w s 639.9 1 F2Q OCT-DEC 1951 L- MONTANA Fish and Game Commission QUARTERLY REPORT man October - December, 1951 PITTM AN— ROBERTSON FEDERAL AID PROJECT Helena, Montana January 15, 1952 Regional Director Fish and Wildlife Service Swan Island Portland 18, Oregon Dear Sir: 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. The coverage is for the period October, November and December, 1951. Submitted by: Approved by: State Fish and Game Warden FINAL PROGRESS REPORT For The WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION STATE OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Chairman - Edward M. Boyes, Libby William Carpenter, Butte Walter Banka, Conrad Elmer Johnson, Glasgow Thomas S. Morgan, Miles Ci State Fish and Game Warden R. H. Lambeth Chief Deputy - W. J. Everin Director, Wildlife Restoration Division R. F. Cooney Volume 11 Number 4 October, November and December, 1951 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1-R Wildlife Surveys and Investigations Missouri Breaks Unit Billy Creek Mountain Sheep Recheck. . Don L. Brown 1 Donald E. Johnson Musselshell Unit ?t ,-. Summer Antelope Census Don L. Brown 3 Donald E. Johnson Chouteau Unit .. - . . Aerial Antelope Investigation Don L. Brown 5 Poplar Unit Distribution Check on White-tailed Deer.. Don L. Brown 7 Fergus-Phillips Units , , .. Deer Sex Ratio Counts Donald E. Johnson 9 Hunter Harvest - Regular Deer Season ..Donald E. Johnson 11 Age Composition of the 1951 Antelope Harvest.. Sumner Dow 13 Checking Stations ..Lloyd E. McDowell 18 Rocky Mountain Goats .Lloyd E. McDowell 27 Flathead - Sun River Unit Bighorn Sheep Count .....Lloyd E. McDowell 28 Blackf oot-Swan River Snow Condition Inspection. Lloyd E. McDowell 31 26-M Game Range Maintenance Through Salt Distribution Game Range Maintenance Through Salt Distribution Lloyd E . McDowell 32 35-R Gallatin Management Unit Big Game Population Studies J. E. Gaab 34 Big Game Survey in Gallatin J. E. Gaab 34 Big Game Survey in Madison...... J. E. Gaab 35 Big Game Reproduction, Age Classification and Hunter Utilization J. E. Gaab 35 Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigations J. E. Gaab 35 38-R Upland Game Bird Survey and Investigations Abstract .Wm. R. Bergeson 36 Effect of Land Use on Pheasant Pro ductio n. .. .Fred L. Hartkorn 38 Wesley Woodgerd Experimental Mountain Grouse Management Areas Fred L. Hartkorn 41 Experimental Mountain Grouse Management Areas Grouse Hunter Checking Stations Fred L. Hartkorn 45 Determine Range and Relative Density of Mountain Grouse Fred L. Hartkorn 50 Wm, R. Bergeson 39-R Waterfowl Survey and Investigation Study of Relationship of Stock Water Reservoirs to Waterfowl Production Richard H. Smith 52 Robert B. Cotner Muskrats in Stock Water Reservoirs Richard H. Smith 63 Robert B. Cotner 49-R Fur Resources Survey and Investigation Fur Resources Survey and Investigation Fletcher E. Newby 65 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R-ll (Eastern) DATE January 15, 1952 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Wildlife Survey and Management (Eastern Segment) 2. Personnel: Don L. Brown, Biologist Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist 3. Report of Progress: MISSOURI BREAKS UNIT Billy Creek Mountain Sheep Recheck DATES: September 12, 1951, and December 5, 1951 PERSONNEL: Donald E. Johnson, Jr. Biologist Don L. Brown, Biologist PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE: The fenced area at Billy Creek was stripped by aerial survey to de- termine numbers of sheep and availability of water. A few strips were flown outside the pasture to determine if any sheep could be located of those that had been released. FINDINGS: Both flights were hampered by very turbulent air and neither was con- sidered indicative of the total number of sheep. On September 12, 1951, fourteen sheep were counted inside the pasture and seven were seen outside of the fenced area on the west side. Both groups included lambs, but detailed classification was impossible. On December 5, 1951, ten sheep were observed inside the enclosure and nine outside. Again those outside were west of the closure. One ram, of those outside of the fence, apparently was trying to get inside, indicating activity of the breeding season. Water was observed to be available to those inside the pasture on both dates. A buck deer observed inside the fenced area appeared to be in very poor condition. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : The observations above are not intended to indicate herd populations, but only if sheep are present and well watered. Apparently both those inside and outside are reproducing and staying in the desired locale. It is recommended that a concentrated effort be made to determine the population subsequent to the 1952 lamb crop. This would require the services of eight or ten men for a period of several days. As much to help determine if the increase is progressing satisfactorily, the survey would reveal any dead animals that would otherwise go unnoticed. Submitted by: Don L. Brown Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Directo r Wildlife Restoration Division Donald E. Johnson Junior Biologist January 15, 1952 -2- MUSSELSHELL UNIT Summer Antelope Census - Yellow Water Triangle DATE? July 11, 1951 PERSONNEL i Harold Demaree, Wildlife Restoration Division Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist PROCEDURE: For the past several years this area has been counted by airplane. Partial counts have been replaced by complete counts of the last three years. Complete counts consist of covering the area by flying north-south strips, one mile apart, depending on terrain and light conditions and re- cording all antelope seen. Results of past years are tabulated with the present findings. FINDINGS: Table I. Antelope Census, Yellow Water Triangle Date Adults Fawns Unci . To tal Type of Count February, 1948 490 490 Partial September, 1948 402 234 636 Complete July, 1950 586 294 109 989 Complete July, 1951 317 195 302 814 Complete CONCLUSIONS: From 1948 through 1950 a gradual increase was noted and vividly brought to our attention by resident ranchers. These complaints reflected what was considered by them as range competition. Previous to the fall of 1950 this area was subjected only to buck hunting. Either sex hunting was carried out the fall of 1950 which appears to have caused a slight reduc- tion in the population. This reduction (or either sex seasons) has apparently brought the herd within the limits of compatability with the ranching interests. The 1952 census should indicate whether the present type hunting be continued. -3- RECOMMENDATIONS: Because this portion of hunting area 10 is believed to contain a relatively distinct herd and that separate hunter harvest data is not avail- able, it is recommended that the Yellow Water Triangle be set up as a sep- erate hunting area. Submitted by: Don L. Brown Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division Donald E. Johnson Junior Biologist January 15, 1952 -4- CHOUTEAU UNIT Aerial Antelope Investigation DATES t July 3, 1951 PERSONNEL; Herold Demaree, Wildlife Restoration Division Don L. Brown, Biologist PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE; This relatively small area of Chouteau County suddenly became a point of interest due to the great number of damage complaints; antelope versus wheat farming. The area was strip-counted by air to determine numbers of antelope and concentration areas. This information supplemented by discussions with irate farmers would help in seeking a solution to this conflict. FINDINGS: The area concerned represents 110 square miles of central Chouteau County. It is bounded by Highway 29 from Loma to Big Sandy, the Missouri River and a combination of Little Sandy Creek and the Hopp-Big Sandy road. The fact that extensive wheat farming operations extends as far as possible into the Missouri River Breaks, make this area a prime example of the optimum of conditions for economic conflict. The breaks offer ample food and protection during the winter but during the summer antelope forage heavily on wheat fields. There seems to be only the usual amount of grumbling about them being on the fields during late fall and spring, but loud complaints are heard in the summer and early fall. The chief objection is antelope running through the ripe wheat which both shells and knocks it down. Also, numerous com- plaints were heard of antelope trampling wheat that had been piled on the ground awaiting room in the elevators. Wheat in a neat, well rounded pile will stay dry but after the antelope have climbed all over it, there is con- siderable loss. The results of the count are shown in the following table: Bucks Does Fawns Unci. Total 49 65 65 20 199 A total of two hours and forty minutes flying time was spent on this survey. 5- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOKfflSNDATTONS : This area is intensely farmed and if it were not for the protection from poaching offered by the breaks, these antelope would have been wiped out long ago. However, they are not a product of transplanting and there- fore have an indigenous right to existence in limited numbers. The area is small and there is no place for antelope to migrate, thus they should be kept in check by a limited harvest. It is recommended that permits for 50 bucks be issued for 1952. Submitted by: Don L. Brown Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division -6- POPLAR UNIT Distribution Check on White-tailed Deer DATES : October 9 and 10, 1951 PERSONNEL; Harold Gartside, Deputy Game Warden Don L„ Brown, Biologist INTRODUCTION; Along the Missouri River, between the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and the North Dakota state line, there lies an area which is heavily popu- lated with white-tailed deer. Protests of damage to alfalfa and small grains from ranchers living along the river, made it mandatory an immediate investigation be accomplished. Deputy Game Warden Gartside had made ground checks on several ranches and found they did have material damage and that they were recommending an either sex season to reduce the deer numbers and damage. PURPOSE; This survey was made to determine whether or not the deer along the lower Missouri River we^e concentrated on several bottoms or if they were abundant throughout the entire area. As ground checks could immediately cover only a small part of the area, it was desirable to cover the entire area by air. PROCEDURE: Each bottom was stripped and numbers of deer tabulated for a total. Notes W9"e made of general distribution of deer with respect to adjoining areas , FINDINGS; A total of 179 deer were tabulated during the short periods of the day that deer could be observed. Density of deer was in direct contrast to the amount of cover and desirable food. Bottoms with fields of alfalfa and small grains adjoining dense cover harbored more deer than bottoms where cover adjoined pasture land or wild hay fields. However, some deer were found on all bottoms and in the breaks. -7- CONCLUSIONS : It is concluded that the deer of this area are distributed along the entire river so that no serious overkill would occur in any particular place should it be opened to a limited number of either sex hunters. RECOMMENDATIONS : The above survey should be considered a preliminary check to a needed survey of this problem area. In order to adequately determine the numbers of deer for future management, aerial and ground checks should be made. Either a winter or fall check could be made to determine populations. In either case, the survey would be very time consuming as there is only a very short period during the late evening or early morning that the deer are away from dense cover. A blanket of snow may make it possible to count deer in this type of cover, but it would need to be checked against numbers counted in the open fields. The permit holders should be questioned by post-card in order to determine total kill and to set up a success ratio figure that can be used for subsequent management of this herd. It is very doubtful if success ratio figures for any one area can apply to other areas of different cover types. Submitted by: Don L. Brown Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R-ll (Eastern) DATE December 29, 1951 FERGUS - PHILLIPS UNITS (Fort Peck Game Range and Vicinity) Deer Sex Ratio Counts DATES : October 1-5, 1951 December 3-5, 1951 PERSONNEL : Fred T. Staunton, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Clifford Wolf, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Don L. Brown, Wildlife Restoration Division Donald E. Johnson, Wildlife Restoration Division INTRODUCTION s Pre- and post-hunting season sex ratio counts obtained in 1951 were compared with 1949 counts. PROCEDURE: Early morning and evening flights were made to classify as many deer as possible during those feeding periods. No attempt was made to eliminate duplication due to the movements of deer from the feeding areas into the river breaks and brushy river edges. The objective was to classify a sam- ple of the population. -9- FINDINGS; Table I. Sex Ratio Data - Summary Year Spp # Deer Ratios by Spp. Class . B/D D/F Ratios all Deer B/D D/F Pre-season 19 51 Mule D 519 1 a. 16 1 :1 .25 White-tailed 127 1 :1.57 1 :1 .25 Post MD 470 1 :2.60 1 :1 .25 WT 82 1 :2.67 1 :1 .19 Pre- 1949 MD 108 WT 66 Po st- MD 144 WT 26 1:1.23 1:1.25 1:2.64 1:1.24 1:1.62 1:0.67 1:1.82 1:0.91 Data for 1951 are derived from a considerably larger sample than the sample for 1949, which was obtained from ground counts. The post-season count of 1949 followed a regular buck season, while that of 1951 followed both the regular buck season and an either sex deer season. These, no doubt, account for some of the discrepancies in the above figures. CONCLUSIONS AND RF COMMENDATIONS : Post cards were sent to all either sex hunters requesting kill in- formation. In addition, a sample collection of reproductive tracts was obtained for analysis. It is hoped that population and productivity in- formation will be available for the next report. Submitted by: Donald E. Johnson Approved: Robert F. Cooney Junior Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division December 29, 1951 -10- STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R-ll (Eastern) DATE December 29, 1951 FERGUS - PHILLIPS UNIT (Fort Peck Game Range and Vicinity) Hunter Harvest - Regular Deer Season, Oct. 15-22, 1951 DATES: October 15-22, 1951 PERSONNEL : Wynn G. Freeman, Wildlife Restoration Division William R. Bergeson, Wildlife Restoration Division Robert J. Greene, Wildlife Restoration Division Don L. Brown, Wildlife Restoration Division Herb Friede, District Warden Supervisor Temporary game checkers Donald E. Johnson, Wildlife Restoration Division PROCEDURE s Regular checking stations were operated at Roy, Landusky and Matador. Roving checks were made in those areas where hunters did not leave through checking stations. These totals were added to those of the closest checking station. FINDINGS: Table I. Hunter Harvest (Fort Peck Game Range and Vicinity) Mule Deer White-tailed Success Station Adult Young Total Adult Young Total Succ. Unsucc. Ratio Roy 224 82 plus 306 18 324 24 9 33 357 193 65% Matador 194 126 320 28 16 44 3 64 522 41% Landusky 23 53 76 76 90 Total 441 261 720 52 25 77 797 805 Av. 50% -11- ) It is noted that the 50% success figure (mule and white-tailed deer combined) is higher than the state-wide average for 1951 - mule deer, 34^; white-tailed deer, 10i (P. R. Quarterly. 11(2) =77. 1951). From these data adult deer appear to make up the larger segment of the harvest. Certain discrepancies exist in this information in that no attempt was made to acquaint the inexperienced temporary checkers with age- ing. However, a sample collection of jaws was obtained during the special either sex deer season and age composition of the kill will be determined. These results will be reported with population determination and productiv- ity information at a later date. RECOMMENDATIONS: A very important need is felt for checking stations in this area of increasing deer population. However, it is recommended that trained per- sonnel man these stations thus giving us access to more information which can be evaluated on a sound scientific basis. The Roy station should be abandoned in favor of a more strategic location at Hilger. This location not only catches those hunters coming through Roy (with the exception of a few local hunters) but also those who hunt the breaks area north of Winifred. Submitted bjt Donald E. Johnson Approved: Robert F. Cooney Junior Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division December 29, 1951 -12- STATE Mo ntana PROJECT 1-R-ll (Eastern) DATE January 15, 1952 AGE COMPOSITION OF THE 1951 ANTELOPE HARVEST Cooperative Project between Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit and Wildlife Restoration Division of Montana Fish and Game Department (l-R-11 Eastern Montana) DATE: Fall 1951 PERSONNEL : Sumner Dow, Temporary Junior Biologist and Unit Fellow of the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. Fish and Game Department Personnel PURPOSE? 1. To obtain a sufficient number of antelope lower jaw bones to be used in determining the age composition of theantelope herds of the State. 2. To obtain enough antelope jaws in each age class to give the extremes in variation of tooth development and wear with- in classes. PROCEDURES: 1. Prior to the antelope season 3,000 circulars and jaw con- tainers were mailed to approximately one-third of the hunters receiving antelope permits. The circulars explained the pur- pose of the collection and outlined the procedure to be fol- lowed if the hunter wished to cooperate. (See sample I and II). The jaw containers were 6^x9^" Manila business reply envelopes printed with address to the Wildlife Research Unit, Montana State University. The jaws were catalogued at the Wildlife Unit as they were received. Later they were classified into age groups and tabulated. The jaws were placed in four age groups: Fawns, yearlings, 2\ , and over 2\. The number of age groups was limited by the number of known-age specimens available. -13- FINDINGS t Total jaw containers issued 3,000 Total jaw containers returned 1,322 or 44.4^ Jaws received with complete data 1,224 or 92.6^ those received. It is understood that there may be an error in sex de- termination by the hunters. The data below are compiled from those areas in which only either sex hunting was allowed. Incomplete data: Jaws not enclosed 9 Location not given 13 Sex not given 62 Hunter stated he was unsuccessful 8 Hunter stated he did not hunt 2 Hunter stated that head was used as trophy 4 98 or 1.3% Reproduction data: Doe-fawn ratio (yearling does included) 100 to 53.5 Doe-fawn ratio (yearling does not included) 100 to 72.6 Adult-fawn ratio (yearlings included) 100 to 30.4 Buck fawn-doe fawn ratio 100 to 80.9 Adult buck-adult doe ratio 100 to 64.6 Herd Harvest composition: Age Class Number Percentage Fawn 199 17.0 Yearling 371 31.6 2.5 165 14.0 Over 2.5 440 37.4 Total 1,175 100.0 CONCLUSIONS : The age composition of the sample from Area 9 is very similar to that of the total collection. Area 9 would seem to present the most adequate sample and typifies the total sample „ We succeeded in obtaining a sufficient number of antelope lower jaws to determine the age composition of the antelope kill in 1951 in this State and if the kill data were project- ed against the census data for 1951 (I have not had the census -14- (Sample I) HUNT'gRS - Please Send Us the Lower Jaws from Your Antelope WHY! We want to know the distribution of age groups in the several herds of antelope that you'll be hunting in Montana. By a study of tooth devel- opment and wear, we will be able to determine the approximate age of your antelope. With a sufficient sample of jaws from different herds, we intend answering such questions as: 1. What is the average life span? 2. What per cent of last year's fawns are alive this September! 3. What per cent of last year's yearlings are alive to date, and so on for the older age classes? 4. How long do antelope live in nature? 5. Is there a high mortality in different herds that cannot be accounted for by your kills! 6. Is a heavier or lighter harvest needed? HOW you can help us answer these questions: X. By removing the lower jaw from your antelope and sending it to us in the envelope provided. See illustrations of how to remove lower jaws (reverse side of this sheet). 2. By carefully supplying the information asked for on the face of each envelope, i.e. date collected, locality, county, and whether male or female. 3. Return envelope with jaw, no postage necessary; or turn over to a representative of the State Fish and Game Department. 4. If you would like to know the approximate age of your animal, please put your name and address on the envelope; and at the conclusion of this study, we will mail you our estimate. Thank you for cooperating. -15- (Sample II) Antelope Jaw Collection 1951 Area Permits Fawns Yearlings 2 and 1/2 Over 2 1/2 Total - * H F M F MF M F Areas in which Both Sexes Were Taken 1 50 MF 3 3 1 0 0 0 2 2 11 2 200 MF 5 5 5 1 3 4 14 7 44 3 500 MF 12 !# 9 12 6 6 10 21 84 4 500 MF 10 10 11 7 • 4 4 9 12 67 5 900 MF 17 10 15 11 8 6 15 20 102 6 300 MF 2 2 4 2 1 2 2 7 22 7 600 MF 11 6 11 4 1 4 10 21 68 9 1,500 MF 17 13 42 19 17 10 28 38 194 10 1,100 MF 13 9 41 14 13 8 28 31 157 11 200 MF 1 3 15 5 11 0 12 7 54 12 300 MF 4 1 12 1 7 0 12 2 39 13 200 MF 1 7 22 5 6 0 25 9 75 19 50 MF o 1 7 2 3 o 0 l x X D 20 200 MF 1 1 13 0 5 o 5 2 ?7 21 200 MF 4 3 17 2 7 1 5 7 47 22 550 MF 5 6 37 7 7 9 27 23 50 MF 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 4 24 100 MF 0 0 5 1 0 1 5 0 12 25 35 MF 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 6 26. 27 I 275 MF 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 10 32 2SJ 30 31 400 MF 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 32 33 8,210 113 89 273 98 103 62 228 212 1 ,175 — Areas in which Bucks only or Either Sex were Taken 14 50 M 0 0 8 0 5 0 2 0 15 15 50 MF 25 M 1 1 5 2 3 1 2 2 17 16 25 M 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 17 V 18' 100 MF100 MF 0 0 6 1 3 1 4 1 16 1 1 19 3 12 2 8 3 49 Those with insufficient data 98 Total - 1,322 » M - Male, F - Female -16- data available in order to do this) the total degree of se- lection by hunters of adult over fawn and of buck over doe could be determined. The sample is large enough that the figures for sex and age composition are entirely adequate. Although it is not evident from the table as it is shown, there is an increase in the fawn kill during the October- November season as against that in September. This may in- dicate that fawns are more difficult to distinguish frorr adults in November or possibly that after one harvest the fawns make up a greater percent of the total than before. It was of interest to learn that 37.4 per cent of the sample harvest was constituted by animals 3£ years and older. A sample harvest of deer from the Swan-Cl earwater drainages this past season showed only 29 per cent in this older age grouping. Since the percentage of fawns harvested in both examples was comparable, it would appear that there is a heavier mortality among older deer of the Swan-Clearwater area than of Montana antelope in the older age classes (i.e. 3£ years and older). It thus appears that in spite of the past hunting pressures, there is an abundance of antelope escaping into older age classes to maintain a high herd productivity. Submitted by; Sumner Dow Approved: Robert F. Cooney Unit Fellow Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 _17_ STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R-ll (Western) DATE January 3, 1952 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project; Wildlife Survey and Management (Western Segment) 2. Project Personnel; Lloyd E. McDowell, Big Game Biologist Frank Gummer, Junior Biologist (Winter Peripd) Dwight Stockstad, Junior Biologist (Summer Period) *Dr„ E. Leonard Cheatum; Leader, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit 3. Report of Progress: Project No. 1-R-ll Work Plan No „ II Job II = A & B Checking Stations Job II - A Age Classification and Herd Rate of Increase Job II - B Hunter Utilization An either sex hunt on deer in Flathead, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Lincoln and Sanders counties, all in western Montana,, was held on November 13-15, inclusive. Five checking stations were established at the following locations; Clearwater Crossing in Missoula County, Fish Creek in Mineral County, Swan Lake in Flat- head County and Island Lake in Lincoln County, Sportsmen were asked to cooperate in collecting the following data: a. Age and sex of each deer harvested (jaws were collected when deer were not aged at the field stations) b. Save reproductive tracts of female deer for later analysis to determine reproductive rate in the different areas •Work on this project relative to analysis of reproductive tracts of deer and mountain goats was accomplished by Dr. Cheatum. =18= c. Number of points and diameter of the antlers one-half inch above the burr d. Body weight and hind leg measurements The above information helped answer the following questions? a„ Age and sex composition of the animals checked in the different areas b„ Percentage of does that had been bred successfully last year (analysis of ovaries - number of corpora lutea scars) c„ Reproductive rateof the herds do Averagelife expectancy of the herds e. Comparative body size of the different herds f . How many deer of each age class are producing young Tables 1 to 9 give the detailed results of the data collected. A total of 439 deer were checked through t he stations during the three-day hunt. Of this total 229 were males and 210 females. In- cluded in this group were 92 fawns of which 46 were males and 46 fe- males. The over-all kill was much smaller than anticipated. Hunting pressure in portions of the Swan Valley was so low to be of little value in reducing the over-sized herd. In the future special effort will have to be made to get a larger kill. Seasons based on total num- bers to be taken would solve the problem. Weights and measurements taken will be of little value until results of a number of years are correlated and then compared with other areas within Montana and other states. It is interesting to note that the reproduction rate based on ovarian analysis in the Nine Mile area was 1.36 fawns per doe and the hunter kill ratio was 1.33. In comparison, the Swan was 1.03 fawns per doe based on ovarian analysis and only .69 based on hunter returns. What happened to the fawns in the Swan from the time they were born until hunting season? That is one o f t he questions we will try to answer in the future. Six reproductive tracts from mule deer in the Fish Creek area showed that each doe had had twins last year. However, four repro- ductive tracts from white-tailed deer showed only slightly over one fawn per doe0 Although the sample is small, it shows very well what has happened in the field. The range used by the white-tailed deer is very badly over-utilized. Winter loss the past few years has been fairly high. On the other hand, the range used by the mule deer is in fairly good condition. Winter loss has been very small. -19- It looks like the white-tailed deer in the Fish Creek area are on the way out and that the mule deer may take over. For this reason it would be wise to watch the mule deer population very closely and make sure that they do not destroy their winter range like the white- tailed deer did. A set number of mule deer should be taken from the area each year. Again this year, no yearling deer were found that had bred as firms. It is now felt that fawns breeding in western Montana under existing range conditions is an uncommon occurrence. The fact that more bucks were killed than does, when either sex were legal, indicates that the actual field sex ratio is closer to one to one than past counts have indicated. Many hunters were asked if they refused to kill an antlerless deer and in nearly all cases the answer was "no". Being the last three days of the reg- ular season, they indicated they were after either sex. The rut had begun, which may have made the bucks less cautious thai normal. Table 1. Kill totals from western Montana checking stations, Nov. 13-15, 1951. Checking Station White- tailed Bucks Mule Deer Bucks White- tailed Do es Mule Deer Do es White- tailed Fawns Mule De er Fawns Antler- less Total Total Clearwater 56 2 40 2 12 1 55 113 Nine Mile 28 1 26 24 50 79 Fish Creek 9 26 15 8 9 2 34 69 Swan Lake 36 35 20 55 91 Island Lake 22 3 38 24 62 87 To tals 151 32 154 10 89 3 256 439 -20- Table 2. Average hind leg measurements. Age Classes Checking Station Fawn 1* 24 3* 4i 54 64 74 8Jr-9i 10 White-tailed Does Bonner-Clearwater Nine Mile Fish Creek Swan Lake Island Lake 16.36 16.00 15.12 15.96 15.37 17.61 17.87 18.0 17.3 16.93 17.85 18.00 18.12 17.78 18.03 18.50 18.69 18.37 18.12 18.0 17.75 18.37 18.12 18.6 18.75 18.5 18.0 18.5 18.0 17.75 18.25 White-tailed liucks Bonner-Clearwater Nine Mile Fish Creek Swan Lake Island Lake 16.12 17.04 16.36 15.9 16.1 19.0 19.33 19.37 18.53 18.3 18.7 18.1 19.0 19.55 19.33 19.35 19.5 18.68 19.75 20. 19.5 19,36 18.3 18.33 19.5 18.87 18.0 19.0 19.25 18, 18.75 Mule Deer Does Nine Mile 19.75 19.75 19.16 Bonner -Clearwat er Fish Cr&ek 19.00 1944 19.75 20.75 Mule Deer Bucks 19.72 20.25 20.25 19.5 19.5 Tahle 3. Average weight (hog dressed). Checking Station Age Classes Fawn li at 41 5i 6£ 7i 8^-91 10 ■ 1 ' White=tailed Does Bonner-Clearwater 56.5 93.75 106.25 110 117.50 Nine Mile 56 82.5 98 109 110.66 105 100 112.5 Fish Creek 55 81.6 100 120 - White-tailed Bucks Bo nner-Cl earwater 60 108 138 163 178.75 187.5 162.5 Nine Mile 64.5 100 141.8 141. 3 167 168.5 165 Mule Deer Does Fish Creek 115 105 Mule Deer Bucks Bonner-Clearwater 130 143.75 173.75 192.5 195 215 Table 4, Average .number of points (Total both sides). Age Classes nViPf*V"i ncr PI ~f~ » + n nn v 1.1 C O AX lie kJ \j d u J.U 11 1 Jr " " J- 2 of ttX- RJ. cl 4? 0? Of y - ■ ■ ■ rf 10 White-tailed Bucks Bo nner— CI ea.rwa'ter 3 . 6 6.75 fi fifi u . uu on 1 n 9 q n Ml Y) A Ml 1 A : J 1. 1 1 u llllo 3 5 fi 7 ^ O . 1 w 7 Pi p n 7 n ion O.U ( • U 1<0,,U J. -L M J- 1 V-J 1. □ O A. A u Swan Lake 3.4 7.5 8.25 8.8 10 Island Lake 3.27 6.0 7.5 10 13.3 8.75 8 Mule Deer Bucks Bo nner-Clearwater 4.25 6.16 7.44 9 10 9 Fish Creek 2 & 9.5 4 Tahle 5. Average heam diameters -(lV above burr), Checking Station IF IF "4F Age Classes ~ 5? 6F~ "7F 8^-94 10" Bo nner-Clearwater Nine Mile Fish Creek Swan Lake Island Lake Bo nner-Clearwater Nine Mile White-tailed Bucks 19/32 1-4/32 1-4/32 1-9/32 1-10/321-23/32 1-12/32 (not recorded for this area) 14/32 1.0 1-4/32 1-15/32 18/32 1-1/32 1-13/321-12/32 1-16/32 20/32 1-7/32 1=10/321-13/32 1-16/32 1-10/32 1-10/32 1-8/32 17/32 21/32 31/32 31/32 1-9/32 1 l-B/32 Mule Deer •21/32 1- 1-15/32 18/32 1-14/32 Summary of Nine Mile Checking Station, 19 51 iable o. Age Composition (White-tailed) Percent Age Classes Bucks Do es Totals of Total Fawns 11 13 24 30.78 \\ years 8 4 12 15.38 2\ years 6 9 15 19.23 3^ years 7 5 12 15.38 4^ years 2 3 5 6.41 5-^ years o I n U 2 2.56 6^r years 1 0 1 1.28 7^ years 2 1 3 3.84 8^-9^ years 0 0 0 10 years 0 0 0 Undetermined 0 4 4 5.12 39 39 78 jproduction analysis 5 adult does - 1.36 fawns /doe - not including yearlings hunter kill ratio - 1.3 3 /doe - not including yearlings lo st - 2.2 % of the fawns after 28 adult bucks/50 antlerless deer (24 fawns) 26 adult does including yearlings Summary of Clearwater-Swan Checking Station, 1951 Table 7. Age Composition (White-tailed) • Percent Age Classes Bucks Do es Totals of Total Fawns 15 17 32 16.53 \\ years 31 21 52 26.13 2\ years 18 19 37 18.59 3^ years 8 19 27 13.56 4^ years 7 4 11 5.27 5^ years 3 1 4 2.01 6^ years 0 2 2 1.00 1\ years 1 1 2 1.00 8^-9^ years 1 0 1 .50 10 years 1 1 2 1.00 Undetermined 22 7 29 14.57 107 92 199 -24- Reproduction analysis: 17 adult does - 1.03 fawns/doe - not including yearlings hunter kill ratio - 0.69/doe not including yearlings lost - 31^ of the fawns after birth? 92 adult bucks/107 antlerless deer (75 adult does, 32 fawns) Only 50^ 2\ year old does had bred successfully as yearlings. Summary of Island Lake Checking Station, 1951 There were 24 white-tailed fawns, 40 does, 35 bucks; 3 mule deer bucks, 1 doe, no fawns; and there were 2 bull elk. The antlerless deer total was 64. On breeding: There was a total of 9 reproductive tracts turned in, all but one being from adult white-tailed does. Examination of the ovaries showed that the adult does two and one-half years and older produced last spring an average of 1.3 fawns each. In other words, this figure would in- dicate that from each 100 adult does in the herd, you may expect a summer crop of 130 fawns. The sample is too small, however, for reliable fawn-crop predictions. Had we had the tracts from the 17 to 24 does over two and one- half years old which came through the checking station, we could place more reliance on the annual fawn-crop estimate. Table 8. Age Composition (White -tailed) Percent Age Classes Bucks Does Totals of Total Fawns 13 11 24 24.24 1\ years 11 9 20 20.20 2i years 2 10 12 12.12 3£ years 4 3 7 7 .07 4j years 2 5 7 7.07 5-Jr years 1 3 4 4.04 6-i years 3 1 4 4.04 7-^ years 4 1 5 5.05 8^-9^ years 2 2 (no 2.02 10 years 1 2 3 jaws 3.03 Undetermined 7 4 11-saved) 11.11 48 51 99 No ages were determined on the mule deer and elk. Summary of Fish Creek Checking Station, 1951 Checked through Station: White-tailed Mule Deer Adult Does Adult Bucks Adult Does Adult Bucks Fawns Antlerless Total 15 _9_ 24 26 Fawns _2 10 -25- On breeding: There was a total of 23 reproductive tracts turned in - a very excellent return. None of the yearling does had bred as fawns the year before. We received four white-tailed doe reproductive tracts from animals two and one-half years and older, and analysis of the ovaries showed an average fawn production of slightly over one each. Six reproductive tracts from mule deer does of similar age showed an average fawn production last spring of two fawns each. This is just twice the fawn production of the white-tailed. Table 9. Age Composition Age Classes White - tailed Mule Deer Totals Bucks Does Bucks Do es Bucks Do es Fawn 6 3 1 1 7 . 4 ll years 3 6 6 1 9 7 2\ years 1 3 1 3 2 3-^ years 3 2 9 3 12 5 years 2 2 3 5 2 5i years 2 2 6£ years 1 1 l\ years 8^-9-^ years 1 1 1 1 10 years Undetermined 1 4 1 2 2 6 15 18 27 9 42 27 Submitted by: Lloyd E. McDowell Approved; Robert F . Cooney Big Game Biolo gist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 3, 1952 -26- Project No. 1-R-ll Work Plan No. VI Job VI -A & C Rocky Mountain Goats Job VI - A Study of Movements and Migration of Mountain Goats Job VI - C Sex Ratio and Herd Reproductive Studies During the regular hunting season on mountain goats, three sets of ovaries were collected. Examination of one set by E. L. Cheatum and my- self show that the corpora lutea is present. It is somewhat different from that in white-tailed deer, but it is hoped that further study will show that it can be used the same as in deer to determine ovulation evidence and vari- ations in fertility. The technique of using sedatives in handling mountain goats was im- proved during last summer's work. During the previous year, we found that one cc. of NaPenta Barbithol per ten pounds of body weight worked out fine. It did not put them completely out but quieted them from four to six hours. To reduce the initial shock and reduce the amount of Na Penta Barbi- thol given, one grain of morphine per one hundred-sixty pounds of body weight was first given sub-cutaniously in the lower neck. About ten minutes later the Na Penta Barbethol was then given in the inter-pariteneal cavity. This study will be continued. Some of the things we hope to answer are : 1. Breeding data and reproduction potential by working out the ovarian cycle 2. Establish age classification by dental wear pattern 3. Establish herd migration by marked animals 4. Find out what limits maximum herd numbers by studying estab- lished new herds that have been transplanted to desirable areas 5. Study their disease relationship to other big game animals in the area Submitted by: Lloyd E. McDowell Big Game Biologist Approved : Robert F. Cooney Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 3, 1952 -27- Project No. 1-R-ll Work Plan No. V Job V-A & C Bighorn Sheep Count, Flathead - Sun River Unit Job V-A Mountain Sheep Census and Distribution Job V - B Mountain Sheep Herd Classification and Sex Ratio Determination Dates; December 12-14, 1951 Personnel; Lloyd E. McDowell, In Charge of Count Richard L. Hodder J. B. Gaab Norman Wortman Robert Fischer Frank Gummer Douglas Morrison, Lewis and Clark National Forest Paul Mihalovich, Deputy Game Warden Purpose : To continue adding information to the previous work done on mountain sheep in the Sun River area. Both total number and sex ratios are needed each year. Information of deer numbers and sex ratio are also gained during this census. Procedure; Members of the above crew met at the Hannan Gulch Ranger Station on the evening of the 11th and talked over plans. It was decided that the group would divide into three crews. Two men were to go to the Allan Ranch on horseback and work out from there. Four men were to work out of Hannan on foot. Two men were to go to Willow Creek Station and work out of there on foot. Both sheep and deer were to be classified as accurately as possible as to age and sex. Findings; Mountain Sheep See Table 10 for complete findings. The ewe-lamb ratio for the past year was 1;.56, the highest recorded since counts were started in 1941. The eight year average has been 1;.38. The percent of lambs in the 1951 herd was 21. The eight year average has been 18.8%. All mountain sheep reported seen were in good health except one ewe near Reclamation Flats. Natives of the area feel that the herd is doing better than average. Two large rams were observed fighting on Big George Creek. The battle lasted over five hours. Apparently the breeding season was still -28- Table JLD. Game count - December 12 - 14, 1951. Bigho rn Mule Deer White-tailed Deer Elk Ram Ram Ewe Lamb Unc. Buck Spike Doe Fawn Unc. Buck Doe Fawn Unc. Bull Spike Cow Calf Unc. Big George 6 7 i / 13 15 1 5 5 18 5 Scattering Springs 6 9 4 Reclamation Flat 1 1 Sheep Reef 6 18 10 Hannan to Blacktail 1 1 2 1 4 7 12 Mortimer 8 9 6 4 9 Hannan 1 2 1 28 40 35 85 2 3 5 1 20 Wagner^Castle Reef 11 10 14 7 Ford-Fairview Plateau 2 3 8 3 17 25 6 46 , Home Gulch 9 40 24 8 Norwegian Gulch 6 27 31 « Burdoff 4 1 32 17 120 12 (Est.) 40 French Gulch 1 5 8 South Fork Gorge Elk Hill Pretty Prairie West Fork Licks Windfall Creek 250 239 9 60 Total Grand Total 35 23 68 38 17 181 75 187 139 281 12 13 683 22 623 636 on during the count. Findings; Mule Deer A total of 663 mule deer were observed. Of this total 380 were classified. Seventy-four were bucks, 167 does and 139 fawns. The ratio be- tween bucks and does (yearling does included) was 1 buck to 2.25 does. Thirty-four percent of the herd were fawns. The mule deer herd seemed to be doing very good. The range was still open at the time of the count and all animals seen were in good condition. Findings ; Elk A total of 623 elk were seen during the count. Due to the open win- ter, the major portion of the Sun River elk herd was still on the inter- mediate range (Elk Hill to Pretty Prairie). Indications of a small drift down river was noted, however. Conclusions and recommendations: It is generally felt that the Sun River mountain sheep herd is on the increase and doing better than anytime during the past ten years. This may be due to the fact that during the past two winters the elk have fed mainly on the game range winter lands and have not competed as much with the sheep as during past years. Deer, especially the white-tailed, seem to also be on the increase; and no doubt for the same reason. Bruce Neal, Sun River Game Range Manager, reports that he has been putting out mineralized salt for the mountain sheep. It is recommended that this practice be continued and that more inaccessible area be reached by the use of aerial salting. It was felt by the crew this year that more time should be given to the count, possibly a week to ten days. By doing this, both the back country and outside area could be more completely covered. If bad weather moved in, a day or two lost would not be too serious. An airplane trip over the area during the count would no doubt help locate isolated groups. This trip should be planned well ahead due to the usual bad flying conditions at that time of year. At present the range, especially the grass types are in fairly good condition. Howeve-, the deer browse should be watched very closely. With the increased herd, no doubt a controlled doe hunt will be needed in the future to hold numbers and range in balance. Submitted by: Lloyd E. McDowell Approved: Robert F. Cooney Big Game Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 3, 19 52 -30- Project No. 1-R-ll Work Plan I Job I-C Blackf oot-Swan River Snow Conditio n Inspection Job I-C: Big Game Survey in Swan On December 31, 1951, an inspection trip was made into the Clear- water and Swan River drainages. Snow was found to be much deeper than normal for that period of year. Deer along the Salmon Lake area, where snow was eighteen to twenty-four inches deep, were yarded along the southern slopes and doing fairly well. In the Swan, approximately three feet of snow has accumulated in all areas. Deer have moved to their winter yards, but are restricted very much in moving about for food. If condi- tions do not improve, there will no doubt be a heavy winter loss. Submitted by: Lloyd E. McDowell Approved: Robert F. Cooney Big Game Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 3, 1952 -31- STATE Montana PROJECT 26-M-4 DATE January 10, 1952 FINAL REPORT FOR MAINTENANCE PROJECT As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT TITLE? Game Range Maintenance Through Salt Distribution DATES: Aerial salt distribution was put out during the first two weeks in June of 1951. The remainder of the salt was put out during the summer period by truck and pack string. PFRSONNEL: Lloyd E. McDowell, Big Game Biologist Ken Thompson, Assistant Director Faye Couey, Big Game Biologist Clyde Howard, District Warden Supervisor Dwight Stockstad, Junior Biologist Hoyt DeMers, Pilot, Johnson Flying Service Bud Miller, Western Montana Sportsman's Association Dr. E. L. Cheatum, State University Cooperative Research Unit PURPOSE: The primary objective of this work is to release grazing pressure by big game on winter range during the spring and early summer. Both deer and elk move from critical range to higher, more abundant, summer range to obtain salt. Mineral salt has also been used to supply essential minerals in areas where deficiencies occur. PROCEDURE: Block salt is delivered to the closest town by rail and then delivered by truck to the different airports or ranger stations. A tri- motor Ford plane, which is capable of carrying 3,000 pounds in one load, is used to distribute the salt to the more inaccessible areas. A smaller plane was used on three occasions. Salt delivered to the different ranger districts was put out by -32- pick-ups, jeeps and pack-horse. Routes and areas salted were the same as those set up in Rognrud's report, Wildlife Restoration Quarterly, July-September, 1950. AFRIAL DISTRIBUTION: All of the salt shown in the following table was dropped by Ford tri-motor, stationed at Missoula. Area of Distribution Amount of Salt (pounds) Flying Time Blackf oot 3,000 1 hour 30 minutes Upper South Fork 3,000 2 ho ur s 30 minutes Middle Fork 3,000 2 ho urs 15 mi nutes Plains area 2,000 2 hours Fish Creek 3,000 1 hour 30 minutes Swan and South Fork 3,000 1 hour 45 mi nutes Spotted Bear area 3,000 1 hour 55 minutes Belton 3,000 1 hour 20 minutes Middle Fork 3,000 1 hour 45 minutes North Fork 3,000 1 hour 20 mi nut e s West Swan Valley 3,000 1 hour 35 minutes Sun River (4 trips) 12,000 6 hours 20 minutes Bitterroot (4 trips) 12,000 4 ho urs 20 minutes Total 56,000 30 hours 5 minutes Nine hundred pounds were dropped in the Little Belt Mountains by small plane. Three hundred pounds were dropped in the Highwood Mountains by small plane . A small amount was also dropped in the Gallatin area by small plane. SUMMARY: A total of 143,600 pounds of white block salt was distributed to big game in Montana during the past spring and summer. Approximately 60,000 pounds of this amount was put out by plane. All salt was put out according to plan developed in 1950 by Rognrud. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that before next year's salt is put out, that the present plans be examined and any changes made that might be needed. Submitted by: Lloyd E. McDowell Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 10, 1952 -33- STATE Montana PROJECT 35-R-3 DATE December 31, 1951 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Gallatin Management Unit 2. Personnel: J. E. Gaab, Unit Biologist Norman Wortman, Junior Biologist 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan I: Big Game Population Studies Brief investigations were made of game populations in local areas to determine capacity with respect to available natural forage and competing land uses. Management recommendations were made in the following mule deer areas. A. Scudder Creek (Beaverhead County) B. Mill Creek (Madison County) C. East slope of Ruby Mountains (Madison County) D. East side Lower Madison River (Madison County) E. Rock Creek - Horse Creek - Shields River (Park County) F. Upper Shields River Antelope Investigation (Park County) Work Plan I: Job I-D Title: Big Game Survey in Gallatin (including portion in Yellowstone Park) A post-harvest investigation was made on the west Gallatin and winter study is under way. Conditions at the end of this -34- quarter are becoming severe. Work Plan I Job I-E Title: Big Game Survey in Madison In Bear Creek, seventy-eight native elk were counted before any Gallatin mid-winter migration occurred. Work Plan II Title: Big Game Reproduction, Age Classification and Hunter Utilization Three hundred and twenty-six mule deer were classified by sex and age groups during a one-week either sex season, November 1 to November 7; complete report pending. Thirty-eight known-age elk were harvested in the Gallatin and heads were collected for age determination keys; complete re- port pending. Adequate information has been accumulated to determine the relationship between the Yellowstone and Gallatin elk herds; com- plete report pending. Elk reproduction data has been collected but not yet analyzed. The effect of hunting pressure in all major hunting areas has been observed. Work Plan VIII Title: Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigations Sixteen rocky mountain bighorn sheep were located in Squaw Creek, Madison County. Submitted by: J. E. Gaab Approved: Robert F. Cooney Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division December 31, 1951 -35- STATE Montana PROJECT 38-R-3 DATE January 15, 1951 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Upland Game Bird Survey and Investigations 2. Personnel: Wm. R. Bergeson, Biologist Robert J„ Greene, Asst. Biologist Fred L. Hartkorn, Jr. Biologist Robert Eng, Jr. Biologist 3. Report of Progress: Job No. VI B-2 Ef f ect of Land Use on Pheasant Production In the Flathead Valley, wasteland supporting tall weedy cover is the most dependable type for continued pheasant production. Pasture, grain, a nd native grassland did not produce pheasants, while hay fields were found to produce fair crops of young birds if farming operations were delayed suffi- ciently to allow broods to hatch. Harvesting operations prior to June 25 destroyed nests and in many cases the hen also. Job No. Ill B-2 Bitterroot Grouse Census Two hundred thirty-three miles of grouse habitat was censused by following established routes in the upper Bitterroot Valley. Thirty-one blue grouse, nine ruffed grouse, and four Franklin's grouse were observed in the East Fork area, while three blue grouse, six ruffed grouse, and nineteen Franklin's grouse were observed on the West Fork Drainage. Brood sizes averaged 3.25 young for blue grouse, 4.8 young for -36- franklin's grouse, and 3.0 young for ruffed grouse on the basis of the few broods observed in 1951. Elevation of grouse observations ranged widely for all species. Job No. Ill B-2 Grouse Hunter Checking Stations On opening day of the 1951 grouse season at five hunter checking stations located in key areas in western Montana, fewer hunters bagged 8.5 per cent more .grouse when compared with 1950 season results. The upper Bitterroot hunters bagged more grouse (1.5 birds per hunter), and had a higher ratio of blue grouse than for any of the other areas. Hunter kill data indicated that blue grouse were 27/£ more numerous in 1951 and were taken in greatest number for the three species involved; ruffed grouse were 29^ more numerous than in 1950 but still far below the 1949 population level; and Franklin's grouse were 52/£ less abundant. Over 80 per cent of the hunting was done on the opering day of the three-day season; however, average success was only slightly lower the last two days. Age ratios were 3.46 young per adult blue grouse, 1.14 young per adult ruffed grouse, and 1.7 young per adult Franklin's grouse. Of particular significance was the fact that more adult males than adult females were harvested the past two years. This is especially true of blue grouse since 3.6 adult males per adult female were harvested; it is also true for ruffed grouse (1.8 adult males per adult female), and for Franklin's grouse (1.5 adult males per adult female). The possibility of high female nesting season mortality exists . Job No. Ill A-2 Grouse Population Trend Questionnaire Thirty-one questionnaires were returned by Fish and Game Department field personnel, and fifty-one by U. S. Forest Service district rangers. These returns indicated considerable variation in number of grouse observed in the different areas, but the majority tended to believe the grouse pop- ulation to be about the same as a year ago. Submitted by: Wm. R. Bergeson Approved: Montana Fish and Game Commission Biologist By R. H. Lambeth State Fish and Game Warden January 15, 1951 -37- PROJECT NO. 38-R-3 WORK PLAN NO. VI JOB NO. VI B-2 TITLE; EFFECT OF LAND USE ON PHEASANT PRODUCTION PURPOSE: In order to evaluate changing land use trends in terms of pheasant production, it was deemed advisable to undertake a nesting study in an area supporting an excellent pheasant population. No attempt has been made to evaluate the various cover types other than for production. The Moiese Valley was chosen for this study because of the presence of living facil- ities at the Moiese Refuge and because the population figures had been care- fully worked out for this area. PROCEDURE: The methods used in finding the nests varied with the type of cover being searched. In the grain fields, the binder or combine was ridden, the hay chopper was followed on the clover, alfalfa and pasture grass cut for silage, and on the unharvested fields a pole was dragged behind a pickup truck; the otherwise inaccessible areas were checked with a dog. It was felt that the methods uspd were sufficiently effective so that no nests were overlooked . It is realized that the acreages checked are quite small, but the study was carried on as a part-time project and received attention when time could be taken from other duties. FINDINGS: The spring crowing census averaged fifty-five calls per two-minute listening stop on this area, and t he sex ratio was estimated to be about one cock to three and one half hens. The results presented in Table I are for the most part self- explanatory. The grazed pasture was partly irrigated pasture, and partly dry type and consisted of cheat grass, clover, both Ledina and Mammoth Red, and a mixed stand of Poa. This pasture was placed in use in the early spring and used throughout the entire summer, being clipped quite short all of the time. Meadowlarks, Wilson snipes, and redwinged blackbirds were found to be nesting in the area. The waste land consisted for the most part of cultivated fields that had been abandoned and allowed to go back to weeds. On a part of the area plant succession had advanced to the stage where a heavy understory of grass was coming up through a tangle of dried sweet clover and weed stalks. This cover type for the most nart was found on the Moiese Refuge. Pheasants, mallards, meadowlarks and redwinged blackbirds were among some of the birds that found this type to be excellent nesting cover. The forage grown on the harvested alfalfa fields was chopped green and stored in pit silos. It was found that the early operations in June destroyed all pheasant nests before hatching time, and the only production from these -38- fields was on those that were harvested after June 25th. The alfalfa fields that were not harvested were on the Moiese Refuge and the proximity of heavy- weedy cover early in the season is thought to have lowered the utilization of the alfalfa. The clover was also chopped for storage in pit silos and, as it re- ceived attention earlier than the alfalfa fields the nests were all de- stroyed, as were most of the nesting hens on the area. The high figure presented for pasture grass can probably be accounted for by the late date at which it was chopped, and by its location adjacent to grain fields and pasture lands. No nests were destroyed by the chopper in this field. The grain fields that received attention were adjacent to heavy weedy cover which was apparently more attractive to the pheasants during the nest- ing season. The native grass type of cover was on the Moiese Refuge and was not utilized by grazing animals during the year. Randomly dropped eggs and early nesting attempts were found in this cover type, but none of the nests went on to completion, possibly because of predation by crows and magpies. Lark, vesper and grasshopper sparrow nests were commonly found in this type, while searching for pheasant nests. One brood of Hungarian partridges was also hatched out on this area. Table I. LAND USB CORRELATED WITH PHEASANT PRODUCTION Nests Destroyed Acres Pro- Production by Farming Land Use Covered duction per Acre Operations Grazed Pasture Land 4.8 0 0 . Waste land supporting tall weedy cover 49 242 Alfalfa - harvested (silage) 8.5 8 not harvested 19 35 4.9 .9 1.8 Clover - cut for silage ( 6-20-' 51) 0 Pasture grass - cut for silage (6-27-'5l) Spring grain Native grass land 3 6 14 112.3 2.7 - average production / acre 21 0 0 306 7 0 0 10 -39- The earliest known pheasant hatching date was on May 18, and the latest occurred on August 8, with the maximum hatch coming off on the week ending June 23. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIOTJS : The waste land which supports a growth of tall weedy cover is probably the most dependable type' for continued pheasant production. Pas- ture lands, grain fields, and native grass lands were not found to produce any pheasants on the area studied. The hay fields will produce fair crops of young birds if farming operations are delayed long enough to allow the broods to hatch out. Any harvesting operations carried out before June 25 were found to destroy the nests, and in many cases the hens were also killed. Submitted by: Fred L. Hartkorn Jr. Biologist Approved: Wm. R. Bergeson Biologist Wesley Woodgerd Student Assistant Robert F. Cooney Director Wildlife Restoration Division September 25, 1951 -40- PROJECT NO. 38-R-3 WORK PLAN NO. Ill JOB NO. Ill B-2 TITLE: EXPERIMENTAL MOUNTAIN GROUSE MANAGEMENT AREAS OT3TECTIYE: It is "the objective of this work to find all available facts which will be of value in the better management and restoration of native mountain grouse . INTRODUCTION: Considering manpower and time limitations, it was thought advisable to restrict the intensive aspects of the work to the upper part of the Bitterroot River valley, an area where all of the mountain grouse species are present and which, by nature of its geography and prpsent limited roads, lends to checking hunter harvest better than most areas. Accordingly, a cen- sus was made during the summer of 1951 by covering trails through grouse hab- itat in the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot in order to determine grouse density and to serve as population trend indicators in the future. The West Fork drainage was closed to hunting to obtain a comparison of effects of hunted versus unhunted areas on grouse, and a hunter checking station was operated the opening day of the grouse season to obtain grouse harvest infor- mation from the open area. In an attempt to gain information from other areas regarding mountain grouse, a questionnaire form was distributed to all Fish and Game Department field employees and to U. S. Forest Service Ranger Districts through the su- pervising offices. Also four other grouse hunter checking stations were op- erated at key points in other areas other than the Bitterroot. BITTERROOT GROUSE CENSUS PROCEDURE: Forest Service trails were covered by foot and horseback, and number, sex, age, and size in cases of young grouse, was noted and recorded along with information as to cover type and elevation at each grouse observation. Lim- ited time, coupled with adverse weather, restricted the census far below planned proportion. Much of the field work this summer was of an exploratory nature. FINDINGS: More grouse per unit of area censused were observed in the East Fork area between August 25 to 30 when most of the same routes covered in July were retraced. (Note Table I). This would indicate that possibly even high- er counts would have been obtained in September if time had allowed retracing routes again. An index of .24 grouse per mile censused was established in the East -41- Table I. EAST FORK PRESEASON OBSERVATIONS - 1951 Miles Miles Grouse Miles Ruffed Blue- Blues Frank- Frank- Grouse Grouse Per Ruffed Ruffed Per Franklin's Blue Per lin's lin's Habitat Ob- Mile of Habitat Grouse Mile of Habitat Grouse Mile of Grouse Per Mile Date Covered served Habitat Covered Observed Habitat Covered Observed Habitat Observed Habitat 7-12- ! ~— ' — 30 81 19 .24 32 0 0 49 15 .31 4 .08 -25- 30 46 25 .54 .5 31 16 52 0 0 to Date Table II. WEST FORK PRESEASON OBSFRVATIONS - 1951 Miles Miles Grouse Miles Ruffed Blue- Blues Frank- Frank- Grouse Grouse Per Ruffed Ruffed Per Franklin's Blue Per lin's lin's Habitat Ob- Mile of Habitat Grouse Mile of Habitat Grouse Mile of Grouse Per Mile Cpvered served Habitat Covered Observed Habitat Covered Observed Habitat Observed Habitat 7-25- 30 106 28 .26 38 JL6 68 .04 19 ,28 Table III. MOUNTAIN GROUSE BROODS OBSERVED PRESEASON - 1951 Blue Grouse Ruffed Grouse Franklin's Grouse Average Average Average Brood3 Y°ung Brood Size Broods Young Brood Size Broods Young Brood Sige 13 3.25 3.Q 19 4.8 Table IV. ELEVATION AND PROXIMITY TO WATER OF GROUSE OBSERVED Date, 1951 Grouse Observed Growth of Young Elevation Feet Nearest Water July 13 1 female Franklin's, 3 young 2 weeks 7,400 Snowdrifts 100 feet July 15 1 female blue, 1 young i grown 5, 600 Creek \ mile July 16 1 female blue, 8 young f grown 6, 000 Spring 200 yards July 17 1 female blue, 3 young | grown 4,650 Creek 50 yards July 18 1 female blue (road kill) Adult 4,400 River 100 yards July 26 1 female Franklin's, 4 young 3 weeks 7, 690 Spring \ mile July 27 1 female blue, 1 young \ grown 7,800 Spring \ mile Tnl ir 9*7 j uiy /Ci i male blue Adulx 7,750 e j 1 • -i Spring t mile July co i female Franklin's, 7 young 3 weeks n i r\c~\ 8,100 Not determined July 29 1 female Franklin's, 5 young 3 weeks 7,900 Spring \ mile July 29 1 female ruffed, 5 young 3 weeks 6,500 Creek 50 feet August 26 1 female ruffed, 2 young \ grown 6, 500 Along Creek August 26 1 male ruffed Adult 6,200 Along Creek August 2 6 4 Unclassified blue grouse 6,600 Spring \ mile August 27 4 Unclassified blue grouse Grown 6,050 Spring £ mile August 28 5 adult male blue grouse Grown 8,080 Lake \ mile Aag*fe8t;29 1 female blue, 1 young Adult 8,050 Lake \ mij.e August 29 5 Unidentified ruffed grouse 6,000 Along Creek Fork area in July, with blue grouse being the most abundant species; 15 blua grouse, 4 Franklin's and no ruffed grouse were observed. (Note Table I). A comparable July index of .26 grouse per mile censused was established in the West Fork area with Franklin's being most abundant; 19 Franklin's grouse, 6 ruffed grouse, a nd 3 blue grouse were observed. (Note Table II). Based on the few broods observed, an average of 4.8 young per brood of Franklin's grouse, 3.25 young per blue grouse brood, and 3 young per ruffed grouse brood is indicated. (Note Table III). Of the broods observed in July, all the blue grouse young were at least half grown, all the Frank- lin's grouse young under three weeks old, and the one brood of ruffed grouse was about one-fourth grown as o f July 29, when observed. Elevation where birds were observed varied considerably by species and with same species. Young blue grouse were seen at 4,650 feet along a mountain stream and above timberline at 7,800 feet within the space of several days in July. Franklin's grouse broods were seen between 7,400 and 8,100 feet in all cases in July. The one ruffed grouse brood observed in July was observed along a mountain stream at 6,500 feet. An adult female blue grouse was found as a road kill on the main highway out of Bonner at 4,400 feet on July 18. One adult male blue was observed at timberline, 7,750 feet on July 29. All ruffed observed in August were between 6,000 and 6,500 feet in creek bottoms. Blues ranged from 8,080 to 6,050 during August. In general, it was found that grouse were few and far between during the census work, and improvement can be made in the census methods in future years. In particular, census should be confined to areas where accessibility and terrain allow hunting rather than checking relatively remote areas. Submitted by: Fred L. Hartkorn Approved: Wm. R. Bergeson Jr. Biologist Biologist Robert F. Cooney Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 -44- PROTECT NO. 38-R-3 WORK PLAN NO. Ill JOB NO. Ill B-2 TITLE: EXPERIMENTAL MOUNTAIN GROTISE MANAGEMENT AREAS GROUSE HUNTER CHECXING STATIONS PROCEDURE; Voluntary hunter checking stations were established at key points for checking hunters returning from the areas where information was desired, but lack of manpower limited this coverage to the more southwestern counties. Areas checked in 1949 and 1950 were again checked whenever possible to gain comparative values. An effort was made to determine the age, sex, and species of all birds checked and this information, along with area hunted, total hunters, and total grouse was recorded for each hunting party. Stage of development of the pri- mary wing feathers was used for age determination. Ruffed grouse were sexed by tail length. Blue grouse were sexed by tail width and coloration. Plumage characteristics were used to sex Franklin's grouse and distinguish the three species . FINDINGS: For the five areas checked, both in 1950 and 1951, it was found that eight per cent less hunters had bagged on the average 8.5 per cent more grouse during the 1951 season. At these five stations, 447 hunters harvested 423 grouse on September 24, 1950, and 412 hunters bagged 406 grouse on September 23, 1951. The average bag per hunter was 1,66 grouse in 1949 (only 3 of these stations checked in 1949), .94 grouse in 1950, and 1.02 grouse in 1951. (Note Table I). Hunters in the upper Bitterroot area were most successful in that the average nimrod bagged 1.5 grouse. Highest success on both blue and ruffed grouse was also noted from this area; Highest success on Franiclin's grouse was noted at the St. Joe Creek road in Mineral County. (Note Table I). Blue grouse were taken in greatest number again in 1951 with ruffed grouse which had been taken in greatest number in 1949, being second, and Franklin's grouse third all years at the stations checked. (Note Table I). Based on the assumption that individual effort is about the same from year to year in grouse hunting, it is indicated that: (l) blue grouse were 27% more numerous in 1951 than they had been in 1950; (2) ruffed grouse were 29% more numerous in 1951 than in 1950; and (3) Franklin's grouse were 52% less abundant in 1951 than in 1950. (Note Table I). It was possible to operate the checking station on the lower aspect of the Bitterroot all three days of the season and it was observed "that, al- though hunter success declined only slightly after the opening Sunday, number of hunters declined considerably. Of the 172 hunters checked all three days, -45- Table I. COMPARABLE MOUNTAIN GROUSE HUNTER CHECKING STATION DATA 1949, 1950 and 1951 Area Date Number Hunters Checked Total Grouse Checked Blue Grouse Ruf f ed Grouse Franklin' s Grouse Average Grouse Hunter Average Blue Grouse Hunter Average Ruffed Grouse Hunter Average Franklin 1 s Grouse Hunter Mineral County St. Joe Road 1949 1950 32 20 75 10 10 2 52 7 13 1 2.30 .50 .30 .10 1.60 .40 .40 .10 1951 15 15 5 6 4 1.00 .33 .40 .27 Ravalli County S. of Hamilton 1949 1950 1951 84 116 102 122 142 153 36 94 94 86 39 53 0 9 6 1.45 1.22 1.50 .43 .80 .92 1.02 .34 .52 .00 .08 .06 Missoula County Lower Bitterroot ' 1949 1950 1951 115 194 172 142 146 121 22 48 36 107 59 71 13 39 14 1.23 .75 .70 .19 .25 .21 .93 .30 .41 .11 .20 .08 Missoula County Lower Blackfoot 1950 1951 51 64 74 57 18 15 24 32 32 10 1.45 .89 .35 .23 .47 .50 .63 .16 Powell County I Avo n 1950 1 Q K1 ±y Di 66 59 51 60 23 39 12 21 16 0 .77 1 . Ui. .35 a DO .18 .35 .24 .00 Total 1949 0 ov CD DO OAR &o 1.66 .31 1 1 D X • io . 1 / Total 1950 447 423 185 141 97 .94 .37 .34 .23 Total 1951 412 406 189 183 34 1.02 .47 .44 .11 Trend -8% +8.5% +21% + 29% -b2% Table 11. AGE OF MOUNTAIN GROUSE CHECKED IN 1949, 1950 and 1951 Area Blue Grouse Toung Adult Y-A Ratio Ruffed Grouse Young Adult Y-A Ratio Franklin' s Young Adult Grouse Y-A Ratio Mineral County St. Joe Road 5 0 2 4 0.50:1 4 0 Ravalli County S. of Hamilton 68 20 3.4:1 28 25 1.12:1 5 1 5:1 Missoula County Lower Bitterroot 22 14 1.57:1 30 27 1.1111 6 8 0.75:1 Missoula County Lower Blackfoot 11 4 2.75:1 15 13 1.15:1 8 2 4:1 *Powell County Avon 36 3 12:1 8 4 2:1 Total 1951 142 41 3.46:1 83 73 1.14:1 23 11 2.09:1 ""Total 1950 156 78 2.0:1 148 87 1.70:1 60 34 1.70:1 To tal 1949 54 19 2.80:1 238 98 2.40:1 14 13 1.07:1 *Age based on two outer primary wing feathers only. Age ratio of all grouse checked - 1.98 young per 1 adult. Table III. SEX OF ADULT MOUNTAIN GROUSE CHECKED IN 1950 and 1951 Blue Grouse Ruffed Grouse Franklin's Grouse Year Wale Female "Wale /Female Male Female Male/Female Male Female Male/Female 1950 36 9 4:1 29 20 1.5:1 17 13 1.3:1 '1951 29 _9_ 3.2:1 46 22 2.1:1 J7 _3 2.3:1 To tal 65 18 3.6:1 75 42 1.-8:1. 24 ' 16 1.5:1 140 or 82% were checked the opening day, 20 or 12% the second day, and 12 or 6t were checked the third and final day of the season. It is believed this trend existed in other areas where the grouse season was open. If young and adult grouse are taken on an equal basis by the hunter, it is indicated that blue grouse production was good compared to ruffed and Franklin's in 1951. Of the 183 blue .grouse aged, 142 were young (birds of the year) and 41 were adult (over one year old), making a ratio of 3.46 young per adult in the hunters bag. Of the 156 ruffed grouse aged, 83 were young and 73 adult, making a ratio of 1.14 young per adult ruffed. Of the 34 Franklin's aged, 23 were young and 11 adult, making a ratio of 2.09 young per adult. The age ratio of all grouse checked was 1.98 young per adult. (Note Table II ), Due to incomplete feather growth, it was not possible to sex all young grouse but when possible sexes were about equal. However, on adult grouse where it is possible to sex the birds with a high degree of accuracy, far more males are bagged than females. It was particularly true of blue grouse where a ratio of 3.6 adult males per adult female checked has been noted of birds checked in 1950 and 1951. There were 1.8 adult male ruffed taken per each adult female ruffed and 1.5 adult male Franklin's per adult female among the grouse checked in 1950 and 1951. This trend would possibly indicate a greater mortality among females than among males. Observations on other game birds would indicate this is due to high mortality of females during the nesting period. (Note Table III). Submitted by: Fred L. Hartkorn Approved: Wm. R. Bergeson Jr. Biologist Biologist Robert F. Cooney Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 -49- PROJECT NO. 38-R-3 WORK PLAN NO. Ill JOB NO. Ill A-2 TITLE: DETERMINE RANGE AND RELATIVE DENSITY OF MOUNTAIN GROUSE GROUSE POPULATION QUESTIONNAIRE PROCEDURE : Questionnaire forms (Sample Form No. l) were distributed to Fish and Game field employees and U. S. Forest Service Ranger Districts through the supervising offices. Questionnaire forms were analyzed and the data tab- ulated . Sample Form No . 1 . TO: U. S. Forest Service Deputy Game Wardens Restoration Division Dear Sir: In view of the drastic population fluctuations undergone by all species of native Montana grouse it is important to know their population trends from year to year as a basis for more intelligent management. We believe yearly production is of primary importance in determing these trends, therefore brood size information from your district is solicited. If you will fill out the following data sheet and return to Helena, by August 15th, 1951, it will be greatly appreciated. Montana Fish & Game Department Area or District In your opinion are: More Les s About the Same Blue grouse Ruffed grouse Franklin ' s Sage hens Broods Observed Date Species Number Size of Young »**»**»*» Comments : Signed District Rangers Personnel -50- FINDINGS : Thirty-one questionnaires were returned by Fish and Game field em ployees with the following results ! More Less About the Same Blue grouse 2 4 9 Ruffed grouse 2 5 6 Franklin's grouse 2 6 _5 All Grouse 6 15 20 Fifty-one questionnaires were returned by Forest Service Ranger Districts, which showed the following result: More Less About the Same Blue grouse 9 8 30 Ruffed grouse 9 8 25 Franklin's grouse 5 5 28 All Grouse 23 21 83 Although it would seem there was considerable variation in number of grouse observed, the majority tended to. believe the grouse population to be about the same as last year. Many of the rangers stressed the fact that while grouse were "about the same" or "more", there were very few grouse in comparison to populations fifteen to twenty years past. Submitted by: Fred L. Hartkorn Approved: Robert F. Cooney Jr. Biologist Director Wm. R. Bergeson Wildlife Restoration Division Biologist January 15, 1952 -51- STATE Montana PROJECT 39-R-3 DATE January 15, 1952 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Waterfowl Survey and Investigation 2. Project Leader Wynn G. Freeman, Biologist 3. Work Assignment: Richard H. Smith, Jr. Biologist Robert B. Cotner, Jr. Biologist PROJECT NO. 39-R.-3 WORK PLAN NO. Ill JOB NO. TITLE: STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP OF STOCK WATER RESERVOIRS TO WATERFOWL PRODUCTION "(EASTERN MONTANAj INTRODUCTION: The eastern Montana waterfowl stock and farm pond survey, initiated in 1949, was continued in 1950 and again in 1951. A progress report of the first two years may be found in "Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey, Eastern Montana, Summer of 1949 and 1950", Pittman-Robertso n Project 39-R. The following report covers progress during the summer of 1951 with correla- tion to yearly data from 1949, 1950 and 1951. PROCEDURE: The three trend areas were visited once monthly from May through August (four visits) in 1951. Information on territorial breeding pairs and nesting was obtained during the first two visits. Brood counts and vegetative studies were made during the later visits. Twelve reservoirs, four within each trend area, were chosen for -52- concentrated studies. These impoundments were selected on the basis of size and waterfowl production. The largest, the smallest, and two medium- sized ponds, all of which had produced waterfowl, were selected within each trend area. Visiting studies, quantitative vegetative measurements and detailed data of physical characteristics were confined to these twelve reservoirs. Aerial photos were taken for correlation with ground studies. All reservoirs were mapped to scale (computed by calibrated pacing) for area measurements, and classified according to vegetative character- istics. DESCRIPTION 0_F AREAS s A general description of the location, and physical and vegetative characteristics of the three waterfowl trend areas may be found in the progress report referred to in the introductory paragraph. During the summer of 1951, all reservoirs were classified into one of five groups. These groups were separated on the basis of a combination of adjacent and emergent vegetative cover as described below: Class I Sagebrush, greasewood, range grass Class II Cattail, bulrush Class III Spike rush, tri-square, arrowhead, wapato , smartweeds , slough grass, and sweet clover Class IV Willow, cottonwoods Class V Very little or no emergent cover The classification of certain reservoirs will vary from year to year as a direct result of such factors as grazing and water fluctuation. All data presented are based on the condition of the reservoirs during 1951. A total of 122 reservoirs from the three trend areas were visited and classified. The five classes, listed in their order of abundance, are as follows: Class III 45 reservoirs (36.9%) Class V 34 reservoirs (27.9%) Class II 17 reservoirs (.13.91) Class I 14 reservoirs (11.5/0 Class IV 6 reservoirs (4.9/0 -53- Dry 6 reservoirs (4.9£) (Table I). Table I. Classification of reservoirs according to emergent and adjacent cover. Percentage McCone Musselshell Carter Total Comparison Class I 13 1 14 11.5 Class II 3 4 10 17 13.9 Class III 19 6 20 45 36.9 Class IV 5 1 6 4.9 Class V 10 13 11 34 27.9 Dry 3 3 6 4.9 To tal 40 36 46 122 100. oi An individual report covering quantitive vegetative studies will be made pending analysis of data and identification of plant collections. Aerials of reservoirs were computed from measurements made on the normal or full surface area coverages which exists in spring and early summer. Water levels exhibit extreme fluctuations throughout the summer usually tending towards lower levels or drying completely in later summer. However, sometimes mid or late summer cloudbursts will fill the impound- ments to overflowing. The average normal water area of reservoirs in both Musselshell and McCone County trend areas was slightly over three acres. Carter County reservoirs averaged a fraction over two acres (Table II). Table II. Size of reservoir area in the trend areas. McCone Musselshell Carter Total water area 109.24 132.25 78.25 Number of reservoirs 35 43 39 Ave-rage size (in acres) 3.12 3.08 2.01 NESTING: Nesting searches in 1951 were made only on the 12 selected reser- voirs. Attempts to discover nests were made by dragging a 120 foot rope with tin cans attached at 12-foot intervals. When the sage or greasewood cover prevented dragging, searches were made by walking in a manner so as to cover the area at 15-foot intervals out to a minimum of 300 feet around the perimeter of the reservoir. -54- A total of 13 nests (5 mallard, 4 blue-winged teal, 3 pintail, and 1 green-winged teal) were discovered on 5 reservoirs (4 selected reservoirs, 1 general reservoir). Seven nests were found on No. 13 in Musselshell County and no nests were found on the remaining 8 of the 12 selected res- ervoirs. Dominant cover in the case of each nest was as follows: 4 nests in sagebrush, 4 in western wheatgrass, and 1 each in greasewood, rosebush, sweet clover, stubble and tumbleweed. All nests (excluding 1 mallard - 3/4 mile and 1 pintail - 1/2 mile) averaged 45 yards from water. (Table III). Table Til. Nests located on trend areas duri. ng 1951. Distance Nest Reservoir from Wa- No . Species & County ter (yds . ) Dominant Cover 1 Mallard #13 Musselshell 1 Western wheatgrass 2 Mallard #13 Musselshell 45 Sagebrush 3 Green-winged teal #13 Musselshell 42 Sagebrush 4 Mallard #18 Musselshell 10 Greasewood 5 Last year's nest 6 Pintail #18 Musselshell 1 Ro sebush 7 Pintail #13 Musselshell 98 Sagebrush 8 Mallard #13 Mus selshell 1 Western wheatgrass 9 Blue-winged teal #13 Musselshell 35 Western wheatgrass 10 Blue-winged teal #13 Musselshell 3 Sagebrush 1 Blue-winged teal #24 McCone 21 Sweet clover 2 Blue-winged teal #24 McCone 234 Western wheatgrass 3 Pintail #30 McCone 1/2 mile Stubble 4 Mallard #40 McCone 3/4 mile Tumbleweed ADULT WATERFOWL POPDLATIONS: Adult waterfowl populations in 1951 varied only slightly f rom 1949 and 1950. The three most abundant species, mallard, pintail and blue- winged teal, comprised 74.8^ of the total population as compared with 86.4% in 1949 and 81.1% in 1950. The six most abundant species in 1951 are listed in their order of importance as follows: mallard, pintail, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, baldpate and shoveler. (Tables IV and V). -55- Table I?. Adult waterfowl population 1951 - three trend area - to tal s . Percentage Speci e s May June Till IT ju±y August Compo sitio n Mallard 207 176 96 287 766 28.8 Gadwall 39 35 . 9 12 95 3.6 Baldpate 47 31 17 52 147 5.5 Pintail 81 56 304 268 709 26.6 Green-winged teal 15 11 8 166 200 7.5 Blue-winged teal 121 108 53 235 517 19.4 Shoveler 44 43 10 9 106 4.0 Redhead 18 1 19 0.7 Buf flehead 1 1 0.1 Scaup 27 13 2 1 43 1.6 Ruddy 2 9 11 0.4 Coot 9 7 2 5 23 0.9 Unidentified 8 9 9 26 1.0 Total -601 516 510 1,036 2,663 100.0 Table V. A comparison of the yearly summer adult waterfowl populations on the trend areas. Species 1949 1950 19 51 Mallard 27.2 33.9 28.8 Gadwall 1.5 3.6 Baldpate 0.5 1.5 3.5 Pintail 30.7 28.1 26.6 Green-winged teal 10.7 6.9 7.5 Blue-winged teal 28.5 19.1 19.4 Shoveler 0.7 3.9 4.0 Redhead 0.1 0.2 0.7 Buf flehead 0.1 Scaup 0.9 1.6 Ruddy 0.5 0.4 Coot 0.6 0.9 Unidentified 1.6 2.7 1.0 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 -56- Two hundred and thirteen breeding pairs of all species were observed in spring and early summer on trend area reservoirs (97 pairs in Musselshell County, 62 in Carter County and 54 in McCone County). (Table VI). Table VI. Monthly comparison of breeding pairs on the three trend areas during 1951. County May June July Total McCone 43 11 54 Musselshell 59 33 5 97 Carter 44 18 62 Total 146 62 5 213 In 1951, 189 broods of seven different species were raised on 65 individual reservoirs. Fifty-one reservoirs raised no broods and the remaining six were dry. McCone County raised 80 broods (2.2 broods per reservoir), Mussel- shell County raised 60 broods (1.7 broods per reservoir) and Carter County raised 49 broods (1.1 broods per reservoir). (Tables VII through X). -57- Table VII. Comparative information on waterfowl broods observed on the McCone County trend area during 1951. Class I Class II ~ Class III ~ Totals Species Broods Juv. Ave . Broods Juv. Ave . Broods Juv. Ave . Broods Juv. Ave . "Mallard 16 Ill 6.9 25 (6)* 154 6.2 17 (10) 110 6.5 58 (10) 375 6.5 Gadwall - 1 1 1.0 1 • 1 1.0 Baldpate 1 1 1.0 6 (1) 1 1 1.0 Pintail 4 20 5.0 17 2.8 9 (2) 26 2.9 19 (3) 63 3.3 Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal 8 51 6.4 2 11 5.5 6 (1) 50 8.3 16 (1) 112 7.0 Sho veler 1 4 4.0 1 7 7.0 1 (1) 3 3.0 3 (1) 14 4.7 Unidentified 2 11 5.5 1 2 2.0 3 13 4.3 Total 32 198 6.2 36 (7) 172 5.3 33 (14) 189 5.7 101 (21) 579 5.7 101 - 21 - 80 broods Table VTII . Comparative information on waterfowl broods observed on the Musselshell County "trend area during 1951. Class I Class II Class III Totals Species Broods Juv. Ave. Broods Juv. Ave. Broods Juv. Ave. Broods Juv. Ave. Mallard 7 Gadwall 3 Baldpate 8 Pintail 7 Green-winged teal 3 Blue-winged teal 3 Shoveler Unidentified 1 47 25 61 38 27 9.0 6.0 1.0 10 38 19 6 6 6 3 3.3 6.0 6.0 6.0 3.0 3 (1) 6 (3) 7 (4) 3 (1) 4 (1) 11 36 34 16 27 13 9 17 15 7 7 1 2 71 (2) (3) (4) (1) (1) 68 63 116 78 49 45 6 4_ 427 5.2 7.0 6.8 5.2 7.0 6.4 6.0 2.0 6.0 Total 32 217 T78 16 (1) 88 5.5 23 (10) 124 b.4 71 - 11 = 60 broods TUT * Broods that were observed earlier as Class I or II, Table IX. Comparative information on waterfowl broods observed on the Carter County trend area during 1951 . Class I Class II Class III To tals Species ■ ■ Broods Juv. Ave . Broo ds Juv. Ave . Broods Juv. Ave . Broo ds Juv. Ave . Mallard 13 74 5.7 12 (3)* 52 4.3 12 (8) 49 4.1 37 (11 ) \ -L-L / 175 4 7 Gadwall Baldpate 3 15 5.0 2 16 8.0 1 (1) 3 3.0 6 (1) 34 5. 7 Pintail 3 13 4.3 2 7 3.5 5 (2) 14 2.8 10 (2) 34 3. 4 Green-winged teal 1 3 3.0 1 3 3. 0 Blue-winged teal 6 40 6.7 1 4 4.0 3 (2) 15 5.0 10 (2) 59 5. 9 Shovel er Unidentified 1 3 3.0 1 CD 2 2.0 2 (1) 5 2. 5 Total 26 145 5.6 17 (3) 79 4.6 2,3 (14) 86 3.7 66 (17) 310 4. 7 66 - 17 - 49 broods Ul ! ■ " ■ — f I _^ -., ■ ■. • .:.r * Broods that were observed earlier as Class I or II. Table X. Brood production by reservoirs during 1951. Total Total Reservoirs Brood3 County Reservoirs Broods Qccupiad by Broods Per Reservo ir McCo ne 37 80 26 2.2 Musselshell 36 60 18 1.7 Carter 43 49 21 1.1 Total 116 189 65 1.63 Brood species composition in 1951 varied most noticeably in the, pin- tail (4.6$ less) and baldpate ( 7 . 1% mo ye) than that of 1950. The three most important breeders , mallard, pintail and blue-winged teal comprised 75.6$ of the total production in 1951 which was only 1.2% more than 1950. The six most important breeders in eastern Montana in 1951 in order of their import- ance were: mallard, pintail, blue-winged teal, baldpate, gadwalland green- winged teal. Brood class size average for all species in 1951 (Class I - 6.2, Class III - 5.1) showed a computed brood mortality of 17.7$, considerably lower than the computed mortality of 50$ in 1950. In 1951, blue-winged teal raised the largest broods (7.1) to Class III or flight stage, while the pintail raised the smallest (3.5). YEARLY PRODUCTION: Yearly waterfowl production may be expressed in two ways: - broods and ducks raised per reservoir, and ducks raised per square mile. One hundred and eighty-nine broods were raised on 116 ponds, an average of 1.63 broods per pond or 8.3 ducks raised per pond. This computed average is based on the average of all Class III broods (ducks raised to flying stage) of 5.1. Again applying the Class III average of 5.1, 964 ducks were raised within the 518 total square miles of the three trend areas or 1.86 ducks were raised per square mile. (See Table XI). Table XI. Waterfowl production during 1951 on all trend areas. Total broods raised 189 Average size of broods raised to flight stage (Class III) 5.1 Number of ducks raised 964 Number of reservoirs visited • 116 Square miles (3 trend areas) 518 Broods raised per reservoir 1.63 Ducks raised per reservoir 8.3 Ducks raised per square mile 1.86 -60- SUMMARY : Waterfowl production on stock water ponds in eastern Montana was studied for the third consecutive summer. Four visits were made to each of 122 reservoirs from May through August, 19 51. Concentrated studies were made on 12 selected reservoirs; four from within each of the three trend areas. All reservoirs were grouped into one of five classes according to adjacent and emergent cover. McCone and Musselshell County reservoirs both averaged slightly over three acres in normal area coverage, while the Carter County reservoirs averaged a fraction over two acres. Thirteen nests, (5 mallard, 4 blue-winged teal, 3 pintail and 1 green-winged teal) were discovered on five reservoirs. Excluding two nests, the remainder averaged 45 yards from water. The three most abundant species, mallard, pintail and blue-winged teal, comprised 74.8/£ of the total observations of adult population in 1951, as compared with 86.4^ in 1949 and 81.1% in 1950. The six most abundant species comprising the adult population in 1951 are as follows: mallard, pintail, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, baldpate and shoveler. Two hundred and thirteen breeding pairs of all species were observed in spring and early summer on all trend area reservoirs. One hundred and eighty-nine broods were raised on 65 individual reservoirs in 1951. Fifty-one reservoirs raised no broods and six were dry. McCone County raised 80 broods (2.2 broods per reservoir), Mussel- shell County raised 60 broods (1.7 broods per reservoir), and Carter County raised 49 broods (l.l br ods per reservoir). The three most important breeders in eastern Montana, mallard, pin- tail, and blue-winged teal, comprised 75.6^ of the total production in 1951. This was only 1.2% more than 1950. The six most important breeders in 1951 are listed in their order of importance: mallard, pintail, blue-winged teal, baldpate, gadwall and green- winged teal. Brood class averages for all species in 1951 were: Class I - 6.2, Class II - 5.2, and Class III - 5.1. -61- Brood class sizes indicated a computed brood mortality of 17,1%. This mortality is 32.3^ less than 1950. An average of 1.63 broods or 8.3 ducks were raised on each pond. The three trend areas produced a computed 1.86 ducks per square mile . Submitted by: Richard H. Smith Approved: Junior Biologist Wynn G. Freeman Biologist Robert B. Cotner Junior Biologist Robert F. Cooney Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 -62- STATE Montana PROJECT 39 -R- 3 DATE January 15, 1952 MUSKRATS IN STOCK WATER RESERVOIRS In addition to the waterfowl production studies in eastern Montana, a study of the distribution and feeding habits of muskrats was made. Stock water reservoirs were surveyed for evidence of musk^at. Obser- vations were made on the presence of (l) muskrat trails (2) fecal material (3) burrows and (4) plant cuttings. From these observations, a distribution of muskrats in the three wat- erfowl trend areas was determined. A total of 38 out of 109 or 34.8^ of the total number of reservoirs checked were occupied by muskrats. In Carter County, 8 of the 40 or 20^ were inhabited by muskrats, 20 of the 36 or 55. 5# in McCone County, and 10 of the 33 or 30.3% in Musselshell County were inhabited by muskrats. The reservoirs that were observedwere classified either as suitable or unsuitable habitat for muskrats, based on emergent vegetation. Two of the 45 (4.4/0 of the reservoirs classified as unsuitable were inhabited. Thirty-eight of the 64 (58.350 of the reservoirs classified as suitable were occupied. (Table l). Table 1. Number of reservoirs occupied by muskrats. Suitable Unsuitable County Total Reservoirs No . Res. Occupied Res . No . Res . Occupied Res . McCone 36 24 20 12 1 Carter 40 22 8 18 0 Musselshell 33 18 10 15 1 Total 109 64 38 45 2 • Areas consisting largely of spike rush (Eleocharis macro stachya) , American bulrush (Scripus americanus) , cattail (Typha latifolia), and both hardstem bulrush (Scripus acutes) and softstem bulrush (Scripus' validus) were classified as a suitable habitat because the diet of the muskrat appeared to largely consist of the above species. Three observations were made where muskrats were apparently feeding on sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus ) . -63- Fecal material, "tracks and trails of mink were observed on seven of the reservoirs which were uninhabited by muskrat. Mink and muskrats were found to be living together on only one reservoir within the three trend areas. (Table 2) . Table 2. The presence of mink correlated with the presence of muskrat . Presence Presence Presence County of Mink of Muskrat of Both McCone 1 20 1 Carter 6 8 0 Musselshell 0 10 0 Total 7 38 1 In summary two conclusions regarding the habitat requirements of the muskrat of eastern Montana are indicated from the data collected: 1. Suitable vegetative cover appears to consist largely of spike rush, American bulrush, cattails, hardstem bulrush and softstem bulrush. 2. The presence or absence of mink inhabiting the reservoir appears to be a limiting factor. Submitted by: Richard H. Smith Approved: Wynn G. Freeman Junior Biologist Biologist Robert B . Co tner Robert F. Cooney Junior Biologist Director Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 -64- STATE Montana PROJECT W-49-R-1 DATE January 15, 1952 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Fur Resources Survey and Investigation 2. Project Personnel: Fletcher E. Newby, Project Leader 3. Project Outline: A. Objectives 1. Determination of economic importance of the Montana fur resource. a. Annual yield of pelts by species and county. b. Annual income from fur animals. 2. Determination of fur animal distribution with reference to habitat types and land use. a. Effect of cultural practices on fur animal habitat. b. Opportunities for improvement of occupied habitat and restoration of depleted areas. c. Population status. B. Methods 1. Economic survey. a. Obtain catch records and price information from fur buyers. -65- b. Provide trappers with catch report cards to be returned at the end of the trapping seaso n. 2. Distribution survey. a. Contact Department of Fish and Game personnel, trappers and local resi- dents to obtain information on past and present distribution of fur ani- mals in their districts. b. Field reconnaissance in selected areas. c. Establishment of population trend study areas. 4. Report of Progress: Preliminary contact work and correspondence was conducted. Contact of approximately one-third of the fur buyers in the State and numerous trappers was accomplished. Several muskrat population trend study areas were established. Aerial survey and photography of these areas was carried out in conjunction with ground reconnaissance. Submitted by: Fletcher E. Newby Approved: Robert F. Cooney Junior Biologist Director j Wildlife Restoration Division January 15, 1952 -66-