s 799 F2br 1931-1932 STATE COLLECTION .00 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MONTANA 59620 L'l''6-- 6M- •^nED ^ MONTANA STATE STATE UNU«RfSir^ 3 0864 0016 1625 2 ^M-E8Sfl^i»0iyA"A STATE DOCUMENTS /> s MONTANA STATE FISH and GAME DEPARTMENT 1931 BIENNIAL REPORT 1932 THE MONARCH OF MONTANA'S FORESTS RIONTANA STATE CIBFWRl 930 Ea;.t ■ .. 1.' Avenue Helena. MonUuui S9601 (Vcf^i^n 0 \j\J\n For Fish and Game By Edgar A. Guest J^OR fish (Did birds I make this plea. May they be here long after me. May those who follow hear the call Of old Bobwhite in spinng and fall; And may they share the joy that's mine When there's a trout tipon the line. I found the world a wondrous place, A cold tvind blowing in my face Has brought the wild ducks in from sea. God grant the day shall never be When youth upon November's shore Shall see the mallards come no more! I found the world a garden spot, God grant the desolating shot And barbed hook shall not destroy Some future generations' ioy! Too barren were the earth for words If gone were all the fish and birds. Fancy an age that sees no more I'y The mallards winging iti to .^horc. m Fancy a youth with all its dreams That finds no fish within the streams. Our world with life is wondrous fair, ' God grant we do not stri/) it ban! V " To His Excellency, The Hon. J. E. Erickson, Governor of Montana, Helena. The State Fish and Game Commission herewith respect- fully submits the biennial report of activities of the depart- ment, setting forth achievements during the years 1931 and 1932. MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION W. P. Sullivan, Chairman William Steinbrenner Harry P. Stanford William F. Flynn B. L. Price Charles B. Marrs, State Fish and Game Warden and Secretary of the Commission ^ li •t^> r*^m^>^ ^r^- 'in^-J^. i&^ Page Two MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT AffiH^M ELKPBfflifi^ CO 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Three Moet^e^^s Fish ^ed Game Prolbleens By W. P. Snllivaii, Sfiiiare Hiitte, Cliainiiaii State Fish and («ame toimriission 0 N T A N A'S miles of crystal mountain streams, her magnificent forests, thousands of acres o£ hill and dale where furred and feathered game flour- ish, and the ever- increasing demands being made upon this great national playground by sportsmen of America, provide a prob- lem of magnitude which must ever be given conscientious consideration by the State Pish and Game Department. Since the days of the fur traders, trap- pers and pioneers, fish and game have constituted an asset of rare value as part and parcel of the upbuilding and development of the Treasure State. With the inroads of civilization, the wild life has in great measure been diverted from a source of food supply to an influence that takes men and women, boys aud girls into the out-of- doors in search of health, happiness and wholesome recreation. To main- tain Montana's supply of fish and game and to keep step swith progress, is the great task that confronts the commis- sion, acting as representatives of Mon- tana residents. Consideration of geographical condi- tions, which vary in Montana to an un- usual degree, the equalizing of the fish and game situation, the maintaining of the balance of nature through utiliza- tion of artificial means and the inces- sant effort to meet demands with lim- ited funds available, provides sportsmen of the state with au objective that means much to future welfare. Millions of dollars are rolling through Montana on rubber tires annually. These eastern tourists, who in many cases re- turn to cast their lot with residents of the state as eventual farmers, stock- men and businessmen, are attracted to the state in their motor travels, largely through pleasures offered through un- equalled fishing, unparalleled hunting, the magnificent panoramas, pure air, sparkling waters and all the other at- tributes that go to make Montana the gem of the Rocky mountains. If this interest is to be maintained for resi- dent and visitor alike, sportsmen co- operating with the State Fish and Game Department must be ever alert. We must be ever mindful of the in- terests of all Montana residents while we are building. Sincere cooperation between sportsmen, stockmen, the for- estry department, bureau of biological survey, the dude ranchers, railroads, hotel owners, automobile associations and all the other agencies interested in maintaining the state's supply of wild life, should be the goal attained and maintained if we are to reach a proper solution of our re-stocking programs. All are equally interested, all are mindful of the ever-pressing need for conscientious propagation and protec- tion of wild life, yet in carrying for- ward this program of magnitude, the rights and privileges of all concerned should be given honest and fair con- sideration. Montana has attained a merited po- sition of national esteem because of its miles of trout streams, the manner in which these waters have been kept stocked with fighting fish and the wholesome surroundings which consti- tute the environment of the sportsman and angler when afieM or knee deep in his fishing boots. In order that streams and lakes of the state may be properly stocked, it is the desire of the State Fish and Game Commission to build more rearing ponds. The department is now operating a bat- tery of 14 hatcheries which last year produced more than 30,000,000 game fish fiugerlings for liberation. It is the eventual plan to construct additional rearing ponds where fingerlings pro- duced in the hatcheries may be fed un- til they attain sufficient size before lib- eration in order that they may be bet- ter qualified to protect themselves against their cannibalistic brothers when they are planted. It is the plan of the commission to encourage the building of dams and bring about the re-creation of some of the old lakes of the prairies where con- ditions are favorable and the cost is not excessive. These re-created prairie lakes, such as the Half Way lake proj- ect near Havre, which is now being prepared to receive the excess waters of the Beaver creek drainage basin through recently constructed ditches. The Hungarian can be made splendid fishing waters when stocked with the variety of fish best suited to water and climatic con- ditions. Lake fishing for farmers and other sportsmen of dry land areas will thereby be provided and the over-fish- ing of many of the trout streams will be materially relieved. These lakes, meanwhile, will provide ideal nesting places and havens for migratory water- fowl. The big game ranges of the state should be given close study and care- ful attention every year in an effort definitely to ascertain the safe and sane carrying capacity, summer and winter. The carrying capacity of any range in Montana, whether mountain or prairie, will vary from year to year, according to the seasons. Should any range be stocked to capacity in what is known as a good year in Montana, the same approximate number of domestic stock or big game will tremendously and dangerously overstock that same area in what might be called a poor year. Both extremes in range conditions are regularly encountered in any given five or ten-year period in this state. In the grazing of livestock it is absolutely necessary to know the number grazing on any given area, if they are to be cared for with intelligence and safety. The elk ranges of the state are well- known aud defined. The seasons, good or bad, can be ascertained each year by mid-July. The only other element necessary in order to manage the elk herds of the state intelligently, is to know the aproximate number of elk in- habitating the several ranges within the state. The only "counts" of Montana elk herds that are available have been sup- plied by the splendid men associated with the national forest service. This is the only agency in Montana possess- ing the personnel and equipment capa- ble of even closely approximating the total number of elk in the state. These counts have been criticized and ridi- culed in some parts of Montana. I would like to ask the most vociferous critics to inform us who, outside of men in the forest service, can supply any information regarding the number of elk in Montana that would rate much above an average guess. It is our desire to favor a program of whole-hearted cooperation with the federal bureau of fisheries, the bu- reau of biological survey, the forestry department, sportsmen's associations and the stockmen of Montana. Within the year I have met all the gentlemen in charge of federal a.mn.i, s interested in fish and ganio in .MMiii:ina. They are all well inlnnuiil, rninieous and most anxious to wmk with the State Fish and Game Commission in order that we may attain the goal we all de- sire— the improvement and perpetuation of fish and game resources of the Treasure State. Page Four MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Sporttsmee Sunpport the Depairtinnieet H. >larr^. State KMi iiiiil (iiiiiK' Warden ONTANA'S State Fish and Game Department, in presenting this bi- ennial report, covering activities during 1931 and 1932, places before sportsmen of the state outstanding facts and figures picturing progress over a two- year period that has tried the mettle and commercial stamina of every resi- dent. It has been no small task to work out ways and means of keeping step with the times during the latter part of the biennium, yet the commis- sion, working in harmony with sports- men of the state, with federal depart- ment and other agencies with a com- mon goal, is striving diligently to keep Montana in the forefront as a paradise for the angler and devotee of the rifle and shotgun. Figures tor 1932 completed for pub- lication in this report reflect the trend of the times. Receipts of the depart- ment have fallen thousands of dollars below those of 1931 and as a result, reductions have become mandatory within the organization. These reduc- tions have been made with reluctance, yet because of financial conditions, they have been imperative in order that the network of the structure might be pre- served. Sound business judgment has been necessary and members of the commission have acted only after ma- ture consideration, at all times keeping in mind the welfare of sportsmen whose license fees go to make up the fund that sustains the department. Montana's department relies solely upon license fees, returns from the sale of confiscated furs and firearms and fines collected for fish and game law violations. The department is self-sus- taining. There are no legislative appro- priations available to maintain it, nor are the people of the state taxed to support It. Hence, when receipts slump to a point where it becomes necessary to balance the budget, expenditures must be kept within the deadline marked by the amount received. In taking steps to keep within the income, the commis- sion has ever been mindful to preserve the utmoHl crtlcli-iicy at the lowest pos- sible cost, and It Is with the knowledge that sportsmen conversant with com- mercial and industrial affairs prevailing In slate and nation during the last two years will keep these conditions in mind, that these figures are presented. Totals In each division have been ur- rangi'd In tills reiiorl. More detulled rigureH are available ut department lieadiiuarlers at Helena where they will l)(! eheerfully furnlHlied on recjuest. iluntlng and flHliIng llceiiHO saleH have dropped materially during the lust year and Iho loss of this needed reve- nue has been Die principal factor In bringing about statt ruductlons. In re- vising the roster of deputy game war- dens, however, caru liUH been utilized In leaving favored hunting grounds pru- Montana Antelope Protected by State Law tected as well as possible. During the big game season, with thousands of hunters in the hills after deer and elk, the services of experienced deputies is necessary. Montana's big game kill during the winter of 1932 has been smaller than that of the preceding year, according to authoritative reports received at head- quarters. The kill of 1931 marked the first year in the history of the depart- Big Game Kill in Montana. 1931 Deer KIk Counties Hiicks Does KuIN ( (IMS Ueaverhead 153 9 Hroadwater .. 61 Cascade .. 189 Deer Lodge ... 83 h'lathead ... 788 772 24(1 193 Oallatlu ... 214 151 89 Granite ... 275 35 62 Jefferson .... ... 172 Judith liaslu ... 258 l.ake ... 234 161 Lewis &. Clark 238 163 UU l..lncoln ...1570 768 Madison ... 179 i'l 14 Meagher ... 394 3 13 Mineral ... 538 418 lu U Missoula ... 653 23 19 I'ark ... 183 IM 13; I'owell ... 252 72 66 Kavalll . 280 152 79 67 Sanders .. 679 3UU 39 46 Sliver How . 46 Stillwater 66 Sweet lirasH . . 94 Teton 41 48 Wheatland 12 (Slacler 4 CoUlun Valley.. 3 TomlH ....74G2 2571 1038 845 ment when an official count was made possible by act of the legislature. The return cards attached to all big game licenses make it mandatory that a re- port of the kill, sex, condition, loca- tion of kill and range conditions be made to the department. Failure to comply with the law is a misdemeanor. Figures showing the total kill for 1932 will not be available until after Jan. 1, when the law requires that all report cards be at fish and game headquarters. Tabulation of these cards for 1931 shows that a total of lu,U23 deer and 1,S83 elk were legally taken within the state. Of the deer, 7,452 were bucks and 2,571 were females. Of the elk, 1,038 were bulls and 545 were cows. Statistics show that 7,6SS big game ani- mals were killed on forest reserves and 3,298 outside the federal areas. In hun- dreds of cases the hunters were unable to designate the exact location of the kill, hence failed to fill out the blank. The killing of female deer is permitted in six Montana counties, Flathead, Lake, Lincoln. Mineral, Kavalli and Sanders. The heaviest kill of 1931 was made in Lincoln county, following an unusu- ally heavy snowfall. lu that county alone 1,576 buck deer were reported killed and 768 does likewise went into the bag of hunters. The accompanying table, showing the total number of deer and elk killed dur- ing 1931, is significant. The figures provide food for thought. Despite the fact that Montana has an area of ap- proximately three times that of Penn- sylvania, the deer kill in Montana In 1931 was but 10,000 while the report Is- .sued by the Pennsylvania departiueul shows a kill of close to lUU.OOO. In- tensive cultivation of deer In Pennsyl- vania has wrought wonders. Efforts have been made iu the com- l>llation of this biennial report to por- tray in brief manner the achievements of the department during the lust two years. The state game farm at Warm Springs has been u success from the start uud bus been the means of liberutlug some 2U,UUU game birds during the lust three years. The large majority liberated have been Chinese pheasants. The work of deputy game wardens, although liumpured lu many cases be- cause of taking law violators before sympathetic courts. Is outlined lu the tabulation of arrests which uppours elsewhere In this report. Work of Uie fisheries division, under the leadership of Kenneth F. MucUuu- uld, slate superintendent, Is likewise outlined. Figures deholliiK receipts and expend- itures cover the spread of two years, covering one o( the most trying bl enniums in the history of the depart ment. With the upturn of buNlness generully, however, departmental ro ceipts will Invvllubly Increuau and greater activity will bu made possible. 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Five Moetae^^s StM© Gaime F^rim By Joe F. Hendricks, Superintendent OMPLETION OF the game bird distribution of 1932 from tlie state game farm at Warm Springs, tlie modern plant established and operated by the state fish and game depart- ment, marked its third year of production. During the three years it has been operated, a total of approxi- mately 20.000 Chinese pheasants and other birds reared in captivity have been liberated throughout the state to provide sport for thousands of weilders of shotguns and to supplement the sup- ply of diminishing upland game birds which are gradually nearing extinction. Chinese pheasants have taken the place of the great coveys of prairie chickens that once nested and thrived in Montana valleys and with plans well in hand for the work of 1933. indications are that the production of the plant at "Warm Springs will keep step with demands. Figures showing birds liberated in 1932. all of which were hatched and reared at the state farm, total 4.S,^fi Chinese pheasants with 97 beautiful game birds of several varieties lib- erated in desired portions of the state for experimental purposes. The last year was not a desirablp period for the successful rearing of game birds. Climatic conditions dur- ing the spring, as well as highway con- struction on the road running past the breeding pens, brought about a condi- tion that upset brooding. Cold, damp weather interfered with early laying and dust and noise that accompanied necessary road work brought further complications. These conditions, it is hoped, will be eliminated during 1933. In 1931 the production of the farm reached the peak when S.720 Chinese pheasants were liberated. In 1930. when the farm was established. 6.146 birds were reared and liberated, this figure establishing something of a rec- ord in the history of game bird pro- duction in the west. In 1932 the brood stock retained after birds were liberated totaled as follows: 360 Chinese pheasant hens and 72 Chinese pheasant roosters: 10 pairs of Hungarian partridges; seven pairs of California quail; three Melan- istic Mutants; three Golden pheasants; three Lady Amherst, pheasants, and three Silver pheasants. The brood stock tor 1933 has l)een amplified, anticipating greater produc- tion and the total number of birds now on hand at the game farm, being held in readiness for the 1933 season fol- lows: 420 Chinese pheasant hens and 80 Chinese pheasant roosters; 12 Mel- anistic Mutants; 15 pairs of California quail; 10 pairs of Hungarian par- tridges; five pairs of Chukar par- tridges; three Golden pheasants; three Lady Amhersts and three Silver pheas- ants. Preparations have been completed to handle the eggs of small game birds in 1933 with the purchase of 30 bantam hens. These wee biddies will be util- ized in hatching the eggs of the Hun- garians, California quail and Chukar partridges. The larger brood hens are used in hatching the pheasant eggs but because of their size they have proved undesirable for hatching the smaller eggs. Experiments with California valley quail have demonstrated their adapti- bility to climatic conditions in Montana. Many have been liberated on Warm Springs creek at an elevation of 4,700 feet and they are thriving. Other test plants have been made in selected parts of the state. They are a wonderful game bird and will be protected until such time as they attain such numbers as to justify opening the season. The California quail are not sought by "meat" hunters but provide sportsmen with good shooting. They are able to care for themselves in more thorough manner than the Bobwhite quail be- cause they roost in trees and brush away from the reach of predatory ani- mals. The Bobwhite roosts on the ground. Late spring weather and cold rains caused birds in the field to get a poor start in 1932. yet the number liberated and permitted to nest in the wild state in preceding years, provided sportsmen with excellent shooting. Hungarian partridges, however, were given a bet- ter start because they start laying later in the spring than the Orientals and miss the cold rains and chilly weather' of early spring. Expectations are that the first eggs from pheasant hens will be laid, under normal conditions, the forepart of April and the average season's egg collection from each hen is estimated at from 45 to 50 eggs. To secure this number of fertile eggs, however, requires strict care and study of diet with prepara- tion of especially mixed food daily, varying with weather conditions and other influences. Wheat is kept before the birds at all times. Twice each week they are given Spratt's game meal with 8 per cent Crlssel, a meat preparation. Lettuce trimmings are fed twice a week when weather permits. Grit and charcoal is constantly before them. Wlien gloomy days cause dispositions of pheasants to droop, they are given internal sun baths by the feeding of cod liver oil meal. Pheasants Liberated In Counties County: Beaverhead Big Horn Blaine Broadwater Carbon Cartel Cascade Chouteau Custer Daniels Dawson Deer Lodge Fallon Fergus Flathead Gallatin Garfield Glacier Golden Valley Granite Hill Jeffeison Judith Basin Lake Lewis and Claik Libeity Lincoln Madison McCone Meagher Minoial Missoula Musselshell Park Petroleum Phillips Pondeid Powder River Powell Praii le Ravalli Richland Roosevelt Rosebud Sanders Sheridan Silver Bow Stillwatei Sweet Grass Teton Toole Treasure Valley Wheatland Wibaux Yellowstone HOW MANY BIRDS 1)0 TOU KNOW? According to lists of the American Ornithological Union, there are 768 species of birds in the United States. This figure does not include the sub- species of which there arc many. How many birds can you name that are com- mon to your locality in Montana? 1931 1932 204 144 144 90 144 90 192 90 168 90 144 90 408 90 144 90 168 90 120 90 144 120 212 122 144 96 217 90 216 106 144 72 120 90 144 90 96 72 168 90 120 90 168 96 360 96 324 144 144 90 48 216 90 144 72 144 96 144 90 144 90 173 90 144 90 216 120 120 90 144 96 144 90 240 96 144 96 168 90 144 90 144 90 168 90 144 90 120 96 144 90 144 72 210 90 TOTAL 8,720 4,856 There were 97 miscellaneous birds liberated in 1932, as follows: Golden pheasants: 8 in Missoula county, 6 in Yellowstone county, 2 in Silver Bow county, and 2 in Lewis and Clark county. Quail: 38 in Deer Lodge county, 12 in Richland county. Hungarian par- tridges: 25 in Powell county. Am- herst pheasants: 2 in Silver Row coun- ty, 2 in Lewis and Clark county. Page Six MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT MigrMory Water Fowl of Moimtaea By Koniieth F. Hoahen, I'.S, Game Protwtor, lUllinps VERY time sportsmen gather to talk of hunt- ing expeditions, whether for big game or birds, it is always noted that their enthusiasm reaches greatest heights when the talk drifts to our national sport, "duck shooting," and it is therefore necessary that we give this subject serious thought if we are to preserve and prolong this great sport for future years. During the last few years, and in- cluding the season of 1931, the drought throughout the United States and Can- ada, with the drainage of large marsh areas for commercial purposes, has taken the majority of the breeding grounds away from our waterfowl, and in addition to this menace, the ever- increasing number of hunters, equipped with automobiles, automatic and pump guns with higher powered ammunition, has taken added toll of birds, until to- day it is really a miracle that any birds have been able to survive. Approximately 90 per cent of the wa- ter areas of Montana were dry during the past summer, all of which were formerly great breeding centers, al- though in the early spring a number of these lakes contained a limited amount of water for a short period, to which birds flocked and hatched their young, only to have the ponds dry up before the birds were feathered, and the entire hatch of young birds was lost. Because of these conditions, it was necessary to limit the shooting season of 1931 to 30 days, to try and save a breeding stock for the following year. If possible. On account of the general conditions that followed after the sea- son had been declared, the principal flight did not take place until well after the season opened, and it naturally fol- lowed that the ducks were late in arriv- ing in their travels to the southward, the result being that the number killed was not as heavy as otherwise expected, and an untold number of birds were saved for the start of the 1932 season. General conditions for the 1932 season were much better than in previous years, as many lakes and potholes con- tained water which held out until the young birds had reached maturity. Food conditions were also much better. Throughout the early spring and sum- mer months, government investigations were being made in all the breeding centers, the result of the investigations showing a much larger hatch of birds in all localities, and accordingly an open season of 60 days was declared. On account of the improved water and food condition, the loss of birds from duck sickness was much smaller than in former years. In a great number of water areas in northern Montana, owing to the former dry years, the rushes and other vegeta- tion had died out, therefore making it necessary for the birds to build nests on practically open ground, with no pro- tection, therefore, in many places the first early nests were destroyed by ver- min and other natural enemies of th«- waterfowl. ^NTiile the water supply is greatly in- creased over previous years, yet the fact remains that we have no assurance that this condition will continue for any great length of time, therefore the only solution of this condition is to acquire suitable refuge and breeding grounds for our waterfowl if we are to insure their future production. Kvery sportsman should take it upon himself to assist in every possible manner the establish- ment of Buch resting grounds, whether in Montana or in other parts of the United States, as such refuges are nec- essary in every state to insure a future supply of waterfowl. Red Rock Lake When Ducks Were Plentiful The American Boy y bo brought "I'd far rather have a son able to climb a mountain and outwit the wary creatures of the wilderness than be able to dance the Brazilian Busybody or be able to decide whether a lavender tie will match mauve socks. These lit- tle lisping men, these modern ruins, these lazy effeminates who could not tell you the difference between a bull and a bullet— it is not in these that the hope of America, that the hope of hu- manity lies." writes Arclilbold Rutledge in Kield and Stream. "If the sentimentalist were right, hunting would develop in men a cruelty of character. But, I have found that it Inculcates patience, demands discipliue and iron nerve, and develops a seronlty of spirit that makes for long life and a long love of life. And it is my UxeA iiiMvktion that If a parent can give his cliildi'ou a passionate and wholesome (k'votion (o the outdoors, llie (act that he can not leave each of them a for- tune does not really matter so much. They will always enjoy lite In lis nobler aspects without money and without price. They will worship the Crenlor ill Ills mighty works. And because they Know and love the natural world they will always feel at home In Iho wide, .sweet habltallonB of the Ancient Mother. "I think the rod and the gun heller lor boys than the saxophone and the iiutgo Hundae. In the flml place, there IS HonielhlnK Inherently uiauly and lionu'bred an great natural lawn. Mo learns »1mi>. I think, In a far hiKher de- gree than luiy' form of Klandardlted amateur alhlelicH can tflve him. to play III. giimc fairly." 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Seven The Elk Siteatioe le Moetae^ By W. M. Kiifili. Missoiilii, (iaiiie Specialist, Forest Service E M. Rush LK increased in Montana for the period 1927- 1930, inclusive, at an annual rate of about 14 per cent from a total number of about 13,000, with an average annual kill of 1,144. The estimate for 1931 was 1.5,255 elk and the kill was about 1,850. Among the National Forests, the Lewis and Clark forest supports the largest . number of elk. the herds on this forest being es- timated at 5,200, distributed from Glacier Park to the Blacktoot divide and in the various divisions of the old Jefferson Forest. The other forests support elk as fol- lows: Lolo, 2,220; Flathead, 1.590: Deer Lodge, 1,420; Bitter Root, 1,100; Hel- ena 855; Beaverhead, 865; Gallatin, 720; Absaroka, 385: Blackfeet, 185; Cabinet, 290; Custer, 95, and Kootenai, 310. The Absaroka and Gallatin carry much larger numbers during the .win- ter season — these are elk which mi- grate out of Yellowstone Park during severe winters. Also along the Idaho boundary on the Lolo and Bitter Root forests at certain times of the year con- siderable numbers of Idaho elk are to be found. These migrate back into Idaho for the winter. Montana ranks second in the nation in number of elk; Wyoming has 31,0075, Colorado, 12,215; Oregon, 10,160; Wash- ington, 9,430, and Idaho, 9,230, the to- tal for all the National Forests in the United States being about 97,000. The National Parks bring the total to well over 100,000. Twenty-two of our states have elk outside of zoological gardens and eight states have open seasons for hunting elk. Plants of elk from the Yellowstone region and Montana Bison Range have been made in 15 states. The great herds of Arizona, now numbering 5,150 elk, are the progeny of a shipment in 1913 from Gardiner, Montana. Utah's 2,725 elk are the descendants of 150 shipped from Jack- son, Wyoming, and Gardiner, Montana, in 1913, and New Mexico's 7G0 has in- creased from shipments made prior to 1915 from Gardiner. The last native elk was killed in New Mexico in 1900. Of the many shipments of elk from the Yellowstone region to other parts of the country practically all have been successful insofar as increases are concerned. In a few instances intro- duced elk have caused some damage to fences, farm and garden crops. The food habits of elk are somewhat similar to cattle. Elk prefer much the same species of grasses, weeds and browse, tending perhaps to cat more browse than do cattle. Of course on the winter ranges where forage is scarce the elk eat anything available whether or not it is good forage, and some observers have concluded that certain plants were eaten from choice when as a matter of fact they were taken from necessity, there being no choice, as all other plants were buried under too much snow for the elk to .get them. This deep snow at high altitudes in Montana is the limiting factor in the size of elk herds. There is an abundance of summer range for many more elk than we have at present, but even now the winter range is sadly deficient. Notable ex- amples of this are the Yellowstone and Sun River herds. The Yellowstone herd has not been in a thrifty condition since the ex- tremely severe winter of 1919-20 when about one-half the herd succumbed to starvation and exposure. The winter range has deteriorated greatly since about 1912 so that now while the winter loss of adult animals is small, the mortality of calves is suf- ficient to keep the herd at a standstill. This is because it is too difficult for the calves to secure enough forage just following a severe winter, because of the mother's run-down condition when the calf is born. The Sun River herd has shown a consistent net annual increase of about 10 per cent since the preserve was created. From a small band of native elk this herd has increased since 1913 to an estimated number of 5,000 and the herd is thrifty and extending its range northward, westward and southward. East of the mountains is the great prairie country of north central Mon- tana which is now devoted entirely to farming and stockraising. Some trouble has been reported by these stockgrowers from the elk coming on to their property damaging fences and eating hay and pasture. A dozen or so elk do but little damage to a rancher's pastures, but increase the number to 700 or 800 or 1,000 and it is readily seen that the amount of for- age they will consume is too great for one man to be expected to furnish. In the late winter of 1930 some 3,000 elk left their mountain range on the Lewis and Clark forest and trespassed on til.' r;iii(hcs l'(ir several weeks. I'.iii:i|. iIh- greatest extension the Sim KiMT lard has made is to the We I wiiiii. .M(u-e elk were killed in Flathead county last year than any other county in the state. Elk are now being hunted all the way from Sun River west to the Mission Range. More hunting should be done east of the Continental Divide on Sun River as tlie winter range has been seriously damaged by over-grazing and Ihe num- bers of elk using this area should be greatly reduced. Under favorable conditions such as: good year-long range, protection from hunting and protection from predators, elk will show about a 35 per cent an- nual increase, so it can readily be seen that it is possible to increase the size of our elk herds whenever it is de- sirable to do so. The limited license system, which is in effect in some states, is an admir- able way to control the size of the elk herds in the various parts of a state. Under this system, only enough elk li- censes are issued each year to trim the herd down to the number their winter range will support. Each license speci- fies the sex and approximate age of the elk to be killed and the locality from which it may be taken. Experience has proved that under the present system of hunting such a great percentage of the cows and calves are killed that it is only by closing large areas to hunting that any elk are kept at all. Under the limited license system no closed areas are necessary and but very little restrictions on the length of season during which the elk may be shot because the total number and the number of each sex to be killed will be regulated. With the same number of elk as we now have at least twice the number could be taken each year under a system of regulated kill. Real mountain elk hunting calls for more hardihood than any other kind of hunting — the pack trip to the moun- tains— the long hikes through the snow — the steep climbs over logs and through thickets of brush — the final shooting — dressing — getting the meat to camp — these things do not appeal to any but those who really enjoy going up against something hard and getting dog tired. I think, though, that the big kick an elk hunter gets is telling his fellow hunters all about it in camp at night. With intelligent management we will always have sizeable herds of elk in Montana from which the hunters can kill the increase above that which the winter range will support. STANDING ROOM ONLY It happened that two men bearing the same name, one a clergyman and the other a business man, both lived in the same city. The clergyman died, and about the same time his neighbor went to Southern California. When the bus- iness man arrived there, he sent his wife a telegram informing her of his safe journey, but unfortunately it was delivered to the widow of the late preacher. Imagine the surprise of the good woman when she read, "Arrived safely— heat terrific." Page Eight MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Aetelope leerease oe Gaume Preserves Hj .liinips A. AVciMcr. Deputy Sfate (iiiiiip Warden, LewNfoHii. J. A. Weav BA NTELOPK a r e Ck increasing to such an extent on limited space provided within the boundaries of Mon- tana game preserves that remedial steps have become neces- sary in order that the burden on ranch- ers be lightened. For years these fleet little creatures that once bounded in great herds over Montana's prairies have been protected by state law. Dur- ing early days the antelope provided food for Indians, fur traders, miners, and railroad construction camps and they were ruthlessly slaughtered. They were on the verge of extinction when laws were passed protecting them. Tracts of native pasture land were set aside as havens and the increase in the herds in central and northern Montana has been gratifying from the standpoint of preserving the animals, but disas- trous when the preservation of adequate range for livestock is given considera- tion. The antelope is a game animal with- out a home. The natural habitat on the prairies has been taken over by dry land farmers. They roam from place to place where they find grazing the best. They miss the open fields that were once the habitat of thousands. Barbed wire fences now enclose much of the territory whore the herds once grazed before civilization and intensive cultivation of the soil entered into the scheme of things. The largest herd of antelope in the west grazes on the Sullivan game pre- serve at Square Butte. More than 700 constitute this herd and they are gra- ciously given the privilege of thriving on lands owned and leased by W. P. Sullivan, chairman of the State Fish and Game Commission. For years Mr. Sullivan has taken pride in protecting this herd, but the increase has become so great that the animals now threaten to require grazing ground needed by livestock and sportsmen of the vicinity are attempting to work out ways and means of scattering them or moving them to other desired localities. It is a striking sight to view herds of from 100 to 300 antelope grazing in the rolling hills in the Sullivan game preserve. Passengers on trains are able to catch glimpses of these herds from Pullman car windows and many letters have been received from east- ern visitors by Mr. Sullivan, comment- ing on the thrill provided. While this growing herd has been given protection, other herds have been decimated by ruthless Indians. For years the state fish and game depart- ment has attempted to secure some ac- tion through the Indian department at Washington. D. C, looking toward checking the slaughter of antelope when they wander over the boundary lines of Indian reservations. The red- skin in the majority of cases feels him- self secure when on the reservation, and hunts and fishes during all sea- sons, regardless of fish and game laws. Deputy game wardens are without au- thority on the reservations, and deer, elk and antelope which are so unfor- tunate as to cross into the red man's reserve fall before the guns of Indians regardless of seasons. Reports are to the effect that this situation Is par- ticularly annoying in the Glacier park country in the vicinity of Browning and Cut Bank. Suggestions regarding handling the antelope problem have been made by sportsmen and ranchers alike. Some have ventured the suggestion that an open season be declared but this idea is opposed because of the realiEatlon that such a move would mean wiping out the herds. Another suggestion has been made that an open season be de- clared on male antelope. Another is that special antelope licenses be sold, while another group maintains that the little animals should be rounded up and transported to other localities where they will thrive and increase. While efforts are being made to cope with the problem, the antelope continue making it tough on ranchers who must depend on their grazing lands to fatten their cattle. At the bison range at Moiese. where the federal government is in charge, the surplus buffalo and elk are annu- ally moved off the range so that ade- quate feed remains for the desired number. If the buffalo and elk are not sold alive, they are killed and the meat distributed among needy Indians. To the sentimental opponent of this method of keeping the herds within check, the killing may appear uncalled for, yet when the welfare of the entire herd is considered, sane control demunds that the number be kept within the feeding capacity of the range, lest the entire herd suffer winter privations and event- ual starvation. KECOMMENDATIONS A farmer was asked what he thought of the two candidates for the legisla- ture. Ho replied—'When 1 look at them 1 am thankful only one uf them can got elected." Antelope Present Striking Picture on Montana Skyline ! Undsr protection of •tnle f,irm«r» and itockmgn. 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Nine TIhe Dede IR^eeher and the Sportsm^e By A. H. Croonqnist, Execntive Secretary, Dnde Ranchers' Association. YOU hear that we, as a na- tion, produce too much — too much of everything — fey m'*^jM| wheat, sheep, cattle, HL ♦ 4^i^B lumber, copper, oil, ^m '^ lii ^^^ what-not. Even ^L^ _.*. ^B the lowly hen has ^B" , a^ ^^ been forced to over- ^^■jl^^ production by the ^^^^H^ installation of elec- ^^^■^Z trie lights in the ^^^H henhouse to produce ^^^H a 1 o n g e r working ^^V day. But there is I^B V one crop of which I^B we need an over- production, that is fish in our streams. All streams in Mon- tana should be stocked with some kind of fish. Even the dusty Powder river is navigable to mud cats. Fish propagation and distribution is not alone the problem of our State Fish and Game Commission, the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, the Sportsman's organizations, the Forest Service and the Dude Ranchers', but a problem of every citizen and taxpayer living in these western states. Good trout fishing is one of the best advertising mediums to induce people to come west, to stay a while when they come and to continue to come back year after year for their vaca- H. Cr tions and enjoy fishing, which should be the west's best paying cash crop. With 25 years active association and work with fish and game organizations, conservation movements, state and fed- eral bureaus and the dude ranch indus- try here in the west, the executive sec- retary of the Dude Ranchers' Association is now working to bring about co- ordination of game and fish activities in the ranch territory and we feel that our fish and game program is one of the most constructive things the Dude Ranchers' Association has yet under- taken. Lack of information or the casual conversation of the man on the street is often the cause of much misunder- standing and criticism, while the facts and figures often tell a different story. The Dude Ranchers are proud of their cooperation record and stand ready at all times to work with clubs, depart- ments and commissions to carry out the fish and game programs. The easterner does not catch all of our fish, but easterners who come to fish have made possible the dude ranch, a $6,250,000 industry in Montana and Wyoming, and these people spend an- nually with Montana merchants about $200,000. We might add that 214 of these eastern fishermen liked this country so well that they bought places and are now residents of our states with nearly $4,500,000 invested. Quoting from interviews and the Montana Blue Grouse are Coming Back ter several years of protection by action Duse are multiplying In Montana's mount other scourge, caused them to disappea The open season in 1932 was the fir of the State ;ains. Some strange malady, r in peculiar manner for a number of year st since protection was afforded them. questionaires returned from SO mem- ber ranches in Montana and Wyoming, they own and control 555,700 acres of land. If every acre of this land were lakes and streams and every foot posted it would not make a good-sized pond on the map of these two states. But all this land owned and controlled by member ranches is not posted. Our figures show that of 68 ranches report- ing on this question, only 20 of them are posted. Public fishing is promised on the other 48, so you can not charge all these "no fishing" signs to member dude ranches. Possibly your own Rod and Gun Club or League Chapter asked the fish and game commission to close these streams as a spawning ground or rearing pond or stream. Then, too, the posted lake or stream may belong to some farmer who has had livestock shot, crops de- stroyed or buildings burned by some fisherman, camper or hunter. Dude ranchers are interested in the public shooting and fishing grounds and are working with the existing agencies to have congress pass such bills as they come up. During 1931, a total of 60 of the SO reporting ranches planted 2,762,000 fish without assistance from any organiza- tion, while 56 ranchers cooperated with Montana and Wyoming fish and game commissions and 32 assisted the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries and the Forest Service in stocking the lakes and streams wth several million fish. Twenty of these cooperating ranches furnished transportation and labor, packed and planted fish in lakes and streams from one to five miles from their ranches, 32 of them packed fish to new homes 5 to 30 miles away and 8 ranchers furnished trucks, pack horses and man power to plant lakes and streams 30 to 60 miles from their ranches, also 60 of the SO members re- porting helped or planted fish on the forest reserves or other public land uliere they could not post the lakes .111(1 streams if they wanted to. This survey also shows that 47 iiihers make allowance in their iilsets for fish planting and annually [iiud in cash, transportation and hired labor sums from $1 to $500 a year. This is more than most rod and gun clubs spend for this work. In most cases the rancher has not a chance for direct return on the time and money invested, but they are real piirtsmen, willing and anxious to work Willi everybody for more and better li.shing. The dude ranchers are strong and active supporters of Rod and Gun clubs, 70 of the 80 reporting belong to some sportsman's club. Page Ten MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT IN 1915 the Bu- reau of Biolog- ical Survey was requested to orga- nize a small group in Montana for the purpose principally of controlling the d e p r e d a t i ons of wolves that were destroying thou s- ands of d o 1 a 1 r s worth of livestock each year. At that time the appropria- tion was small and only $9,000 was al- lotted for this work in Montana. The method in which the Biological Sur- fi vey decided would be the best to ob- tain quick results was to employ hunters on a salary basis. This work was started October 1, 1915. At that time there were several places in the state where there were as many as 20 wolves running in a pack. The various places were Highwood moun. tains, Ued Lodge, Beaverhead county, head of Ruby, in the bad lands near Miles City, Sweet Grass Hills north of Chester and many other places over the state. Within tour years the Depart- ment had the wolves under control. In controlling the depredations of the wolves the hunters spent considerable Do Your Part R. E. Bateman !Si>ortsnifn, stockmen and furmprs ar« niiitually interesJed in (ranie. I'he piine lielongs to the stale; li lives on (he land of the larnier and it is protected by funds ciintrili- uted l>) the sjiortsnian. Many tlioiiulillt-ss hunters create III will on the part of I'arniers li.\ linntlni; on tlie farmer's land i>itliout per- mission, liy Iea>lnu' irales open, in- juring: stock, frainpliiii: i rops, and in many other «ais (lisreizardinir the interests of the larniers. i;\ery Iterson wlio poes afield in search of pame should remember that per- sons with whom he comes in con- tact, .indpe all hunters by his o«n acts. Every possible <(Mirl<'sj and consideration should lie siio«n iij Ininters to tlie fanners, and e>ery such courtesy and consideration helps the entire sportsmen's frater- nity. time in controlling the depredations of coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats that were numerous on the range and doing considerable damage to game, sheep and poultry and in some sections killing calves. The results obtained by these hunters have been the results of an increase in appropriations and state cooperation. Since the latter part of 1921 the Fish and Game Department started cooperal- Hunters Clear Hills of Predatory Pests ar rieni wKh Montana hsAd- r Yip Yap, tho wily coyote, and liii tin lioni and killer bear*, are being picture Above showe A eeaeon't eaten hide*. ing with' the bureau. In 1923, the Live Stock Commission began cooperating and the three departments worked In cooperation on the predatory animal work until April, 1931, when the Fish and Game Commission discontinued co- operation through an act of the legis- lature. Since that time the State Live Stock Commission and the Bureau of Biological Survey have continued the cooperation. However, the departments have not lost their interest in the control of mountain lions or coyotes that prey on game and livestock in the mountain areas. Since the Fish and Game De- partment has discontinued the coopera- tion there have been 14 mountain lions taken by hunters paid by the Biological Survey and the Live Stock Commission. Many coyotes are destroyed each win- ter in game countries, also on the ranges where they destroy many of the game birds each year. It was estimated a few years ago that a mountain lion will destroy 75 deer a year. Evidence of their destruc- tiveness is evident when the snow is on the ground. In summer this avideuce is not so noticeable and many kills are never seen or reported. Mountain lions are all destructive to livestock. The wolves are under control and sel- dom any are reported in the state. Coy- otes and bobcats are pretty equally dis- tributed over the state and are the greatest menace to game, game birds, livestock and poultry we have to com- bat in our work. The coyote may be exterminated in any county or given locality in the state but within n year or two the area will be reinfested un- less they are controlled equally as well in the adjoining territories. It will take the combined efforts of the State Live Stock Commission, Fish and Game Commission, and the Uurenu of Biological Survey to keep these ani- mals in check. The high price of furs a few years ago caused ninny individ- ual hunters to trap for the value of the furs. This was an aid in keeping down their numbers In localities where the Individual trappers worked, but even with the aid of the individual trappers and the efforts of the throe deparlmenlii the coyotes still existed. On tho rnnKes when' a hunter was kept for u reanon- able length of timo tho logseo to llve- Kloek or game was practically elim- inated and thousands of dollnm saved to llie llvestiiek Industry and many Kanie aiiliiiiilH and game birds were saved. Montana has never had a HUtfUleni force of huiitorH to control the dopre- diilloiiH of cuyoteH la loealltieH whore requests have been sent for liunlorH. The BloloKleal Survey orrire at lllllluKit IH constantly receiving reqneHt* for huiiterH to be sent Into game arenM to ciintnd coyotes and mountain lions preyluK on the deer and elk Similar reqiieMtM art) reeolved from llveiilock owners and poultry rnlNem. 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Eleven It Easier for the Sportsmiae By Sid .1. Coffee, Missdiila, President Montana Automobile Association INKED so closely as to be almost inseparable, are the sports of fish- ing and hunting with good roads in Mon- tana. To thousands of tourists and a ma- jority of home folks, smooth highways would be meaningless and valueless unless they offered acces- sibility to regions where fishing is un- paralleled and hunting is good. Dur- ing its existence, the Montana Automo- bile Association has been alive to this close connection between highways and wild life sports and has conducted a certain part of its work and publicity on the basis that this . relation is a valuable agent for bringing tourists to this part of the northwest. Montana, which is a state of dis- tances, has a reputation renowned for sports found outside city limits. Her most beautiful lakes are those far up in the mountains, the best fishing is in the bubbling mountain streams and the most suitable camping and hunting grounds often lie miles from a town. Montanans are in the habit of entertain- ing, not only themselves, but their out- of-state guests and visitors on fishing and hunting trips to spots which, be- fore the advent of the automobile and roads, were all but unknown and in- accessible to even the most enthusi- astic of sportsmen. The combination of the automobile and good highways is a chief reason for many Montanans becoming interested in such sports. To- day men speed in cars through north- western wilderness where once they plodded patiently on foot. During the last two years a good part of the $21,000,000 which the state has used for road development and building was devoted to bettering and building highways, mostly in the moun- tain and forest regions. Places reputed unexcelled as hunting and fishing paradises and known much further than the boundaries of the state are being made attainable for motorists and tourists who are wild life devotees and, as time goes on and the mileage of oiled and improved highways here adds up with the expenditure of highway funds, spots hitherto unknown to fish- ermen and hunters will be annexed by them. A country, like an individual, has a personality aud certain characteristics. The Treasure State has long been rec- ognized as an unmatched part of the northwest for out-of-doors recreation. Waterways here offer superb fishing and hundreds of well-stocked streams lie within the radius of the state while certain areas of Montana are abund- ant with a profusion of game life for deer, elk, bear and feathered hunting. Equalling this lavish gift is the nat- ural beauty of the earth and sky — no country offers a more ideal setting for these sports. A combination like this, conforming to a standard of perfec- Good Roads, Good Sport The Montana Automobile As tion is a statewide non-profit club affiliated with the A. / Chief functions of the asso( e moulding of legi; to Montana highways and to attract the motorist from other states to travel in and through Montana. It renders an assortment of special services to its members scattered throughout the state. tion, should draw a full share of tour- ists and travellers who seek thrills with beauty or beauty with thrills. Bolstering Nature's lavishness are Montana's highways and roads. Latent sport possibilities are being opened by the annually increasing development of the state's roads and one now motors freely to hidden haunts of fish and game. The true spirit of the west, that of hospitality, is genuinely exemplified in the ever-mounting mileage of improved roads being added to the state's high- way system. Tourists' enthusiasm and desire for good hunting and fishing are irresistible only when roads to equal the degree of excellence in these sports are offered. Good roads, now approaching mod- ernization, traverse the state east to west and north to south. Access to the forests and mountains, which con- stitute about a third of Montana's large area, is a realization now that develop- ment within the last two and three years of an entire modern highway sys- been approximated. tern Out Door Ethics Code Your outdoor manners tell tlie world what you are at liome. What belongs to the public isn't your own— play fair. Kespect (he property of rural res- Idenls ;isk heiore using it. Save fences, dose grates and bars, go iuound planted fields, 1)0 your shooting only where ab- solutely safe see clearly before pulling Oie trigger. Kespect the law— take enough le- gal fish and game to eat, then quit. Protect public h e a 1 1 h— keep springs and streams clean. (lean up your camp and don't liiter the highways with trash. Carelessness «i(li fires is a crime againsi liiiniaiiil.t pritciil them. Leaw flu\Mrs anil slirui)s for others to eii.ioy iielp keep outdoor Montana beautiful. The Hungarian Partridge In general appearance and body con- formation, the Hungarian partridge of Montana resembles bob-white quail. However, the "Hun" is nearly twice as large as the quail, weighing from 12 to 14 ounces. The Hungarian, as in the case of quail, is a timid bird and con- sequently a peaceful one. Incubation of Hungarian partridge eggs is from 21 to 23 days. The aver- age nest contains about 16 eggs. Nest- ing sites picked by Hungarians often are along the edge of ditches, along grassy side-roads or in grassy fence rows. If suitable locations cannot be found elsewhere, Hungarians some- times nest in hayfields and rough pas- tures, or other spots where there are quantities of old long, dry grass of the previous year's growth. Hungarians prefer rich, fertile, flat or gently rolling land of clay loam. They seldom are found on high rolling or hilly land and are found in these lo- cations only when their natural ranging grounds are within easy flight. These birds should receive the en- couragement of every agricultural com- munity for they are a distinct benefit to farmers in their feeding habits. Their food consists chiefly of insects, weed seeds and waste grain. During spring and summer their diet is believed to consist chiefly of insect life. Fall aud winter months find them feeding on ragweed, foxtail, black bindweed and many other noxious weeds. Zoologists have estimated that approximately SO per cent of the Hungarian's diet is weed seed, the balance being made up of fallen grains. Coloration of the Hungarian par- tridge is light steely gray, darkening as it proceeds from the neck to the body, until the gray nearly disappears in a maze of copper, white and black markings. Underparts are dull, yel- lowish white. Their dreaded enemy is the Cooper's hawk. At nights the "Huns" form in a loose ring similar to that used by quail. When disturbed they seem to flush simultaneously, each bird taking to the air at the same in- stant. Sportsmen find them one of the most difficult shots of all game birds. BEAVEKS BOTHER NOKWAY It is claimed that American beaver imported into Norway have proved to be a nuisance. They are now so nu- merous that their dams have flooded meadows, undermined roads and weak- ened bridges and farmers have peti- tioned for a repeal of the protective law accorded these animals by the Norwe- gian government. Page Twelve MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Law I§ Brnimgiimg Back the Deer By Fred B. Williams of Bozenian, President Montana Sportsmen's Association M O N T A N A ' S u c k law. which forbids the killing of fe- male deer in all but six counties of the state, has proven its worth to sportsmen keenly interested in the increase of the species. It is the best piece of legisla- tion ever listed among fish and game laws. For many years the writer was an op- ponent of the buck law, but when the deer population of Gallatin county be- gan to diminish, it began to be appar- F. B. Williams Planting Fingerlings State Sportsmen Meet at Helena M the EMBERS of the Montana Spo mens Association are sched to hold the annual meetinj Wednesday, January 10 and 11. according to word from Roger M. Cummings of Missoula, Secretary. Officers of the association include President Fred B. Williams of Boze- man. Secretary Cummings and the following directors: A. C. Baumgart- ner of Great Falls. Ed M. Boyes of Libby. A. H. Croonquist of Billings. Dr. J. H. Garberson of Miles City. Glen A. Smith of Missoula and Har- lan L. Hart of Helena. The call for the meeting announces that questions regarding needed legislation will be discussed and a program arranged to be presented to members of the state legislative assembly. Coordination of activities of all state departments and organizations interested in the welfare of the wild life of Montana, is sought by the association. will always have big game on account of their relation to Yellowstone Na- tional Park. The natural overflow is bound to drift into the forest adjoining the park. Heavy snows force deer to hunt lower lands and many of them find new homes and locate there. from nltni Fiih axporti •urvey surroundlngi tempomturo of the wntori nnd oqiinllia environment ao that the little followa get an oven break from the atart. ent that the buck law should be made operative and opinions were changed. During the last year I have covered much of Montana and in practically all regions where deer range, evidences show substantial increases because of llie operation of the buck law. Every effort should be made to edu- cate the businessman as well as the sportsmen of Montana to the real value of wild life in this state. The amount of money spent by the tourists and va- cationists who come here for the op- portunity to see our game, is of major importance. For this reason we should keep our buck law on the books and build up our deer herds so that most anyone driving through the National Forests of Montana can see deer and other wild game and be able to return to their homes and tell friends about the game in Montana. No better nd- vcrllslng could possibly be undertukeii and at no cost to us. Montana's game is one of our gnal- ist assets — not alone to the field of sport, but in limes like these, fnini the slandpoint of food. We have the tlnt-wl [ilayground for sportsmen in the Tulted .Sillies and we siiould do everything in our power to keep it this way. The elk and deer killed in this state each year represent many dollars in food value. The Montana SporlHmon's Asso- rhitlon hiiN been flghtlnK (or niiiny years to protect and build up our wild life and we feel that our effortH have not been In vain. Tlieri- is no doubt about the monetary value of fJHli anil game from a Hceule piilnl of view. The tourist coining to tills statu prefors to seu gamo more than anything else we have to offer. Tills value Is far In excesH of any pos- Hlhlo income we may derive from the leliitlvely Hiiiall kills made for food. I'ark. (iiillallii and MiidlHon eoiintleH GASre AXD FOREST FIRES Game resources cannot be success- fully increased by mere laws. Game must be raised. To do so successfully the natural cover must be protected from forest fires. Give the wild life of Montana the right kind of environment and protect all game during the breed- ing season, then game will come back in large numbers. Laws have been en- acted to protect game. Laws exist pro- hibiting forest fires. The public must cooperate by observing the game and forestry laws. Cooperation is the es- sential factor. BOT— PAGE WEBSTER "Not drunk is he who from the floor can rise and drink once more, "But drunk is he who prostrate lies and cannot either drink or rise." RocKy M.M.nl.Mi u, ..!■ crag In Monlana'a p«i the vlalta of aa . Ir.ip (■.>nl .1.10 to rka to add Ihrllla to atarn lourlata. 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Thirteen By M, M. Afwater of Basin, Secretary Montana Fox and Fur Breeders Association ONTANA'S fur farming is a recent addition to the state's oldest indus- try, the fur trade. Rec- ords of the State Fish and Game Department list approximately 100 licensed fur farms for 1032. This represents a decline in num- bers from former years, a decline trace- able to business conditions. In common with all other forms of business, fur farming has suffered from the depression, yet it has shown re- markable vitality and there has not been a time when the fur farmer couUl not sell his product for cash and at ;t price which allows the more efficient operators to maintain themselves. This is a record which few businesses can match at the present time. Montana is an ideal fur farming state. Much has been said of the advantages of climate, but there are other advan- tages less often mentioned but even more important. Some of these are low cost of land, low taxes and cheap food supply. The authorities which regulate fur farming are sympathetic with its aims and realize possibilities of this new industry which provides employ- ment, attracts capital, utilizes waste land and increases the taxable value of property. Authorities and fur farmers are co- operating on a friendly basis to de- velop the industry in a conservative and businesslike manner. The product of fur farms is an im- Montana Beaver Worth Fortune ned 1 an average p -^ prevailed year ice of $20 w nich s prior to the slump, the 71,831 hides tagged by the state departme It during the 12 years would $1,436,620. The agging fee is leaver hide r ust bear the tag befor e it can be trc ferred. Beaver n- ust be taken permits issued by the department only where they a age to agricultural la nds or Indus rial plants. Prior to 921 the state law made no provisior and thousands of the The record of beaver hides tagge d since 1921, fol- 1921 479 . 2,430 1923 . 2,339 1924 . 3,184 1926 . 9,714 1927 9,227 1928 . 5,749 1929 1930 :: 8:692 1931 . 7,003 1932 . 4,670 Total 71,831 Tagging Beaver portant factor in the fur trade and is becoming more important year by year. It is no idle prophecy to say that fur farm production will soon exceed wild fur production. At the present time all silver fox pelts are domestic. The number of ranch-raised mink pelts is gaining on the number wild-caught and as more and more fur-bearing species, threat- ened with extinction, are put on the protected list, the production of fur farms of various types is increasing in significance. Montana has a logical place in this development. Fox and mink farms, as elsewhere, are dominant elements in Montana fur farming. However, many farmers are experimenting with marten and this fur bearer shows great promise due to the high value of the pelt and its in- creasing scarcity in the wild. Quite recently a new kind of fur farming has emerged from the experi- mental stage: namely, the raising ii-captivity ited for en- ;e it has a lese animals beaver and muskrat in on large fenced areas. Montana is peculiarly terprises of this type s large natural supply of as well as much suitable acreage. Since a good deal of this acreage is included in the National Forests, the Forest Service has become interested in the possibilities and is co-operating with both state and individual farmers to ex- plore them. The Montana Fox and Fur Breeders Association has been in existence for five years and is affiliated with the American National Fox and Fur Breed- ers Association. The state association represents the fur farmers of Montana in matters of legislation and policy, and acts as an agency for disseminating in- formation and new developments among its members. Fur farming in Montana is a young and growing industry which has dem- onstrated its ability to weather hard times, which has benefited the state in tlio past and will benefit it still mort' in tho future. Quick Growing Trees Although many valuable trees are comparatively slow growers, some of the best kinds develop to merchantable sizes with sui prising rapidity, says the Forest Service, United States Depart- mtnt ot Agiiculture. Douglas fir in the Pdcitic Noithwest will grow in dense setdluig stands, in some cases reach 90 teet in height in 30 years. At 50 years It will pioduce 1 to 3 cords of wood per acre per year. In a dense stand the trees produce a high proportion of clean lumber. Southern pines are among the quick- est growing trees, saplings 20 years old often attaining a height of 40 feet. The annual yield in good second-growth stands may by this time reach 1 to 3 cords per acre. Spruce and fir seedlings in the North- east are often held back for 15 to 40 years by competition, but they never grow up quickly when the old trees are removed. The advance reproduction, as such a stand of little trees is called, when freed by the harvesting of the ma- ture crop, in about 40 years develops into a new pulpwood forest producing acre. Hardwoods are generally slower grow- 1 or more cords of wood annually per ing than the pine family. However, the yellow popular, or tulip tree, in second- growth stands reaches heights of 50 to 100 feet in 30 to 50 years. Beaver Trapping Permits Slump g-^ OMPLAINTS from 1 . industrial leaders ^^ that beaver have farmers and of the state damage to agricultur il lands and esulted in the issuance of 459 permits to trap animals in 1931 and 270 permits re issued only after an inspection has been made by a qualified deputy game warden. limitation as to the number to be must be ■ iled During 1919-1920 colled ion of the fee was waived by law. The follow issued since 1917. 1917 . 218 . 100 1919 1920 1922 . 244 1923 . 259 1924 .. 139 1925 . 562 1926 . 607 1927 . 641 1928 .. 613 1929 . 582 . 526 1931 . 459 1932 . 270 Page Fourteen MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT VKR fluke disease or what is often called by hunters "rotten liver" is caused by a flat ova, leaf shaped, fluke-like worm (fasciola hepat- ica). This parasite may infest any ruminant, that is, any animal that chews its cud. It may also occasionally infest other animals and man. Sheep are the prin- ciple sufferers closely followed by goats, deer, elk and cattle. The lite cycle of this parasite is par- ticularly interesting. The adult fluke is found in the bile ducts and liver sub- stance of the infested animal. The ma- ture fluke is flat, grayish or pale brown in color and approximately one inch long by half an inch wide. Imma- ture flukes also may be observed in the liver as small as one-eighth of an inch in length. The matured fluke may pro- duce one hundred thousand eggs or more. These eg gs pass down the bile ducts into the intestines and then into the outer world along with the drop- pings of the infested animal. Eggs which reach water hatch, those which remain on dry ground do not hatch. When eggs hatch they liberate a minute embryo fluke which is called the miracidium. These miracidium are mi- croscopic in size. They swim about in the water by means of a coat of cilia or small hairs. In this form it lives only from one to three hours un- less it finds a right handed snail. The miracidium does not penetrate into a left-handed snail. Why this micro- scopic immature fluke does not pene- trate into a left-handed snail or how it can tell a right-handed snail from a left-handed snail is a phenomenon that no one as yet has explained. Neverthe- less, this is a fact and a very import- ant one in the control of liver flukes. If there are no right-handed snails in an area then there will be no liver fluke disease. It we find right-handed snails in an area we know that liver fluke disease will undoubtedly make its appearance in that dlHlrict unless we destroy these right-handed snails, which can be done In most districts by means of broudi:aHtiiiK copper sulphate. The miracidium has two stages of development within the snail. The time required for this development Is from 50 to 80 days. When the final dovolop- mcnt has taken place the Immature fluke leaves the snail in lln; form tit what Is called u riri-.swIninilhK cir- curlue. Kor every nilincldliiin thai pen- elrales Into the right handed suiiil there develops anywhere from 15 lo 10H free- HWlnimlng cercarlae. These cercurlae resenilile a tadpole in shape, having a flat, heurt-Hhaped body with u long tall. They wiggle around in (he wa- ter and under ordinary conditions attach tlieniHelveH to graKM or leaves. They lose their lull, excrete u sticky Hub- Hlance In wlilirh they eiicyHl thoniHulvuH and which glues them to the Hleni ut grass or leaf. If they do not become attached to a stem of grass or a leaf they encyst themselves with a sticky substance and float around on the wa- ter. A susceptible animal that comes along and eats grass that has these cysts on it or drinks water that con- tains these encysted cercariae becomes infested with flukes. When these en- cysted cercariae are taken into the stomach of a susceptible animal the cysts are absorbed and the young flukes liberated. These young flukes then penetrate through the walls of the in- testines, get into the body cavity where they wander about and in about 14 days reach the liver. When they reach the liver they penetrate the liver cap- sule, get into the bile ducts where they grow to sexual maturity and the whole cycle starts over again. The time re- quired for the completion of their life cycle from egg to egg is from six to eight months. In cooperation with the Zoological Division of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, the Livestock Sanitary Board has located most of the areas infested with liver fluke. So far we have never found a case of liver fluke east of the the foothills of the Ilocky Mountain Divide. Practically all areas infested with the fasciola hepat- ica are west of the Rocky Mountain di- vide and a small area on the eastern slope of the Hocky Mountain Divide. This condition is of particular inter- est to sportsmen and all interested in wild game life. It is not a question of sheep or cattle being on a range. Deer and elk are just as badly infested as sheep or cattle. How long these flukes have been in this country no one knows but probably long before there were any domestic animals. As long as we have right-handed snails we will have liver flukes because there are al- ways susceptible animals wandering around. Ordinarily liver fluke infesta- tion does not kill mature animals but if a young animal becomes heavily In- tested with these liver flukes the death loss may be considerable. In this country infestation generally takes place between July and the third frost In September or October. Sheep may be Indlvlduully treated with carbon tetrachloride but it Is dan- gerous to treat cattle wllh carbon telra- i'hlorlde and of course when we conic to wild life like deer and elk, Individ- ual treatment Is out of the question. In many districts, however, we nniy prevent liver fluke InfeHlatlon by kill- ing off right-handed Hnalls. Ulght- liamled snails are very easily destroyed by nieunH of copper sulpliale and by proper drainage of Intesli'd aruuB. Dr. Hoberl Jay Blutes that; "Copper HUlphutu kills the snallH, the nilriiclilla, and the free-MwImmluK curcurliui. It does not Injure the fluke eggs ur the encyKird cer<'»rlae, therefore, to pre vent InfeMlallon, lliu hiiuIIh hIuiuUI be destroyed bef> I] • il.. .*,ii-r and grasses are infected. "In the dilutions used for killing snails, copper sulphate is not Injurious to grasses, flowering plants, or to live- stock which drink it. It will kill the low^er form of plant life, such as the algae and mosses and will kill tish." It has been our personal observation that copper sulphate will kill fish and especially trout in very dilute quanti- ties. Therefore, to treat our running fish streams with copper sulphate is out of the question. We can, however, treat marshes, stag- nant water holes and quite a number of our ponds without injury to game fish. Dr. Maurice C. Hall, chief of the Zoological Division of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, has ttae following to say; "In view of the fact that snails are essential as intermediate hosts in the lite history of the liver fluke, it is highly desirable to destroy tJie snails in flukey areas, as any young flukes which hatch and tail to find a suitable snail are incapable of ever infecting sheep or cattle. The best known method of destroying the snails is by means of copper sulphate. Walton, in Europe, recommends spraying the pasture, either with a knapsack sprayer or with a power sprayer, using on dry pastures a Vz per cent solution made by dis- solving a half pound of copper sulphate in lU British or imperial gallons of water. The British gallon contains 16U fluid ounces; the United States gallon contains l-'S fluid ounces. A solution of approximately Va per cent would cull for 12.5 U. S. gallons of water lo a half pound of copper sulphate. In his experiments he found that it would require from SO to 137 gallons of the solution to spray an acre, or usually from luo to 120 gallons. The cost was about 11.75 an acre plus labor cost. When surface water Is present the strength of the solution should be in- creased to I or 2 per cent, or even stronger It necessary. For largo arcus of swampy land, Walton suggests broad- casting with 1 part of powdered copper sulphate by weight lo i to S ports of fine, dry sand; this costs about ii.M an acre plus cost of labor and sand. For the margins of ponds and dttchoH he KUggOHls the use of u dust nuule of 1 part by weight of powdered copper sulphate to -I parts of kaolin tchlnu clay); this cosls about )3.0U an acre plus labor cost. SubstaucoH other than sand or kaolin (o mix with copper sul- phate tor liroadcaMtlug or dumlnK mlgbl bo found." Wo have looked Into this eoiidlllon in wild anlnuilH as well an In donieallc animals and Just this full wo uiudo n cuuHuary Miirvey of (ho Sun Klvor coun- try. Appuronlly ihuro Is not Hufflcloni liver fluke tnfoHlutlon In thai dlslrlct lo cauHu serious alarm ul Ihls timo. 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Fifteen GairMe l^awv ViolMaoes ^ed Arrests By J. W. Carney, Helena, Assistant State Game Warden VIOLATIONS of Montana's fish and game laws during the biennium w h i c h has just closed have been held in check below the peak established in 1930, when 514 ari'ests were made by deputy state game wardens. Re- ports received at headquarters show that in 1931, 455 ar- rests were made by wardens while in 1932 the figure in- creased to 45S. The top mark established J. W. Carr 1930 was the largest total of viola- tions recorded in the 20 years since this information was tabulated in the department. Analysis of statistics shows that the largest number of violations occurred in Lincoln county in 1932 where 49 ar- rests were made. The 1931 record was held by Beaverhead county where 33 arrests were made. During 1932 no ar- rests for fish and game law violations were made in 12 Montana counties: Carter, Daniels, Fallon, Garfield, Lib- erty, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Teton, Treasure and Wibaux. Pishing without a license proved the stumbling block for the largest number of offenders, SO being arrested in 1931 and S!i in 1932. In former years the largest number of arrests was usually made for shipping furs outside the state without a license. With the limited funds at its dispo- sal, the fish and game department is striving to cover the 90,000,000 acres or 140,997 square miles included within Montana's boundaries. The official pop- ulation of the state in 1930 is given as 537,606 or about four people to the square mile, hence the task confronting the small staff of law enforcement of- ficers associated with the department, may be visualized. Here's the record of arrests for viola- tion of the fish and game laws during the last 20 years: 1913 1923 403 1915 . 237 1925 1916 . .156 1926 1917 171 1927 1918 .. 219 1928 1919 - 60 1929 1921 ., 278 1931 1922 336 1932 >iND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS, 1931-1932 VIOLATIONS BY COUNTIES Alien in possession of firearms without hcense. Catching- over the limit of game fish Catching more than 5 fish under 7 inches in hi Fishing without a license Fishing through the ice Fishing in closed streams Fishing during closed season Fishing with more than 1 pole, liii' ami 1 1 set line Hunting without a licen.se Hunting on Game Preserve Hunting deer with dogs Illegal possession of beavi-i- liidt.s ., Killing Bear without lic-iis. Killing a moose Killing elk out of sea.soii Killing deer out of se:is. m Killing grouse, prairie .In. kin, .i... .-m .-i Killing doe deer Killing more than one .!• . Killing antelope Killing fawn Killing Chinese M,. .. : - -i, i -.i .,,-.-,, Killing deer by n ■ -i i--.' h- M Making false .si;H. i.,. M u ,. hiih- ,. i .- .i, i.-r li. .-n Opening muskriii li ■;. Possession of uni..L-i:. .i ■\.ni...ii Possession of a .-..n. will i .i n. ... . Salmon eggs. fi.-lniiL \.,ili .m. Snagging fish Shipping furs fi-.m. :i;ii. \\iii. ,. j.. iiini Shooting ducks alter .sun, . i Shooting ducks after :,. :i - n 1.-. Shooting song birds .. Shooting from public lnt;li\\.i\ Blaine Broadwater Carbon Carter Cascade Chouteau Custer Daniels Dawson Deer Lodge Fallon Fergus Judit: Lake Lewi! Liber .\lil.el-:il Miss..lll.i Park '. Petroleui Phillips Pondera Powder Powell Prairie (•lOLATIONS.. Teton Toole Treasure .. Valley Wheatland Wibau.x .. Yellowstone 20 ^ 458 Page Sixteen MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT ¥mh aimd Gainme Lnceese Sales §hov^ Decliee ■ I CONOMIC conditions .'^- S I — ^ prevalent tliroughout 1 J Ln the nation have been ^- wCi^y^ reflected in the sales of 5 ^-^Fj Montana fish and game ^T . Ti licenses during the last d^-^ ^'^' ^ year. Two years ago the state legislature made possible the split license system. which enabled the department to adopt the big game tagging system, and while results have been gratifying from an enforcement standpoint, receipts have shown a decline of more than $40,000 in 1932 below the mark of 1931. The following figures denote depart- mental receipts from all sources for the last four years: 1929 . ..$209,478.87 1930 . 209,483.90 1931 . 223,655.08 1932 179,644.14 In 1929 a total of 83,388 resident licenses were sold while in 1930 the figure reached 82,331. During those two years the old license system pre- vailed. Under the new system adopted two years ago the big game and the resident bird and fish licenses were divided. In 1931 a total of 68,574 resi- dent bird and fish licenses were sold and 60,374 in 1932. In 1931 the resident big game licenses totaled 24,394 at $1 each while in 1932 this total reached 25,868. The resident sportsman's license at $5 totaled 1,848 in 1931 and dropped to 695 in 1932." The non-resident fishing li- cense sales in 1931 totaled 4,513 and in 1932 declined to 2,636. In 1932, Silver Bow county led the state in the number of resident bird and fish licenses sold with 5,821. Lewis and Clark was second among the 56 counties with 4,438 and Flathead third with 4,179. Flathead county holds the 1932 lead in the sale of big game licenses to resi- dents at %1 with 3.527. Lewis and Clark is second with 2,407 and Silver Bow third with 1,931. SUUstics show- ing the total number of licenses of all descriptions sold in Montana counties during the biennium just closed are tn- eluded in the tablulalion which follows: LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES IN 1931 LICENSE SALE BY COUNTIES IN 1932 Beaverhead 2.119 530 72 157 BIK Horn 576 54 17 Blilne 435 33 12 1 Broadwater 525 229 20 11 Carbon Carter ._ 9 Caacade — 6,591 1,731 155 50 456 115 14 223 7 5 I 58 4 63o 56 27 2.204 C34 63 45 1 37 2 KiTKilH 1.684 290 17 29 4.822 3.232 48 185 9 Gallatin _ .._ 2,283 1.014 49 589 14 Garfield 13 2 706 193 41 64 Golden Valley _. 92 35 Granite 397 10 Hill 1,092 92 41 10 ;i Jeffer«on __ _ 678 318 23 1.-! 693 334 16 1.978 l.OU 31 411 LewU and Ctark.:. 3:335 2.509 282 127 s Liberty 120 10 3 Lincoln 1.926 1.218 58 168 ^1 Madlwjn 1.339 436 40 299 McCona „. . . 11 Mca«her 685 343 4 20 Mineral 660 321 12 78 MI«BOHla _. 4.343 2,225 165 170 612 133 5 6 1 2.735 1.023 85 121 6!) 5 348 12 7 2 860 182 28 803 703 28 39 HI I'ralrl. Z. 25 1 Ravalli 1.632 e>5 13 66 4 Rli.hlnnd 2 6 [■...-.(.•i.l 226 1 13 i; ■■■11 360 13 19 2 1.805 845 130 1) 3U7 « 15 2 6 7,547 1.308 134 74 1,053 HI 17 66 Beaverhead _. 1.352 Big Horn 505 Blaine 301 438 153 s , 171 4 1 . 1 ,■ .. 353 17 7 , !•. . V 1. i-. . 1,439 745 S 7 — . 1,506 652 26 26 I Flathead .. 4,179 3.527 31 101 1 1 Gallatin _... .. 3.018 1.386 46 Garfield . 4 Glacier _... 196 Golden Valley 78 40 Granite 327 3 22 HIU 1.031 113 Jeffersui, . 469 183 2 „-nn __ 414 370 35 108 c \ 4.43N 2.407 98 113 10 •12 1 , , - 56 10 1.597 1.522 31 !!' 2 ,574 24.394 1,341 4,513 -Includva 3 allan bird and allnn bic gaino llcena / 21 rd 270 3 .162 lloana* 13 •M 3 To 60^374 allan b N "i •— IncludM una MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Page Seventeen Moet^e^^s Fish Hsitelheiries By Keiinptli F. MarDonnId, Ilpleiia, Sljif<' Siiiierinfondent of Fisheries E F. MacDonald A r H biennial period brings g h t new factors which must be reckoned with it we are to keep pace with the ever-in- creasing demand for good fishing. The outstanding factor of this biennium is the road improve- ment program which brings the old and new fishing areas within comparatively easy reach of the fisherman. As is not always the case, the very factor which creates this new demand, serves materially in assist- ing with satisfying the demand as with improved highways it is now possible to enlarge upon territory served by each hatchery. With improved methods of fish transportation, it will make pos- sible, with the enlargement of present hatcheries, to centralize activities, which is the accepted method of pres- ent day times tor efficient operation. The protracted and unprecedented drought which reached its maximum during the late summer and early fall of 1931 is another factor which de- mands consideration. This drought re- sulted in a heavy loss of fish and aquatic food life in many smaller streams, with the only compensating feature being the attention it drew to the value of water conservation. There are agencies now at work on a pro- gram of this nature and it merits the whole-hearted support of all sportsmen as well as the general public. Each fish has a monetary value, dependent upon the size and species, and until a water conservation program is put into effect assuring sufficient water tor the sustaining of fish life in the areas affected by each drought, it would be the better policy to direct activities toward building up fishing in the larger streams and lakes. The natural food rearing pond idea which was so popular a few years ago and in which this division participated to a certain extent, has proved that it has but little merit. In only Isolated instances has it developed the results anticipated. It is the present day policy to estab- lish ponds on hatchery grounds where it is possible to have constant super- vision and the cost of operation re- duced. There are instances, however, where it is to an advantage to establish the rearing ponds or better termed, feed stations, on a creek or stream in the heart of a large distribution area. Last spring one of these stations was es- tablished on Beaver Creek near Havre. This was of an experimental nature, and it developed that the nominal cost of constructing and maintaing this sta- tion, with the splendid results ob- tained, justify expanding upon this program. It is the intention next year to es- tablish stations of this type in several regions where they will make possible the liberation of larger fish with but small distribution costs. It is possible through use of this type of pond to utilize a larger vol- ume of water and of a higher tempera- ture than the average hatchery water which promotes a more rapid growth of fish. The fish are transferred from the hatchery during :\Iay or June, after the high water period and at a time when the stream and hatchery water is of about the same temperature. A man is placed in charge of the station and attends to the feeding and other duties necessary in the operation. The fish are retained until the water temperature drops to the point where they will not take food readily and are liberated in the adjacent territory. All obstructions are then removed and a volume of water allowed to run free through the ponds during the idle period. This keeps the ponds in a clean, sanitary condition and reduces the danger of disease to the minimum. Another feature of this type of pond is the rearing of the fish in the wa- ters in which they are to be later re- leased or water of approximately the same character. There has been con- siderable study of recent years of the effect of transplanting fish from one water to another of entirely different mineral content and the results indi- cate that in many instances, it is dis- astrous. Considerable headway was made dur- ing the last biennium toward the plant- ing of larger fish and getting a record of waters In each district for the pur- pose of Improving our planting pro- Fish Distribution Report of All State Hatcheries in 1931 Crappies Perch „, , and and „^'tf'«, Sunfish Catfish Spotted Rainbow Grayling Brook Sain Anaconda .... Big Timber Elmlgrant .... Great Falls Hamilton .... I.,ewlstown .. LIbby Miles City Missoula Ovando Phllipsburg Poison Red Lodge . Somers I.'SO 445,300 49.080 Total SUte Field: .Tones Lake Nine Pipe Somers Cooperative: Butte Anglers Grand Total Chinook Salmon 2.516.S60 1,718.170 1,634.306 1.609.000 983.036 974.917 490.970 543.430 1.294.000 299.674 4G8.000 16.349.444 3.878.209 VzlTo 600.000 20 000 1.404.900 620,000 1.410.945 ■ '269".'270 .115.290 870.222 676.683 1.680.215 194.032 - 224,482 445,300 49,080 17.754,344 4.498,209 'Sockeyc Salmon "Includes 875,000 Whlteflsh .115.290 870.222 676.583 1.680.215 3.600 4,142,766 ._ 4.446.650 1.634.306 2.263.654 2.456.000 1.350.06n 22,100 1.072.200 524. S30 •2.750.000 s.ss.ose !174.9I7 790.644 643.430 2.057.000 25,700 25.995,493 8.400 2.032 192.061 1.272.000 732.900 20,000 2.227..'!0,1 ),700 28.222.886 Page Eighteen 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 gram. These records show which wa- ters must be stocked with larger fish, and which waters, due to the protec- tion afforded, are suitable for the plant- ing of fingerlings or fry. The chief obstacle in the way of more rapid de- velopment of the program for the planting of larger fish is lack of rev- enue. We are very mindful, however, of the value of this program and in- tend to continue efforts toward expan- sion. Some experimental work was done at Lake Helena during the fall of 1931 tow^ard establishing a plant for the pur- pose of utilizing the secondary fish, carp and suckers, for fish food. The nature of the experiment was to de- termine the availability of these fish, their value as fish food having been previously determined. It developed that it will be possible to collect these fish at a small cost and in numbers which warrant the construction of a small canning plant. Some work was done toward preparing a fish meal as a food but little headway was made due to the improvised plant not being adapted for economical preparation for this type food. It is the intention to erect a plant at this point as soon as revenue is available, to effect a con- siderable saving in fish food costs in- curred in holding fish to a larger size. Because of the surplus of native trout eggs each year at the George- town lake spawning station, exchanges are made with other State Fish and Game Departments for different species needed to meet the wide range of con- ditions in this state. While these exchanges are to our advantage in that it is possible in this way for us to obtain the different species through the operation of one spawning station, there is no assurance that it will be possible to continue with exchanges for any definite period, due to the possibility of a decrease in our native egg collection or through being able to utilize the entire take of natives. For this reason steps are be- ing taken to develop or revive spawn- ing stations for Rainbow at Lake Fran- cis, Lake Ronan and Cliff lake, for Eastern Brook at Daly's lake in Park county, for Loch Leven in Hebgeu lake, Ci)oma2i €. Bap MONTANA'S St.Tte Fish nnd Game Department lost one of the most valued members of its fisheries division staff with the pass- ing of Thomas E. Day. foreman of the Station Creek hatchery at Pol- son last June. Mr. Day, who was 42. and who had been associated with the department for eight years, was stricken with a heart attack and was unable to rally. His widow ice with' the fisheries division he was employed at Missoula. Ovando and at Station Creek. He was relied upon annually to assist with the important spawn-taking work at the mouth of Flint creek on Georgetown lake and his death creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. for Grayling in Rogers and lower Ash- ley lakes in Flathead county and the development of Big Ashley for natives to be used in the event that we have more demand for this species at some future time than Georgetown will sup- ply. The magnitude of fish cultural operations is measured by the available brood stock. In the spring of 1931 the Oregon type of revolving fish screen was installed in an irrigation ditch out of Spring creek on the Madison near Ennis. This ditch was recognized as one of the worst in the state with regard to the annual loss of fish. While the screen operates effectively and leaves no doubt as to the value of its installation, the cost is prohibitive, with the present revenue, for this division to accept full responsibility for screening ditches and it is hoped that it will be possible to devise some means of financing this important undertaking or interest other agencies in the matter. The new highway from Great Falls lo Helena opens a lengthy stretch of the Missouri river to fishermen and it is planned to make a concerted effort to further develop the fishing in this water as rapidly as possible. Consid- erable has been done in recent years, in anticipation of the demands resulting from the new highway, toward stock- ing the upper stretches from Wolf Creek to Cascade with Loch Leven and Rainbow and this year many good calches were made. The Missouri river offers a wide range of conditions in the immediate vicinity of Great Falls, with the upper portion being ideally suited for trout and with the reservoirs formed by the power dants being ideally adapted for the warm water species such as bass, trappies. perch and cattish. These .species have been planted in the reser- voirs for the last few years in limited numbers. The Miles City Warm Wa- ter station is not yet developed to full capacity. In 1923 a number of catfish from .Nelson Reservoir near Malta were planted in Nine Pipe Reservoir on the Flathead Reservation and splendid re- sults obtained. !t is planned to trans- plant a large number of these from Nine Pipe next year to the reservoirs at Great Falls. An egg exchange has been made with Michigan whereby they are to furnish us with wall-eyed pike for grayling. It is planned to plant the pike as an ex- periment in the Missouri river reser- voirs and in the lower Yellowstone and Tongue rivers next spring. During the last two years, rearing ponds have been constructed on the Dearborn and Upper Sun River and they have produced satisfactory results. With the establishment of a feeding station on the Missouri river or one of the tributaries, as planned for next spring, it will be possible to keep this area in the front as a fishing para- dise. Belt creek, once famed for its fishing, is fast coming back after the depletion suffered from the effects of pollution from mining operations. It is planned to plant this stream heavily with Eastern Brook and Rainbow and these eggs are now being incubated at the Great Falls hatchery. The comparatively limited trout fish- ing waters in the Billings territory necessitates a careful and thorough ap- plication of fish cultural methods to keep pace with the heavy drain. Due to conditions prevailing in the Still- water river, with fast water and litn- Fish Distribution Report of All State Hatcheries in 1932 Ci'upples I'erch Kalnbow tirayltni; iirouk Anaconda BJK TImbcT rmly (Iliiml KiiilKnint K«d LiitlKu . HomnrH , Yank I'onil AHhIoy Luke Cooperative: lliiltii AiikIiti. .M<'AlllHl«r !l»0 , 200 Dou.ami 700,615 4U1,00U S86.00U I,SI7,&00 l,4!ll.80O I.»(1,SU 1.174.1s; l.g$S.400 17b.S70 S4.«00 ■.•S&.IOO !)«0.S«0 «.471i,»61 !I40,I}0 3.4;;.t4o 10,000 7S4.6M '>7.ttB& ItO.MO 10.085 10, 134, 810 3,8113,000 1,800,000 801.000 350,301 3.310.070 t.47&,7[>0 SO.UI.Mr iliii'Ur l-iiric MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Page Nineteen ited areas for the development of the smaller fish, larger fingerlings and yearlings are being planted. It is planned to establish a feeding station on this stream next spring in hopes of being able to maintain good fishing. The Loch Leven trout have made a favorable showing in the Yellowstone river, from the few small plantings that have been made in years past and at the request of the fishermen of that region substantial plantings of this species will be made in the future. The Cooke City-Red Lodge road is opening an extensive fishing area which will be accessible particularly to the fishermen of the southeastern section. The high altitude and the waters of a low temperature requires the planting of fall spawning species for the best results. Several plants of Eastern Brook were made in this area last spring and eggs are now being incu- bated at Emigrant and Big Timber for the purpose of making substantial plantings again next spring. A cooperative agreement was made this year with the Wyoming depart- ment on stocking of the upper Tongue river. This stream heads in Wyoming and runs through Montana to the Yel- lowstone river at Miles City, and is the only possibility for development of trout fishing to any extent in the far eastern section. The upper reaches of the stream in Wyoming are ideally suited for Loch Leven and it is the belief that improving the fishing in the upper portion of the stream will eventually provide fishing in the Mon- tana portion between Ashton and the state line. This stream is of the same character as the Yellowstone and Mis- souri, in that the upper reaches are trout waters and the lower reaches, be- cause of the higher temperature in the summer months and the rily condition, are more favorable to warm water fish. It is planned to plant the pike in the Tongue river below Ashton and in the Yellowstone below Billings. The bass rescue work at Somers is of great value to fishermen of the state because of the nominal cost at which these fish, which would otherwise be lost, are rescued and distributed over the northern and western part of the state where bass fishing is being de- veloped in waters not ideally suited for trout. This work is dependent largely upon high water during spring months at which time the adult bass seek the spawning grounds in the flooded areas and return to the lake or river as the water recedes, leaving the fry. The last two years has seen a marked improvement in the trout fishing in Flathead lake, due largely to the opera- tion of the hatchery at Station Creek on the east shore. A systematic trout planting program is being developed for the territory served by the Poison and Somers hatcheries with a view to utiliz- ing to the fullest extent, the numerous lakes and streams in that section which are favorable to trout propaga- tion. The extreme northwestern part of the state is being served by the Libby hatchery and while this station has been in operation in the present loca- tion only two years it has already pro- duced gratifying results. An attempt will be made next year to develop trout fishing in the chain of Clearwater lakes near Missoula. If successful in this attempt it will fill a long-felt need. No concerted effort has ever been made to build up the trout fishing in this chain of lakes largely on account of the large number of suckers and squaw fish present. By establishing a feeding station on one of the tributary streams, making pos- sible the planting of larger trout and with the bass which have been planted in these waters for the last four years making serious inroads on suckers and squaw fish, it is the belief that trout planting will now net desired results. It has been observed that the trout and the bass do not occupy the same areas in these waters. It is necessary to establish a new station in the Missoula territory to replace the hatchery which was aband- oned in 1931 because of water short- age. A site has been selected 35 miles north of Missoula which has every in- dication of meeting the requirements Game Fish Eggs Collected at Spawning Stations in 1931-1932 Spawning Station Georgetown Lake Lake Francis Lake Ronan Conley's Lake Alvord and Kilbrennan lakes (Cooperative; 1931 Natives Rainbow 30,096,294 218.430 226.400 3.577.244 Spawning Station Georgetown Lake Lake Francis Lake Ronan Upper Ashley Lali. Middle Ashley Lak.- Rogers Lake Dog Lake (cooperative) Conley's Lake Alvord and Kilbrennan Lakes (Cooperative) 36.409,382 TOTAL 31,937,173 226,400 3.577.244 240,456 785,356 .322 36,706.629 Brook TOTAL 199,282 38,922.530 457.350 1,841,252 295.542 929,214 2,826,696 76,435 400,554 400,554 835,000 835,000 1.434,836 46.584.573 of present day fish culture. This site is on Highway No. 93, ideally located with respect to the distribution area, has an abundance of water and of a quality shown by experiments to be ex- cellent for trout culture. No steps have yet been taken toward construc- tion, but it is planned as soon as con- ditions warrant. This station will serve the Couer d'Alene, Clark's Fork and Mission Range territory, thereby re- lieving the Daly hatchery at Hamilton and the Libby hatchery. The highway west of Missoula will tend to open a large territory to fishermen from west- ern Montana, Idaho and Washington and it will require constant effort un- der the best of conditions to meet the demand. The Big Hole river is coming rap- idly to the front as Rainbow fishing water and with the assistance of the Butte Anglers Club through activities at the Maiden Rock Rearing ponds, it is a certainty that the good fishing will be maintained. Large plants of Natives have been made in the tribu- tary streams of the upper Big Hole for the last six years with the expectation they would drop down into the larger waters upon reaching maturity, but ap- parently they prefer the smaller creeks of a lower water temperature as sev- eral limit catches have been made the last season in these tributaries with but comparatively few Natives taken from the main stream. We are now making plans to nlant Rainbow in the main stream and continue with the Native planting in the tributaries and the development of this program should meet with the approval of the most meticulous angler. Prior to 1931. little had been done toward restocking the waters of Heb- gen lake, due largelv to the fact that we handled only a limited number of Loch Leven and a concerted effort was being made to build up the fishing in the Missouri river between Helena and Oreat Falls with this specie. In 1930 the Hebgen lake territorv was badlv in need of restocking and the follow- ing spring some 3n0,nnn Loch Leven finsrerlings were planted in favorable areas. In 1932. 1.004,000 Loch Leven were nlanted in this area and it is planned to continue with this program until desired results are obtained. It is also Planned to establish a Loch Leven snawnine station at that noint as soon ns conditions warrant. These waters are fished heavily by Butte and Ana- conda fishermen. Yellowstone Park vis- itors and residents of Td.nbo and Utah. An outstanding accomplishment dur- ing this biennium was the agreement reached by the U. S. Bureau of Fish- eries and the Fisheries Division rela- tive to the activities of the bureau in this state. Through a general misun- derstanding, the matter has been one of controversy for some years. Under the new agreement the bureau, through activities on the Madison, will deliver to the state 2.000,000 Loch Leven ages which are to he considered the state's share of the benefits accruing to the bureau from this field. Any additional Loch Leven that are delivered to the state from this field are to be on an exchange basis for Natives. Effective .Tan. 1st. the bureau is to assume all Page Twenty 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 expenses at the Miles City station witli the exception of the custodian's salary and deliver to the state 25 per cent of the output each fall, besides taking care of applications for the warm water species in this state. This temporary agreement may be changed by either party on 60 days notice at the end of the calendar year. This relieves the state of considerable expense and with the operation of the bass ponds in the Flathead country it will be possible to cover the distribution to a better ad- vantage and at much less expense. One matter which merits mention in this report is the transplanting of fish by individuals with no thought or knowledge as to what results may be. One outstanding example of this is the sunfish in Lake Ronan. This lake, long a spawning field, was noted for its rainbow and salmon fishing. Enthusi- astic but misguided sportsmen con- ceived the idea of planting sunfish which were intended to provide sport for women and children who preferred fishing from the shore rather than a boat. It was thought that the sunfish would occupy shallow areas along the shore line. From this small plant, the sunfish increased at an unbelievable rate and for a time threatened to de- stroy the lake as a trout and salmon habitat. Through measures being taken to control this situation, it is believed the trout and salmon will again pre- dominate but only after the lake has suffered a heavv loss due to the par- tial depletion of the natural food sup- ply. It Is the desire of this division to abide by the wishes of the sportsmen and especially in regards to the species of fish planted in their local territor- ies, but the indiscriminate planting of fish by individuals tends to break down the work being carried on for sports- men as a group. Work of the state division of fisher- ies during the biennlum has been marked by splendid cooperation of out- standing Montana agencies interested In propagation and liberation of game fish. To these Individuals and organi- zations the department owes a debt of sincere gratitude. Prominent among fhem may be mentioned the Montana Power Company, the Anaconda Copner Mining Company which owns the site of the great spawn-taking station at Georgetown lake, the Tnlted States Pu- reaii of Fisheries, the Forestry Depart - ment and Its Individual employes, Dnde Ranchers Association. I.arrv Hamilton and the Piitle Anglers Club for keen In- terest shown In radio broadcasts on fish and game matters, and the many clubs of sportsmen and anglers who have as- sisted In fish distribution. H,\T(1IKI{Y ItEPOHT Anncnndii and Flint Crpek Aside from painting the troughs, HiandnrdB and niiunrlum and remodel- ing for living (iniirlers, the room for- nierlv used for a shop In tho bnlchery building, no conHtrucllon eir Improve- ment work was undertaken. Consid- erable repair and reinodelliig work was done at llie Flint Creek traps for the piirpoHo of providing more room and aeration for the fish during tin- spawn- liig Hcnson. Big Timber The Improvement work consisted of painting all troughs, standards, the in- terior and the north end and roof of the hatchery building. In 1931, a rear- ing pond 75 feet by 150 feet was con- structed on the grounds, the water supply, of necessity, being the waste water from the hatchery and concrete ponds. Through a series of bottom drains in the pond it is possible to clean the bottom of all debris and refuse without altering the water level. There is ample room for additional ponds, but it will require additional water, which could in all probability be obtained by laying drain tile in an adjoining tract and picking up a sup- ply of spring water. A building for use as a garage, store-room and work shop is badly needed. Emifrrnnt All buildings were moved to the present site In December, 1931, and have since been repaired and rewired and a sewage system installed. A new floor was laid in the hatchery, new trough standards constructed, troughs and standards painted, and 900 feet of drain tile laid. The station is now in readiness for operation. Daly Hatohery at Hnmilton This hatchery, largest in the state, was constructed by Marcus Paly Jr., in 191S and has been used by the de- partment since 1922. Plans are now under way for the department to ac- quire this property and in such event, rearing ponds should be constructed to enable the fish being held until of a larger size. Great Falls Considerable improvement and repair work was undertaken during the last two years. The grounds were Im- proved in keeping with the beautifica- tion program In the Giant Springs area by the Oreat Falls Park Board. A large aquarium pool was constructed on the hatchery grounds, the hatchery and dwelling roofs were re-sblngled. troughs and standards painted. The iolntly owned pump was purchased from the Park Poard and a new pump purchased to replace the supply pump which has been In constant use for the last 10 years and which had become badly worn. Two Iron supply pipes from the spring to the hatchery and ponds was replaced by one large wooden pipe. A new sump Is being constructed and preliminary work rela- tive to the construction of three 40- foot circular ponds being carried on. This work Is being done In conjunc- tion with tho Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, Great Falls Park Poard and the Relief Committee and will, when completed, make Great Falls one of the best eqiilpped stations in tho state. LewlHlown At the close of the operating season In 1931, four wooden ponds wore added to the battery of concrete ponds. A concrete retaining wall was constructed to permit the use of waste water from tho concrete ponds In event of tem- porary water shorlnge. Through the eo(>)ierntlon of the Lowlstown Rod and Gun Club, additional trees, heilgi' and Hlirubbery were iilanted and adil much to the appearance of the stallon. Tho jireHi'ut living quartcfH, bi'lng of hIukIo ciinstrucllon, are not doRlrnblo for yonr around use. It is recommended t^at the present dwelling be converted Into a garage and work shop and a new dwelling constructed. Additional ponds should also be constructed to permit more efficient operation, especially in view of the plan to operate this station as a year around unit and enlarge upon the distribution territory to relieve the Big Timber and Great Falls stations. Libbr The construction of a hatchery, ga- rage and dwelling at this new site was completed In 1931. Six wooden ponds of the type to be used In the future at the hatcheries, were constructed. The grounds were leveled and a lawn planted, rock retaining wall constructed around the ponds and cattle guard in- stalled. The grounds comprise some fiO acres, fenced. Concrete driveways were laid to the garage, brick chimneys built In the hatchery and all buildings painted. A building consisting of a refrigerator - storage room, grinding room and room for storage of supplies is badly needed. More ponds should be added to permit more efficient opera- tion. Station Creek— Poison A substantial settling box was con- structed where the hatchery water Is diverted from Station Creek and the pipe line covered to a greater depth to prevent freezing. A cellar was con- structed under the dwelling, a cesspool dug and a stairway built In the hatch- ery. Rofli Creek -Phlllpsbnnr .\ new concrete footing foiindatlon was put under this hatchery recently, the troughs and standards painted and the building put In first class shape for next season's operations. Orando The improvement work at this sta- tion consisted of the construction of a combination garage and Ice house. Ponds are badly needed to promote n more rapid growth of the fish, tho hatchery water temperature being too low for the most efficient operation. Red Lodfre Considerable work needs to be done at this station. It Is planned to attend to this before the operation next spring. Due to the building being much too narrow and poorly lighted, the work Is carried on iinder difficulties and it Is planned to re-arrange the water supply trough. Install additional win- dows and paint all equipment. Somen) This station is badly In n.-.d of re- pairs, especially with regard to the water supply system. Some work was done along this line recently, but due to tho lateness of the season It could not be completed. Ponds of tho type used at Mbby should ho constructed to permit holding moro fish and place tho station upon a more productive Imsls SAID I7.AAK WALTON "And an Ingeiilous Spaniard says, that rlvom and the luhaliltaiils of the watery element were made for wIho men to contoniplnte, and foolK to piiHs by with- out consideration . . for you may note, that tho waters are Niilure's slorohouso. In which she locks up her wonders." 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Twenty-one Fiimaimen^l StMemmeeto 1931=1932 Bieeerairai HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES Resident Bird and Fish (6S.574@$2.00) $137 Resident Big Game (24,394@$1.00) Resident Sportsman (1,S48@$5.00) Non-Resident Fisli (4.513@$3.50) Non-Resident Bird (62@$10.00) Non-Resident Big Game (100@$30.00) Alien Pish (1S3@$10.00) Alien Bird (3@J30.00) Alien Big Game (2@$50.00) LESS Fees Allowed Dealers Biological Fund No. 1S6 fee of 25c on G.954 January, February and March Net Receipts LICENSES OTHER THAN THE ABOVE Trapper (763@$10.00) Fur Farm (145@$5.00) Resident. Fur Dealer (121@$1.00) Fur Dealer's Agent (19@$10. 00) Non-Resident Fur Dealer (5@$25.UU) Guide (66@$10.00) Taxidermist (9@$15. 00) Seining (7@$5.00) 125.00 660.00 135.00 PERMITS AND TAGS Beaver Tags (7,115@$ .50) Beaver Permits (514@$10.00) Shipping Permits (3,178@$ .50) Fines from game law violations $ 8,663.15 Confiscations 1,431.67 Sales predatory pelts 4.308.05 Fish Royalties 722.35 Sale of Fish Eggs 3,730.20 $ 18.855.42 MONTANA WILD LIFE Subscriptions $ 1,116.10 Freight Express Insuranc Telephoii Telephoi Refund ■ Sale of I Halt r.n Sale of MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE refund refund e refund: Libby Il^it. Iitiy 2.75 12.60 3.00 .45 53.42 40.00 50.00 718.41 Other Licenses Fines, Confiscations. Montana Wild Lite . Miscellaneous Revenue ..$180,746.80 .. 10,286.50 9.621.00 . 18.855.42 1,629.25 1,472.11 Total net income in 1931 $222,611.08 3;475,00 . 15,795.50 Non-Resident Fish (2,636@$3.50) 9.226.00 3,000.00 1.830.00 Non-Resident Bird (26@$10.00) Alien Fish (134@$10.00) 260.00 1 340.00 90.00 Alien Bird (1@$30 00) 30 00 LESS Fees allowed dealers Net Receipts $163,137.00 - $ 8,759.80 $192,217.50 $ 9,732.20 . 1,738.50 LICENSES OTHER THAN Trapper (378@$10.00) THE ABOVE $ 11,470.70 $ 3 780.00 $180,746.80 Guide (51@$10.00) Seining in Public Water.s ( lii'.i $.j. (hi i nvot Resident Fur Buyer (Sl'uJI hid 81.00 $ 7,630.00 Non-Resident Fur Buyer (4fa.$2i.oyj .. Fur Farm (101@$5.00) 100.00 505.00 190.00 PERMITS, TAGS, Beaver Tags (4,671@$ .50) Beaver Permits (247@$10.00) Shipping Permits (2,556@$ .50) MONTANA WILD LIFE (6 Months) Subscriptions .- Advertisements Sales $ 5,576.69 SALES Fish Eggs State Game Farm, brood hens Capital Assets: shop at Missoula MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS Fish Royalties Discounts Earned Somers Ford Ti uck Hamilton Ford Ti uck Refunds: G. N. Ry fo ticket Express . J. L. Kelly, bond H. P. Stanfoid bond SUMMARY Hunting and Fishing Licenses Other Licenses Permits, Tags, $ $154, Fines, Confiscatimis Montana Wild Liti Sales Miscellaneous R>iiipt-> Total Net Income DISBURSEMENTS— ANALYZED AS TO PURPOSE STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS 1931 Per diem $ 715.00 Subsistence 307. 65 Travel 437.67 Automobile Expense: Gas and oil $59.93 Storage 4.50 64.43 Telegraph and Telephone 178.00 Bond Premiums 25.00 Stenographer: T. N. Marlowe, Chm. 1.020.00 Postage and Stationery 72.21 Hxpress . 49 Legal Expense 5.00 $ 2,823.35 1932 OFFICE 1931 497.70 255.48 Postage 1,454.48 318.85 1^1:^3^ 95.00 Office Supplies Telegraph and Telephone Express and Drayage .... Incidentals Stationery . Reporting •z::::::::::;::::::: lUil 127.64 26.60 Office Rtiii 150.00 . . .. Editing Bici.iu.,1 IM„,U $ 2,483.57 $ 9.627.73 1932 $ 4,720.00 1,660.34 404.05 176.24 360.03 84.61 46.05 344.76 6.00 b'.'oo 750.00 SO. 00 Page Twenty-two MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT GENERAL ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE MISCELLANEOUS OPERATIONS: hL-gal fuljli.alii.ii.s $ Legal Expenses Board of Prisoners Printing of Licenses: r."31 Other Licenses Printine of Game Laws 1S31 and 1932 Prepays on License Shipments... Exhibits: State & County Fairs... Metal Beaver Tags: 10M®J4.30.... Tagging Beaver Pelts Association Dues _ Salary of Educational Secretary.... Refund: Beaver Permit Refunds: License Accounts _. Ground Rental Motion Pictures Incidentals _ »8.738.5S CAPITAL OUTLAY: Buildings: Billings Fair » 33.00 Furniture and Fixtures MONTANA WILD LIFE: 1931 Salary of Editor $2.975.( Illustration Cuts 1.009.: Printing 2,317.1 Addressing and Mailing 197.1 Postage 270. i Books and Binding 24. ( Photographs 5.' Telephone Tolls 6.' Stationery 70.1 Office Supplies 23.: Subsistence: field ^^'ll. 58.; Travel: field worii 7.( Incidentals Refunds on Subscriptions-... 747.83 313.39 .369.50 19.00 38.00 30.00 15.12 17.21 .200.00 345.24 750.00 75.00 95.00 16.80 "seo'.'si MOTION PICTURES: .Salary: :, mo.@»500.00 SubHistonce: field work .... $6,969.00 ...$2,500.00 93.20 2.843.98 78.72 624.85 Shipping Case for Films Guide and Personal Servi *" 40.00 3.00 20.35 $3,478.00 Warden. 1931 J2,700.00 91. no Incidentals ame % »214.33 267.57 Hi J. W. CARNEY: Assistant G Salary 1932 2.587.50 68.40 Automobile Expense: Gas and oil Repairs fn'°u?fnco~ " :nii:i? . 65.50 License : TOo 589.31 Bond Premium 5: 00 10.00 STATE GAME FARM AT WARM SPRINGS OPERATIONS: 1931 19S2 KaliirlcH 16,008.50 ( D. 691. 76 nird Food „ 2,438.6fi 2.105.33 304.00 196.14 'I'islvgraph and Telaphono Hardware and Huppllos 69.20 60,48 U6.70 . 40 35 AulMinol-llo Expense: GaH and <>ll ...1312.20 J377.70 Ui-palrM 1)14.74 327.20 1.66 Dcprorlfttlon 170.00 Insurancii 20.76 497.94 903.20 13.35 Ullior 'rnivel 35.11 21. 3K Lllxnitlni: IHrilx 910.98 729.64 37.50 62.00 lixpiohH 1.32 .40 i InclduntulH . 4. 97 flO.4TS.2l t.T»7.8l CAPITAL OUTLAY: 1931 Land and Land Improvements % Buildings and Attached Fixtures 970.50 Foundation Stock 100.00 Domestic Fowls for Brooding — . 1.846.50 Centrifugal Pump 420.00 Pens _ 5.30 Brood H.ns I 3.342.30 REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS: Buildings and Att;iihed Fixtures 73.25 Grand Total - »U.s»s.>;: GAME DIVISION MISCELLANEOUS OPERATIONS: 1931 Elk Herd _...t 135.10 State Engineer's Inspection: Red Rock 85.15 Seientific Invesriiii.ii.,1,- Kik Herd 159.95 Ground Rental 28.50 Salary of W. M. I; 1.398.00 .Nine Pipe Reserv 284.50 Salt for animals 75.20 Ammunition .11.12 Biid and Duck Food 7 31 Food for Animals _... Patrol: Nine Pipe Reservoir: Salary $200. 00 Subsistence 304.18 Operations 482.99 987.17 Bounties _ -Metal Signs for Posting _ Prizes: Common Enemy Control Pictures .'.. "~!!. ZZ™ Confiscation Incidentals . $ 143.44 14.05 261.30 1.272.00 4lS:S! JSl 205.03 163.50 $ 3.192.00 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Land and Improvements: Nine Pipe $144.00 100.00 Lake REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS: Nine Pipe Red Rock . . 244.00 State Game Warden: Subsistence Automobile Gas and Repairs Storage Other Travel Bund Premiui Telephone To and Filing Fi 1,259.10 207.80 50.00 $387.58 242.11 95.45 15.00 34.93 $ 5.43i.>:: CHARLES B. MARRS, St.-ite G.ime Warden, December 31, 1932. 1931 Salary Subsistence Automobile Exueii.-.. Gas and Oil Repairs Storage .... Insurance Other Travel Bond Premium and Flllliu Fee... Telephone and Telegraph tOMIotoilx Expel Gas and Oil Repairs SloruBO . License UoprvclalliMi 1932 $ 1,000.00 63.20 Telelll IIoikI $ 6.111.0; 19SS 131. 054.35 $5,639 27 2,7l4,0t 486 40 160.50 1 . sot, 611.81 116.00 14.10 14. TO t.TK 1931 — BIENNIAL REPORT — 1932 Page Twenty-three /ARDENS: 1931 ,820.13 $2 .209.02 - 595.26 45.69 101.54 23.95 Ihll .75 !.0S5. 935. 31. 20. 495. DITl s nil 107 31 1932 $ 7.900.7S 70 40 00 ^ 3.568.00 492.71 109.79 102.70 SPECIAL DEPUTY GAME V DISTRIBUTION OF FISH 1 Subsistence Auto Truck: Gas and Oil 1931 $1,116.35 $ 511 12 ! f394. 121. 20. ons ERI ■ill 465 17 0 P JED Automobile Expense: Gas and Oil ..1,664.03 ... 856.99 .. 63.00 ... 40.00 ... 585.00 3 1932 $ 767.97 Storage 32 50 - IE:?? Other Travel :.:;::;:;:::: Oxygen Ice and Water Express and Drayage Other Travel 247.20 211.18 Telephone and Telegraph Horse Hire 109.82 1,333.63 u Fees 120.00 Extra Labor 95.' 10 522.75 .59 10.80 8.12 Pish Pood ^11 DIVIS OF ] $10 JON ...$ 3 'W 5 ... 51 ... 10 .876., SI EXPEN 1931 ,192.00 244.00 324.48 ,431.82 .139.24 ,876.84 $13,305.37 J RES 1932 $ 2.123.55 DISTRIBUTION Anaconda SUMMARY OF GAME Miscellaneous Operations Capital Repairs and Replacements ... $ 5,830.98 OF FISH BY STATI 1931 $ 604.81 $ 2.201.41 1932 $ 322.85 Big Timber Cliff Lake 1,114.25 450.86 5.112.07 44.752.13 12.305.37 Flint Creek Great Falls ,::::::,::;;:;::::; 739:62 ■■■i69V22 $71,208.38 PISHERIE 1931 $64,293.12 1932 244.47 ''III 66.57 10.00 Lake Francis Lake Helena Lewistown' ..." Libby '''^''''Z''. 267V56 29 21 DIVISION 28.30 110 56 GENERAL OFFICE: IMiles City Missoula Ovando Phllipsburg Poison Red^Lodge 1,218.41 733.01 19.74 373.90 331.56 Telephone and Tekgrapi Books and JlliiiK.- 6.36 39.35 88.81 28.77 7.40 Office Suppli- 17.20 5i:'75 115.00 289.19 100.00 23.00 29.17 .77 HATCHl OPERATING EX ANALYZE Salaries Auto Truck: Mal??'^''"" $ 5,830.08 5RIES DIVISION PENSES OF HATCH :D as TO PURPOSE 1931 $40,302.16 $ 2.201.41 Water Analysis - Pond.'.'. ES Bass Rescue; Wages Express Egg Distribution, U. S. Incidentals Hatch $35,373.65 30.48 19.97 $ 1 $ ,285.65 340.40 $ 1.849.57 $ 98.00 128.10 233.06 : 1 618:98 2 CAPITAL OUTLAY: Insurance Pish Pood . 138.08 '•'•' cioon .55 .65 7.842.91 8 933 97 Rearing Ponds 12 449.16 Heat. Light and Pnw.,i- . Telephone Express on Pish Esr,s Hardware and Petty Sup, Subsistence Rubber Clothing Fire Insurance Salt ..,- Office Supplies House Rent Ice 1.147.48 em. 42 1.107.12 695.34 176:87 115.65 138.37 4 00 761.68 1 .286.37 232.65 306.87 617.11 998.11 $681, 375 lENTS .87 .00 665.01 441.56 179.32 $ 2 M66.20 $ 459.16 $ 7.00 $ 3.140.00 558.01 .24 ■.^ .09 1.212.07 1.50 32.81 201.34 21 90 REPAIRS AND REPLACE^ Furniture and Fixtures 386.00 306.00 525.02 ntende nt 0 . $3 if Fisher! .000.00 540.00 592.91 1.292.18 Travel 41 27 Seines and Nets Express and Drnv:is,- Oroceries and Meat Boat Repairs Fish Egg Supplies Ground Rental K. F. MacDONALD, Superi 36 75 2 mo.@?270.00 2.75 9.15 Automobile: ....$445. 95 75 11 1.00 Surveying 53.75 Storage Insurance :::: '± $64,249.01 CAPITAL INVESTMENTS ANALYZED AS T 1931 Land and Improvements $ 373.87 Buildings and Attached FiNlnrps 3.258.02 Rearing Ponds 2.235.10 Furniture and Fixtuns 163.20 Pish Screen 181.54 Seines !!57 K^ $57,719.82 Postage Other Travel Telephone . 'URPOSE 140.12 18.63 $ 134.50 644.26 ...„..^„. 172:22 $136 293 $ 4,987.67 1932 5.00 $ 5 $ .00 .42 -.^8 ,586.09 1?J.oo 407.18 559.65 8.53 15.60 III 1.73 8:60 M,-i, 1,111. rx- ,•,,,,! \i,i.li:ni -, 1.170.00 50.12 219.81 742.77 Salary fi mo.(!iW>0.f)0 Subsist(>nce Caa and Oil Repairs Centrifugal Pump Fish Dryer REPAIRS AND REPL Buildings and Attached F Fish Traps Machinery and Appliaiir,,;: Furniture and l^'iMm. : Tools and Petty i:.mi i|,iii, i 424.35 20 25 \'^ InsiVr-u'icc $ 8,660.08 acements, analy; PURPOSE 1931 ixtures $3,119.56 148.82 $ 1.777.49 AS TO 1932 $ 2.020.72 76:63 4.50 11.25 Other Travel Vis .96 Bass Distribution 146 Fish Traps . 39.68 9.12 2 49 Incidentals Telephone Tolls Freight {' Boats 25.54 2,170.42 $ 3,378.97 $ 2.209.82 Page Twenty-four MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT OPERATING EXPENSES DISTRIBUTED BY 1931 STATIONS JIO.008.04 824.89 MM? 3.231.67 2.326.65 47417.15 863.72 Sill 3.093.17 4.016.33 40.00 l:lf4;«5^9 1.502.61 505.73 SUMMARY Of Anaconda t Ashley Lake Emigrant Flint Creek Great Falls Har^ton ............... Lake Francis .._. Lake Helena Lake Ronan Lewlstown ^ EXPE 111 604.81 uli4V25 455.3i NDITURES w Ml. 265. 13 $ 10.005.01 1 BY STA II 923.74 $ .762:31 162:62 2 .115.42 23.00 341743 .208.52 284:26 i. 574. 03 TIONS. 1, i K 241.26 137.47 .062.51 196.71 111.95 9.52 28:25 1931 Ashloy T^aitf :: 10.d65.01 .; s'.ssoTio Emigrant Georgetown Lake Flint Creek: spawntaking Great Falls _ ;; 2:287:28 .. 5.364.01 . 3.789.60 .'. iVsis'.'sJi .. 1.055.65 517.19 .. 1.828.51 . 4.157.87 Havre: rearing pond \1^ !^^^ ^SrS^"^ ::::::::::: 13.019.64 I^ke Ronan 5.880.10 2.287.28 6.364.01 I 3.789.69 8.560.54 LIbby 739:62 61.02 267756 29.21 Madison: fish 3.871.23 Miles City cii iltural stnti..,, 6.305.06 1.608.18 1.345.59 1.055.55 > 1.828.51 4.157.87 2 6.305:66 1.608.18 230.00 2.580.87 637.37 5.391.60 Ovando 2 264.07 85:98 99.87 35.30 22.50 102.52 ilS:IJ Rock Creek 230.00 ^..ISO.ST 637737 5.391.60 $r,l.?49.ni RS AND REI STATIONS 2. 466! 25 Station CreeU Llbbv 6 8S0.98 ^1§?1^6 5.555.72 MXon •at Ennls Miles City 1 Missoula Red Lodge 19.74 y-l? 1.218.41 7 087.79 VESTMENTS. REPAI DISTRIBUTED BY Ovando Rock Creek Station Creek: Poison Red Lodge Somers 1.672.89 230.00 ?57.719.82 PLACEMENTS CAPITAL IN 39.35 114.95 2.837.69 112.97 6.095.34 Capital Anaconda _. ...» 923.74 Armstead Ashley Lake Big Timber 1,762.31 Cliff Lake Emigrant 162.62 Georgetown Lake Flint Creek Great Falls 1.115.42 Hamilton 23.00 Havre Lake Francis . 341.43 Lake Helena 1.208.62 Lake Ronan Lewlstown 284.20 LIbby 2.574.03 Madison at Ennis Miles City Missoula 14.42 Ovando 22.47 Philipsburg Poison Red Lodge Station Creek 114.95 .Snmers 112.97 137.47 2.062751 296.71 111.95 9.52 24.24 102.52 120.89 10.15 49.70 3.90 12.50 .660.08 J3.378.97 $1,777.49 J2.209.82 SUMMARY OF FISHERIES DIVISION EXPENSE General Operations J Capital Outlay Superintendent Field Foreman Hatcheries: Fish Distribution $5,830.98 Operations 64.213.34 r-apltal 8.660.08 R'-pBirs 3.414.64 1931 1.285.65 2.166.29 1932 1.849.57 466.16 4.987.67 J 2.201.41 57.719.82 1.777.49 2,209.82 J5.830.98 J64.249.01 J8.660.08 J3.378.97 J82.119.04 SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES BY STATIONS, Anaconda J Ashley Lake Big Timber Cliff Lake Emigrant Georgetown Lake Great Falls Hamilton Havre Lake Francis Lake Helena Lake Ronan Lewlstown Libby Ennls Miles City Missoula Ovando Philipsburg Poison Red Lodge 322.85 JIO.008.04 J 824.89 450.86 9,831.22 218.74 193.50 3.231.67 220.79 2.325.65 25.00 169.22 4.417.15 405.00 131.78 4.642.51 88.66 89.14 717.79 80.75 ^|£ 196.42 J 179:81 427.77 J10.95S.08 21.06 845.95 143.93 10.605.82 218.74 114.51 3.760.47 100.83 653.21 344.80 373.90 96.95 53.64 6.36 28.77 7.40 138.28 24.00 678.66 3.093.17 4,016.33 40.00 1.622.04 1.334.59 1.602.61 605.73 1.967.63 397.96 5.555.72 91.99 10.15 49.70 3.90 11.60 SS.95 2.451.48 5.644.58 5.207.75 887.68 863.72 48.73 679. SC 3.304.63 4.614.33 40.00 1.920.S* 1.573.53 1.566. SO 567.79 2. 000.30 417.8« 5.729.96 4.00 J2.20I.41 J57.7I9.S2 Jl.777.49 J2,!09.S2 J6S.90S.64 TOTAL EXPENDITURES BY DIVISIONS CommlHHlonerM General Administi. General AdmlnlNtr State Game Farm Game Division . Fisheries Division 1931 2.823.35 9.627.73 22,880.58 13,888.83 71,208.38 93.827.49 1932 J 2.4S3.r.7 8.506.98 9,598.54 11.488.61 64.293.12 71.211.94 .lanunry February March April t>fny ,hily AllgUHt Heptember October November December RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR 1»S1 Ueoulpts DisbiirHementH « 13,139.73 J 22,266.64 !i.057.3B 12.474.60 8.947.27 11.124.64 4,603,60 14,021.15 9,693,65 16,109,70 49,605.xr> 37.328.14 26.812.25 14.352.01 17.271.11 21,708.90 2I,5!I9.71 2!P.370.«8 24.817.74 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR IMS lto.'i