative- ly low pheasant population in this area. No increase in pheasant numbers were observed at or near the site where the 62 hens were released. CONCLUSIONS Based on the observations made it is believed that most of the re- leased hens had disappeared from the area. However ? considerable grain and tall vegetation limit the visibility in the area at the time of this check and it is possible a much higher pheasant population is present in the area than the observations made would indicate,, HECOULENDATLONSg If it proves desirable to determine the survival rate and nest suc- cess of spring released adult hen pheasants in the future a more complete study should be made. The released hens could by means of colored bands s grafted colored feathers,, etv.o be observed regularly from the tjjne of re- lease till, the post nesting season and knowledge of a precise nature obtained. Submitted bys Fred L. Hartkom„ Fieldman August 5„ 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 124 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 15, 1948 POPLAR UNIT PHEASANT HABITAT T5EVEI.OPMENT-— CTJLBERTSON AREA PRET.nflNARY INSPECTION DATS July 12, 13 and 14, 1948 RSONHBEs Fred L« Hartkorn3 Fieldman, Midlife Restoration Division David Lane , Field &ssistant5 wildlife Restoration Division HJRrOr'Sg To contact sportsmen in (ulbertson, Montana and inspect areas which they thought would make good game bird refuges e jr. n July 12th 16% Casterline was contacted., He introduced us to Mrs Sorby, one of the sportsmen who owns one of the 16 areas proposed as Game Bird refuges. Upon inspection of this area we founl the following- This area has a very heavy covering a buffalo berry 9 chokecherry9 leanothus, Tillcw8 Rose bushes and Cottonwood trees 0 "Hfoter is available throughout the whole year. The boundaries are not clearly defined and within the area are 40 acres not owned by Mr0 Sorby0 Mr0 Sorby is willing 125 to turn the area over to the Fish and Game Department for any development they may wish to makes if the State will survey the area and put in the fences • Fcr summer feed there is sufficient grain adjacent to the area0 Our analysis of the area can be summed up as '"this is a natural refuge due to the enormous amount of vegetation on the proposed site," On July 14, there were no areas observed due to a rain storm -which lasted all day* July 15 we inspected the following areas with John Robinson, President of the Culbertson Rod and Gun Club„ 1, Mr, Fred Traeger - Sec* 1, T£7N<> R57E0 Water on the area is seasonal but there are potholes nearby* Eighty acres are available for po stingo Winter food -would be buffalo berry and chokecherry^ summer food is composed primarily of grains 0 Cover is almost absent and there are no stock on the area0 Woody vegetation would have to be planted to provide more food and cover 0 If this were done the area would be» come a more favorable site for game birds „ Another area he showed us was on a reservoir™ Water and summer feed available but winter food and cover absent,, Area small5 not over five acres „ This area, through woody plantings could be developed but would serve no value as protection from hunting due to its size0 These areas are about seven miles from the Missouri; River 0 2. Mr0 John Wilkinson - Sec* 3, T27N, R57E. This is a reservoir' partly surrounded by Willow and cattails,, About 100 to 150 ducks on the pond which indicates good nesting site for ducks „ Grassland and grain surround the area of approximately 16 acres „ The owner stated ne may want all of his land posted, however,,, further consideration would have to be made before he could give any decision,, This area has good 12.6 possibilities if some more cover -was supplied in the form of woody plantings that would help supply winter food or shelter for winter protection. 3o Mr0 Joe Wix - Sec0 2, T27N5 R57E0 His area is in the form of a shelter belt near a road„ Areas of grain adjacent to the proposed area. He also suggested another area5 but was not in favor of posting any of his lande Area not really suited to refuge due to location and development that would have to be done» 48 Mr„ Jacobson He has a good pond with a great deal of sweet clover in the area» Cover for winter is inadequate . Feed is plentiful,, Due to the unfriend- liness of farmer toward pheasants 9 a refuge would be questionable 0 He stated that "a large number of pheasants die every winter on this land"o This area is about 15 miles northeast of Culbertson,, 5„ Meon Brothers This is an old shelter belt with necessary water lacking,. Wheat and other grains surrounding the area,. Owners are in favor of conservation,. Due to lack of winter feed and water this area does not present favorable condi» tions necessary for a refuge „ It is about 12 miles north of Culbertson in typical dryland wheat country,, 6„ Mr,, Fay Crush - Bainvilles Montana Two reservoirs of the open prairie type are present in this area© Cover is lacking entirely and winter feed may be questionable 0 The owner is very much in favor of conservation and is willing to have a section posted, Proper development in the form of woody plantings and winter feed could possibly make this a likely refuge „ 7e Mre Clark Lundquist - See« 1, T27N5 R58E0 8, Mra Oscar Nelson - Sec» 55 TE7N9 R58E„ 12,7 Neither man is interested in postings 0 9„ Mr0 R0 Co Machgon - Sec« Z7$ TZQH^ R56E0 Here vre have a coulee with various shrubs present© Water is one fao tor missing and owner has probably not been contacted e Due to improvements necessary and lack of water , the site does not create favorable refuge site0 10„ Mro Mo A* Burwick - Sec, 4, T27N, R58E* This particular site has good year around feed available, cover and water adequate o This is a favorable site and if the whole area surrounding the creek were included in the refuge, this could be considered one of the best areas we observed. By verbal consultation with the sportsmen the other four areas were not considered worthy of investigation « SUMMARY g All of the areas, with the exception of Mr9 Sorby°s, were in need of development either in the form of cover or food* Of the areas inspected numbers one, two, six and ten could be considered favorable* The necessity of winter cover in this area is highly important and a fair amount of planting would have to be done to accomplish this* The general impression gained from conversations with sportsmen and farmers was that hunting pressure is relatively light in this area» Thus^, the need for refuges to function as sanctuaries for game birds during open hunting seasons is nonexistent* Submitted byj David Lane, Assistant Fieldman Fred Hartkorn, Fieldman July 19, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 128 STATE Mont-ana PRO JECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 15,? 191+8 STATE-WIDE 191+8 PRE-SEASON PHEASANT CENSUS DATE? August 29 to September 13, 191+8 PERSONNELS Ufa. R„ Bergeson, Game Bird, Biologist,, Wildlife Restoration Division Robert J„ Greene, Assistant Game Bird Biologist, Wildlife Restoration Division Fred Le Hartkorn, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division ., Llaloit, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division INTRODUCTIONS An extensive study of the ilontana pheasant population was made from June 16th to July loth* 191+8 0 But due to the rank growth of weeds and field crops limiting visibility^, it was impossible to obtain satisfactory population density estimates in each area0 Therefore, this study,, started after most of the crops had been harvested, was deemed necessary, A similar study was made from September 3rd to l!?th, 191+7 and an effort was made to pattern the 191+8 study after this one closely to obtain any comparative values e 129 PURPOSES To obtain information on ring-necked pheasant populations in representative areas over the State for use in determining the pheasant hunting regulations, PROCEDURE : Roadside counts were made the first two hours after sunrise in the respective areac Th^ ol servers drove slowly through what was considered average pheasant habitat in each area and retraced routes taken in 1947 when- ever possible9 All pheasants within normal vision on both sides of the road were recorded and whenever possible the pheasants were flushed to obtain a better count*, Due to limited time available^ only one day was spent in most of the areas 0 Results of the roadside counts are given in Table lc FINDINGS t Considerably greater numbers of pheasants were observed on this study than had been observed on the similar study in 1947* An average of 6»05 pheasants per mile of habitat driven were observed during the study in 1948 0 This indicates a 65^ increase in pheasant numbers in early September 1948 over early September 1947 e More broods of small young, hun size or lesss were observed in 1948 than had been in 1947e It is the belief of the observers that this is due to considerable renesting because of high water flooding out many nests along river bottom areas at the peak nesting period. Vegetative cover 5s much heavier this year due to the wet spring which provided the conditions needed for germination of sweet clover over f the State o ) 130 CONCLUSIONS? Based on the apparent 6$% population increase in pheasant numbers in ilontana a season that would be at least moderately favorable to the hunter is suggested. Due to increased numbers of late hatched young pheasants, and to minimize crop damage by hunters it is suggested that the season be set as late in the fall as possible. Despite the apparent population increases, it must be kept in mind that the pheasant pop lation is still considerably lower than the 1QUU pop- ulation over much of Uontana, Submitted byi Fred L„ Hartkorn, Fieldman .jildlife Restoration Division September 25, 19hQ 131 > < CD TO CD M OT • CD H H OT ->3 o o On ro -0 CD s CD H O CD -0 On • O OT On OT O H PB CO cm o W cr £r On H1 M O ro o ro OT Er w a a **1 W H- 5» |_« H° H» 4 P. s. §• H» H» H< t3" . vj CT5 O pa CO 3 pi o 3* H° 3 O O On O O 3 ro -J v*> fO pa •i CD [-> or ♦ oj Aft AC »t oo *o so OO so co *° ao OC »© A0 •© ©o »t «i oj On ^0 On oj £r ro O On VA -0 no o ro oo •_> so oo »o oc oc so *o oo so a*o so ao M H» 4r- -J ro ro co On ro On C NA On NO NO On e NO ro a ro > (9 •« A0 AA ti tc tj a« oo SO OO ' H« or* fl> H < H« P CD | CD e+ CO 03 3 05 P e+ 3 O NO CD y 1 CD Pj> a co H« ps M 3 oc oo bo oo •("■ ao oo oo •« oo ao oo oo »c oo oo oo ao ao ro oo ro ~o ro ro no UJ O jr- H ro ro Or Cr o CD OT Oa on. * sr P> Cf CD p. p ►* a 3- H» oo oo oo oo OO OO AO OO •O OO *l> , OT M no U* -J CD CD OT O OJ> On OT. On On On so oe oc oo oo oc oo •o oo oo u r u cd vo -j o * o a c 9 O M OJ OJ OT, OJ ro a On OJ H1 CD OT ro NO CD oo s* *e so oo oo oc oo *» oo oo oo ao oo *c oo oo oe oo ro H o or ft $ oj or ot. ro CD ro Oj CD • o oO oo SO oo oo oo oo oo oo SO oc oo oo oo oo oo oo ro OT)4 a" 3- O CO CD ft- CD Ps w "i co j-j cS § a> 3* P> a co M 3 CD c+ CO 4 3 0) O O 4 3 i o co ct> ->J co c+- I CD CD ^ OT3 ►1 » CD Q O ►* g ^ o CD CD t-S> 3 -JO) cf II CD IT- CD i NO oo STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 1$, 19U8 STATE-WIDE PRELIMINARY RING-NECK PHEASANT POPULATION AND PRODUCTIVITY CHECK IN MONTANA FOR 191+8 DATEs June 16 to July 16, 19U8 PERSONNEL; Robert Greene, Fieldman<, Wildlife Restoration Division Fred Hartkorn, Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division William ualoit, Field Assistant,, Wildlife Restoration Division David Lane, Field Assistant, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE; Due to the sharp decrease in ring-neck pheasant numbers by 19U5 and their slow recovery in 19h6 and 19h7 > it was considered advisable to make a chack of the major pheasant producing areas of Montana in order to obtain data on comparative brood sizes and numbers of adult birds „ From these data productivity could be measured in comparison with former years and would be a useful tool to better predict the year's pheasant crop trend with reference to establishing the 19U8 hunting season,, A second objective was to secure data which might be useful in determining causes of population fluctuations,, 133 PROCaDMS AND FINDINGS: General observation of the better pheasant producing areas formed the basis of study. Farm operators were contacted whenever possible and questioned regarding their observations of pheasant numbers as compared to past years , pheasant nests and young pheasants destroyed during farming operations, and their general attitude toward the pheasant. Road counts of pheasants were made during the first three hours after sunrise in each area if weather conditions permitted. The procedure was to slowly drive over little used roads through what seemed to be at least average pheasant habitat and record the sex, age, and number of pheasants observed. An effort was made in all cases when broods were observed to get a complete count of the young by observation with binoculars of broods some distance away and by flushing broods found close to the roads. This method although admittedly unreliable has some merit when used to secure brood and adult bird observations over widely scattered and varying types of pheasant habitat. Deputy game wardens were contacted in each area visited and their opinions on the pheasant population numbers and the hatch this spring record- ed. An account of the observations in each area follows: Fairfield Bench Area, Teton County Observations were conducted in this area from June 16 to 23 by all four fieldmen equipped with two vehicles 0 A total of 1^1 miles was driven in the early morning and late evening through average pheasant habitat and 9U hens, 179 cocks and 13 young or an average of 1.89 pheasants per mile of pheasant habitat driven, were observed. In 19U7 l.lil pheasants per mile of pheasant habitat driven, were observed in this area. Dased on these observations it would seem that the pheasant population is larger than it had been in 19^i7o 1314 Due to very heavy vegetative growth it was not possible to get complete brood counts on the three broods observed,, Farmers contacted all seemed of the opinion that more pheasants were present last winter than for several winters preceding,, Flathead Area, Lake County Observations were made in this area by Greene and lualoit on July 1st and 2nd, Early morning road counts were made on both mornings , A total of Ul miles were driven through the iioiese and Flathead valleys , Fifty-six adult birds were observed, of which thirty were cocks „ Although considerably fewer birds were seen at this time than earlier this springy it is the opin- ion of the observers that the dense cover along fence rows and roads pre- vented an accurate count „ Landowners agreed that the breeding population was higher this spring than it had been for several years0 Only one brood, consisting of three young, was observed during this census o However, landowners that were contacted reported seeing a number of large broods durinr hay mowing. Here again, the dense vegetation made observa- tion difficult at this time. Father study will be necessary in this area to determine the productivity. Bitterroot Area— Ravalli County A check was made in the Bitterroot Valley from riamilton to Florence on the morning of June 30 , Sixteen adult birds were seen during thirty- two miles of driving through pheasant habitato Only one brood of 5 young was observed. Again, a heavy growth of vegetation made an accurate count almost impossible. Deputy Game Yi'arden M. J, V/att was contacted and expressed the opinion that a fairly good pheasant population was present in the valley but further checks Y/ould be necessary at a later date to determine the nesting success, 135 Helena Area, Lewis and Clark County A brood count was made in this area and seven broods averaging 8.2 young per brood were observed,. Red Lodge, Fronberg Area, Carbon County Observations were made in this area on July 6th and 7th . Mr. Francis Johnson, Deputy Game Warden at Red Lodge, was contacted and went out with us on July 7th. A total of 65 miles through pheasant habitat was driven just after sunrise and 35 cocks, 22 hens, and 11 young or 1 pheasant per mile of habitat were observed. Two broods were observed but the counts were probably incoiaplete. Six were counted in one brood and five in the other. The pheas- and population is probably low in the ^Qlark Fork River Valley above Froraberg to $elfry although the habitat seemed good. Most of the pheasants were observed between the towns of Fox and Silesia. Billings Area, Yellowstone County Observations were made in this area from June 25>th to 30th. Fair visibility was possible due to the recent completion of haying operations. However, tall vegetation still restricted visibility over much of the area. A total of 116 miles of pheasant habitat was driven and 105 cocks, 166 hens, and 18 young or 2.5 pheasants per mile driven were observed. Under like conditions at approximately the same dates in 19hl only 0.9 pheasant per mile of habitat driven was observed. This would indicate a definite increase in the pheasant population in this area. Three broods totaling 18 young- were observed but it is doubtful if a complete count of the young was accomr i .ished due to their ability to run or hide in the tall cover when an attempt bo flush them was made. Most of the farm operators contacted report- ed seeing aore pheasants and larger broods this spring than they had seen £r>r the pasi. two years. 136 Hardin Area, Jig Horn bounty Observations were made in this area from July 1st to 3rd, A total of 87 miles was driven in the early morning and Ul cocks $ 77 hens and 17 younc or 1.6 pheasants per mile driven were observed. Under like conditions 0.6 pheasant per mile was observed in this area in 19U7. Complete brood counts were not possible due to heavy cover. Based on these observations and information gained from farmer interviews it appears that the pheasant population is greater than in 19U7 in this area. However, tall vegetative growth made it Impossible to obtain very complete road counts at the time of this study. The agricultural trend here has been toward increased sugar beet crops and it is the opinion of the observers that this is not a fa- vorable trend for the pheasant as the beet fields are not suitable as nesting sites and leave no winter cover for pheasants. Custer^ Hysham, Forsyth Area; Yellowstone^ Treasure and Rosebud Counties Observations were made in this area on July 8th and 9th. The pheas- ant habitat is limited to the Yellowstone River Valley and a short distance up its feeder creeks . A total of 68 miles was driven in the early morning and 2 cock pheasants were observed. No previous census has been conducted in this area which eliminates a determination of a population trendy but farm operators and local sportsmen stated that they believed the pheasant to be increasing in some local areas. The pheasant population is apparently very small in this area. . iles City Area3 Custer County Observations were made in this area on July 10th with Mr, Jack ;olar*, Deputy Game Warden, An area along the Tongue River was traversed dm ihe early morning and several rather isolated areas of pheasant 137 habitat visited during the day. Three large broods (an accurate count was not possible) and several adult birds were observed on one river bottom ranch about 10 miles up the Tongue River, No other pheasants were observed,, Based on these observations and information obtained from Nicolay, the pheasant population apparently is very low in the area. Glendive Area, Dawson County Observations were made in this area on July 11, 19^8. Fifty-six miles of pheasant habitat southwest of Glendive over the Buffalo Rapids irrigated area was driven through from sunrise to 7 A.M. but no pheasants were observed* Two cocks were observed when this same route was driven under similar conditions in 19h7 e Based on these observations there is a very small pheasant population at present in this area. Wibaux Area, Wibaux County Observations were made in this area on July 12, 19U8 with Mr. John Cook,, Deputy Game Warden, in that area. Thirty- three miles of excellent pheasant habitat along Beaver Creek was driven just after sunrise and h cocks ^ 9 hens and 57 young or 2.1 pheasants per mile of pheasant habitat driven,, Seven broods were observed which ranged in size from 6 to 12 young and av- era,red 9»6 young per brood0 Based on these observations it appeared that the pheasant population is moderately high in this area, Sidney Area, Richland County Observations were made in this area on July 13, 19U8 with tor. E„ LI, Krost, Deputy Game Warden, headquartered at Sidney „ Forty-five miles of pheasant habitat were driven through just after sunrise and 9 cocks, 18 hens, and 73 young of 2.2 pheasants per mile of habitat were observed. Under like conditions in l')hl } 1.2 pheasants per mile of habitat driven were observed. •Ivp. brood.j r g in size from 3 to 11 young with average size of 5»1 138 younrr were observed,, Eased on these observations and information given by- Mr. Krost, the pheasant population apparently is increasing in this area. Culbertson Area,? Roosevelt County Observations were made in this area July lUth and l£th. Twenty-nine miles of fair pheasant habitat were transected just after sunrise and no pheasants were observed. However, h adult sharptail grouse and a brood of 16 young were seen. All farm operators contacted were of the opinion that pheasant numbers were increasing although still low in this area. Wolf Point Area., Roosevelt County Observations were made in this area July 16, 19U8. Twenty-four miles of good pheasant habitat were driven through and one hen with eight chicks was observed. In 19k& under similar conditions 3 hens with a total of 18 chicks were observed. These observations would tend to indicate a low pheas- ant population in this area. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 8 Observations were made over areas considered to be good pheasant habitat. Thirty-eight broods were observed with an average size of 6.86 young, but complete brood counts were probably not obtained due to heavy vegetative cover. In 19U7 pheasant broods, of which it is believed a complete count was possible, averaged 7°1 young. (Table 1) In general the pheasant population numbers obtained by early morn- ing roadside census methods were higher than in 19U7. (Table 2 and 3) The average number of pheasants observed per mile in 1°1|7 was O.8I4 and the av- erage number of pheasants per mile in 19h& was l.U3<> This indicates an increase of a2 percent in the number of birds observed in 1°U;) and a cor- 139 responding population increase 0 Greatest increase in population was observed in the Billings area where 2»5 pheasants were observed per mile in 19U8 com™ pared to 0o° birds per mile in ±9h7 « The Glendive and Wolf Point areas showed slight decreases in population numbers since 19ii7? but the populations were very low in these areas in 19^7 and the observation of several birds more or less in 19U8, would have made great changes in the direction of the population trend,, Based on these observations and information gained from contacts with farm operators, game wardens, and sportsmen the ring-neck pheasant pop- ulation is definitely higher than in 19U7 and productivity this season looks normal in view of a 6»8 average brood size, RECCXiISUDATIONS: To more accurately learn the amount of pheasant population fluctuation and relative population densities of the various pheasant habitat areas of uontana, a study based on road censusing over established routes should be conducted after the majority of the crops have been harvested, thus allowing increased visibility „ In the face of almost universal complaint by the farm operators of damage and trouble caused by careless sportsmen, a campaign to improve farm- er-sportsmen relationships should be initiated,, Submitted bys Fred LQ Hartkorn, Fieldman Wildlife Restoration Division July 21, 19U8 mo TABLE 1 BROOD COUNTS— 19l;8* Area ! i No. broods i Total Young : : Rang e of Brood Size : Average Brood Size Fairfield : : 2 i 13 ! 6-7 : 6.5 Flathead j : 3 5 12 : k.Q Bitterroot : 1 i 5 5 : 5.0 Helena ! 7 i 58 j : 8.2 Billings \ 3 i 18 : 6.0 Hardin ! ! 2 ! 17 ! : 8.5 Wibaux : 7 : 57 i 6-12 : 9.6 Sidney s 12 t 73 3-11 : 5.1 Wolf Point : : 1 ! 8 ! 8 s 8.0 Totals 38 261 3-12 6.86 ■aActual numbers of young observed. These data are not presented as complete counts cue to the difficulty of making brood counts in areas of thick vegetation. 11;1 TABLE 2 Pheasants Observed 19U8 : Total Miles of : : Habitat Driven Birds Observed * c • Birds per Area ; Cocks : iiens : Young ! : Total Hile Fairfield i 151 i 179 : 9h ! 13 : : 286 o lo89 Flathead t \a i 30 ; 26 3 i $9 « 1.1* Bitterroot i 32 l 10 6 : 5 : : 21 • 0.65 Red Lodge s 65 I 2$ : 22 : 11 : : 68 • e loOU Billings : 116 \ 105 : 166 : 18 : : 289 a 2,5 Hardin : 37 « hi : 77 : 17 i : 135 ft 106 Custer-Forsyth : 68 i 2 : 0 : 0 : : 2 « 0,03 Glendive : 56 \ 0 : 0 : 0 : ; 0 • 0 7/ibaux : 33 : h : 9 : 57 ! 70 : 2ol Sidney : U5 : 9 : 18 : 73 i 100 » 2o2 Culbertson : 29 : 0 : 0 : 0 : 0 ' 0 Wolf Point : 2U ! 0 : 1 : 8 : 9 • 0.37 Total 717 : U15 : 359 : 205 : 1039 : l.Ui lii2 TABLE 3 Comparison of Pheasant Population Numbers Based on Comparable Roadside Counts in 19^7 and 1QU8 Area Birds per Mile 19U7 Birds per : Difference in Birds per Mile 19U8 s Mile (Increase 4 Decrease -) Fairfield • • 1.1*1 • « 1.89 Billings • 0 0,9 • 2.5 Hardin ■ 0.6 * 1.6 Glendive • 0 o.oU e 0.00 Sidney 0 1.2 • a 2.2 tfolf Point 0 0.87 ft • 0.37 r O.I18 4 1.6 4 1.0 - 0.05 4 1.0 « o„5o Average O.8I1 1.U3 4 0.59 1U3 STATE Montana PRO JECT 1-R (Waterfowl) DATE October 15, 1948 STATE-CEDE NORTH CENTRAL STATES MIGRATORY WATERFOWL RESEARCH MEETING WESTHOHS, NORTH DAKOTA DATE? September 8, 9, 1948 INTRODUCTION; This meeting was held to discuss techniques , methods and procedures of conducting v/aterfowl surveys of all types, with the idea of developing a uniform system to be used by the U« So Fish & Wildlife Service and all participating states* Approximately 40 persons were in attendance, representing 12 states, the Canadian Provinces and the Fish & Wildlife Service. Dr. Cottam, Assistant Director of the Fish & Wildlife Service was in charge of the meeting* WATERFOWL CONDITIONS FOR 1948 The following observations of waterfowl conditions are from the sum- marized reports of State and Flyway Biologists 0 British Columbia ■ No gain 1947 Alberta ■ — • — — 11% increase 144 Saskatchewan — ■ 11$ increase South portion,, 1% increase North Fortion Athabaska Delta ■« 25 ducks per sq. mile Lake Clair Marshes — 50 ducks per sq. mile Slave River ■ — « — -— 4 ducks per sq. mile Woody Delta ~~—- 27 ducks per sq, mile McKenzie Delta Treeless Delta ■ — 25 ducks per sq. mile Coastal Tundra — — - 11 ducks per sq« mile (900 sq. miles) Upland Tundra — — - — 35 ducks per sq. mile (5300 sq. miles) Area south of Tundra- 12 ducks per sq. mile (1200 sq. miles) Old Crow Flats ■ — — — 56 ducks per sq. mile Upper — — 5.9 ducks per sq. mile Alaska Area Coastal — — — 5.7 ducks per sq<> mile North Dakota — ■—- — ■ — . 18 ducks per sq. mile Minnesota ~— — — — — 2 ducks per sq. mile Wisconsin — — - — — - 2.6 ducks per sq. mile In summary the concensus of Y/aterfowl Biologists indicates a general increase in duck population. In spite of a slow start this spring because of adverse weather conditions, nesting was very successful with good brood pro- ductions general. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE REPORTS Dr. Cottam reported fewer complaints this year although the flyway concept of management is being used. Regulations have to be in print 30 days before the regulation comes into effect. The basis for regulation is; 1. Assure perpetuation of species. i Assure most equitable distribution of harvestable surplus. 145 CENSUS TECHNIQUES A 5-4$ sample of duck breeding grounds is considered adequate if this is taken in a homogenous habitat type* Nesting grounds of total duck habitat should be divided into dis- tricts based on soil typesa and this may be sub-divided into landscape types . Divisions should follow lines which make it possible to calculate area size* In each type5 transects are run to determine either birds per square mile or birds per lineal mile. Ground transects maybe run from car in areas when roads pass through the habitat used by waterfowl. Two observers are used and each covers 1/8 mile on his side of car. Aerial transects are made by taking random headings and flying at 100 feet altitude o Observers cover 1/8 mile on each side. In the case of large bodies of water 9 the transect strip applies, and only that portion on the strip is counted. Pairs 3 single drakes and groups are tabulated. If a sufficiently large sample is taken,, time and weather differences are probably averaged out, TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS Delta Experimental Station 1. Injection of duck embryo with color to follow brood movements. 2„ Life history of white winged scoter. Occurrence of shot in waterfowl 3, X-Ray study of ducks 241 adult birds x-rayed 7% had shot in body 29$ had shot in gizzard 262 juvenile 146 24$ shot in gizzard (including green wing5 teal) 3-8 shot may kill or produce sterility in ducks „ Study of several hundred duck stomachs by Cottam revealed 10$ of birds averaged ll^jr shot per bird8 In Michigan 30$ of Mallards and Black Ducks x-rayed had body shot, POPULATION BEHAVIOR OF PUDDLE DUCKS Females trapped at nest "with drop box, are tagged -with colored cel- luloid band. Also primaries are painted with airplane paint -which lasts &§■ months and is visable at 300 yards* Of 53 marked hens, 12 ■were known to nest a second time when eggs were removed. Last year a hen nested three times and returned this spring within 80 yards of the old nesto CONCLUSIONS g The preceding notes are a summary of portions of the reports pre- sented at the waterfowl meeting* As a result of this meeting and several special sessions, it has been possible to outline a waterfowl program in Montana. At the outset this program will be designed to contribute informa- tion of value to the over-all management of migratory waterfowl© Submitted by; Wo K0 Thompson, Assistant Director September 20, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 147 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 15., 1948 SWAN-BLACKFOOT UNIT POWELL COUNTY SAGE GROUSE CHECK IN 1948 DATEg July 28 and 29, 1948 PERSONNEL j Fred Hartkorn, Fieldnan, Wildlife Restoration Division David Lane, Assistant Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division William Maloit, Assistant Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division Gerald Salinas, Assistant Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE ; Seventy-two sage grouse, which had been live trapped in Carter County, were released near Brown's Lake in Powell County in the fall of 1942. Due to limited personnel during the war period no follow-up check on these birds was: possible „ Therefore, the purpose of this study was to check on the success or failure of this sage grouse plant* PROCEDURE : Ranch operators in the vicinity of Brown's Lake were interviewed and their observations in regard to the sage grouse sought,, Results of these 148 interviews follow*, Mike Geary, farm operator at Bromi's Lake,, stated that he had not seen any sage grouse since the spring of 1945 when he had seen a "small group" near the lake. He said that he rides horseback all around the lake herding cattle at frequent intervals during the spring and summer and does see "quite a few" sharptail grouse. He stated that he flushed a golden eagle from a freshly killed sharptail grouse last winter and believes the golden eagle played a part in the disappearance of the sage grouse. Harry Morgan, retired Deputy Game Warden at Ovando, stated that he observed sage grouse near Brown's Lake each year in fewer numbers but ob- served none this year. In 1947 he observed two broods , one with five young and one with nine young, near Brown's Lake. He stressed that poachers were responsible for the disappearance of the sage grouse. Jerry Coughlin and his mother, farm operators east of Brown's Lake, stated that they had observed what they thought were sage grouse in 1945 » At this time they had often observed several birds at the place where the road to Brown's Lake meets the main road. They had observed no birds the past several years,, Tom MacDonald, farm operator east of Brown's Lake, stated that he had never seen any sage grouse since the winter of 194?. when he had seen "a couple of bunches" near Brown's Lake. Ed Geary, rancher and packer north of Brown's Lake, stated that he had observed fifty to seventy-five birds in the summer of 1946, In 1947 he saw two broods in the vicinity of Brown's Lake. H. Do Haynes, rancher north of Brown's Lake, stated that he had seen two broods last summer (1947). One hen with twelve young in his barley field and one hen with fourteen young along the road. He has seen no birds this 149 year while operating his ranch. Based on further questioning it is doubtful if Mr. Haynes can distinguish sage grouse from sharptail grouse, Tom Geary, rancher south of Brown's Lake,, stated he had never seen a sage grouse , but had spent considerable time around Brown's Lake fishing and herding cattle, Watt Lynch5 retired rancher at Brown's Lake, stated he had never seen any sage grouse around Brown's Lake, but knew \tfiat they looked like as he was born and reared in eastern Montana. Jim Manley, rancher six miles southwest of Helmville. stated they had observed several sage grouse on their ranch in 1943 but he had seen none since the war. Two observers ivalked around Brown's Lake at 100 yard intervals 9 one observer walked a strip from the lake south for several miles, and another observer walked a strip southwest of the lake and no sage grouse were flushed, FBTOIN3Ss None of the local residents contacted had observed any sage grouse in 1948 and none were observed by the four observers walking strips around Brown's Lake, Sage grouse with broods were observed by Harry Morgan, Ed Geary and H. D, Haynes in 1947, Seven, of the ten residents contacted, stated they had observed sage grouse in the year 1943, indicating they had lived through the first winter, CONCLUSIONS : The sage grouse planted in 1942 were apparently able to adapt them- selves for several years, but seemingly their numbers gradually decreased until there are few3 if any, sage grouse in the Brown's Lake area at the 150 present time. Birds reported as sage grouse by veil meaning people in the past have probably, in several instances, been sharptail grouse «> Submitted byj Fred L. Hartkorn^ Fieldman August 5, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 151 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Birds) DATE October 15,, 1948 TETON UNIT 1948 PRELIMINARY RING-NECK PHEASANT PRODUCTIVITY CHECK TETON AND PONDERA AREAS DATEg July 14 - July 21, 1948 PERSOIWELs William S« Maloit, Assistant Fieldman, Wildlife Restoration Division PURPOSE; Due to abnormal spring weather in 1948 it was considered advisable to check the Teton and Pondera pheasant producing areas to determine suc- cess of the hatch and to better predict the year's pheasant crop* PROCEDURE: General observation of the better pheasant habitat in these areas formed the basis of study. Efforts were made to check nesting success and to determine losses due to agricultural practices <, Roadside counts were made the first two hours after sunrise in the respected areas c The observer drove slowly through what was considered good pheasant habitat and recorded all pheasants observed on either side of the 152 road. Broods were counted with the aid of binoculars or flushed in order to get a complete count. Routes used by the observer were recorded for future use and previously used routes were retraced whenever possible « FAIRFIELD BENCH AREA, TETON COUNTY Observations were conducted in this area from July 14 to July 19 5 1948 , Jhile in this area haying operations were in progress and late summer fallow operations were being conducted,. A total of 59 miles were driven slowly in the early morning in the vicinity of Fairfield and a total of 529 pheasants or 5,5 pheasants per mi- le of pheasant habitat driven were observed. Twenty-two broods were ob- served ranging in size from one to fourteen young and averaging 6,6 per brood. An effort was made to flush the young and get a complete count of the brood5 but due to extremely heavy vegetative growth., this was not always possible. It is believed by the observer that the average brood size is larger than the data indicates. In view of present unusually lush cover conditions s it was decided to gather additional information by interviewing local farmers and organiza- tions which have men in the field, Mr, Eugene Amilne and Mr, Floyd McFarland, who operate the Teton County weed control sprayer, were contacted in the field and some information was obtained on the effects of spraying operations on nesting hens and hens with young. Mr. McFarland reported that several times they had flushed hens from the nest while spraying. On checking back, they found that the hens had returned to the nest. In one instance a hen had successfully hatched her eggs and. was seen with twelve young in the same area. They reported that the hatch in general seems to be later than last year and during the period of July 11 to 17 several hens were seen with unusually small young, 153 Farmers -were contacted at every opportunity and their views and observations sought in regard to pheasants. Most fanners reported seeing more birds than last year and were inclined to believe the hatch was la te. Many reported that late summer fallow operations took a heavy toll of nests. Two afternoons were spent observing summer fallow operations. Few birds we]je seen since they readily fled from the noise. A total of three cocks, five hens and 32 young were seen. No nests were found in these fields o Magpies £ crows 3 hawks ? owls and skunks are common over the entire area. Two farmers reported seeing hawks carry off young pheasants while summer fallowing. CONRAD AREA, PONDERA COUNTY Observations were conducted in this area on July 19 and 20, 1948. E. M. Berthelson, Secretary of the local Sportsmen group, was contacted. He reported seeing several broods and a large number of adult birds. Farmers were contacted and they reported an abundant pheasant pop- ulation. Many reported destroying nests in late summer fallow operations and mowing operations,, A total of 35 miles were driven slowly in the early morning and afternoon in the vicinity of Conrad, A total of 112 pheasants or 3,2. phea- sants per mile of pheasant habitat were observed, Thirteen broods were observed ranging in size from one to seven young and averaging 3,5 per broode Due to extremely heavy cover the broods could not always be flushed for a complete count. It is believed that brood sizes were larger than this data would indicate e SUMMARY AND' CONCLUSIONS s 154 Abnormally -wet weather conditions during the spring of 1948 some- what delayed, the hatch but the hatch came off successfully. Pheasant broods observed., of which it is believed a complete count. was possible 9 averaged 5C4 young 0 late summer fallow operations resulted, in a high nest mortality due to abnormal weather and failure to work their fields before cover, developed on thenu Based on observations and the opinion of farmers and sportsmen in these areas the pheasant hatch was normal this spring and population in- creases should become apparent by falle Submitted bys William S. Maloit3 Assistant Fieldman August 1, 1948 Wildlife Restoration Division 155 H 1 U V ■8 u O sO o o vO GO c sO H in I— o o OJ ~=f E«=~ =P 0 E-" eo O o H c^ OJ H OJ H H 3 H OD O 93 0) O Cn •us W\ CM 1A HI H O NO GO iH o H CO g CO r- Os -=t HI t*~ t"- V\ OJ r^\ «"\ H H H H s 93 'V — «n O OJ vO H O H O OJ H ON oo o\ H GO On H oo On H CO On H GO Os sH oo ON H -o H H oo -1 OS H On H <*> o OJ t °-3 •"3 •-a HI O H T3 O O 158 Helena,; Montana October 15s 1948 Regional Director Fish and Wildlife Service Swan Island Portland 18s Oregon Dear Sirs We are herewith submitting a Quarterly Progress Report in connection with the projects carried out through the use of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds e The coverage is for the period July5 August and September 3, 1948, Submitted bys Robert F, dboney$ Director ~r Wildlife Restoration Division Approved by \ A, A* 0l Claire State Fish and Game YiTarden 157 Date Loaned 9 WW Mo / « . £ *■£