ONTAN A
Fish and Game Commission
QUARTERLY REPORT
\
JANUARY - MARCH, 19 51
PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FEDERAL AID PROJECT
Montana State Library
3 0864 1006 6676 0
MONTANA STATr^ftTVffSlllr
LiBRARY
UfilVERSlTY of MONTANA
7f f
Helena, Montana
April 15, 19 51
Regional Director
Fish and Wildlife Service
Swan Island
Portland 18, Oregon
Dear Sir:
We are herewith submitting a Quarterly Progress Report in
connection with the projects carried out through the use of Federal Aid
in Wildlife Restoration funds.
The coverage is for the period January, February, and March,
1950.
Submitted by:
Robert F, Cooney, Director
Wildlife Restoration Division
Approved by:
R. H. LAMBETH
State Fish and Game Warden
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
For The
WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION
STATE OF MONTANA
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
Chairman =■ Elmer Johnson, Glasgow
Wmo Carpenter, Butte VJalter Banka^ Conrad
Edward M, Boyes, Libby Thomas S. Morgan, Miles City
State Fish and Game Warden - R. H. Lambeth
Chief Deputy - W. J, Everin
Director, Wildlife Restoration Division - Ro F. Cooney
Assistant Directorj Wildlife Restoration Division = W„ Ko Thompson
Volume 11 Number 1
January, February and March, 1951
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2015
https://archive.org/details/quarterlyreport1951mont_0
WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION PERSONNEL ■■ '
Staff and Pro j ec t Leaders
Robert F. Cooney .................... Director
W. K. Thompson . . . . « « . « . o . « » o . , Assistant ' Director
Faye M. Couey. » . o . . « . . » . » Big Game and Lands Biologist
Wm, R. Bergeson, o . . . .•■ • • « Upland Game Bird Biologist
Wynn G. Freeman. „ „„,»..,, o . .Waterfowl Biologist
Upland Game Pro j ect Personnel
Robert J. Greene .,,.00.0. .Assistant Game Bird Biologist
Fred L, Hartkorn . ..o .0 ......,.<, . .Field Biologist
Big Game Pro 3 ect Personnel
Lloyd McDowell. ..... o..... . «Unit Biologist
J. E. Gaab , ... ....... . .Unit Biologist
Jack Schmautz ,,,,,.„,....„.,.. . .Unit Biologist
Ade Zajanc, ....,.,......„ .... . .Unit Biologist
Range Project Personnel
Vernon Sylvester ... , Assistant Range Technician
Development and Maintenance Personnel
Bruce Neal , .... ...... ..... .... . Unit Manager
Robert Neal. .............. , Assistant Unit Manager
Stanley Mongrain .....,..,„„....„.. Unit Manager
Jack Ray .............. . Assistant Unit Manager
Jack Owens ...... o.. ....... . Senior Field Foreman
James McLucas. ,......„„.,..„,.„,... Fieldman
Multilith and Pho to graphic Personnel
H, J. LaCasse Graphic Arts Technician
Edward Blaskovich Assistant Graphic Arts Technician
Shop and Warehouse Personnel
Rex Smart .' .Shop Foreman
Fd Ludtke Assistant Shop Foreman
Frank Lancaster Warehouse Foreman
Stenographic and Boo kkeeping Personnel
Margaret Dixon Huth Bookkeeper
Colleen Wallace Stenographer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
36^R Lincoln County Deer Management Unit
Kootenai Unit.
The 1950 Big Game Season in Fisher-Wolf Creek
Area, » , o o o . o » „ « « « oJack Schmautz and Ade Zajanc 1
1-R Wildlife Surveys and Investigations
Western Montana Big Game Investigations and
Rechecks. , o . . « « . . Lloyd McDowell and Vern Sylvester 18
Bitterroot Unitt
Big Game Survey ..... o «. o ...« . .W. K. Thompson 24
Aerial Survey - Sun River , .o. ,<....<.. . Robert Cooney 26
Aerial Elk Range Survey, Hound Creek-Elk
Horn. . o . o .„...». o . Robert Cooney 28
Big Belt-Boulder Unit;
Dry Creek Elk Census, .„o ...... , Faye M, Couey 29
Crow Creek Elk Census ... . Faye M. Couey 30
Bull Mountains Elk Census „...,..... Faye M. Couey 32
Aerial Elk Survey, Canyon Creek - Lincoln-
Dearborn. ...,...,„.,,.. o . . W. K. Thompson 34
Little Belt Unit
Winter Range Elk Count and Range Investigation
of the Little Belt Mountains. ....... .Donald Johnson 36
Yellowstone Unit:
Pine Ridge Winter Elk Aerial Recheck. . . . .Donald Johnson 39
Big Belt-Boulder Unit?
Limestone Hills Deer Count. ......... Faye M, Couey 41
Missouri Breaks Unit^
Billy Creek Mountain Sheep Recheck. , » . . .Donald Johnson 43
35-R Surveys and Investigations - Big Game (Southwestern Montana)
Blacktail Aerial Elk Census and Gravelly-Snowcrest
Mountains Elk Herd Relationship ........... J. E, Gaab 46
East Side Madison River Aerial Elk Census ..... .J. E. Gaab 49
35-R Surveys and Investigations - Big Game (Continued) Page
First Fleecer Mountain - High Rye Aerial ELK Census.
.J.
E.
Gaab
51
Second Fleecer Mountain - High Rye Aerial Elk
.J.
E.
Gaab
53
Upper Big Hole River Aerial Elk Census
o J •
E.
Gaab
55
Ruby River Aerial Elk Census.
• J «
E.
Gaab
57
Big Hole River Aerial Moose Census . .
o J •
E.
Gaab
59
Scudder Creek Mule Deer Range Investigation . . , .
• Jo
E.
Gaab
61
E.
Gaab
63
Ruby River Mule Deer Investigation, . . . . o . . .
• Jo
E,
Gaab
64
38- R Upland Game Bird Survey and Investigation
Survival of Game Farm Pheasants Released in the
Bitterroot Valley « ........ .Fred L. Hartkorn 67
1950 Pheasant Harvest Findings. . . . . . , . .Fred L. Hartkorn 72
39- R Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations
The 1950 Waterfowl Harvest in Montana , , , . . Wynn G. Freeman 78
Winter Banding and Experimental Marking of Water-
fowl for Field Identification .......... Richard Smith 95
5-D General Wildlife Restocking Project
Antelope Transplanting ~ 1951 .... James McLucas 105
27 -D Game Range Development
Sun River Game Range Development. Bob Neal 111
33-D Blackf 00 t-Clearwater Game Range Unit ... Stan Mongrain 112
STATE Montana
PROJECT 36~R
DATE April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
Lincoln County Deer Management Study
During the hunting season of the fall of 1950 checking stations were
operated to obtain needed research data. The area under study was open to the
hunting of all deer. Following are some of the important findings.
1. Hunter success was .3 per cent higher this season than in 1949.
2, Legal bucks made up 22.4 per cent of the total kill.
3, White-tailed deer made up 82.4 per cent of the harvest,
4, Age composition ranged from 6 months to 10 years and over,
5. Sixty per cent of the deer were 4-^ years old or older if fawns are
exclused.
6. There were more 4i-, 5i or 6^-year old deer killed than in the 2^ or
3i year class.
7, Six mature females had produced 10 embryos in the previous year.
8. Hunting pressure was greater in the first week of the season, when
1/3 of the total kill was taken.
STATE Montana
PROJECT 3 6-R
DATE April 15, 1950
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
FOR ... • ^ .
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project - Lincoln County Deer Study ■ •■ /
2. Project Personnel- Jack E. Schmautz, Unit Biologist, Wildlife Restoration
Division . ,■
Ade Zajanc, Asst. Unit Biologist, Wildlife Restoration
Division
3. Report of Progress: ;
The 1950 Big Game Season in Fisher-Wolf Creek Area
Buck hunting in Lincoln County extended from October 15 to November 15,
inclusive, a total of 32 days. A special antlerless deer season was enacted
in the lower Fisher-Wolf Creek area, and ran concurrently with the regular
season. The 1950 season was the second consecutive antlerless season held in
this area.
PURPOSE:
Past surveys and studies within the Fisher River area have shown that
the winter range has been severely over-utilized by deer. As a result of these
studies, the Montana Fish and Game Commission authorized the removal of 500
antlerless deer, both white-tailed and mule deer, from this area. These deer
were to be removed by hunters during the regular buck season. However, if the
antlerless kill appeared to run over the 500 mark, it was emphasized that the
area could be closed within a three-day period. This was not necessary, how-
ever, because the hunting pressure was not great enough to exceed the proposed
take ,
This report summarizes the results of the special season and the regular
buck season in the Fisher-Wolf Creek area.
-1-
1
PROCEDURE:
Checking Stations
Location?
Three checking stations were strategically located in the Fisher
River area "to intercept all traveled roads going into the special
hunting area, '■ ■ '
Per so nnel t
The permanent men engaged to operate the checking stations were
part-time Forest Service employees, A number of Wildlife students
came up from the University at Missoula to help out with the
Island Lake checking station. It is felt that the excellent coop-
eration received from the sportsmen this year was directly due to
the courtesy of the checkers^ The students were very helpful in
that they could discuss and explain many of the questions asked '
by the sportsmen. Thus they were instrumental in creating a great
deal more interest in our program, and were able to show the sports-
men how the slight delay to which the hunters were subjected at
the checking station while the checkers gathered statistics would
eventually aid the department in gaining facts to properly manage
the deer herd in this areao The names of the personnel and sta-
tions they operated are listed in Table I,
Table I,
Station
Waylett
Checkers
Meritt Waters
Everett Noel
Lo cation
NWi, NEi Sec. 26, T 27N, R SOW
Island Lake
Lee Tom Bleson SWi, SWi, Sec. 31, T 29N, R 36W
Wm, Baber
(Dan Poole, John McDougal, D, H. Tyler, George Devan, R. L,
Carter, Melvin Feinblum, Roger Hungerford, Dwight Stocketad,
John Gaffnev, STUDENTS)
Brush Creek
Wm. Meany, Jr.
NW4, NWi, Sec. 34, T 31N, R 26W
Measurements :
All information regarding the hunters and their kills were re-
ported on standard Fish and Game Department checking station
cards. Data concerning the kills included species, sex, diame-
ter of antler one inch above the burr, weight, length of hind
foot, and lower jaws were collected for aging purposes. In
addition, the reproductive organs were collected from females
-2-
whenever possible. Information dealing with the hunter included
his name, address, license number, cost of trip and calibre of
gun used . ■ ■
Hunter Haps and Instructions: " \ : ■
A map showing the area boundaries, with a write-up, giving the reasons
for the antlerless season and including pictures of the location of
female reproductive organs in a deer as it appeared to a hunter when
dressing the animal, were given to the hunter as he entered the area.
These maps and instructions were well received by the hunters and proved
to be an excellent public relation effort as well as a help in the
collection of data, mainly the reproduction organs. However, this
material was not received until after the first week of the season had
expired, resulting in a loss of considerable valuable data. -
Location of Kill: - - - ■ •
As each hunting party checked out, they were asked to locate their kill
on a map furnished each checking station.
Checking Card Analysis: , .-■
After the season ended, data from the checking station cards were class-
ified and analyzed to obtain the information presented in this report.
Description of the Area: .„.
The area opened to the hunting of antlerless deer included all of the
lower Fisher River and its tributaries north of S. Highway No. 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 CoraDany, the J, Neils Lumber Company, Northern Pacific Railroad,
State of Montana and the Kootenai National Forest.
Vegetation cover varies with the site. Ponderosa pine dominates south
slopes with Douglas fir and larch being dominant species on the north
slopes. The lower flats and the benches with north exposures are covered
with "doghair" stands of lodgepole pine, interspersed with thickets of
Douglas fir. The overstory is generally Ponderosa pine and larch.
Browse conditions are good to excellent on summer range and poor to very
poor on the winter range.
Weather Conditions:
As a whole, the season was unfavorable for hunting because of mild
weather. The rainfall was far above average for that period. Out of
the 32 days hunting season, there were 17 days of measurable rainfall
and 3 days of trace. On November 1 there was a general snowfall of
approximately 3 inches, which probably had no great effect on forcing
the deer from their summer range.
-3-
Results of the Hunting Season: _ ^ r,-? -
Two thousand nine hundred and forty-two hunters bagged 579 deer, 5
black bear and 7 bull elk, which represents a hunter success of 19.6
per cent.
Most of the deer killed were checked through the Island Lake checking
station, followed by Waylett checking- station, ' and Brush Creek check-
ing station had the least number o f deer checked. As can be seen in
Table II, 324 or 57 per cent of the deer checked out came through the
■ Island Lake checking station. There were 19.6 per cent of the hunters
and 22 per cent of the total deer checked through this station during
the first week of the season.
Table II. Deer killed in Fisher-Wolf Creek Area - 1950 hunting season.
White-Tailed Mule Deer % of ^"of
Buck Does Fawns Buck Does Fawns Total No. Hunter
Station Buck Doe Buck Doe Total Kill Hunters Success
Brush Creek
0
26
4
6
1
2
1
1
41
7
,1
319
12.8
Waylett
30
75
29
27
21
24
6
2 ■
214
35
.9
1064
20.1
Island Lake
58
121
46
56
20
17
3
3
324
57
.0
1559
26.3
Total
88
222
79
89
42
43
10
6 -
579
100
2942
19.6
% of Kill
15.2
38.3
13,6
15,3
7.2
7.6
1,7
1.0
100
White-tailed deer formed the largest part (82.4 per cent) of the deer
harvest in the area, (Table II,) Generally, the mule deer range higher
and farther from the roads and are therefore less apt to be seen by the
average hunter. It should be nointed out that legal bucks composed
22,4 per cent of the kill and if buck fawns were included, the bucks
composed 37.7 per cent of the total kill.
Age Composition:
Jaws of 25 per cent of the deer killed were collected and later aged
according to the Severinghouse method. It was found that the composi-
tion of the deer killed ranged from \ year old animals (fawns) to 104
years. (See Figure III.) One of the most important factors revealed in
the age analysis was the number of older deer that are surviving. If
the fawns are disregarded, we find that almost 60 per cent of the deer
killed were 4-^ years or older. The 2\ and 3^ year age groups are at a
minority when compared to the 4^, 5-^ or 6i age classes. These facts
seem to indicate that the mortality rate of the 2\ and 3-^ age groups
was greater than the other groups mentioned.
This survival of older deer appears to indicate that in the Wolf Creek-
Fisher River herd, the annual increment is not being properly harvested.
It is quite probable that starvation and predation may be the factors
that are more apt to control the herd rather than the hunter harvest.
-4-
Figure I.
DAILY TEMPERATURES DURING 1950 HUNTING SEASON
LINCOLN COUNTY
1,1 1,1 I I I
T7
16 1
T9""' 21 1
20 22 24
October
I A I
I I I
-t
J I I I I I I ,1 I
26
28 30
31
5 7 9
November
10 12 1-
11 13
15
5-
!
s
.8(
.70
.60
50'
m
O.40'
o
.30-
.20
,10 —
A'W 'I's'n' 'J '2I '2^^' I ' I 'e' 'ii iiA 'i^ '1';
T
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
October
5 7 9 11 13 15
No vember
Figure II. DAILY PRECIPITATION DURING 1950 HUNTING SEASON, LINCOLN COUNTY.
-6
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CN3
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ill
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-p
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ft
a
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iH
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1-1
-M^ o
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i
Table III, Reproductive poien-tial*
Corpora .lutea Scars Follicles
_ Left il:::::^^ Right ,: Lef-t Right Ovulation
Number
Age
uterus
Ovary
Ovar y-'^" •
Ovary
Ovary
Rate
P.V. 533
6i
Mature
1
■■ f 0 ^ '
l-5mm
l-5mm
1
P.V. IX
Mature
1
1 /-''^
l-5mm
2-4mm
2
P.V. 193
Mature
0
2
0
l-5mm
2
W-740
Mature
1
0 ■ ^'
G
l-4mm
1
W-386
5i
Mature
1
1
0
2-5mm
2
P.V. 623
Virgin
0
0
2-5 , 6mm
0
0 = :
Unknown
Mature
2
0
0
l-4imm
2
P.V. 161
Fawn
Virgin
0
0
2-5mm
0
307
Fawn
Virgin
0
0
0 ■■
l-5mm
0
378
Fawn
Virgin
0
0
0
1-5-i-mm
0
169
. Virgin .
0
... Missing
l-5mm
Missing
0 . .
* Through cooperation with E. L. Cheatum, Montana State University Research
Unit. . . ,.r''.. . ■ r . : ,. '
In the six mature uteri examined, there were ten eggs produced. How-
ever, this does not mean that there would have been ten fawns produced^
since the fertilization rate in this area is not known. If we use the
fertilization rate (85 per cent) found in the state of New York, it
would show that the average embryo production of the ten mature does
would be lo4 per doe.
Although the fawns possessed fairly large follicles in a few instances,
no evidence was found that they had actually ovulated. Further, the 1-^
year old deer produced no corpora lutea scars. Continued collections
and examinations may provide something more specific in regard to this.
Reproductive rate of the female along with range conditions and avail-
able forage would be a valuable tool to management. If these factors
were known, the maximum productivity of a herd on a given range could
be found. Then optimum numbers would be harvested in order to keep up the
desired production of the deer herd, ;,
Weights and Measurements :
Spread of measurements for bucks and does is shown on Table V. In-
spection of this table shows that the overlap and spread is so large
that no correlation between ages and measurements can be drawn. In all
probability, part of the reason for the lack of correlation may be due
to the small sample. Continued efforts in this phase should provide
an adequate sample and may show some correlation between measurements,
weights, and age.
-8-
Table IV, Comparison of hog dress weights to 1949 season.
No"^ % of 1949 No";^
Largest Smallest Average Weighed Total Average Weighed
White-tailed ' "
Buck 205 75
Does 175 ; . 70
Fawns-does 70 '40'
Fawns -buck 67 40
Mule Deer : . ..
Bucks 305 80
Does •;, ■ . 200 85
Fawns-does 65 ; 53
Fawns -buck 60 45
136
45
51.1
135.9
43
103
88
39.6
102.5
77
53
45
50.5
49
56
54
:::40
50.6
165
.' 19
45.2
174
21
132
21
49
103
10
59
4
66
70
2
52
5
50
Table V. Age,
hog dress weight,
hind leg measurement of white-tailed
deer ,
1950
seaso n.
Number
Hind Leg
Number
Age
Wei ght
Weighed
Length in Inches
Measured
i Buck
40-- 64
45 '■
13i - 17
29
i Doe
40-- 70
40
13i - 19
35
l| Buck
75 — 125
7
16 - 19
5
li Doe
80—113
■ ^ ' ■ .■ 8
16 3/8 - 18 3/4
6
2i Buck
125-'-140
'5'
18 - 19
4
2I Doe
100--105
2
17 7/8
1
3I Buck
173--180
. 2
18 5/8
1
3I Doe
95--100
3
17 - 18i
3
4^ Buck
140—173
2
19i
1
4i Doe
100--120
6
16 - 18
3
5^ Buck
159--180
2
19 7/8 - 20
2
5I Doe
105--130
3
18i - 19
3
6^ Doe
95--120
4
16i - 19
3
7i Buck
185
1
7i Doe
120
1
18^
10+ Doe
130
Hunter Pattern:
Hunting pressure was the heaviest during the first week of the season
when 1,349 hunters harvested 198 deer. This represents 34 per cent of
the kill for the entire season.
As seen in Figure 4, the number of hunters checking through the stations
dropped from a peak of 1,349 the first week to only 227 during the last
4 days of the season. The kill generally followed the hunter pattern^
-9-
Figure TV.
DAILY KILL AND HUNTING PRESSURE, 1950
ft
Figure V.
Per Gent of Kill and Hunting Pressure by Weekly Periods, 1950
Fisher River
-12-
-13-
decreasing from 198 deer the first week to 96 the second, 111 the
third and 71 the fourth week. But in the last 4 days, it climbed to
103 deer. This increase is probably due to a number of the hunters
being camped in the area. If the party was not successful in filling
their quota, they stayed until the end of the season, consequently
checking out on the last day with their kill. - i;;: ' ,
An error was made in recording the kills--the date recorded was the
date the hunter left the area, rather than the actual date the deer
was killed , h'- , ■
The hunting pressure of the 1950 season is quite similar to the 1949
season, . except that it was 40 per cent lower the first week of the 1950
season; then it had a tendency to level off and remain approximately
the same for each succeeding week. (Figure V.-) It is very probable
that in 1949 many of the local deer that resided along the roads were
killed; consequently causing a much lower kill the first week of the
1950 season,
Fluctuation of the daily kill is shown in Figure VI, The sharp peak
on the 15th and 16th of October is due to the large influx of hunters
for the first week-end of the season. There was (as last year) con-
siderable week-end hunting, as shown by the peak kills on Sundays.
Figure VI shows the cumulative kill in the Wolf Greek-Fisher River
area, and again shows the week-end hunting pressure, except the week-
end of November 5th which is undoubtedly due to the opening of pheasant
season on this date and probably drew a large number of hunters that
otherwise would have hunted deer.
Location of Kill :
Locations of 308 kills are plotted on Figure VII. As can be seen, the
greatest amount of kills are still made near the roads. Small concen-
trations of kills on Alder-Cody and Bucky Creeks are due to a new road
that was constructed within the last year, which is not indicated on
the map. The kills on Dunn Peak, Richards Mountain and Richards Creek
are probably due to the hunters operating from the Baenen ranch on
Richards Creek where horses and guides are available to the sportsmen.
Hunters from the ranch were on horseback and were able to get up into
the high country away from the roads.
Source of Hunters : , .„ '
Thirty-one Montana counties and eight other states were represented by
hunters in the Wolf Creek-Fisher River area during the 1950 season.
States other than Montana represented were California, Oregon, Minnesota
Massachusetts, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin,
Flathead County, as last year, furnished 1,719 or better than one-half
of the total hunters in the area, while Lincoln County was second with
545 hunters. (See Table VI.)
Following in order were Lake, Glacier and Sanders counties. These five
counties produced 2,667 hunters, or 90.6 per cent of the total number of
hunters in the area. (See Table VI.) ■ ■
Table VI. Source of hunters in the Wolf Creek-Fisher River
area during the 1950 big game season.
County No. Hunters Per Cent of Total
.-Flathead ' ■■ .• r.. 1719 ■• ■ 58.4
•.Lincoln v; 545 18,5
Lake r 215 7.3
Glacier ; ; .:■ 126 4.3
Sanders ' -62 2.1
Other Counties (26) 275 8.8
Out of State (8 States) 16 .6
Total ... ' 2,942 ... 100.0
Calibres of Guns Used: , .
Fifty-four calibres ranging from the .22 to the 45-90 and including the
12 and 410 gauge shot guns were used to kill deer in the Wolf Creek-
Fisher River area. The most prevalent gun used was the 30-06 with 30-30
a close second. The following table shows the preference and number
of calibres used:
Calibre
No.
Calibre
No .
Calibre
No.
1.
30-06
693
19.
.22
18
37.
,38 Rem.
2
2.
30-30
637
20.
,32 Rem.
16
38.
.220 Sw.
2
3.
.330 Sav.
221
21.
.22 HP
15
39.
9mm.
2
4.
.32 Spl.
162
22.
.32-20
12
40.
.30 US Car.
2
5.
.270
162
23.
7 .62mm.
12
41.
.40-82
2
6.
.30-40
161
24.
.25-20
11
42,
.375 Mag.
1
7.
.35
109
25.
.38-55
8
43,
6mm.
1
8.
.25-35 "
96
26.
.38-40
7
44.
.38-56
1
9.
8mm.
73
27.
,303 Inf.
6
45,
.228 Mag,
1
10,
.303
64
28.
.25-36
6
46.
.45-90
1
11.
.250-300
51
29.
12 ga.
4
4Y.
7 . 25ram.
1
12.
.33
36
30.
.351
4
48.
44-40
1
13.
.25
30
31.
.256 Newton
4
49.
7 ,7mm.
1
14.
.348
25
32.
7mm.
4
50.
.38 spec.
1
15.
.30 Rem.
24
33.
.22 Hor.
3
51.
7. 65mm.
1
16.
.257 Rob,
23
34.
.45-70
3
52.
.410
1
17.
,320-40
21
35.
6.5mm,
2
53.
,270 Mag.
1
18.
.330 Mag.
18
36.
,401
2
54.
,06 Mag.
1
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Hunter success was .3 per cent higher this season than in 1949,
-15-
2. Legal bucks made up 22,4 per cent of the total kill.
3. White-tailed deer made up 82.4 per cent of the harvest.
4. Age composition ranged from 6 months to 10 years and over.
5. Sixty- per cent of the deer were 4-|- years old or older, if fawns are
excluded .
6. There were more 4-|, 5-| or 6^ year old deer killed than in the 2-^ or
3-^ year class,
7. Six mature females had produced 10 embryos in the previous year.
8. Hunting pressure was greater in the first week of the season, when •
1/3 of the total kill was taken,
9. Flathead County provided better than 50 per cent of the hunters.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The three checking stations should be continued with two permanent men
at each station.
2. Jaw boards with all age classes from 6 months old to 10 and over should
be made up for each checking station.
3. Maps, write-up, and pictures of location of reproductive organs should
be available to checking station personnel several days before the opening of
the season.
4. Collection of female reproductive organs should be continued.
5. Contact should be made with sportsmen'^ s clubs in neighboring counties
to acquaint the hunters with the data the checking station will collect, and
why such data is essential.
6. Checking station equipment, cooking and eating kits, lanterns, flash-
lights and miscellaneous tools should be provided by the State Fish and Game
Department.
7. Brush Creek checking station should be changed to a more suitable loca-
tion and the boundary of the area altered to coincide with the station,
8. Cooperation with the Research Unit at Missoula should be continued
and some incentive given the student for helping to man the checking stations
on week ends to encourage their help.
9. Checking stations should be set up and maintained by the law enforce-
ment division.
Submitted by:
Jack E. Schmautz, Unit Biologist
Ade Zajanc, Asst. Unit Biologist
-16-
STATE
Mo ntana
PROJECT 1-R-lO
DATE April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
Title of Project: Wildlife Surveys and Management
Most of the activity on this project was devoted to intensive census
work on all units. The summarized estimates by units is included below.
Big Game Summary:
Unit
Elk Counted
Total Elk
Blackf 0 0 t-Clearwater
540
1058
Swan
380
720
Cherry Creek
412
615
South Fork of Flathead
2038
2038
Bitterroot, East Side
530
750
Sun River
3020
3950
Hound Creek - Elk Horn
172
180
Dry Creek
102
125
Crow Creek
181
200
Bull Mountain
186
200
Canyon Creek - Prickly Pear
253
400
Little Belts
797
800
Totals
8,611
11,036
Unit Mountain Sheep Counted
Rock Creek
Wildhorse Island
Billy Creek
29
30
39
STATE Mo ntana
PROJECT 1-R-lO
DATE April 15, 1951
FINAL PROGRESS REPORT
For
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS ' ' ■
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: Wildlife Survey and Investigation
2. Project Personnel: Lloyd McDowell, Biologist, Leader
Larry Brown, Biologist, Acting Leader
Donald E. Johnson, Jr. Biologist
3. Report of Progress:
Field activity under this project is divided into a series of field
jobs which are accomplished on a unit basis. The over-all work plan is devised
to determine basic data in each unit. Census techniques are still being test-
ed, but it is believed that the use of aircraft constitutes the most econom-
ical and accurate census method for elk counting.
During the past quarter all important game units were examined aerially
and in most cases ground work was accomplished in connection with the air
coverage.
The following individual reports are presented with brief summaries of
methods and conditions so any future work can be patterned and judged accord-
ingly.
=•17-
WESTERN MONTANA BIG GAME INVESTIGATIONS AND RECHECKS
PRO JECT PERSONNEL:
L. E. McDowell, Big Game Biologist
Vern Sylvester, Range Technician
INTRODTTCTION:
During the past quarter a large portion of the time was spent doing
ground and aerial big game census. Following is a summary of the findings
in each area.
BLACKFOOT-CLEARWATER ' ' '
Date: January 17-19, 1951
Personnel
Lloyd McDowell
Vern Sylvester
Fred Hartkorn
Don Johnson
Larry Brown
Pro cedure :
Faye Couey
Ken Thompson
Ray Austin ) pilots
Paul Choquette )
Using a ski-equipped 105 Super Cub plane an aerial census was
made of the entire upper Blackf oo t-Clearwater region. All winter range
was systematically stripped from the air to determine the number of
elk in the area and the extent of their range. A reconnaissance was
also made of the critical areas by men on foot to determine extent of
forage use and snow conditions. Daily field reports were made and filed
for future reference and comparisons.
Findings :
The results of the aerial elk count are summarized in Table #1.
Due to the special forage problem in the Salmon Lake Hills area
an intensive foot coverage was made. Two hundred fifteen white-tailed
deer were counted on approximately three square miles of critical
range.
-18-
Table 1, AGrial elk census of
D 1 ac Ki 0 ox-
■CI earwater
area. ■
— — . .
Cows &
Estim-
Total Plus
Area
Bulls
Calve s
Total
ate
Estimate
Ovando Mountain & vicinity
39 , ... .
, . 119 . , .
158 .,
-
150
308
Dry Cottonwood
9"" ''
38
25
72
Bradshaw Ranch
- 40 .
10
50
Sperry & Boyd Mountain
7
3
10 '
200
210
Cottonwood Mountain (Fish Lake)
13
95
108
25
133
Double Arrow Ranch
5 ■
5
10 •
10
20
North Cottonwood Lake .... ..
r-
.. 5,
. . 5 , .
10
15
Trail Creek ,,: ,. . .
: 8' ■■'
5
13
Placid Lake Hill ' ' '
15
. 17
10
27
Owl Creek
5
2
7
25
32
Prairie Creek
9 -
5
14
10
24
Lost Horse Creek
2
2
3
5
Blanchard Creek
IG
28
38
10
48
Belmont Creek
17
59
76
25
101
Totals ■■■'■^••^^
127
413
540
518
1058
SWAN VALLEY ' r . ■■ . . .
Date: January 21-24, 1951
Ken Thompson
Larry Brown
Ray Austin - Pilot
Students
Pro cedure : .•■•.i^, :^ . .: i. i . • - >
Auproximat ely the same aerial procedure was used in the Swan as
was used in the Blackf oo t-Clearwater area. The white-tailed deer strip
set UD in 1943 were again repeated.
Findings :
On the following page is Table 2 showing the results of the aerial
;.v elk count. ,
The results of the intensive strip census and winter study of the
White-tailed deer showed that the herd is in a static condition.
Eighteen strips were walked covering 1,500 acres of winter range. On
the 1,500 acres 111 deer were counted. This resulted in one deer for
every 13.51 acres on a range of 91,600 acres which was determined by
outlining the winter range from the air. The computed total count in
the Upper Swan Drainage was 6,785 white-tailed deer.
Personnels Lloyd McDowell
■V :.j . . :•. Vern Sylvester
i; :' Fred Hartkorn
i: ; Don Johnson
..-:{■ '.: ■ Faye Couey ■- ; .
-19-
Table 2. Swan aerial elk count - January 23, and 24, 1951,
Cows & Total Plus
Area Bulls Calves Total Estimate Estimate
Rumble Creek
Spook Ridge
Beaver Divide
Fry Place
Barber Creek (3 mule deer bucks)
Clearwater Lake
Elbow Lookout
Head Elbow Lake
Glacier Creek .„,.,.
Hole-in-Wall
Elk Creek
Alder Creek
Lion Creek (2 goats)
Napa
South Lost Creek
Bond Creek (6 goats)
Bond Creek - North to Echo Lake
area--not counted due to bad
weather.
Totals
15
47
62
13
75
1
16
9
25
1
10
11
4
15
1
14
15
10
25
10
: 10
3
4
7
■ 10
. 16
16
4
20
1
12
13
7
20
...J ■
2 .
3
5
5
5
10
15
2
4
6
9
15
5
45
50
10
60
5
36
41
19
60
45
56
101
49
150
3
24
27
23
50
8
8
7
15
n
*
150
150
380 720
THOMPSON FALLS AREA
Date? February 14 - 17, 1951
Personnel: Lloyd McDowell Robert Greene
Vern Sylvester Faye Couey
Fred Hartkorn Ken Thompson
Wm. Bergeson Lon Cheney
Wynn Freeman Paul Choquette - Pilot
Pro cedure :
The procedure here was also similar to that used in the Blackfoot-
Clearwater and Swan Valley. As the aerial count was made, personnel
on foot and in jeeps did reconnaissance work. White-tailed deer census
strips set up in 1948 were again repeated.
Findings?
The results of the aerial count are summarized in Table 3.
The intensive strip count made on the Thompson River area resulted
in the coverage of 4,360 acres on which 277 deer were actually counted.
This gave us 16,7 acres per deer on the winter range; however, the past
winter was so mild and the extent of the range so large that practical
-20-
conclusions to the total number of white-tailed deer in the area were
not feasible.
Table 3, Cherry Creek aerial census of elk, February 14, 1951.
. Cows & Total Plus
Area Bulls Calves ' Total Estimate Estimate
Cherry Creek and Dry Creek 69 253 322 78 400
Surrounding Area to West 17 73 90 50 140
Swamp Creek area 75 75
Totals 412 203 615
SOUTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD
Date? February 27 to March 13, 1951
Personnel
Lloyd McDowell
¥ern Sylvester
Fred Hartkorn
Wynn Freeman
Robert Greene
Frank Gummer
Ken Thompson
Ade Zajanc
Jack Schmautz
Ray Austin
Paul Choquette
Pilots
Procedure:
A follow-up of the winter work of 1948-49 was thought possible by
the use of 8 men and two airplanes over a period of 10 to 14 days.
Two men were ferried to each major station with a Stinson Voyager and
left to cover the area around the station as they saw fit by a prelim-
inary flight over the region. A 105 Super Cub plane was used entirely
to do the census work. Both planes were equipped with skis and operated
from snow-covered air strips in the Primitive Area.
Findings t
The findings of the aerial count are summarized in Tables 4 and
5. ■ ■ ■ --• ■ ' 5 •-
From the reports of ground personnel, it was found that there were
30 to 40 inches of snow in the Basin Creek-Danaher area, an all-time
record. The forage in this area was in a deplorable condition and the
number of elk, especially calves, was very low when compared to other
years .
Although the total count for the South Fork of the Flathead elk
range was higher than in 1948, the unper portion of the drainage had
approximately 300 less elk. The large count in the Spotted Bear area
more than made up the difference.
= 21-
Table 4. Big Prairie aerial census. March 1951.
*: Siib-unit Total
Danaher
58
Basin Creek
46
Hahn Creek
174
frnyflnn Crflfllf
Big Prairie
163
White River
loft
Holbrook
125
Big Salmon
oO
Little Salmon
14
Total
767
Table 5 SDotted Bear
nT*flfl1c aeTTfll r.firiRiiR
March 1951
Sub-unit
Total
Black Bear
75
Meadow Creek
54
■ ' '■ Gorge
99
Limestone )
Spotted Bear )
8 61
Elk Park )
Elk Park to Hun^
^ry Horse Dam
182
Total 1,271
Comparison of Counts
1951 1949
Spotted Bear 1271 725
Big Prairie 767 1030
Total 2038 1755
Over-all gain 283
Even with the reduced number of elk in the upper area, there is
a serious lack of winter forage for the elk now wintering there.
Future management should tend to reduce the numbers by added hunting
pressure which may help force a migration to the Sun River or Blackfoot
Game Ranges .
-22-
AERIAL MOUNTAIN SHEEP CENSUS
Rock Creek Area
Mature Rams
8
Small rams, ewes, lambs
21
Total
29
Wildhorse Island
Mature Rams
7
Small rams, ewes, lambs
23
Total
■30
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Blackf 0 0 t-Clearwater
, A ^
a. Regular elk season
b. Doe season on deer north of Seeley Lake
2.
3.
4.
a. Regular elk season. Extend bull season if kill is low.
b. Take 1,000 deer of either sex, starting October 15, 1951, Have
checking station north of Seeley Lake and near Swan Lake.
Cherry Creek
a. October 15 to November 15 season on antlered elk.
b. Harvest 300 doe deer in Thompson River Drainage. (Have entire
drainage open)
South Fork of Flathead
a. Elk season September 15 to November 15 on either sex in upper
area.
b. Buck deer season to conform with above (September 15 to November
Submitted by:
Lloyd McDowell, Big Game Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
Vern Sylvester, Range Technician
Wildlife Restoration Division
-23-
BIG GAME SURVEY - BITTERROOT UNIT
DATES
January 26, 27, 28, 29, 1951
PERSONNEI.:
Lloyd McDowell
Vern Sylvester
Don E. Johnson
L. E. Brown
Clyde Howard" ■
M.J. Watt
Wm. Ammerman
W. K. Thompson
INTRODUCTION?
Original work plan for big game census in the Bitterroot Valley called
for coordinated survey work with air and ground crews»
However, due to high winds and fog it was necessary to delay the aerial
work. Thus the ground crews had completed coverage before the work by air
had commenced.
It was found consistently that air census was far superior to ground
census. However, it cannot completely supplement ground work as details of
forage use, winter conditions and sex ratios must be determined by the crews
working on the range.
Table 1. Big game census (ground coverage) - East Fork,
Bitterroot Unito
Drainage
Deer
Elk
Elk Estimated
Tolan - Mink Creek 8
Camp Creek - Tolan 1
Cameron Creek
Shirley Mountain 6
Shirlev Mtn. & Cameron Cr.
27
6
4
51
31
50
35
15
75
50
Total East Fork
119
225
Classified elk = 1 cow ; .85 calves and 12/{ bulls.
-24-
Table 2, Aerial big game' census'' -'.Silterroot Area (East Side).
Drainage Deer Elk
Girds Cr. to Willow Cr.
84
Skalkaho Ridge
109
Willow Creek to Burnt Fork
37
Burnt Fork to Eight Mile
19
Sleeping Child to Harlan Gulch
150
Rye Creek
63
58
French Basin to Bunch Gulch
27
126
Tolan Creek to Springer
8
Tolan Creek to Camp Creek
24
72
Bunch Gulch to Tepee Creek
43
17
Sula to Rye Creek (East Side)
249
To tal
556
530
Total estimate for East Side Bitterroot - 750
-25-
AERIAL SURVEY - SUN RIVER
DATE:
February 23rd, 1951 '-- r;.
PERSONNEL: ' . o--,:- : .
Paul Choquette, Pilot - ■
R. F. Cooney, Observer ■
AIRCRAFT:
Cub Cruiser
FINDINGS:
Departure from the Helena airport was at 9:30 a.m. with bright and
clear weather and a temperature of approximately 15°. A new snow had fallen
a day before the flight. This made track observations important.
We flew over the Dearborn area. The first elk observed on the Sun
River Unit were 35 scattered in several bunches on the west slope of Haystack
Mountaino There were 55 elk in several small groups between Ford and Smith
Creeks. No elk were observed in the vicinity of Willow Creek camp. Thirty-
four elk were seen outside of Lime Reef.
On the Game Range proper, numerous tracks were noticed in the timber
under the Sawtooth Reef, but no elk were seen in this area. A fair number
could have been in the deep timber in that area.
Forty-nine elk were observed over near the Brusgard cabin on the north
side. Fifty-two elk, mostly bulls, were noticed on the rough ridge on the
north aide-,f,east of the Brusgard cabin. A very large herd of elk was lying in
the northeast corner on the open grassy rolling range. These were loosely
distributed in one band. It was possible to only make a rough estimate of
numbers; however several pictures were made and from these it was determined
that 2,500 elk were in the open range area.
Forty-three elk were noticed to the south of this big band on the east
side of the range. There were also 19 elk in this same area. Just to the
south of these was found another medium-sized band of elk. The number was de-
termined from pictures which were taken and added to the main herd count.
Snow conditions on the range were not at all adverse for elk grazing.
Apparently a strong wind had accompanied the recent snow storm so that the
prairie portion of the range was covered by only 2 or 3 inches of light snow.
Tracks again indicated that the elk were feeding very widely over the entire
prairie portion of the range. It was also very obvious that they were utiliz-
ing salt which had been placed out in this area.
-26-
We then flew up over the Gibson Lake. Thirty-eight elk were noticed
in lower Hannan Gulch on the east side^ " Twenty-three were seen in a small group
on lower Big George, Thirty head were seen on Scattering Springs, and 2 elk
on Sheep Ridge «
Due to down-draft conditions, the upper portions of these drainages
were not covered thoroughly. However, distant observations did not reveal any
numbers of tracks.
The North Fork was covered as far up as Cabin Greek, No elk were seen
and tracks were very scarce. Snow was quite deep. Elk Hill was covered com-
pletely with snow--po ssibly sufficiently deep to obscure all evidence of grass.
This condition was true of most of the North Fork area. It is possible that
between 25 and 50 elk are using this general vicinity, mostly down along the
river. Twenty-seven elk were seen on Pretty Prairie,
There was no evidence of elk around the West Fork lick. We did not
fly far up the West Fork, however.
••. We saw no evidence of elk below Benchmark on the sidehills or bottoms.
Snow appeared to be fairly deep in this area.
Approximately 10 head of elk were seen on the sidehills above Wood
Lake .
Fifty-four elk were seen on Ford Plateau, There was a considerable
amount of snow on this range. The elk had been feeding along the upper rim.
Slightly over 100 head were noticed on Fairview Plateau. Bob Neal men-
tioned that he had herded these over there from Ford Plateau only a day or two
before our flight. He counted the group as containing 115 elk.
SUMMARY?
The majority of the Sun River elk herd is now out on the game range,
with only scattered bands in outside areas.
Area Elk Seen
Haystack Mtn.
35
Ford & Smith Creeks
55
Lime Reef
34
North Brusgard
'49
NE Brusgard
52
Game Range
2500
Hanno n
38
Big George
23 '
Scattering Springs
30
Sheep Reef '' , "'
2
North Fork . '
50 (est. )
Pretty Prairie
27 ■
Wood Lake
10
Fai rvi ew
115
To tal
3,020
-27-
AERIAL ELK RANGE SURVEY
Hound Creek - Elk Horn
DATE:
February 23rd, 1951
PERSONNEL:
Paul Choquette, Pilot
R. F. Cooney, Observer
FINDINGS:
On the return trip from the Sun River inspection, we flew over Craig
and thence in a southeasterly direction toward the head of Elkhorn Creek and
Hound Creek. We observed the following groups of elk: 7, 22, 51, 48 and 44,
all in the general vicinity of the head of Cottonwood Creek--that is, between
the head of Cottonwood and the head of Elkhorn Creeks, A total of 172 elk
were seen.
No evidence of elk was seen at the head of Hound Creek or Elk Ridge.
Submitted by:
R. F. Cooney, Director
Wildlife Restoration Division
-28-
BIG BELT - BOULDER UNIT
Dry Creek Elk Census
DATE?
March 20, 1951 ■ '
PERSONNEL r
Faye M. Couey
Ray Austin, Pilot
FI-TRPOS-E?
Because this elk herd has not been censused for two years, it was felt
by all concerned that a count should be made,
PROCEDURE:
A flie;ht was made from the Helena airport using the department-owned
Piper 105 Cub. The area was reached around 8:30 a.m. at which time most of
the elk were bedded down. Conditions were good for observation and by follow-
ing tracks the elk were routed to their feet and counted quite accurately.
Coverage was made of the area between Six-Mile and the North Fork of Deep
Creek excepting some of the rolling hills at the head of Deep Creek where ex-
treme turbulence prevented adequate observation.
FINDINGS & CONCLUSIONS:
All of the elk seen were found on Dry Creek. They were scattered in
small groups throughout the lower drainage as far down as the flat country.
Of 102 elk seen there are 22 bulls included. Seventeen of these bulls were
adults. This sex ratio indicates that the area could stand a limited bull
season without decreasing the herd appreciably. This range is not stocked to
capacity and until there are objections the herd should be allowed to increase.
There have been some complaints from the Hoppe ranch this winter relative
to elk damage. The area was covered and no elk seen. However, the timber is
quite thick in this vicinity and a f ew tracks indicated that there is a small
herd near here. The one haystack was adequately fenced by camouflage wire
netting panels which this department supplied.
Submitted by:
Faye M. Couey, Big Game & Lands Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
-29-
BIG BELT - BOULDER UNIT
Crow Creek Elk Census
DATE:
March 20, 1951 ^ - ---f^^- " >■ ^ • i- -a- :
PERSONNEL r , . ^
Faye M. Couey ' : :
Ray Austin, Pilot
PURPOSE;
Considerable controversy has existed among ranchers, sportsmen and the
Forest Service regarding the number of elk in this area. This information is
necessary before recommending a season.
PROCEPnRE;
The department-owned Piper Cub 105 airplane was used to fly this area.
Counting began about 7:30 a.m. and conditions were good for observation. All
known elk range was covered thoroughly.
FINDINGS:
At the head of Dry Creek 2 cow elk were seen, Johnny Gulch was covered
completely and no elk were seen, A few old tracks were observed, but no doubt
those elk moved north towards Crow Creek.
On Crow Creek near Eagle Station were seen the following groups:
7 elk (1 spike)
71 elk
95 elk (5 spike)
6 elk
Total 179
2 (Dry Creek)
181 elk in this area
CONCLUSIONS:
This group of elk has been increasing each year for several years.
There has been a short bull season for the past three years with not very large
kills.
No adult bulls were seen on this flight indicating that there are pro-
bably a few scattered in the more remote parts of the area.
^30-
This herd is wintering entirely on the national forest and no evidence
of excessive competition with domestic livestock has reached this office.
Because so few bulls were seen on this census, no bull season is re-
commended. If the herd is reduced, it should be done using special permits.
It is felt that this herd is under its carrying capacity and, until
evidence of excessive range use is found, it should be allowed to increase.
Submitted by:
Faye M. Couey, Big Game & Lands Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
''•I
-31-
BIG BELT - BOULDER UNIT
Bull Mountains Elk Census
DATE: ■ . ,: v-r ^^^or./xr^.r''; --v:: 'J tnm ^ R&d A^-rr^^ -^.r.'; hr^^: .^- ^-Wi^^^^^
March 20, 1951
PERSONNEL:
. Faye M. Couey ■ ,:■ sv-'-^ ^;<-;ie:' :! e :' •r:w^- ^ri-A-
Ray Austin, Pilot
PURPOSE: s.Ur v ^..o-^^ i; \, . ^ ''^^ .V .: ,/
Information relative to elk population in this area was desired in
order to determine type and length of season.
PROCEDURE:
The department-owned Cub 105 airplane left Helena one-half hour before
dawn and a comDlete coverage made of the Bull Mountain range south of Boulder.
FINDINGS:
A swing was made west of Boulder to Galena Gulch where 40 elk were seen,
This is a local herd and probably are not Bull Mountain elk.
Then a complete coverage of the Bull Mountain range was made and the
following elk seen. ,
Head of Whitetail Creek:
3 Bulls
5 Bulls (3 spikes)
11 Cows and calves
6 elk (4 bulls)
6 bulls (8 mi. north of Whitehall)
Swampy Park: 55 elk
2 bulls
Brady Cr. (On flats) 50
Hadley Park 35
Hadley Park 13
Total 186 (20 bulls)
This coverage, it is felt, was quite accurate as counting conditions
-32-
were ideal and enough time was spent combing the terrain and following up
tracks that very few elk could have been missed.
The west side of Whitetail Creek in th^ Dry Range area was not covered
due to very rough air in that section. A few elk have been seen there in
previous counts, and the area has a reputation for running rather heavy to
bulls.
CONCLUSIONS:
The population of elk on Bull Mountain proper is such that with the
coming calf crop there will not be many more than the 200 elk that the ranchers
have agreed to carry there.
It is recommended that there be no season this year or at most, a few
days on branch antlered bulls. If damage occurs on the Boulder River side, a
few special permits can be issued for that area.
Submitted by:
Faye M. Couey, Big Game & Lands Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
-33-
AERIAL ELK SURVEY
Canyon Creek - Lincoln-Dearborn
DATE:
March 21, 1951 -
FERSOMEL:
Paul Choquette, Pilot
W. K. Thompson, Observer
ATRCRAFT:
Piper Cub 105 - Department 2-place airplane.
CONDITIONS:
The crew left Helena airport at 7:05 a.m. and returned at 9:45 a.m.
Conditions were not ideal for several reasons: There was SL haze which pre- -
vented ideal visability, rather severe turbulence with winds 25-35 m.p.h,
reduced effective observations, and melting snow conditions made use of tracks
and pawing ineffective as a key to game locations.
An additional retarding factor was the probability of animals grazing
at night due to bright moonlight. Many deer and elk were bedded by 8:00 a.m.
RESULTS :
Location of animals is indicated on the attached map and the following
tabluation shows the drainages where deer and elk were seen.
TABULATION OF GAME
SEEN
Elk
Deer
Granite Peak
56
91
Virginia Creek
15
6
Seven-up
19
Horse Fly
4 ■
Flei sher
5
Middle Fork Dearborn
55
Lyons Creek
11
Big Sheep Creek
93
Total
253
102
CONCLUSIONS:
Aerial coverage of this area should be in January or February, prefer-
-34-
ably following a fresh snow. It is known that elk were missed around Granite
Peak as 120 were seen there in February.
' Submitted by:
W. K. Thompson, Assistant Director
Wildlife Restoration Division
R 5 W
Mule Deer
Aerial Survey - Canyon Cr . -Dearborn, March 21, 1951
LITTLE BELT UNIT
Winter Range Elk Count and Range Investigation
of the Little Belt Mountains
DATEr
February 1-4, March 12, 1951
PERSONNEL: .' , ■ ■ ^
Faye M. Couey, Big Game and Lands Biologist ' ' ■' ' ■ ' ■ ■
Lloyd McDowell, Unit Biologist '
Larry E. Brown, Junior Biologist
Daniel G. Massing, Ranger, 0. S. Forest Service
Ray Austin, Pilot, Montana Fish and Game Department '
Waldo G. Vangsness, Deputy Game Warden ' ' ' '" • ' '
Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist
PURPOSE: . ' '
In addition to the annual elk count in the Little Belt Mountains, a
rapid visual range use inspection was made in some of the elk concentration
areas. It was also desirable to determine the effect of the new administra-
tive closure (Middle Fork of the Judith River) on bIk distribution in the
northern part of the mountains. Numbers were particularly checked in the vic-
inity of and on the Judith River Elk Acquisition. The actual counts were made
according to sub-units.
PROCEDURE:
The group met at the Judith River Elk Acquisition headquarters on
February 1, Very poor flying conditions prevailed. The first four days were
taken up with range inspections. Much of the area was covered by jeep pickup,
with some walking. An incomplete count was made February 4 with the Depart-
ment Piper PA 18 airplane. On March 12 a more complete count was made in a
rented Cessna 170 by Vangsness and Johnson.
FINDINGS :
Sub-Unit 4 (Musselshell Drainage)
On this side 309 elk were counted (1950 count, 307). Only 18 bulls
were observed. The elk were found in open areas adjoining timber lands.
-36-
-^Counting conditions were ideal.
Sub-unit 2 ( Judith Drainage )
This count, made March 12, found 488 elk wintering on this drainage.
Some estimates had to be made as many elk were in the timber. No doubt some
were missed. Last year's count found 585 in this area. On and around the
acauisition 360 head were counted. An estimate of 50 head was made for the
Dry Wolf area in the northern part of this range of mountains.
On some of the concentration areas rather heavy range use was encounter-
ed. Woodchopper Ridge, Beldon Flats, and Brome Grass Flats showed considerable
use which was partly attributed to the fact that hunters had not allowed the
elk free distribution on the lower areas. Some of the pressure was relieved
at the close of the hunting season at the end of February, Many of these
areas are within Forest Service livestock allotments which make them subject
to summer and fall range use.
CONCLUSIONS r ■ ^ o,- • .
It is believed that this count was not Quite as complete as the previous
March count due to weather and aircraft rental conditions.
The Middle Fork administrative closure appears to have contributed much
to the northward distribution of the elk into wintering areas not previously
occupied by them. The opening of the old closure to hunting apparently caused
the elk to move north into the new closure with some of them drifting further
north to new areas (Dry Wolf and vicinity). Certain damage complaints have
arisen in this northern area but have been held to a minimum due to efforts of
Warden Loberg of Stanford who has supported the ranchers in fencing their hay-
sta cks .
The acauisition appears to be serving its purpose by relieving exten-
sive elk use on private holdings. Last winter 380 elk were on this range,
while the last count found 360 in the same area.
The range inspection trips indicated the need of future range studies,
particularly with regard to utilization, trend and condition. These studies
will be initiated during the spring, in cooperation with District Ranger
Massing,
Using the 1950 March count of 892, plus an estimated 20 per cent calf
crop, the 1950 summer herd was approximately 1070 head. The total drain of
173 bulls and 54 cows and calves (Deputies Loberg and Fallang) should have left
a calculated winter population of 843 elk. The total count was 797 head. This
difference is rather small when it is considered that the annual increase fig-
ure is only hypothetical and unproven for this area.
The March counts for the last three years have indicated a decreasing
number of wintering animals: 969, 892, and 797, respectively, for 1949
through 1951. This seems to indicate the drain has exceeded the increase.
-37-
RECOMMENDATIONS :
In view of the impending range study, it is recommended that the same
hunting seasons be adopted in 1951 as prevailed during the 1950 season (reg-
ular 30 day bull season plus the extended either-sex season on 100 animals.)
These recommendations should be subject to change if the findings of the
range investigations prove the need for such change.
Submitted by:
Donald E. Johnsons, Jr. Biologist
March 23, 1951 Wildlife Restoration Division
-38-
YELLOWSTONE UNIT
Pine Ridge Winter Elk Aerial Recheck ' ; '
DATE:
February 12, 1951 . ........
PERSONNEL? : ^ ■; j - ■' • ; r,.. ^
Waldo G. Vangsness, Deputy Game Warden
Raleigh Shields^, Deputy Game Warden •,• . ... -\
Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist ■■■^ ^■:\ '.-': V:rr--'^f.^.>,.:i--.:^:.,,
INTRODUCTION: ..r' :-,.f.-:v: ^ ' r,:-: , ■
The Pine Ridge area lies mainly in northern Big Horn County with its
northern slopes extending into southern Yellowstone County. This area, con-
sisting of approximately 198 square miles, is characterized by scattered
yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa). The dominant grass species is western wheat-
grass (Agropyron smithii) while buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) and choke-
cherry (Prunus melanocarpa) are the dominant shrubs (Thompson, W. K. , 1943,
Big Game Planning and Wildlife Resource Inventory of Eastern Montana, Wildlife
Restoration Division Report).
During the 1950 Yellowstone National Park elk reduction program 24 of
the trapped elk were transplanted, at sportsmen's expense, in the Pine Ridge.
PURPOSE:
To determine the total number and distribution of elk within the Pine
Ridge area in order to evaluate the success of the transplant.
PROCEDURE AND FINDINGS:
A Cessna 170 type aircraft was rented from the Johnson Flying Service
of Lewistown and piloted by Deputy Vangsness. Flight strips 12 miles long,
beginning approximately 2 miles south of Pompey's Pillar, were flown in a
northeast direction with reciprocal flights. The width of the strips varied
considerably due to the broken terrain.
Although fresh snow aided the count, overcast skies imposed a handicap,
in that, tracking was made difficult due to lack of shadows.
One bunch of 23 elk were encountered just under the northeast point of
the ridge on the north side. Only one bull was observed, this being either a
yearling or a 2-3 year old. Four calves were positively identified. No
other elk were observed although approximately 28 mule deer including 6 very
large bucks were seen.
-39-
CONCLHSIONS:
All participants agreed that few elk were missed due to the thorough
area coverage. However scattered singles could have escaped count in the
timber .
The Cessna 170 was too fast an aircraft for desirable counting and
sexing on this job, j
Snow depth presented no hinderance to elk movements and foraging, con-
sequently, it is doubtful if any depredations will occur on local haystacks.
It is believed that this herd could be built up to huntable numbers
under a permit system if proper management practices were employed.
RECOMMENDATIONS: ^ ■ ^ '
Annual winter rechecks should be continued. Also spring ground checks
should be made in order to determine the extent of any winter losses as well
as range use by the elk.
, ■. . •■ • : Submitted by:
^' • ■ ■ ; ' "[': £,:?'.:,.■ - Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist
. •' - .. -. ■ Wildlife Restoration Division
-40-
BIG BELT - BOLTLDER UNIT
Limestone Hills Deer Count
DATE: ■ ■ r:, ^ -
January 12, 1951
PERSONNEL t
George Engler, U« S. Forest Service . '
Wynn Freeman, Biologist
Ken Sears, Deputy Game Warden
Faye Couey, Biologist ' ' ~
PURPOSE?
Continuity of information is desired on this important mule deer winter
range as a basis for management recommendations.
PROCEDURE:
Coverage was made as in previous years. Two men started near the Hough
Cut-off traveling south and two men traveled north from the Dowdy ranch.
Travel was on foot, and binoculars were used to classify the deer.
FINDINGS;
There was just a little snow on the ground and travel conditions were
good. Classification Conditions were not ideal as the date was too late.
Ideally this should be done shortly after the rut. The bucks were separated
from the main herds, making our buck count low.
There were 26 adult bucks, 20 yearling bucks, 223 fawns and 334 does
counted as classified and 100 unclassified deer seen. Total classified deer
was 603.
The buck-doe ratio was one buck to 7.2 does, Bucks constituted 7 per
cent of the herd, does - 56 per cent, and fawns - 37 per cent. There was a
ratio of one doe to .7 fawns.
Total area covered was about 3 sections, giving a population of 234 deer
per section. Three crippled deer were seen--no doubt hunting season wounds.
Tracks were seen of two coyotes.
Range conditions are poor. The mountain mahogany which has been used
as an index in this area is now heavily hedged with current use. The juniper
is fairly heavily used*, in some cases plants are dead. Grass and forb growth
41-
was good this past season, but its use by domestic livestock was heavy in
this area.
The Dowdy ranch hay meadow is still quite an attraction for deer and
may account to some extent for the extreme concentration of deer nearby. The
area counted is no doubt the most thickly populated portion of the Limestone
Hills. However, there are deer in all parts of these hills making a very large
over-all population. Several complaints of damage have been registered by
local ranchers.
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS; '
1. The Limestone Hills Big Game Closure which was modified for the 1950
hunting season had no appreciable effect on the deer population or distribu-
tion. It is accordingly recommended that this closure be abandoned.
2» In order to keep this deer herd from eliminating itself, it is re-
commended that there be a special antlerless deer season to be held after the
regular buck season. The date, description of area and number of deer to be
taken may be decided upon later this coming fall.
' . ' Submitted by:
Faye M. Couey, Big Game & Lands Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
-42-
MISSOURI BREAKS UNIT
Billy Creek Mountain Sheep Recheck
DA'TE;
January 10 and February 20, 1951
PERSONNEL;
Ed DuBeaUj, Decuty Game Warden, Fort Peck P
Cliff Wolf, Patrolman, Fort Peck Game Range
Larry E. Brown, Junior Biologist
Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist
INTRODUCTION;
On November 16, 1947, 16 bighorn sheep from the Tarryall herd of
Colorado were released in the Missouri River Breaks on Billy Creek (in north-
west Garfield County), The release was made in a pasture consisting of 328
acres, which was fenced under Project 22-D,
Fifteen sheep were known to have escaped from the enclosure which con-
tained 32 head. This reduced the enclosed herd to 17 in 1949.
PURPOSE:
Periodic rechecks are necessary to inspect water facilities, fences
and observe" numbers, mortality, and wintering conditionSo
PROCEDURE;
On January 10, Brown and Johnson covered the entire pasture on footo
The pasture area was later flown by DuBeau and Wolf on February 20, in a
Piper PA 18 aircraft,
FINDINGS;
Very little snow was present in the area (approximately 1 to 2 inches)
with all forage available, except that in the gully bottoms.
Seventeen sheep were encountered at the north end of the pasture. Two
of these appeared to be mature rams. One dead ram was found among some Doug]as
fir near the center of the pasture on a gully slope. Decomposition was too far
progressed to determine the cause of death. The estimated time of death was
in September or Octobero The estimated age of the ram, by the questionable
"annual horn ring method", was 4i years.
The findings of DuBeau and V-Zolf were limited to the area outside the
pasture vmare counting conditions were apparently very good. The 22 sheep
-43-
observed were in three bunches of 11, 6, and 5, located northeast of the pas-
ture. No sex counts were made, although several rams and lambs were seen.
A gap between the hog-wire fence, north of the trash gate, was found
and repaired.
CONCLUSIONS:
A total of 39 mountain sheep were observed during the two counts--17
inside and 22 outside the pasture. It is believed that some were missed,
particularly inside the pasture.
Foraging conditions were very good with respect to snow cover.
Apparently a very desirable herd increase is taking place.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Rechecks should be continued. Monthly rechecks during the summer and
fall are necessary to check the springs which are known to silt up rapidly.
Dynamiting has helped relieve this problem considerably. Spring inspections
should be conducted to check forage utilization, springs and lambing success.
Periodic fence inspections are necessary until the purpose of the
pasture is believed to have been accomplished.
Submitted by :
Donald E. Johnson, Junior Biologist
March 21, 1951 Wildlife Restoration Division
-44-
STATE Mo ntana
PROJECT 35-R
DATE: April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
Gallatin Management Unit
Ground and aerial census of most important game ranges was accomplished
during this quarter. Aircraft census was found to be most economical and
accurate ,
Summary o f Big Game Census
Area Elk Counted
Blacktail Area 906
Madison (East Side) 420
Fleecer - High Rye 432
Upper Big Hole 271
Ruby River 85
Total 2,114
Area Moo se Counted
Big Hole 216
Area Mule Deer Counted
Ruby River 1470
Scudder Creek 400 (est,)
McKay • 336
Total
2, 206
STATE Montana
PROJECT 35-R
DATE April 15, 1951
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
Fo r
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: Gallatin Management Unit
2. Personnel: J. E. Gaab , Biologist
Norman Wortrpan, Fieldman
3. Report of Progress: ' ' ,
Field activity consisted primarily of big game census work by air and
ground on the several sub-units in the area.
Search for ear-tagged calves continued in the Gallatin with considerable
success ,
Reproductive tracts, fetuses and lower jaws were examined or collected
from about 1,000 elk. These data will be analyzed as soon as possible.
Assistance was given in acquisition areas of the Gallatin and Madison.
Individual area reports follow.
-45-
BLACKTAIL AERIAL ELK CENSUS
AND
GRAVELLY -SNOWC REST MOUNTAINS ELK HERD RELATIONSHIP
DATE:
February 20-22, 1951
PERSONNEL:
Ray Austin, Pilot
Joe E. Gaab, Biologist
PURPOSE:
To make a total population census of the elk wintering w ithin the
Blacktail Creek Drainage and adjacent areas.
PROCEDURE:
Complete coverage of the area was made after a fresh snow, in the
state-owned Piper Super Cub 105 airplane.
lo Three hours and fifty-five minutes were required to make complete
coverage of the area.
2. Elk were grouped and it was cold enough that they remained in the
open during the day. A fresh snow made it quite easy to accomplish an accur-
ate census,
3, Pictures were taken from the air of bands not easily counted while
circling in the air. The pictures were enlarged and the elk pinpointed, thus
providing a check on individual band numbers.
4, Total elk counted are given in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Blacktail elk census.
FINDINGS:
No, of Elk
Lo catio n
105
94
110
2
21
28
6
40
Hogback Mountain Slope
Jakie Creek
Smallhorn Creek
Clarks Canyon
Cottonwood Creek
Head of West Fork of Blacktail Creek
Teddy Creek
Lower Fork of Blacktail Creek
-46-
Table L Blacktail elk census (continued).
HISTORY:
No, of Elk Location
21 In 4 groups on Lower Fork
32 Lower Fork
64 - East Fork Mouth of Indian Creek
43 East Fork below the Mouth of the Canyon
214 East Fork below the Mouth of the Canyon
126 East Fork below the Mouth of the Canyon
906 Total Elk Herd
5. Wintering conditions as could be observed from the air:
The snowfall to date has been below normalo The elk were at
high elevations and not impeded in any way by snow.
1949 Harvest Blacktail Area ' 600
March 1950 Aerial Census in Blacktail Creek 1322
April 1950 Aerial Census in the Ruby River 159
Auril 1950 Aerial Census in the Gravelly Range 182
Total elk wintering between the Madison and
Beaverhead Rivers in 1949-1950 1,663
1950 Harvest in Blacktail Area 491
1950 Harvest in Ruby River 476
1950 Harvest on West Side of Madison River 96
Total Elk Harvest between the Madison and
Beaverhead Rivers - 1950 1,063
1951 Aerial Census in the Blacktail Area 906
1951 Aerial Census in the Ruby River 85
*1951 Aerial Census in the West Side of the
Madison River 80
Total elk wintering between the Madison and the
Beaverhead Rivers in 1950-1951 1,071
CONCLUSIONS:
1, By calculating twenty-eight per cent calf crop (equal to 22 minus
per cent annual increase) of the 1,663 elk or 465 calves, a huntable herd of
2,128 animals is indicated„ After a harvest of 1,063 an arithmetical herd
indicates that there should be 1,065 animals during the winter of 1950-51.
By aerial count and ground observations 1,071 elk are accounted for.
Tf'orty-two elk were counted in the Elk Lake area and thirty-two were
counted in the West Fork of the Madison River that had been undiscovered in
previous years and therefore not included in the above calculations,
♦Estimated from ground observations.
™47.
2. The Blacktail Creek, Ruby and Madison River elk will have to be con-
sidered one herd as intermingling occurs and prominent migrations take place.
3. To accomplish desired harvests, seasons will have to be set late
and only a portion of the area opened. The accessibility of this range nec-
essitates these restrictions.
RECOM^rENDATIONS;
1, An either-sex elk season within the Blacktail Creek Drainage for
one day, preferably November 15th.
2. Aerial observations be made intermittently from November 1st until
migrations have occurred from the Madison River Drainage to Blacktail Creek
Drainage.
-48-
EAST SIDE MADISON RIVER AERIAL ELK CENSUS
DATE: c^-or .-i-^. r'"
March 24, 1951 ..i ■ . , .. ^ ,. .
PERSONNEL r , . . , .,4. ....,.„ , r-'"- • -^^ ^ ^. ^ ■
Charles Manley, Pilot
I. L. Todd, Deputy Game Warden, Ennis
Joe E. Gaab , Biologist -
PURPOSE:
To determine the number of elk wintering within this area and to
approximate the number of elk that migrated during January from the Gallatin
to the Madison.
PROCEDURE:
A 170 Cessna airplane was used and early morning coverage was made.
FINDINGS:
Table No . 1
Location No. of Elk
Bear Creek to Mill Creek 247
Jourdain Creek 20
Cedar Creek ■ 9
Mill Creek 25
South Indian Creek 42
Wolf Creek 52
Squaw Creek 25
Total 420
CONCLUSIONS:
1, Thirty-seven native elk were counted in the vicinity of Bear Creek
last year when it was known that there was not any migration from the Gallatin.
It would be reasonable then to conclude that probably 200 to 220 elk migrated
in January from the Gallatin into the Madison this winter.
2, From ground observations the only interef erence with private property
to date is the use of some private range. The season has been mild and the
elk have not caused damage to haystacks.
-49-
KECOI^NDATIONS: . .. , . . „ : i^-:"^ '
1. The east side of the Madison River to be open to either sex elk dur-
ing; the regular season, October 15 to November 15, 1951,
2. An investigation be made into the possibility and feasibility of an
elk range acquisition from Bear Creek to Tollman Creek. Also the necessity
for a three and one-half mile elk-proof fence in the same locality to protect
private property.
-50-
FIRST FLEECER MOUNTAIN-HIGH RYE AERIAL ELK CENSUS
DATE:
February 19 and February 23, 1951 ' }.:.yy-<^ff;n-\ - ,.r
PERSONNEL?
Ray Austin, Pilot ' , :
Joe E. Gaab, Biologist ^vo*; .' v^;:!^-t„i ; ■:iyii
PURPOSE: , ' "
The area shown on the 1950-51 hunter map as area No, 37 was opened
last season for the first time to branch antlered bulls from October 15 to
October 17, 1950, both dates inclusive. That action was taken following a
range inspection ride during April, 1950. This aerial census was made to
locate wintering areas and total population.
PROCEDURE:
The state-owned Piper Super Cub 105 airplane was used to make both
flights over the area for a total of three hours and thirty minutes. Two
flights were necessary because of air turbulence during the first flight.
FINDINGS:
1, Table 1 shows the location and number of elk counted.
Table 1.
Location of Elk
No. of Elk
Charcoal Basin
110
Morton Creek
92
Morton Creek
45
German Gulch
7
Lower Beefstraight Creek
4
Beef*t^aight Creek
10
Beaver Creek
22
Gregson Creek
6
Willow Creek
17
Total Elk
313
2. Twenty-two elk were counted in Cattle and Trusty Gulches west of
Vipond Park.
3. Wintering conditions were excellent.
4. Elk were in the vicinity of salt grounds established by the National
Forest to obtain distribution.
-51-
CONCLUSIONS:
1. This census was not considered too successful as ground and air
conditions weren't to the best advantage,
2. Evidence observed from previous inspections and information gained
from local laymen indicate that this herd of elk are preyed upon quite heavily
by poachers.
RECOMMENDATIONS;
That another aerial coverage be made when better censusing conditions
can be had.
-52-
SECOND FLEECER MOUNTAIN-HIGH RYE AERIAL ELK CENSUS
DATE? _ - . , . , , ^
March 21, 1951 ■ '
PERSONNEL: • . r I--:, ',1^^. \, ..vrr'- ,^ Vl''-...'.Z~''y,i'hl^'.':y^^^ ......
Charles Manley, Pilot, Yellowstone Scenic Airways
Forest Ranger Williams, Deerlodge National Forest
Joe E, Gaab, Biologist
PURPOSE;
This second coverage was made to get a more accurate elk census.
PROCEDURE:
A 170 Cessna plane was used. The Butte Airport was used as a base so
that earlier morning coverage could be made, A fresh snow was to advantage.
FINDINGS:
1. Table 1 shows the location of elk and number counted.
Table 1.
Location of Elk
No. of Elk
Willow Creek
71
Horton Creek-High Rye Area
186 "
Fleecer Mountain Ranger Station
8
Sunday Gulch
25
Charcoal Basin
142
Total Elk Herd
432
2, Jerry Creek was covered during the flight but no elk were observed
and no sign indicated that there were elk present.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. This flight proved most successful.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That areas No. 35 and 37 on the 1950-51 hunter map be consolidated
into one with the following description: Beginning at the confluence of
Jerry Creek with the Bighole River, thence up Jerry Creek, thence up Flume
Creek to Burnt Mountain, thence in a westerly and northerly direction along
-53-
the Continental Divide to the Mill Creek-Deep Creek road, thence along the
Mill Creek road to its junction with Highway 10-A, thence in a southeasterly
direction to the junction of Highway 10-A and 10-S to Rocker, Montana, thence
south along Highway No. 91 to Divide, Montana, thence in a westerly direction
up the Big Hole River to the point of beginning.
2, The above described area open to the harvest of branch antlered bulls
from October 15 until the proposed 100 either sex season closes in the Upper
Big Hole or to close November 15th.
-54-
UPPER BIG HOLE RIVER AERIAL ELK CENSUS
DATE:
March 23, 1951
PERSONNEL;
Charles Manley, Pilot
Bill Schultz, Deputy Game Warden .noa^e'^ -r^
Joe E. Gaab , Biologist :^ ''io .in. yr'.n? ' .^vr-'-u'v.r s :^,ss:H^
PURPOSE:
To make complete coverage of the area considered as Big Hole Elk
wintering habitat.
PROCEDURE:
A 170 Cessna airplane was used. Break of day coverage after a fresh
snow and without turbulence facilitated desired condition.
FINDINGS:
Table 1.
Location of Elk No. of Elk
Southwest of Divide, Montana 14
Canyon Creek 22
East of Lower Quartz Hill Gulch 59
Warm Spring Creek 27
Steel Creek 7
Squaw Creek 33
Toomey Creek 11
Pony Creek 22
Stanley Creek 7
Bear Creek 6
Bryant Creek 5
Wise River 13
Pintlar Creek 24
Total Elk 250
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The 432 elk counted in the Fleecer Mountain-High Rye plus the 250
counted during this coverage makes up a total of 682 in the Big Hole Elk Herd.
2. To protect antlerless elk from being harvested in excess, the season
-55-
must remain early in the Upper Big Hole River where the elk will be dispersed
and checking stations can be so placed to most accurately determine the har-
vest.
3. A continued branch-antlered bull season following an either-sex sea-
son is still necessary to drift elk away from unprotected haystacks and allev- '
iate private property damage.
RECOMMENDATIONS :
1. That areas No » 34 and 36 on the 1950-51 hunter map remain the same
for the 1951-52 hunting season.
2. That a two-man crew consisting of one Wildlife Restoration Fieldman
and one special Deputy Game Warden be equipped with a horse outfit to accom-
- plish a two-fold purpose; namely, additional law enforcement, and the location
of elk during the hunting season and the effect of hunter activity on elk
migrations ...
-56-
RUBY RIVER AERIAL ELK CENSUS
DATE:
March 20, 1951 ' ^"'''''"^ * ^ ''-^
PERSONNEL:
Charles Manley, Pilot
William Do.rris, Deputy Game Warden, Twin Bridges
I. L. Todd, Deputy Game Warden, Ennis
Joe E. Gaab, Biologist
PURPOSE: ' ■ ■ ; ,
To accomplish a complete coverage of the Ruby River Drainage to deter-
mine the number of elk wintering there..
PROCEDURE: '
A 170 Cessna airplane was used.
FINDINGS:
1, Eighty-five elk were counted:
Warm Spring Creek 78
Cottonwood Creek 4
Clovis Gulch 3
Total 85
2, Last year (1950) one hundred and fifty-nine elk were counted within
the Ruby River Drainage:
Idaho Creek 12
N. Fork Warm Spring Cr. 2
Middle Fork of Warm
Spring Creek 15
S. Fork Warm Spring Cr. 8
Short Creek 14
East Cottonwood Creek 22
Tributary Creek 86
Total 159
3, A heavy harvest of these native elk and also on Blacktail Creek elk
migrating from the Gravelly range was accomplished during a three-day either-
sex season, October 15 through October 17, 1950.
-57-
4. Elk were expected on Idaho Creek, but were not observed during this
flight.
RECOMMTrNDATIONS:
. , 1, Closed elk season on the Ruby River Drainage.
-58-
BIG HOLE RIVER AERIAL MOOSE CENSUS
DATE:
fl'ebruary 19-20, 1951
PERSONNEL:
Ray Austin, Pilot
Joe E. Haab, Biologist
PURPOSE:
Several attempts have been made, from the ground, to census the moose
in the Big Hole Basin, an area of roughly 3,000 square miles. For several
years haystack damage claims have been sent to the main office. For a number
of years there have been special permits on twenty mature bulls. This sea-
son has been set conservatively awaiting a census method that would indicate
an inventory. On February 1, 1951, a preliminary flight was made to count
the moose causing damage at the Tom Schultz Ranch and determine whether or
not an aerial census would be feasible. During the investigation it was de-
cided to cover the entire area for the very necessary census.
PROCEDURE: ' -.j. , , . J - ■ :■< ^ , /■ 4 ^
1. The areas counted were just the willow bottoms.
2. Narrow sparse bottoms were flown at about 200 feet until either a
moose was spotted or sign was observed. That immediate area was then flown
at just above willow height and then back at about 200 feet again. Moose,
particularly calves, lying down under brush were spooked up and on their feet
and easily counted. ■ ■ " ■ " - -'- -^'^ •. '
3. Narrow dense bottoms were flown at just above willow height and back
at about 200 feet.
4. All wide willow bottoms were flown about 50 feet above the willows
in strips of about 200 yards.
5. The state-owned Piper Super Cub 105 was flown a total of eight hours.
FINDINGS:
1. Two hundred and sixteen moose were counted within the Big Hole River
Drainage above the confluence of the Wise River.
2. Sexing at this time of year is impossible; however, if it is found
later that the moose move into the willow bottoms when the males still have
their antlers, sexing could be accomplished.
3. Ey spending more time to determine calves, the herd's annual increase
-59-
could be determined,
4b Observers felt that two-thirds of the moose were inhabiting the
willow bottoms. The remaining population being at higher elevations in iso-
lated areas of alpine fir and Engelmann spruce.
CONCLITSIONS:
1, This method of counting proved very satisfactory in this area, A
definite trend year after year can be established by using this method if
two-thirds of the total population is used consistently and the number of
special mature bull permits remain constant in the same defined area,
2» The total moose population for the entire Big Hole River Drainage
above the confluence of Wise River is about three hundred and twenty-four.
3. Using an annual increase of 20 per cent the herd will reproduce 32
males each year, ■ ' r
4. If the herd is to be kept static a harvest of 20 bulls should hold
the population constant. Leaving 12 males out of each year's calf crou should
provide adequate breeding stocks
RECOMMENDATIONS ; r-r^:
lo A future moose harvest of 20 mature bulls in the same defined area
as the 1950 season.
2o An annual census be made by the same method until sex ratio and
annual increase figures are established,
3, To relieve damage to haystacks, a program at building permanent
panels for ranchers that receive damage would perpetuate a herd of three hun-
dred and fifty to four hundred moosOo Three years fencing of ten haystacks
would practically solve all interf erence „
-60-
SCUDDER CREEK MULE DEER RANGE INVESTIGATION
DATE:
February 20, 1951 - March 17, 1951
PERSONNEL t T, .^J, , T " '
Ray Austin, Pilot , .. , ,
Orville Lewis, Deputy Game Warden, Dillon
J. E. Gaab, Biologist . / \,
PURPOSE: '
Previous investigations have indicated that there would be excessive
forage use if deer persistently concentrated in this relatively small area..
These investigations were made to determine the distribution of deer this
winter,
LOCATION?
Scudder Creek is a tributary to Grasshopper Creek, North of Bannack,
Montana in Beaverhead County.
PROCEDURE: ^ ' "
An aerial inspection was made February 20, incidental to the Big Hole
moose survey, to determine the concentration at that time. On March 17 an
inspection was made on foot to estimate the deer population and to determine
forage utilization.
FINDINGS:
A, February 20, 1951
1„ The aerial inspection easily gave the observers an indication
of a heavy concentration of deer and that a ground inspection was nec-
essary.
B. March 17, 1951
1. Four hundred deer is a conservative estimate of the number of
deer in the critical area.
2. Utilization on the two predominant forage species, namely:
Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus parvitolius) and juniper ( Juniperus
scopulorum) is excessive,
3. Condition of the deer is poor. With few exceptions all of the
deer appear emaciated and have dull pelage. Selection of food is
limited. Domestic sheep use the area in early spring and late fall.
61-
therefore competition is expected^ A quite heavy loss of deer can be
expected this spring unless most favorable weather conditions are had,
CONCLUSIONS?
1. Recommendations for a reduction of either sex of deer was not made
last year due to lack of information concerning the distribution of the deer
into adjacent areas when the forage became low. The present winter is open in
this area and the mobility of the deer is not restricted. Although a very
high per cent of available forage has been taken, the deer do not move into
the adjacent areas, ....
2, Without having made observations in the area at the time when domes-
tic sheep are ranging there, little should be said about the competition be-
tween winter deer use and early spring and late fall domestic sheep use.
However, before a clear picture of forage utilization can be made, further
investigations will be necessary,
3e Range use is excessive and heavy winter losses of deer are contem-
plated. Therefore the following recommendations are necessary.
RECOMMENDATIONS t
1. Following the regular 1951 deer season an either-sex season to
harvest an additional two hundred deer is recommended. To the best advantage,
that can be most effectively accomplished by issuing weekly 50 special permits
valid for one week, and continuing for four weeks, between Farley and Dyce
Creeks ,
2, Investigations should be made when the domestic sheep are ranging
in the area,
3o Weights and measurements should be made and lower jaws collected
during the special season for comparative information with those made and
collected from herds in different environments.
-62"
MacKAY RANCH MULE DEER CENSUS
DATE?
February 12, 1951
AREA:
Described as MacKay Ranch special antlerless deer season (1950) between
the East and West Rosebud Rivers in Stillwater and Carbon Counties.
PURPOSE:
To determine total deer population and haystack damage,
PROCEDURE:
A 140-Cessna airplane was chartered at Livingston, Montana. Total
flight time was two hourSo Ideal conditions were advantageous, fresh snow and
no wind. Deer in cover were flushed and counted,
FINDINGS:
lo Three hundred and thirty-six deer were counted,
2. Some damage on one haystack.
3. Two golden eagles seen on deer carcasses,
4. Ranch personnel have counted eight dead deer lost as cripples since
the 1950 hunt,
5o Wintering conditions were excellent.
6, Some buck deer seen with antlers.
-63-
RUBY RIVER MULE DEER im^ESTIGATION
PATE:
March 20 - 26, 1951
PERSONNEL?
Frank Gummer, Field Assistant
Maurice Wesen, Field Assistant
Jim Reed, Field Assistant • ' ■
Norman Wortman, Field Assistant . : :
William Dorris, Deputy Game Warden
Joe E, Gaab , Biologist
PURPOSE: /
The last census of mule deer in this area was made in March of 1949.
During the winter of 1949-1950 counting conditions were not favorable. After
continuous either-sex seasons a count was necessary to determine the trend in
the total population. - . . , . „ . ... . , . ,. .
PROCEDURE; ' . . [ - - : ■
The concentration area has been broken into five units and these units
counted consistently in the same manner. Men on foot flushing and sweeping
each unit in the later hours of daylight being careful not to duplicate any
animals to acquire a total census of the unit was the manner in which this
count was conducted. The Vigilante Ranger Station was used as a headquarters
during this inspection,
FINDINGS:
Table 1,
Mule
deer census
•
Mature
Fawns
Unci as si f ied
Total
Unit No,
1
5
2
48
55
Unit No .
2
116
50
260
426
Unit No.
3
150
60
318
528
Unit No .
4
39
16
, 119
174
Unit No.
5
73
40
174
287
Total
383
168
919
1470
-64-
Table 2„ Nule deer census (March, 1949)
Unit_ No
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Number Counted
47
350
1550
32
280
2,259
Table 3.
Year of Mule Deer Census
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
No o Counted
1724
2104
2259
1470
Table 4,
Total Harvest in 1948
Total Harvest in 1949
Total Harvest in 1950
653
582
5 66
1„ Table No. 1 and 2 indicate that sample counting must include quite a
large territory to locate shifting co ncentratio ns »
2, The population trend is toward reduction,
3„ Counting conditions were not most desirable, however adequate. Cover-
age was made by extending the upper limits of each unit to include all of the
area inhabited by the deer,
4„ Browse use throughout these units has been excessive in past years and
still is, in some areas. Two mild winters plus a reduction in the deer popula-
tion has reduced over-grazing in some areaSo The general browse utilization
picture, however, is still to excess and would be much more so in a tough winter,
5. Four deer carcasses were observed, the kills attributed to coyotes „
One animal harbored an excessive number of larvae of the deer nose botfly.
6, Three buck deer were observed still carrying antlers.
= 65
J^ONCLUSIONS;
1, The either-sex seasons in the past are having effect in reducing
Dopulations a,nd lessening forage utilization.
2. A speedier reduction in population would be desirable. Weather con-
ditions allowed only 376 antlerless deer to be harvested when 500 were to be
allowed during a month's open season, October 15 through November 15, last year.
The summer dispersal of deer is quite extensive and during open falls such as
last year's, only the most ardent hunters are successful, such as it should be.
During an average season a reduction of 500 antlerless deer could probably be
haa without extending the time.
3« At present the competition between domestic stock, primarily sheep,
and deer has not been determined on this range. To properly administer this
range, this information would be of pertinent value.
RECOMMENDATIONS;
That 500 antlerless deer be harvested during the 1951 hunting season
in addition to the antlered deer taken during the regular season, October 15
through November 15, in the same described area as indicated on the 1950-51
hunter map as Area No. 3, Madison County.
That browse utilization studies be made to determine competition between
domestic sheeD and mule deer.
-66-
STATE
Mo ntana
PROJECT
38-R
DATE
April lb, 1951
ABSTRACT
Upland Game Bird Survey and Investigation
1. Pheasant aging and hatching date studies.
On the opening day of the 1950 pheasant season, the Flathead checking
station intercepted 1,530 cocks of which a semi-selective sample of 167 birds
were aged by using the Kimball age gauge method and the depth of the bursa
of Fabricius. The age gauge was 94 per cent accurate with the greatest error
found in aging adult and large immature birds. Nine hundred and sixty-seven
imm.ature cocks from the Flathead Valley, 78 from the Bitterroot Valley and 76
from the Fairfield Bench were aged to the nearest week by primary wing feather
development, indicating that the peak of the hatch occurred in mid-June in
the Flathead and Bitterroot Valleys, and in early July in the Fairfield Bench
area with some late hatching occurring in August and September. Ninety-five
known age Flathead Valley juveniles weighed an average of 2.53 pounds; most
birds over 15 weeks had gained the bulk of their expected body weight.
2. Survival study of game farm pheasants.
Nine hundred and ninety-five game farm cock pheasants of four age class-
es were banded, weighed and released in typical Bitterroot Valley pheasant
habitat. To date 286, or approximately 29 per cent of these birds have been
accounted for: Ninety were found dead prior to the hunting season; 179 were
shot by hunters; and 17 were live-trapped after January 1, 1951. Recommenda-
tions are: No releases of less than 10-week old pheasants; presence of dis-
ease in game farm birds should be determined prior to release and sick or
weak birds should not be released among wild populations; vegetative cover
should be provided in game farm pens and runways; and future studies should
be conducted in areas where more rigid contacts can be exerted.
STATE
Montana
PRO JECT
38-R
DATE
April 15, 1950
QUARTE.RLY PROGRESS REPORT
For
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: Upland Game Bird Survey and Investigation
2. Project Personnel: Wm. R. Bergeson, Game Bird Biologist
Robert J. Greene, Assistant Game Bird Biologist
Fred L. Hartkorn, Field Biologist
3. Report of Progress:
Survival of Game Farm Pheasants Released in the
The chief purpose of this project is to determine optimum age at which
game farm pheasants may be released for maximum survival. Nine hundred ninety-
five game farm cock pheasants of four age classes were banded, weighed and
released simultaneously in typical pheasant habitat in the Bitterroot Valley.
By November 5, a total of 90 had been found dead mainly in the youngest age
and lightest weight groups. By January 1, 1951 a total of 123 bands had been
returned by hunters. The older, heavier birds werfe bagged in largest propor-
tions. Details of this aspect of the study were reported in the Montana
Quarterly Reports of July - September and October - December, 1950. (Also
note Tables 1, 2 and 3).
Bitterroot Valley
DATE:
January, February, and March, 1951
INTRODUCTION AND PAST PROGRESS:
QUARTERLY PROGRESS:
-67-
Pro cedur e :
Pheasants were live-trapped whenever adverse weather made trapping pro-
fitable, which was limited to 12 days. Portable steel frame 4' x 4' x 2'
traps were used with barley as bait.
Results^
A total of 91 pheasants were trapped, within a three-mile radius of the
point of release. Of these, 54 were henSj, 20 unhanded cocks and 17 banded
cocks. Of the banded birds, 4 were from the 12=week old group, 8 from the 11-
week group, 5 from the 9=week old group and none from the 8=week old group.
By weight classes, 7 per cent of the 28=-36 oZo group were trapped, 4 per cent
of the 23-27 oz, group, 1 per cent of the 18 = 22 oz<, group, 1 bird in the 13-
17 oz, class and no birds from the 6-12 oz. class, (NoteTables 1 and 2),
Farm operators in the vicinity report seeing about the same number of
cock pheasants this winter as they noted the past several winters, which in-
dicates there are probably not many of the cocks released in that area still
present. This was substantiated by the fact that more wild cocks than banded
cocks were caught in the area.
During January, 16 additional bands were recovered from hunters who
reported bagging the birds during the season in November, but forgot to mail
them in sooner. These band numbers are included in the birds shot column of
Tables 1 and 2,
DISCUSSION Am PRESENT CONCLUSIONS;
In light of the fact that the primary purpose of this study was to
provide information regarding game farm birds that would increase the effic-
iency and general value of the game farm program, let us appaise present
findings with a view toward possible application in the 1951 season.
Although it would be desirable to have accounted for a larger per cent
of the birds released, the data we do have represent a good sample of each
group as shown in Table 1, columns 9 and 10 which shows that 30 per cent of
two age groups and 28 per cent of the other two age groups are accounted for.
Based on present data it indicated that birds in the youngest age class
8-week old birds, and lightest weight class, 6-12 oz,, survived in lowest
proportion of the birds released, as these groups were found dead in greatest
percentage, and recovered by hunters and live-trapping in lowest percentage of
all groups (NoteTables 1 and 2),
By age class, 20 per cent of the 8-week olds were found dead, compared
to only 6 per cent of the 9-week olds, and 5 per cent for each of the 11 and
12-week groups. By weight class, 23 per cent of the 6-12 oz, class were
found dead compared with 12 per cent of the 13-17 oz, class, and 6, 4, and 2
per cent respectively for the 18-22, 23-27, and 28-36 oz, classes. On the
other hand, only 9 per cent of the 8-week class were reported shot and none
were trapped, while 19 per cent of the 9-week, and 22 per cent of each of the
11 and 12-veek groups were reported shot. Also, 2 per cent of the 9-week
-68-
class, 2 per cent of the 11-week class and 3 per cent of the 12-week class
were live-trapped. The same trend was observed by weight groups, „,.. , r
Inversely, findings to date indicate that the older, 11 and 12 -week, ,
or heavier, 23-36 oz,, classes of birds survived in greatest proportion, as a
lower percentage of these weight and age classes was found dead and a higher
percentage was reported shot or live-trapped than the younger, lighter class-
es. Note Tables 1 and 2. Considering birds reported shot and live-trapped as
surviving to the opening of the hunting season, it is indicated that in pro-
portion to weight groups, at least 7 per cent of the 6-12 oz. group survived,
15 per cent of the 13-17 oz. group, 23 per cent of the 18-22 oz. group, and
27 per cent of each of the 23-27 and 28-36 oz. groups survived.
Part of the 8-week old class, 136 birds, were from pens with dense cover
and part, 114 birds, were from pens with little or no cover. The birds from
pens with dense cover apparently survived better than birds from pens with a
lack of cover. Only 12 per cent of the birds from pens with cover were found
dead compared t o 30 per cent of those from pens lacking cover. Hunters re-
ported shooting 11 per cent of the birds from cover and 7 per cent from pens
without cover.
Dead pheasants found were autopsied and some were found to have ulcer-
ative enteritis, others were anemic, and some showed lack of vitamin A in
the diet by excess urate deposits in the kidneys. In that ulcerative enter-
itis is a communicable disease, it would seem wise to stop releasing birds
with this disease to keeD it from spreading to the wild pheasant population
and dead birds found at the game farms should be autopsied to determine pre-
sence of disease.
To date, 29 per cent of the released birds have been accounted for.
Where are or what happened to the other 71 per cent? Based on several in-
stances where people living near the release site reported that their dogs
had brought home dead banded pheasants from which the bands were lost subse-
quently, it would seem reasonable to assume that many pheasants died that were
not found or reported found. Probably illegal kill accounted for a few. It
is doubtful that all hunters who bagged banded pheasants turned in the bands.
Some banded cocks are still alive as evidenced by trapping returns; however,
in past studies less than one per cent of the banded birds were reported killed
by hunters the second hunting season after release,
SUMMARY :
A total of 995 male pheasants of four age groups were banded, weighed,
and released in typical pheasant habitat in the Bitterroot Valley on August
25, 1950, in an effort to determine optimum age for release of game farm
pheasants .
The birds were under observation in the field the month following re-
lease and occasional observation thereafter. From time of release to the open-
ing of the hunting season, 90 of the banded birds were found dead, of which
most were from the youngest and lightest groups. Details of this iDhase of the
study were reported in Montana's P-R Quarterly for the period July - September
and October - December,
-69-
To date, 179 banded birds have been reported shot. By age class the
11 and 12-week old birds were recovered in greatest number; 22 per cent of
these two groups being reported shot, compared to 19 per cent of the 9-week
old group and 9 per cent of the 8-week old class. By weight, 21 per cent of
the 28-36 oz. group, 23 per cent of the 23-27 oz. group, 21 per cent of the
18-22 oZo group, 14 per cent of the 13-17 oz. group, and 7 per cent of the
6-12 oz, group have been reported shot.
A total of 91 pheasants were trapped near the release site of which
17 were banded cocks. By age, 5 of these cocks were 9 weeks old, 8 were 11
weeks old^ and 4 were 12 weeks old at time of release. They had all weighed
over 16 oz. at time of release. None of the 8-week old birds or birds from
the lightest weight class were recovered.
To date, 286 or approximately 29 per cent of the released birds have
been accounted for; 90 were found dead, 179 were reported shot, and 17 were
live-trapped after January 1st.
Future plans are to make occasional field checks of release area and
check hunters in that area during the 1951 pheasant season in an effort to
account for more of the banded cocks.
RECOMMENDATIONS;
Based on findings to date, it is recommended that?
1, Game farm pheasants be held until at least 10 weeks of age to obtain
best survival.
2. Sick or weak appearing birds should not be released in order to
minimize the possibility of spreading disease to wild pheasant populations;
further, an effort should be made to determine presence of diseases in game
farm birds prior to release.
3. Vegetative cover be provided in holding pens and runways at the
game farms.
4. Future projects of this type should be conducted in an area where
more positive control over hunters and hunting is possible in order to insure
maximum return of bands.
Submitted by:
Fred L. Hartkorn, Field Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
March 23, 1951
-70
Table 1. Recovery of hatchery-raised pheasants released in the Bitterroot
Valley by age class.
Age Class
Number
Birds
Class
Number
in Found
Dead
/o
Found
Dead
No.
Shot
t
Shot
Total
Number % Acctd
Trapped Trapped For
%
Acctd
For
8 weeks
250
51
20
23
9
0
0 74
30
9 weeks
249
16
6
47
19
5
2 68
28
11 weeks
374
17
5
82
22
8
2 107
28
12 weeks
122
6
5
27
22
4
3 37
30
Totals
995
90
9
179
18
17
2 286
29
■
Table 2.
Recovery of hatchery-raised pheasants
Valley by weight class.
released
in the Bitterroot
Weight
Clas s
No . No .
in Found
Class Dead
i
Found
Dead
No .
Shot
t
Shot
No . t
Trapped Trapped
No. Shot
or
Trapped
t Shot
or
Trapped
6-12 oz.
118
27
23
8
7
0
0
8
7
13-17 oz.
311
36
12
46
14
1
0
47
15
18-22 oz.
299
18
6
64
21
4
1
68
23
23-27 oz.
209
8
4
49
23
8
4
57
27
28-36 oz.
58
1
2
12
21
4
7
16
27
Totals
995
90
9
179
18
17
2
196
20
Table 3. Recovery of pheasants of the same age group but from pens with
cover and pens without co ver--8-week group.
136 released from pens with dense
114 released from pens with little or
CO ver
no cover
17 found dead
34 found dead
\2t found dead
30^ found dead
... 1 5 shot
8 shot
\\t shot
it shot
-71-
1950 PHEASANT HARVEST FINDINGS
DATE:
November 5 to 12, 1950 " "
PERSONNEL;
E. L. Cheatum, Leader, Montana Coop. Wildlife Research Unit • ' '
P. L. Wright, Asst. Leader, Montana Coop. Wildlife Research Unit
Wra. R. Bergeson, Game Bird Biologist ■ " ' ■
Robert Greene, Assistant Game Bird Biologist
Gerald Salinas, Assistant Waterfowl Biologist -.i •
Fred Hartkorn, Field Biologist
John Dudiack, Student, Montana State University
PURPOSE:
1. To determine the accuracy of the Kimball-ring spur length method of
aging pheasants during the hunting season in Montana.
2. To determine the hatching dates of young pheasants in the hunter's
bag .
PROCEDURE:
Pheasant hunter bags were checked at voluntary checking stations located
on the principal roads leading out of the main hunting areas.
Birds were aged by the Kimball spur gauge method, 25/32-inch diameter
metal ring with a slot cut out to slip over the leg of the bird being studied.
If the ring could be passed over the leg and spur when held with the slot at
right angles to the spur, the bird would be considered immature--a bird hatched
in 1950. If the ring would not Dass over the leg and spur when tested as
above, the bird would be considered an adult-~hatched before 1950. As a
check on- this method of aging. Dr. E. L. Cheatum and Dr. P. L. Wright, staff
members of the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Montana State University,
checked 167 birds at the Flathead checking station on November 5, 1950, using
both the Kimball ring method and the depth of the bursa of Fabricius to deter-
mine the age of each bird.
To determine hatching dates of immature cocks checked, the outer sheathed
primary wing feather was measured and the feather length table published by
the South Dakota Game Department was used to obtain the age in weeks of each
bird.
-72-
Ninety-five immature birds that had been aged by wing feather develop-
m_ent were carefully weighed at the Flathead checking station on November 5,
1950.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION;
Age by Spur Length ;
One of the 167 birds aged by both spur lengths and depth of the bursa
of Fabricius, 121 were considered immature and 46 adults, using the Kimball
ring to gauge spur lengths, and based on deuth of the bursa 128 were considered
immature and 39 adult. Of the 121 birds aged as immature by the spur length
method, 120 were found to be immature and 1 adult based on depth of the bursa.
Of the 46 birds aged as adult by use of the spur gauge, 38 were considered
adult and 8 immature by depth of bursa. An effort was made to examine by
both methods all adult and extra large immature birds, but due to excessive
numbers of hunters checked it was not possible to accomplish this to a large
degree. However, the 157 birds checked are considered to be a semi-selective
sample of the 1,530 cocks checked at the Flathead checking station the open-
ing day (Note Table l).
Based on this 167 bird sample, where 9 errors were found in age of
birds based on the spur length in relation to the Kimball ring as checked by
the depth of the bursa of Fabricius, it is indicated that the Kimball ring
method is 94 per cent accurate when applied to Flathead Valley pheasants.
Greatest error would come in aging the adult and large immature birds where
8 of the 46 birds indicated to be adult by use of the Kimball gauge were found
to be immature upon examination of the bursa. This would account for a 17
per cent error in birds judged to be adult. An error of less than one per
cent was noted in the birds considered immature by the Kimball age gauge since
one of the 121 birds aged as immature by the age gauge was found to be adult
by bursa examination. The significance of this error is shown when we consi-
der the adult-immature ratio of pheasants checked out of the Flathead Valley
during the 1950 season, since a ratio of 5,5 immature birds per adult was ob-
served using the spur length age gauge, but when adjustments for error were
made, this ratio would be 6,6 immature cocks per adult.
Determination of Hatching Dates:
In the Flathead Valley a total of 967 immature birds were further
aged by primary wing feather development, (Note Table 2). Based on these
birds it is indicated that the peak of the hatching in 1950 in this area took
place in mid- June o Fifty- nine per cent of the birds were hatched in June,
35 per cent in July, 6 per cent in August, and-<^l per cent in September.
In the Bitterroot Valley a total of 78 immature cocks were aged by
primary wing feather development (note Table 3). Based on the age of these
birds it is indicated that the peak of the hatch occurred in mid-June also and
that 69 per cent of the birds were hatched before July 1, 28 per cent hatched
in July, and 3 per cent hatched in August,
On the Fairfield Bench only first primary wing feathers were collected
with a result that birds younger than 18 weeks could not be aged (note Table
-73-
4), Based on these birds it is indicated that 51 per cent had hatched by-
July 1 and 49 uer cent hatched after that date with the peak of the hatch
probably occurring in early July, . -
It was the opinion of many game workers that the pheasant hatch was
very late in 1950 and based on the age of road kills and birds caught in the
fields, it was indicated that approximately 50 per cent of the birds would not
be old enough to be "colored up" so as to distinguish males from females by
the opening of the hunting season. Therefore, it is the opinion of this ob-
server that true indication of hatching dates for 1950 is not given by the
young cocks checked in hunters' bags because many of the youngest cocks en-
countered in the field were passed by as hens by the hunters. Another suggest-
ed possibility for the absence of very young birds in the hunters' bag is
that they were too young to survive early snowy cold weather which occurred
for a few days in both September and October and had perished before the
hunting season.
Weights;
A total of 95 immature cocks were weighed and their exact age deter-
mined. (Note Table 5). Based on these birds it would seem that the immature
cocks have gained most of their body weight by the time they are 15 weeks
old. The average weight of these birds was found to be 2.53 pounds with
considerable range in weights in each age class, indicating that individual
birds of even the same brood might differ in rate of maturity. Past studies
have shown the average adult cock to weigh about three pounds and the average
immature cock 2,75 pounds at the time of the hunting season in this area.
STTMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:
Of a total of 167 pheasants aged both by means of the spur length age
gauge and depth of the bursa of Fabricius, nine birds were found to be incor-
rectly aged by the spur length, assuming depth of bursa provided correct age.
Eight of 46 birds aged as adult by spur gauge were found to be immature based
on bursa depth. One of 121 birds aged as immature was considered an adult
based on bursa depth (Note Table l).
Based on these findings it is indicated that the 25/32 inch diameter
gauge used at present to age pheasants by spur length is only 94 per cent accur-
ate with a trend to class some immature birds as adult and an occasional adult
as an immature.
Using primary wing feather development to further age the juvenile cocks
to weeks of age, it is indicated that: (l) The peak of the 1950 hatch occurred
in mid-June in the Flathead and Bitterroot Valleys and in early July in the
Fairfield Bench area, (2) Some late hatching occurred in August and September.
(Note Tables 2, 3, and 4).
Based on frequent observations in late August and September of road
killed juveniles and broods that were only two to three weeks old, it is the
opinion of this observer that a true indication of hatching dates is not given
by the juvenile birds checked in the hunters' bag. This could be accounted
for by: (l) Very young cocks not being "colored up" sufficiently for the hunter
-74-
"to identify them as cocks and thus pass them up as hens since hunting was
limited to cocks, or (2) many very late hatched birds perished during cold
snowy weather in September and October and prior to the season.
A total of ninety-five known age juvenile cocks were weighed and it
was found that most birds over 15 weeks old had gained most of their expected
body weight. The average weight of these birds was 2o53 pounds. (Note Table 5),
RECO MMENM TIP NS t - . '- . ', -
Further accuracy checks of the spur length age gauge should be made in
other pheasant producing areas of Montana as well as the Flathead Valley.
Possibilities of modifying the present age gauge diameter to obtain greater
accuracy in aging Montana pheasants should be investigated.
Juvenile pheasants in the hunters' bag should be further aged in future
years to? (l) Gain comparative information regarding the early pheasant
hatchj, (2) provide a check for other nesting studies carried on during the
spring and summer season^ and (3) provide reference information if studies to
determine minimum breeding age are conducted as anticipated.
r. •■ ; : •„ • Submitted by?
Fred Lo Hartkorn, Field Biologist
Wildlife Restoration Division
March 22, 1951
75 =
Table 1, Pheasants aged by spur length and Bursa of Fabricius depth.
Age Based on Kimball Spur Length Gauge Age Based on Bursa Depth
46 Adults
38 Adult, 8 Immature
121 Immature
120 Immature, 1 Adult
Table 2,
Age of juvenil
e pheasants taken
November 5, 1950, in Flathead Valley.
Appro ximate
Percentage
Age m
Hatchin
ig Date
Hatched per
Weeks
Number
(Week Ending)
Weekly Period
22
128
June
10
13^
21
170
June
17
18 L
-, „ r -9/^ Hatched in June
20
151
June
29
It)
19
119
July
1
18
136
July
8
17
65
July
15
g V 3b/o Hatched m July
16
89
July
22
15
51
July
29
14
45
Aug .
5
13
10
Aug„
12
J > 6% Hatched in Aug.
12
1
Aug,
19
11
1
Aug,
26
oJ
10
1
Sept .
2
0 ^1% Hatched in Sept.
Total
967
100
-76-
Table 3, Age of juvenile pheasants taken November 5^ 1950, in Bitterroot Valley,
Approximate Percentage
jri g C -L Li
i_LCt U'WiiJ-Xipi Ij'CAr
Hatched
per
Wp a It *^
/V CJ O Ji. o
y VV O C li. JJJXlvJ. X lip, /
Weekly Period
23
3
June 3
22
15
June 1 0
18 /
21
20
June 17
26 y
69% Hatched in
June
0
June icv
' 1
19
.12 .
July 1
15;
18
10
July 8
12^
17
: 5
July 15
i
16
2
July 22
28^ Hatched in
July
15
4
July 29
14
2
Aug , 5
3
3% Hatched in
August
100
Table 4.
' ■ — -
Age of juvenile
pheasants taken
November 5
, 1950, on Fairfield Bench
Appro ximate
Per centa
ge
Age in
Hatching Date
Hatched per
Weeks
Number
(Week Ending)
Weekly Period
23
2
June 3
22
7
June 10
9 /
21
9
June 17
12 >
51^ Hatched in
June
20
June 24
12 I
19
July 1 -
15 )
18
11
July 8
15
49^ after July
1
-18
After July 9
34
75
100
Table 5. Immature cock pheasant weights.
Age
Number Weighed
Average Weight
14
3
2„04
15
3
2„61
16
4
2o46
17
8
2,46
18
17
2,47
19
13
2,59
20
12
2.61
21
24
2,56
22
11
2, 61
95
2„53
=77 =
STATE Montana
PROJECT
39 -R
DATE
April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations
Waterfowl Season
1, A split season totaling 36 days was chosen by the Montana Fish and
Game Commission for 1950.
3. There was a decrease in hunters checked and also the duck stamp sales
in 1950.
4. The average number of birds bagged per day per hunter increased in
1950.
5. Species composition remained essentially the same during three years
of comparable bag checks.
6. The average number of days in the field, during the first half of the
season for each hunter, decreased in 1950.
7. The total bag of birds during the first half of the 1950 season de-
creased from the 1949 total.
1. One hundred and eighty-three mallards were banded with Federal Fish
and Wildlife Service bands from January 19 to March 10, 1951, No other species
of waterfowl were caught in the trap,
2. Five mallards, representing 6.8 per cent of the ducks banded at the
same location in 1950, were trapped again in 1951, Two mallard drakes that had
been banded in March 1949, at Toston, were retrapped during this operation.
3. Thirty-eight individuals were retrapped a total of 78 times. Forty-
seven per cent of the retrapped ducks repeated twice or more.
2.
The regular voluntary checking stations were again operated.
8. There were fewer juvenile mallards in the bag in 1950 than in 1949.
Waterfowl Banding
4, One hundred and ninety-seven plastic tags were attached to mallards
during the two -mo nth period.
5. The marking experiments utilized four types of plastic tag material.
They were: Window drapes, "koroseal" and two types of table covering material.
6. From the returns on 32 per cent of the tags, 20.6 per cent of the
ducks had retained their tags for one or more weeks.
7. Only one tag, a Type D, remained on at the end of three weeks.
8. Types A and C did not remain attached for even one day on the ducks
retrappedo
9. The 22mm skin clips were apparently too small to hold the tags
securely.
10. Four lost tags were found in the area within 300 yards of the trap.
11. Three tagged ducks were identified during field observations.
12. The tags could be identified at 300 yards with 8-power glasses or
at 75 yards with the unaided eye.
13. The sex ratio of all ducks banded was 300 males to 100 females.
The sex ratio of retrapped ducks was 510 males to 100 females.
14. There were considerable more drakes banded the last half of the pro-
ject than the first half.
STATE Montana
PROJECT 39 -R
DATE April 15, 1951
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
For
SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1, Title of Project: Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations
2, Project Personnel? Wynn G. Freeman, Waterfowl Biologist
Gerald Salinas, Assistant Waterfowl Biologist
3, Report of Progress:
The 1950 Waterfowl Harvest in Montana
A split season totaling 36 days was chosen by the Fish and Game Commission
as the 1950 waterfowl hunting season in Montana. The first period began on
October 6 and the second period began on November 17. This season provided the
same number of days for hunting as did the 1949 waterfowl season.
The regular voluntary checking stations were again operated in the same
locations and during the same days of the week. These stations have been run
for three years and are providing good information on the hunting trend. Postal
cards, personal interviews, and additional hunter checks were also used to
better determine hunter success.
The number of hunters checked through our voluntary checking stations
during the 1950 hunting season was 1,909. This was a decrease of 274 from the
number of hunters checked in 1949. The state-wide sale of duck stamps also
showed a decrease from 32,117 in 1949 to 30,858 in 1950.
The average number of birds taken per trip to the field increased from
1,4 in 1949 to 1.9 in 1950 (Table l). This increase was a general increase
throughout the season with the most improvement occurring during the second
half. During the first half of the season, two checking stations showed a
minor decrease of one-tenth bird per hunter per day (Table l).
-78-
The i^reat Falls checking station (Table 2) showed considerable increase
in birds bagged per trip to the field during both halves of the split season.
The 1950 season was considered the best of the three seasons on which we have
comparable data. The storms which occurred during the closing days of the first
half of the season and throughout the second half of the season drove most of
the birds south. However, in compensation, the storms concentrated the remain-
ing birds and this resulted in excellent shooting.
The species composition at Great Falls remained unchanged with mallards
again contributing the greater portion of the bag. During the second half of
the season, mallards made up 97,4 per cent of the total bag. From the number
of band returns, it was determined that we were shooting the resident winter
population. The species again making up the bulk of the bag were mallards,
pintails, baldpates, gadwalls, shovellers, and green-winged teal.
The Flathead checking station (Table 3) also showed an increase in the
number of birds per trip to the field during both halves of the split season.
The 1950 season in this area was considered the best of the three seasons on
which we have comparable data. The species composition of the bag remained
unchanged with mallards, baldpates, green-winged teal, and pintails making up
the bulk of the bag. However, the usual percentage of the bag contributed by
baldpates and green-winged teal was made during the first half of the season
instead of the usual distribution through both halves (Table 3). The inclement
weather drove all but the most hardy birds south at the close of the first half
of the hunting season^
The Bitterroot checking station (Table 4) shows more consistency than
any of the checking stations in the average number of birds per trip to the
field. There was, however, an increase in hunter success in 1950 which was
attributed entirely to the second half of the season. The warm water areas in
the Bitterroot Valley provide an ideal situation for the concentration of birds
when inclement weather freezes other resting areas. The species composition of
the bag remained unchanged with mallards, green-winged teal, baldpates, and
wood ducks making up the greater portion. Mallards again contributed over 90
per cent of the total bag during the second period.
The combined information from all checking stations indicates that the
number of birds per trip to the field has risen from 1.29 birds in 1948 to 1.91
birds per day in 1950 (Table 5). Although this system of checking stations
does not give complete information on the state-wide kill, enough land area or
habitat type is sampled to provide reliable trend information.
There has been considerable variation within the parts of the season as
to how much of the bag was contributed by an individual species. However, year
to year comparisons of the combined total contribution of individual species
varies only slightly (Figure l). This poses the probability that when these
data have been gathered for several hunting seasons, the species composition of
the bag will be known, within specified percentage limits, and yearly bag checks
of these areas for species composition will not be required.
The pheasant season, which was opened between the two halves of the
waterfowl season, again afforded an excellent opportunity to obtain information
CO ncerni'r^.g ":he first half of the waterfowl season. The questions asked of the
= 79-
pheasant hunters were as follows: 1. Did you buy a duck stamp! 2. Did you
hunt ducks or geese during the first half of the season? 3. How many ducks did
you bag? 4. How many times did you go hunting? A comparison of these data with
similar data taken in 1949 (Table 6) shows that although the number of birds
taken per day increased, the average number of days in the field and consequent-
ly the total bag for the first half of the 1950 season was reduced. The gather-
ing of information pertaining to the average number of trips to the field during
the second half of the season has not been completed.
Sex and age ratios on mallards were gathered during the first half of
the season (Table 7) and sex ratios were gathered during the second period. The
sex ratio increased from a 1;1 ratio during the first half of the season to a
ratio of two males to one female during the second period. In all cases, the
ratios indicated fewer juveniles in the bag in 1950 than were in 1949,
The U. S, Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a postal card survey of
waterfowl hunting in Montana for information on the 1950 hunting season. The
results of this survey showed a similar, but exaggerated, picture to that ob-
tained from the checking stations.
There was a 59,5 per cent return on the cards sent out to the hunters.
The number of days the hunter went to the field was calculated as 5.9 for the
season. The number of birds bagged per hunter was 12,8 for the season and the
number of birds bagged per day was 2.2. The postal card information indicated
a larger kill than was indicated by actual bag checks. However, Nelson in Utah,
has demonstrated that the exaggeration that is apparent in a postal card sample
seems to be consistent year after year and the information gained can be utiliz-
ed in following trends. .
-80-
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-85-
Table 6. Information on the first half of the waterfowl hunting season
obtained from hunter interviews.
Area of Check
No . 0 f
Hunters
No . Days
Hunted
Ducks
Killed
Avg. No.
Days Hunted
Ducks/
Day
Ducks /
First Half
Great Falls
238
568
1396
. 2.4
2.4 ;
5.8
Flathead
699
800
1538
- \ Icl
1.9
2.1
Bitterroo t
57
■86
16
: ^-^
0.2 :.i
0.3
Total 1950
994
1,454
2,950
; 1.5
2.0
3.0
Total 1949
417
lp045
1,904
■ 2.5
1.8
4.6
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-88-
WINTER BANDING AND EXPERIMENTAL MARKING OF WATERFOWL
FOR FIELD IDENTIFICATION
INTRODTTCTION: " ' - ; ' ' ■ ^ ^ :
Marking of upland game birds for field identification has been attempted
for a number of years. Taber (1949) used "koroseal" tags with different-colored
numerals, which he attached to the back of the neck of a pheasant with a #2
silver-plated safety pin (Figure l). One piece of the tag hung down on either
side of the neck and could be distinguished at 300 yards with a 20-power tel-
escope .
Figure 1. Taber 's "koroseal"
. , ,^ pheasant tag.
Leopold, Lee, Anderson (1938) and Edminster (1938) and Heydweiller (1935)
used dyed chicken feathers attached to the tail feathers of ruffed grouse and
pheasants. Sowls (1950) tried this method on waterfowl, but the attempts
proved unsuccessful because of the relatively small size of the duck tail fea-
thers which afforded attachment for the dyed chicken feathers.
Trippensee ( 1941 ) used pyralin tags in a number of colors on ruffed grouse
and pheasants. The tags, which were attached to the dorsal side of the tail
feathers, were difficult to see at 800 feet with 8-power glasses. In most
observations, the tags could be clearly distinguished at about 100 feet with
10-power glasses.
Edminster (1938) used nickel-plated catbells on ruffed grouse which could
be distinctly heard at 100 feet» He also used a limited amount of tail feather
clipping, which proved satisfactory, lasting throughout most of the summer.
Sowls (1950) reports that feather imping was attempted at Delta in 1947 but
proved unsatisfactory.
Moffit (1947) applied aniline dyes on sage grouse but stated that "dyes
would probably not be effective on birds without moderately light-colored
pelage . "
Jones (1950) found that pheasants, rolled in a pan of red rhodamine B-
extra and kept overnight to dry before releasing, retained the dye for three
months or more. He stated that, "under favorable light conditions and without
the aid of binoculars, these pheasants were identified accurately from over a
quarter of a mile."
Wadkins (1948) sprayed alcohol and acetate base dyes on pheasants with
a hand spray. Thirty-three per cent alcohol base rhodamine B-extra faded less
and lasted longer than either malachite green, brilliant green or purple batik,
-95-
but all dyes worked sufficiently well for field identification.
Recently Sowls (1950) has conducted marking experiments on waterfowl
in relation to renesting studies. He utilized oil paints, enamels and artists
paints, but found the faster-drying airplane dope paint to be much more conven-
ient and effective for field use. By applying the dope to the dorsal surface
of both the proximal ends of the wings and the tail, he was able to obtain 62
color combinations for each sex of each species using three colors--red, yellow
and Avhite. He states that these markings were visible in flight up to 500
yards with 8-DOwer glasses and lasted about two months.
Salinas (letter) in conducting a similar study at the time of this writ-
ing near Ti'ort Missoula, Montana. He earlier used a ""bow-tie" similar to that
used by Wint in Oklahoma, but abandoned it later for a more durable "necktie"
which he made from red translucent plastic (Figure 2), Four out of 90 mallard
hens, tagged with these ribbons, have been observed in the field a week or more
after tagging. Salinas stated that the tags can be easily seen with the unaided
eye at about 75 yards. ^ ---^ Surgical skin clip fastened
ito both ribbon and skin.
Tag folded
double lor
strength
^ /
High enough to keep the duck ^ ^° "^^^^^^^^^^^X
Stapled
getting bill caught under it
Figure 2 "Necktie" tag used by Salinas
This report covers a research project conducted on the use of plastic
markers on waterfowl for possible application in waterfowl population and nest-
ing studies. The project, under the direction of Wynn G, Freeman, Waterfowl
Biologist for the State of Montana, and under the supervision of Dr. D. C.
Ouimby, Professor of Zoology, Montana State College, was carried out on the
Manhattan Game Preserve near Bozeman, Montana from January 19 to March 10, 191,
Tye type of material and method of attachment used in this project were
patterned after Wint ' s (letter) work with pheasants in Oklahoma, in which he
used tags made out of Montgomery Ward imitation leather plastic upholstery.
The tags (Figure 3), which had numerals heat-sealed on for individual identif-
ication, were attached to the feather tract on the back of the neck with a
22mm, surgical skin clip. One of these tags remained on a pheasant for eight
months.
Figure 3. Wint ' s Pheasant Tag
-9 6-
MATFRIALS:
The four types of plastic material, used in the tagging experiments
are described below?
Type A - A single layer tag of Montgomery Ward Solid yellow window drapes
of 0.07mm. thickness was usede
Type B - Bright yellow plastic table cover material of 0.3mm. thickness
was used with the solid colored side out and the mottled side
in ,
Type C.- A yellow, translucent "koroseal" of 0.09mm. thickness was used.
Both a single-thickness and a three-layered heat-fused tag were
used. "Koroseal" can be purchased at most any larger depart-
ment store.
Type D - Plastic table cover material of 0„28mm, thickness, very similar
to Type B, but more lemon-yellow was used. Both Type B and
D were purchased at the Hart-Albin Department Store in Billings,
Montana. ■
Three different length tags, 3", 5" and 7", were used in the tagging.
The length as stated refers to the total length of the tag (Figure 4), The tags
were patterned after those of Wint ' s (Figure 3), but the numerals were not used
for individual identification. The corners were rounded to prevent tearing or
snagging. The hole for the surgical skin clip was punched with a common ticket
punch.
A 14mm. surgical skin clip was used to attach the tags to the feather
tract on the back of the duck's neck in the manner shown in Figure 5 and 6. A
pair of surgical forceps was used to fasten the clips after they had been in-
serted through the hole. The dimensions of the size tag used most commonly and
the clipping position are shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. (A) Dimensions and (B) Clipping position of the 5" plastic duck tag.
PROCEDURE:
The general study area was surveyed three times weekly. The duck trap
was baited during the first two visits. The banding and tagging was done on the
second and third visits.
The plastic tags were applied by pushing the feathers to one side on the
-97-
track of the neck and lifting the skin up about ^ inch, then fastening the clip
so that the two points met inside the skin and overlapped. The tag was attach-
ed at the level of the white ring on the mallard drake's neck and at a corres-
ponding level on the hen's neck. Mallards were the only species of waterfowl
trapped during the research project.
Retrapped ducks that had lost their tags were retagged and the informa-
tion recorded. Any sign of infection or skin damage that was noticed was also
recordedo All tags and clips still remaining on any ducks were banded with
Federal Fish and Wildlife duck bands at the same time that they were tagged.
As the ducks were released from the trap after banding and tagging, they
were observed with both the naked eye and with 8-power glasses. After all
ducks that were in the trap had been tagged and released, a survey was made in
the general area to determine if any of the ducks just tagged or from previous
taggings could be distinguished. Upon approaching the area and trap each visit,
a check of all ducks flushed was made to observe any marked ducks that might
be present. In addition, two small spring creeks running alongside the road,
usually frequented by scattered pairs and smaller flocks, were carefully
watched from the car each trip. Both of these creeks ran w ithin one mile of
the trap,
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS;
From January 19 to March 11, 1951, one hundred and eighty-three mallards
were banded with Federal Fish and Wildlife bands (Table l). Five mallards,
representing 6.8 per cent of the ducks banded at the same location in 1950,
were trapped again in 1951„ Two mallards, which had both been banded at Toston
in March of 1949, were taken in the trap.
Table lo Ducks banded and retrapped.
No. of indiv- No, of times individual
Total Total ducks iduals re- ducks v>/ere retrapped
Species Banded Retrapped ' trapped 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
30 15 8 1 1 2 1 1
8' 5 2 2
Totals 183 . 76 38 20 10 3 1 2 1 1
The sex ratio of all ducks banded was approximately 300 males to 100
females. The sex ratio showed a definite variation between the earlier and
later periods during the project (Table 2), In the period from January 19 to
February 22^, the sex ratio was approximately 200 drakes to 100 hens. In the
latter period, February 23 to March 10, the sex ratio jumped to 510 males to
100 females. This increase of drakes may have been due to the arrival of early
migrants, a movement in local populations or may possibly be attributed to some
other unknown factor. There was a noticeable increase in the number of ducks
using the preserve as a resting spot during the latter period and several species
pf waterfowl y pintails, baldpates, gadwalls and green-winged teal, were seen
Mallard=drakes 137 64
hens 46 12
-98-
fhat had not been observed during the mid-winter months
Table 2.
Sex ratio
of waterfowl banded
duri ng
specific periods.
To tal
Banded
Species
Sex
Jan, 19 - Feb, 22
Feb.
23 - March 10
Mallard
Male
60
77
Female
31
15
Sex Ratio
194^100
513^100
Thirty-eight individuals were retrapped a total of 78 times. Fifty-two
and six-tenths oer cent of the retrapped ducks repeated once; 26,3 per cent
repeated twice; 7,9 per cent repeated three times; 2o6 per cent repeated four
times; 5,3 per cent repeated f^ve times; and 5.2 per cent repeated six or more
times. One drake was trapped nine of the eleven times the trap was operated.
The sex ratio of retrapped ducks was 550 males to 100 females, considerably .
higher than the over-all sex ratio for the total ducks banded (300 males to
100 females). This may suggest that the mallard drake is more susceptible to
retraiDping than the hen.
One hundred and ninety-seven plastic tags were attached to mallards
during the two-month period. Control tagged ducks were not kept in order to
determine the durability of the different type tags on captive birds.
Returns were obtained on 32 ner cent of the tags attached, but only
20,6 per cent of the ducks retrapped retained their tags for one or more weeks.
One tag, a type D, remained on at the end of three weeks (Table 3),
Table 3. Tagging statistics.
Number of No , o f Length of time tags re-
Tags Number of tags re- mained attached
Type Material Attached Returns maining 1 wk 2 wks 3 or more wks
Type A 3"
1
0
5"
26
10
0
7"
15
7
0
Type B 5"
74
18
6
5
1
Type C 5"
6
3
0
7"
7
2
0
C(3)5"
17
3
0
Type D 5"
51
20
7
6
1
Totals
197
63
13
11
1
1
Types B and D were the only materials used that remained attached for
more than one day. Types A and C were apparently of insufficient strength to
withstand the buffeting during flight, feeding, etc. The type C "koroseal"
-99
was tried with three thicknesses heat-fused together with an iron, but even
then did not last more than one day„ Both Type A and C usually tore away leav-
ing the clip imbedded in the skin of the neck. The heavier Types B and D fre-
quently tore away pulling the clip with theme When either Type B or D tags
were still present on trapped birds, the two halves had inevitably fused together
and lay on one side or the other of the duck's neck, rather than standing up in
their original position as shown in Figures 5 and 6, The cold weather made the
tags, especially Type A, noticeably more brittle and may have had some effect
on the rapid loss.
The 22mm, skin clip proved too small to hold the tag to the skin. All
tags fastened with the 22mm. clips had been lost the next day on all retrapped
ducks „
One skin wound was quite noticeable where a tag had pulled out taking the
clip with it. A few ducks had scars partly or nearly healed when retrapped, but
no sign of the previous tagging could be found on most retraps. As far as
could be determined from retrapped ducks, the surgical skin clips did not cause
any infections or permanent damage, . .
Two tags, one A and one were lost in the trap, possibly due to the ducks
jumping against the top and sticking their necks through the wire in an attempt
to escape. Two other lost tags were recovered in Baker Creek, both v/ithin 300
yards of the duck trap.
In observing the ducks as they were released, all four types of tags
could usually be distinguished at 75 yards with the naked eye. With 8-power
glasses the B and D tags could be distinguished at 250 to 300 yards. Types A
and C were more difficult to make out at greater distances. Recognition was
facilitated if the duck remained flying low contrasted against the darker under-
brush. The tags of all types were difficult to distinguish when the ducks flsA^
up and away from the observer. Sometimes the tags, especially the more flexible
Types A and C, immediately flopped over on one side or the other of the duck's
neck and could not be distinguished at all when the duck was flying away from
the observer. Tags were most readily perceived from a lateral position.
The three-inch tags were discarded immediately after the first one had
been attached because they did not project far enough out from the feathers on
the back of the neck to afford easy identification. The five-inch lengths were
used most commonly for the Type A and 0 tags, and were used exclusively for the
Type B and D tags (Table 3), The seven-inch tags did not seem to be any more
readily identified than the five-inch tags.
Only three tagged mallard drakes were seen in the field during the daily
surveys. One was seen in flight at about 200 ^rards with 8-power glasses, the
other two were seen while the ducks were sitting on the water. One of the
tagged drakes was observed while it was sitting on the water just in front of
the duck trap at a distance of 120 yards with 8-power glasses. The tag appeared
very distinct while the duck was sitting on the water and was noticeable for
another 100 yards after the bird had taken flight. The third drake was observed
on one of the small creeks running alongside the road. The duck was seen from
the car ax about six yards with the naked eye. Its tag was hanging down on one
side of its -.leck and couldn't be seen after the duck flushed because the tag
=.1-00^^
hung down on the side of the neck opposite the observero None of the tags were
identified as to material, but the two tags seen while the ducks were sitting
on the water appeared more like Type B or D because of their rigid appearance.
The large number of ducks using the area as a resting spot during the
last month of the project made field observations difficult. Frequently flocks,
appearing as large as 2,000 birds, were flushed at one time making it impossible
to observe all ducks for tags„
A correlation of trauping success and weather was apparent „ No ducks
were taken in the trap when the ground was free of snow and the weather was warm
or mild. The ducks also hesitated to enter the trap when it was entirely free
from ice which had condensed on the wire during colder temperatures «
SUMMARY;
1 o One hundred and eighty-three mallards were banded with Federal Fish
and Wildlife Service bands from January 19 to March 10, 1951, No other species
of waterfowl were caught in the trap. , ...... . ... ..
2. Five mallards, representing 6o8 per cent of the ducks banded at the
same location in 1950, were trapped again in 1951a Two mallard drakes that
had been banded in March, 1949, at Toston, were retrapped during this operation,
3, Thirty-eight individuals were retrapped a total of 78 times. Forty-
seven per cent of the retrapped ducks repeated twice or morOo
4. One hundred and ninety-seven plastic tags were attached to mallards
during the two -mo nth period,
5. The marking experiments utilized four types of plastic tag material.
They were: Window drapes, "koroseal" and two types of table covering material,
6, ^rom the returns on 32 per cent of the tags, 20,6 per cent of the ducks
had retained their tags for one or more weeks,
7, Only one tag, a Type D, remained on at the end of three weeks.
So Types A and C did not remain attached for even one day on the ducks
retrapped.
9, The 22mra. skin clips were apparently too small to hold the tags secure-
ly.
10, Four lost tags were found in the area within 300 yards of the trap,
11. Three tagged ducks were identified during field observations,
12, The tags could be identified at 300 yards with 8-power glasses or at
75 yards with the unaided eye.
13. The sex ratio of all ducks banded was 300 males to 100 females. The
sex ratio of retrapped ducks was 510 males to 100 females.
-101 -
I
14o There were considerable more drakes banded the last half of the pro-
ject than the first half, . -
. ■■ LITERATURE CITED
Edminster, Frank C ,
1938 The marking of ruffed grouse for field identification. Jr. Wildl.
Mgto 2(2)?55-57
Heydweiller, M,A.
1934 Tail plumes as a means of marking individual birds. Bird Banding
2(l)?Jan. 45-47
Jones, Gardiner F„
1950 Observations of color-dyed pheasants. Jr. Wildl. Mgt. 14(l):81-82
Leopold, Aldo , Orville Lee and Harry Anderson
1938 Wisconsin pheasant movement study, 1930-1937 Jr. Wildl. Mgt.
2(l):3-12
Mo f fit, James
1942 Apparatus for marking wild animals with colored dyes. Jr. Wildl.
mgt. 6(4):312-318
Sowls, L/le K,
1950 Techniques for waterfowl nesting studies. Trans. 15th No. Am,
Wildl, Conf, 478-487
Taber, Richard D»
1949 A new marker for game birds. Jr. Wildl. Mgt. 13( 2) ; 228-231
Trippensee, R. E.
1941 A new type of bird and mammal marker, Jr. Wildl„ Mgt. 5(l):120-124
VfadkinSj, L. A.
1948 Dyeing birds for identification. Jr. Wildl. Mgt. 12( 4) : 388-391
Submitted by:
Richard Smith, Student Assistant
Wildlife Restoration Division
"102-
Figure 5. Tagging mallard drakes
Figure 6. Tagging mallard hens
STATE
Mo ntana
PROJECT
5-D
DATE
April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
General Wildlife Restocking
During the quarter, 310 antelope were trapped and released in good condi-
tion. Two hundred and fifty were captured in Yellowstone Park and 60 were
trapped near Roundup.
Project personnel were employed during the major portion of this quarter
on elk trapping and were paid accordingly out of non-P.R. funds.
STATE
Mo ntana
PROJECT
DATE-
5-D
April 15, 1951
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT "■
, . ,.• For ^
DEVELOPMENT ' ' ' . ~' "
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: General Wildlife Restocking Project
2. Project Personnel: James McLucas, Foreman
James Huggins, Fieldman
3. Report of Progress: . » ^.
ANTELOPE RELEASES, WINTER 1951
Trapping Site
3s: Yellowstone Natl
. Park
- 250,
Miller Lake -
60.
Date
Area Released
Do es
Doe Fawns
Buck Fawns
Bucks
Total
Jan. 21,
19 51
Poison-Irving Flats
15
4
10
7
36
Feb. 13,
1951
Ennis -Wigwam Cr.
12
9
5
4
30
Feb. 13,
1951
Ennis-St. Joseph Cr
. 11
6
1
12
30
Feb. 14,
1951
Ennis-Spring Cr .
5
3
2
8
18
Feb. 14,
19 51
Moiese Range
7
4
4
15
Feb. 15,
March 29,
1951
1951
Little Bitterroot
Hills
Medicine Lake
8
11
7
6
5
10
10
5
30
32
March 29,
1951
Tiger Butte 10 4
Antelope Released Out of
State
8
Total for
6
State
28
219
Jan. 21 ,
19 51
Theodore Roosevelt
Natl. Park, N, Dak.
60%
Do es
40^
Bucks
75
Jan. 20, 1951
Feb. 15, 1951
Wind Caves, S. Dak.
Toledo Ohio Zoo
12
2
Total Out of State
Grand Total
12
4
~9r
310
-105-
Following the perfection of the technique of antelope trapping, Montana
has succeeded in catching over 3,500 of this species. As a result, most of the
suitable areas have received nreliminary stocking.
This year's trapping was concentrated in Yellowstone Park and at Miller's
Lake near "Roundup, These areas are recognized as regions of heavy antelope
populations and thus good sources for stocking.
In return for the antelope and assistance of ranger personnel on trapping
operations, 91 pronghorns were released to the National Park Service for trans-
planting in other National Parks.
ANTELOPE TRANSPLANTING
Winter 1951
TRAPPING SITE;
Yellowstone National Park
DATES?
January 18 - 21, 1951
February 12 - 15, 1951
PROCEDURE'
The antelope trap was set up in Yellowstone National Park in January, 1951.
It was put into operation January 18 and 19 when 125 antelope were trapped.
The following day 87 antelope were loaded into two trucks furnished by Theodore
Roosevelt National Park and Wind Caves National Park. The 36 remaining antelope
were tagged and loaded into a Montana Fish and Game truck, to be released at
Irving Flats, Poison, Montana,
Antelope trapping was again resumed on February 12 and 13. At this time
133 antelope were trapped. On the same day, 60 antelope were tagged and loaded
to be released at Wigwam Creek, and St. Joseph Creek, Madison County. Thirty-
three antelope were loaded the following day. Fifteen of these antelope were
tagged and marked with plastic tags for the Moiese Range, and 18 antelope were
tagged and loaded to be released at Spring Creek, Madison County. The remaining
30 antelope were tagged and loaded the following day for the Little Bitterroot
Hills in Sanders County.
This wound up the antelope trapping ODerations in Yellowstone National
Park, with a total catch of 258 antelope. Total loss for the trapping . operation
was eight antelope, five lost in trapping operations and three in transporta-
tion.
-106-
LITTLE BITTERROOT HILLS
Antelope Released
Date Released Does
Doe Fawns
Buck Fawns
Bucks
Total
February 15, 19 51 8
7
5
10
30
Description of Area:
The point of this release lies southwest of Hotsprings in the Little ' '•
Bitterroot Hills in Sanders County. n i .v.; .; .
The terrain is rolling sagebrush and grass covered hills with small stands
of timber near the topsjand river bottom land consisting of the Bitterroot
River.
The climate is moderate with little snow. The area is used chiefly for
grazing with some farming in the river and creek bottoms.
IRVING FLATS
Antelope Released
Date Released
Do es
Doe Fawns
Buck Fawns
Bucks
Total
January 21, 19 51
15
4 -
■■ - 10
7
Description of Area: ■ , '
The site of this release lies west of Poison on Irving Flats on the east
side of the Bitterroot River, Lake County. The physical features vary from
river bottom land to rolling grass and sagebrush foothills.
ST. JOSEPH'S CREEK
Antelope Released
Date Released
Do es
Doe Fawns
Buck Fawns
Bucks
Total
February 13, 1951
11
6
1
1 2
30
Descriptio n o f Area:
The site of this release lies 10 miles north of Ennis on St. Joseph's
Creek in the Madison Range. The area consists of a number of small benches
-107-
extending from the Mgdison River to the base of the Madison Mountains.
Cover types are grassland and sage. Water points are readily available
from creeks in the area.
Snow depths rarely exceed one foot and most of the winter there is little
to none, with the wind keeping a large part of the area free of snow.
Native antelope have not existed here in recent years, but in the early
days they were quite abundant, according to the old-time residents.
Co nclusio ns ?
This should be an excellent experimental plant, as they are fairly well
confined to this area which will make it easy to stay in contact with this
plant .
WIGWAM CREEK AND SPRING CREEK
■ •■ ■ Antelope Released
Date Released Does Doe fawns Buck fawns Bucks Total
February 13, 1951 12 ■-.^9. 5 4 30
February 14, 1951 5 3 2 8 18
Total 17 12 7 12 48
Description of Area: .;.
The site of this plant lies about 15 miles south of Ennis in the foothills
of the Gravelly Range.
Cover types of the area are grasslands and sage, with it being broken up
by creek bottoms in which are cultivated haylands.
The main use is grazing, with cattle dominant user. Irrigated hay meadows
and fields are found along the Madison River and its tributaries.
Reports of old timers still here, and historical data show that there were
antelope once present here. Snow conditions are moderate with winds baring
most of the foothills.
MOIESE BISON RANGE
Antelope Released
Date Released Does Doe Fawns Buck Fawns Bucks Total
February 14, 1951 7 4 4 0 15
-108
Purpo se r
These antelope were released on the Moiese National Bison Range. An
antelope study was set up for the purpose of aging antelope and gaining other
research data. ?ach antelope was tagged and marked with different colored
plastic tags, so they could be recognized on the Bison Range in the course of
this study.
ANTELOPE TRAPPING NEAR ROUNDUP
DATE?
March 26 - 30, 1951
PERSONNEL:
James Reed, Field Assistant
Maurice Wesen, Field Assistant
Frank Gummer, Field Assistant
James McLucas, Field Assistant
Jack Owens, Field Assistant
Cliff McBratney - Pilot
PURPOSE?
To restock two new areas, one near Medicine Lake in Sheridan County, and
Tiger Butte in Cascade County.
PROCEDURE:
On March 26 the antelope crew left Helena for Roundup to start antelope
trapping. Remarkable time was made in setting up the trap although the crew had
had no previous experience.
RESULTS:
An attempt was made on March 28 to drive some antelope into the trap.
Sixty-six head of antelope were successfully driven into the trap in this
attempt. The flying time took less than two hours. The antelope had split up
in two's and three's and the does were heavy with fawns. The antelope were left
in the trap to rest overnight and the next day 33 were loaded for transporting
to Medicine Lake and 29 for Tiger Butte.
Six antelope were lost in the operation. Four were lost because of injur-
ies sustained during the trapping and two were lost during the transporting
process.
-109-
■ Nineteen females and 13 males were released in very good condition at
Medicine Lake Refuge in Sheridan County and 12 females and 16 males were re-
leased in good condition at Tiger Butte in Cascade County,
CONCLUSIONS?
Considerable difficulty was experienced in herding antelope this late in
the year as they were in small groups, and does would drop out after running
only a short distance., Antelope trapping should not run later than the first
week in March, as casualties are greater after this date.
Submitted by;
James McLucas, Foreman
Wildlife Restoration Division
-110-
STATE
Montana
PROJECT
DATE
ABSTRACT
Sun River Game Range Development
Approximately 2,500 of the Sun River elk wintered on the state game range.
Range forage was utilized properly and elk losses on the range were pract-
ically non-existent.
27 -D
April 15, 1951
STATE
Montana
PRO JECT
27-D
DATE
April 15 , 1951
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
For
DEVELOPMENT
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: Sun River Game Range Development
2. Personnel: Bruce Neal , Unit Manager
Bob Neal, Assistant Unit Manager
3. Report of Progress:
Work during this quarter was devoted almost entirely to elk herding.
This is a non-P.R. function and was paid from regular state game funds.
It is ariparent that this activity is becoming less difficult each year
as the animals are becoming accustomed to the state winter range area.
Approximately 2,500 wintered on the Sun River Game Range. There has
been practically no loss to date and all seem to be in excellent condition.
Range forage is very good as a substantial portion of the grass was not
used .
Submitted by:
Bob Neal, Asst. Unit Manager
Wildlife Restoration Division
-111-
■TAT a
STATE Montana
PROJECT 33-D
DATE' April 15, 1951
ABSTRACT
Blackf 00 t=Clearwater Game Range Development
Thin lines of feed were maintained to attract elk onto the state-owned
lands.
Herding of trespass stock was necessary to force cattle and horses from
the white-tailed deer range in the acquisition area.
Old buildings were removed and routine activity occupied the crew
throughout the quarter.
STATE Montana
PROJECT 33-D
DATE April 15, 1951
■ , . QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
...For
DEVELOPMENT
As Required By
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT
1. Title of Project: Blackf oo t-Clearwater Game Range Unit
2. Personnel: Stan Mongrain, Unit Manager
Jack Ray, Assistant Unit Manager
Al Mullenax, Laborer
3. Report of Progress:
A. Baiting and Herding Elk
Early in December the crew started moving elk onto winter range.
At first, before the snow became too deep, saddle horses were used.
By locating a bunch of elk and staying behind them and gradually >
working them in the direction we wanted them to go, the elk could be pushed
over the border onto state-owned land. In some cases several days were required
in moving one bunch.
As more snow fell, the going became too tough to use saddle horses.
A feed line was started using hay and feed pellets. The same
method was used in the winter of 1949-50. The route this year ran in a north
and east direction from the Blackfoot-Clearwater Unit for seven miles. Care
was taken in establishing this line so that any elk drifting from the high
country would hit the feed before breaking into small groups and scattering on-
to the ranches.
In the first month of maintaining this line, close to 300 elk were
herded onto the Blackfoot-Clearwater Range.
On the second of January the crew of two men maintaining the line
-112-
reported a surplus of feed on the line and very little elk sign. It was
believed at first that all of the elk in the vicinity had followed the line
through,
A supply of feed was spread along the line and a daily check made
as to any use that should show up. On January 9 the regular check of the feed
line showed signs of a large number of elk moving in. The upper half of the
feed line was cleaned bare of hay, but the pellets were left. Leaving the
pellets was the first indication of a new herd of elk moving in. Elk that are
acquainted with the pellets prefer them to other types of feed we have tried.
In a few days the elk were eating the pellets and even looking for
them. They would dig them out of the snow, following the line its full length.
The feed line was shortened a quarter of a mile at a time, grad-
ually drawing the elk closer to the Blackf oot-Clearwatsr boundary.
A county road had to be crossed before the elk were where they
could drift onto the winter range. Numerous attempts to draw the elk across
this road proved unsuccessful. The only apparent reason for this seemed to
be that the elk were on strange range. The activity along this road scared
them backo
The elk were held as close in this area as was possible. It is
hoped they will return next fall and can be moved onto the state range.
Bo Removing Trespass Stock
Horses turned out to rustle their winter food drift onto the
Blackf oot-Clearwater Range. They not only pick all the available feed, but
the pawing through the snow to the grass roots causes the grass to freeze out
leaving a permanent scar on the range.
Keeping these horses off the range requires a great deal of time.
A drift fence is the only solution to this problem.
Co Building Removal
Buildings at headquarters that were beyond repair and of no use
to the Department were removed. Material of any use was salvaged and stored.
'The rest of the buildings were piled and burned.
■ '■■ The result will be a more attractive and cleaner headquarters.
'' ' D. Snow Plowing ■ " ' '.-^rr
• ^ caterpillar tractor with a dozer was rented by the Department to
keep the roads open for the winter. Without snow plow equipment, winter pro-
jects cannot be carried on.
E. Hay and Grain Distribution ' ■
Hay raised at the Blackf oot-Clearwater Unit was hauled to various
-113-
Doints in the State. This hay was used for baiting traps and wintering Depart-
ment-owned stock. Some grain was taken for waterfowl feeding,
A detailed report on the distribution will be presented at a later
date .
Submitted by:
Stan Mongrain, Unit Manager
Wildlife Restoration Division
-114-
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