799 F2br ^port 1946-1947 and 1947-1948 1946-1948 _„ Montana Fish and Game ■ ■ commission :?aip«^. '^^'^"vfSlr*-mS^' 'f,y>^ --jf STATE DOCUMEtm COLLECTION HEI£NA,1.10NTANA59620 -'^- ^^^ f f^f'fi y^ 'f< •' . "-y-'' ^- _ #- <^*W»|i" ^■^ •'^ " ^ ""^ -^^ -^»- -J- V nil nil! MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 3 0864 0016 1680 7 State of Montana BIENNIAL REPORT of the FISH AND GAME COMMISSION for May 1, 1946 — April 30, 1947 May 1, 1947 — April 30, 1948 Published by the MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Helena, Montana • NAEGELE PRINIINO CO., HELENA, MONT. ,2 Rfi4/e4U4e' Qo'tmd. piofn Sp>o^U6>4ne4t Sportsmen, through their license purchases and taxes paid on arms and ammunition, finance the cost of Montana's wildlife conservation and administration. License fees provide nearly all of the cost of caring for our wildlife resources to provide permanent hunting and fishing. Because the sportsmen and landowners are the major stockholders in the enterprise of providing hunting and fishing, it is proper that they should take an increasing responsibility in administering fish and game for their own best interests now and in the future. To His Excellency Sam C. Ford Governor, State of Montana Helena, Montana Dear Governor Ford: We herewith transmit the Biennial Report of the Montana Fish and Game Commission for the period May 1, 1946 to April 30, 1948. Never before in our state's history have our citizens participated in such great numbers in the harvest of our wildlife resources and never before has Montana been confronted with such an enormous responsi- bility in the administration and perpetuation of wild birds, animals and fish. The attached report summarizes the efforts of the last biennium directed toward meeting this unprecedented demand. Respectfully submitted, MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION ELMER JOHNSON, Chairman WILLIAM CARPENTER, Member A. C. GRANDE, Member J. W. SEVERY, Member E. G. VEDOVA, Member A. A. O'CLAIRE, Secretary FOREWORD Since the publication of the previous biennial report, the demands on our wildlife resources have continued to increase. The recreational benefits which hunting and fishing afford resident and non-resident citizens become increasingly important as the nation develops. In addi- tion to these great benefits, many stable businesses of considerable economic importance derive their entire or partial income from the presence of wildlife. Still more important, however, wildlife enters the broad picture of conservation upon which the future prosperity of the state and the nation depends. Wildlife is but one of many natural resources which must be considered in a wise use program. Careful multiple-use management of the land is necessary to preserve essential soil and water resources. Intelligent management policies are imperative for each separate natural resource so that none will suffer at the expense of another. This then obligates the Montana Fish and Game Commission to administer wildlife populations according to long-range, biological con- cepts in close accord with the responsibilies of many agencies. Recog- nizing the need for the perpetuation of satisfactory environment for wildlife is paramount. This calls for a program of efficiency which considers the needs and desires of the people coupled with the best possible use of every available source of information. This report of the Montana Fish and Game Commission biennium portrays a picture of progress and invites consideration for future plans necessary to provide hunting and fishing for generations to come. CONTENTS Page Administration 5 Big Game 7 Financial Statements 28 Fisheries 11 Fur-Bearing Animals 19 Future 23 Game Birds 17 Law Enforcement 15 Legislative Recommendation 22 Personnel 27 Predator Control 20 Public Information 22 Statistics 34 Waterfowl 21 Administration During the past biennium, administration problems have resulted from extended activity in all divisions of the department. The most serious problem has been lack of adequate office space for new per- sonnel added to our organization to assist in the supervision and admin- istration of our program. The Fish and Game Commission conducted the most extensive improvement program in history during the past two years. Funds which made these extensive improvements possible came from the increase in license fees provided for by the Thirtieth Legislative Assembly and from funds accumulated and reserved by the Commission during the past several years for post-war improvement projects. The Commission has employed an engineer who prepares plans and specifications for its improvement projects and supervises the inspection of actual construction by contractors to insure adherence to specifica- tions and construction details. Extensive procurement of new equipment and property coupled with replacement of worn equipment necessitate a broader and more comprehensive record-keeping and maintenance division. A detailed property-accounting system has been adopted which accurately lists state property by location, description, condition and value. Equipment is likewise accounted for by a warehouseman. A repair shop is maintained where miscellaneous gear and mobile equip- ment is kept in working condition. These new methods of accounting and maintenance have increased the general efficiency and resulted in a saving to the department. 5 The tag on this elk calf will stay on his ear through- out his lifetime. If taken by a hunter and the tag re- turned to the department, it will tell the story of where he has been and how long he has lived. A story that will provide data for better game " management. Big Game With a topography that varies from short grass prairie to rugged, precipitous mountains and a variety of wildlife adapted to these habitat variation, Montana has been recognized as an important game region. Probably most important of the animals which place this state among the leading wildlife-producing districts are the big game species. Whitetail and mule deer occur in abundance from the densely for- ested regions of Lincoln County to the badlands of eastern Montana. Elk and moose are found over much of the western section, and bighorn sheep and mountain goats range in the rugged, remote areas. Montana is the only state with a substantial number of grizzly bear and the black bear occurs commonly. Antelope roam the eastern prairie lands, and a rare but important visitor is the caribou of northwestern Montana. This abundance and variety of big game is of considerable economic and aesthetic value to the state. Typical of all renewable natural re- sources big game requires constant supervision and management. Management of big game must be predicated upon two basic prin- ciples: First the assurance of perpetuation of all species and secondly the fair and equal distribution of harvestable surplus animals among legal hunters. To accomplish the first objective, habitat must be provided the animals, forage must be reserved for critical, winter periods, sanctuaries for breeding and protection are often necessary and trained law enforce- ment personnel is essential to secure observance of protective regula- tions. The second principle, the harvest of surplus animals, necessitates first a good inventory to determine abundance and distribution of each species. Other needed facts include breeding potential, life history, and the probable hunting pressure a species may receive. From such data, it is possible to determine the number of animals to be taken, the method of hunting and sex and age class to be taken. When animals occur in sufficient numbers, a general hunt may be proclaimed with limitation of length of season and sex to be taken to be determined by local abund- ance. If mass or unlimited hunting might jeopardize a species, special permits are issued for a definite number of animals. In other cases, total protection may be offered a species if it is in danger of extinction. These are some of the problems, and others occur as a result of the condition of habitat. Overabundance of big game in one area may result in overuse of necessary forage plants and the chance of loss of animals by malnutrition. A scarcity of a species may indicate the necessity of re-stocking. Perhaps predators are a problem or winter range scarce. Each problem requires basic information, and this infor- mation can be obtained only by trained personnel. With the increase in total hunting effort and the resulting dangerous pressures placed upon wildlife, it has become increasingly necessary to determine the number and distribution of each species within the state. Therefore, a definite effort has been made to census the big game ani- mals. Normally this is accomplished during the winter when the animals are concentrated on a limited winter area. By airplane, horseback, and snowshoe, these regions are covered carefully by trained and experienced department personnel, and through the co-operation of the U. S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Indian Service, a complete statewide inventory is accomplished. Obviously this information cannot be 100 per cent accurate, but it definitely indicates population trends. When big" game herds are man- aged upon the estimated population, it is assured that severe or dan- gerous overkills will not occur. The following tabulation is believed to be the most accurate and complete yet developed. The numbers are based upon the year ending December 31, 1947. Montana Big Game Inventory Whitetail Deer 38,600 Mule Deer 107,700 Elk 31,600 Moose 3,700 Pronghorned Antelope 26,000 Rocky Mountain Bighorn 1,200 Mountain Goat 4,800 Black Bear 8,000 Grizzly Bear 700 Caribou 15 An analysis of the trends in big game indicate an upward swing of most species since 1940. There have been some local decreases, but the statewide condition has been favorable. Indications at present are that in most areas the population of big game will level off and remain about constant. Deer and antelope have shown the greatest advance, but elk in- creases, although important, have been less significant. Both species of bear have become more numerous. Mountain sheep and moose have remained about constant, and a slight decrease has been noted in the mountain goat population. This latter decrease occurred in the Bitter- root Range where heavy hunting of this accessible area has made it advisable to close the season for at least one year. During the past sixteen years, the recreational demands and hunt- ing pressures have increased tremendously. In 1931 when big game licenses were sold separately from the fishing license, about 20,000 hunters purchased the big game permit. Just prior to the war in 1940, this figure had doubled, and in 1946, nearly 80,000 hunters purchased big game licenses. The increase since 1939 is shown in the following tabulation. Big Game Licenses Sold In Montana, 1939-1947 Year* Resident Non-Resident 1939 37,182 284 1940 . 39,201 327 1941 38,943 338 1942 46,487 481 1943 47,889 339 1944 46.892 374 1945 45,335 479 1946 52,694 1,085 1947 74,997 2,914 1948 72,396 972 * Ending April 30 each. It is believed that the number of big-game hunters in Montana will level off to about 70,000. Non-resident hunters decreased between 1946 and 1947. Part of this may have been the result of increased license 8 fees. It is anticipated that out-of-state hunters will become more numerous when the cost of hunting in comparable western states is found to be similar to the cost in Montana. Indications at present are that about 35 per cent of the state hunters are successful in getting one or more big game animals. From checking stations which are maintained in the more important areas plus field contacts and questionnaires, the following totals of legal hunter take have been obtained: \ LEGAL KILL Montana Big Game 1946 1947 Whitetail Deer 2,200 2,209 Mule Deer 10,500 10,484 Elk 6,700 6,682 Moose .. , - 100 99 Antelope 2,800 2,819 Mountain Goats 100 128 Black Bear . 900 811 Grizzly Bear 70 67 Management of big game may be divided into two general phases: The obtaining of accurate, detailed data concerning each species, and the actual development or doing of the things indicated as necessary by the research work. For convenience in study and management the state has been divided into big game management units. These divisions have been determined by topographical and biological factors, and each has distinct problems. Only recently have sufficient well-trained personnel been available to obtain by field investigations the necessary data essential to big-game management. Detailed, winter coverage was made of the important Blackfoot- Clearwater, Beaverhead-Big Hole, and Ruby-Madison game ranges. Similar intensive work was carried out in the Gallatin-Absaroka unit over a two-year period. On this unit so many problems have developed with reference to the northern Yellowstone and Gallatin elk herds that a man has been permanently assigned to this area. A study of the factors involved on the winter elk range, with the objective of im- proving these ranges, is being conducted with the co-operation of the U. S. Forest Service. This information is expected to have a vital bear- ing on the management of the Gallatin elk herd. Two men have been assigned to a study of the relationship of sus- tained yield timber management and game production. Objectives are to maintain a maximum deer herd on the forest lands of Lincoln County and to increase the yearly yield of deer in this unit. The vital import- ance of both timber and game production on this area makes a complete understanding of the inter-relationships essential. This project is con- ducted in co-operation with the U. S. Forest Service. On the rolling plains and eroded badlands of eastern Montana, dif- ferent game management problems occur. A major portion of the management program in the eastern area has consisted of re-stocking depleted areas. One man with two assistants has been permanently assigned to this large area. An airplane has been purchased for use on the vast territories of eastern Montana. Definite management plans, based upon field observations, have been prepared for this area. The desirable hunter harvest of both antelope and deer has been determined, 9 and areas in need of i-e-stocking have been checked closely, and neces- sary breeding stock is being introduced. A statewide investigation of the mountain goat was conducted dur- ing the biennium. The possibility that this rare big game animal was not holding his own as well as other species under present-day hunting pressure makes this work of particular value. Several current changes in the hunting regulations have been based upon the findings of this project. The capture of big game in areas of abundance and its release in desirable areas is becoming one of the most important phases of management. The transplanting of elk was carried out successfully as early as 1911. Since that time approximately 1,400 elk and thirty-two new hunt- able herds developed. During the last two years, emphasis has been placed upon trapping and transplating antelope, deer and to a lesser extent, mountain goats and mountain sheep. One of the outstanding examples of interstate co-operation was the exchange of Montain mountain goats for bighorn sheep from the thrifty Tarryall mountain sheep herd of Colorado. The sixteen bighorn sheep received from Colorado have been placed temporarily in a 400-acre holding pasture in the Missouri breaks north of Jordan in Garfield County. This represents the re-introduction of mountain sheep into an area where the extinct Audubon variety once was extremely abundant. It is expected that mountain sheep may be developed in substantial num- ber in this vast badland area of eastern Montana. The department moved 1,610 pronghorn antelope from their native range and re-introduced into forty-one new areas of known historical antelope range. Both species of deer were caught, 531 mule deer being released in twelve new areas and 153 whitetail released to establish four additional herds. In 1947 five mountain goats were transplanted in the Spanish Peaks of the Gallatin Range and nine goats were shipped to Colorado to intro- duce a new big game species in that state. Eight mountain sheep were moved from the Sun River herd to start a new band on Wildhorse Island on Flathead Lake. LAND ACQUISITION Perhaps the most important program initiated by the Fish and Game Department is the acquisition of vital game range to assure these ani- mals a wintering area. Problems concerning summer range are not comparable to the winter range problem. The number of big game animals is definitely limited by the amount of winter range available. Projects of this nature have been carried on with the active co-operation of interested ranchers and adjacent landholders. It is generally agi-eed if big game is to survive in the increasing complex pattern of land use that certain critical areas be reserved for game only. In the Sun River 18,000 acres of critical winter range have been obtained for use by elk. This range will do much to relieve damage on adjacent lands. Development of this winter range for game is now progressing. *7^e Caoe^ Pltoto. In the bitter cold of midwinter in the Sun River foothills, elk string out before the airplane. These elk are wintering in the new Sun River winter elk range, a major wildlife restoration project. 10 By fin clipping, a ti^ui .= niuikcd =o the state fish and gome department can follow his travels and learn howr better to plant fish. Sportsmen are urged to report catching such trout and to keep fishermen's logs on their catches, all in the interest of better angling. Fisheries During the last biennium much has been accomplished in fisheries work, but much remains to be done in our efforts to bring our fisheries program up to the high standard of production and conservation which we hope to obtain. With the release of men, materials and equipment following the war years, the program has assumed new aspects. Hatcheries are and will continue to be a keystone; but as an integral part of the program, biological work begun July 1, 1947, will compliment the hatchery system in an effort to solve its problems of distribution to insure the greatest return possible of liberated fish from the hatcheries. This work will deal not only with hatchery fish, but with all phases of fish life. This will strengthen management by providing scientific data on which decisions may be made. At the Anaconda hatchery, there has been installed a new and larger pipeline to bring more water from the spring to the hatchery and ponds. A concrete mixing chamber was built to mix the warm water from one spring with the cold water from another spring and to insure a greater flow of water with a uniform temperature. Completed at Anaconda are sixteen raceway-type rearing ponds, constructed of concrete, 104 feet long by 10 feet wide and 3% feet deep. Two circular, concrete ponds forty feet in diameter and three feet deep were also constructed. These ponds are for the purpose of holding fish to yearling age and should produce annually 450,000 ffish from four to six inches in length without interfering with production of smaller fish. The ice house at Anaconda was made into a refrigerated, storage building capable of 11 storing fifty tons of fish food. Some repairs were made to the hatchery building, and the yard and driveway have been newly surfaced. Construction at the Arlee station includes a new hatchery building 41 feet by 84 feet, with built-in refrigeration and storage rooms, food- grinding room, and office space. This building is equipped with ten concrete tanks 32 feet long and 45 inches wide and 30 inches deep, which will enable holding fish in the hatchery building to a larger size than can be done with the old trough system. Two new four-room cottages and a four-stall garage and workshop have been completed . A pond 600 feet long and 200 feet wide has been constructed for the purpose of holding brood stock. This stock of rainbow, which spawn in December, will annually produce 3,000,000 eggs when in full production. The planned improvements at the Arlee station are only about fifty per cent com- plete, as it is planned to put in ten of the raceway-type ponds as soon as possible. When the ten ponds are completed, this station should turn out 400,000 fish from four to six inches annually. The Lewistown station enlargement centers around a new hatchery building 41 feet by 84 feet with 18 inside tanks.. These tanks are 32 feet long by 28 inches wide and 28 inches deep. Like the Arlee hatchery building, this hatchery has built-in refrigeration and storage space, a work shop and an office. A new pipeline was laid from the spring to the hatchery and ponds to insure an ample supply of water. Four of the raceway-type ponds were built at this station. With the new con- erte ponds and the large dirt ponds already in use at this station, it should produce 300,000 fish from four to six inches in addition to the usual quota of smaller fish. At the Emigrant station the old troughs formerly used in the hatchery were removed and ten concrete tanks built in their place. These tanks are 16 feet long by 28 inches wide, and 30 inches deep. This improvement will enable holding larger fish and many times the numbers of fish formerly held in the hatchery. Additional improvements include four of the concrete raceway-type ponds, a new pipe in the hatchery to replace the old head trough, and about 300 feet of tile from the different springs to supplement the water supply. These improve- ments will increase the output from this station fifty per cent. A new pipeline has been purchased for the Libby station to insure a better water supply. A new settling tank has been installed in the water line at the Somers sattion which eliminates much of the silt which formerly came down into the hatching troughs. Plans have been made to install a new settling tank in the water line at the Poison station, but to date this tank has not been built. Both the Somers and Poison stations are particularly important because of their production of the Kokanee or Sockeye salmon. Some improvements have been made at the McNeil pike hatchery near Malta. The most important improvement is the heating device which was installed around the water line which feeds the hatchery. By using this device, the temperature of the water can be raised to the point where the incubation period is shortened materially. This increases the percentage of the hatch and insures a stronger and better fish. About 1,250,000 pike eggs were hatched at McNeil in 1947, and the resulting fry were planted in reservoirs in various parts of the state with the hope that good pike fishing may be had where little or no fishing was enjoyed before. Engineering data together with plans and specifications have been completed for new refrigerated storage buildings of thirty-ton capacity 12 to be built at the Great Falls, Big Timber, Emigrant, and Hamilton stations. At the Big Timber station, it is planned to put five concrete tanks inside the hatchery and to replace a section of wood floor with a concrete floor. At the Hamilton station plans are ready for the con- struction of five concrete tanks to be built inside the hatchery and for a new dam to be built in Skalkaho Creek to insure the water supply for this station. During the last biennium the department entered into a co-operative agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service whereby the department furnishes the Fish and Wildlife Service certain funds to be used to further the fish cultural program of the service at the Ennis and Creston hatcheries. All fish hatched at these stations, above the requirements of Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, are planted in state waters. It is believed that this arrangement will materially increase the numbers of fish available for the water of Montana. The co-operative agreement between the Fish and Game Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service effecting the Warm Water Fish Cul- tural station at Miles City is still operating, and through this agency many fish are planted annually in the waters of eastern Montana. As more reservoirs are being built each year by the farmers and ranchers with the co-operation of the Soil Conservation Service, this program is becoming more and more important to the residents of eastern Montana, where trout fishing does not prevail. Old fish distribution facilities have been replaced by new and modern equipment. The department now possesses a highly efficient tank truck that is capable of transporting six hundred pounds of trout anywhere in the state. Hatching eggs and rearing fish is not the whole story as these fish must be introduced into the water. It has been repeatedly demonstrated throughout the nation that fishing cannot, in most instances, be im- proved or mainained at the present level by hatchery planting and other accepted management measures if these are based on casual observa- tions and personal belief. It is not sufficient merely to get the fish into the water. The success of hatchery releases may depend upon the following circumstances: (1) the difference between planting fish from the hatchery truck at selected spots and scattering fish evenly over a large area by drifting the river in a boat; (2) the difference between planting fingerlings or legal-size fish; (3) the difference between plant- ing fish at different season; (4) the difference between planting various species in different waters. Then, too, how can casual observation reveal how many fish to plant? Large amounts of money have and are being spent on our hatcheries. That this money may not be spent in vain, a staff of biologists has been added to the fisheries division to aid the hatchery men who are already over-burdened with work by finding answers to the questions of distri- bution. The biologists' problems begin when the hatchery truck reaches the stream and terminate with the fish safely nestled in the fisherman's creel. Their work will result in a greater percentage of fish in the creel and fewer dying before they are caught. Tagging work is anticipated for the Madison River and Hebgen Lake to determine the best methods of planting. Two four-man crews will operate in various sectors of the state to gather data from which the waters' productivity may be ascertained. The nature of this study will be the calculation of growth rate and the fishes' condition for the various lakes and streams. A body of water, 13 whether it be lake or stream, can support only a certain poundage of fish — the same as a range can support only so many head of cattle. Where the growth rate is found to be low and the fishes' condition poor, stocking trout will be a waste of fish. When such lakes and streams are found, improvement efforts will be made to increase their pro- ductivity. To supplement this productivity data, creel census is needed. Creel census measures production, and it is more valuable than any single item of data. A program of creel census was begun and will be con- tinued indefinitely. This catch data is gathered by co-operation from three sources: (1) Game wardens in the course of their regular duties record the fishermen's catch data. (2) Dude ranches, resorts, boathouses, and guides are contacted and asked to keep records for those fishing under their supervision. (3) "Fishermen's Log Books" are distributed to co-operative sportsmen that they might have a convenient place to record their individual catches. The data desired is the water fished, the date, the number, kind average size fish caught and the hours spent fishing. This will be analyzed in many ways, but chiefly to discover the percentage of each species of fish taken to aid in knowing where work should be done and will provide a measure of the success of initiated improvement measures. To date eighteen ranches, resorts, boathouses and guides are co- operating, and three hundred fifty "Fishermen's Logs" have been dis- tributed. At the opening of the fishing season, all the game wardens will record the catch data. Whether the general public will contribute to the creel census in a manner making the data usable remains to be seen. In anticipation of an investigation of Fort Peck Reservoir to deter- mine population levels, to determine the possible need for rough-fish control, and to study the problems of optimum fish utilization, plans were laid and much equipment acquired. This project is to be a co- operative one with the department, the Missouri River Basin Studies of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Army Engineers. One of the greatest detriments to Montana's fishing has been the unwise introduction of various species of fish. Some of these, like the introduction of sunfish into Lake Mary Ronan, were done deliber- ately by individuals. A large majority of these introductions, however, such as the chub in Hebgen Lake, probably were made by using minnows to fish. Where an overwhelming poundage of the fish in a lake or stream are rough fish, additional stocking of trout may aid but little. This condition should be rectified before further stocking will produce satis- factory results. In certain cases, stocking of large fish may control the rough fish. In other cases, this will not work. Game fish other than trout may also fail under many conditions to produce the optimum in recreational value in the face of concentrations of rough fish. A crew of two men will begin work in the spring of 1948 on Hebgen Lake. Besides furthering work of tag recovery and gathering data for productivity studies, they will spend much time considering the trout- chub relationship and determining methods of chub control. Complete eradication of rough fish in waters where this is possible is most desirable. By doing so, it is possible to restore lakes, ruined by the introduction of undesirable species, to their former ability as trout producers. In accordance with this work, complete eradication of fish will be made in 1948 in Spoon Lake near Whitefish and Savage Lake near Troy. 14 Another type of rough-fish control is in progress that has value in a twofold manner. The department has provided a crew for rough fish removal which is working in both eastern and western Montana. Removal of i-ough fish leaves more room in the water for game fish. The many tons of carp, buffalo, suckers, squawfish and others can be used for trout food at stations equipped with cold-storage facilities. It is expected that this doubly valuable program will in the years to come mean cheaper trout for waters not overcrowded with non-game fish. The fisheries division of the State Fish and Game Department has an integrated program with each part dependent upon the other. Hatch- ery production, constantly modernized for greater output and faster and more effective distribution, is and will continue to be a keystone. Im- provement of waters and management of those waters to provide the best habitat for both fish naturally hatched and those from hatcheries is a definite part of the established program. Improving fishing is the ultimate goal, and the biological work is designed to find the needed answers so that effort and money will not be wasted. From facts assembled, fishing seasons can be set more wisely, plantings made more accurately and economically and lake and stream improvement can be used to prepare the best home life for fish before they are planted. This program will mean better fishing in more places at less expense per fish in the creel. LAW ENFORCEMENT An increase in the number of regular deputy game wardens from 27 to 42 was authorized by the Thirtieth Legislative Assembly. This increase has resulted in better patrol coverage and law enforcement throughout the state. A total of 1,134 game law and regulation violators were convicted during the biennium as compared to 640 for the previous two-year period, an increase of 77 per cent. Recognizing the need for greater co-ordination and better super- vision of our expanded warden force the Commission established seven warden supervisory districts by dividing the state into units to corre- spond with districts previously established for the purpose of obtaining game censuses. During the period for which this report is written three of the seven supervisory districts have been set up: District 1 with headquarters at Kalispell, District 2 with headquarters at Missoula, and District 6 with headquarters temporarily assigned at Malta. In the districts which have been activated better co-ordination and supervision of personnel have been possible, resulting in a more efficient district organization to cope with special law enforcement problems and seasonal peak loads of investigation or routine work. A warden training school held in Helena from September 8 to 12, 1947 resulted in a better informed staff of game wardens. The compre- hensive training course in law enforcement was conducted by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The success of the school indicates the advisability of similar future sessions. A combined law enforcement handbook and set of instructions has since been furnished to each deputy game warden. Sections of the Montana codes relative to arrests, warrants, search, and seizures are included in the handbook as well as departmental policies governing many other phases of field work. Training schools and written instruc- tions have resulted in placing in the field a better-informed conservation officer. 15 Providing permanent cover for game birds where none exists promises to iurnish new hunting areas for more sportsmen. Progressive sportsmen's clubs and landowners participate in this work. Wild and game farm-released pheasants are studied at voluntary checking stations. Guesswork and personal opinion are being discarded in the depart- ment's efforts to supply more sport. 16 Game Birds NATIVE SPECIES . In 1946 Montana hunters enjoyed an open season on sharptailed grouse which varied from two days in several counties to six days in several others. A two-day season on blue grouse, ruffed grouse and Franklin's grouse was allowed in the northwestern section of the state. In 1947 a two-day open season was allowed on all species of upland game birds except sage grouse. The department during the period of this biennium has confined its activities to inventories of existing popu- lations to find whether the populations would stand an open season. Authorities generally agree that native upland game birds show a strong tendency to follow cycles of high and low numbers. Probably some small benefits might be gained by acquiring tracts of land which might be developed for use of upland birds. The practicability of such a program, however, is questionable because large tracts are necessary, and it is essential that the lands revert to their original state which favored the birds before agriculture changed the picture in Montana. Coupled with this is the fact that native upland birds appear to follow cycles. It may not be possible to maintain a high population of birds even on lands devoted to that purpose. Present indications show that the sharptailed grouse population is increasing, paritcularly in some areas. Much time and money has been spent in the United States in an effort to maintain a surplus of harvestable native game birds. A few states have shown only moderate success and that only through very expensive and intensive management. These efforts are being watched by the Fish and Game Department, and should any effort show good results the department will consider such a plan for its use. The department intends to count the upland game bird population in the near future. Should populations of sage grouse seem plentiful enough in local areas, possibility of trapping and transplanting to locali- ties of low populations will be investigated. Normally it is likely that the native upland species will not multiply to the extent that they u^ill furnish as much shooting as do introduced game birds. Therefore, it seems wise to concentrate the department's efforts on maintaining satis- factory populations of game birds which offer the greatest possibility of furnishing maximum hunting enjoyment to the most people. The fact that the native species will remain paramount in the minds of those who knew them well in the past is not being overlooked by the depart- ment. INTRODUCED SPECIES The Ringnecked Pheasant No open season in 1946 and only a limited one in 1947 follows the history of the genei'al decline in pheasant numbers throughout the pheasant range of the continent. Since the decline was nation wide, department policy cannot be considered as a contributing factor. Ring neck populations depend to some extent upon favorable weather condi- tions and favorable land usage. There is some evidence that cycles of highs and lows in the population are caused by unknown factors. In spite of these factors, uncontrolled by man, which so greatly affect pheasant numbers, the department is continually striving to per- petuate pheasant hunting. Three channels of endeavor, working hand in hand, are directed towards this end. The fact-finding part of the pheasant work is conducted by the department where continual inventory of the pheasant crop is a basic 17 part of its activities. These studies indicate the best regulations for each year. During the period of this report, data collected shows that certain concepts of the department's pheasant program should be altered. A state wide banding program in 1947 resulted in only 3.5 per cent of the bands placed on game farm cock birds being returned to the department office by hunters. It is realized that perhaps many individuals failed to turn in the bands. However, even accounting for this, the survival rate is not satisfactoi-y enough to be considered a highly efficient program. Hunter-take analysis shows that even where game farm birds are released in heavy concentrations, the bulk of the birds brought to bag are those raised in the wild, especially young of the current year's birds. Improvement of releasing methods and care- ful selection of releasing sites seems necessary in view of study, and concentrated effort is being planned to increase the survival rate and determine the best possible use of game farm released birds. At the Fort Peck farm large covered holding pens for brood stock have been constructed. Authorization has been given for the develop- ment of land on the Fort Peck area so that the open pen type method of rearing birds may be followed. This includes an irrigation system which will provide alfalfa, corn aind wheat for the birds. Starting with the 1948 season, pheasants will be free to roam in a semi-wild condition on 110 acres. After acclimation to wild conditions, the birds will be trapped, transported and released. The Billings farm has seen considerable improvement and enlarge- ment. Foui' new brooder houses have been completed. New equipment includes incubators, hovers and hatching machines. A well has been drilled on the property, and a new water-supply system is now in operation. The game farm at Warm Springs has been fully modernized, and now^has a single-i'un capacity of 14,200 birds. Nine new brooder houses are in operation as well as additional battery brooders and humidaire hatching machines. A six-acre open-topped holding pen has been con- structed, and most of the wire on all the pens has been replaced with new material. During the winter of 1947, three thousand hens were held over at the farm and released into the wild prior to the nesting season. Because regular game farm methods are producing birds with a low survival ability, the state property located near Moiese has not been developed into a regular game farm. The farm is to become an experimental site where worthwhile information on the raising and management of pheasants can be collected. In 1947 valuable informa- tion obtained here showed some of the weaknesses of game farm birds released into the wild. Two brooder houses under construction will be used to rear birds by methods designed to overcome some of the factors which contribute to their unsatisfactory survival rate. A project now under development at Broadview, north of Billings, seeks to provide requirements for game birds by fencing small areas and encouraging thereon the growth of cover plants. The Billings Rod and Gun Club is cooperating on this promising proj^t. This area has a huge acraege of strip-covered wheat lands. Because suitable permanent cover is lacking, pheasants cannot use the area. With development of needed cover, the fields of wheat stubble may produce the combination of fac- tors needed to support a population of game birds. Establishing permanent pheasant cover where present sources are too scanty or none exists may Offer opportunities to expand the pheasant 18 lange in Montana. Improvement of the environment for wildlife as a first step in the whole process of wildlife management promises to be the most feasible and logical. The whole pheasant program during this biennium has been modern- ized and revamped. Closer correlation between the three enlarged and improved game fai'ms now exists. The Restoration Division has a large part in the pheasant program. Guesswork and personal opinion are being discarded, and facts are being gathered to present a real basis for an intelligent program. Since the state has a combination small game and fishing license, there is no immediate method to determine the trends of small game hunting pressure. In addition, the combination license forces the distri- bution of funds for fish and game bird work to be made by estimate. Hungarian Partridge The sportsmen have been aware that this speedster has not been plentiful for a number of years. From all indications this splendid game bird does not have the fortunate facilities to weather through a tough winter as does the Chinese pheasant. It is entirely possible that almost the entire population may be wiped out in local areas by adverse weather conditions. It is just as likely that these birds may appear in their former abundance almost as quickly as they vanished. Since 1946 reports indicate that the Hungarian partridge is seen in greater numbers than previously, and in view of the fact that the welfare of this bird depends to a large extent upon factors beyond the control of man, the department must follow the plan of allowing the maximum utilization of the increase whenever satisfactory populations permit. GAME BIRDS LIBERATED 1946 1947 Billings 15,142 19,075 Fort Peck 17,153 16,194 Warm Springs 4,724 10,846 TOTALS 37,019 36,115 Fur-Bearing Animals The legislature in 1947 gave the Fish and Game Commission author- ity to set the trapping season on fur-bearing animals. Using this authority, the Commission in 1947 declared an open season on mink, fox, raccoon and muskrat. The recommendations of sportsmen's clubs, the fur industry, trappers and other interested parties all were considered. Generally the season proved to be satisfactory. An auction sale of confiscated furs was conducted in 1947. The sale was conducted on a high plane, following procedures regularly used in the fur industry. Montana fur interests have been well pleased with the method of procedure and with the results obtained. The department has been actively engaged in a program of trapping and planting beaver. Complaints of damage received during the summer, when the pelts are not prime, result in the live trapping of individual beaver which are damaging to private owners and public land managers. Suitable transplanting sites are selected where beaver are not present. Preliminary investigations indicate that this type of program is pro- ducing beneficial effects. 19 These coyotes were removed from an area where the department has released a group of mountain sheep. Predator-control programs so directed are beneficial. Predator Control The Commission contributed over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) towards the control of predatory animals and predatory birds during the biennium. For the year ending April 30, 1947, the commission spent approximately $14,000 to control pi'edators, approximately half of which was used to pay salaries and expenses of government trappers under a co-operative predator control program with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Livestock Commission. For the year ending April 30, 1948, the Commission's contribution toward predator control jumped to approximately $37,000. Of this amount approximately $27,000 was spent for salaries and expenses of government trappers under the co- operative predator control program. The Commission continued to pay one-half the bounty claims of the State Livestock Commission until July 1, 1947 when bounty payments as provided for in Chapter 112, Laws of 1947, ceased. The Predatory Animal Advisory Committee then became active as provided for in Chapter 113, Laws of 1947. The direct payment of bounties on mountain lions and bobcats to applicants was continued by the Fish and Game Commission. During this period the Commission also gave financial assistance to spoilsmen's organizations by offering to pay one-half of the funds expended by such organization to control crows and magpies, not to exceed 10 cents per bird. The cost of such assistance was approximately $2,000 for the year ending April 30, 1948. After receiving proven reports that golden eagles were causing severe losses to antelope and other wildlife in Carter and Powder River counties, the Commission authorized payment of a $5 bounty on golden eagles killed in these counties during March and April, 1948. During these two months two hundred and ninety claims for bounty on eagles were paid. 20 i* >*!i V Food and rest is the big need of migrating ducks and geese. The Montana Fish and Game Department provides water lor resting and introduces food and shelter plants in ponds and lakes. Waterfowl In 1947 the total duck population of the United States was estimated to be in the neighborhood of 54,000,000 ducks. This was a low in duck populations, and in spite of diversified opinions as to the cause of the decline, the fact remains that the nation does not have the ducks that it formerly did. The department has aided the waterfowl program by the improve- ment of thirty-seven existing reservoirs which formerly provided little waterfowl habitat. During this biennium the department has actively en- gaged in a program of maintaining these reservoirs. In addition, suitable waterfowl development areas have been investigated with the idea of creating habitat suitable for waterfowl nesting areas. Plans are now in progress that will see Montana up to date with other states in taking a more active part in obtaining facts which will lead to more efficient and intelligent management of the waterfowl resources. A project will be initiated whereby the department will co-operate with states in the Pacific and Central fljrways. These studies will include the outlining of migration patterns, census, hunter-take analysis and other factors which will enable the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service to set regulations which will more effectively utilize the ducks and geese. It is likely that the continuation of managing waterfowl by the flyway concept will be continued. Flyway concepts of management will be greatly aided by the type of information which will be collected by the studies planned in this state. With the greatly increased demand for waterfowl since the end of the war, it is not likely that each hunter's share of the water- fowl crop will approximate that enjoyed by hunters of former years. However, through further research, the development of waterfowl areas, favorable weather and good land use, it is possible that waterfowl hunt- ing may be enjoyed in such quantity as to satisfy the logical and reason- able sportsmen. 21 PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION Since Fish and Game programs must vary with conditions which are continually changing, it is absolutely essential that the inter- ested public be kept fully informed of the changes occurring in nature and the need for subsequent changes in the department's program. A lack of this information is perhaps the greatest handicap to modern game management. This bottleneck prevents putting into practice facts long known to be essential in maintaining satisfactory hunting and fishing. A constant demand for information on Montana's wildlife has been exerted upon the department. Sportsmen's groups, civic organizations, schools, 4-H groups, and others have requested speakers, literature, movies, radio programs, and other outlets. Newspapers and news- gathering agencies have also desired information. During the 1946-47 period every effort has been made to supply speakers for any group upon request. Personnel of the office and field alike are being called on to meet the numerous requests. The depart- ment has purchased a number of films which are distributed for public use by the State Visual Education Department. Plans are in progress to offer films of department origin which will depict various activities. Since the fall of 1947, radio stations and news-gathering agencies have been supplied with the type of information they often request. The department is contributing to the annual state 4-H conservation camp. In spite of the limited facilities available to meet the above mentioned demands, progress is being made. The department is gaining experience in supplying information and education, which will be relied upon when an expanded program seems advisable. LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS During the past two years, it has become apparent that changes in existing statutes through legislative action are necessary. Increasing demands on our wildlife resources necessitate additional safeguards in order that the citizens of the state can equally share in the enjoyment that wildlife affords. A revision of the statutes regarding guides and packers is necessary in order to give more supervision and provide a high standard of guide service to the public. Increased license sales and fees require that the State of Montana be more fully protected by a higher bond requirement from license agents. Clarification of the statutes providing for the purchase of licenses is necessary, particularly defining the requirements to purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses and limiting the exceptions to members of the Armed Forces for the purpose of obtaining resident hunting and fishing licenses. A revision of the statutes defining game fish should be made. The special permit system for taking big game animals should be altered and revised to take care of certain discrepancies and present unsatisfactory provisions. New legislation should be enacted to prohibit the artificial introduc- tion of any fish and wildlife into Montana from sources outside or inside the state without knowledge oi- consent by the Fish and Game Com- mission. A statute should be included in the law which will allow Fed- eral Aid Funds to pay a nominal fee per acre to regular tax receiving 22 agencies in lieu of taxes for certain lands held for wildlife management purposes. Authority should be granted the Commission to kill any game species after proper investigation reveals the animals to be a menace to human life and property. FUTURE Demands on our wildlife resources have increased tremendously in recent years and likewise so have most activities of the department. The demands for wildlife cannot be accomplished, however, by merely increasing the activities that have been adequate in the past. Trial and error methods of short-time programs will not do the job when it is realized that the most efficient programs are barely holding their own. Furnishing everyone with as much fish and game as was provided when only a fraction of present-day sportsmen were afield seems to be im- possible from both the biological and economic standpoint. No longer is it necessary to rely upon personnel only casually acquainted with fish and game matters. Trained and competent wildlife specialists will allow the removal of guesswork from fish and game management. Their duties will be directed toward determining how to furnish more sport for more people. Game and fish management in Montana will be based on the con- ception that the lands and waters must be suitable for wildlife produc- tion. The acquisition, development, and management of lands for big game, upland birds, waterfowl, and fish will continue to be a major effort of the department. These areas will become permanent havens for wildlife where their numbers will be increased so hunting and fish- ing may be enjoyed, thereon, by increasing numbers of future sportsmen. Artificial production will not only be kept to a maximum by proper maintenance and more development. In addition, the department will be very critical of its efforts and will constantly examine the actual value of released trout and pheasants. This examination will reveal the best methods of using the products of hatcheries and game farms. It is essential that this expensive program be handled so the greatest return will be realized for every dollar spent. Progress already made in the enforcement division is only a begin- ning towards further efficiency. Prevention of game law violations through education promises to reduce the illegal drain on wildlife re- sources. Enforcement personnel will be an aid in solving management problems by collecting specific facts in the field. Law enforcement will receive greater attention through the continually increasing use of modern equipment and techniques. These innovations will all pivot around the warden district plan. Proper execution of these activities requires a well-organized depart- ment which is completely adequate in every division. The department in recent years has been undergoing a tremendous expansion. In spite of additional personnel and equipment, the department is barely able to adequately handle all matters that arise. This situation can be corrected when the growing pains subside, and time is afforded for a- glimpse into the future. Fuller attention then can be given to activities which now are not possible to include in our program. 23 < "Z. K ^ < ^ 1- 0- ^ ;; o ki ^ h ^ O ^ LlI ^ f- 5: < «o H k (/) d a. < I >- < 2 tr o Q. UJ tr tr < UJ >- < o Li. o* 0. < I E o E o u o « E o o c a> STATE OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT -^ / , loopoo 1,000,000 900,000 800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 \ 1 > / — 1-\ 1 1 1 4- I : / ft LEGEND 0 0 Income o—- ^ Disbursements // // / 1 —t — / /i / 1 / ^ / / s / ;>— ' ^ y N \ \, / ^x" ^^ / V N ' — r ' ^^^ 1 I 1 /9 4/ 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 Comparison of income and disbursements from May 1,1944 t through April 30,1948 25 Personnel STATE ADMINISTRATIVE A. A. O'Claire State Fish and Game Warden A. G. Stubblefield - Superintendent ot Fisheries R. F. Cooney - _ Director, Restoration Division W. ]. Everin Chief Deputy W. L. Reavley ^ Biologist C. K. Phenicie Fisheries Biologist C. K. Dalton -- Engineer O. N. Wolverton - — Chiei Cltrk LAW ENFORCEMENT District 1 Ross Wilson, Supervisor- _ - Kalispell Magnus Bolken - Whitelish A. H. Cheney _ Thompson Fails Lawrence Deist Kalispell Louis Haverlandt - - - — Kila O. J. Nollar _ Poison Vern Waples — Libby District 2 R. H. Lambeth, Supervisor Missoula George Hollibaugh _ Drummond Clyde Howard Missoula Stuart Markle Anaconda William Schultz __ _ Wisdom Gene Sherman Missoula M. J. Watt - Hamilton District 3 lohn Burke _ Livingston L. C. Clark Bozeman Carl Daniel Whitehall K. O. Fallang ....White Sulphur Springs Wm. Ray Kohls... - Ennis Frank Marshall _ West Yellowstone Charles R. Price Dillon Jack Thompson -. Townsend District 4 Keith Burke Conrad Truce Emett Great Falls Charles Loberg -- Stanford Asa Rogers , -. Havre Don Wright Browning District 5 Francis lohnson Red Lodge G. O. Johnson Harlowton Tack Kohler : Billings Raleigh Shields ..Roundup Frank Starina Hardin Waldo Vangsness _ - Lcwistown District 6 H. C. Friede, Supervisor Malta William DuBeau — Fort Peck Harold Gartside Plentywood District 7 lohn Cook -- Glendive E. M. Krost Sidney Tack Nicolay Miles City Warren Linville Broadus GAME FARMS V. W. Bailey, Foreman . Fort Peck Lester Barton, Foreman Warm Sorings R. J. Wells, Foreman ._ , Billings J. S. Ramsey, Custodian . Moiese FISHERIES Hatchery Foremen: Fred Beal Anaconda George Ripley Arlee Forest Keller - Birr Tiniber Georae Miller ■ Emigrant Tver Hoglund Great Falls Eli Melton Hamilton Leo Gilroy - Lewistown John Sheehan Libby A. E. Tangen -i. — - Poison Frank Marcoe - Somers Clarence Ripley — Rough Fish Control Project Foreman. 27 RESTORATION DIVISION W. Ken Thompson, Assistant Director _ Helena Faye M. Couey, Big Game Biologist Helena Wm. R. Bergeson, Game Bird Biologist Helena Hector J. LaCasse, Draitsman-Photographer.- Helena Wynn Freeman, Waterfowl Biologist Helena Don Brown, Assistant Big Game Biologist _ -- Roundup Merle J. Rognrud, Assistant Big Game Biologist- _ Missoula Robert J. Greene, Assistant Game Bird Biologist Helena Richard L. Hodder, Range Fieldman, - — Gallatin Robert Casebeer, Range Fieldman Helena J. E. Gaab, Unit Manager -. Gallatin Bruce Neal, Unit Manager _ Augusta Jack E. Schmautz, Unit Biologist 1 Libby Ade Zajanc, Fieldman - Libby Lawrence Brown, Fieldman, .„, _ _ Roundup Fred L. Hartkorn, Fieldman , Helena Kenneth Riersgard, Fieldman Roundup Bob Neal, Fieldman Augusta Rex C. Smart, Shoo Foreman - Helena S. A. Mongrain, Warehouse Foreman _ Helena Jack Owens, Field Foreman _ Helena C. H. Harkness, Field Foreman _ Augusta William F. Koch, Field Foreman Helena Financial Statements STATEMENT OF INCOME May 1, 1946 — April 30. 1947 Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Shipping Permits: Resident Bird and Fish 140,640 Resident Big Game 74,316 Resident Sportsman 1,712 Non-Resident Fishing 4,351 Non-Resident Bird - 292 Non-Resident Big Game 2,907 Alien Big Game 4 Alien Bird 2 Alien Fishing 95 Shipping Permits 7,007 Tourist Fishing 1 7,490 Less Dealers' Fees ("J @ @ (Tp (d (o ((I (a (,i Net Income from Sale of 1946 Licenses -. - Plus 1945 Accounts Paid During Above Period Total Income from Hunting and Fishing License Sales Licenses and Permits Other Than Above: Beaver Tags --. 10,200 (d Beaver Trapping Permits _ 1,587 frr General Trappers' Licenses 1,179 (. « O ^2 B !2 "m « o.t: 2aa ,429 5 104 6 18 1 56 298 . 325 "YO 29 ... 32 ... 3 . 28 3 161 ...... 182 " 1 ,271 17 ,147 20 1 1 3 ...... 4 17 ..... 86 53 3 55 ...... 44 682 34 370 5 8 ... 786 3 884 3 10 .. 71 ... 526 42 ,052 22 56 475 6 5 ... 18 1 32 8 1 171 ...... 496 ""a 17 32 25 5 10 . 853 9 20 414 10 1 83 ...... 241 ...... 58 1 20 122 7 87 3 9 394 11 73 74,997 1,727 4,363 17,604 292 0) TJ 0) « E 0) 0 u Kn c.i= IB c ^ 0) j; 0 o5 U3 « o 95 1 1 1 5,977 2,103 1,488 4 1,908 30 1 3 4,323 768 130 7 17,763 1,610 29 2,669 408 7 2,141 20 5,400 6 841 31 8,166 243 10 19,407 332 9 17,497 34 3 2,832 428 667 19 1,827 9 4 3,566 4 2,168 13 1,719 26 6,182 361 6 12,435 432 39 10 6,594 60 4,726 501 8 2,051 98 3 3,247 354 2 16,841 18 2,463 235 8 8,185 299 1 1,565 17 2,495 610 62 2 3,616 474 146 1 8,157 31 2,142 6 .... 1,856 1,155 115 1 5,686 889 64 8 13,859 21 3.675 26 1 3,051 19 2,493 6 1,460 20 3,012 49 6 2,769 366 118 10 14,263 7 97 137 2,914 243,362 The above figures do not include 2 Alien Bird Licenses and 4 Alien Big Game Licenses, sold in Helena Office, County of Lewis and Clark. 34 1947 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES u G e tt ■~ « «) 0) ►^ (1) "O |0 "O 4) e'O c 6 _ "in . 'in '3 g t |g |5 If «| « «5 ^" o a>.t: S.? 0.2 o.w o.a o.? -5 O K« «pq hUh Zpl, 2m 2m h Beaverhead _ 2,519 1,414 1,522 171 3 36 5,665 Big Horn 1,597 514 93 36 2 1 2,243 Blame 1,056 414 22 8 ...^ ...... 1,500 Broadwater 1,035 736 54 11 1 1 1,838 Carbon 2,732 1,165 248 67 ....... 7 4,219 Carter 121 92 213 Cascade 11,819 5,419 344 64 1 76 17,723 Chouteau 1,349 562 19 1 ... ..... 1,931 Custer 1,920 1,032 34 2 15 2,994 Daniels 357 107 2 466 Dawson 1,453 458 28 9 1,948 Deer Lodge 3,410 1,641 209 33 5 5,298 Fallon - 482 330 1 ...... 813 Fergus - 4,469 3,369 206 29 2 5 8,080 Flathead .-.. 10,875 6,319 1,297 275 10 67 18,843 Gallatin 7,024 3,690 4,851 862 5 141 16,573 Garfield ._ 349 165 5 519 Glacier 1,986 668 91 27 26 2,798 Golden Valley 386 254 20 3 663 Granite 1,131 706 80 23 9 1,949 Hill .- 2,830 710 41 10 2 2 3,595 Jefferson ..-.'. _ 1,135 764 61 7 2 1,969 Judith Basin 939 685 36 7 . 1 1,668 Lake 4,011 1,568 848 151 33 12 6,623 Lewis and Clark 7,041 4,473 324 121 3 162 12,124 Liberty 284 116 1 2 ..... ..... 403 Lincoln 2,917 1,945 945 158 2 5,967 Madison 2,074 1,331 1,148 143 29 4,725 McCone 366 108 15 489 Meagher 1,033 730 85 14 4 1,866 Mineral 1,048 724 583 417 8 4 2,784 Missoula . 9,698 5,321 966 246 9 120 16,360 Musselshell 1,442 890 54 6 4 2,396 Park -- 4,036 2,581 427 104 53 7,201 Petroleum 243 180 1 424 Phillips 942 500 10 1,452 Pondera 1,858 706 43 8 1 1 2,617 Powder River 298 280 1 579 Powell 1,726 1,237 111 23 ...... 39 3,136 Prairie 307 193 4 ...... ...... 504 Ravalli 4,260 2,713 559 83 4 44 7,663 Richland 1,439 322 8 2 4 1 1,776 Roosevelt 1,233 305 43 7 5 4 1,597 Rosebud 820 536 11 1,367 Sanders 2,453 1,722 795 164 12 13 5,159 Sheridan 803 162 1 7 973 Silver Bow 8,201 3,503 341 63 2 30 12,140 Stillwater 2,062 1,198 159 42 ...... 1 3,462 Sweet Grass 1,447 1,022 219 49 • 8 2,745 Teton 1,678 867 45 20 16 2,626 Toole 1,189 327 14 10 1,540 Valley 2,720 548 236 18 1 3,523 Wheatland 1,352 938 91 17 10 2,408 Wibaux : 222 78 10 7 317 Yellowstone 10,915 4,058 384 71 6 31 15,465 Totals 141,092 72,396 17,744 3,592 123 972 235,919 35 FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS May 1, 1946 May 1, 1947 to to Violation April 30, 1947 April 30, 1948 Fishing in closed waters 27 56 Fishing without license 83 99 Fishing during closed season 19 8 Fishing with set lines 22 20 Fishing before or otter hours 1 1 22 Over limit of game fish 46 53 Possession or use of seine, spear, dynamite, snagging outfit or cowbells _.._ _... 23 16 Fishing with minnows _.,. 1 — Possession or use of salmon eggs 17 28 Pollution of streams . _ j. 1 3 False affidavit to secure resident license 16 24 Possession of illegal beaver hides .— 9 2 Dealing in furs without a license 1 4 Trapping during closed season 5 9 Trapping without a license _ 8 5 Shipping furs without permit 5 2 Trapping in muskrat house „ 1 — Possession of illegal furs 2 2 Violation of Migratory Bird Act 29 54 Possession of pheasant hen _ 1 6 Killing game birds during closed season 19 29 Shooting game from highway or auto 1 7 Hunting before or after hours 1 23 Over limit of game birds 7 Hunting or possession of game animals during closed season 25 39 Hunting without license _ 3 19 Possession of illegal game 23 54 Spotlight hunting 1.. 2 12 Hunting in closed area „ 14 11 Killing doe deer or fawn deer 6 12 Killing or possession of grizzly bear in closed area or closed season 4 Shipping game without permit „ 1 Transfer of big game tag 2 5 Failure to tag deer or elk 11 10 Shooting elk before hours _ --. 4 Wasting game meat 1 3 Killing female bear with cubs or cub bears — 5 5 Hunting big game without wearing red on clothing 2 3 Guide allowing violation in party _ .... I ^ TOTALS „ 447 657 ;}6 FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS Violation Beaverhead -. _ Big Horn Blaine .. By County May!, 1946 to April 30, 1947 3 1 3 1 May 1, to April 30, 18 9 4 Broadwater 9 3 Carbon Carter 23 1 1 2 Cascade .. 12 29 Chouteau 1 3 Custer Daniels Dawson „. Deer Lodge Fnllon r "]"^!!!! "!!"!"]!Z~!IZ!!""" 1 6 4 27 2 Fergus 4 4 Flathead 61 104 Gallatin Garfield Glacier Golden Valley Granite Hill _ ., _ Jefferson 20 1 2 _ 2 . 3 35 4 12 12 7 Judith Basin Lake __. 36 5 47 Lewis and Clark Liberty 15 Lincoln 18 32 Madison , 5 18 McCone 9 Meagher . 8 15 Mineral Missoula -._ _. ~V~'\ZZ^^VZZZ^^ 1 4 31 19 Musselshell Park : 18 11 Petroleum . . Phillips Pondera .. 9 13 Powder River . 2 4 Powell .. 4 2 Prairie Ravalli 7 16 Richland -.. 2 Roosevelt . . 3 Rosebud 3 Sanders 38 50 Sheridan 9 1 1 Silver Bo-w 2 Stillwater IT 15 Sweet Grass . 7 9 Teton . . 7 15 Toole - 1 Treasure 1 Valley 10 8 Wheatland 7 3 Wibaux — . 2 3 __.... 9 9 TOTALS - 447 657 1947 1948 37 n o 9 m a D o O O Ov o>" CO o>" 00 (N Ov n a IP 9 s CO I 00 CM CN mm o n 00 00 in n 0 m o IT) O in CM 0 n 1 E^ oc n as C- o B »;>< C s § w c o o o 55^ d o 0^ o — ^.CN — "r-T ro in (N in o o q o o n O o o in o o in 2< >% o oo o o oo o q r^q r^_ H i in o-'n rC p 1 0 a in 00 00 CM WW 0OO-_ o>_ CN 052 c 0) O sOOOOO •o ^ 00 00000 0>CN in a ooomo^ ■ ■^ k< J« — ■^ o vO 0) o D oQ inn -^ dcN 00 o d CN ^— o- m 5 " CM ■'n n" n ootvrocNfO ■o in CM ■n CO OtNCNOOOOOO CM ^ o o ■ncN(Nin>oivcNro CM S° , — inroivoo — CNin-T (N "w ro • « Big Timber . Emigrant Great Falls . 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