Winter 1964
Montana Fish and Game Department Official Publication
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
IVIontana State Library
http://www.archive.org/details/montanawildlifewin1964mont
STATE OF MONTANA
Governor — Tim Babcock
Montana
Fish and Game Commission
Cover Picture
CHAIRMAN
V. CHAIRMAN
MEMBERS
DIRECTOR
DEPUTY
DIRECTOR
INFORMATION-
EDUCATION
FISHERIES
MANAGEMENT
GAME
MANAGEMENT
RECREATION &
LANDS
DEVELOPMENT
LAW
ENFORCEMENT
CHIEF
CLERK
Lyle H. Tauck, Hammond
W. E. Staves, Poison
John T. Hanson, Sr., Malta
E. G. Leipheimer, Jr., Butte
Robert H. Weintz, Great Falls
Department
Frank H. Dunkle
Keith A. Freseman
Division Chiefs
Lloyd Casagranda
Arthur Whitney
Wynn Freeman
Robert Cooney
Orville Lewis
Bob Turnbull
(Photo by Eldon Smith)
Wind whips the snow from Sawtooth Mountain
as it rears high into Montana's cold winter sky.
The rugged mountains form a picturesque back-
drop for the Sun River Game range which lies
below.
SUBSCRIBERS— Please inform us when you
have a change of address, otherwise
your name will be removed from our
mailing list.
Editor— V. E. Craig
CONTENTS
RIVERS TO RESERVOIRS
NEW HUNTING-FISHING LICENSES
MONTANA DEER WEIGHTS
Page
2
4
9
FISH AND GAME REALIGNMENT
A TOP-NOTCH CLUB
15
18
INSECTS OF THE WATER
20
Ri
wer
_CANADA__
UNITED STATES "
To
R
eseruoir
by Frank H. Dunkle
Director, Montana Fish & Game Dept.
Now that the United States and Canada
have almost completed a Columbia River
agreement, the Army Corps of Engineers
is expected to start construction on Libby
Dam within the next year or so. Libby
Dam will be located in northwestern Mon-
tana on the Kootenai River and will cost
an estimated 332 million hard-earned tax
dollars — not counting millions more ear-
marked for Canadian dams as a condition
to our backing water across the border.
This mass of concrete and steel, 360 feet
high and some 3,000 feet long, will back
water up for ninety miles and push the
big puddle some forty-two miles into Can-
ada. Agreement calls for water storage
seven years after construction begins.
The "multiple purpose", a term which
has become cliche with dams, will embrace
production of electricity, flood control and
recreation. Though it is neither within the
scope nor duties of the Montana Fish and
Game Department to evaluate power
needs, we can ask that all issues get un-
biased consideration so that free-flowing
streams and wildlife-rich bottom lands are
not needlessly sacrificed.
The promoters of Libby Reservoir en-
vision pleasure seekers flocking to the
area. Unquestionably, fishing, water ski-
ing, swimming, boating, and other forms
of water oriented recreation are gaining
in popularity each year. Unquestionably
also, an investment in providing more ac-
cess to the area, improving and adding to
camping and picnic areas and other facili-
ties would bring a lot more recreationists
to northwest Montana had a dam never
even been proposed. Though the project
will offer lake recreation, a tremendous
stretch of natural river will be lost. It ap-
STRyKCH •
0 5'? j>'
THE LIBBY DAM SITE
pears that the day is hurriedly coming
when wild rivers will be as scarce as Dodo
birds.
Understandably, reservoirs lack many
of the desirable features found in most
natural lakes. Libby Reservoir, for exam-
ple, will have a potential drop in water
level of 172 feet during the course of one
year. It is, however, expected that this tre-
mendous fluctuation will rarely be
reached. The expected fluctuation is sixty
feet up and down for the first 15 years,
and forty feet for the remaining 85 years
the project is expected to last. Ugly mud
flats exposed during lower water levels
will be, for the most part, off-season so far
as recreation is concerned.
Violent ups and downs in water will
plague the Kootenai River immediately
downstream from the dam. Since the gen-
erators can produce more electricity than
will be used, they will be operated on what
is called a "peaking" system. During the
summer and in early daylight hours gen-
erators will be closed down and a mini-
mum of water will be spilled from the
dam. During dark hours, and particularly
in the winter when electricity demands are
greatest, more water will be released to
power the generators, result — water lev-
els of the river will vary as much as eight
feet and the best that can be hoped is that
it will not rise more than one foot per
hour. Fishermen below the dam had best
be alert and nimble, or they could find
themselves in serious trouble.
Right now the Kootenai River offers
good fishing, particularly for cutthroat
trout, but also for rainbow and Dolly Var-
den. Float trips on the river are popular
and during the winter whitefishermen
come in from as far as Kalispell. Ling fish-
ing is seasonal and of short duration, but it
is still popular. Fishing potential of the
river is practically untouched.
Libby Dam will substitute reservoir fish-
ing for river fishing. The change in en-
vironment will be more suitable for scrap
fish such as chubs, suckers, and squaw-
fish than it will for trout. Trout require
tributaries for spawning, but there will
only be about five trbiutaries with spawn-
ing potential once the reservoir is filled;
consequently, fish stocking will be re-
quired. Experience elsewhere has shown
that even an expenditure as high as one
dollar each year per surface acre for
planted fish will not guarantee good fish-
ing. Libby Reservoir will spread over
nearly 50,000 surface acres during normal
operation.
Construction of Libby Dam will be felt
on other rivers additional to the Kootenai.
A stretch of the Great Northern Railroad
within the impoundment site will have to
be relocated. The Fisher River and Wolf
Creek will be sacrificed for a railroad
grade. There will be sixteen stream chan-
nel changes in the lower twelve and one
quarter miles of the Fisher River, five and
one-half miles of the river will be altered,
and it will be shortened by a mile.
Such projects have an effect on game
animals as well as fish. The Libby proj-
ect will be felt by whitetailed and mule
deer, mountain sheep, moose, elk, black
bears, Franklin's grouse, ruffed grouse,
sharptailed grouse, several kinds of fur-
bearing animals, and many species of wa-
terfowl. Fourteen thousand acres of deer
winter range will be flooded, thirty-five
hundred acres of mountain sheep winter
range will be flooded, and there will be
a great loss of waterfowl habitat to flood
control in the down-stream Kootenai Flats.
The Montana Fish and Game Commis-
sion is working to see that everything pos-
sible be done to minimize the damage to
fish and wildlife resources that will be ef-
fected by the project. This includes meas-
ures to protect trout spawning facilities in
the five main tributaries to the reservoir.
The Commission has requested that the
project provide a state fish hatchery and
operating funds to stock the reservoir.
They have also asked that an amount of
water necessary for trout survival be main-
tained at all times below the dam and that
the water be within temperatures suitable
for trout. Stream channel changes should
be kept at absolute minimum, and meas-
ures should be taken to control sediment
going into the river during construction.
Erodable areas which result from the proj-
ect should be protected by rip-rap or vege-
tation.
Since each reservoir has a personality of
its own, the commission is asking the proj-
ect to provide funds for fish management
investigations. Such investigations will in-
clude efforts to reestablish trout runs in
tributaries to the reservoir and will deter-
mine the best sizes, numbers, and timing
methods for fish planting.
In order to compensate for losses to wild-
life the Fish and Game Commission is ask-
ing that suitable lands be acquired to re-
place lost game habitat. The commission
is also requesting that adequate public
recreation and access areas be provided
on the reservoir and though they feel that
these should be managed by a state agency,
the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers is evi-
dently in the recreation business as well as
dam building and intend to manage these
facilities (except those on U. S. Forest
Service land) the state's wishes not with-
standing.
New Hunting - Fishing Licenses
There's something new in Montana's
hunting and fishing licenses — particularly
those issued to residents. The licenses you
get for 1964 will look and cost differently
than those of past years. You might pay
more or less than you did last year, de-
pending on how many kinds of animals
you intend to hunt, the number of deer
you want to take, and whether or not you
fish.
There are advantages to the new system,
and probably more fairness than pre-
viously. Sportsmen will pay for the li-
censes they use. For example, a fisherman
will not pay as much as the man who fishes
and hunts too; hunters who wish to hunt
birds only will not pay as much as deer
hunters; the man who wishes only to take
a single deer will not pay as much as those
who wish to take two, etc.
A higher premium will be placed on
hunter safety as a direct result of the re-
vised licensing setup. Any Montanan eigh-
teen years old must have had training in
safe handling of firearms before he gets
any hunting licenses. Children under 12
will not be able to take part in game hunt-
ing. This does not, however, prevent them
from hunting rabbits, ground squirrels,
and other non-game or non-f urbearing ani-
mals.
There are advantages to the department
too in economy, in ease of accounting, and
in having a more ready source of statistical
and law enforcement information. There
are advantages to license agents in that
they will only have a few kinds of license
books to keep on hand.
Licenses that you may pick up at any
license agents will be broken into four
main categories, or forms.
FORM 1— Form 1 can be used for the
resident fishing license, resident bird and
bear license, non-resident season fishing,
non-resident limited fishing, or non-resi-
dent game bird.
FORM 2— Available on Form two will
be resident elk and one or two deer.
FORM 3— Form three will be used for
mountain goats and sheep in limited areas,
wild turkeys, and non-resident twenty dol-
lar deer licenses.
FORM 4— The fourth form will be used
as the non-resident $100.00 big game, bird,
and fishing license.
Licenses for antelope, moose, and sheep
and goats in limited areas will remain the
same as they were in 1963.
For most of us, the 1964 fishing license
will be our first acquaintance with the
new forms and costs. In past years the
resident fishing license was, in addition to
fishing, a license to hunt game birds. Be-
fore a Montanan could buy a big game
license, he had to own a bird and fishing
license.
The cost of a 1964 resident fishing license
is $3.00. It does not authorize the holder to
hunt game birds, but persons no longer
need to have a fishing license before they
can buy a big game license.
The resident fishing license form also in-
cludes the resident bird and bear license.
The bird and bear license ($2.00) is re-
quired before the hunter can purchase any
big game license other than bear.
On this one form then a resident may
be licensed to fish only ($3.00), or only
to hunt bears and game birds ($2.00), or
to fish and hunt game birds and bears
($5.00). Non-residents are licensed on this
form too for season fishing ($10.00), lim-
ited fishing ($3.00) or game bird hunting
($25.00).
Resident licenses for deer and elk are
printed on a second form. The cost of an
elk tag, an "A" deer tag, or a "B" deer
tag is $1.00 each. These tags may be pur-
chased in any combination on the same
license form.
As in the past years, the elk and "A"
deer tag may be used in any legally open
hunting area. The "B" tag can be used to
take a second deer, but only in two deer
districts as specified by current big game
regulations.
AUTHORIZED BY THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
STATE OF MONTANA - FISHING AND BIRD-BEAR LICENSE 1964
NAME .
ADDRESS.
CITY
AGE
EYES-
DATE ISSUED
IF UNDER 18. CERTIFICATE
OF COMPETENCY NUMBER;
HUNTERS
SIGN AND PASTE MICRATORV BIRD HUNTING AND ARCHERY
STAMP OH REVERSE SIDE OF THIS LICENSE-
THIS
-ICEKSE
EXPIRES
^PRIL 30,
1965
MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
SECRETARY
NO.
RESIDENT GAME
BIRD AND BEAR
S2.00
A-1 ^
FISH-BIRD AND BEAR
$5.00
A »!,
A-1 •»•
FISHING
S3. 00
*
□
I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I AM A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA WHO HAS CONTINUOUSLY RESIDED
WITHIN THE STATE OF MONTANA FOR A PERIOD OF SIX (61
MONTHS rMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO MAKING APPLICATION FOR
SAID LICENSE. OR WHO IS A LEGAL RESIDENT OF THE STATE,
NOKRESIDENT
□
ARMED FORCES | J , HEREBY DECLARE THAT I. OR A MEMBER OF MY IMMEDI-
ATE FAMILY. IS IN THE ARMED FORCES AND HAVE BEEN ON
ACTIVE DUTY IN MONTANA FOR THE PAST THIRTY (30)
DAYS. ASSIGNMENT ORDERS WILL VERIFY.
AMOUNT PAID: l_
SIGNATURE OF „
LICENSEE: A_
SIGNATURE OF
LICENSE AGENT;.
WHEN ISSUED A3 A 6-DAY FISHING LICENSE.THIS LICENSE
IS VALID THE DAY ISSUED AND SIX (51 DAYS THEREAFTER.
NONRESIDENT
FISHING-SEASON
S10.00
*
FISHING - 6 DAY
33.00
B-3 :J{
BIRO
325.00
B-1 ^
TWO PUNCHES
VOIDS LICENSE
PUNCH ONLY
ONE
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DAY I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2.] 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
PUNCH OUT MONTH AND DAY OF KILL ABOVE
The fish bird and bear license is shown actual size here. A punch mark will indicate what licenses
have been purcira-^ed on this form. The bird and bear is prerequisite to any other hunting- licenses.
NAME .
VOID DCTH BEER TAGS
5 ^ A-5
ELK SI. 00
VOID ELK a DEER B TAG
6 ^ A.3
DEER A $1.00
VOID ELK a DEER A TAG
7 :^ A-4
DEER B $1.00
LICENSE VOID
IF MORE THAN
ONE NUMBERED
BLOCK iS PUNCHED
AUTHORIZED BY THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
STATE OF MONTANA -RESIDENT BIG GAME LICENSE 1964
ADDRESS.
CITY
AGE
SEX
EYES.
. HAIR_
montana fish and game commission
se:;retary
DATE ISSUED
I HEREBY AFFIRM THAT THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT
SIGNATURE OF
LICENSE AGENT X
LICENSE
ISSUED BY
LICENSEE'S FISHING AND
BIRD- BEAR LICENSE NO.;
THIS
LICENSE
EXPIRES
APRIL 30,
DEER A DEER B
ELK $3.00
1 ^ 1:1
** A. 5
DEER A
ELK $2.00
2 ^ aM
DEER A DEER B
$2.00
DEER B
ELK $2.00
U65
VOID NO TAGS
VOID DEER S TAG
VOID ELK TAG
VOID DEER A TAG
AMOUNT PAID:
NO.
SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
FEB. 31 30 29 28 27 26
A-5
COUNTY
OF KILL
1
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T. I NOV. \ DEC. I JAN.
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FEB.
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COUNTY
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irSEPT. I OCT. 7 NOV.~[ DEC.~| JAN. f FE
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9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
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17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
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This license is shown actual size also. A punch mark will void tags not to be used. Licenses checked
in the field will be cross-checked with original forms in order to discourage illegal use of licenses.
A third license form will be used for resident deer ($20.00). A special tag is at-
mountain goats ($5.00), bighorn sheep tached to each of these licenses. THIS
($15.00), wild turkeys ($2.00), and non- SPECIAL TAG MUST NOT BE TORN
FROM THE LICENSE until it is to be
used; otherwise, the license will be void.
Goat and sheep licenses on this form
will be issued only for areas where there
is no limit on numbers of licenses to be
issued. A resident bird and bear license or
a non-resident $100.00 license must be in
the hunter's possession before he can buy
the goat, sheep, or turkey license. Non-
residents who hold a $25.00 bird license are
also eligible to buy the $2.00 turkey tag.
Licenses to hunt goats and sheep in areas
where a limit has been set on numbers of
licenses to be issued will be issued from
Helena as will moose and antelope. Hope-
ful hunters must enter a drawing to deter-
mine who will get licenses.
When applying for any of these licenses,
the fees must be included with application
forms. Fees will remain the same for
CARCASS TAG ATTACHED — detach at time of kill and attach carcass tag to animal
AUTHORIZED BY THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
STATE OF MONTANA - SPECIAL BIG GAME HUNTING LICENSE 1964
THIS LICENSE VALID FOR HUNTING ONLY
ONE ANIMAL AS INDICATEO SY PUNCH AT
bottom of LICFNSE.
MONTANA FISH AND CAME COMMISSION
SECRETARY
RESIDENT
BIRD -BEAR LICENSE NO..
THIS
LICENSE
EXPIRES
APRIL 30,
1965
NON RESIDENT SIOO.OO BIG GAME
LICENSE NUMBER:
ISSUED FOR UNLIMITED AREAS ONLY
mountain GOAT
S5.00
*
3IGH0RN SHEEP
$15.00
*
NONRESIDENT DEER
$20.00
*
MO PREREQUISITE
TURKEY
$2.00
I HEREBY AFFIRM THAT THE STATEMENTS ON THIS LICENSE ARE
TRUE AND CORRECT.
SIGNATURE „
OF LICENSEE: X
SIGNATURE OF
LICENSE AGENT
DATE ISSUED:
AMOUNT PAID:
TWO PUNCHES
VOIDS LICENSE
PUNCH ONLY
ONE
FOR TYPE OF LICENSE
PUNCHED BELOVi
NO.
Thg carcass tag below must remain attached to the above license until it is to be actually placed on a
downed animal. When the carcass tag is detached, the license becomes void, (actual sizes)
1964
CARCASS TAG
FOR USE ON ANIMAL PUNCHED BELOW
WARNING
THIS TAG MUST BE DETACHED. SIGNED, DATED AND AFFIXED TO THE CARCASS IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING KILL (PLASTIC ENVELOPE MAY BE USED.)
LICENSEE SIGNATURE-
PLACE OF KILL
(COUNTY)
ADDRESS-
THIS
LICENSE
EXPIRES
APRIL 30.
1965
ISSUED FOR UNLIMITED AREAS ONLY
MOUNTAIN GOAT
$5.00
BIGHORN SHEEP
915. CO
NONRESIDENT DEER
J20.00
TURKEY
S2.O0
MAP AREA NO._
TWO PUNCHES
VOIDS LICENSE
PUNCH ONLY
ONE
moose ($25.00), sheep ($15.00), and goats
($5.00). A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE
WiLL BE A $1.00 FEE FOR ANTELOPE.
Applicants who are not lucky in the draw-
ings will get their special license money
back.
In the event that applications for ante-
lope are fewer than the number of licenses
available in certain areas, then the sur-
plus may be issued at $1.00 each to resi-
dents who hold a bird and bear license,
to non-residents who hold a $100.00 big
game license, or at $20.00 to non-residents
who do not hold a $100.00 license.
The fourth form will be a non-resident
$100.00 license. This authorizes the holder
to hunt elk, deer, bear and game birds, and
to fish. It also allows him upon payment
of additional fee to enter drawing for spe-
cial licenses, though Montana law limits
non-residents to no more than W^c of
moose and sheep licenses issued through
drawings.
SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER:
Youngsters and senior sportsmen have
some extra things to keep in mind. Youths
twelve to eighteen years old must have
a certificate of competency before they
can get a bird and bear license. A hunt-
ing license from past years is no longer
an acceptable prerequisite for purchase of
a hunting license. CHILDREN UNDER
TWELVE WILL NOT BE ISSUED HUNT-
ING LICENSES OF ANY KIND. In
The cost of this non-resident license is SIOO.OO. (actual size)
SEPT.] OCT. I NOV. [ DEC. I JAN. I FEB. [3l|30|2S|28|27|26
AUTHORIZED BY THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
STATE OF MONTANA -NONRESIDENT BIG GAME
FISHING AND BIRD HUNTING LICENSE 1964
STATF
Ar;F
HEIGHT WEIGHT SEX
MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
FYFR
HAIR
O^^-t/ZL-LU.
PATF i<;<;i iFn
SeCRETAPY
1 HEREBY AFFIRM THAT THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT
SIGNATURE OF „
1 irFN^^F ArtFNT X
NONRESIDENT
LICENSE
ISSUED BY
FISH, BIRD AND
BIG GAME
$100.00
THIS LICENSE
AMOUNT PAID
$
EXPIRES
B-2 :{«
APRIL 30,
1965
NO.
VOID NO TAGS
B-2
iwrc^wsMsi^
fi'./
OF KILL f I I j ,1. /^ ,
SEPT. I OCT. I NOV. I DEC. I-IAN. | FEB. pi 30
B-2
TTT
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SEPT.
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OCT. I NOV. I DEC. "[ JAN."'
n[i8ji9
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I NAME
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(£ Z
other words, children under 12 cannot le-
gally hunt game birds or game animals.
They can still hunt rabbits and other non-
game animals.
Senior sportsmen seventy years old or
older who are residents of Montana need
not buy a Montana fishing license in order
to fish. They must have with them proof
of their age and residency, however. Sen-
ior sportsmen are not, however, exempt
from having hunting licenses to hunt all
game birds and game animals.
All Persons who wish to hunt big game
animals or birds must possess the proper
licenses.
BE SURE TO PICK UP PLASTIC EN-
VELOPE FOR EACH TAG.
New game tags will not take rough wear,
so they'll need some extra protection when
attached to carcasses. License agents will
give out plastic envelopes with each tag
they issue. Place the proper game tag in
the envelope when you tag a carcass.
LOOK AHEAD WHEN YOU BUY
There won't be any basement bargains
or clearance sales on hunting and fishing
licenses, but a hint or two on how to buy
may save you inconvenience. The careless
buyer could conceivably make a half doz-
en trips to the license agent over the course
of a season, and wind up with as many li-
censes to keep track of.
When you pick up a fishing license, also
pick up the bird and bear license at the
same time if you intend to hunt any birds
or animals this year. This will save you
an extra trip and extra license. As ex-
plained, the three licenses are available on
one form, and the bird and bear must be
in your possession before you can pick up
any other hunting license.
Try also to decide on elk and deer hunt-
ing before picking up this particular li-
cense. You can pick up two deer and one
elk tag on the same license, or you can
go to the license agent three times and pick
up three licenses individually.
IF YOU LOSE A LICENSE
In the event you lost a license which
cost you more than one dollar, then you
may get a duplicate license for one dollar
at any license agent. If a one dollar li-
cense is lost, then a license of the same
type may be purchased from a license
agent. If a special license (antelope, moose,
sheep, goats, etc.) or a non-resident license
is lost, an application must be filed with
the Fish and Game Department and the
Department will issue a duplicate license
from Helena for $1.00. — Seems compli-
cated? It really isn't. The main thing to
remember is try to determine which li-
censes you're going to want over the year.
Your license agent will worry about the
details.
This mule deer weighed
out 300 pounds hog-
dressed. It was taken
near Sidney by C. W.
Dotson (kneeling with
rifle). The big buck had
an antler spread of 41
inches and weighed ap-
ntcximately 400 pounds
alive.
Montana Deer Weights
by Richard J. Mackie, Research Biologist
How big was the deer you shot last fall
— 100 pounds, 150 pounds, 200 pounds? If
it wasn't weighed, then chances are it was
smaller than you estimate, for deer, like
most game animals, are generally smaller
than they look to the average hunter. Even
when no guesstimates or exaggerations are
involved, discussions of deer weights can
lead to arguments. Weights, like other
physical characteristics, vary considerably
by sex, age, time, and forage supplies.
Thus, there are normally considerable dif-
ferences between individuals.
Since 1948, over 2,500 mule deer and
more than 1,500 white-tailed deer have
been weighed during the deer seasons at
checking stations throughout Montana.
This information shows what Montana
deer weigh, how deer weights vary, and
some of the things that influence weights
of deer.
Mule Deer Weights
Average hcg-dressed weights (only en-
trails removed) based on all mule deer
weighed at checking stations, are shown
in Figure I on page 10. Individual weights
will vary around those shown. The ex-
tremes in weight variation and range with-
in which most mule deer fall are shown
in Table 1 on page 11.
The average weight of mule deer fawns
at birth in June is just under eight pounds.
Male fawns average slightly heavier than
female fawns. The difference in weight
between bucks and does increases with
age, becoming especially noticeable at IVz
years. Bucks continue to increase in
weight at least to the age of We years.
Does grow rapidly to the age of IVa years
and only very little change in weight oc-
curs after they are 2V2 years old. At least
part of the difference between the size of
9
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Figure 1
Average hog-dressed weights of mule and white-tailed
deer from Montana ranges — 1948 and 1963.
WHITE - TAILED DEER
AGE CLASS (Years)
2>/2 31/2-6V2 eVa-l-
AGE CLASS (Years)
bucks and does may lie with the fact that
the skeletons of does stop growing about
two yeai-s before those of bucks do.
For practical purposes, where actual
weights cannot be taken, the hunter can
consider most fawns as weighing 50 to 55
pounds, most yearling bucks (spike, 2, or
3 point antlers) and adult does at about
100 pounds. Two and one-half year old
bucks (3 to smaller 4 or 5 point antlers)
weigh about 125 pounds, prime bucks
(larger 4 to 6 point antlers) about 160
pounds, and old bucks (cheek teeth worn
smooth) between 180 and 200 pounds.
Records of extremely large deer killed
in Montana are few since only a small
proportion of the deer killed each fall are
weighed and recorded. The heaviest Mon-
tana mule deer for which we have rec-
ords, was a buck weighing 340 pounds
hog-dressed (only entrails removed) taken
from the Sweetgrass Hills region and an-
other from Vipond Point near Melrose.
Another mule deer buck weighing 305
pounds hog-dressed was recorded at a
checking station in the Fisher River area
during the 1949 season; still another (see
accompanying photograph) weighing 300
pounds hog-dressed was taken near Sid-
ney in 1953. There are authentic records
of mule deer bucks weighing 380 pounds
hog-dressed from California.
White-Tailed Deer Weights
Average hog-dressed weights of all
white-tailed deer weighed at checking sta-
tions are also shown by sex and age class
in Figure 1. The same qualifications as
given for individual mule deer weights
apply here. The extremes in weight varia-
tion and the weight ranges within which
most white-tails fall are given in Table 2.
At birth in June, white-tail male fawns
average about TVa pounds and female
fawns weigh about 6 pounds. Growth of
white-tails is essentially the same as de-
scribed for mule deer. For practical esti-
10
Table 1.
Extreme weights
and weight ranges
of most Montana mule deer by sex and age class.
Fawns
1";: Years
2>-.> Years
3' 2 6' 2 Years "'_• Years +
Exireme Most
Exireme Most
Exireme Most
Extreme Moit Extreme Most
Bucks - .
Does
37- 95' 50- 60
.. 27- 75 45- 55
67-140 90-110
65-120 85- 95
89-180 115-145
75-130 90-110
80-219 140-180 130-305 160-210
73-125 90-110 74-122 90-110
' Hog dressed weight in pounds.
Table 2. Extreme weights and weight ranges of most Montana white-tailed deer by sex and
age class.
Fawns
1'.. Years
2'- Years
3U-6'o Years
71 2 Years +
Extreme Most
Exireme Most
Extreme Most
Exireme Most
Extreme Most
Bucks;
Does
39- 7r 50- 60
40- 71 45- 55
70-150 90-110
60-125 85- 95
90-190 115-145
95-165 95-110
75-180 140-180
65-130 95-115
140-200 150-200
65-130 95-115
' Hog-dressed weight in pounds.
mates of weights, the general estimates
given on page 10 for mule deer would also
be applicable to white-tails.
Since white-tailed deer account for less
than one-third of the annual deer harvest
in Montana, even fewer records of large
animals are available. The heaviest Mon-
tana white-tail on record is a buck which
weighed 275 pounds hog—dressed. He was
taken along the Mizpah River in Custer
county during the 1960 season. Across the
northern range of the white-tail some ex-
tremely large bucks have been taken. Wis-
consin records show two bucks weighing
386 and 378 pounds hog-dressed, and the
dressed weight of a Michigan white-tail
buck was 354 pounds.
Mule Deer vs. White-tailed Deer
A common misconception is that mule
deer are much larger than white-tails. This
belief may have arisen because in areas
such as Montana where both species are
common larger mule deer are indeed shot
by hunters. However, on the basis of aver-
age weights shown in Figure 1 and weight
ranges given in Tables 1 and 2, it would
have to be agreed that the two species are
almost identical in weight. Only among
bucks 7 years and older are mule deer
weights distinctly greater. This may be
due to the fact that under typical light or
moderate hunting pressures, more "old"
bucks occur among the somewhat less pro-
ductive, and perhaps longer-lived mule
deer. Too, when considering weights from
across the range of the white-tail, they
compare favorably with our largest re-
corded mule deer weights.
Big Deer vs. Little Deer
Most hunters are aware that deer run
larger in some areas than others; many also
note that "deer are not as big as they
used to be" in certain places. Why? The
most important factor is the food supply.
Look at Figure 2, on Page 12, which shows
average dressed weights of mule deer
bucks and does from foothill and adjacent
high mountain ranges in the Stillwater
area. Bucks from the foothill area average
17 pounds heavier than bucks of the same
age groups from the mountain area. A sig-
nificant difference in doe weights also is
evident. This is typical wherever deer
weights from high mountain and foothill
or prairie border habitat are compared.
Deer in all regions have about the same
average weight at birth. Therefore, deer
from all areas and range types potentially
could attain about the same average adult
weight. The difference must lie with the
11
Figure 2
Comparison of average hog-dressed weights of mule deer from
high mountain and foothill ranges — Stillwater area, 1957.
S
2
a
a
t/i
X
U
tn
a
I
o
o
s
150 ■
100 -
75
50 -
25
IV2
BUCKS
DOES
/
/
/^
~p
/
/
Foothill Areas
/ .
/
/ /
/ /
/ /
f\
/ /
/ /
/ /
^
/ /
^^/
/ /
^•^ /
//
/' /
//
/ /
//
/ /
//
/ /
1/
/ /
Y d- Mounta
n
/ /
Areas
T-
T"
• /
I 1
Adult ',2
AGE CLASS
l'/2
Adult
nourishment received. Mountain deer as
a rule, occupy a more severe, uniform and
less productive habitat, and move down
onto very restricted winter range areas.
Heavy use of the forage on these wintering
areas year after year by excessive num-
bers of deer has gradually reduced the
supply of nutritious browse to a point
where, in most winters, there no longer
is enough to go around. Many deer starve.
The remainder must recover from severe
winter weight losses before any new
growth can occur, and remain underweight
the rest of their lives. Also, and perhaps
more importantly, deer on the more ac-
cessible foot-hill ranges are subjected to
heavier hunting pressures and harvests.
Thus the supply of browse available to
deer on these ranges is greater, winter
weight losses are less extreme, and heavier
weights can be attained during the fall
and throughout life. Evidence that hunt-
ing has this effect is shown by Figure 3
where deer weights from three adjacent,
similar areas of the Missouri River breaks
are compared. The three areas have good
deer numbers, but important browse
plants are in poor condition as a result of
excessive use during past years. The South
Phillips-South Valley county is the princi-
pal deer hunting country for residents of
the Malta-Glasgow vicinity and personnel
from the Glasgow Air Force base. It has
received the greatest hunting pressure and
overall deer harvest in recent years. The
Northeast Fergus county area lies along
and is readily accessible from U. S. High-
way 191. Resident hunters, supplemented
by nonresidents, have taken only moder-
ately heavy deer harvest during the past
several years. The North Petroleum Coun-
ty area is accessible only by 35 to 50 miles
of travel over dirt or gumbo roads and
trails. Hunting pressures and deer har-
vests historically have been very light.
Average deer weights correspond directly
to hunting pressures and deer harvest of
the three areas. Deer from the two heavier
hunted areas average 7 to 20 pounds heavi-
er than deer of the same age from the
lightly hunted area where proportionately
more deer remain to share less food after
the hunting season.
Similar comparisons could be made for
other areas in Montana and other states.
In all, the healthiest, heaviest, and the
12
Figure 3
Comparison of average hog-dressed weights of mule deer from three areas of different hunting pres-
sure and deer harvest in the Missouri River breaks. — Combined weights of buclis and does, 1960-.63.
175
150
a
2
&
Q
Ed
a
I
a
o
100 -
75
50
25 ■
N. E. Fergus County
S. Phillips
& Valley Counties
// '
//y '*'' ''"'■<•''"■'' County
li IM 2y2 3V2-6V2 T/2+
AOE CLASS
most productive deer are found where
food supplies are adequate and hunter har-
vests keep deer numbers in balance with
available forage.
One case, seemingly paradoxical to all
of this, needs explanation. Why then,
some hunters may ask, are more big bucks
taken from high-mountain back-country or
lightly hunted areas? The answer is that
big bucks are older deer. In these back-
country or other lightly hunted areas,
there simply are more older animals among
the deer. On accessible, heavily hunted
ranges, few deer get a chance to grow
old. If these same big old bucks from the
back-country had been taken on a foothill
or other heavily hunted range, they prob-
ably would have been 20 pounds or m^ore
heavier.
Live Weight vs. Dressed Weight
Hunters frequently ask how much their
hog-dressed deer would have weighed
alive. Our studies show that between 25
and 30 per cent of the live weight is lost
in field dressing. The exact percentage
will vary somewhat with the sex and age
of the deer and the time of day it was
shot. For practical purposes, a close ap-
proximation of the live weight will be ob-
tained if one-third of the hog-dressed is
added. Thus, the live weight of a hog-
dressed prime buck weighing 150 pounds
would be computed as 200 pounds. The
largest mule deer buck killed in Montana
would have weighed 340 + 113 or 453
pounds alive.
Hog-dressed Weight vs. Meat
Another point of interest to many hunt-
ers is the amount of meat available from
a deer. This varies considerably depend-
ing on the age, size, and condition of the
deer as well as the amount of meat spoiled
in killing the animal or thrown away in
skinning and butchering.
Information from studies in New York,
related in the book "The Deer of North
America," indicate that the following con-
versions can be made for deer handled
reasonably well: a 200 pound hog-dressed
deer yields about 175 pounds of edible
meat; a 150 pounder, 120 pounds; a 125
pounder, 95 pounds; a 100 pounder, 75
pounds; and a 50 pound fawn, about 30
pounds. Practical estimates of the amount
13
ANTLERS TOO! Food supplies affect antler growth as well as body weight. The photograph on the
left shows antlers from yearling bucks. The spike antlers are typical of antler growth under very
poor food conditions; the three-point antlers developed with good conditions. On the right are ant-
lers from Z] i-year old bucks — the two point antlers were grown under poor conditions, the five-point
rack under good conditions.
of meat available from most medium sized
deer could be made by subtracting one-
fourth of the hog-dressed weight. Some-
what less would have to be subtracted for
bigger deer; somewhat more for smaller
deer.
Weights Mean More than Pounds of Meat
A knowledge of the factors that deter-
mine deer weights, and the relationships
between average deer weights, deer food
supplies and deer harvest is important to
game managers. Game managers compare
average weights for large numbers of
known sex and age deer with deer weights
from other years. This information is cor-
related with fawn production and survival,
the amount, use and condition of important
food plants and deer harvest data. By
putting all these things together they get
a pretty good picture of how deer are do-
ing in particular areas and what changes,
if any, are needed in their management.
Thus, a knowledge of deer weights be-
comes a very useful tool in good deer
management. The final goal of manage-
ment is to provide hunters with as many
deer as practicable over years to come.
14
Fish and Game Realignment
The axiom that nothing is static — that
everything changes is true in the field of
administration. A business or agency that
intends to operate at peak efficiency must
recognize changing needs and take advan-
tage of new principles. Administrative
stagnation also means change, but gener-
ally for the worse.
The Montana Fish and Game Depart-
ment has recently realigned its adminis-
trative structure for more efficiency. A
district supervisory system is now in ef-
fect. For convenience, the state has been
sub-divided into seven districts with head-
quarters in Kalispell (District 1); Missoula
(District 2); Bozeman (District 3); Great
Falls (District 4); Billings (District 5);
Glasgow (District 6). and Miles City (Dis-
trict 7).
Each supervisor has complete super-
vision of all persons assigned to his district
and is responsible solely to the Depart-
ment Director or, in his absence, the
Deputy Director. Previously, there was no
single authority in a district. A staff made
joint decisions on the district level as well
as joint recommendations to the director.
Division chiefs compose the Director's
staff. With realignment, there has also
been a change in the function of this staff.
It will coordinate and plan various activi-
ties of the departm-nt under direct super-
vision of the director. Whereas the Helena
staff previously had supervision over dis-
trict personnel, they do not now have such
authority except as representatives of the
director.
A new position, Recreation and Lands
Development, was necessitated bj' grow-
ing need for planned access to hunting,
fishing and other recreation areas.
FISH AND GAME ADi\nNISTRATrV E DISTRICTS
15
FISH AND GAME
ORGANIZATION CHART
DATA PROCESSING
c
CHIEF INFOHUATION EDUCATION
CHIEF
RECREATION & lANDS DEV
ASST CHIEF
INFOmAJION EDUCATION
FRANK H. DUNKLE DEPT. DIRECTOR
KEITH A. FRESEMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
INfORWAnON
ASSISTANT
WATER AND
HUNTER SAFETY
LAND AGENT
ACCO
AND
EDUCATION
ASSISTANT
PHOTOGRAPHY
DUPLICATING
1
1
GAME
MANAGEMENT
fISH
MANAGEMENT
WARDEN
CAPTAIN
PROJECT
eiOlOGIST
PROJECT
BIOLOGIST
WARDENS
DISTRICT SUPERVISORS
Left to right: Don L.
Brown, District 1; W. J.
Everin, District 2; LeRoy
EUig, District 3; Dr. Rob-
ert Eng, District 4; Flet-
cher Newby, District 5;
Wesley Woodgerd, District
6; William MaJoit, District
7.
16
THE DIRECT
Left to right: l;
Chief of Inforn
tion; Robert C(
Recreation and
Bob TurnbiiU.
Wynn Freeman
Management; Ar
of Fisheries M
ville Lewis, Ch
force
5 FISH AND GAME
COMMISSIONERS
FCMi
WCES
DEPUrv DIRECTOR
I- MAIt SERVICES
SPECIAl
SERVICES
WAREHOUSE S
PROPER ry ACCOUNTING
MECHANICAL SHOP
CHIEF Of
GAME MANAGEMENT
ASSISTANT TO
CHIEF Of GAME MANAGEMENT
L- lEGAl COUNSEl
CHIEf Of
fISHERIES MANAGEMENT
CHIEf
fISHERIES
BIOIOGIST
POllUTION
CONTROl
BIOIOGIST
HABITAT
SPECIAIIST
CHIEf Of lAW ENfORCEMENT
SUPERINTENDENT
TRAINING
OFFICER
SEVEN DISTRICTS
/
/ /
\ \
\
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR
1
1
1
1
1
INfORMATION
OfflCER
RESEASCH
BIOLOGIST
RESEARCH
lABOflATOfiV
HATCHERIES
GAME fARM
DEVEIOPMENT
AREAS
ENFORCEMENT
SPICIAIIST
VS STAFF
d Casagranda,
on & Ednca-
ey. Chief of
nds Division;
Cliief Clerk:
Chief Game
i^^hitney, Chief
gement; Or-
of Law En-
17
Doctor Dee Laine, Past Association President, proudly displays an award for "THE OUTSTANDING
LOCAL CLUB OF 1962" presented to the Western Montana Fish and Game Association by the
National Wildlife Federation.
A Top-Notch Club
Sportsmen's clubs date way back — prob-
ably to the time when hunting and fish-
ing became a form of relaxation rather
than a necessity. Like all clubs, they have
run the gamut of effectiveness from those
categorized as "bite and grin" to ones that
have made significant contributions to con-
servation of natural resources.
The Western Montana Fish and Game
Association of Missoula, Montana is a
sportsmen's group that has really accom-
plished some outstanding projects. Their
aggressiveness and sincerity is so impres-
sive that they were chosen from the Na-
tional Wildlife Federation members to re-
ceive the "President's Award" as the out-
standing local conservation club of 1962.
The Western Association has taken on
many projects. They were instrumental in
affecting a division of migratory water-
fowl flyways in Montana, having worked
for over ten years to accomplish the un-
precedented action.
Another notable project was begun in
1961 when the Association started a state-
wide pollution abatement program. The
support of numerous other sportsmen's
clubs was enlisted, and some very positive
and beneficial progress in pollution control
and abatement was made.
18
In 1963, the Association tackled the prob-
lem of fish habitat loss through stream
alteration. Though legislation which they
sponsored was not adopted, the whole-
hearted support that they gave to a similar
bill sponsored by the Montana Jaycees was
of great benefit in passing the law to help
preserve trout streams.
This group of sportsmen certainly can-
not be accused of lacking backbone. In
the face of much adverse criticism, the
executive committee chose to publicly de-
fend the Yellowstone Park elk reduction
program as the only effective conservation
measure available at the time this program
was receiving national publicity. They
stated that "We believe trapping and trans-
planting are desirable where range studies
reveal adequate carrying capacity. We do
not feel that a satisfactory system of con-
trolled hunting in the Park has been de-
vised."
Other segments of the Western Associa-
tion program include: pheasant restora-
tion in the Flathead Valley, and an evalu-
ation of the program; action for and sup-
port of hunter safety education, a fence
stile program to improve hunter-landown-
er relationships; a children's fish pond and
recreation area. The Association sponsors
and supports many other programs of ed-
ucation, publicity, and landowner-sports-
men relations.
The secret of the Association's success
and energetic perpetuation lies, in part at
least, in their willingness to take on big
jobs, such as the support or opposition to
legislation which has a real and long last-
ing effect on conservation. They have also
had the vision to work closely with clubs
in other areas of the state.
Sportsmen, conservationists, and persons
who just plain enjoy the outdoors can be
justly proud that there are such groups as
the Western Montana Fish and Game As-
sociation.
Don Aldrich past president of the Association
and Stanley Stipe set up a stile on the Stipe
Ranch near Charlo.
19
Adult Dragonfly — Enlarged
^^t^ect^ 0^ 7^ TVaic^
by BOB AVERETT
Beneath the shimmering riffles of clear
streams and in the scummy plant-choked
ponds there is a strange world. So great
in numbers and so diverse are the resi-
dents of this water empire that the com-
plexity of their lives and their communi-
ties is nothing less than fabulous. Nearly
every body of water, from the steaming
pools of Yellowstone Park to glacier-fed
lakes of the far north, hold some form of
life. There are tiny forms, so small that
individuals can be seen only with a micro-
scope. There are the larger ones which
include fish and are of more immediate
interest to sportsmen. The smaller plants
and animals are of great importance too
for they are the ultimate food source for
the fish and other larger animals.
20
One important group of animals that
live in the water at least a part of their
lives are the insects, and though they are
not nearly so numerous as their land-
lubber relatives, they make up a large
part of the food eaten by trout. To many
persons insects are "bugs" and aquatic
insects are bugs that live in the water.
This is partially true for one order of in-
sects are among the true bugs, and some
of them are water-dwellers. More will be
said about this later.
Insects all have six legs, three on either
side of the chest region. They usually
have feelers (antennae) on the head and
commonly have several tail filaments. Al-
though there are great numbers of insects
in the world, relatively few live in the
water during any portion of their lives.
The ones that are dependent upon water
(usually during earlier stages of growth)
are called aquatic insects.
The kinds and habits of aquatic insects
vary greatly. Immature insects living in
the water are called nymphs or larva de-
pending upon the changes they go through
from immaturity to adulthood. The bodily
changes that nymphs and larvae go
through is called metamorphosis. If an in-
sect in his infancy looks entirely different
than his parents, metamorphosis is called
complete. An example of complete meta-
morphosis is the change that a worm-like
caterpillar goes through to become a but-
terfly. An insect that goes through in-
complete metamorphosis looks much like
his parents even during early stages of
growth, excepting he doesn't have wings.
The immature forms of these insects are
called nymphs. An example of this kind
of an insect is the stonefly. The adult,
often called a salmon fly, lives on land
and breathes the air while the nymph,
often called a hellgrammite or scratcher,
lives submerged in the water.
Emergence is the act of insects leaving
their water homes and occurs when the
immature insects develop into adults.
Some actually emerge during the winter
and skip about on the snow, but most
emerge during the spring or late summer
when the streams are warmer. While many
emerge most actively during darkness
some emerge only during hours of sunlight.
Egg laying varies with the species and
the season. In most cases eggs are laid on
the water, but some kinds actually go be-
neath the water surface to deposit their
eggs.
Some aquatic insects prefer the quiet
water of ponds, lakes or stream pools
while others are almost entirely restricted
to the swift riffles of streams. Still others
are found in both places.
The following discussion covers only a
few of the more common insects found in
Montana. They will be divided into groups,
and a general account will be given of
each.
STONEFLIES (Salmon Flies)
Order — Plecoptera
After a lengthy period of immaturity
stonefly nymphs stir from the safety of
covering stream rocks and creep from the
water. They climb awkwardly upon a
piece of vegetation or other object and
prepare for terrestrial life. In a short time
the outer skin of the emerging insect
splits down the back and the insect pulls
itself from the skin to adulthood. Wings
that had been folded in pads are spread
to dry and stiffen in the air. Before long,
the adults fly heavily away to mate and
deposit their eggs, thus completing their
life's cycles.
Adult stonefly recently emerged. Over twice
actual size.
21
Identification:
Adults: Adult stoneflies have four, large- veined wings. They have
two short tail filaments and usually long feelers (antennae) on
the head region. Two claw-like appendages on each foot also
helps identify the stonefly.
Nymphs: The nymphs are characteristically stout-bodied insects
with fluffy gills, often on the underside of the body. They, like
the adults, have two tail filaments and two claws on each foot.
Size: These are rather large insects. The big salmon fly sometimes is
over two inches long.
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is incomplete and immature forms
are called nymphs.
Food: Although usually vegetarians, some stoneflies feed upon other
insects.
Habitat: Adults are usually seen flying about streams or resting on
nearby objects.
Nymphs are usually in swift water of streams or on the wind-
swept shores of lakes. Almost without exception they are found
under the larger stones in stream riffles of unpolluted water.
Eggs: The adult drops her eggs on the water surface.
Emergence: Emergence varies with the species. Some even emerge
during mid-winter, however emergence is usually during spring.
Distribution: Stoneflies are found state-wide in fast-flowing streams.
Some 90 species are known to be in Montana.
Stonefly nymph near four times actual size. Hair-like fluffs next to body are gills.
'- »»
22
Stoneflies, as a group, are among
the most important aquatic insects in
Montana streams. Large, prolific, and
widely distributed they constitute an
important trout food. Limited studies
on Rock Creek, east of Missoula, show
that stoneflies made up over 60 per
cent of the food eaten by rainbow
trout during the study period. Studies
in other parts of the nation show the
stonefly to be an important fish-food.
Anglers fishing the larger streams
such as Rock Creek, Big Blackfoot,
Big Hole, Madison and Jefferson
rivers are familiar with the large
stonefly, commonly known as the
salmon fly. The nymph or immature
stage, locally called a hellgrammite or
scratcher, spends from one to three
years in a stream before emerging as
an adult. This well-known stonefly
emerges mid to late spring and great
swarms of them often gather over the
streams or on the nearby shores. This
is the season when trout fishermen
really hits pay dirt.
Although Montana's streams host a
variety of aquatic insects, none seem
to raise the furor of a trout more than
a stonefly hatch. As trout bait any
time of year the stonefly rates high.
The adults can easily be picked off
the trees or rocks surrounding the
stream shore and the nymphs can be
captured by holding a window screen
in a riffle area and kicking up the
stream botton above the screen.
After several weeks the emergence
tapers off and the streams settle down
to normal. Emergence varies with
the season and weather. As a result,
the first to show are usually at the
lower reaches of streams. The emer-
gence moves upstream as the season
progresses.
In order to grow, any form of life
must have food, and insects are es-
pecially important as trout foods. In
turn, the insects are ultimately de-
pendent upon plant life in the water.
The green scum on ponds or rocks of
stream beds, and the long green, hair-
like filaments trailing in the riffles
are the basic foods for animal life in
the water. The plants are called pro-
ducers, for they develop raw materials
into plant tissues. The next link in a
food chain are the animals that feed
directly upon plants. These are called
converters because they convert plant
tissue to animal tissue. Next in line
are the consumers — predatory animals
that eat other animals. Among the
consumers are damsel and dragonfly
nymphs, some stonefly nymphs, aqua-
tic beetles and, of course, the fish.
CADDISFLIES Order— Trichoptera
Identification:
Adults: The adult caddisfly is a delicate-bodied insect and looks
almost moth-like. When at rest their wings form a roof shape
as they are held over the body. The wings are covered by
fine, silken hair. Their legs are long and two feelers (an-
tennae) curve from the head.
Larvae: The larvae of many caddis species are accomplished
builders and often construct about themselves a covering of
small pebbles, sticks, and and other materials found in
streams. The young are characterized by two hooks on the
last body segments.
Size: They are quite small insects, rarely over an inch long.
23
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is complete. The immature form is
first known as a larva. The larva transforms into a pupa which
eventually becomes a winged adult.
Food: Immature caddis eat both animal and vegetable material.
Habitat: The adults, usually found near water, are very secretive and
move about mostly at night. During daylight they skulk in cool,
dark, quiet places.
The larvae are found in almost every type of water from swift
mountain streams to lowland swamps.
Eggs: Eggs are often laid in masses on stream bottom rocks. Like
some mayflies, the adult females of some caddisflies go beneath
the water surface to deposit eggs. Some caddisflies lay their eggs
on vegetation ovei'hanging a stream or pond. When the eggs hatch,
the larvae drop into the water.
Emergence: Emergence begins during early spring and extends
through late summer.
Distribution: Many forms are represented throughout Montana. As
a group they are probably distributed world wide. Everyone who
has turned over stones in a stream has seen caddisfly larvae. These
insects are found, almost without exception, m all non-polluted
Montana streams and lakes. The adult forms, because of their sec-
retive habits, are not too commonly known, consequently many
persons don't associate the free flying adults with the larvae or
pupal stages of development.
Top — Two kinds of adult caddis flies (about 2Vz times actual size).
Lower — Hydropsyche (about ZVz times actual size) and various cases enlarged almost twice.
24
The larvae forms vary greatly in
their habits and kind of water they
inhabit. Generally speaking, there are
three types likely to be found. They
are: free-living forms that do not build
cases or spin nets; the net-spinning
forms that build silken nets, and the
case-making forms that build portable
cases of various materials.
The free-living forms live upon
stream or lake bottoms and move
about like stonefly and mayfly
nymphs.
The net-spinning forms secrete silken
strands and form a net somewhat like
a spider's web. Nets are made in vari-
ous shapes, depending upon the spe-
cies. Often the net is funnel-shaped
with the wide end of the funnel facing
upstream and the larva living in the
stem portion. The stream current
brings food into the funnel to nourish
the larva. When it comes time for the
larva to pupate it merely closes off
the front end of the funnel and begins
its quiescent pupal stage. The common
rock worm ( Hydropsy che) is an exam-
ple of a net-spinning caddis fly larva.
Case making forms are probably the
most familiar. These forms build cases
of almost any type of material avail-
able, such as sand grains, small peb-
bles, leaves, sticks, etc. One such case
builder (Brachycentrus) builds a
square, somewhat tapered case almost
perfect in form. The case-making
forms can often be found with their
legs and head sticking out of the case.
When alarmed they pull themselves
into the case much like a turtle with-
draws into his shell.
When a case-making larva gets ready
to pupate it closes part of the case
opening with a grain of sand or some
other object leaving a small opening
so water may circulate within the case
and thus bring in oxygen.
The larva forms usually spend one
year or so in the water. After pupa-
tion, they emerge as adult insects, mate
and lay their eggs. Little is known of
how long the adults may live.
Caddisflies are an important source
of food for trout. Next time you catch
a trout, examine its stomach contents.
Chances are it will contain several
types of caddisfly larvae and perhaps
an adult or two. Because of their small
mouths and feeding habits, whitefish
seems to be particularlarly fond of cad-
disfly larvae.
MAYFLIES Order— Ephemeroptera
Identification:
Adults: Adult mayflies have one claw on each foot, often have
three tail filaments and hold their wings upright while at rest.
Nymphs: Nymphs also have one claw on each foot, often have
three tail filaments and usually have seven pairs of fluffy
gills, located on various parts of the body.
Size: The mayflies are usually slender delicate insects, but a few have
rather stout bodies. Larger ones grow to IV2 inches long.
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is incomplete so immature forms are
known as nymphs.
Food: Mayflies are strictly vegetarians, feeding upon the tiny water
plants.
25
Habitat: The adults can be seen flying low over streams and ponds
during the summer. They are attracted to light and often gather
around city street lights or on windows.
The nymphs are found in almost every type of unpolluted water
from lowland lakes to high fast-flowing streams.
Eggs: Some species go beneath the water's surface and lay their eggs
on rocks and vegetation, while others merely deposit their eggs
on the water's surface.
Emergence: Mayflies habitually emerge during the spring and sum-
mer months, often at night.
Distribution: They are found statewide in Montana and every fly fish-
erman knows the mayfly. This widely distributed insect is imi-
tated by dry fly patterns more than any other type. As a group
they are one of the most important fish foods in the nation.
Adult Mayfly (roughly twice actual
size) two kinds of nymphs (about 3
times actual size). Note the fluffy gills
(arrow).
The adult mayflies are interesting
creatures. They often go through an
additional molt after leaving the wa-
ter and gaining wings. The first
winged form looks like an adult and
is capable of flight, but is not sexually
mature. During this stage it is known
as a subimago, meaning sub-adult.
This sub-adult form sheds its skin —
even a fine layer over the delicate
wings — and becomes a sexually ma-
ture adult. The sub-adult molt often
takes place several hours after the
nymphal form leaves the water. The
adults often live only a few hours,
hardly ever longer than several days.
Nature allows them time only to molt,
mate and lay eggs.
The order name for the mayflies is
Ephemoptera of Greek origin and
means lasting but a day. Mayfly
nymphs spend from one to three years
in the water. Some species even spend
less than one year in their water world.
26
Damselfly, actual size, adult and nymph about three times actual size.
The dragonfly is illustrated on Page 20.
DRAGON AND DAMSELFLIES Order— Odonata
Identification:
Adults:
Dragonflies: The swift flying dragonfly is a large insect with
a long slender body, large rounded head and large round
eyes. While resting, they hold their wings horizontally
away from each other.
Damselflies: The damselflies are rather large insects too with
slender bodies and large rounded heads. Unlike dragon-
flies, damselflies hold their wings upright or vertical when
at rest.
Nymphs:
Dragonflies: They are stout bodied insects with several short
projections on the last abdominal segment. Dragonfly
nymphs are aptly named for they are large, ferocious
members of the insect world. The dragonfly nymphs have
no outside gills. Their lower lip is strong and ideally-
suited for reaching out and grasping prey. It is folded
under the head when not in use.
Damselflies: Damselflies are much slimmer than dragonflies.
They have three feather-like gills on the last segment of
their abdomens. The lower lip is strong and adapted for
reaching out and grasping prey. This large lip is folded
under the head when not in use.
Size: Prehistorc dragonflies had a wingspan over two feet. Today's
specimens are much smaller but still large for insects and some-
times grow to three or four inches long. Damselflies are usually
smaller ranging from one to two inches.
27
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is incomplete and immature forms
are called nymphs.
Food: Both dragonflies and damselflies feed upon other animal life,
mostly insects.
Habitat: Swiftly and erratically, adults fly over ponds and streams
during bright sunny days. Dragonflies are strong fliers and oiten
wander long ways from water. Damselflies are not the strong
fliers that dragonflies are and thus are usually found close to
water.
The nymphs are most commonly found in ponds and lakes, par-
ticularly the warmer ponds. They are sometimes found in streams,
even fast flowing streams.
Eggs: Egg laying varies with the species and perhaps the individual.
Some lay eggs on the water surface, while others deposit them
in stems of water plants.
Emergence: Nymphs emerge from early spring through late summer.
Distribution: Both dragonflies and damselflies are found throughout
Montana. They are distributed over the nation, also parts of the
Orient and the Pacific Islands.
Because of their large size and beau-
tiful colors dragon and damselflies at-
tract the attention of all stream and
pondside wanderers. They often perch
on top of cattails and other marsh vege-
tation awaiting their prey. When an-
other insect to their liking comes by,
they sweep upon it much like a hawk
swoops upon a bird. Both adult and
nymphal forms feed upon other insects.
The nymphs of dragonflies and dam-
selflies are often mistaken for the
nymphs of stoneflies. They can, how-
ever, be easily distinguished since the
dragonfly lacks tail filaments while
damselflies have three tail filaments.
In contrast, stoneflies have only two
tail filaments.
The nymphs live from one to four
years in the water, depending upon
the species. During the winter months
when the water becomes colder, they
often burrow into the mud and go
through a period of torpor. Some
Dragonfly nymph enlarged slightly. The
spoon-shaped lower jaw is extended.
28
dragonfly nymphs actually camouflage
themselves with bits of green algae.
Ihe damsel and dragonflies prowl
the water world looking for food. The
nymph either stalks or waits for its
prey to come within range, then in a
flash extends its lower lip, grasps its
prey and pulls the victim towards it.
When not extended the lower lip is
folded beneath the head.
Dragon and damselflies emerge
similarly to the pattern followed by
stone flies. That is, the mature nymph
crawls from the water onto some
shoreside structure, slits the back re-
gion of the nymphal skin and emerges
as an adult.
Both nymphs and adults are fed
upon by a variety of fishes. Particu-
larly pond fishes such as the bass.
BEETLES Order— Coleoptera
Identification:
Adults: An adult beetle is characterized by thick, leathery fore-
wings and thin hind wings. The forewings meet to form a
straight line down the back.
Larvae: The larvae differ greatly from the adults and differ
among species, thus they are difficult to identify. Manj' lar-
vae have strong pincer-like jaws.
Size: Beetles range from extremely small insects to large ones, one
and a half inches long.
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is complete and immature forms are
called larvae.
Habitat: Aquatic beetles usually prefer shallow quiet pools or ponds,
however some live in sv/ift streams.
Eggs: Eggs are often laid on water plants.
Distribution: Beetles range state-wide and are distributed world wide.
They represent one of the largest insect groups but only a few
types are aquatic.
The larvae of aquatic beetles differ
from the adults, and from one species
to the next they are difficult to de-
scribe. As a group they are of some
importance as fish food. The small
riffle beetle seems to be a favorite of
whitefish.
Aquatic beetles winter in the adult
stage and often burrow into the mud
during cold weather. The eggs are
laid during the spring on water
plants. When the larvae are ready to
pupate, they crawl out of the water
and make an earthern shell where
they live during pupation.
Adult aquatic beetles like the tru.e
bugs require free oxygen to breathe.
Three kinds of water beetles enlarged
slightly.
29
TRUE BUGS Order— Hemiptera
Identification
Adults: The true bugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All
have four v/ings or no wings at all. The front part of the fore-
wing is thick and hard while the hind part is thin and almost
transparent. When the wings are folded they form a definite
X. This is perhaps the easiest way to identify this group of
insects. The mouth parts of a water bug consist of a beak.
Nymphs: Nymphs are similar in appearance to the adults except
their wings are shorter.
Size: The bugs range in size from extremely small to about two
inches long. Most common ones are about one-half inch long.
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is incomplete so immature forms are
called nymphs.
Food: Bugs eat both vegetation and other insects.
Habitat: Both adults and nymphs of the aquatic bugs live in water.
Most common habitat is ponds but some live in streams. Some
adults move from one pond to another.
Eggs: Eggs are usually laid during early spring upon floating or sub-
merged objects, depending upon the species. Some even lay eggs
on backs of crayfish or on the shells of snails.
Emergence: Since both adults and nymphs live in water there is ap-
parently no true emergence. Often adults will leave ponds during
the nighttime.
Distribution: Water bugs are found state-wide in Montana and are
common in warm water ponds. The true bugs or half-wings
(Hemiptera) are a diversified group but only a few species are
aquatic. We said earlier that there was only one group of insects
that were called bugs by scientists — this is the group.
One of the interesting characteris-
tics of true bugs is that they must have
free oxygen to breathe. They cannot
remove oxygen from the water but
must periodically come to the surface
for a new supply of oxygen. Because
of this feature they are able to live in
stagnant water that has a low supply
of dissolved oxygen. The most com-
mon true bugs found in Montana are
the water boatman, backswimmer and
the water strider.
The water boatman is a medium
sized insect measuring about one-half
inch long when fully grown. The hind
The familiar "water strider" or "water
skimmer" is a true bug.
30
pair of legs on this insect are flattened
for swimming and may look like a pair
of ears. They are probably the most
abundant of the aquatic Hemiptera.
When a water boatman uses up his
supplj^ of air he goes to the surface and
gets a fresh supply of air that forms a
glistening sheet around the insect. This
trapped air makes the boatman lighter
than water so he grasps something on
the bottom of the pond in order to re-
main submerged.
Water boatmen are active all winter
in the adult stage. Eggs are laid in the
spring on submerged objects. The eggs
and adults are eaten by humans in
Mexico and Egypt but here they are
important mainly as links in the food
chain of the water world.
The water striders are well known
to almost everyone who spends time
on Montana's streams and lakes. This
thin - bodied, long - legged insect is
found on the surface of almost every
body of water. Water striders are ex-
tremely predacious, feeding upon every
type of insect they can catch. Like
most members of the true bug group
they have a scent gland. This may ac-
count for the fact that fish don't eat
them. Water striders are able to stand
upon the surface film of water because
their long legs are covered by small
hairs. They are all surface insects
even the larvae.
Mention has been made of insects
breathing dissolved oxygen while
others require free air. Free air is the
air as we breathe it. Dissolved oxygen
on the other hand, is oxygen that has
been dissolved in the water either
from the atmosphere or from oxygen
produced by water plants. Often, pol-
lution removes so much dissolved
oxygen from the water that desirable
insects and fish actuallv suffocate.
TRUE FLIES Order— Diptera
Identification:
Adults: The true flies have only two wings, as such, for the hind
wings are reduced to two rounded knobs called halters. They
are characterized also by very slender necks.
Larvae: Larvae (often called maggots) are worm-like and though
they often have fleshy appendages (pro-legs) on their bodies
they do not have true legs.
Sizes: Flies range from extremely small individuals to species slightly
over two inches in length.
Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is complete and the immature are
known as larvae.
Food: Some species eat plant material while others eat animal ma-
terial. Adults are primarily sucking type insects. The mosquito
is an example. Larvae feed upon decaying matter.
Habitat: Adult flies are found in almost every situation. Aquatic
forms, of course, are most often found near water.
The larvae are found in almost every type of water.
Eggs: Some kinds of aquatic flies lay their eggs in water. Females
fly over water and drop their abdomens through the surface in
order to deposit eggs. Females of other species lay eggs on stream
banks.
31
Emergence: Time cf emergence varies greatly but it usually takes
place from early spring to late summer.
Distribution: The true flies are found throughout the world and state-
wide in Montana. The true flies or Diptera (meaning two-wing)
constitute one of the largest orders of insects in the world. About
one-half of the known species are aqur.tic or semi-aquatic. It is im-
possible in this brief article to give a detailed account of their
types and habits.
The most common, perhaps, is the
house fly; however, this species is not
aquatic. The cranefly, mosquito and
another very large group known as
the midges will be used as examples of
aquatic types.
The cranefly adult is a rather large
fly with a long slender body and
equally long slender legs. In fact, it is
the daddy-long-legs of the fly world.
Some ci'aneflies lay their eggs in the
water, while others lay them on the
stream bank. Big Springs Creek near
Lewistcwn, Montana, is an example
of a place where the cranefly female
lays her eggs on the stream bank.
Fishermen at Lewistown call the lar-
vae "grubs". The larvae of craneflies
are unusually large for such a slender,
frail insect that they develop into.
Cranefly larvae can be found in almost
any type of water situation and lar-
vae can be collected throughout the
year.
Mosquitoes are well known to all
Montana fishermen. Every farm boy
is familiar with the larvae and pupal
stages of the mosquito that so often
develop in the rain barrel on horse-
trough. Mosquito larvae are well
adapted to almost any environment.
They can withstand periods of severe
drought, prolonged wet periods and
sub - zero temperatures. Unlike most
aquatic insects the pupae of mosquitoes
are active.
Midge flies are the "no-see-ums" of
the insect world but despite their sizes
liOng-Iegged cranefly (enlarged) and lar-
va, bottom. Arrows point out halteres on
adult.
are a very important fish food. These
small flies, found almost everywhere
in the world, are the insects so often
seen flying over streams and lakes dur-
ing mid-summer. Many trout fisher-
men carry some black hackles tied on
a size 18 hook to imitate the midge fly.
The larvae of midge flies are worm-
like creatures with fleshy appendages
at each end of their bodies. Many cov-
er themselves with soft dirt tubes.
They feed upon algae and decayed
vegetation.
32
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