Fish and Game Commission QUARTERLY REPORT JANUARY - MARCH 1953 PITTM AN— ROBERTSON FEDERAL AID PROJECT Helena, Montana April 15, 1953 Regional Director Fish and Wildlife Service Swan Island Portland 18, 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 « The coverage is for the period January, February and March, 1953. Submitted hji Robert Fe Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Approved by? QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT For The WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION STATE OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Chairman - Edward M. Boyes, Libfoy Thomas S. Morgan, Miles City William T. Sweet, Butte Walter Banka, Conrad Manson H. Bailey, Jr., Glasgow State Fish and Game Warden - R. H. Lambeth Chief Deputy - W. J. Everin Director, Wildlife Restoration Division - R. F. Cooney Volume IV Number 1 January, February and March 1953 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/quarterlyreport1953mont_0 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Wildlife Surveys and Management ....... Don Le Brown 1 Post-Season Aerial Antelope Survey (Yellowstone Unit). . Don Le Brown and Robert J. Fischer 5 Aerial Antelope Survey (Musselshell Unit). .Don L. Brown 8 Aerial Antelope Survey (Yellowstone Unit -Southern Wheat- land Sub-unit )0 . . Don L« Brown and Robert J. Fischer 15 Population Studies of Deer (Missouri Breaks) »....♦ Don Lo Brown and Robert J. Fischer 21 Population Studies of Deer (Powder River Unit) ..... Joe Egan 28 Collection and Analysis of Deer Stomachs in Ashland Dis- trict (Powder River Unit). .,•••«««»* «, Joe „ Egan 31 Population Studies of Deer (Carter Unit) <> . . *Joe Egan 38 W-l-R-13 (Western) Wildlife Surveys and Management ....... Phillip B0 Marshall 42 Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on Blackfoot Game Range ...... . . 0 o . . . . .Phillip B. Marshall 45 Tagging and Release of Elk in Upper South Fork of Flat- head River »«•«►• . Phillip B. Marshall 46 Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigation 0 . <> . Herman Ogren 48 Study of Mountain Goat Winter Range Distribution. . „ „ Phillip B. Marshall 49 State-wide Cumulative Record of Big Game Data ..... Faye M. Couey 50 W-35-R-4 Southwestern Montana Unit. ...... « .J. E0 Gaab 61 Big Game Survey in Ruby„ ••••«<,»<>, ..J. E. Gaab 70 Big Game Survey in Beaverhead River Area (Sage Creek Antelope Tagging). o»..8..o»ooooj. E. Gaab 72 Big Game Survey in Beaverhead River Area (Aerial Antelope Census )©oooooooo.»oe . o o o. Philip South 73 Page Big Came Survey (Big Belt-Boulder Area) 0 . • J* E. Gaab 75 Moose Census and Distribution (Aerial Moose Census and Range Trends in Red Rock Area) . • . . . » Philip South 77 Moose Census and. Distribution (Aerial Moose Census in Big Hole) ooooo.oooooooooo Philip South 78 W-36-R-3 Lincoln County Deer Study 0 • . . « . • • Robert M. Blair 79 Thorough Investigation of Wildlife Resources Within and Adjacent to the Proposed Floodage Basin of the Libby Dam (Army Engineers Corps) on the Kootenai River in Lincoln County. o •••• .D* P. Couvillion 94 W-37--R-4 Game Range Predevelopment' Survey • , , * Richard L, Hodder 95 W-38-R-4 Upland Game Bird Surveys and Investigations Wm» Bergeson 97 Pre- and Post-Season Sex Ratios and Hunter Harvest. • . . Dale Witt 99 Pheasant Mortality and Causes . • . « <, * » . • Dale Witt 100 Pheasant Mortality and Causes • •••••« Fred Hartkorn 101 Survival of Game Farm Reared Pheasants,, • Fred Hartkorn, Wesley Woodgerd, Wnu Bergeson 102 Survival Value of Chukar Partridge • * • Wesley Woodgerd 111 W-39-R-4 Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations , . Wynn G. Freeman 112 W-41-R-4 Hunter Harvest Determination and Big Game Evaluation » . Faye Couey 114 W-49-R-2 Fur Resources Surveys and Investigations „ Fletcher Newby 139 W-5-D-11 General Wildlife Restocking , . » . . . • . James McLucas 141 W-33-D-4 Blackfoot-Clearwater Winter Big Game Range Development • Stan Mongrain 150 W-45-M-2 Maintenance of Blackfoot-Clearwater Big Game Range, . . « Stan Mongrain 151 W-47-M-2 Maintenance of Sun River Winter Elk Range. . .Robert Neal 153 STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-l-R-12 (Eastern) DATE April 15, 1953 VOL. IV NO. 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Wildlife Surveys and Management (Eastern) 2. Leader: Don L. Brown, Biologist Joe L. Egan, Junior Biologist Robert J. Fischer, Junior Biologist Glen F. Cole, Student Assistant 3 . Report of Progress : Work Plan I: Antelope Census , Herd Production, Migration and Mortality Studies Job I- A: Antelope Census Annual job completion report attached. Job I-B: Antelope Herd Production Studies Annual job completion report attached. Job I-C: Study of Antelope Migration and Population Shifts Proceeding - report pending Yellowstone Unit Survey. Job I-D: Study of Antelope Losses by Hunting and Natural Causes Annual job completion report attached. Work Plan II: Relationship of Ant elope to Agricultural and Range Land Use Job II-A: Relationship of Antelope to Winter Wheat Production Collection and analysis of stomach samples proceeding. Enclosures will be established in 1953 for securing comparative yield data from the 1954 harvest. Observa- tions of antelope on wheat fields will be recorded with respect to antelope activities and time intervals. ■1- Job II-B: Relationship of Antelope to Seed and Feed Alfalfa Collection and analysis of stomach samples proceeding. The following outline covers aspects of the study to be considered March 1953 through September 1953 • A. Food habits with respect to Alfalfa as indi- cated by; 1. Antelope minutes 2. Analysis of stomachs B. Differential yields of forage and seed alfalfa as indicated by the comparison of clip-plots with enclosures. C. Differential use on alfalfa as indicated by pellet-group-counts . D. Activities and movements of antelope using alfalfa as indicated by: 1. Observations of tagged fawns 2. Comparisons of plotted airline miles from kill sites to alfalfa with respect to the incidence of alfalfa in antelope stomachs . 3- Weekly daylight to dark observations of antelope bands or individuals. Observa- tions recorded with respect to antelope activity, time intervals, vegetational types and distances traveled. E. Activities and movements of antelope using alfalfa with respect to the availability and use of water. Indicated by obscured tract counts, time and distance data. Job II-C: Relationship of Antelope to Range Land Collection and analysis of stomach samples proceeding. The following outline covers aspects to be considered March, 1953 , through September, 1953. A. Food habits with respect to range land as indi- cated by: 1. antelope minutes 2. analysis of stomachs 3. analysis of 1/1000 acre plots at observed feeding sites. B. Forage preferences of antelope as indicated by availability— use data obtained from l/lOOO acre plots at observed feeding sites. -2- Work Plan Ills Job III-A: -Job III-B: Job III-C; Work Plan IV: Job IV-A: Job IV-B: C» Activities and movements with respect to range land will be indicated by the same techniques used to indicate the activities and movements of antelope using alfalfa 0 Deer Food Habits Study on Badland Type Range Important Food Plants Used by_ Deer in Badlands Progress report pending. Evaluation of Range Conditions and Degree of Use in Key Species Inactive pending Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management reports. Population Studies of Deer (Missouri River Breaks ) Annual job completion report attached. Mule Deer Food Habits on Grassland Type Range Mule Deer Food Habits on Grassland Type Range Inactive during report period* Population Studies (Little Belt Mountains) Inactive during report period. Work Plan Y% Census and Survey of Deer Herds in Eastern Montana Job V-A: Job V-A-l Population Studies of Deer Progress report attached. (Powder River Unit ) Deer Damage to Alfalfa (Powder River Unit) Damage to alfalfa since early November and up to the present time has been moderate to slight. Since early October the alfalfa fields have been cut and only stubble remains. Such fields have been ignored more or less by deer since that time. This might be attributed to the first killing frost which possibly renders either grow- ing alfalfa or the stubble unsuitable for deer consump- tion,:, It is also a common practice for the ranchers of the area to run their cattle on the alfalfa stubble from December 1st until April. It may be that cattle on such fields discourages use by deer* The only utilization of alfalfa by deer in this unit has been in stacked hay. The mild winter has produced no heavy concentrations of deer around stack-yards and interviews with ranchers disclosed a minimum of concern on their part regarding damage. Most ranchers feel the 30-day either sex season held in the southern portion of the unit from October 15 to November 15, 1952, will give some relief to deer depreda- tion in the coming springe Summer field observations will be made to determine the results of this extended either sex season* Job V-A-2: Job V-B: Work Plan VI: Work Plan VII: Job .VII-A: Job VII-B: Submitted by: Collection and Analysis of Deer Stomachs in Ashland District Job completion report attached. Deer Population Studies of Garter Unit Progress report attached* Study of Introduced Mountain Sheep Herd in Missouri Breaks Inactive during report period. Census and Survey of Elk Herds in Eastern Montana Census and Survey of Established Elk Herds Annual job completion report pending. The extremely mild winter has not been favorable for the census of elk herds. They did not concentrate on their normal wintering grounds and although numerous counts have been attempted^ none have been considered completely successful. Further attempts will be made following the the snow storm now prevailing. Investigation of Recently Introduced Elk Herds !• Missouri River Breaks. Elk were sighted on numerous occasions during flights over the Missouri Breaks area but no attempt was made to make a complete count. Unless the count can be accomplished under fresh snow conditions , a complete coverage survey would be impractical. With ideal conditions, large areas can be skipped over by a quick glance as only elk and horses are present to leave the distinctive pawing signs • Pawing marks left by deer are easily distinguished from those of elk. 2. Pine Ridge. Inactive during report period. 3» Rock Creek. Inactive during report period. 4c Knowlton. Inactive during report period. Name Don L. Brown Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Biologist By Robert F. Cooney9 Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date -4 JOB PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan I Job No, I-A to C Title: Post-Season Aerial Antelope Survey (Yellowstone Unit) Dates? December 17, IB, 19, 1952 PERSONNEL; Go 0* Johnson, Deputy Game Warden Webster Bridges, Rancher-Sportsman Lawrence Erickson, Rancher-Sportsman Don L. Brown, Biologist (Pilot) OBJECTIVE". To determine number of antelope in the areas shown on Map I. PURPOSE: Farmer-rancher complaints of an unusually heavy antelope population, utilizing alfalfa and winter wheat fields precipitated this survey. If the results of this aerial census revealed a greater than normal population, special permits were to be issued » It is assumed that this area was the recipient of the antelope ,?lost" from the Musselshell Unit. (See Aerial Antelope Survey Quarterly Report January, 1953) • If they were the lost antelope, it was logical to assume that the regular season did not adequately harvest the increase and another season was in order. PROCEDURE: A complete coverage survey was made of the area within the boundar- ies as shown on Map I. Two ranchers living within the area alternated as observers on this survey o FINDINGS-; A total of 2^,510 antelope were tabulated in the two areas that should normally carry a post-hunting season population of approximately 1,300 heado However, as a post-hunting season survey has never before been conducted in this area under similar conditions, the population can only be estimated from summer counts 0 Absence of snow and extremely mild weather has caused antelope to spend much more time on agricultural crops, chiefly winter wheat, than nor- mally. Cold weather and snow usually causes these antelope to migrate to areas of rough sagebrush type country at this time of yeare CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: It would be unlikely that a population of this size would remain after the hunting season unless one of the following conditions prevailed: 1. Complete lack of hunting and light migration to the area® 2. Heavy migration into the area from all surrounding areas e 3 » This area was the recipient of most of the antelope lost from hunting area eleven (1952)* One of the above will be established or indicated after the results of the Yellowstone Management Unit Census are tabulated • (Summer of 1953) It was the concensus of opinion that approximately 1,000 permits should be issued to reduce and disperse the herds utilizing the winter wheat fields in the area described, RESULTS OF SEASON: A drawing was held in Ryegate, Montana, on December 20, 1952, for 1,000 either sex permits* Only 150 permits were issued on the day of the drawing but the remaining permits were sold on a first-come-first-served basis during the next weeke Based on a 10% random sample of hunters checked the following re- sults were obtained: Permits Cards Percent Percent Percent Percent Computed Kill Issued Sent Out Return Successful Bucks Does Bucks Does 1,000 100 59 95 46,4 53»6 441 509 There is no way of determining which of those listed as bucks or does would be fawns • Submitted by - Pott j^g Brown Approved by Robert F. Coone; Robert J . Fischer Date April 15, 1953 -7- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan No. I Job No. I-A to D Title of Job : Aerial Antelope Survey (Musselshell Unit) DATES ; July 28-31, 1952 August 1-9, 11-18, 1952 PERSONNEL: Raleigh Shields, Deputy Game Warden Joe Egan, Junior Biologist Robert J. Fischer, Junior Biologist Courtney Taylor, Deputy Game Warden (Pilot) Don L. Brown, Biologist (Pilot) OBJECTIVES: 1. To furnish reliable management data. 2. To improve census techniques. 3. To establish a natural loss and annual increase percent that is reliable. TECHNIQUES USED: This aerial survey was conducted several weeks later than the two former surveys in order to be sure that all of the fawns were moving with the herds • With all the fawns up and running, it was hoped wider strips would be successful. Wider strips led to a smaller percent of antelope classified (age and sex). This in turn may have introduced an error. (See conclusions.) The area was flown in approximately the same manner as in 1943. (Summer Aerial Antelope Census, Quarterly Progress Report, October - December, 1948). Area X was omitted because of low density and limited time. Areas I-A (Judith Basin County) and XXI (Fergus County) were added because of mi- grations from Musselshell Unit. FINDINGS: Map one shows unit and sub-unit boundaries and populations as determined for 1952 Map two is to compare subunits within the entire unit. Field notes and maps used in 1948 and 1950 were lost, thus comparison of each of the flight units is impossible. Figure three summarizes the data of the three census years for com- parison. Figure four is a continuation of the chart using an annual increase of 61%, and a mortality other than hunting or trapping, of 13% . The marked difference in the hypothetical and actual count in 1952 (Figure 4) can possibly be explained by a shift of antelope into the Yellow- stone Unit. Partial counts in a portion of the Yellowstone Unit indicate that a movement has taken place. Verification and extent of this shift will be borne out in 1953 Yellowstone Unit Census. Subsequent to the regular fall antelope season an additional harvest of 1,000 antelope was necessary in the Big Coulee area to relieve an abnormal increase. The congested area is immediately south of the area from which a migration was reported. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : Antelope densities did not live up to expectations in the area north of Rye gate and Lavina. To eliminate the possibility of error a large segment of this area (575 square miles) was rechecked. A second count, four days later, agreed with the first survey. By the time the census was completed it was evident that either a general shift of antelope into another unit had occurred, or there was an extremely heavy mortality from unknown causes. No evidence was found to support a heavy mortality but the following evidence supports a shift: 1. Spot checks in the area south of Lavina and Rye gate indicate an abnormal concentration of antelope. 2. Climatic and forage conditions during the late summer of 1951 and winter of 1951-52, i.e., battering hailstorm and a severe winter, were not advantageous to antelope. 3. Information from residents of the Musselshell Valley indicate that several herds were observed drifting south during a win- ter storm. Thus, it is logical to assume there was a shift of antelope across the Musselshell River. Evidence to date indicates approximately 1,200 antelope moved out of the Musselshell Unit during the winter of 1952; this would result in a summer count shortage of 1,900 head. This phase of the project will be discussed again at the conclusion of the Yellowstone Unit antelope survey to be accomplished during the summer of 1953 • Hunting pressure in area number 11 (1952) was too heavy for the -9- -10- MUSSELSHELL MANAGEMENT UNIT A 746 B 1271 C 1167/ A 2540 B 4018 EITiOA/ujj, co C 4159 Bu rfl lTT< CTl. c B~ A 194 B CENSUS 6 1990 CENSUS c i9ae census MAP II ANTELOPE CENSUS SUMMARY BY SUB-UNITS 1948-50-52 -11- 1948 1950 195 2 HARVEST % CLASSIFIED 94 % 84 % 55 % 1948 - 705 % BUCKS 19.57% 21.69 % 25.15 % 1949 - 15 58 % DOES 43.34% 40.60% 37. 1 5 % 1950 - 3500 % FAWNS 37.09 % 37.71 % 37.69 % 1951 ~ 3000 TOTAL BUCKS 1693 2388 2650 1952 ~ 3650 TOTAL DOES 3749 4470 3916 TOTAL FAWNS 3209 4152 3972 FIGURE 3 GRAND TOTAL 8,6 =>l 11,010 1 0, 5 3 8 -11a- buck:doe ratio L2.22 i:i.8 7 i: 1.48 DOE '. FAWN RATIO i:0.86 i: 093 1 : 1.01 % ANN. INCREASE 59 % 60.5 % 6 0. 5 % SO MILE AREA 3497 2443 3607 ANTELOPE / SQ. 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Fischer, Jr. Biologist Don L. Brown, Biologist (Pilot) OBJECTIVE AND PROCEDURE: This survey is designed to produce information relative to population dynamics of antelope as well as year to year management date. This is the fifth year of aerial work accomplished in the Wheatland sub-unit of the Yellowstone Management Unit. It was intended that this area, censused on an annual basis, would furnish yearly information which might be lacking in the over-ail biennial census of the entire Yellowstone Unit. FINDINGS : Figure I lists the antelope populations found within flight unit- boundaries for 1952. Figure II is a summary of population data for the entire sub-unit for the five year period. Map I compares populations within topographic boundaries shown during the five years of census. Figuve III is an analysis of card return data. COLLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : Although a part of this area is apparently a "buck pasture" during the time of census, it is believed the high percent of bucks Is due in part to poor census technique. The ease with which bucks are identified, as compared to separating does and fawns in large groups, leads to the con- clusion that many bucks are tabulated as such with some repetition from the unclassified list when computing percentages. It is recommended a technique be developed to gather better sex and age ratios for this area. Antelope are too numerous to attempt 100$' c las si- -15. -16- I CO 00 O CO o CO LO CO o o « a • O LO CO 10 <£> CO L>~ rH I— 1 CO C\! O oo -P ra 0 rH •H o cr co 00 o LO CN2 O O 00 CN3 l>- U0 CM C\2 <£> rH CO co to -p o Eh S S3 (D rH a CD rH O o 00 •-£> LO CO CO O oo CM rH C- uo rH LO LO CO tO co C\2 <7> CO rH rH 00 i — I CO CO OJ iHH rH rH LO LO LO LO C\2 tO CM LO CO <£> O O CO O LO rH rH CD CO O CO CO CNJ CO CO en. 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The total kill based on checking stations and estimates was 2,512 dee1". This could very reasonably be adjusted upwards to include hunters by-passing checking stations and local hunters. Checking station reports indicated 60,6% of the males harvested were spikes and two points. Over 90% of the deer harvested were killed during the first three days of the season. Successful hunters required an average of 1.71 days to bag a deer | 51% were successful in one day, 23% in two days, 15% in three days and only 5% required 4 days or longer. Thirty-four calibers of guns were used ranging from .219 Zipper to a .38-40 Winchester. Leading the list with 31% was the 30.06:, 30-30 was next with 2k% and 270 's were third with 11%. RECOMMENDATIONS; The present forage inventory and determination of carrying capacity of this area, being conducted by the Fish & Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, should serve as a base for setting up a management plan. It is obvious that the growing popularity of the area demands that the maximum numbers of deer should be carried on a sustained yield basis. Consequently, information not available this past season but necessary for population determination should be collected in the future. 1. Checking stations should place more importance on keeping records on the number of unsuccessful hunters, positive determination of adults and fawns, incidence of female fawns as compared to male fawns, days spent hunting and at least a random sample collection of jaws for age determination. 2. If this area is to be considered as one deer herd, many more checking stations are needed for adequate information leading to better management. -26- 3 * Except from the standpoint of law enforcement, checking stations furnish very little information after the first week-end of hunting; therefore stress should be placed on opening days • Submitted bys_____J)ojiJ^ Approved byg Robert F9 Coone^ Robert J9 Fischer Dat e g April 15 * 1953 ■2(- JOB PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana ' Project No. W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan No* V Job No. Y-A Title of Job? Population Studies of Deer ( Powder River Unit) Dates November, 1952, to March, 1953 PERSONNEL; Warren Linville, Deputy Game Warden William Maloit, Deputy Game Warden John B« Nicolay, Deputy Game Warden Joe Egan, Junior Biologist OBJECTIVES g 1. Ascertain post-hunting season deer densities, 2« Population shifts . TECHNIQUES USED? Coverage of the unit was not complete but restricted to certain "trend" areas. These areas are shown on Figure 1® Coverage was made both by auto and on foot. Because of an extremely mild winter, the deer were widely dispersed in the unit. Additional information was gained from interviews with dependable ranchers of the area. FINDINGS; A field check on Upper Pumpkin Creek (Area A), on the day following the close of the 30-day either sex season, revealed the presence of a consid- erable number of deer. At the time of the check (early morning) there was three inches of fresh snow. In three areas totaling approximately 1.5" square miles, 26 tracks were observed. At the time of the check the snow was less than ten hours old, and all tracks indicated the deer would probably remain in the area. This area had received considerable hunting pressure during the season*. This could be attributed to a county road paralleling Pumpkin Creek in this area. A field check in Area B was undertaken in December. A fresh snow four inches deep and 18 to 20 hours old existed at the time. Covering a dis- tance of approximately ten miles by auto, with frequent stops to check the area on foot, a total of 42 tracks, a two-point buck and an adult doe were observed. During December and January, several trips to Otter Creek (Area C) failed to disclose a very high deer populationo Ranchers of the area reported little or no deer around haystacks*. In Area C, an open meadow on the main divide between the Tongue River and Otter Creek, two does and four fawns were observed in late January « 28. L»oco-te P©w<|er xxx 30- tV5 CHW €X -29- From investigation Areas D and E appear to have substantial popula- tions of deer* Although no extensive work has been done in D, it is believed to have a density similar to that of E. Of all areas investigated, Area E appeared to have the highest density* Two strips of seven and ten miles were traversed on two consecutive mornings by auto. Twenty and twenty-six deer respectively were observed © Field observations disclosed very little over-utilization of browse in any of the areas mentioned. However, individual plants of Skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) and Snowberry ( Symphorioc arpos albus ) exhibited moderate to heavy use, while plants of the same species in the vicinity showed slight or no use. Although no extensive field work has been accomplished, there is evidence that the Fort Keogh Game Refuge , bordering the northwestern corner of the Powder River Management Unit, has a high deer density. Their numbers are under present conditions increasing without this increase being harvested. During June, July and August of 1952, many deer were seen feeding in the al- falfa fields adjacent to the Refuge. Future field work on this area may dis- close a need for measures by which harvest in the Refuge can be undertaken* CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS i In spite of a 30-day either sex season, in the southern portion of the management unit, a substantial deer population is still present. Observations tend to indicate a migration to the Powder River breaks occurs during periods of adverse weather. Continued field work will determine this. From observations regarding forage utilization, there appears to be no over-population of deer in the areas investigated • Present numbers of deer in the southern portion of the management unit indicate an either sex season during the coming fall will not be detri- mental to the deer population. More information is needed regarding the deer in the Fort Keough Game Refuge. Submitted by Joe Egan Approved by Don L. Brown. Date March 24, 1953 30 JOB PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-l-R-12 Work Plan No, V Job No, V-A-2 Title of Jobs Collection and Analysis of Deer Stomachs in Ashland District ( Powder River Unit) Dates September to October, 1952 PERSONNEL; William Maloit, Deputy Game Warden Joe Egan, Junior Biologist OBJECTIVES; 1. To ascertain the extent of damage caused by deer feeding on alfalfa grown for seed and hay, TECHNIQUES USED; Deer were collected in and adjacent to alfalfa fields known to be used by them. An effort was made to collect the deer from several fields in the following manner; One deer in the evening prior to entering a field; one that had actually been feeding in a field for several hours; and one in the early morning as it was leaving a field* To avoid biased sampling, an attempt was made to collect the first deer observed for each collection time. In removing the stomach samples, the contents of the rumen were thoroughly mixed and an amount sufficient to fill a quart container 3/4 full was taken. Formaldehyde and water were used to preserve the sample , The samples were sent to the Division of Fish and Game Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley k$ California for analysis. All eight samples were those of mule deer* Carcasses were given to charitable institutions • FINDINGS; Table I gives the analysis of the samples and Figure 1 gives the location of collection areas, Table II lists the analysis of samples taken from Rosebud County in the Custer Big Game Management Unit, -31- Figure 1 Custer National Forest (Ashland Division) -32- ent o vO O O -3- 0 0) 03 0 0) CD 0 O O 0 0 0 CD © o 0 O CM tO 0 0 0 0 p J>- rH rH O o O o o O O On M o o o O o CA o o to rH O o O o 0 cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd cd ft P P P P p. 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CD CD CD cd CD cd CO CD CO CD H rH ft fi (1) ' O CD M M cn'cqo i — i i — i a PQ rM cd -p cd Q cd cm H cd h m M 2 m £> CD cm O H 3 CO CO cd CD CD M O cd CD C\2 CO cd lA H \rH H MA vO CD cd S 0g cd O Pi cd U -d M rH * Using the card return information, there were 67 does and 66 bucks taken out during the special season* On January 22 and 23 six ground strips were covered on foot. Five of these strips were two miles in length, and one was four miles in length (see Figure 2)* The total area covered was approximately 3® 5 square miles • The total number of deer observed was 32. They are classified as follows t Mule Deer White-Tail Adult Males 5 Adult Males k Adult Females 6 Adult Females 2 Fawns 8 Fawns 3 Unclassified 2 Unclassified 2 The aerial census on March 6 and 7 covered an area of 102 square miles. Total number of deer seen was 29. Sixty-eight percent of this number was observed in the southern portion of the censused area. Since antlers are shed during this time no attempt was made to sex the animals. Although the census was not considered very successful in obtaining deer density, it was successful in ascertaining which areas should be subjected to this type of census in the future. It is believed that aerial census from January to March should be confined to the southern portion of this forest in the future, A mild winter and lack of existing trend data for the area make it im- possible to arrive at any definite conclusions. Preliminary investigations have revealed a substantial deer population on Box Elder Creek. Fifty-seven deer were observed between Ridgeway and Bell tower, on a five mile strip of the Creek. Additional investigations will give a better account of this area. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS % Further investigations are needed to establish criteria by which the deer of Custer National Forest (Sioux Division) can be managed. Present data tends to indicate a low population of deer in the northern portion of the Forest, and a rather high concentration of deer in the south- ern portion at present. Investigations and rancher interviews prior to the 1953 hunting season will ascertain the type and length of season needed for this area. Submitted by Joe Egan Approved by _ Don L. Brown °3te_ March 24, 1953 •41- STATE Montana PROJECT N0» - W-l-R-lj DATE April 15, 1953 70L IV NO . QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE - RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Wildlife Surveys and Management - Western Montana 20 Leaden Phillip B. Marshall , Junior Biologist Herman Ogren, Junior Biologist 3. Report of Progress % Work Plan Is Big Game Population Studies Job I- A: Big Game Survey in South Fork of Flathead 9 Swan^ Black- foot and Adjacent Areas This work is currently in progress and will be reported the following report period . Job I-B: Big Game Survey in the Bitterroot, Rock Creak f Fish Creek, Thompson Falls , Cherry Creek and Adjacent Areas This work is currently in progress and will be reported the following1" report period «> . Work Plan lis Big Game Reproduction 6 Age Classification, and Hunter Utilization Job II- As Age Classification and Herd Rate of Increase Reported in the October-December 1952 Quarterly* In addition, the deer reproductive tracts collected during the 1952 hunting have been analyzed and the results com- pared with the doe; fawn ratios calculated from hunter kill d at a s * Noe of Sets Doe; Fawn Ratio by Does Fawn Ratio by Checking Station of Ovaries Ovarian Analysis Hunter Kill Bonner 10 ls/|. o3 Lincoln County- 22 ,93 1.05. Includes Island Lake, MacGregor Lake, and Waylett checking stations Job II-B: Hunter, Utilization Reported in October-December 1952 Quarterly Report Work Plan III: Job III-A: Study of the Migratory Habits of Big Game in Key Areas Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on the Blackfoot Game Range Completion report attached. Job III-B: Tagging and Release of Mature Elk in the Bitterroot Elk did not occur in large enough numbers this winter to make trapping feasible. Job III-C: Work Plan IV: Job IV-A: Tagging and Release of Elk in Upper South Fork of Flathead River Completion report attached. Range Inspection and Brows e Measurements Forage Utilization on Key Areas Inactive. Work Plan V: Work Plan VI: Job VI-A: Job VI-B: Job IV-B: Range Condition Survey This work is being done in conjunction with winter game surveys and will be reported the following report period. Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigation Progress report attached. Rocky Mountain Goat Investigation St.udry of Movements and Migration Inactive during report period. Age Determination by_ Tooth Wear and Replacement Prior to the opening of the 1952 goat hunting seasons, letters were sent to all licensed taxidermists in the state asking them to save the lower jaws of any goat heads that they received for mountings After the close of the hunting season, the taxidermists were contacted for any jaws they had saved. Five taxidermists in western Montana were contacted and five lower jaws thus obtained. These jaws will be used to build up a collection of jaws from which it is hoped a method of age determination may be developed. Sex Ratio and Herd Reproduction Studies Inactive during report period. Job VI-C: Job VI-D: Study of Mountain Goat Winter Range Distribution Completion report attached. Work Plan VTIs Aerial Salt Distribution Reported in the April-June, 1952 Quarterly under Project 26-M. Work Plan VIII; Char act eristics of Natural Licks Used by Wildlife in Montana Job fill-As The preliminary results of the natural lick investigations as outlined under the project work plan was presented in a paper at the Eighteenth North American Wildlife Conference in Washington, D« C. March 9, 1953 • This report paper, plus additional Illustrative material, has been prepared as a wildlife restoration progress report and is submitted separately* Submitted by; Approved by; Name Phillip B. Marshall Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Junior Biologist By Robert F» Oooney, Director; " Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 44 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. Work Plan No. Ill Job No III-A Title of Job: Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on the Blackfoot Game Range OBJECTIVES : Tag and release as many elk. on the Blackfoot Game Range as possible. Recover tags at checking stations and anajyse data for migration. A total of 16 elk was caught, tagged and released between December 17 1952 and January 2, 1953* Of these, 6 were elk that had been tagged the previous year. Six elk that had been tagged the previous year were killed by hunters during the 1952 hunting season and the tags were recovered. They had been killed on the game range. PROCEDURE: Portable elk trap was used. RESULTS: Prepared by Phillip Marshall Approved by Robert F. Cooney Date April 15, 1953 ~U5 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montane Project No. Title of Job: OBJECTIVES: PROCEDURE: RESULTS : W-l-R-13 Work Plan No. Ill Job No. III-C Tagging end Release of Elk in Upper South Fork of Flathead River To determine movements of South Fork eilk. Repair tra.p on Danaher Flats . Fly hay and protein cake to area, using large plane. Opera/be trap by landing 125 Super Cub nearby. On January 4? preparations were begun to operate the elk trap on Danaher Flats. Tools, equipment, hay, protein cake, salt and other supplies were flown to the area, using a large plane. The hay, salt and protein cake were air-dropped at the trap while the remainder of the supplies and tools were pulled on a toboggan from the landing field to the Danaher Guard Station which served as headquarters for the work. The trap was repaired and some modifications were made. The main gate, which had been a swinging drop gate, was changed to a side swinging gate. The original manually operated trip wire was discarded and replaced by an automatic trip mechanism. A sliding drop gate was constructed in the release chute to confine the elk more closely to facilitate tagging. Following repairs and modifications, the trap was baited inside with hay, protein cake and salt. A feed line of hay and protein cake was established outside the trap. The main gate was left locked open to allow the elk to become accustomed to entering the trap. There were approximately 100 elk in the Danaher Basin at that time. On January 24, a trip was made from Missoula in a 125 Super Cub to check elk use of the trap and to put out more hay and protein cake if necessary. Tracks in and around the trap indicated that only four or five elk had been in the trap or on the feed line. More hay and cake was put out. On February 5 the trap was set and operated until February 13. No elk were caught. Operations were then suspended. When aerial censusing began in that area on March 10, the trap was again baited and set. It was checked every day by a 10 minute flight from Big Prairie where the census crew was headquartered. ■46- On March 16, four cow elk and one bull calf were trapped. The cows were tagged in each ear and released. The calf was tagged in the left ear only. The right ear had been torn in two places, apparently by a coyote. The wound was still bleeding slightly. No more elk were caught and the trap was locked open on March 21 when the census crew left the area. The poor results of trapping in this area, as with the others, was , due mainly to the mild winter. Natural forage was readily available over most of the range and there was no deep snow to hinder the elk in their foraging. Prepared by Phillip Marshall Approved by Robert F. Cooney Date April 15, 1953 -47- PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECT State of Montana Project Noo W-L-R-13 Work Plan No0 V Title of Work Plans Rocky Mountain Shee£ Investigation The period covered during this quarter was taken up in a combination of office work and necessary field coverage „ During the office period,, in- formation obtained to date5 particularly regarding lambing^ lamb survival^ mountain sheep distribution and food habits,, were summarized in an effort to determine phases of the work which would be most in need of intensive field observation during the remainder of the fiscal yeare Definite work plans were prepared as a guide to the completion of this project by June 30 , 1953 0 Field work consisted of observations pertaining to feeding habits of the mountain sheep on Wildhorse Island and also the possible competition be- tween this class of big game and the rather substantial numbers of mule deer occupying the same range 6 Possible competition was also indicated by saddle stock that were being wintered on the island 0 It is planned that a complete final report will be prepared and sub- mitted shortly after the close of the field program on June 30o The coming quarter will be highlighted by a recheck of the lambing activities of this mountain sheep group^ plus lamb survival data up to the end of the project 0 Herman Ogren Approved by Robert Fc Cooney April 15, 1953 ■48- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No.__ Title of Job: OBJECTIVES: PROCEDURE: FINDINGS: W-i-R-13 Work Plan No. VI Job No. VI-D CONCLUSIONS : Study of Mountain Goat Winter Range Distribution Locate various bands of mountain goats and determine areas of "wintering and the relationship of thes e areas to summer range . During winter big game survey work, attempts were made to locate by air the wintering areas of goats. Goats were found to be wintering at all elevations from cliffs along the South Fork of the Flathead River at approximately 5000 feet to over 8500 feet along the Continental Divide between the South Fork and the Sun River. One band of eleven goats was found on the very top of one of the highest peaks In the entire area. In the Swan Valley, goats were found as low as 4500 feet. Apparently, goats will winter in any area of suitable habitat, regardless of its elevation. They have been observed winter- ing at low elevations in areas where directly above them was a number of high, wind-bared ridges apparently not being used by them. Phillip Marshall Prepared by Date April 1 Approved by Robert F. Cooney STATE Montana PROJECT 1-R (Statistics) DATE April 15, 1953 STATE-WIDE CUMULATIVE RECORD OF BIG GAME DATA The accompanying map and tabulation show the location of the thirty- six big game units and subunits, along with estimated population and losses. Estimates were made by wardens and fieldmen using best information available . An exceptionally mild winter made estimates of loss difficult and many reports are incomplete. Hunter kill is shown from returns of card questionnaires . Submitted by: Approved by: Name Faye M. Couey Montana State Department of Fish & Game Title Big Game and Lands Biologist By Robert F. Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 50- S I % -. U CD O C 03 o CD •H » 9 UP..* > Eh U U U fl irt O V. -H I g ) VOH UifO * TJ -P P « r-i 01 rH C OStHOltO-HtCG,® J- O c\ Pi H 0) m h c n o> o x: oj x: p p fn CO 0> O M fl) HI H > p C fl Q> O «> -H bo CQ h CD o CD 3 cd • C 0 +> o CO O -P a) J3 CO O O E-i 1 I I I I I I I I MCNCNCMCMCNOJCVCM U CD cd rH t-i P C o o CQ X I I CD bfl +5 CD •OHH o » o r-l CD 3C £-, n CD bO hOTJ CD »ri tH <0 Q CQ CQ S x> «> pi 3 bO Sh CD IX , ? a) Cl O -P f- cd Cd rH CO rH ■2 a) c I o CO CO H a> CQ U CD CD bOrH T3 p •H -p CQ v-1 I I I I I I I I I rHrHHi-tr-irHr-lrHrH Cti u V c > O O p O P cd cd (d n) 4-> •HH O al (h CO, c o n x o OH *rj £ sSBjE O CO CQ CO * y* i i i i i • • § 1 cd •o ndary Boun Pm 3° W CD C d n -GAME LE Unit Sub- •51- b U M U L A I X V. i. ? D T? /"3 A n i ±h dk k. H Jl D OF B I On Iff TP G GAME DATA ANTELOPE ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952-53 State= -wide data 1 on legal kill and other losses incomplete. Management Est. Legal Unit Pop. Kill Predators Other Total Abs aroka 150 Beartooth 350 Big Belt - Boulder 1,165 Big Hole - Monida 378 Bitterroot Blackfoot Blaine 900 250 15 35 300 Bridger - Crazy Mtns0 540 Carter 2,850 1,005 56 71 1,232 Cascade 1,300 50 100 150 Chouteau 2,500 200 25 20 245 Clark Fork 50 Custer 6,500 1,650 175 1,825 Deer Lodge 40? Ennis => Hebgen 90 Fergus 2,600 500 75 200 775 Flathead - Sun River Gallatin Glasgow 2,000 375 35 170 580 Glendive 1,550 525 5 42 572 Kalispell Kootenai Little Belts 917 350 12 18 380 Madison - Ruby 1,681 Missouri Breaks 8,000 1,300 50 1.350 Musselshell 7,800 3,775 900 4*67^ Phillips 1,500 270 25 40 335 *s s Poison 92 Poplar 300 75 8 83 Powder River 5,950 625 75 700 Sweet Grass Hills 900 180 15 25 220 Teton 800 Yellowstone 7,500 4,600 800 5,400 Blackfoot Indo Res., 30 12 12 Crow-Cheyenne Ind. Res* 500 Moiese Bison Range 22 Yellowstone Matfl Park 300 Glacier Park Total 59,622 15 , 692 313 2,729 18,834 Hunter card questionnaire returns show a kill of 18,096 (73$ male) CUMULATIVE RECORD OF BIG G_ A ME DATA MULE DEER ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952-53 State-wide data on legal kill and other losses incomplete. Management Est. Legal Unit Pop. Kill Predators Other Total Absaroka 3,700 • Beartooth 6,525 Big Belt - Boulder 13,150 Big Hole - Mom da 3,575 Bitterroot 3,250 Blackfoot 9,150 Blame 4,000 6o0 °? as; 15 21 r k\ f 686 Bridger - Crazy Mtns . 8,100 Carter O OCA Z,85U 585 11 149 n as. {45 Cascade 2, 750 750 15 20 785 Chouteau 4,200 500 25 50 575 Clark rork 9,000 Custer r" o f\A 1,-3 Z5 TIC 125 "1 A C : A ±j 450 Deer Lodge lZ,4o5 iinnis — neugen 1, o / D Fergus /,UU5 Z, IUU 1 AA CCA "5 AC A J,U5u Flathead — Sun River o, oUU Gallatin i,4UU Glasgow 3,fo5u 550 •3 A IOC 135 f*9T ^ 715 Glendive 1, 70U /SOS 425 4 57 486 Kalis pell O ro .DJ-g, OCXb °°* JJVJU.XU.tSX 1 9Q X/"Ml4/' CSS VI VjIIVJUUCclU. CI ark Fork 113 TiQiiavt T A"\ /~i /-^ A/. A rl "K*, o I-J r\ rv av-i jjiinj-b — ■ noDg©ri r erg us r ±dxn©cLQ = oun iti v 6r 1 7D uu.enu.1 v e xvcixxspexx QC Kootenai 300 Little Belts 22 riaQison — nxxDy 09H Missouri Breaks Musselshell Phillips Poison Poplar Powder River Sweet Grass Hills Teton Yellowstone Blackf oot Ind . • Res • 15 Crow-Cheyenne Ind. Res 3 Moiese Bison Range Glacier Nat'l Park 115 Yellowstone Natfl Park 600 Total 3,556 Hunter card questionnaire returns show a kill of 211 (55$ male). -56- CUMULATIVE RECORD OF BIG GAME DATA MOUNTAIN SHEEP ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952-53 State-wide data on legal kill and other losses incomplete* Management Est * Legal Unit Popo Kill Predators Other Total Absaroka 55 Beartooth 125 Big Belt - Boulder Big Hole - Monida Bitterroot 20 Blaekfoot 49 Blaine Bridger - Crasy Mtns. Carter Cascade Chouteau Clark Fork Caster Deer Lodge 44 Ennis - Hebgen 46 Fergus Flathead - Sim River 330 Gallatin 80 Glasgow G-lendive Kalis pell Kootenai 390 Madison - Baby 20 Missouri Breaks 80 Musselshell Phi nips Poison 40 Poplar Powder River Sweet Grass Hi 11 s Teton Yellowstone Blaekfoot Jndo Rese Crow-Cheyenne Indo Res* Moiese Bison Range 24 Glacier Park 260 Yellowstone Park 140 Total 1,753 =57- CUMULATIVE RECORD OF BIG GAME DATA MOUNTAIN GOATS ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952-53 State-wide data on legal kill and other losses incomplete. Management Est » Legal Unit Pop, Kill Predators Other Total Abs aroka Beartooth 22 Big Belt - Boulder 37 Big Hole - Monida Bitterroot 525 Blackfoot 137 Blaine Bridger = Gragy Mtns. 225 Carter Cascade Chouteau 15 Clark Fork 105 Custer Deer Lodge 635 Ennis — Hebgen 18 Fergus Flathead = Sun River 1^080 Gallatin 20 Glasgow Glendive Kalispell 150 Kootenai 240 Little Belts 38 Mad i s on Ruby Missouri Breaks Musselshell Philiips Poison 70 Poplar Powder River Sweet Grass Hills Teton Yellowstone Blackfoot Ind. Res. Crow=Cheyenne Ind. Reso Moiese Bison Range ' Glacier Nat'l Park 890 Yellowstone Natfl Park Total 4,189 Hunter card questionnaire returns show a kill of 50 CUMULATIVE RECORD OF BIG GAME DATA BLACK BEAR ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952=53 State-wide data on legal kill and other losses incomplete* Management Unit Est. PPPe Legal Kill Predators Other Total Absaroka Beartooth Big Belt - Boulder Big Hole - Monida Bitterroot Blackfoot Blaine Bridger - Crasy Mtns« Garter Cascade Chouteau Clark Fork Custer Deer Lodge Ennis - Hebgen Fergus Flathead - Sun River Gallatin Glasgow Glendive Kalis pen Kootenai. Little Belts Madison - Ruby- Missouri Breaks Musselshell Phillips Poison Poplar Powder River Sweet Grass Hills Teton Yellowstone Blackfoot Indo Res*. Crow-Cheyenne Ind« Res* Moiese Bison Range Glacier Mat»l Park Yellowstone Nat?l Park 170 175 240 75 235 530 115 23 890 340 165 5 590 85 620 1,360 243 235 50 100 125 415 360 8 8 21 2? 3 15 3 15 Total 7A53 47 53 Hunter card questionnaire returns show a kill of 728 (75% male) CUMULATIYE RECORD OF BIG SAME DATA GRIZZLY ESTIMATED POPULATION LOSSES — 1952-53 State-wide data on legal kill and other losses incomplete* Management Est • Legal, Unit Pope Kill Predators Other Total id > Dig DOU±CLer UJLg D.UJ.'s? — iiUIli'Jla. I, K D±a±ne yrxager — orasjy ni&ns® barter a% &y ^3 ^ onoii^esiu, 4U wisi&er - .ucer juotige T X Ennis — Hebgen 15 Fergus Flathead. - btm River 154 Gallatin Glasgow uj.enaive ivajuL spexx Kootenai Little Belts Madison - Ruby Musselshell Phillips Poison 10 Poplar Powder River Sweet Grass liUs Teton Yellowstone Blackfoot Indo Res« 3 Crow-Cheyenne Ind. Res* Moiese Bison Range Glacier Nat'l Park , 120 Yellowstone Nat»l Park 180 Total 737 Hunter Card Questionnaire returns show a kill of 10 -60- STATE Montana PROJECT NO. DATE April 15. 1953 VOL. IV NO. 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Southwestern Montana Unit* 2. Leaders Ja E. Gaab? Unit Biologist Philip South, Junior Biologist Norman Wortmanj, Fieldman 3« Report of Progress : Work Plan It Big Game Population and Range Trends Job I-As Big Game Surrey of the Beartooth Plateau (including Boulder River Drainage) 1» An aerial elk census was made on February l?th, from Line Creek to Redlodge Creek. The following elk were observed. 42 Line Creek 50 Main Fork Rock Creek 44 Tfest Fork Rock Creek 27 Redlodge Creek 163 Total (a) This was considered a very good coverage. However 9 a group of 8 animals seen pre- viously were not located* (b) The Line Greek wintering population fluctuates back and forth across the Montana-Wyoming line. (c) The local sportsmen 9 ranchers , Forest Service and Deputy Game Warden would like an agreement amongst all concerned to have a countable wintering herd of 200 elk for this areas Negotiations for such an agreement are in process. 2e A brief examination of mule deer range was made in the Stillwater River Area. Due to the -61- open winter and the wide distribution of deer, little information was gained • In the Box Canyon-Silver Creek big game closure deer are concentrated as usual * Job I-Bs Big Game Surrey in Absaroka Wilderness Area Inactive during report period e Job I-Ss Big Game Survey in Upper Yellowstone la Due to the mild, winter, very few elk migrated out of Yellowstone National, Parke 2 » The distribution pattern of deer is very desirable* Job I-D: Big Game Survey in Gallatin 1. Constant observations of all big game species have been observed very closely during the quart er. 2, An aerial elk census was conducted when elk appeared to be stabilized on winter range to compare with the December 16 aerial census and complete the migration pattern* (a) A total of 1293 elk was observed as compared to 1316 preYiously* (b) The distribution pattern was quite desirable* The two concentrations as usual were on Taylor Fork, including the Wapiti Creek slopes, and Porcupine Greek® Two hundred to two hundred and fifty elk have used the Gallatin Game Range consistently during the quarter® 3* Mule deer appear to be nearly as numerous as last year despite the rather heavy winter loss last yeare Job I-Es Big Game Survey in Madison le Several attempts to get an aerial elk census were made but none were satisfactory. The east side of the Madison is wintering about the usual number of elk* The west side elk will be taken up under Work Plan HI. 2* Numerous investigations into the deer range indicate a better balanced deer herd than in the past* 3» Twenty elk were transplanted from Yellowstone Park to the Missouri Flats area© • 4 s The Meadow Creek-Willow Creek area was investi- gated for a one hundred head elk plant on the put and take management plane 5* The transplanted antelope on either side of the river have been observed as making rapid increases* The east side antelope frequent one rather small area and are drawing ranchers* complaints* It may be necessary to recommend .a small harvest to distribute these animals* -62- 60 One hundred and sixty antelope were census ed by air in the Harrison area. Job X-Ft Big Game Surrey in Ruby 1. In aerial elk mmns on the upper Ruby River on February 12 was made and 115 elk were observed s 92 - Warm Spring Greek 12 - Cottonwood Creek 7 - Divide Creek (See Work Plan III) 2. Upper Ruby River deer census (See Job Completion Report) . Job I-G: Big Game Survey in Blacktail 1. An aerial elk census , including the entire Snowcrest Mountains and Blacktail Ridge, was conducted and 1376 elk were found wintering in that area. Job I-Rt Big Game Survey in Beaverhead River Area !• Beaverhead River antelope census* Job Completion Report attached, 2. Antelope trapping and tagging in Sage Creek. Job Completion Report attached. 3. Aerial elk census in Lima Hills. 444 were found wintering from Little Sheep Creek to Beaver Creek. 4« Aerial elk census in Highland Mountains. Total Highlands elk 108 head, wintering in the following areas % 22 ~ Brazil Ridge 27 - Hells Canyon 20 - Fish Creek 9 - Gamp Creek 30 - Moose Greek 5* The Canyon Creek elk were counted by a delegation of sportsmen-ranchers-Forest Officers and Fish and Game Department officers. 224 elk were counted. 6. 47 elk were counted on McCartney Mountain. Job I-I: Big Game "Survey in Big Hole-Wise River . . !• One hundred and eighty-six elk were found wintering in the Upper Big Hole above Wise River. 2. Five hundred elk were found wintering from Jerry Greek to Charcoal Basin to High Rye Willow Creek to the Mill Creek road. 3» Due to the complexity of the year round distri- bution pattern of the Big Hole elks more intensive observations are necessary. Job I- J : Big Game Survey, Crazy Mountains Area le An aerial inspection of deer concentrations indicated a different distribution pattern than last year. Deer appeared to be reduced or -63- dispersed* The groups observed weren't as large as last year*. The large concentration of deer in Swamp Creek particularly wasn?t evident., The lower Otter Creek area^ where ranchers are selective in permitting hunters on private ground $ indicated an increase in deer*, 2* A general inspection was made up Sweetgrass Canyon on snowshoes® The deer appeared to be wintering higher than usual due to less snow than is normal* Job I-Ks Big Game Survey t Big Belt - Boulder Area la By aerial census in November «, 204 elk were observed in the Crow Greek-Elkhorn area* A March aerial coverage was made and 141 elk were observed * This indicates that the winter area for these elk must extend over more territory than is usually considered® 2, By aerial census in March , 226 elk were observed in the Six Mile-Deep Creek area* This included elk on the Meagher County side of the divide • 3* A mule deer inspection was made in the Limestone Hills* Deer are not confined to their usual range in this area. Heavy browse use in past years plus accessibility of a larger wintering area are probably factors which cause deer to winter much higher than usual* The effect of last year's three-day hunter's choice season could not be determined* However , damage to haystacks in the Radersburg area is minimized* 4« Mule deer inspection in the Whites Gulch-Confed- erate Creek area indicated excessive use to key browse species and no appreciable decrease in damage on haystacks* 5* The Deep Creek-Cottonwood Creek deer range was investigated* The main Deep Creek area is quite open and deer concentrations cannot be seen on the lower slopes as usual* The usual road kill loss is not apparent* In the North Fork of Deep Creek and Lippert Gulch deer concentrations are not lessened* Haystack damage continues to be a problem and the deer are moving into lower areas causing more interference with private agricultural land* 6* Aerial antelope census Radersburg^ Towns end ^ Canyon Ferry area • Job Completion Report attached* -64» Work Plan lis Big Game Reproduction. Age Classification and Hunter Utilization Job II-As Age Classification and Herd Ratio of " Increase lo Only one known-age elk jaw was collected for the elk aging study this quarter® This was taken from a biiil elk which had been trapped and tagged 15 years ago as a calf 9 transplanted in the Dillon area and killed in the Lima Peaks « 2® During the Upper Ruby deer count <, 650 were classified as fawns and adults • Results? 31 « 5% fawns 9 68 • 5% adults s Job II-B: Hunter Utilisation Inactive during report period*, Work Plan III? Study of the Migratory Habits of Big Game in Key Areas Job Hi-Ax Visual Tagging of Calf Elk on the Gallatin-Yellowstone Range InactiTe during report period® Job IXl-B's Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on the Gallatin Winter Range Project not yet started e Job III-Gs Observation of Elk Migration on Gallatin-Madison DiTide 1® This migration has been watched closely since elk drifted into the Taylor Fork area® This migration has been controlled this winter due to the presence of about 300 elk that are wintering on the Madison side that drifted into that area just following the open season© Without "the acquisition of winter range on the Madison slope this migration must be controlled® Job III-Bs Observation of Elk Migration in the Ruby-ELacktail ... - Area 1* This migration took place last quarter*, However 5 the elk wintering in the Blacktail area drifted into flat country and caused some damage to hay- stacks • Job III-Es Observation of Elk Migration in the Big Hole- Wise River Area 1. The complexity of this migration will necessitate intensive investigations for an entire season® Until a fieldman can be assigned to the job^ information will be sporatic and non-conclusive o Job III-F: Manipulating Big Game Populations !• A continuous elk season in a problem, area on the Madison was recommended and carried out to much success • About 30 elk were harvested out of a herd of about 250 by applying hunting pressure in the path of migration to the problem area*. The consequence was that about 100 elk wintered just across the diflde in the Ruby River drainage^ some stopped and wintered before reaching the problem area and others drifted into higher country below the problem area by going around ito 2® The manipulation of seasons to control hunting pressure on small elk herds to maintain a substantial harvest year after year is somewhat of a challenge • This fall?s hunting seasons recommendations are in the process of being made* (a) All elk seasons in accessible areas are to begin on a uniform date throughout the state on November 1. (b) All such seasons will begin with a branch- ant lered bull season for the same period® (c) The either sex elk season following the branch-antlered season will be of the same length and not to exceed the length of the either sex deer season only in areas where it is necessary to obtain the harvest desired* (d) These elk seasons^ to conform with the general hunters choice deer seasons , will reduce elk hunter concentrations • 3* A few extended or special hunter ?s choice deer seasons will be necessary to get .the desired harvest® 4® A proposal to aid the Northern Yellowstone elk herd* The early September 15 elk season in the Absaroka Primitive Area is recommended to continue • The regular October 15 to November 15 elk season in Park County to continue in areas as previously described • On November 15 all areas in Park County would close to the hunting of elkQ At such time when a desired number of elk had migrated out of Yellowstone Park to winter in the Trail Creek to Six Mile Creek area^ the trespass area from Trail Creek to the present Game Preserve boundary would then open to hunting to harvest any additional migrators • It is the hope that this proposal would have several benefits • (a) It would establish a migrating herd0 In the past it has been attempted to harvest all migrations up until January 31* Thisf of course , is like killing the goose that laid the golden egg® A migration has been desirous but any elk who attempted to migrate were faced with running the gauntlet® The force of weather conditions has been the only impetus for these elk to extend their range outside Yellowstone Nat?l Park® A few years of migrating without interference would no doubt establish an earlier migration® (b) It would extend the winter range and alleviate over-used range within Yellowstone Nat'l Park* A large area has been set aside for game range on the Iat*l Forest that ha® received use only during severe winters® An early unmolested migration would take advantage of this range each year® (c) It would increase the number of elk summering in the Absaroka Primitive Area^ consequently increase hunter success in that area*. The first migration of elk out of the Park on the east side of the river are elk that summer ■ in the primitive area® These elk are always subjected to a heavy harvest e This proposal would protect those elk and increase sporting back country hunting in the primitive area® Work Plan TSft Range Inspection and Browse Measurements as well as Transect and Exclosure Observations Job IV-As Forage Utilization on Key Areas 1® General observations of forage utilisation has been made on most key elk and deer ranges® No weights or measurements of existing transects and exclosures will be made until next quarter® Sites are being picked for a mule deer intensive food habit study in Beaverhead County® Job IV-Bs Range Condition Survey 1® In cooperation with deputy game wardens and Natfl Forest officers a complete big game estimate has been made for the entire area covered by this project® 2® Griteria for classifying big game ranges are still in process® Work Plan Vs Work Plan Vis Job VI-As Experimental Range Improvement Inactive during report period.® Moose Investigations Moose Census and Distribution 1® Aerial moose census and range trends in Red Rock Lakes area® Job Completion Report attached® m -67- 2» Aerial Moose Census in the Big Hole Job Completion Report attached » Job VT-Bs Herd Classification and Sex Ratio Determination Inactive during report periods- Job VI-Cs Condition of Forage on Important Moose Ranges Included in Job Completion Reports® Job VI-Ds Relationship of Moose to Other Big Game Species and7^or~Dome¥tic Livestock on Critical Ranges Inactive during report period® Job VI-E; Effect of Hunting and Recommendations for Future Management Recommendations for 1953 Moose Harvest ® 1. Area No. 1 - Big Hole - 25 mature moose, October 15 - December 31 • (a) Reduce the area to private and public land outside the National Forest. 2. Area No. 2 ■= Red Rock Lakes - 20 mature moose, October 15 - November 15® 3« Area No® 3 - Stillwater - 5 mature bull moose, October 15 - November 15 • 4® Area No® 4 - Lower Madison-Spanish Creek ■= 10 mature bull moose, October 15 - November 15® 5® Area No. 5 — Hebgen Lake - 5 mature moose, October 15 - November 15 • 6. Area No*. 6 - W. Fork of Madison - 5 mature noose, October 15 - November 15® 7® Area No® 7 - Ruby River - 10 mature moose,, October 15 - November 15 • 8. Area No* 8 - Hellroa^ng - 3 mature bull moose, September 15 - November 15 • 9. Area No® 9 - Buffalo Fork - 3 mature bull moose, September 15 - November 15 « 10 » Area No® 10 - Slough Creek - 3 mature bull moose, September 15 - November 15. lle Area No® 11 - Cooke City ■= 3 mature bull moose, September 15 - November 15® 12 . Area No. 12 - Beartooth Plateau - 3 mature bull • moose, September 15 - November 15 • 13. Area No® 13 - Grasshopper-Rattlesnake - 7 mature moose, October 15 - November 15 » 14® Area No« 14 - W<* Gallatin River = 5 mature bull moose, October 15 - November 15 • 15. Area No® 15 - Tom. Miner - Cinnabar ■= 3 mature bull moose, October 15 - November '15* -68™ Work Plan VII? Rocky Mountain Goat Investigation Job VII-A: Investigation of Planted Mountain Goat Herds 1. Crazy Mountains Two investigations of wintering habits have been made as part of the intensive studies of these goats • A winter aerial comparative census was partially conducted by the time this report was written* 2* Rock Greek (Beartooth) - inactive during report period* 3« Stillwater Canyon - inactive during report period. 4« Spanish Peaks (Gallatin) - inactive during report period • Job VII-B: Investigation of Native Mountain Goat Herds Inactive during report period* Work Plan VIII : Job VIII-A: Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigations Beartooth Range ( Rosebud - Stillwater ) 1* From all observations and information collected by the Deputy Game Warden in the Stillwater area there are about 70 sheep in this band* It is recommended that the Box Canyon closed area be opened to the hunting of deer to minimize competi- tion between sheep and deer* It is further recommended to trap about 14 females from this band and 3 males from the Missouri Breaks-Terry- all band and transplant them in the Sixteen Mile Creek area ( Gallatin County) e Job VIII-B: Upper Yellowstone 1* Five mature rams have been seen wintering in the Bear Creek area* Job ¥111-6 s Gallatin - Madison 1. Several investigations have been made in this area* A complete distribution report is pending more investigation* Job VUI-Di Hebgen Lake Inactive during report period* Job VIII-E: Submitted by: Name: J* E* Gaab Title i Biologist Gravelly Range Inactive during report period. Approved bjt Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert F* Cqoney. Directoj or_ Date Wildlife Restoration Division April 15. 1953 -69- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 Work Plan Title of Job : Big Game Survey in Ruby Subtitle: Upper Ruby Deer Census Objectives: Obtain a trend census. Personnel: Procedure: Findings : Job No. I-F Seven sportsmen from Butte Anglers Club Two NatM Forest officers Four Montana Fish & Game Dept. officers Established counting units and approximate routes of travel were used. Table 1 Mule Deer Census Unit No. 1951 1?49 1948 mi 1. 124 55 47 100 61 2. 358 426 350 384 467 3. 825 528 1550 1206 788 4» ^58 174 32 118 5. 287 280 296 ^43 Total 1718 1470 2259 1704 1724 Table 2 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Total Harvest 653 deer 582 » 566 » 590 « 424 " 1. Browse use throughout all units was found to be excessive. 2. The area is comparatively open this year and no winter loss was seen. -70™ Conclusions? * 1. A month either sex harvest beginning October 15 through November 15 isn?t an adequate harvest* The state-wide opening on November 1 to hunter fs choice deer should be extended past November 15 until the desired harvest is obtained. One thousand deer should be harvested to reduce excessive browse use. Prepared byi J® E9 Gaab Approved bj% R» F. Cooney Dates April 2, 1953 »71- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-B-4 Work Plan Job No. I-H Title of Jobs Big Game Survey in Beaverhead River Area Subtitles Sage Creek Antelope Tagging Objectives Personnels Procedures Findings s To tag and release as many antelope as possible out of a wintering concentration to gain better information of their fall distribution. Four Department personnel aided by local sportsmen. The antelope trap was set up in the vicinity of an antelope wintering concentration of about 700 animals. One band was driven and held in the upper one-half of the large pen by means of a draw curtain across the middle of the pen. A second band was then driven into the second one-half of the pen. The first animals were quieted down enough then to tag. When the first group was tagged, the second group was quieted down enough to go right on tagging, until all that were caught were tagged. This was one day's work, and was repeated the second day* The large stock tag was used with the lj" by lgM rectangle on the rear of the ear. All animals were tagged on the left ear. Three men put up the trap in a day and a half* The trap was taken down in two hours by ten men the second day after the tagging was completed. 1. 217 antelope were trapped^ tagged and released. a. 68 mature bucks 117 mature does 32 fawns 2. It was discovered that the pilot without an observer had better maneuverability of his plane and kept track of the antelope just as well. 3« Five percent loss was attributed to the use of the curtain. The solid canvas curtain appeared as a barrier to the antelope and they hit the land wings rather than going on into the trap. Submitted by J. E. Gaab Date April 2; 1953 Approved by Rs F. Cooney -72™ JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 Work Plan No, I Job No. I-H Title of Jobs Big Game Surrey in Beaverhead River Area Subtitles Aerial Antelope Census Objectives To obtain a complete census of antelope in the Beaverhead area» Personnels Dave McCauley - Pilot Phil South - Jr. Biologist Procedures A 105-Super Cub was used to cover all of the areas known to support antelope. The areas were flown in strips approxi mately \ mile in width. As the antelope were counted, they were headed back into strips already covered. The flying was done on February 99 10, 12 and 13 ° A fresh snow had fallen just previous to February 9 and more snow fell on the 11. During the time the counting was being carried out the weather was clear and cool. Findings s Area No. Antelope McHessor Creek 4 Stene Creek 41 Sweet Water 233 Medicine Lodge 115 Horse Prairie 78 Argenta 56 Birch Creek 112 Beaverhead Rock 99 Blackball 125 Sage Creek 717 Lima 121 Total 1701 No antelope were found in the Centennial, Sheep Creek Basin, or Grasshopper Creek areas. All three of these areas are known to support substantial numbers of antelope during the summer months o -73- Sixteen and one-half hours were spent in the air® Conclusions? The snow in the Centennial and Sheep Creek Basin was too deep to allow antelope to winter successfully® However, though the snow fall was light in the Grasshopper area, the antelope here also apparently migrated to another area for the winter • Recommendations : It is recommended that another aerial census of antelope in this area be carred out during the same period of next year* This would aid in determining the population trend of antelope in the Beaverhead,. Prepared by; Philip South Approved by; R. F. Coone; Dates, April 3, 19^3 _ -74- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project, No, W-35-R-4 Work Plan No, Job No, I-K Title of Jobs Biff Game Survey Big Belt - Boulder Area Subtitles Aerial Antelope Census Radersburg, Towns end* Canyon Ferry Area Objectives Personnels Procedures Findings s Conclusions s To obtain a complete census, James Stradley - Pilot J, E. Gaab - Biologist A 125 Super-Cub was used to fly mile and one-half mile strips about 350 feet above the ground using section lines to grid the entire antelope area* One-half mile strips were flown in the rougher terrain and mile strips on the flat terrain. !• Radersburg area northeast of Crow Creek 97 2« Towns end-Winston area 394 3. Missouri Valley - Canyon Ferry area 83 4 « 41 white-tailed deer were seen along the Missouri River to Beaver Creek, These are a transplanted herd, 1, The three antelope herds must be treated separately for management purposes. One herd of antelope southeast of Highway 10 had not been census ed by the time this report was written. However, they must be included for management purposes with the Radersburg-Grow Creek antelope. Increased land cultivation due to a new irrigation project in this area is reducing the antelope range and causing interference between antelope and farming. 2, The esthetic value of antelope along Highway 10 from Towns end to Winston makes hunting a last resort in manage- ment. In the past this antelope herd has been kept to range carrying capacity and compatible with other land users in the area by live trapping and transplanting the surplus in -new areas. This practice is recommended to continue as long as transplanting sites are available. -75- 3o The Missouri Valley - Canyon Ferry herd should be maintained at about 100 head to lessen competition with ranching in the area* A sustained harvest to take the annual increment is recommended • Approved hyi Robert Pa Coone; JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No0_ Title of Jobs Subtitle; Objectives ; Personnel; W-35-R-4 Work Plan No« VI Job No0 VI- A Procedure: Findings s Conclusions: Moose Census and Distribution Aerial Moose Census and Range Trends in Red Rock Lakes Area To determine moose population and range trend in Red Rock Lakes Refuge area. Aerial Census; Dave McCauley - Pilot Phil South - Jr» Biologist Range Trend Check; Winston 1. Banko - Refuge Manager Orville Lewis - Deputy Game Warden Philip South - Jr, Biologist An aerial census was conducted in the area using a 105- Super Cub* A ground check of the browse on the range was conducted using a snow plane for transportation., An aerial count showed 37 moose in the Refuge area* The ground check showed much dead and dying willow in the browse areas • Browsing had been very heavy in areas frequented by the moose* In .some areas extensive barking of larger aspens had been in progress • This barking was begun last winter and carried on more extensively this winter « Though the moose do not seem to be causing the death of the willows j their dying reduces the moose habitat 0 The heavy barking of larger aspens may indicate a marginal habitat « Recommendations s It is recommended some moose be again harvested in the Red Rock Lakes Refuge • The number will be set on further in- vestigation* Prepared bv; Philip South Dates April 3, 1953 Approved by; Robert F« Cooney -77- JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-Rr-4 Work Plan No. VI Job No. VI-A Title of Jobs Moose Census and Distribution Subtitle: Aerial Moose Census in the Big Hole Personnels Procedure; Findings : To determine number of moose in the Big Hole a Dave MeCaully - Pilot Philip South - Jr. Biologist A 105 Super Cub was used to fly all the willow browse areas in the Big Hole as far down the Big Hole river as Squaw Creeko The larger expanses of willow were flown by strips « The census was made on Marsh 29 « The following is the number of moose counted, listed according to areas founds Area No* of Moose Upper drainage above Jackson 6 Big Hole River between Jackson and Wisdom 6 Big Hole River below Wisdom 21 North Fork of Big Hole River 9 Big Lake Creek area 10 Big Swamp Creek area 9 Warm Springs Creek area _2 Total 64 Recommendations s la That this survey be conducted each year* 2. The moose harvest be confined to private lands outside the forest boundary o Prepared bvs Philip South Approved hyi Robert Fe Cooney Dates April 3, 1953 -78- STATE PROJECT NO DATE _____ VOL. ' Montana W-36-ft April 15 17 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT For SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT !• Title of Project: Lincoln County Deer Study 2. Project Personnel: Robert M. Blair Owen A. Wilson Duane P. Couvillion 3. Report of Progress: A» The 1952 Big; Game Season in the Fisher-Wolf Creek Area Buck hunting in Lincoln County extended from October 15 to November 20, inclusive, a total of 35 days* As originally specified by legislation the season was to end on November 15* However, due to the low kill and pro- longed mild weather conditions, in this area, a five-day season extension was granted* A special antlerless deer season (hunter?s choice) in the Fisher River- Wolf Creek area ran concurrently with the regular buck season from November 8 to November 20, inclusive* A total of 13 days* PURPOSE: Past surveys and studies within the Fisher River-Wolf Creek area indicate that the winter range is severely overutilized by deer* As a result of this overutilization of the winter range and the desire to achieve the proper age composition of the herd, the Montana Fish and Game Commission authorized an antlerless deer season in this area. No limits were set specifying the maxi- mum number of antlerless deer to be removed during this special season, whereas in the past a limit was placed on the number to be harvested* This report summarizes the results of the special antlerless season in the Fisher River-Wolf Creek area from November 8 to November 20, inclusive* -79- PROCEDURES Checking Stations ; Locations Three checking stations were maintained by the Lincoln County project this year, from November 8 to November 20 , inclusive • Two covered the Fisher River-Wolf Creek area and the third was situated west of McGregor Lake, on McGregor Creek, covering the north exit of the Thompson River area. The two stations covering the Fisher River- Wolf Creek area, the only two concerned in this report, were so lo- cated as to cover the main traveled exits from this area* Personnels Each station was manned by two men, or in one instance a man and wife combination which proved to be very successful* One Wildlife student from the University of Montana came up to assist as a checker on the Island Lake Station for the first eight days of the special season. It can be pointed out that the excellent cooperation received from the hunters was, in a large part, due to the courtesy of the checkers* All checkers were intently interested in procuring the best results from their work and used every precaution in gathering accurate data so far as their capabilities permitted. At each station at least one checker was a well known resident of this area which proved of great value in aiding sportsmen with general questions concerning hunting sites and past hunting conditions* This in itself strengthened the relations between the sportsmen and the Department© The names of the checking station personnel and station locations are listed in Table I. Table I* Checking stations and personnel maintained by the Lincoln County project during the 1952 special antlerless deer season* Station Waylett Checkers Charles F* Haschke Grace H* Haschke Location T* 2? N* , R* 30 ¥., Sec. 19, at the junction of highway #2 and the Lower Fisher road* Island Lake Blaze Echo Russell Hart (part time) Al. Watson T. 29 N©, R» 26 W©, Sec® 31* at the south end of Island Lake® McGregor Lake Bill Boothman Francis Thompson T. 26 N*, R. 26 W*, Sec. 8, at the junction of McGregor Creek and the Thompson River road* ■80. Data Obtained: All information regarding the hunters and their kills was recorded on standard Fish and Game Department checking station cards • Data concerning the kills included species, sex, antler beam diameter , number of points on antlers, weight, length of hind foot, and age (lower jaws collected when possible)© In addition, the hunters were asked to save the reproductive organs from females* Few of these were collected, primarily due to. the hunter's lack of technical knowledge in properly locating and removing the organs, even though diagrams and instructions for removing reproductive organs were hand- ed to hunters prior to going into the fields Information concerning the hunter included his name, address, game license number, and caliber of gun used* Checking Card Analysis t At the close of the s eason data obtained from the checking station cards were classified and analyzed to obtain the information presented in this report. As pointed out previously, only the data from the two stations covering the Fisher-Wolf Creek area is included in this reports Description of the Areas The area covered by the data in this report includes all of the lower Fisher River and its tributaries north of U. S. Highway #2, an area of approximately 232,000 acres « With the exception of a few scattered homesteads, title to the land is held by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, the J« Neils Lumber Company, Northern Pacific Railroad, State of Montana, and the Kootenai National Forest « Vegetative cover on the area varies with the site® Ponderosa pine dominates south and west facing slopes with Douglas fir and larch being dominant species on the north and east facing slopes • In gen- eral, the lower flats and benches are covered with "doghair" stands of lodgepole pine, interspersed with thickets of Douglas fir; the overstory generally being ponderosa pine and larch « Browse conditions are good to excellent on the summer range and poor to critical on the winter range® Weather Conditions ; During the entire special antlerless deer season the weather was very unfavorable for hunting. As shown in Figure I, diernal tempera- tures were consistently above 40°F (recorded at the Libby Ranger Station), with precipitation being recorded on only three days; November 12 with »02 inch, 13 with »12 inch, and 14 with ®10 inch© This combination of temperature and precipitation not only resulted in very dry conditions in the woods but also failed to force the deer to the winter range* Results of the Hunting Seasons One thousand one hundred and thirty-three 'hunters killed 260 deer and -81- 4- _ t t i- I — r- 1 w 1 -j- T 1 / — / i / 1 1 1 i i \ H i- ; I 1 — ! — i — i i xb — i— + -H- i — r ! - 1 i - ! - 1 — 1 — 1 1 — i — -4- 1 — i— ■ 1 ! ! - -4-i- ■ ;i — \ — — j — L. 1 t r 11 nj u ! ! : ! I 1 I i .1 1 — - + jF ; i 1 1 i 1 ■ i j 1 1 — - i — i 0>Y — 1 — , i I ! '- i — — — - — ! i ! ! ■ 1 I \~] - i j ! — hf- — i— t— ! ! -tr — — H— ■ j~ ! i ' j j i i ! ! ; 1 . ! ! j I — — i — ! 1 — *— ! +r i — ! — i— i r - — i ~~ j I -ftrr ! i ~rJ — 1 ! Mm ; i — i i i i i + i ! — i — i ! I — 1 1 1 1 H-h j ■- - -* r-4- 1 H-r i — . 1 H- i m i ! i ! i — r ■ i I i ! j I 1 1 9 10 11 12 13 1^ 15 16 17 18 19 20 Figure I* DAILY TEMPERATURES DURING 1952 ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON FISHER RIVER- WOLF CREEK AREA 82- 6 bull elk, which gives a hunters success of 23*48 per cent. The Island Lake station checked out the largest number of deer killed© As can be seen in Table II, 170 or 65*38 per cent of the deer checked came through the Island Lake station while 90 or 34*62 per cent came through Waylettfs. Island Lake also checked the largest number of hunters e Hunters success was higher this year in comparison with past recorded success in this area0 Island Lake reported a hunters success (deer only) of 29*16 per cent while the average success,, on deer, for the Fisher River»¥olf Creek area was 23*07 per cent* Table II • Deer killed in the season* # Fisher-Wolf Creek area — 1952 antlerlee is deer Station White-tailed Mule Deer Total % of Total Kill No, Hunters % of Hunter Island Lake 18 170 65*38 583 29*16 Waylett 70 20 90 34*62 544 16® 54 Total 222 38 260 100,00 112? 23*07 -"-Table exclusive of elk taken* White-tailed deer formed the largest part (85*4 per cent) of the deer harvest in the area, Table III* Generally, the mule deer range higher and farther from the roads and are therefore less apt to be seen by the average huntere From- Table III it can be seen that legal bucks composed 41*9 per cent of the kill. and if buck fawns (not shown) were included , the bucks would make up 48*8 per cent of the total kill© In all there were 27 buck fawns taken and 29 doe fawns* Table III. Buck-Doe-Fawn, kill in the Fisher Wolf Creek area - 1952 antlerless deer season* White-tailed Mule Deer Bucks Does Fawns Total Bucks Does Fawns Total Number Killed 85 86 51 222 24 9 5 38 Per Gent of Kill 32*7 33*1 19*6 85*4 9*2 3*5 1*9 14*6 AES Composition of White-tailed Peers Jaws of 50 » 9 per cent of the white-tailed deer killed were collected and aged according to the Severinghause method, by checking station personnel* These jaws were later rechecked to verify the ages first assigned* It was found that the age composition of the deer killed ranged from one-half year old animals (fawns) to 10 pins years old, Figure II « One of the most important factors revealed in the age analysis is the reduction of the older age groups and a building up of the younger and more potential age groups, lg years to 3g years old, inclusive* This is one of the major goals strived for in the management of deer herds • By comparing Figure III with Figure II, it can be seen that the proper age composition of the herd is being brought about, though it will require a few years data to verify the stability of this proper age distribution. In 1950, Figure III, the 2g and 3g age groups were at a minority when compared to the 4|, 5j, and 6g year age classes* Within the two preceeding years this un- balanced distribution has been radically changed so that now the great majority of deer (indicated by the composition of the kill) . lie within the ij, 2|, and 3g year age groups, which is desired. This also indicates that the proper increment harvest is taking place;. however, it must be kept in mind that this is but one season's data which, alone, can be indicative only of the age composition trend e Reproductive Potentials As previously mentioned, few reproductive tracts were turned in by hunters . Of those obtained a few were incomplete or damaged, leav- ing 24 that could be analyzed. The results of the laboratory analysis on the reproductive tracts showed that the 1952 breeding season had just begun when the hunting season closed. Corpora lutea were found in the ovaries of only one deer. Ruptured follicles were found in three ovaries but there was no luteinization of these follicles to indicate that fertilization of the egg had oc cured • Degenerating corpora lutea of the 1951 breeding season were found and can be used as a productivity indicator. From these scars, the number of fawns per doe in the 1952 fawning season was 1.2. This figure was obtained from 22 luteal scars and 16 sets of mature ovaries. The fertilization factor (.85) of deer in New York was used due to the lack of a factor for Montana deer. A total of 253 deer were weighed at the two checking stations. This m 97.3 cent of the season's kill brought through the stations. Weighing was done by spring scales mounted on tripods. Ggffl£gi^on^0^e_12g2 hog dress weights to the 1949 and 1950 seasons, No° 1952 1950 1949 ^^^□^T — ^LgkgL- Smallest ^Largest Average Average Average " *> 80 ' ' 205 126.5 136.0 135.9 8 85 225 140.7 165.0 174.O SSSL \ H % %,5 59.0 70.0 »84= 1 - — 1 i i S3 { o i W 1 S — co Q CO CO u 1 — 9 | 1 — • p s HI *<\ O H ON M H g • - o U CO ^ H rn ■ - T -L- T I * I B D a Hf 1 ■ •H ^ BY AGE i SHER RI — M a ENT OP I o 1 i -+- 1 H- 1 i L i i- 0 3 J 3 d 1 1 i ON I CO Cn- NO 0) C0 •H O CO U cct CO to M o CD NO CM 10 9 to •H •a 3 a (4 (0 ( ■* t* _ m > - J P - >t m V — H - 1 & i i • • ii — DC fei — 1 r. 1 K - _ :£ M -* — t k ■ HI - 3 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 1 Q). Nov.8 9 10 11 12 13 l*f 15 16 17 18 19 20 Figure I7a HUNTING PRESSURE AND DAILY KILL, 1952 ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON FISHER RIVER- WOLF CREEK AREA 88 = . j . i *- ff- 2 J. B O t 4 J> rj fl P C 0 1 8 0] J. ® • r j t / J 1 i ■ I \ i ? c 5q c a s j / ! c 3 4 1 11 f — L 1 C /, 4 p 1- P Br y a JL W- f , / f \ v \ 1 / f- <— i / i \ i i T- f 1 / bt © / \ \ # Hr / X N H H — 1 t I'll a- \ I _ \ r— i V- -■ L- © - • ■ 4- 7 i 1 — \ i \ i 1 I i / 4 L_ -1— 1 9 -i V 1 V II 1 V V \ \ » l r \ 1 \ \ / \ !-\ Y - I \ / \ i t i i — 1 — l i \ 1 i ! ^ /' \ \ i m 4 i — - 1 — \ 3 r \ I -S-T- -/ (_ f- V 4- 1 i 1 ... i i i r Nov. 8 9 10 11 12 13 1^ 15 16 17 18 19 20 Figure V* DAILY KILL OF DEER, 1952 ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON FISHER RIVER-WOLF CREEK AREA 89 Nov. 8 9 10 11 12 13 Ih 15 16 17 18 19 20 Figure VI. CUMULATIVE DEER KILL, 1952 ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON FISHER RIVER- WOLF CREEK AREA 90 Source of Hunters; Fourteen Montana counties and two other states were represented by successful hunters in the Wolf Creek-Fisher River area during the 1952 antlerless deer season. States other than Montana were Nebraska and Washington* Flathead County , as in 1949 and 1950 , furnished the largest per- centage of successful hunters, 47 per cent, while Lincoln County was second with 15 per cent of the successful hunters, (see Table V) • Following Lincoln County were Lake, Glacier, and Pondera Counties* These five counties comprised 86 per cent of the total number of successful hunters in the area. Table- V. Source of successful hunters in the Wolf Creek-Fisher River area during the 1952 antlerless deer season. County No. of Hunters % of Total Flathead 125 47*0 Lincoln 40 15.0 Lake 39 14.6 Glacier 15 5.6 Pondera 10 3*8 Roosevelt 8 3.0 Sanders 6 2.3 Hill 5 1.9 Toole 4 1*5 Cascade 1 0*4 Richland 1 0.4 Chouteau 1 0.4 Liberty 1 0.4 Unknown 7 2»6 State Washington 2 0.8 Nebraska 1 0.4 Total 266 100 o0 Record of home counties and states was kept only for successful hunters rather than for all hunters, as has been the practice in the past « An estimated 93 per cent of all hunters stopped at -91- the checking stations upon leaving the hunting area* however only those that were successful were detained for technical data. Calibers of Guns Useds Twenty-five gun calibers ^ ranging up from a .22 Hornet, as shown in Table VI, were used to kill deer and elk in the Wolf Creek- Fisher River area* The gun most used was the 30-06 3 followed by the 30-30 and then the 300 Savage® Table vT* Calibers of guns used by successful hunters in the Wolf Creek-Fisher River area during the 1952 antler- less deer season* Caliber Number Caliber Number 30-06 75 .38-55 2 30-30 53 .348 2 .300 Sav. 31 ,35 Auto. 1 .270 23 .25 Rem. 1 . .30-40 16 .35 Win. 1 032 Spl© 13 .300 Mag. 1 .25-35 10 ©32 Win. 1 • 250-3000 6 .22 Hornet 1 .35 Rem® 6 .38 Win. 1 .303 3 a 250 Sav. 1 8mm. 3 .351 Win® 1 .33 Win. 3 .30 Ml 1 .303 British 2 Unknown 8 CONCLUSIONS 1 1* Even though the weather conditions were a hindrance to hunters the success was 23»48 per cent. 2. White-tailed deer formed 85.4 per cent of the total deer kill in the area*. 3. Legal bucks made up 41.9 per cent of the total recorded deer harvest in the area« 4. Lower jaws from 50.9 per cent of all white-tailed deer were collected and aged by the Severinghause method. Age of deer harvest ranged from 6 months to 10 plus years. 5© Excluding fawns (6 months) the age groups of ij, 2 J, and 3h years made up 73 • 8 per cent of the harvest* In 1950 60 per cent of the harvest was 4i years or older. The present age composition is indicative of response to herd management. 60 The analysis of reproductive tracts showed that the 1952 92 breeding season had just begun at the close of the hunting season. From degenerating luteal scars the fawns per doe for the 1951 breeding season was found to be 1,2, 7® The average weight of deer killed this season was lower than that recorded in both the 1949 and 1950 seasons, 8, Hunting pressure was greatest during the first two days of the antlerless season, representing 33 • 5 per cent of the total hunters and 26,2 per cent of the total kill, 9c Both the number of hunters and kill was lower than expected during the five day extension of the antlerless season® Twenty and eight-tenths per cent of the total kill was taken during this five day period, 10 * Flathead County furnished 47 per cent of the hunters in this area while Lincoln County followed with 15 per cent, 11, Twenty-five gun calibers were used by the success- ful hunters in this area, with the 30-06 leading in number, RECOMMENDATIONS; Being unfamiliar with local conditions of range and game populations, recommendations cannot be justified until more intensive ground work can be accomplished, 1952-53 Deer Trapping and Tagging Program Plans were drawn up in the fall of 1952 for the winter deer trapping season. Traps were repaired and trapping sites were located in the field. Prior to the coming of deep snow the ten box-type traps were taken to the field and assembled at their respective locations along the lower Fisher River and lower Wolf Creek, Trapping was started on the 6th of January, though weather conditions were not favorable at that time for a trapping program* Deer had not moved onto the winter range due to the extremely mild weather. Weather conditions remained mild throughout the month of January, As a result of this it was decided to temporarily abandon the trapping program for this year. Deer were not concentrated and the winter ranges were free of snow during the greater part of the month, thus resulting in an extremely poor catch. All traps were closed on February 1, 1953 with the plan of resuming the program with the coming of more snow. The winter remained very mild with little persistent snow and trapping was not resumed for the 1952-53 winter season. Submitted by» Approved bys Name Robert M, Blair Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Junior Biologist By Robert F, Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15* 1953 PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-36-R-3 Work Plan No. X Title of Work Plans Big Games Work was begun on census ing white-tailed and mule deer in two of the areas of heaviest concentration, namely Canoe Gulch on the Horse Range for white-tail and Parsnip Flats for snule deer. Close watch was kept on both of the areas with the intention of using them as indices, of probable move- ment of both species toward regularly used winter ranges in more inaccessible country® As in other big game studies this season, results were disappointing because of the failure of the animals to make any concerted movements during the period. Pur Bearers i Impassable roads on the east side of the Kootenai River made it difficult to reach creeks on that side for the purpose of censusing and placing terri- tories of those species active during these months. A boat and motor was loaned to this project by Ross Wilson to facilitate this phase of the work. Lack of tracking snow further complicated the carrying out of purposes. Beaver, largely inactive during this time, will be concentrated on in the late summer and early fall. Trappers are now being contacted to obtain data on overall takes for this winter. Waterfowl; First concerted northern movement of ducks was observed Friday, February 13, when 82 scaup were observed. Since that time, there have been more or less steady arrivals of mallard, pintail, baldpate, American golden-eye and merganser. Close watch is now being kept on the pairs that break away from the large groups to determine nesting areas and as many nesting sites as possible. Nest counts and size of broods will be taken from the time eggs are laid until the young are able to fly. Help in planning this work and its techniques has been asked of Wynn Freeman. Upland Game Birds : Other than a daily recording of observations of these species, nothing has yet been done intensively. Thorough Investigation of Wildlife Resources Within and Adjacent to the Proposed Floodage Basin of the Libby Dam TArmy Engineers Corps) on the Kootenai River in Lincoln County Prepared by D. P. Couvillion Date April 15, 1953 Approved by_ -94- STATE Montana QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT !• Title of Projects Game Range Predevelopment Survey 2o Leader: Richard L* Hodder^ Range Biologist Carter Rubottom? Technical Assistant 3* Report of Progress: Work Plan Ij Gallatin Winter Elk Range Job I-A: Range (Forage Inventory) Survey Proceeding according to plan* Job I-Bs Forage Production and Utilization Transects Inactive during report periods- Job I-C: Spring Use and Trampling Test Discontinued indefinitely*. Job I-Ds Browse Wit hs t and ability Tests Final report and analysis not yet completed* Job I-Es Photo Plot Transects ( Trend Study) Inactive during this quart er* Job I-Fs Forage Restoration Studies Inactive during report period* Job I-G-s Weather Data Information and data were accumulated and recorded according to plan* Job I-Hs Seed Analysis Inactive during report period « Job I-Ij Fertilizer Tl^H. ells Inactive during report period* Job I-J% Herbarium Inac tive during report period* Job I-Ks Stomach (Paunch) Analysis Discontinued until satisfactory means of identification and analysis of contents is determined* -95 Work Plan lis Sun River Winter Elk Range Job II-As Job II-B: Job II-C: Work Plan Ills Job III-A: Winter Elk Range Examination This program was limited by an extremely mild winter • Many observations were made but because of lack of snow and ordinary winter conditions the desired observations were impossible • Photo Plot Transects ( Trend Study) Inactive during report period • Range (Forage Resource) Survey Because of the extremely mild winter in this area, ■ planned flights to determine the acreage of the range that is usually covered by deep snowdrifts were not made* This information must be obtained next winter. Observations of winter elk feeding habits on the game range were made, but because true winter conditions were lacking, the desired observations were not possible • Blackf oot-Clearwater Game Range Studies Forage Evaluation and Nutrition Studies The program as set up during the last quarter was effectively carried out. Several unforeseen circumstances developed which affected the outcome of the feeding trials of this season, the most important of which was the devel- opment of a foot-rot condition among some of the elk during the final stages of the experiment* One major difference or development in the feeding system beyond the original plans was in placing before specific elk large amounts of browse of various species so that all species were present in significant amounts* Data and analysis of the findings are not yet compiled* Submitted by: Name Richard L* Hodder Title Range Biologist Approved by: Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert F* Cooney. Director Wildlife Restoration Divis ion Date April 15, 1953 -96. STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-38-R-4 DATE April 15, 1953 VOLo IV NOo 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Upland Game Bird Surveys and Investigations 2e Leaders William Ro Bergeson5 Biologist 3e Report of Progress % Work Plan Is Ring-necked Pheasant Survey and Investigation - State-wide Job I-A: Job I-Bs Job I-Cs Job I-Ds Work Plan lis Job II-A; Job II-Bs Job II-C: Pheasant Breeding Populations and Production Inactive during report period 8 Pre- and Post-Season Sex Ratios and Hunter Harvest Reports attached,, Postcard Survey of Hunter Harvest Inactive during report period 0 Pheasant Mortality and Causes Report attached „ Survival of Game Farm Reared Exotics Survival of Game Farm Reared Pheasants No active field work during report period „ Summary report of past work attached,, Survival of Chukar Partridge Progress report attached • Survival of Valley Quail Inactive during report period 0 Three male California quail have been observed at the Moiese Game Farm* Work Plan Ills Ring-necked Pheasant Ecological Surve^ Flathead Valle^ Final report has been edited and is in process of publication „ -97- Work Plan IV % Pheasant Habitat Development Investigation Inactive during report period « Work Plan V; Prairie Grouse Management Study Job V~A; Range and Distribution of Prairie Grouse Species Proceeding according to schedule Job Y-Bt Population Trends and Breeding Potential Studies Proceeding according to schedule 0 Job V-Cs Prairie Grouse Experimental Areas Inactive during report period 0 Job V-D; Job V-Ei Job V-F: Work Plan VI j Job VI -A j Job VT-Bj Job Vl-Cs Effect of Civilization 'on Prairie Grouse Inactive during report period 0 Habitat Development Inactive during report period 0 Life History and Biology of Prairie Grouse Species Notes and data are being gathered and will be incor- porated in suitable reports when warranted c Mountain Grouse Management Study Determine Range and Relative Abundance of Mountain Grouse Final report in progress,. Experimental Grouse Management Areas Inactive during report period c Mountain Grouse Ecology and Life History Study Observations made during the past ten years will be in- corporated in a report now in progress,, Submitted bji Name William R0 Bergeson Title Game Bird Biologist Approved by; Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert FQ Cooney? Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date 15, 1953 98- PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project Noo W-3 8-R-4 Work Plan No0 I Job No, I-B Title of Jobs Pre- and Post-Season Sex Ratios 9 and Hunter Harvest To determine pheasant sex ratios before and after the season, road counts were made in the major pheasant areas throughout the State 0 The pre- and post-season sex ratios for the 1951 and 1952 seasons are tabulated in the following table 0 PRE- AND POST-SEASON SEX RATIOS* AREA PRE-SEASON 1952 POST-SEASON 1952 POST-SEASON 1951 Fairfield ls0o78 ls7c36 ls6.9 Conrad ls0„86 ls5o08 ls/5;5 Flathead lslc43 1:4*42 1?302 Hardin lsQe86 1:2087 Mies City l20o75 ls2014 Sidney ls0.80 Bitterroot I2I06 ls2„0 -"-The above ratios are expressed as cocks to hens0 The post-season sex ratio counts for the 1952 season exhibit quite a large range 0 The sex ratio difference between the Flathead and Fairfield areas is probably due to the abundance of escape cover that is present in the Flathead area8 For all practical purposes the hunting pressure in the two areas was the same,, This differs from the Sidney and Bitterroot areas where the hunting pressure seems to be the controlling factor. These areas have a low hunting pressure in comparison to the Flathead, Fairfield, and Conrad areas 0 Prepared by Dale Witt Approved by Wm„ R» Bergeson . Title Fieldman PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project Noo W-38-R-4 Work Plan Noc I Job No, I-D Title of Jobs Pheasant Mortality __and Causes Personnels Dale Witt and Harold Gartside Purposes To investigate predation and a reported decline in the pheasant population along Big Muddy Creek from Medicine Lake to Redstone , in Sheridan County, Procedure % Interviews of local sportsmen and Deputy Game Warden, Harold Gartside, were made regarding predation and pheasant populations in the areae Sex ratio counts were made in the area by driving the roads and field s adjacent to Big Muddy Creeko Findings and Discussions The sportsmen of the area are of the opinion that the pheasant popu- lation had declined about three years ago and has been retarded since . They think that predation is probably the limiting factor in retarding the popula- tione The predators thought to be responsible are the bobcat, fox and skunk „ All of the sportsmen interviewed were in agreement to the fact that there has been a decline in the population but are not in agreement to the cause or to the factors that are now limiting the population. An effort is being made to make a stomach analysis of the bobcats caught in the area this winter, the results of which will be in a later report „ A total of 122 pheasants was seen in two counts through the area, 60 males and 62 females, for a sex ratio of 1 cock to 1,03 hensQ This is a high percentage of cocks in the winter population in comparison to areas with a high population of pheasants „ The high percentage of cocks would seem to in- dicate low hunting success 3 which may be due to low hunting pressure or a dis- persal of pheasants after the opening day of the hunting season. Recommendations % An effort should be made in the area to attempt to determine the factors involved in retarding the papulation^ _also to obtain better popula- tion figures o Prepared by Dale Witt Approved by Wmc R„ Bergeson Title Fieldman -100 PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Work Plan N©„ I Job I-D Project No„ W^Sjt-^ Title of Job i Pheasant Mortality and Causes The winter of 1952-53 in western Montana was relatively mild with less snow than usual » Pheasants were able to feed on waste grain and other ground level vegetation most of the winter due to the general absence of snow cover 0 Unseasonal rains in January tended to melt the snow that did fall. Several road-killed pheasants and Hungarian partridges were exam- ined each month during the winter 0 All were in good physical condition and most were very fat* Less road-killed pheasants were found during the winter of 1952-53 than during recent winters 0 This is probably due in part at least to the 'snow-free nature of the winter which made it unnecessary for the pheas- ants to go to the roads for grit or feed as they seemed to do during past winters „ It is suspected that possibly a differential winter mortality in the sexes occurs in Montana pheasant populations since it is believed that a high- er ratio of hens perish 0 This apparently did not occur in the Flathead area as a post-season sex ratio of 4043 hens per cock and a mid-February ratio of 4e7 hens per cock was observed 0 Observations in western Montana during the winter of 1952-53 indi- cated that little mortality occurred in the pheasant population due to the relatively mild winter 0 Prepared by Fred Hartkorn Approved by Wm0 Rc Bergeson Title Biologist -101- FINAL REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No, W-38-R-4 Work Plan NoQ II Job No. II-A Title of Jobs Survival of Game Farm Reared Pheasants INTRODUCTION ; Considering that the Montana Fish and Game Department finances the production of thirty to forty thousand pheasants annually, at a cost of about $1,85 per bird based on 1951 production when 30,115 birds were reared at a cost of $56,31460Q, it was deemed advisable to expend some effort to determine the value of these birds to the hunter* This is not an original study, as al- most every state rearing game farm pheasants has, at one time or another, ini- tiated a similar type of study to determine the survival of these birds in the field. These studies have also generally been aimed at increasing the survival of the birds through application of better techniques at the game farm and at time of release , This report summarizes several related short -time studies that have been directed toward various phases of the over-all problem of survival of game farm reared pheasants in the field* These studies have all been reported previously as each \ms completed; therefore, details of each will not be in- cluded in this general summary e SUMMARIES OF PREVIOUS REPORTS ; SURVIVAL STUDIES ON GAME FARM REARED PHEASANTS IN MONTANA - 1947 P-R Quarterly Report, Montana „ April- June 1948 Moiese Bird Farm Study Areas This study was an attempt to determine the value of providing food for juvenile pheasants at the time of release e It was also hoped to gain information of the relative survival of brooder-reared birds and those brooded by domestic hense Three separate releases of pen-reared birds were made in the study areae The first release was made without supplemental feeding* The second was made in the same area with supplemental food at the time of release 0 The third release was made with domestic hen-reared birds with supplemental food at the time of releasee Six hundred and fifteen juvenile birds were released in all* Survival data of these three releases were obtained by periodically searching the area for dead birds prior to the hunting season, from band re- turns during the hunting season, and by live-trapping in the study area during -102- the winter- months. A total of 119 (19.3 percent) of the pheasants on the study area were known to have perished prior to the hunting season 0 Bands from 21 Jbirds (3.4 percent) were recovered during the hunting season,, and 45 (7. 2 "percent) of the banded birds were live-trapped during the winter months « Predators accounted for a number of deaths in spite of the area be- ing enclosed by a semi-predator proof fence and the efforts of the caretaker who carried on a predator control program throughout the summer. It was not possible to detect any beneficial effect from the feeding, nor was any difference evident in the birds reared by the two methods. Fairfield Bench Study Areas The purpose of this study was to determine the survival rates on eight. and nine-week old pheasants released in "midsummer. An attempt was also made "to determine the difference in ' survival following different release methods . On August 5, 1947, five hundred nine-week old banded birds , including 239 cocks, were released at eight different stations. Five of these stations were on small refuge areas. These pheasants were released by sportsmen in any manner they saw fit. On August 7, 1947, five hundred and one banded pheasants were released in the same area. Of the 225 cocks in this group, 75 were eight weeks old and 150 were nine weeks old. These birds were carefully released at seven stations of which none were in refuge areas. Band returns on these cocks 'were the only source of information in these studies. Out of the 464 banded cocks of both ages, 62 bands (11.2%) were recovered. There was no significant difference in returns between the two release methods. The returns from the various stations ranged from 0 percent to 22.2 percent. BAND RETURNS FROM GAME FARM' RELEASED PHEASANTS IN 1947 Bear Facts and Fish Tales, Montana. April, 1948: This project was initiated to determine the survival of game farm released pheasants. All pheasants released by the three game farms were banded with metal tab type bands. Considerable publicity was given the pro- ject and hunters were urged, to turn in ail bands recovered. A total of 21,595 game farm reared, banded cocks were released in 1947* Seven hundred and eighty-eight bands (3.6 percent) were returned by hunters after the 1947 hunting season. Forty-four bands (.2 percent) were recovered from these cocks after the 1948 reason. BAND RETURNS FROM GAME FARM RELEASED PHEASANTS IN 1948 Bear Facts and Fish Tales, Montana,. February, 1949 s All pheasants released from game farms in 1948 were banded with aluminum butt-end bands . A total, of 17,066 juvenile cocks was released,, This project was given wide publicity to encourage the return of all bands recovered by the hunters „ Returns were somewhat higher than in 1947 with 1,152 (6.7 percent) of the bands being returned 0 BAND RETURNS FROM GAME FARM PHEASANTS RELEASED IN 1948 P-R Quarterly Report , Montana. January-March 1949 Fairfield Release Areas The purpose of this study was t (1) to determine hunting returns on 12-14 week old pheasants released in midsummer, (2) to determine the value of releasing the birds on small refuge areas to increase survival,, (3) to compare hunting returns from birds reared at three state game farms, (4) to compare hunting returns from birds reared by three different methods at the Billings game farm, and (5) to compare hunting returns with the re- sults of the 1947 experimental releases in the area. A total of 767 cocks were released on August 24, 1948, at fifteen sites (same sites as in 1947) of which five were refuges. Some birds from each game farm were released at each site. Bands from 25 .5% of the birds were recovered from hunters during and after the 1948 season and 1.7% during the 1949 season. Band returns indicated that 25.5% of the 231 cocks released in refug areas were bagged. Of the 536 birds released in open areas, 29.3% were har- vested. The chi square test indicates that there is only a 60 percent degree of reliability that this is a real difference. A total of 31.1% of the birds from the Warm Springs game farm, 27.1% of the birds from the Fort Peck farm, and 25.9% of the birds from the Billing game farm were reported bagged. These differences are not large enough to be significant. A total of 26.4% of the hen hatched-hen reared cocks, 26.2% of the incubator hatched-brooder reared cocks, and 24.5% of the hen hatched-brooder reared cocks were reported shot. These differences are not large enough to be significant. The results obtained from the various release sites were in general contradictory to results in 1947. Probably the habitat had not changed dras- tically over a one-year period. Thus, little can be stated regarding chances for survival at the different type release sites. -104- Bitterroot Releases The purpose of this project was to; (1) determine hunting returns on 12-14 week old pheasants released in midsummer*,, (2) to compare hunting returns from the Warm Springs and Fort Peck game farm cocks, and (3) compare hunting returns with the returns from the Fairfield bench areac Three hundred cocks from the Fort Peck farm and 254 cocks from the Warm Springs farm were released at ten sites in the Bitterroot valley. Birds from both farms were released at each site, A total of 86 bands (15 0 7%) were returned during and after the 1948 season and one band (a2%) after the 1949 season for a return of 15 a7% for this release* A total of 16 9 5% of the Warm Springs cocks and 15 0 3% of the Fort Peck cocks were reported bagged. The difference in. returns is too small to reliably show any difference in the two groups of birds* The over-all returns from this study were only slightly more than one-half as much realized in the Fairfield area, INVESTIGATION OF SPRING RELEASED HENS IN THE BITTERROOT AREA0 1949 P-R Quarterly Report, Montana. April- June 1949 The purpose of this study was to determine the survival and reproduc- tive rate of pheasants held over the winter and released just prior to the breeding season. On March 4. 1949,, 79 ten month old hatchery reared hen pheas- ants were released in the lower Bitterroot Valley, The wings and tails of these birds were dyed green to make field identification possible. Fifty-nine eleven month old hatchery reared pheasants, 50 hens and 9 cocks with red dye on most of the body were released in this area on March 29, 1949. These releases were checked twice weekly by walking through the area, checking from the roads, and contacting landowners. The birds dispersed rapidly and some of them were observed five miles from the release point several weeks after release. Remains of 22 (15 percent) of the dyed pheasants were found during the course of the study. In two cases goshawks were observed feeding on freshly killed dyed pheasants. Two hens were killed by hitting trees while flying*.: Four birds were found dead along the highway and were believed to be road kills. Cause of death could not be accurately determined for the other 13 birds found dead. Dyed hens were observed in flocks containing both wild hens and cocks. No pheasant nests were found in the area. Four wild hens and one dyed hen were observed with broods during the course of the study. Farmers contacted in the area reported observing two dyed pheasant hens with broods. -105- A TWO-YEAR STUDY OF PHEASANT STOCKING IN THE GALLATIN VALLEY, MONTANA Edwin F0 Roby. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. 15, (3), ppc 299-307 Summary by the Author 1. A detailed small scale study was conducted in Gallatin County, Montana, 1948-50 to secure survival data on game farm pheasants released in that area. 2c The data are evaluated on the basis of dispersal from release sites, band returns as influenced by method and place of release, relative importance of banded pheasants in the hunters' bag, and movements of game farm pheasants. 3. Four hundred and seventy-one game farm pheasants were released at four re- lease sites by the gentle and violent release methods,, 4. The data suggest a slower dispersal rate for the gentle release birds. 5. Band returns secured by the use of checking stations, traps, and hunter reports indicated a 14.4 percent return of released cocks, 6. No marked differences in the survival rates of gentle release pheasants and violent release pheasants were noted,, 7. Only 21 (4.3 percent) of 493 pheasants checked at hunter checking stations in 1949 were game farm birds. Of the remainder 331 (67.1 percent) were wild juveniles, 119 (24.1 percent) were wild adults, and 22 (4.5 percent) were wild birds of unknown ages. 8. Movements from release sites to point of kill for 48 birds were determined. Twenty (41.7 percent) moved less than one mile, 24 (50 percent) moved from one to three miles, 1 (2.1 percent) moved from four to five miles, and 3 (6.2 per- cent) moved 9 to 14 miles. A greater percentage of gentle than violent release birds settled in the immediate vicinity of the release sites. SURVIVAL OF GAME FARM PHEASANTS RELEASED IN THE BITTERR00T VALLEY - 1950 P-R Quarterly Report, Montana. January - March 1951 The chief purpose of this project was to determine the optimum age at which game farm pheasants should be released for maximum survival. Some information was also gained on the relative survival of birds raised in pens with no vegetative cover and in pens with a good growth of vegetation. In this study, 995 banded cocks were released in one group. These birds were divided into four age classes (8, 9, 11 and 12 weeks) and five weight groups ( 6-12 oz., 13-17 oz., 18-22 oz,, 23-27 oz., and 28-36 oz. ) . Data were collected on this plant by field observation, by the collection of bands from hunters and by live-trapping following the hunting season. Shortly after release 90 of these birds were found dead. A statisti- cal analysis (chi square method) of the data from the age group classification indicates that there was a significantly lower survival in the eight -week -1.06- class, but no real difference was detected in the three older classes of oirdSo In the weight groups there was significantly lower survival of the 6-12 ozo group than the 12-17 oz. group and also a lower survival of the 12-17 ozo group than the heavier groups 0 When tested for significance by the chi square method the probability is about nine out of ten that these differences did not occur by chance • This method of testing for significance also indicates that there was an actual higher survival of the birds that had the advantage of being raised in pens with heavy vegetative growth. INVESTIGATION OF SPRING RELEASED HENS IN THE MOIESE AREA — 1952 In the spring of 1952,, 27 game farm hens were released in the Moiese Refugee The hens were brailed and marked with red plastic neckties. It was assumed that they could not get over the woven wire fence surrounding the 80- acre refuge and an intensive study could be made on themc Four of the birds were found killed by predators , one was found incubating a clutch of twelve eggs on June 14. This nest was later destroyed, probably by a badger* There was no known reproduction from these birds , and by mid-summer they had dis- appeared o Discussions One fact that is immediately apparent from these reports is that they all have the same weakness,, The lack of band returns has, in most instances, made it virtually impossible to draw any valid conclusions from these studies 0 In general from seventy percent to ninety-six percent of the cocks banded and released have remained unaccounted for. Several possibilities have been sug- gested as to the fate of these birds? (1) They may have been shot and the bands not recovered, (2) they may have died before the hunting season, or (3) they may have survived the hunting season and remained in the population. It is probable that it is a combination of these three possibilities that accounts for the missing birds . It is recognized that all hunters do not turn in the bands that they recover. It has been the usual practice in Montana to set up checking stations to attempt to collect bands from the hunters, but this has never been too suc- cessful, partly due to the number of roads leading- from the hunting areas and also due to lack of personnel to run the checking stations. The results of Roby?s study in the Gallatin Valley indicates that voluntary returns of the bands is as satisfactory as attempting to collect them at checking stations. Both methods were tried during the course of his study and the results were about equal. The studies have shown that there is a high initial mortality of game farm birds. In 1947 when 615 juvenile birds were released on the Moiese study area, 119 (19.3 percent) of them were found dead within two weeks of being released. Of the 995 cocks released, in 1950 in the Bitterroot Valley, 90 (9/o) were found dead near the point of release. These releases were made in relatively heavy cover and it was not possible to find all of the birds that died. To attempt to estimate the actual number that succumbed would be -107- mere speculation but it is reasonable to suppose that it exceeded the known num- ber by a large margin. It is improbable that many of the released birds live over a year„ The band returns the hunting season after the release have consistently been under one percent of the total birds released,, Wildlife technicians have assumed that there is approximately an eighty percent turnover in wild popu- lation of game birds , so it is not unreasonable that the returns of less than one percent are realized from these game farm birds » The study conducted in the Bitterroot Valley in 1950 produced some results that were statistically significant 0 There was a higher initial mor- tality among the younger, lighter birds than in the older., heavier members of the group. The older , heavier birds also showed up in the hunters' bag more frequently than did the younger, lighter ones . This indicates that a higher survival to the following hunting season may be expected if the birds are re- tained on the game farm until they are ten weeks old or until they attain a weight of seventeen ounces a The relative survival of birds reared in pens containing good vege- tative cover as contrasted with the survival of those birds reared in pens lacking this cover was also fairly conclusive. The birds from the vegetated pens were apparently better adapted to wild conditions than were the others. This fact was evident from the initial mortality of the two groups as well as from the band returns during and after the hunting season. It was not possible to draw any valid conclusions from the studies attempting to evaluate the methods of release or those that attempted to differentiate between various types of habitat at the release points. Band returns were too meager and the difference too small to provide definite in- formation on these factors. An attempt was also made, to ascertain the dif- ferential survival of game farm birds that had been reared by various methods at the farm. These. studies ended without definite conclusions due to the small numbers of bands that were recovered. This weakness of this type of study also invalidates the work that was done in connection with releasing preconditioned birds and birds directly from the brooder pens. Two of the survival studies in this series were concerned with the advisability of releasing hens in the spring. Of the 129 hens released in the Bitterroot Valley in the spring of 1949,, 22 (15%) were found dead in the study area. Three of the birds were known to have produced broods, but again we are faced with being unable to account for the fate of the majority of the birds s Undoubtedly more birds died than were found and it is probable that some broods remained undetected. The study conducted in the spring of 1952 on the Moiese Refuge was also inconclusive in that the fate of the majority of the birds was unknown . Based on postcard surveys . Montana pheasant hunters in 1950 har- vested 211,300 cocks while in 1952, they harvested 257,800 birds. Game farm releases in 1950 totaled 30,728 birds and in 1952, 33,723 birds. Cock re- leases for these two years would be 15,364 and 16,861 birds respectively if it is assumed that the standard game farm production is near^ equally divided -108- between cocks and hens 0 If we assume that there was 100 percent survival of these game farm produced cocks from the time of liberation to the hunting season, and if we further assume that each of these cocks was harvested during the hunting season, it is evident that game farm pheasant production contributed 7„3 and 6.5 percent respectively to the total kill in 1950 and 1952. Actually, the only way to assure a total harvest of game farm cocks would be to have the hunter shoot the birds as they are released from the crates. The true survival rate of game farm birds lies somewhere between the two falla- cious extremes of no survival and complete survival 0 If we accept a hypothet- ical maximum of 50 percent of all released cocks surviving to the hunting season, and then assume that each individual is shot by a hunter, it requires little imagination to see that these birds are not only extremely costly, but also con- tribute little better than three out of every 100 birds in the hunter ?s bag— the other 97 being wild-reared birds 0 If these conclusions are valid, then it is also evident that consid- erable amounts of money are being wasted each year trying to make good hunting conditions better through continued releases of game farm birds 8 Game farms . have been in continual operation in Montana since 1930 and it is difficult to believe that any suitable coverts have been overlooked in the stocking program during the intervening years e In all areas having suitable habitat these birds have become established and further stocking is unnecessary; in other areas where pheasant populations have not become established it would seem to be very doubtful that continued stocking would improve the situation, Conclusions and Recommendations % A relatively high initial mortality occured after game farm pheasants were released on most of the study areas 0 This, coupled with the low band return from hunters indicated that survival of game farm pheasants after re- lease was low0 Autopsy of some of the birds found dead indicated disease as probable cause of death . An effort should be made to determine presence of disease at the game farms and eliminate it if possible,, Sick or weak birds should not be released in order to minimize the spreading of the disease to wild pheasant populations „ A higher survival rate may be expected if pheasants are not released from the game farms until they are ten weeks old and weigh over ten ounces „ Birds reared in pens containing good growth of vegetative cover sur- vive better after release than birds reared in pens bare of vegetation* It would seem wise to attempt to have vegetative cover present in the pens at the game farms 0 Lack of band returns from most of the experimental releases have limited the conclusions that can be drawn from these studies „ Thus, further projects of this type should be conducted in an area where more positive con- trol over hunters and hunting is possible in order to insure maximum return -109- of bands. Investigation of hen pheasants released in the springy although in- clusive due to disappearance of the experimental birds, indicated a relatively high mortality soon after release. Some hens that had been brailed were not capable of good flight as long as two weeks after release, suggesting that previous br ailing had lessened their chances for survival after release. Brailed hens that were released on the Moiese study area soon disappeared. It was thought that predators accounted for a high percentage of them due to their inability to fly. To insure maximum utility of game farm reared pheasants, production should be geared to capacity in such a way that birds could be held beyond the 10-14 week maximum as now practiced. Under the present system, to hold birds beyond this age would probably result in heavy mortality at the farms as a result of feather picking and cannibalism induced by overcrowding; thus it becomes mandatory to release birds at relatively immature stage. By pro- ducing quality rather than quantities, cocks could be held for release shortly before the hunting season in areas x/here the quality of the habitat precludes the possibility of good natural reproduction; the hens could then be held for spring release in the better habitats consistent with game farm practices in other western states. Submitted by Fred Hartkorn» Biologist Approved by Wm. Bergeson Wesley Woodgerd, Jr. Biologist Wm. Bergeson, Biologist Date February 10, 1953 -110- PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana, Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. II Job No. II-B Title of Job j Survival Value of Chnkar Partridge The work carried out under this project consisted of selecting suitable release sites for the 1953 spring releases and attempting to ascertain the status of chukars at the former release sites. Three release sites were chosen. These areas were considered the most suitable of all areas evaluated and chukars were released on them in Maxell of 1953 o One hundred and twenty birds were released at Davis Creek in Missoula County, 120 on the National Bison Range in Lake County, and 95 near Towns end in Broadwater County. In a.11 cases the chukars quickly paired and dispersed. Pairs have been observed a maximum distance of two and one- half miles from the point of release. It was impossible to obtain accurate population figures for the birds released prior to 1953. There are adult birds in six areas , and if a favorable nesting season is experienced, any or all of these groups may form the nucleus of an important population. These areas are (1) Ferry Basin in Lake County, (2) Valley Creek in Lake County, (3) Bluewater Creek in Carbon County, (4) Big Coulee in Stillwater County, (5) Fly Inn area in Big Horn County., and (6) Dillon area in Beaverhead and Madison Counties,. In our attempt to locate all chukars in the State , a news story on these birds was released. The story included a picture and a request for information as to the location of chukars. The result of this to date is a report of a group of about fifty chukars being seen southwest of Jordan, Montana. No chukars have been planted recently within about' one hundred thirty-five miles of this area. If this report is true, it represents either a long migration of the planted birds or a remnant of chukars planted several years ago for which accurate planting records are not available. Prepared by Wesley Woodgerd Approved by William R. Bergeson Title Junior Biologist 111- STATE_ Montana PROJECT NO. W-39-R-4 DATE April 15, 1953 VOL. IV NO. 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations 2. Leader: Wynn G. Freeman, Waterfowl Biologist 3. Report of Progress: State-wide Census Aerial. Waterfowl Census Several aerial censuses of geese have been made along the Missouri River and in Flathead Valley. Ground Waterfowl Census Inactive during report period. Study of Census Methods and Biology of Waterfowl in Flathead Valley Inactive during report period. Work Plan I: Job I-A: Job I-Bs Job I-C: Job I-D: Initiate A Comprehensive Study on Winter Populations of Waterfowl The annual January waterfowl inventory was accomplished by personnel of the Restoration Division and deputy game Wardens through cooperation of the game management agents of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Important areas received better census coverage this year through the. increased use of light aircraft. Work Plan lis Waterfowl Production Studies Job I-Ei Study of Relationships of Stockwater Reservoirs to ' Waterfowl Production ■ Field work was inactive during report .period. A new phase of this study was planned and will be initiated in May. 112- Work Plan Ills Evaluation of Hunter Harvest Job I-Fs Study of Hunter Harvest of Waterfowl Inactive during report period. Work Plan IV; Waterfowl Banding A small number of mallards were banded at the Lewistown trap with the aid of W-l-R-12 and W-3#-R-4 personnel. Work Plan Yi Pre- Acquis it-ion Studies of Development Areas „ Job I-H: Pre-Acquisition Study of Freezout Lake Inactive during report period* Job I-i: Pablo Refuge Management Investigation Inactive during report period* Job I- J: Blackf oot-Clearwat er Habitat Development Investigation on State Lands Inactive during report period* Job I-Ks Sun River Waterfowl Habitat Investigation on State Lands Inactive during report period* Job I-Ls Investigation of Potential Waterfowl Habitat for Development Necessary data was assembled for the submission of a project for Chain of Lakes. Necessary data was assembled for the submission of a project for Freezout Lake. Preliminary planning and rancher contact work was done for the Brown's Lake waterfowl area* Submitted byi Name Wynn G-. Freeman Title Waterfowl Biologist Approved by? Montana State Department of Fish and Game By i Robert F« Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Dat e April 15, 195.3 -113- STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-41-R-4 DATE April 15. 1953 Vol. IV No. 1 FINAL PROGRESS REPORT For SURVEY AND INVESTIGATIONAL PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project: Hunter Harvest Determination and Big Game Evaluation INTRODUCTION: Work on this project consisted of check station operation during the hunting season in critical areas and a state-wide card questionnaire following the hunting season. BIG GAME QUESTIONNAIRE: A sample of names from license book stubs comprising about five percent of the total was selected randomly as In previous years. Following is a sample of the card showing the information requested! HUNTER REPORT OF BIG GAME KILL I killed the following big game animals: (Please check proper spaces) Species General Season By Permit County of Kill Male Female Male Female Mule Deer White-tailed Deer Elk 1 Moose Antelope Bear I hunted big game but was not successful C3 I did not hunt big game O Name -114- Six thousand cards were sent, of which 104 were dissent or answered unintelligibly. There was a usable return of 54$ as compared to 55% a year ago. An error in reporting was found similar to last year whereby the kill figures were presumed to be exaggerated* The known antelope kill, based on previously made checks, was 26% less than that indicated in the card return. This ratio was presumed, to exist in all big game returns and kill figures were reduced that amount. Following is the compilation of data from card returns? 1952-53 HUNTER KILL CARD RETURNS 5% Sample Total Number Hunters 115,230 5k% of 6,000 cards sent Species % Male % Female Total Kill Mule Deer 77 23 40,950 White-tailed Deer 64 46 12,896 Elk 55 45 6,422 Antelope 73 27 18,096 Moose 55 45 Goats 50 Black Bear 75 25 728 Grizzly Bear 10 Total 79*363 % Number Did Not Hunt 4 4,609 Hunted, but Unsuccessful 27 aim ^ ™L,3u,i|Cw Killed one animal 46 53 , 000 Killed two animals 19 21,894 Killed three animals 3 3,457 Killed four animals 1 1,152 . Total 115 , 224 Sixty-nine percent (69$) of hunters were successful. The figure was 68% last year. CHECKING STATIONS; There were 31 check stations operated in big game areas. Stand- ardized data sheets were kept on which were recorded kill by species and -115 other pertinent data to be used in management. In certain areas specific biological data on productivity were collected. SUMMARY OF ALL CHECKING STATIONS Total Total ioT-ai w —1 • riuie Area Elk Deer Deer Remarks Continental Unit South Fork Flathead ( Coram) 433 2 Quarterly Little Thompson 3 73 5 Report (W-l-R Western; Kootenai Island Lake 3 152 18 See Dec. 1952 Quarterly Waylett 1 s 3 76 23 Report (.W-l-R Western) McGregor Lake 97 10 tf t? Gal 1 at in- Yellows tone Madison Umt Squaw Creek 72 1 1 99 Grayling Creek o 32 Ruby 22 424' (175 bucks and 249 antler- Blackball (2 Spot Checks) less mule deer) 62 64 Corwin (Gardiner) 100 Little Belt Unit Utica 212 308 4 Spot Checks 338 Beaverhead Unit Mill Creek 44 154 (75 bucks & 79 antlerless mule deer) Divide 76 133 (76 bucks & 57 antlerless mule deer) -116- Area Eastern Montana Matador Landusky Ashland (2 Spot Checks) 27 915 7 213 862 See Dec» 1952 Quarterly Report. (W-l-R Eastern) The Continental Unit comprising the Sun River, South and Middle Forks of the Flathead, Swan River and Upper Blackfoot had the following estimated kill: 1080 elk 702 mule deer 513 white-tailed deer 50 black bear 10 grizzly bear 50 mountain goats . These figures necessarily include some estimates for unchecked areas and are considered conservative* -117' FINAL REPORT of Coram Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Dates of Season: Jay Penny Ratchford October 15 to November 20 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Black bear Mountain goat TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Male Female Male 133 8 7 5 6 193 1 3 4 1 29 Female Spikes Total 35 43 433 6 3 Number of successful hunters checked - 469 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 2*654 1 2 10 21 12 7 -118- FINAL gEPORT of Bonner Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Dates of Season: F. A. Gummer A. H. McCarty October 15 October 15 November 8 November 15 November 7 November 20 (Elk of either sex) (Buck deer only) (Either sex deer except Powell County - Nov. 13-15 for either sex deer) TOTAL GAME KILL Species Adult Male Adult Female Young Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 31 39 11 8 19 108 Mule deer 78 16 3 6 6 109 White-tailed deer 139 128 7 26 9 309 Black bear 5 Mountain goat 2 Number of successful hunters checked - 526 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 3,456 -119- FINAL REPORT of Nevada Greek Checking Station for 1952 Personnels Dale Dearing Dates of Season: November 13, 14 and 15, 1952 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Species * Male Elk 6 Mule deer 5 White-tailed deer 6 Black bear Number of successful hunters checked - 33 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 210 -120- FINAL REPORT of Helvmille Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: F. Ae Gummer Dates of Season: November 13, 14 and ±59 1952 TOTAL GAME KILL - ,1952 Species Adult Male Adult Female Young Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 4 10 2 1.6 Mule deer 6 14 3 2 25 White-tailed deer 12 8 1 4 1 26 Number of successful hunters checked - 6? Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 258 -121- FINAL REPORT of Lincoln Canyon Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: P. B« Marshall Dates of Season: November 13, 14 and 15, 1952 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Mule deer White-tailed deer Adult Male 5 8 Adult Youn^ Female Male Young Female Spikes Total 1 2 7 14 Number of successful hunters checked - 21 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 13 1 -122- FINAL REPORT of Sun River Canyon Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Max Melton Jam.es McLucas Dates of Season: October 15, 1952 to November 15, 1952 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Black bear Grizzly bear Adult Male 39 144 3 4 Adult Young Young Female Male Female Spikes Total 37 76 144 3 5 1 Number of successful hunters checked 221 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 755 -123- FINAL REPORT of Willow Creek Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Owen Wilson Don Bailey Dates of Season: October 15 to November 15 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Elk Mule deer Grizzly bear Adult Male 28 50 1 Adult Youn^ Female Male 37 6 33 Young Female Spikes Total 12+9 unknown 92 1 6 90 1 Number of successful hunters checked - 133 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 779 -124- FINAL REPORT of Elk Creek Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Otto Hoffman George McConn Dates of Season:. October 15, 1952 to November 15, 1952 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Black bear Adult Male 9 124 3 4 Adult Young Young Female Male Female Spikes Total 18 47 6 73 7 25 8 38 2 48 307 5 7 Number of successful hunters checked - 367 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 912 -125- FINAL REPORT of Thompson River Checking Station for 1952 Personnels Mead Dates of Seasons November 8 to November 20 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Adult Male Adult Female Young Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 2 4 6 Mule deer 16 5 21 White-tailed deer /;22 18 3 1 1 45 Number of successful hunters checked - 71 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 191 -126- FINAL REPORT of Little Thompson Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Neil F. Blanchard Dates of Season: November 8 to November 20 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Black bear Adult Male 1 5 27 1 Adult Youn| Female Male 2Z(. 8 Young Female Spikes Total 3 5 10 4 73 1 Number of successful hunters checked - 82 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 17 6 -127- FINAL REPORT of Island Lake Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Blaze Echo Russell Hart Al Watson Dates of Season: November 8 to November 20 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Adult Male Adult Female Young Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 3 3 Mule deer 9 7 2 18 White-tailed deer 45 53 19 18 16 *151 Number of successful hunters checked - 173 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 413 -;'-White-t ailed deer total, does not include 9 unknown-age male deer and 8 unknown-age female deer* -128- FINAL REPORT of Waylett's Checking Station for 1952 Personnels Charles F. Haschke Grace M« Haschke Dates of Seasons November 8 to November 20 TOTAL GAME KILL - 19.52 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Adult Adult Young Young Male Female Male Female Spikes Total 3 15 31 2 25 1 5 2 9 3 6 3 23 76 ■ 129 ■- FINAL REPORT of McGregor Lake Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Bill Boothman Francis Thompson Dates of Season: November 8 to November 20 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Species Male Female Male Female Spikes Total Mule deer 5 3 -""10 White-tailed deer 31 35 10 15 5 **96 Number of successful hunters checked - 107 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 538 -*Mule deer total does not include 1 unknown-age male and 1 unknown-age female. »~;'-White-t ailed deer total does not include 6 unknown-age females. -130 FINAL REPORT of Squaw Greek Checking Station for 1952 Personnel % Norman N. Wortman Donald Jenni Raymond Hays Boles Sinkovitz Dates of Seasons October 15 to December 2 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Male 26 87 2 9 Adult Young Young Female Male Female Spikes Total 18 13 12 11 72 99 3 Number of successful hunters checked 166 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 3104' ■^131- FINAL REPORT of Grayling Creek Checking Station for 1952 Personnels Alton L» Shupe Carl S0 Bittner? Jr® Dates of Seasons November 1.5 to December 1 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Elk Mule deer White-tailed deer Moose Adult Male k 20 1 Adult Young Young Female Male Female Spikes Total 7 2 8 *32 1 6 Number of successful hunters checked - 49 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 263 -"-Unrecorded - 2 -132- FINAL REPORT of Ruby Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Frank Schryer A. A. Schroeder Dates of Season: October 15 to November 15 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Male 12 169 11 Adult Toting Female Male loung Female Spikes Total 6 154 1 56 3 39 1 22 6 424 1 16 Number of successful hunters checked - 462 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 1319 -133- 4 f FINAL REPORT of Utica Checking Station ' for 1952 Personnel: J, S* Ramsey Mrs. J. S. Ramsey- Dates of Season: October 15 to November 15 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Adult Male Adult Young Female Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 34 97 33 24 24 212 Mule deer 243 4 2 1 5S 308 Black bear 3 1 2 6 Number of successful hunters checked - 217 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 2091 -134- FINAL REPORT of Mill Creek Checking Station for 1952 Personnels M„ M» Critchfield Dates of Season: October 15 to November 24 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Species Adult Male Adult Female Young Male Young Female Spikes Total Elk 18 15 1 2 8 44 Mule deer 55 55 8 16 20 154 Moose 5 2 7 Number of successful hunters checked - 205 Number of unsuccessful hunters checked - 28?8 .'1.3 « . FINAL REPORT of Divide Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Henry We Engbrecht Dates of Season: October 15 to November 24 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Male Female Male Female Spikes Total 76 76 57 133 1 9 -136- FINAL REPORT of Landusky Checking Station for 1952 Personnels Herb Friede Dates of Season: October 15 to October 2.6 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Species Male Female Male Female Spikes Total Mule deer 123 94 7 17 241 White-tailed deer 5 2 7 -137- FINAL REPORT of Matador Checking Station for 1952 Personnel: Purl Seibert Dates of Seasons October 15 to October 26 TOTAL GAME KILL - 1952 Adult Adult Young Young Species Male Female Male Female Spikes Total Mule deer 1 915 White-tailed deer 27 Submitted by? Name Faye M9 Coue^ Title Big Game and Lands Biologist Approved bys Montana State Department of Fish & Game By Robert F« Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 -138- STATE Montana PROJECT NO, W-49-R-2 DATE April 15, 1953 VOL, VI NO. 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required by ' FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Projects Fur Resources Surveys and Investigations 2» Leaders Fletcher E» Newby^ Junior Biologist 3<> Report of Progress s Work Plan It Determination of the Economic Importance of the Montana Fur Res ource a Job I- A; Annual Yield and Income from the Fur Resource as Determined by Examination of Dealer Records » Proceeding for 1951-52 season*. Job I-ls The Annual Fur Harvest as Determined from Analysis of Trapper Rgport Cards e Proceeding for 1952-53 season • Arrangements are under- way for analysis of data by use of International Business Machines analysis cards* This will considerably reduce the amount of clerical work entailed in the surveys The trapper report cards a letter of explanation^ the results of last yearfs reports and last year's average prices will be mailed to all trappers shortly after the close of the season. Work Plan lis Survey of Fur Animal Distribution, Habitat and Popula- tion Status » Job II-As Extensive Survey of Fur Animal Distribution,, Habitat and Population Status o Proceeding • Job II-Bs Muskrat Population Trends « Inactive during report period© -1.39- Job II-Cs Survey of Beaver Distribution and. Status in the Jefferson Basine Proceeding « Job II-li Population Status and Movements of Mart en « Proceedings Maps showing the distribution of the 1950=51 and 1951-52 marten catches are being drafted, to aid in the investigation of population status « Field checks in various areas indicated that the past two seasons markedly reduced marten numbers in easily acces- sible areas 0 Twenty-five marten have been tagged in the North Fork of the Flathead River study area« A good deal of preliminary information regarding these animals has been gathered and it is expected that this phase will be taken over by a student for a Master1 s thesis problems Job II-Is The Effect of Otter Food Habits on Fish and Fur Animal Populations «, Proceeding • Analysis of approximately 1,100 otter scats has been completed* Job II-Fs Distribution and Status of the Wolverine » Completion report submitted in October-December Quarterly Report « Submitted bys Approved by§ Name Fletcher Ee Newby Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Junior Biologist By Robert Fe Cooney^ Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 _140_ STATE Montana PROJECT NOo W-5-D-11 DATE April 15, 1953 VOL. IV NOo 1 REPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 10 Title of Project? General Wildlife Restocking 20 Leaders James McLucas , Fieldman 3, Report of Progress? "OPERATION COYOTE" DATES g December 15, 1952 to March 31, 1953 PERSONNEL^ James McLucas,, Fieldman, Leader PURPOSE 8 The objective of this project was to control coyote predation on and adjacent to the mountain sheep range in the Sun River Canyon „ It was believed that this control would improve conditions for increased production among the mountain sheep 0 The secondary objective of the project was to study the movement of mountain sheep and other big game animals in this area and their relationship to the above named predators 0 Control of mountain lions,, bobcats and golden eagles was inci- dental to the project e PROCEDURE? The first phase of this project was spent gathering equipment, cyanide guns, scents, motor vehicle, etc, and moving supplies into the cabins to be used in this areac Most of the project was done on footo Travel averaged about fifteen miles a day on all the major drainages in the Sun River Canyon area, and Willow Creek and Ford Creek in the adjacent region which is also mountain sheep range 0 ■141- About 175 cyanide getter guns, loaned from the Fish and Wildlife Servic Predator Control Section, were used in this program,, They were placed about six or seven to the mile according to the number of coyotes in the area* Scent was changed several times to keep the coyotes from associating any danger with the same odor,, as there may have been guns pulled when they were traveling in pairs » The guns were visited about every seven days as it took this long to make a trip through the entire areaa Weights of forty coyotes were taken (Table 1) . About twenty- five stomach samples were collected and will be analyzed at Montana University e This analysis should help determine the incidence of predation on mountain sheep and other game animals in the area. Coyote hides have always had some value as fur* The price has fluctuated from year to year, but during the last twenty-five years it has varied from $25 « 00 to $loQ0 per skin« The downward trend in the price of coyote hides in the past ten years started a general upward trend in the coyote population » This may have led to an increased intensity of preda- tion on livestock^, big and small game, and all types of game birds at that time. However j, with the coming of 10-80, a new poison used by the UB Se Fish and Wildlife Service, a very effective control has been reached on all farm and ranch land in the State 0 The coj^otes were left untouched in the various primitive areas in which 10-80 was not used because of possible damage to fur-bearing species 0 In some of these areas, the coyotes have maintained high numbers «, At times, their predation has appeared heavy on certain species of big game and game birds » Other means of control had to be used in these areas where predation was found te be serious. Two such programs have been carried out by the Montana Fish and Game Department „ The first was carried out in the winter of 1947 and the spring of 1948 in the Gates of the Mountains area where mountain sheep had been planted in 1941 o It was hoped that this control program would give the mountain sheep a better chance to build up in this area along with other game animals and birds o A few years after this predator control program, a number of mountain goats were transplanted into this area and they are reported to be doing very well. The second predator control program has been carried out in the Sun River Canyon which is historical mountain sheep range » The sheep in this area number about four hundred at present, and in the adjacent area of Willow and Ford Creeks , there are about forty to fifty mountain sheep o It is hoped that as a result of this predator control program these mountain sheep will show a decided increase in the future , The major predator control, work done in this area was carried out over thirty-five years ago by Bruce Neal, Deputy Game Warden at Augusta, Mont ana 3 when he took about sixty to seventy coyotes , a number of bobcats and several lions 0 Aside from this,, only about fifty coyotes a year were taken by trappers . Since 1940,, very few coyotes have been taken e This may account for the large number of coyotes in this area,, and the apparent severe predation on game animals « -342- TABLE lc Weights and Sex of Coyotes Taken Sex Weight Age Drainage 1. Female 26 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 2 t> Female 21 lbs. Pup Gibson Lake 3. Female 25 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 4. Male 26 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 5 © Female 25 IbSo Mature Gibson Lake 6. Female 25 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 7. Male 35 lbs. Mature South Fork 8. Male 28 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 9. Female 22 lbs. Pup Gibson Lake 10 0 Female 22 lbs. Pup Gibson Lake 11. Female 25 lbs. Pup Gibson Lake 1 2 o Male 28 lbs„ Mature Gibson Lake 13. Female 23 lbs. Pup South Fork 14. Male 24 lbs. Pup South Fork 15 © Female 26 lbs. Mature South Fork 16 o Male 28 lbs. Mature North Fork 17. Male 31 lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 18 o Male 27"?^ lbs 0 Mature Gibson Lake 19. Female 28f lbs. 28$ lbs. Mature Gibson Lake 20 . Male Mature Gibson Lake 21. Female 27| lbs. Mature South Fork Female 23~2 lbs 0 26§ lbs. Pup South Fork 23 © Female Mature Gibson Lake 24. Female 28 lbs. Mature Blacktail Creek 25 o Male 31 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 26 o Female 25 lbs. Pup Willow Creek 27o Female 26 lbs. Mature Wagner Basin 28. Female 23 lbs. Pup Willow Creek 29. Female 27^ lbs. Mature Willow Creek 30 o Female 26 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 31. Female 26 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 3 2 © Male 2^2 lb s 0 Mature Willow Creek Male 27 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 34. Male 27 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 35 o Male 28 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 36. Male 28 lbs. Mature Willow Creek 37. Female 26 lbs. Mature South Fork 38. Female 25 lbs. Pup South Fork 39. Female 30 lbs. Mature South Fork 40 o Male 32 lbs. Mature Willow Creek Average weight male c oyote - 29 lbs. Average weight female coyote - 27 Lbs Average weight pup - either sex - 24 lbs. »U3 Two actual cases of coyotes attacking and killing mature deer were witnessed by the author during "the winter predator control program*, One case was on the South Fork of the Sun River and one on the North Fork of the Sun River . In both instances the kill was made in the same way. The attack was made by a pair of coyotes that first cut the tendons in the hind legs of the deer and then attacked the intestinal area. Both deer were in good physical condition 0 During the mountain sheep count in this area one case of coyotes chasing sheep was witnessed. But seeing us, they returned to the timber so it is not sure what would have happened if we were not there to drive them off . It seems logical that they would have made a kill. Coyote Condition and Disease Condition of all coyotes could be described as Tfhog-fat" and only one coyote was found to have a trace of mange. They were Yery heavily furred and in prime condition • Lions During this predator control operation on the north side of Gibson Lake, North Fork of Sun River, South Fork of Sun River, Blacktail Creek, Hannan Gulch and Wagner Basin and the main Sun River, only two lions were killed 0 Both of these were killed by Bruce Neal in December of 195 2 o One other track was seen at the head of Gibson Lake in December of 195 2 o No other lion sign was seen on any of the drainages on the north side of Gibson Lake or on the North or South Fork of the Sun River, where the majority of the sheep on the Sun River range are. Eight mountain lions were killed on the south side of the Sun River in the Beaver Creek drainage which is a heavy white-tail wintering area. Seven of these lions were taken by Mr. Slater of the Bureau of Reclamation. He treed the lions with the aid of dogs. One other lion was killed by hunters during the big game hunting season in the Beaver Creek drainage. There has been no other sign seen in this area after the killing of these eight lions. It is apparent from past history and from what has been observed this winter that the mountain lion seldom is seen on the north side of Gibson Lake, where the majority of the sheep range lies. This may indicate that the chief predators here are the coyote and possibly the golden eagle. Bobcats » Very few bobcats were in evidence above the mouth of the Sun River Canyon. Thirteen were known killed during the winter. The lack of bobcats might be blamed on the shortage of rabbits and grouse. Most of the bobcats have migrated to the lower foothills and stream bottoms. I Eagles Golden eagles were observed on all of the mountain sheep range,, but none were observed making a kill,, Eagle predation is probably the highest during lambing season,. One interesting observation was made in an adjacent area to the sheep range by some ranchers who observed a golden eagle diving into his lambing yard and carrying off one of the lambs, A short time later this golden eagle returned and was killed by the rancher „ He and some of the neighboring ranchers went up to a bench where this golden eagle had been observed before and found the remains of eleven lambs, RESULTS % It is yet too early to judge the effect this predator control program will have on the mountain sheep in this areac With the removal of this number of predators a decided change should be noticed this year in the deer and sheep population*, As in past years, heavy deer and sheep losses have occurred in this area during the winter months 0 During this period 118 coyotes were definitely checked as killed by cyanide "getters" c Ten mountain lions and fifteen bobcats were also taken during the period* The bobcats were caught with steel traps while tending the coyote stations. It was felt that a considerable additional number of coyotes were killed by the cyanide "getters", but due to fresh snow and other factors were overlooked even following a diligent search by the project personnel « Twelve golden eagles were killed while tending the cyanide getters o RECOMMENDATIONS: It is felt that this program should be repeated next winter to insure the most beneficial results 0 Observations made next year while carrying out the control program would be of extreme importance in making a more complete evaluation of the workQ The annual mountain sheep census should be continued and should also provide basic data regarding the effect on population trends 0 •145 COYOTES V )< Sheep Range O Location of Coyotes Taken Coyote Winter Range Boundary ■ 1 — White-tail Wintering Area Number of Lions Taken EAGLES Winter Eagle Range Eagles Taken -148- TABLE 20 Location of Coyotes Taken Blacktail Gulch z Big George Gulch 20 Hannan Gulch 8 Mortimer Gulch 7 North Fork of Sun River 13 Scattering Springs 11 Sheep Trap 8 South Fork of Sun River 22 Reclamation Flats 9 Wagner Basin 3 Willow Creek 15 Total 118 Submitted hjt Approved bys Name James McLucas Montana State Fish & Game Department Title Fieldman By Robert Fc Cooney9 Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 -149- STATE Montana PROJECT NO DATE VOLo IV QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT le Title of Projects Blackfoot-Clearwater Winter Big Game Range Development 20 Personnels Stan Mongrain5 Fieldman^ Game Range Manager Jack Ray, Fieldman 30 Report of Progress : Fence Approximately one. mile of boundary fence was constructed «, Submitted by? Approved bys Name Stan Mongrain Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Game Range Manager By Robert F. Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15, 1953 150- STATE Montana PROJECT NOo W-45-M-2 DATE April 15, 1953 VOL* IV NOo 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1„ Titles Maintenance of Blackfoot-Clearwater Big Game Range 20 Personnels Stan Mongrain^ Fieldman^ Game Range Manager Jack Ray 3, Fieldman 30 Report of Progress s A6 Bridges Considerable time was spent cutting,, hauling and peeling timbers for stringers to be used in bridge repair • Tops were used for poles and posts to be used on the project 0 B o Roads Snow removal was necessary periodically on access roads and around headquarters buildings 0 C0 Fences Weather was sufficiently moderate to permit maintenance of a considerable amount of fence c The horse pasture was particularly in need of thisc D0 Game Baiting Bait lines were established but received little use because of the extremely mild winter 0 Some elk drifting was conducted onto the range „ E„ Miscellaneous Some building repair was done including repair and insulation of the bunkhouse ceiling „ Wood for fuel was cut and hauled to headquarters. Elk trapping operations were conducted with moderate success * Additional activities during the quarter were: trespass horse control, repair of vehicles and equipment, care of horses wintering on ranch^ and hauling of hay and grain*, Submitted bys Approved by; Name Stan Mongrain Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Game Range Manager By Robert F„ Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date April 15 » 1953 ■152 STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-47-M-2 DATE April 15, 1953 VOL. ' IV No* 1 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Project i Maintenance of Sun River Winter Elk Range 20 Personnel? Bruce Neal3 Fieldman5 Game Range Manager Robert Neal, Fieldman, Assistant Game Range Manager Dave Stonehouse, Laborer Bert Goodman $ Laborer Dan Neal5 Laborer 3a Report of Progress? The entire quarter was spent working with elk in an effort to obtain the best possible distribution on the game range unit. A certain amount of manipulation was also necessary in bringing elk onto the game range from adjacent private land. In general the usage of the game range was very satisfactory during the period „ The weather up until the end of the reporting period was relatively mild. Forage on the range was almost completely available . The elk patrol operation was conducted on horseback and snow- shoes where necessary. Although a complete count of elk utilizing the game range was not possible due to almost continuously unfavorable flying conditions, it was estimated that between twelve and sixteen hundred elk wintered on the area*, Very probably due to the lack of snow and resultant even utilization of the entire area, the usage of forage was comparatively moderate The elk trap previously constructed was erected on the range and kept baited throughout the entire period. Elk,, however s showed little in- terest in the hay and cake used as bait. Several hundred drifted by the trap daily. Only nine were caught and tagged during the period. The marking of elk on the Sun River winter range is considered to be a very important project as it would undoubtedly result in a great deal of basic information regarding the migration of this herd throughout the Continental Unit on their drifts between the summer and winter range „ It is hoped therefore, that a very substantial number of elk will be tagged in this area during the more severe winters » In this regard it is felt that the Sun River Game Range is exerting a very important effect upon the South Fork of the Flathead and possibly the Middle Fork elk herds in drawing substantial numbers out of these problem areas to winter in the Sun River o Basic data will naturally be necessary in order to completely evaluate this e Submitted hyt Approved bji Name _ Robert Neal M^rtana_State Department of Fish and Game Title Assistant Game Range By Robert F6 Cooney9 Director Manager Wildlife Restoration Division Date -154- \