s 799 F2br 1948-1950 eport 1948-1949 and 1949-1950 o I Montana Fish and Game Commission L..A.UMENTS MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 3 0864 0016 1700 3 State of Montana BIENNIAL REPORT of the FISH AND GAME COMMISSON for May 1, 1948 — April 30, 1950 Published by the MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Helena, Montana 1 MONTANA RECORD PUBLISHING CO. HELENA, MONTANA To the Honorable John W. Bonner, Governor of Montana Dear Governor Bonner: The following is the Biennial Report of the Mon- tana Fish and Game Commission for the period May 1, 1948 through April 30, 1950. Respectfully submitted, MONTANA STATE FISH & GAME COMMISSION A. C. GRANDE, THOMAS R. MORGAN, ELMER JOHNSON, Chairman EDWARD M. BOYES, WM. CARPENTER, R. H. LAMBETH, State Fish and Game Warden. FOREWORD The wildlife resources of Montana belong to all the people who must have an equal opportunity to share in its benefits. Wildlife under the administration of the Fish and Game Department has gradually increased since the department first began functioning in 1901. Administration policies have changed throughout those years because of the ever increasing number of sportsmen. The never ending search for more knowledge of wildlife, its environment and its wisest and most beneficial use for our citizens must lead the way for perpetuating this renewable resource. Long range planning designed from the best information obtainable and from proven management practices coupled with failures in the past form a solid background for attaining this objective. This report of the Montana Fish and Game Commission reviews the operation and progress of- wildlife administration for the past two years. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Administration 5, 6, 7, 8 Elk Planting 14 Fur Bearers 12 Fisheries 25-36 Foreword 3 Game Damage 16 Game Farms . 11 Hunter-Rancher Relations 14-15 Law Enforcement 9-10 Letter of Transmittal 2 Predator Control 17 Public Information 13 Statistics '. 37-55 Wildlife Restoration 18-24 (4) ADMINISTRATION It has long been recognized that the title to wildlife shall be vested in the people of the state and that wildlife and outdoor rec- reation are inseparable, and that it is a necessary part of any over-all recreation program for the general welfare of our citizens. To carry out a program of conservation, protection and propa- gation of wildlife for such a purpose, the Montana Fish and Game Commission was created. The Commission is the ruling body under which the department operates in accordance with the powers and duties prescribed by the legislature. All operations of the department function through the office of the State Fish and Game Warden who is the executive officer of the commission. Seasons and bag limits set by the Commission are determined primarily from the best information available from field surveys conducted by department personnel and from sound recommenda- tions of sportsmen. This flexible authority to set seasons and bag limits, open or close areas is a very necessary one for wildlife man- agement. Wildlife has gradually increased to become a stable re- source of great economic value to all the people under administra- tion of the Fish and Game Commission and the Fish and Game Depart- ment, prior to the Commission's organization as a five-man board in 1921. Administrative duties have expanded from a strictly law enforce- ment job in 1901, when the first state game department was or- ganized, to an all inclusive program of conservation which now in- cludes law enforcement, big game management, game bird manage- ment, propagation of game birds, fish propagation, game research, fisheries research, game range acquisition and a public information and education program. The powers and duties of the commission which are vested in that body by the legislature are designed for management of game animals, game birds, game fish and fur-bearing animals on a sus- tained yield basis. Finances: The State Fish and Game Fund is a special fund set apart from the general fund and is exclusively made available to the Commission for administration of the Fish and Game Department. The Commission approves the annual operating budget based upon the estimated income from license sales, federal aid, fines and confis- cation sales. Because the department operates almost entirely on funds derived from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, operations of the department are geared to annual license sales. It is interesting to note that for the past 45 years or more in the history of the ad- ministration of the Fish and Game Department, the general public has contributed no state general funds towards maintenance of wild- life in Montana, although the commercial benefits generated by hunters and fishermen have been realized by business and the public in general. Those who buy hunting and fishing licenses have fur- (5) O < 3^ r" O -* <- D C c- Z o o i?= '^^ o i o c 3 a. 5) — < -n O (?= 8- 3 a. (D c Q. . ;:;g CON} co'u ^'o ^CJ l^!_i IOK> ca'o ,0 03 o o 3 ■o o o OS 00 — — • , . o ^ coco CKfO *>0 tM vO sO ^nO vP ^ tf^ d^ o^o^ d^ o^ 1 ^ ^ Np Sp WO — • KJ $100,000.00 $200,000.00 o o §.8 So; s^ OO O O Oi Cn OO » ' CO X^ * » "oVi tnOO ooo OO $300,000.00 of* w VI o. o ;:; t; (A •o -o -o OO Z > <5 — 5 > ^ a. Z m O o Q o irni m o 0 1 — > Tl ill 1 •O CD 2 m s <*^ V* O m o "i KJ •b- ■a > m z 00 P ^ ^ CO o CO Ln 00 00 b to p > z ■o Q 3 z > Q. a o >K $400,000.00 CO <3 § $500,000.00 00 Cn 88 (6) STATE OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Comparison of income and disbursemenis from May 1, 1941 fhroug/i April 30, 1950 $1,300,000 1 ,200,000 1,100,000 1 ,000,000 900,000 800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 J / i 1 li / It / 1 f * 7 / f / f , y < > _i f ;:::; K ^ [^ ."■ O- Ov (7) nished the funds and the many individual land owners who have harbored wildlife on their properties have been footing the bill, together with public land administrative agencies. Total assets of the department in buildings at fish hatcheries, game farms, patrol cabins, winter game range land holdings, and all other equipment amount to approximately $1,452,000.00. (8) LAW ENFORCEMENT Enforcement of the State Fish and Game laws and orders, rules and regulations of the Commission are delegated to 45 district deputy game wardens. Of this number, five wardens are appointed as dis- trict warden supervisors with each having a designated number of district wardens under his supervision. This system coordinates the work of the district wardens and has resulted in greater efficiency and better service to the public. The district warden force is the medium through which the general public has greatest contact with the department. It is closer to the public which it serves through daily contacts than all other personnel of the department. Law en- forcement is by no means the only duty assigned to wardens although other assignments of work are secondary to enforcement. During the past two years a total of 1,485 arrests were made for fish and game violations. One person out of each 247 who pur- chased a hunting or fishing license was apprehended for a violation of the fish and game laws or orders, rules and regulations of the Commission. Fines imposed as a penalty for violation of the fish and game laws for the same period totalled approximately $59,940. An average fine of slightly over $40.00 was imposed by the courts for each violation. Revocation of the licenses to hunt or fish for a period of one year were made in a number of cases in addition to the fine. Several jail sentences were also given in flagrant game violation cases. With less than one deputy game warden per county, the depart- ment needs greater assistance from sportsmen to curtail violations, both by the voluntary practice of policing themselves and reporting the actions of those who violate the law to proper officials. The moral code by which each sportsman limits himself in taking wildlife is a greater barrier to violating than the legal code. Many sportsmen are yet reluctant to give information concerning violations of fish and game laws of which they have knowledge due to the prevalent at- titude that to give such information is "squealing." The department is trying to break down this attitude by driving home the fact that those who violate are taking unfair advantage of those who obey the rules of the game. Poaching is stealing, and should not be treated in any other light. New problems of law enforcement are developing with the alarm- ing increase of the four-wheel drive and cleat track vehicles which are gaining access into rough terrain or remote areas normally con- sidered as areas which could be hunted only on foot or horseback. The district warden force is ever on the alert to report general wild- life conditions and undue circumstances which require that additional restrictions and protective measures be adopted to give adequate protection to wildlife. The goal of law enforcement is to enforce laws and regulations designed to conserve wildlife and enforce the bounds within which each sportsman must stay in taking wildlife. (9) The annual limitation of expenses of deputy game wardens set by law at $750.00 per year for carrying out his official duties is insufficient, and such limitations should be removed and replaced by commission authority to determine the limits of such necessary expense. (10) •', - ' / ,■ V,- .; V mkiM'i::ii^!m-^^ Chukar Partridge GAME FARMS The activity at all three State Game Farms located in Billings, Fort Peck and Warm Springs was confined to the raising of Ring- neck Pheasants during the past two years. Production at these game farms as a unit has been stabilized at approximately thirty thousand pheasants per year. There has been considerable discussion as to the value of farm raised pheasants for release. However, in a state like Montana where a great portion of its pheasant range is on the fringe of what is considered a suitable habitat and the weather cycle periodically takes a heavy toll, continued operation of game farms for restocking pur- poses seems to have been justified. Pheasants have been raised and released annually in Montana by the Fish and Game Department since 1930. Prior to that time the Game Department had purchased pheas- ants from commercial breeders. Some pheasants were introduced in Montana by individuals and sportsmen's groups before the turn of the century. At the Billings Game Farm approximately 100 chukar partridge are now being held as brood stock with the intention of making another attempt to introduce these game birds in Montana in the near future. (11) FUR BEARERS Of all the wildlife resources of the state, only the fur-bearing ani- mals such as beaver, muskrat, mink, marten, otter, fox and raccoon and fur bearers classed as predatory animals provide a direct cash crop. This resource supports a valuable fur trade industry in the state. A total of 2,843 trapping licenses were issued during the past two years. An open season on muskrat, mink, fox, otter and raccoon was declared in 1948 and 49. Except for the otter, an open season was declared on the same fur bearers during the 1949-50 season. The closed season on marten was continued during the past two years. It was determined that the marten population was large enough to declare an open season, but due to the low market value of this fine fur it was decided to keep the season closed until a better price per pelt could be realized by trappers. BEAVER. Montana continues to be one of the largest beaver producers in the United States. Under present beaver management where permits are issued, a sustained yield of between eight and ten thousand pelts are taken each year. Beaver now inhabit every major drainage throughout the state. Due to the below average price received for beaver pets during the past few years, trappers have not taken the annual increase on this fur bearer. Complaints of damage and requtses for the department to remove nuisance beaver have been so numerous that our warden force and state trapper were pressed to take care of the beaver damage complaints. In this two- year period, 2,323 permits to trap beaver were issued — an average of almost eight were caught on each permit. MUSKRAT. A spring trapping season on muskrats has been con- tinued for the past several years for the reason that muskrat skins taken when the hide is prime are more valuable. Due to the dif- ference in climatic conditions between the higher mountainous sec- tion and plains areas, it has been difficult to set a muskrat season favorable for all trappers to obtain a maximum catch. Special trap- ping permits have been provided on the larger irrigation districts where examinations by wardens have shown that damage to the irri- gation system was caused by muskrats. MINK. Wild mink pelts were in good demand during the past two seasons. The mink has withstood heavy trapping in some areas year after year which indicates that its breeding potential has not been harmed. OTTER. Except in a few drainages, otter are not too numerous. Periodically an open season has been declared so that some value from this fur bearer can be realized by trappers. RACCOON. The raccoon has become a problem in the lower reaches of the Yellowstone drainage. Damages to poultry, pheasants and agricultural crops have been attributed to raccoons. Because of the prevailing low market value received for its pelt, few trappers are interested in trapping this fur bearer. FOX. Few fox are found in Montana. Its value as a fur bearer in this state is small. (12) PUBLIC INFORMATION The primary mission of the Fish and Game Department's public information section is to keep before the public of the state those facts and figures relating to the management and conditions of fish and game in Montana. It is constantly striving to reach more and more persons through the various media; newspapers, magazines, radio, and personal correspondence and contact. A theme being concentrated upon now, and in the future, is the fact that each and every person has a direct interest in the well being and good management of the fish and game resources in Mon- tana. Utilization of every source available is a partial answer to the problem of making the public aware of its interest, and the public information section has taken advantage of these outlets. Films, the themes of which deal with fish, game, and conserva- tion, have been purchased and are now on deposit in the state film library, available to any group in the state interested in showing them. Lists of these films have been sent to all outdoor associations, schools, and clubs so that a selection of available films could be made. This has proved highly succesful and has eased the job of answering in- quiries, both for the Fish and Game Department and for the state film library. Weekly news releases, issued from the department's Helena offices, have averaged over five pages of copy per week. These go to every newspaper and radio station in the state, and to the major sports magazines and fish and game departments for other states. Daily news releases are issued from the department for publi- cation in all daily nwspapers in the state. They are written from information gathered by department personnel by members of the Public Information Section. Requests have been received for a radio program of from five to fifteen minutes in length, written by section personnel. It is hoped that these requests can be granted in the near future. An inter-department publication, Bear Facts and Fish Tales, is issued once a month to all members of the department. This deals strictly with department affairs and is not for general consumption. Emphasis has been placed on the issuance from the department of more pictures to local newspapers for publication. So far, all pictures of department personnel and the work they are doing have been well received, and a great deal of space was allocated to them. Cartoons have also been sent out and published, dealing with vax'ious phases of conservation work. (13) ELK PLANTING PROGRAM In order to help bring the number of elk in the Northern Yel- lowstone herd in line with available figures, a controlled reduction of elk within Yellowstone Park was conducted by the Park Service during the winter of 1949-50. During the course of this operation there was considerable interest on the part of sportsmen and other agencies and individuals to trap and transplant as many of these elk as possible. Before transplanting could be done it was necessary to get agree- ments signed by landowners and to have consent of administrators of public lands involved. Much of this preliminary work was done by department personnel and the department also participated in the transplanting operations. A fine spirit of conservation was exhibited by sportsmen and in- dividuals all of whom donated time and money to hire trucks for transplanting elk. Sportsmen from Powell, Granite and Mineral coun- ties arranged for trucks for restocking elk areas in those counties. A rancher from Custer sent his own trucks to the Park and hauled the elk to the Pine Ridge area located in Big Horn and Yellowstone counties. The Park Service normally charges $5 per head of elk trapped as the actual cost of trapping. This fee was waived during this opera- tion because the Fish and Game Department supplied the hay used to bait the traps. Below is a list of the areas and the numbers of elk transplanted this season: Bull Cow Calf Total Area 1 1 24 26 Superior (Mineral County) 1 12 12 25 Pine Ridge (Yel. & Big Horn Counties) 2 20 25 47 Horseshoe Hills (No. Gallatin County) 12 90 110 212 Garnet Range (Powell & Granite Cos.) 16 123 171 310 TOTAL COMMENT ON HUNTER-RANCHER RELATIONS America is one of the few countries in the world which provides public hunting and fishing. Almost one-third of the state is public domain lands on which all persons may hunt, trap and fish accord- ing to regulations. However, a great portion of the game birds, ante- lope, deer and fish are taken annually on private lands — with the tolerance of the owners thereof. Each succeeding hunting and fish ing season adds to the number of private holdings posted to '"no hunting or trespassing." Many landowners have expressed themselves as preferring to suffer game damage rather than allow uncontrolled hunting on their properties. A much greater effort on the part of sportsmen to give due (14) consideration of the rights of the owner of the land on which he hunts and better observance of the rules of the game will help towards better understanding. While it would be difficult to enforce a regulation providing a safety zone around all building and fields in which livestock are kept, a self-imposed observance of firing at game only at a safe distance from such buildings or fields will be accepted by property owners as a good indication of better coopera- tion by sportsmen. (15) GAME DAMAGE During the past two years, the department spent $21,856.00 on game damage complaints. The money was spent for elk herders, fence builders, fencing materials and purchase of hay for compen- sation of damage in severe cases. This figure is the amount expended on only a very small percentage of game damage complaints filed with the department. The department is financially unable to pro- vide elk herders, fencing or pay claims for hay consumed for all complaints on a state-wide basis. ANTELOPE DAMAGE Increases in the number of antelope in some areas where agri- cultural crops are grown has resulted in many complaints of crop damage attributed to the antelope. Alfalfa seed crops have received severe damage in a few areas. The department has tried to give re- lief to the farmers by hazing the antelope to break up concentration by every means possible. Generally such measures are effective for temporary periods of time only, and a reduction in population in such areas is the only solution to reoccurrence of excessive crop damage. Special antelope seasons have been provided to obtain this objective. DEER DAMAGE Deer damage complaints are received annually from several deer ranges where winter range for deer is lacking and the deer are forced to winter on private lands. Haystack damage in some cases has been too heavy for any individual rancher to sustain and in such cases the department has built fences or furnished material for fencing around haystacks. Department sponsored fencing has been resorted to only in hardship cases where action is necessary to prevent complete de- struction of a badly needed hay supply. Deer repellents which have recently been placed on the market were tried out with varying de- grees of success when used on fruit trees and shrubs, but the use of such repellents was unsuccesful in keeping deer away from hay- stacks. A controlled season on antlerless deer has been our best tool for managing deer herds in areas where damage has occurred. ELK DAMAGE During the critical portion of the winter during time of deep or crusted snow, elk are forced down onto private lands in search of food. Haystacks are invaded and in some cases completely eaten or trampled. The department has sponsored the building of elk-proof panel fences in the critical areas, and has encouraged ranchers to build their own panels or to bale their hay, if possible. Baling of hay in some areas has almost solved the elk damage problem to hay- stacks. Elk herders were employed where no other methods could be used to curtail severe damages. Special elk seasons have been de- clared to give relief in some areas where hunting pressure has proven to be effective in keeping elk away from haystacks. (16) PREDATOR CONTROL Direct participation by department employees in predator control was very limited during the biennium. The Commission has con- tinued to confine its predator control activity to the furnishing of funds to the predator control division of the Federal Fish and Wild- life Service and to the paying of bounty claims on bob cats, moun- tain lions and magpies. During the two-year period, approximately $68,916.00 was made available to the Federal Fish and Wildlife Predator Control division for salaries and expenses of hunters and trappers. In addition, ap- proximately $8,300.00 was paid out in bounties on bob cats and moun- tain lions and assistance to sportsmen's organizations for paying mag- pie bounty claims. The increase in the number of deer and antelope available to hunters which heretofore may have fallen to predation indicates that the funds allocated for predator control have been well spent. (17) WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM INTRODUCTION With this biennium, ten years of wildlife restoration work has been completed in Montana. The program has been high-lighted by the development of habitat for waterfowl, game birds and big game; the acquisition of badly needed big game winter range; the restocking of depleted wildlife areas with live-trapped animals and birds, and investigative work which has led toward more intensive management of the state's valuable wildlife resource. This work which has become an important phase of the state's fish and game program, is financed by funds made available through an excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Previous to the estab- lishment of legislation known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, money from this excise tax flowed into the general fund of the United States treasury. However, since that time the money has been definitely earmarked for use by the various states in wildlife restoration proj- ects.. The amount alloted each state is determined by the state's area and number of licenses sold. Because of its size, Montana ranks ninth in the proportion of money received. This money is available on much the same basis as the Federal Aid to Highway Program. The state pays 25 per cent of the cost of the projects while the re- mainder comes from the arms and ammunition fund. Projects are Antelope Trapping (18) prepared, administered and carried out by state personnel. The Fish and Wildlife Service, acting for the federal government, de- termines only that projects are sound and of value to wildlife. All property and equipment acquired under this program belongs to the state. The various projects undertaken during the biennium are briefly described under the following headings: WILDLIFE DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION Big Game Trapping and Transplanting Within the past ten years large numbers of various species of big game have been trapped and transplanted. The objective of this work has been to obtain seed stock from areas where game was abundant and move them into desirable new ranges either to stimu- late small existing herds or to establish new ones. Most of the work during this period was limited to the moving of antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat and mountain sheep. In a continuation of this program the past two years, 1,420 ante- lope were moved onto new ranges. There were also 208 mule deer, 115 white-tailed deer, and 41 mountain goats transplanted. Excellent results have been obtained in the establishment of these animals in desirable areas. Sun River Game Range Development The Sun River winter elk range (approximately 18,000 acres) which was acquired three years ago, has been fenced during the past biennium. This fence is of the stock type which allows free access to elk but prevents use by livestock. Interior fences have been re- moved. The area thus developed has solved an extremely difficult big game problem which previously existed in the Sun River area. It is now possible for approximately 3,000 elk to winter there without conflict with other land uses. Blackfoot-Clearwater Acquisition and Development Game range amounting to approximately 11,000 acres has been purchased by the state within the past two years. In addition, slightly over 40,000 acres of adjoining range has been leased for wildlife pur- poses. This unit strategically located at the junction of the Clear- water and Blackfoot Rivers, is being developed for the restoration and maintenance of big game. Some portions of this range have become seriously depleted by heavy use in the past. Forest development by protection, reseeding and plantings is an important part of the restoration program on these lands. Judith River Big Game Range Acquisition and Development The state acquired 760 acres of land last year, which, added to the previous purchase in this area, brings this winter game range to 2,290 acres. The area is of extreme importance to both the elk and the deer. (19) Fencing and reseeding have been the types of development under- taken in order that forage will be provided for big game in the area during the winter months. LEASES OF BIG GAME WINTER RANGE Leases on approximately 120,000 acres of game range located within the Fish Creek-Thompson River and lower Blackfoot areas were again renewed during the past biennium. These areas are pro- viding badly needed winter forage for important numbers of elk and deer. MAINTENANCE OF WILDLIFE AREAS big Horn Sheep 1 ransplanting Site, Missouri River Badlands The Maintenance of Reservoirs Thirty-seven reservoirs located in the eastern portion of the state have been developed for waterfowl purposes. The developmnt work has consisted of fencing the upper end of these reservoirs to protect them from trampling by livestock. It has also consisted of the plant- ing of various types of food and cover for waterfowl. In all cases, suf- ficient water gaps have been maintained for livestock use. This program has now been transferred onto a maintenance basis. The fences were maintained during the past two years with some necessary replacements as needed. Game Salting Big game salting has been an important activity for many years. During the past ten years, it has been carried on by the state as a (20) restoration project. Approximately one-third of the salt is now dis- tributed in the more remote back country game ranges by the use of an airplane. In this way it has been possible to get the salt out in the early spring when it is most needed by the game. WILDLIFE INVESTIGATION Wildlife management has become increasingly complex. With rapid increases in the number of hunters and with problems of multiple land use it is necessary to manage wildlife with as much factual information as possible. Having a staff of trained personnel, the Restoration Division has been assigned the job of obtaining necessary information for game restocking, land acquisition and game management. In order that the big game inventory may be kept current, the state has been divided into several logical units. Western Montana Western Montana has been further divided into important big game herd units. Among these are the Bitterroot, Fish Creek, Thomp- son River, Swan Valley, Flathead and Blackfoot-Clearwater. A check of the numbers and distribution of big game in these areas has been carried out with the personnel available. As with all other big game ranges, observations have also been made regarding the condition of the forage upon which the animals depend. Every effort has been made to maintain as many game animals as possible in bal- ance with the available winter food supply. Southwestern Montana A number of important big game ranges are included within this unit. Annual checks on numbers, distribution and range conditions have been carried out during the past several years. Areas of primary importance include the ranges of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd and also the game ranges within the Gallatin, Madison, Ruby, Black- tail and Big Hole drainages. In addition to elk, it has been necessary to obtain information on deer and moose and the effect of hunting on these big game species. Particularly important problems regarding an inter-relationship or drift between the various elk herds in this unit are being checked as they appear to have an important bearing on the management of the individual groups. Lincoln County The relationship of big game and timber management presents a particularly important problem in northwestern Montana. Until recently very little was known regarding the effect of deer use on the establishment and development of young trees, particularly con- ifers. As both wildlife and timber are vitally important resources in this area, it is essential that all possible information regarding the effect of one on the other be known and used in their proper man- (21) agement. This program is being worked out on a cooperative basis with the Forest Service and local logging interests. Eastern Montana Eastern Montana presented outstanding opportunities for the restoration and development of big game. Such species as antelope, mule deer and white-tailed deer have increased during the past several years under careful management. This has allowed a continuously increasing hunter take. The re-establishment of the bighorns in the breaks of the Fort Peck Game Range area has been an outstanding attempt to restore this species on range once occupied by the now extinct Audubon's bighorn sheep. This desirable increase in big game numbers and distribution has naturally brought about various problems. It is particularly im- portant, therefore, that accurate information be kept current. A department-owned airplane has been of great value in obtaining this necessary information on the widely scattered ranges. GAME RANGE INVESTIGATION AND DEVELOPMENT The dependence of big game upon available winter range has long been known. Little information, however, has yet been obtained regarding accurate information on the amounts of forage necessary for various numbers of big game. Also, a great deal of information is yet needed regarding the actual manipulation or management of the forage resources so vigorous plant growth may be maintained and still support reasonable numbers of game animals. In order that the necessary information will be made available, a cooperative project has been set up between the Fish and Game Department and the Forest Service. The most intensive work in re- gard to this problem is now being carried out on the Gallatin elk range. It is expected, however, that the findings will be applied on a state-wide basis. Checking Stations It is necessary to have a reasonably accurate check on the num- bers of game animals taken by hunters in order that herds may be properly managed. It has been found that carefully located checking stations within and adjacent to hunting areas furnish much of this needed information. In addition to the actual numbers taken, other important information is obtained, such as the age of the various animals taken as well as other information which aids in the de- termination of the thrift and productiveness of the various game herds. UPLAND GAME BIRDS As with the big game, it has been necessary to conduct investi- gative work each year to obtain current information on numbers and distribution of important species. Considerable emphasis has been placed upon the pheasant, due to its importance as a hunting bird. (22) WATERFOWL During the past several years Montana has been able to make a very substantial contribution to the fund of information necessary to the management of waterfowl. The various states within the im- portant flyways have pooled their information in order that accurate information would be available for management purposes on a flyway basis. As Montana lies within both the Pacific and Central Flyways, the Commission has cooperated closely with the states represented in both. The following information is being obtained in Montana: Winter Duck Banding Operations First, a careful inventory of the waterfowl breeding grounds to de- termine the annual production of waterfowl within the boundaries of the state; possible ways of improving these breeding ground conditions are being studied as a basis for a waterfowl development program. Close observations in regard to the hunter distribution and take are important features of the present management plan. Voluntary checking stations have aided a great deal in this work. During the past several winters Montana's Fish and Game per- sonnel have been able to carry out through the Restoration program a banding project which has compared favorably with any in the nation. The returns from this work are forming a very important background to the knowledge of migrations of waterfowl throughout the various flyways. (23) This information indicated that Montana's pheasant population fol- lowed the nation-wide trend of a decided decline following the high numbers of '39 and '40 to a decided low in 1946. A slow upward climb has been observed since that time although a moderate setback in this upward trend was noticed during the spring of 1950 due ap- parently to adverse weather conditions. In addition to the information regarding state-wide trends in numbers, definite information is being obtained regarding the adapt- ability of game farm-raised birds to wild conditions and also in obtaining information regarding better ways of acclimating these birds to their new environment. Practical methods of improving pheasant habitat are being car- ried out on an experimental basis with the hope of expanding this program if found to be effective and feasible. Work on native species is being carried out principally in the nature of spot checks to gain comparative information from year to year regarding the numbers of the various species of grouse. This information is of particular im- portance as a basis for the setting of the annual hunting regulations. (24) FISHERIES DIVISION Montana Grayling MANAGEMENT Montana is famous for its trout fishing and in the past ten years the number of non-resident fishing licenses has increased over 300 per cent. Everyone that enjoys trout fishing enjoys Montana. The Fish and Game Department's main effort in fish culture is to establish management practices that will somewhat keep up with the population trends and the demand for this wholesome recreation. The species of trout that are found in Montana are the following: The native blackspotted trout, the dolly varden (bull trout), rainbow trout. Lock Leven trout, eastern brook trout and mackinaw trout. There are a few lakes in the state that are also stocked with Cali- fornia golden trout. Today, Montana has the largest population of grayling of any state in the union. The grayling has all but disappeared in the United States and every effort is being made to provide sanctuaries for these fish and management practices are being arranged for the pro- tection of grayling during spawning. New sanctuaries are made by introducing them in high altitude inaccessible lakes. Further studies will be conducted regarding the grayling management in Montana. Two of the principal sport fishes in the State of Montana are the silver salmon and the sockeye salmon. The sockeye salmon is being used more and more extensively in lakes for which they are suited. After three years stocking, they provide very good fishing and seem to maintain their own population. The silver salmon, to date, with what information we have, does not sustain itself in impounded waters but must be introduced each year. Wherever (25) salmon have been introduced, they have provided very good fishing. During 1950, Georgetown Lake was a very good example of the use of silver salmon in the management of an impounded lake. On the opening day the silver salmon contributed over 50 per cent of the total catch. The silver salmon population is entirely dependent on artificial rearing and stocking methods perfected over several years of management practice. Other game fishes that are found in the state are the following: Large mouth black bass, small mouth black bass, bluegill sun fish, and crappie, the great northern pike, the wall-eyed pike, the sauger or sand pike. The warm water fish and the pike are grouped together under one management plan. This is done because of the adaptability of these species to impounded water. In proper management of im- pounded waters there must be a proper ratio of forage fish to cannibal fish to insure fishing success and returns. Stockmen and ranchers have constructed many ponds in Montana and their many uses have been recognized by different organizations dealing with land management. Fishery resources in these impounded waters are incidental to the major uses. The prime use that will be made of them is for stock watering; however, the introduction of fish has provided fishing to many areas in Montana that previously had very little fishing available. This has served a dual purpose. It has provided fishing for new areas and indirectly has relieved some of the trout fishing on the streams and lakes in Montana. In co- operation with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Montana State College, and the Montana Fish and Game Department, experiments in management are being carried on and from these experiments, a recommended fisheries management policy will be submitted for use, geared to the climatic conditions and water use in the state. SPAWNING The principal sources of trout and grayling eggs in the State of Montana have been from wild stock with traps installed at George- town Lake, Ashley Lake, Lake Ronan, the South Fork of the Madison River, at West Yellowstone and Harrison Reservoir at Harrison, Montana. During the biennium the biggest take out of any individual water was from Georgetown Lake. The traps at Georgetown produced the following numbers of eggs of different species: Rainbow Trout 2,737,768 Eastern Brook Trout 943,721 Native Trout 4,678,314 Grayling — Almost ten million eggs were available but only 3,664,386 were taken. The South Fork of the Madison is the only Loch Leven egg (26) source in the state. It furnishes the state with all the Loch Leven eggs that are needed. During the biennium, 3,632,656 eggs were taken. Willow Creek Station at Harrison, Montana, did not provide as many eggs as it has in the past. Only 4,378,972 rainbow eggs were taken. This lake formerly was closed to fishing. Opening a portion of the lake to fishing apparently has a direct effect on the number of eggs taken at the trap. Ashley Lake provided the state with 983,680 native trout eggs and Lake Ronan furnished 270,336 rainbow eggs, during the year 1949. Under the management of the Libby hatchery, during the bi- ennium, traps were installed on Prospect Creek, Vermillion Creek, and Bull River for trapping dolly varden trout and provided eggs Fertilizing Native Trout Eggs to rear dolly varden trout for the Flathead Lake area. Approxi- mately 600,000 dolly varden trout eggs were taken from the Thompson Falls area. This is a program designed to again re-establish the dolly varden population and spawn runs in the tributary streams of Flat- head Lake. The only source developed for the taking of sockeye salmon is Flathead Lake and it has provided annually about three and one- half million sockeye -salmon eggs for use in Flathead Lake and other waters of the state. (27) fD fD 17 Qj < 03 5. 3 73 o > o 0103 j:;' 3 03 ft) M >r 13 ^ ^ 03 § 3 ^^ t^ 3" 03 rr)5 n) 03 C/3o ■ (O > 03 o" 13 3 ^ & O 3 o CO 01 r:03 on o ri <->- (-»- 03 03 <-+ <-+ o'o' 3 3 o o - ■ 3'2'< 2 w-a 03 2 5 3 r.^ <-+ Q: M03 rr o: J? bi r-t- O 3 5-^ 3 03 ft) W ■-) 3 ^ ^ 03 ^ 3' 03 [yi5 ft) 03 Wo ■ 0: to h- ^ to to 00 05 ts3 ts3 CO '-a 01 0 -3 CO 05 OS ►— * N3 p CO Ol OS -J N3 CO CO CO ~a 4^ 05 CO to 0 0 05 >f^ 05 0 to 00 )^ Vs CO CO CO t— * 4:^ • OS to to CD 4^ CD 00 O ►t' O tt^ 00 CO CO o CO OS to en OS o CO to o I— ' 01 OS CJI CD »l^ O 3 (0 00 M- O OS "co CO CO ■>*>. (-' 00 to tnco 00 CO toco 01 OS en 00 00 to >— o to CD ~] en 1— ' ^ 4i 05 to 4^ 4^ > CO o CO CO to to O 0) o o w c H 1-1 o c w o o fl) o o f (!) < (D 3 2! 0) < (D M o o M > M o c » M t-H o I— I n 2! 2! ►-• C > f CO OS OS CO 00 ~3 to 00 o o o CO CO OS GO 00 c:s o s The McNeil Hatchery at Malta, Montana, is primarily a wall-eyed pike hatchery, and spawn taking operations are ever increasing. Dur- ing the past year about six million wall-eyed pike eggs were taken, hatched and distributed to waters within the state. DISTRIBUTION Several years ago the State of Montana was divided into hatchery districts and these districts were served by hatcheries located within the boundaries. This, in fisheries management in Montana, was a very intelligent move. In keeping each hatchery to a district it elim- inated over-lapping of plantings between different hatcheries. During the biennium some of the planting recommendations were I'evised, and from information available species were changed so that we would stock with the prevalent species of fish in the water, there- by using the species that is best suited to the individual stream. Two new distribution units were constructed and recognition was given this equipment in the "Progressive Fish Culturist," pub- lished by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The system used for the tanks is known as a Lafevre aerating system and the tanks are insulated and carry an auxiliary circulation pump in case the other system should fail for some mechanical reason. These tanks have been very successful in the transporting of trout. In one instance, 700 pounds of fish were hauled without any visible signs of distress. Table II shows the numbers and size of fish distributed from the hatcheries operated by the State of Montana and cooperative unit at Miles City. It is the aim of the depai'tment to manage each hatchery to serve its particular district to the best advantage. In some cases the cost of the hatchery is way in excess of the pounds of fish distributed, however, in the management of Montana waters, spawn taking op- erations and the resulting work that is carried on in connection with getting the supply of eggs for the state is not equally distributed among the hatcheries. Therefore, hatcheries such as Anaconda, Arlee, Big Timber, Libby and Somers supply the eggs for the entire state. In the management of the sockeye salmon, the Poison and Somers hatcheries are the only sources for this specie of fish, however, these eggs are distributed to different hatcheries and different locations within the state. The walleye pike distribution report will show large numbers of eggs and fish, however, the fish are mostly distributed as fry. On heavily fished waters the larger size trout that are planted show a better percentage of return to the fisherman's creel. In virgin ponds and lakes, plantings are more successful with smaller fish with less cost of distribution and the survival return is much higher than small fish planted in big streams containing the larger cannibalistic resident population. (29) IMPROVEMENTS During the biennium, the following improvements were made at the various hatchery installations. Storage facilities for fish foods were installed at the Big Timber, Great Falls, Hamilton and Emigrant hatcheries. Also, the Fish and Game Department recognized the need of a trout hatchery to serve the southeastern part of the state, principally that part south of Billings. They purchased a site known as the Blue- water Springs located nine miles from Fromberg, Montana. Ten rear- ing units (lO'xlOO'), a two-stall garage, a food storage unit and a dwelling house for the foreman in charge were constructed. The first year the station was operated, exceptional growth was made by the fish reared there. In ten months time, the fish averaged five and one- half inches each. This unit now is tied in and operated in conjunction with the Big Timber hatchery, as they both serve the same district. At the Arlee hatchery, ten new race-way type ponds were con- structed, (lO'xlOO'), and are now in operation. Five (lO'xlOO') cement tanks were constructed at Libby and are now in operation. (30) THE FISH BIOLOGY SECTION The Fish Biology Section is the technical branch of the Fishery Division. Its function is to conduct experiments and gather informa- tion on problems of and related to the sport fishery, and on the basis of these findings, to develop and test new fish management measures. During the biennium, work has been in progress on thirteen dif- ferent projects in addition to a variety of emergency or "trouble- shooting" investigations. Stream Census Technique AGE AND GROWTH OF FISHES Through the examination of thousands of fish scales, tables show- ing the average sizes of game fishes of Montana at various ages are being constructed to provide a sound basis for evaluating growth of fishes in individual waters and areas of the state. Complete or par- tial evaluation has been made during the past biennium of fifteen streams and twenty-one lakes in addition to numerous stock water reservoirs. Studies made in south-central Montana have been used by the management section in revising the hatchery-trout planting programs for the Fromberg and Big Timber hatchery districts. The scale reading is done at the division's laboratory at the Mon- tana State College where one permanent laboratory technician and part-time student help are engaged. Studies are also in progress on the fluctuation in condition of fishes. To aid in this study, alinement charts to facilitate calculating condition factor, a figure that indicates robustness, were constructed and a report^ published. (31) FEEDING HABITS OF FISHES No intensive efforts have been made yet on feeding habits of fishes. To date findings from studies conducted in other states and reported in the literature have been used in management. One study has been completed of stomach analysis of brown trout, rainbow trout, and Utah chubs from Hebgen Lake. Another is in progress on the dolly varden trout as will be mentioned under a later section. CREEL CENSUS The creel census program as outlined in the Biennial Report, 1946-1947 and 1947-1948 was continued and expanded this biennium. The general creel census taken by the deputy game wardens while on regular patrol constituted the bulk of the catch data. Those regularly engaged in guiding or outfitting fishermen are in an excellent position to furnish the Department with creel census of those fishing under their supervision. Response of these guides and outfitters improved markedly during the biennium. Nine re- ported during 1948 and forty-eight sent in catch records in 1949. The boat house operators on Hebgen Lake have been most coopera- tive in this endeavor. In 1948 they reported 1,050 fishermen who fished 4,362 hours and caught 2,837 trout and four grayling at a rate of 0.65 game fish per hour. In 1949 they reported 4,008 fishermen who fished 16,753 hours and caught 9,043 trout and five grayling at a rate of 0.54 game fish per hour. While records obtained from individual fishermen will always be very inadequate, they will be of great value in supplying informa- tion on angling trends and species composition of the catch for certain waters. Response from this source also improved during this bi- ennium. Pocket-sized booklets, "Fishermen's Logs," were prepared for distribution to cooperative sportsmen. These are mailed to per- sons requesting them and become their own, personal permanent records. The department asks for the temporary return of the logs to Helena at the end of the fishing season for transcription of the records. They are then returned to the fishermen for the next season. During 1947 and 1948, 408 logs were distributed. By the end of 1948, there was response from 40 per cent of the log holders. Of the 336 logs out in 1949, response was received from 72 per cent. During this biennium a report- was prepared and published, summarizing the creel census findings to date. Table I from this re- port is reproduced herein to demonstrate the practical value of creel census. It will be noted that the case of the eastern brook trout is most spectacular. There were 56 streams in the census where eastern brook trout constituted more than 50 per cent of the catch; and yet in 27 of these streams, no eastern brook were planted in 1946, 1947, or 1948. Considering these 27 streams, 19 of them received plantings iPhenicie, Charles K., and Clinton, G. Bishop. 1950. Condition P'actor Alinement Charts. Prog. Fish. Cult., Vol. 12, No 3: 163-164 -1950. Why Creel Census? Montana Fish and Game Commission Bulletin No. 4. (32) of other trout. Of the entire 56 streams where eastern brook trout made up more than 50 per cent of the catch, 16 of them had one or more species of fish released where these species constituted less than five per cent of the catch. This table demonstrates that the species of fish planted from hatcheries do not always correspond to the species appearing most often in the catch and that many streams, particularly those in which eastern brook trout are dominant, are receiving little benefit from hatchery releases. Creel census will, thus, enable the Fish and Game Department — (1) to discontinue planting species of fish that do not appear ma- terially or do not appear at all in the catch, (2) to plant the species of fish that will give the anglers the greatest return, (3) to prohibit the introduction of new species of fish that prior knowledge shows are incompatible with resident fish, (4) to maintain a constant check on the quality of fishing in individual waters, and (5) to check the effectiveness of old and new management meas- ures. TABLE 1. SUMMARY FIGURES FOR 1948-1949 STATE-WIDE CREEL CENSUS Species Conslituling Over 50 per cent of Catch Cut- Eastern Rainbow throat Brook Brown (1) Number of streams in census where species made up over 50 60 30 56 5 per cent of catch. (2) Number of streams in (1) not planted to dominant species. (3) Number of streams in (2) planted with other species of 5 4 19 trout. (4) Number of streams in (1) planted with species of trout be- 24 11 29 sides the dominant species. (5) Number of streams in (1) planted with dominant species 30 10 19 only. (6) Number of streams in (1) either where both rainbow and cutthroat were planted or where 12 9 8 one was planted where the other was dominant. (7) Number of streams in (1) where a species planted consti- tuted less than 5 per cent of the catch. Note: Plantings refer only to years 1946, 1947, and 1948. (33) 11 13 27 13 1 16 FORT PECK RESERVOIR PROJECT A one season investigation was conducted on Fort Peck Reser- voir by the department in cooperation with the Missouri River Basin Studies of the Fish and Wildlife Service. A report'' of the investi- gation was prepared and published. It was established from the investigation that the three most abundant species of fish, excluding carp from the consideration, in that portion of the reservoir adjacent to the dam, in order of their abundance, were goldeye, yellow perch, and sauger. Carp, too, are abundant, but no comparative figures for this species were obtained. The depth distribution of the three above mentioned species was de- termined for the summer of 1948 in the area adjacent to the dam. Goldeye were most abundant from zero to four feet, sauger from ten to fourteen feet, and perch from fifteen to nineteen feet. It is indicated from this investigation and from the creel counts of the Missouri River Basin Studies that returns to the creel per plant of hatchery reared trout and kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) are low, that the plants cannot be justified on the basis of the return. It was also indicated that, in lieu of plants of rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee, lake trout, a lake spawning fish, should be planted. Two well made plants of fish at least eight inches long should be made. Two plants should be sufficient to demonstrate whether or not this fish can establish itself through natural propa- gation. STOCK-WATER RESERVOIR PROJECT Throughout the state, and particularly in that portion of the state east of the continental divide, there are thousands of small ponds, reservoirs whose primary purpose is in providing water for livestock. Many of these can provide suitable habitat for trout or warm water fishes and have been stocked with these. The sportsmen of a large area of the state depend upon these reservoirs as their primary source of fishing recreation. These waters have offered a definite problem in management, particularly because of complete or par- tial fish kills, stunted fish populations, and fish balances undesirable from the sportsmen's viewpoint. In order to develop management measures for these stock-water reservoirs, the Montana Fish and Game Commission is participating in a cooperative stock-water reservoir project with the Zoology and Entomology Department of the Montana State College and the Mon- tana State Extension Service. This project began May 1, 1949 and will be concluded April 30, 1951. The project is designed to determine what physical and chem- ical features in a stock-water reservoir make it most suitable for fish. When the fundamental knowledge concerning suitable habitat is available, ponds with optimum features will be chosen, and experi- ments will be conducted on these to establish fish management measures. •■» 1950. Progress Report of the Fort Peck Reservoir Fishery Survey. Montana Fish and Game Commission Bulletin No. 3. (34) PRICKLY PEAR CREEK PROJECT The Prickly Pear Creek Project was begun in the summer of 1949. It is to be a detailed study of the fish populations of this creek near Wolf Creek, Montana. That portion of the creek from the Mis- souri River to Sieben was designated as the study area. Six 600- foot sections were selected at random for sampling. A census of each section was made during 1949 four times with an electric shocker in an effort to collect all of the fish from each section. The trout, whitefish, suckers, and carp were caught, weighed, measured, tagged, and released unharmed back into the section. Scale samples were also taken. Records were made of all fish caught that had been tagged on previous shockings. This program after a few more seasons, will show us how to approach other streams. Our knowledge of trout streams is low as is our knowledge of the behaviors of the fish themselves. Until some of these problems are answered, we will be lacking the basic infor- mation needed for proper management. The Prickly Pear project should enable us: 1. To establish the size sample needed to measure the abundance of trout and the fluctuation of abundance in medium-sized streams. 2. To learn the size of the Prickly Pear Creek trout population along with its length, weight, age, and species composition. 3. To learn the size sample needed in streams to measure ade- quately the growth rate of fishes and to measure the mor- tality rates, both of which are extremely important in fishery management. 4. To study the angler's catch as it relates to the estimated size and composition of the trout population. 5. To measure the movement or dispersion of trout. 6. To study under conditions that can be controlled, the relation between trout and the other stream fishes, such as Cottus, ling, suckers, whitefish, and carp. 7. To study under conditions that can be controlled, the relations between the various species of trout. 8. To establish the reality of sucker migration and to measure its magnitude and direction. 9. To study the survival of hatchery-reared trout in a stream where the size of the wild population can be estimated and controlled. 10. To find and study the portions of the stream where trout are most numerous. 11. To learn the types of stream improvement that may be used in Montana waters. 12. To test the effectiveness of stream improvement. (35) The importance of environment to maximum production has ah-eady been demonstrated. During the 1949 season, an average of 13.5 pounds of trout per 150 feet of stream was removed with the electric shocker from sections with one or more medium sized pools. On the other hand, only an average of 3.4 pounds of trout per 150 feet of stream was resident in those sections with 100 per cent riffles or small pools and riffles. Approximately three-quarters of this stream is in the low production category. Experiments are underway to determine the feasibility of increasing production by artificial stream improvement. COOPERATIVE PROJECTS The Fish Biology Section has profited by cooperative relations with the Montana State University, the Montana State College, and other organizations in the state concerned with fisheries work. The Montana State College has furnished this department office and lab- oratory space, has granted the department staff access to libraries and biological collections, has granted loans of specialized equipment, and has made its staff members available for consultation on biological, chemical, and mathematical problems. We gratefully acknowledge these benefits. ROUGH FISH CONTROL The policy of the State of Montana is to manage their waters for sport fishing, however, on several occasions an attempt has been made to control the rough fish populations in some waters. During the biennium, rough fish work in the Clearwater Lakes area and the Thompson Falls, Clarks Fork area were pointed toward the cutting down of the population of suckers and squawfish. By installing traps where the suckers and squawfish migrate, many tons have been taken and the resulting fish were utilized as fish food at the Anaconda and Arlee hatcheries. The past season, temperatures were taken at the racks to determine at what temperature the suckers and squawfish move. This will enable the department to know when to install the traps and put them in operation to catch the peak run of the rough fish. Several lakes were seined in an endeavor to curtail the sucker population and make more room and better habitat for the game fish. (36) STATEMENT OF INCOME May 1. 1948 — April 30. 1949 Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Shipping Permits: Resident Bird and Fish _ 152,581 Resident Big Game 77,390 Tourist Fishing ..._ 20,135 Non-Resident Fishing — 3,863 Non-Resident Bird 163 Non-Resident Big Game 1,074 Shipping Permits 4,507 Special Antelope Permits 2,652 Special Moose Permits - 80 Special Elk Licenses 270 Special Deer Licenses 93 ® $ 3.00 $457,743.00 (a) 2.00 154,780.00 (d^ 2.50 50,337.50 (a' •10.00 38,630.00 (a) 25.00 4,075.00 (a 100.00 107,400.00 (a> .60 2,704.20 & 5.00 13,260.00 (d) 25.00 2,000.00 Ccb 1.00 270.00 & 5.00 465.00 $831,664.70 Less Dealers' Fees 25,514.00 Net Income from Sale of 1948 Licenses - $ 806,150.70 Plus 1947 Accounts Paid During Above Period 7,170.30 Total Income from Hunting and Fishing License Sales — $ 813,321.00 Licenses and Permits Other Than Above: Beaver Tags - 8,946 @ $ .50 $ 4,473.00 General Trappers' Licenses ..._ 827 @ 10.00 8,270.00 Land Owner Trappers' Licenses 616 @ 1.00 616.00 Beaver Trapping Permits 13,830.00 Guides' Licenses 203 @ 10.00 2,030.00 Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses 69 @ 10.00 690.00 Fur Dealer Agents' Licenses 30 @ 10.00 300.00 Non-Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses 4 @ 50.00 200.00 Certificates of Identification 708 @ .50 354.00 Minnow Seining Permits 11 @ 10.00 110.00 Taxidermist Licenses 11 @ 15.00 165.00 Alien Gun Permit 1 @ 25.00 25.00 $ 31,063.00 Miscellaneous Revenue: Fines $ 26,092.89 Confiscations — Sale of Fish and Meats 5,355.11 Sale of Elk Study 1.00 Refunds 125. 1 1 Other Revenue 2, 197.47 Sale of State Trapped and Confiscated Furs 4,616.63 Royalty on Beaver Sold 7.50 Additional Beaver Granted on Regular Permits 146.00 $ 38,541.71 $ 882,925.71 Wildlife Restoration Income by Federal Reimbursement 237,960.31 Less Special Refund of Beaver Tag Overdeposit, April, 1948 2.00 TOTAL INCOME TO DEPARTMENT DURING ABOVE PERIOD $1,120,884.02 (37) STATEMENT OF INCOME May 1, 1949 — April 30, 1950 Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Shipping Permits: Resident Bird and Fish 160,484 (fl $ 3.00 $481,452.00 Resident Big Game 79,329 (0 2.00 158,658.00 Tourist Fishing 23,423 @ 2.50 58,557.50 Non-Resident Fishing I - 3,994 (S) 10.00 39,940.00 Non-Resident Bird 184 @ 25.00 4,600.00 Non-Resident Big Game 754 0 100.00 75,400.00 Shipping Permits . ..„ 4,289 (Ti .60 2,573.40 Special Moose Permits 82 Co 25.00 2,050.00 Special Antelope Permits 3,932 @ 5.00 19,660.00 Special Elk Licenses 185 & 1.00 185.00 Special Deer Licenses . 877 @ 5.00 4,385.00 $847,460.90 Less Dealers Fees _ _ _ 26,746.20 Net Income from Sale of 1949 Licenses -- - $ 820,714.70 Plus 1948 Accounts Paid During Above Period .^ 4,053.10 Total Income from Hunting and Fishing License Sales $ 824,767.80 Licenses and Permits Other Than Above: General Trappers' Licenses . - - -. 816 0 $ 10.00 $ 8,610.00 Land Owner Trappers' Licenses 584 Ca 1.00 584.00 Beaver Tags - 9,006 & .50 4,503.00 Beaver Permits _ 1,191 15,203.00 Guides' Licenses 118 @ 5.00 590.00 Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses . 48 (5 10.00 480.00 Taxidermist Licenses - 9 & 15.00 135.00 Certificates of Identification _ 713 ^ .50 356.50 Fur Dealer Agents' Licenses - 14 (ft 10.00 140.00 Non-Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses 3 fi 50.00 150.00 Minnow Seining Permits 16 @ 10.00 160.00 Alien Gun Permit 1 & 25.00 25.00 Outfitters' Licenses 203 @ 10.00 2,030.00 $ 32,966.50 Miscellaneous Revenue: Fines - -- $ 34,098.84 Sale of Confiscated Fish and Meats 3,811.51 Other Revenue 553.50 Sale of Confiscated Hides and Furs 812.50 Royalty on Beaver Sold - 10.50 Extra Beaver Granted on Regular Permits 65.00 Sale of Elk Study - - 3.00 $ 39,354.85 $ 897,098.15 Wildlife Restoration Income by Federal Reimbursement 171,641.20 TOTAL INCOME TO DEPARTMENT DURING ABOVE PERIOD $1,068,730.35 (38) RECAPITULATION OF DISBURSEMENTS May 1. 1948 — April 30. 1949 COMMISSIONERS $ 4,037.06 ADMINISTRATION *. 91,365.36 PUBLIC RELATIONS 8,566.70 PREDATOR CONTROL _ 41,134.77 MOIESE EXPERIMENTAL FARM .--. - 8,379.99 MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS: Game Damage — Salaries and Expense $ 14,752.91 Shop and Warehouses 499.72 Licenses and Permits 12,598.20 Refunds 322.00 Feed and Sale (For Game Animals) 233.35 Fairs and Expositions _- - ._ 256.66 Surveys, Plans, Assessments, Water Use, Lease of Land .... 83.40 Checking Stations — Salaries and Expense 3,868.05 Insurance — Automobiles, Buildings and Equipment 5,749.69 TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS $ 39,363.98 ENFORCEMENT _ 195,639.40 FISHERIES DIVISION: Hatcheries: General $ 398.06 Anaconda 22,61 1.34 Arlee 63,226.6 1 Big Timber 14,795.45 Blue-water Springs 33,990.20 Creston (Federal) 10,816.91 Emigrant 32,648.72 Ennis (Federal) 10,384.88 Great Falls 17,934.50 Hamilton _ 10,436.38 Lewistown 27,468.47 Libby 13,171.14 McNeil 5,248. 53 Miles City (Federal) 2,554.03 Poison 4,781.27 Somers 10,907.19 Total Hatcheries $28 1 ,373. 68 Spawning Stations 4,2 1 8.86 Other Field Projects 22,291.77 Research 23,362.85 TOTAL FISHERIES DIVISION $ 331,247.16 GAME FARMS: Billings $ 19,405.44 Fort Peck 18,946.35 Warm Springs 23,971.35 TOTAL GAME FARMS $ 62,323.14 WILDLIFE RESTORATION _ 335,078. 1 1 STATE PURCHASING AGENT 621.76 TOTAL EXPENDITURE DURING FISCAL YEAR $1,117,757.43 (39) RECAPITULATION OF DISBURSEMENTS May 1. 1949 — April 30. 1950 COMMISSIONERS _ $ 6,058.97 ADMINISTRATION ' 81,136.62 PUBLIC RELATIONS 8,594.40 PREDATOR CONTROL ._._ 36,080.52 MOIESE EXPERIMENTAL STATION . _ 447.77 MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS: Game Damage — Salaries and Expense _ $ 7,103.87 Shop and Warehouse 5,920.08 Licenses and Permits 4,366.99 Refunds - _ 141.90 Feed and Salt (For Game Animals) 1,633.29 Fairs and Expositions 655.01 Surveys, Plans, Assessment, Water Use, Lease of Land 526.33 Checking Stations — Salaries and Expense 7,135.57 Insurance — Automobiles, Buildings and Equipment 1,090.23 TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS _ -... $ 28,573.27 ENFORCEMENT 212,650.11 FISHERIES DIVISION: Hatcheries: General $ 4,673.23 Anaconda - 33,264.12 Arlee _.. 68,848.72 Big Timber 23,214.70 Bluewater Springs 52,968.38 Creston (Federal) 5,961.61 Emigrant 16,165.68 Ennis (Federal) 5,709.65 Great Falls 24,871.36 Hamilton 9,945.36 Lewistown 28,380.80 Libby 28,446.14 McNeil 6,042.88 Miles City (Federal) 3,486.55 Poison - 4,360.92 Somers 1 1,136.52 Total Hatcheries _ $327,476.62 Spawning Stations -. 2,775.51 Other Field Projects 8,831.61 Research ..„ _ 31,193.38 TOTAL FISHERIES DIVISION $ 370,277.12 GAME FARMS: Billings _ - _ $ 16,659.47 Fort Peck _ 19,966.76 Warm Springs 29,551.41 TOTAL GAME FARMS .- $ 66,177.64 WILDLIFE RESTORATION 322,133.24 WAREHOUSE STORES ACCOUNT .1^ 3,204.92 STATE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT 380.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES DURING FISCAL YEAR $1,135,714.58 (40) DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES For Fiscal Years Ending April 30. 1949 and April 30. 1950 1949 1950 COMMISSIONERS Per Diem and Expense $ 4,037.06 $ 6,058.97 ADMINISTRATION Operation $ 82,851.00 $ 79,053.56 Capital Expenditures 7,494.11 1,097.23 Repairs and Replacements 1,020.25 985.83 TOTAL $ 91,365.36 $ 81,136.62 PUBLIC RELATIONS Operation $ 7,404.90 $ 7,735.28 Capital Expenditures 1,043.56 $ 795.13 Repairs and Replacements 118.24 63.99 TOTAL $ 8,566.70 $ 8,594.40 PREDATOR CONTROL Aid to Federal Control Program $ 37,176.30 $ 31,740.11 Bounties Paid _ 3,958.47 4,340.41 TOTAL - — $ 41,134.77 $ 36,080.52 MOIESE EXPERIMENTAL FARM Operation _ _ $ 236.34 Capital Expenditure 122.38 Repairs and Replacement 89.05 TOTAL _ $ 8,379.99 $ 447.77 MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS Game Damage — Salaries and Expense $ 14,752.91 $ 7,103.87 Shop and Warehouse 499.72 5,920.08 Printing Licenses and Permits 12,598.20 4,366.99 Refunds 322.00 141.90 Feed and Salt (For Game Animals 233.35 1,633.29 Fairs and Expositions 256.66 655.01 Surveys, Plans, Assessments, Water Use, Lease of Lands 83.40 526.33 Checking Stations 3,868.05 7,135.57 Insurance — Automobiles, Buildings, Equipment 6,749.69 1,090.23 TOTAL $ 39,363.98 $ 28,573.27 ENFORCEMENT Operation _ $ 187,093.30 $ 205,273.07 Capital Expenditure 7,799.11 5,682.60 Repairs and Replacement 746.99 1,694.44 TOTAL $ 195,639.40 $ 212,650.11 FISHERIES— General Operation $ 398.06 $ 3,760.19 Capital Expenditure 864.58 Repairs and Replacements 48.46 TOTAL $ 398.06 $ 4,673.23 HATCHERY— Anaconda Operation — $ 19,510.48 $ 28,628.79 Capital Expenditure 1,484.47 3,050.37 Repairs and Replacement 1,616.39 1,584.96 TOTAL $ 22,611.34 $ 33,264.12 HATCHERY— Arlee Operation $ 21,008.78 $ 18,647.23 Capital Expenditure 35,525.60 48,298.37 Repairs and Replacement 6,692.23 1,903.12 TOTAL $ 63,226.61 $ 68,848.72 HATCHERY— Big Timber Operation .-. $ 12,006.14 $ • 12,383.44 Capital Expenditure _ 423.39 9,830.43 Repairs and Replacement _ 2,365.92 1,000.83 TOTAL $ 14,795.45 $ 23,214.70 (41) DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES (Continued) 1949 1950 HATCHERY— Bluewater Springs Operation $ 215.00 $ 9,424.95 Capital Expenditure _ 33,775.20 43,083.74 Repairs and Replacement 459.69 TOTAL _ $ 33,990.20 $ 52,968.38 HATCHERY— Creston (Federal) Operation $ 10,380.80 $ 5,961.61 Repairs and Replacement 436.11 TOTAL _ _ $ 10,816.91 $ 5,961.61 HATCHERY— Emigrant Operation „ $ 11,212.01 $ 10,857.97 Capital Expenditure _ 17,477.64 4,821.84 Repairs and Replacement 3,959.07 485.87 TOTAL _ $ 32,648.72 $ 16,165.68 HATCHERY— Ennis (Federal) Operation $ 9,837.10 $ 5,576.04 Capital Expenditure _ 115.75 Repairs and Replacement _ _ 432.03 133.61 TOTAL $ 10,384.88 $ 5,709.65 HATCHERY— Great Falls Operation $ 16,222.91 $ 17,469.73 Capital Expenditure _ 224.51 5,487.79 Repairs and Replacement 1,487.08 1,913.84 TOTAL $ 17,934.50 $ 24,871.36 HATCHERY— Hamilton Operation _ $ 8,712.63 $ 9,173.36 Capital Expenditure 1,385.57 81.17 Repairs and Replacement _ 338.18 690.83 TOTAL $ 10,436.38 $ 9,945.36 HATCHERY— Lewistown Operation $ 21,585.37 $ 27,026.96 Capital Expenditure 4,735.45 397.95 Repairs and Replacement 1,147.65 955.89 TOTAL $ 27,468.47 $ 28,380.80 HATCHERY— Libby Operation $ 12,621.66 $ 13,902.04 Capital Expenditure 69.50 13,926.03 Repairs and Replacement 479.98 618.07 TOTAL $ 13,171.14 $ 28,446.14 HATCHERY— McNeil Operation $ 4,433.05 $ 5,230.50 Capital Expenditure 638.11 566.60 Repairs and Replacement „ 177.37 245.78 TOTAL $ 5,248.53 $ 6,042.88 HATCHERY— Miles City (Federal) Operation _ $ 2,554.03 $ 3,486.55 TOTAL $ 2,554.03 $ 3,486.55 HATCHERY— Poison Operation _ $ 3,709.29 $ 4,036.79 Capital Expenditure _ 119.00 200.70 Repairs and Replacement ...„ 952.98 123.43 TOTAL . $ 4,781.27 $ 4,360.92 HATCHERY— Somers Operation $ 9,780.90 $ 10,567.56 Capital Expenditure 121.59 367.65 Repairs and Replacement 1,004.70 201.31 TOTAL $ 10,907.19 $ 11,136.52 (42) DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES (Conlinued) 1949 1950 SPAWNING STATIONS Operation -^ -- $ 3,472.48 $ 2,468.50 Capital Expenditure 119.46 124.30 Repairs and Replacement _ 626.92 182.71 TOTAL - - -_- - - $ 4,218.86 $ 2,775.51 OTHER FIELD PROJECTS Operation _ ..- ..- $ 12,193.17 $ 7,058.96 Capital Expenditure - 7,656.95 921.86 Repairs and Replacement 2,441.65 850.79 TOTAL $ 22,291.77 $ 8,831.61 FISHERIES RESEARCH Operation $ 20,106.43 $ 24,846.56 Capital Expenditure 1,903.79 6,179.64 Repairs and Replacement 1,352.63 167.18 TOTAL $ 23,362.85 $ 31,193.38 GAME FARM— Billings Operation $ 15,986.69 $ 16,196.44 Capital Expenditure 994.70 98.84 Repairs and Replacement 2,424.05 364.19 TOTAL $ 19,405.44 $ 16,659.47 GAME FARM— Fort Peck Operation $ 14,515.57 $ 18,005.03 Capital Expenditure 3,767.28 878.40 Repairs and Replacement 663.50 1,083.33 TOTAL _ $ 18,946.35 $ 19,966.76 GAME FARM— Warm Springs Operation _ $ 20,753.81 $ 22,878.74 Capital Expenditure 128.82 4,862.59 Repairs and Replacement 3,088.72 1,810.08 TOTAL $ 23,971.35 $ 29,551.41 WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION Operation $ 177,530.93 Capital Expenditure 134,754.62 Repairs and Replacement _ 9,847.69 TOTAL $ 335,078.11 $ 322,133.24 WAREHOUSE STORES $ 3,204.92 MONTANA STATE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT $ 621.76 $ 380.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES, $1,117,757.43 $1,135,714.58 RECAPITULATION OF FUNDS May 1. 1948 lo April 30, 1949 and May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 (Funds 131 and 104-11 Combined) Balance Forward April 30, 1948 $ 280,213.43 Income May 1, 1948— April 30, 1949 1,120,884.02 Funds Available During 1948-49 Period $1,401,097.45 Disbursements During 1948-49 Period 1,113,722.43 Balance April 30, 1949 _ $ 287,375.02 Income May 1, 1949— April 30, 1950 _ 1,068,730.35 Funds Available During 1949-50 Period $1,356,105.37 Disbursements During 1949-50 Period _.- 1,135,714.58 Balance April 30, 1950 $ 220,390.79 (43) 1948 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES May 1, 1948 lo April 30, 1949 .c «« S B fl e (M • • « e •0 •0 •0 » County g« gE - o< ■5 6 0) 0 ^0 •oO .!2 c K.5 K (Co n pen 11 o.iS 2U. c-o o.S D 3 Beaverhead 2,882 1,647 2,277 196 2 51 7,055 Big Horn 1,779 658 99 61 1 5 2,603 Blaine 1,099 458 23 1 1,581 Broadwater 1,050 764 49 10 4 1 1,878 Carbon 2,809 1,275 252 47 7 4,390 Carter 183 171 2 356 Cascade 13,094 5,713 370 60 5 56 19,298 Chouteau 1,523 683 18 2 1 2,227 Custer 1,990 889 19 5 1 8 2,912 Daniels 462 113 6 581 Dawson 1,538 289 34 8 1 3 1,873 Deer Lodcfe . 3,488 1,660 282 31 3 1 5,465 Fallon 587 4,801 267 3,588 1 244 62 1 1 11 856 Fergus 8,707 Flathead 11,689 7,007 1,426 306 1 70 20,499 Gallatin _ 7,225 3,799 5,418 877 12 113 17,444 Garfield 353 222 10 3 588 Glacier _ 1,997 659 130 23 19 2,828 Golden Valley 389 260 20 3 672 Granite 1,081 704 102 23 6 1,916 Hill . . 3,074 1,069 749 712 48 77 10 11 2 14 1 3,897 Jefferson 1,870 Judith Basin 973 725 69 8 2 1,777 Lake 4,240 1,722 886 165 22 12 7,047 Lewis and Clark 7,284 4,475 437 121 1 176 12,494 Liberty — 298 104 3 1 406 Lincoln 3,270 2,225 1,060 150 1 8 6,714 Madison _ 2,210 1,377 1,157 144 1 45 4,934 McCone _ 403 75 8 486 Meagher _ 1,017 737 102 22 2 1,880 Mineral 1,077 812 615 533 13 6 3,056 Missoula 10,182 5,649 1,007 230 18 92 17,178 Musselshell 1,563 973 107 2 7 2,652 Park 4,527 275 3,018 180 530 2 104 117 8,296 Petroleum 457 Phillips 1,177 601 14 2 5 4 1,803 Pondera 2,120 775 77 16 2 4 2,994 Powder River 390 280 8 678 Powell 1,825 1,264 100 30 36 3,255 Prairie _ 239 78 4 1 322 4,343 1,504 2,651 318 578 22 84 6 3 20 52 2 7,711 Richland 1,872 Roosevelt j — 1,754 321 63 3 2 4 2,147 Rosebud 864 604 12 4 1,484 Sanders 2,603 938 9,924 1,793 235 4,153 645 5 424 128 1 71 8 9 4 24 20 5,201 Sheridan , 1,188 Silver Bow 14,596 Stillwater _ 1,931 1,093 144 29 5 3,202 Sweet Grass 1,406 1,021 180 50 10 2,667 Teton 1,836 927 73 31 1 32 2,900 Toole — 1,388 41S 17 8 4 1,833 Treasure 240 163 4 407 Valley - 2,882 569 296 42 4 7 3,800 Wheatland _ _ 1,412 1,009 106 32 3 16 2,578 Wibaux — — 270 12,054 75 4,685 77,390 10 463 20,135 11 96 11 163 20 366 Yellowstone 17,329 Totals _ _ _ _ 152,581 3,863 1,074 255,206 (44) 1949 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 a a a « « 0) County g| gG I I |E «.t3 «.? 0.2 0.2 o.t: o.? ■S Kn Kn ehU< ^u< Sn 2n h Beaverhead 2,963 1,635 2,811 251 5 38 7,703 Big Horn _... 1,675 599 112 45 2 2,433 Blaine 1,052 379 22 2 2 1,457 Broadwater 1,029 679 66 3 3 1,780 Carbon 2,821 1,210 294 67 4,392 Carter 297 235 4 536 Cascade 14,882 6,208 443 69 7 42 21,651 Chouteau 1,657 780 41 3 1 2,492 Custer 2,373 1,194 38 3 14 3,613 Daniels 494 136 6 636 Dawson 1,749 819 42 10 2 2,622 Deer Lodge 3,681 1,555 338 27 5,601 Fallon 587 318 7 1 913 Fergus 5,079 3,843 275 39 9 9,245 Flathead 12,415 7,020 1,588 302 12 52 21,389 Gallatin 7,623 3,962 5,991 949 13 96 18,634 Garfield 426 248 20 5 699 Glacier 2,181 614 169 27 5 17 3,013 Golden Valley 402 290 27 5 724 Granite _ 1,056 663 121 19 3 1,862 Hill 3,075 670 45 10 3 2 3,805 Jefferson 1,173 778 80 5 2,036 Judith Basin 1,037 687 24 9 2 1,759 Lake 4,209 1,679 1,017 126 18 4 7,053 Lewis and Clark 7,609 4,466 480 136 2 125 12,818 Liberty 340 71 2 413 Lincoln 3,290 2,133 1,289 185 2 6 6,905 Madison 2,217 1,340 1,382 136 5 25 5,105 McCone 486 143 26 655 Meagher 992 742 125 10 1 9 1,879 Mineral 971 671 662 532 10 21 2,867 Missoula 10,406 5,629 976 223 27 67 17,328 Musselshell 1,630 898 97 17 1 2,643 Park 4,424 2,819 726 103 82 8,154 Petroleum 288 187 475 Phillips _ 1,150 493 15 1 2 1,661 Pondera 2,321 769 103 12 2 11 3,218 Powder River 482 349 5 2 1 839 Powell .- 1,874 1,206 167 34 12 3,293 Prairie 280 117 10 407 Ravalli 4,213 2,566 743 87 6 27 7,642 Richland 1,657 818 12 9 10 12 2,518 Roosevelt 2,073 623 101 6 11 2,805 Rosebud 1,004 634 12 2 1,652 Sanders 2,674 1,665 797 126 10 13 5,285 Sheridan 1,030 252 6 3 5 1,296 Silver Bow 10,505 4,303 463 83 3 10 15,367 Stillwater 1,946 1,195 210 49 6 3,406 Sweet Grass _ 1,336 963 172 51 6 2,528 Teton 2,138 1,028 99 20 4 18 3,307 Toole - 1,679 425 33 8 2,145 Treasure 220 164 3 387 Valley 3,082 677 466 32 5 2 4,264 Wheatland 1,430 1,011 133 21 1 5 2,601 Wibaux 276 143 21 9 449 Yellowstone _ 12,515 4,628 506 121 14 24 17,808 Special Moose 82 Special Antelope 3,932 Special Elk _.. 185 Special Deer 877 Totals . 160,484 79,329 23,423 3,994 184 754 273,244 (45) FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS By Counties May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 May 1, 1949 to AprU 30, 1950 Beaverhead 30 23 Ri<7 Hnrn ._.„..._ 15 19 Blninp R Rrnnrl water 16 Cnrhnn in 32 Trtrtpr 4 4 Cascade 31 43 Chouteau 3 5 Custer 4 17 Daniels Dawson Deer Lodge 38 29 Fprous 15 11 FlrtthenH 68 66 nnllntin 51 42 HnrfiplH 1 ninri<=r 10 7 Golden Valley 1 Granite 9 7 Hill 2 10 Jpffprsnn 15 13 Judith Basin Lake zr"! ..". 12 4 12 Lewis and Clark 9.2 29 T.ihprty Linf^oln 97 34 MrTHi<5nri „ , 91 42 IfrCnne^ 1 Mf^nrjhof P 9 Mir)f^rnl , R 42 Missoula 20 24 Musselshell 1 4 Park 30 28 Petroleum 4 Phillips 4 5 PnnH«»rn 48 20 Powder River Pnwell 4 1 10 Pro i rip Ravalli 9R 27 Rirhland ,, 1 1 Roosevelt _ Rosebud 2 5 Sanders 29 3»w Sheridan 5 Silver Bovr 1 7 Stillwater 6 54 Sweet Grass Teton 4 2 2 Toole 3 3 Treasure . .. 4 Valley Whontlnnd 5 4 26 4 Wibaux 1 3 Yellowstone .. TOTALS 36 677 24 808 (46) FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS May 1, 1948 May 1, 1949 to to Violation April 30, 1949 April 30, 1950 Fishing in closed waters Fishing without license _... Fishing during closed season Fishing with set lines Fishing with more than one hook, line and pole Fishing before or after hours Possession of too many small fish under 7 inches Over limit of game fish _ Possession or use of seine, spear, dynamite, snagging outfit or cowbells _ Attempting to catch spawning fish with hand net — Fishing with minnows Possession or use of salmon eggs Pollution of streams Baiting fish holes _ False affidavit to secure resident license _ Possession of illegal beaver hides Attempting to illegally trap beaver Shooting and destroying beaver without permit Trapping during closed season Trapping without license Shipping furs without a permit Trapping in a muskrat house Possession of illegal furs Violation of Migratory Bird Act - Possession of pheasant hen Possession of or hunting of game birds during closed season Over limit of game birds Shooting from highway or auto Hunting before or after hours Killing more than one elk or deer Hunting or possession of game animals during closed season Hunting without a license Transfer of license Refusing to exhibit license Bribing an officer Spotlight hunting Possession of illegal game Hunting in closed area Killing doe deer or fawn deer Killing or possession of grizzly bear in closed area or season Shipping game without permit _ Hunting on posted property without owners consent Shipping more than legal limit Destroying sex of deer Transfer of big game tag Failure to tag deer or elk Shooting elk before hours Wasting game meat Killing female bear with cubs or cub bears _.. Hunting big game without wearing red on clothing Guiding without license Guide allowing violation in party Alien in possession of a firearm Buying and selling of game meat Flipping cigarettes from car TOTALS '.. 677 808 30 80 100 113 15 20 20 24 13 15 12 17 12 15 60 59 12 24 1 1 2 13 11 1 2 32 38 5 1 2 5 2 3 7 3 9 2 4 2 6 5 39 14 5 6 35 60 1 4 19 32 29 22 4 4 28 39 10 12 3 4 1 2 1 2 1 6 38 37 30 23 21 14 2 5 0 10 3 2 1 1 1 2 11 1 24 26 7 8 5 2 2 4 1 1 6 1 1 2 7 2 ^47) TABLE 2. FISH PLANTED FROM SOMERS HATCHERY May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 62,900 Yr. 410,000 11/2 9,600 ■ 2 160,372 2V2 10,240 3 48,860 4 1,541 12 Rainbw 303,140 IV2 Brook 87,000 21/2 Sockeye Salmon 2,658,081 Fry May 1, 1949 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 375,000 1^/2 56,696 2 25,000 3 12,360 4 Rainbow 156,720 IV2 91,680 IVz Brook 70,000 2 Sockeye Salmon 1,332,809 Fry 238,131 11/2 FISH PLANTED FROM EMIGRANT HATCHERY May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 202,600 Fry 65,000 Ad Fry 87,430 31/2 Rainbow 150,000 Ad Fry 25,550 1 1/2 45,000 3 Brook 145,000 11/2 73,800 2 22,706 4 Loch Leven 90,000 XV-i May 1, 1949 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 358,000 1 20,034 21/2 40,068 3 Rainbow 206,29. l'^ 16.100 2 46.900 3 Brook 68,000 2 Loch Leven 11,532 3 (48) TABLE 2 (Continued) FISH PLANTED FROM LIBBY HATCHERY May 1. 1948 lo April 30. 1949 Species Black Spottted Rainbow Brook Number 400,000 60,000 21,000 50,000 10,000 9,000 2,000 5,500 4,000 2,000 144,000 18,400 7,000 1,750 Size iy2 3 41/2 Fng. 2 21/2 4 5 51/2 6 iy2 4 5 Adult May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 Species Number Black Spotted 75,000 73,000 125,424 50,000 Rainbow 256,500 50,000 Brook 31,500 20,000 20,000 14,000 1,600 Salmon 24,000 44,000 Size Ad. F. 11/4 11/2 Adult Fry Ad. Ad. IV2 3 5 Adult 2 21/2 Fry Fry FISH PLANTED FROM POLSON HATCHERY May 1. 1948 to April 30. 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 96,000 F. 231,200 11/2 Rainbow 4,400 11/2 Salmon 1,410,000 F. May 1, 1949 to April 30. 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 250,890 1 Rainbow 251,640 7 Salmon 1,344,000 F. (49) TABLE 2 (Continued) FISH PLANTED FROM LEWISTOWN HATCHERY May 1. 1948 to April 30. 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 44,627 1 4,120 4 4,950 • 5 Rainbow 3,200 1 154,719 2 30,500 3 60,240 4 1,500 4V2 84,708 5 6,000 6 436 A. Brook 3,880 2 4,700 3 8,100 1/2 31,768 4 2,640 5 Loch Leven 1,264 IV2 205,030 2 49,875 3 21,900 4 May 1, 1949 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 83,520 1 7,740 5 1,320 6 2,710 7 Rainbow 145,556 2 4.080 4 32,712 5 155.815 6 15,088 7 Brook 120,889 2V2 16,860 3 20,116 4 Loch Leven 285,220 1 1/2 16,642 2 19,018 3 16,804 4 (50) TABLE 2 (Continued) FISH PLANTED FROM GREAT FALLS HATCHERY May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 197,800 IVz 45,900 4 45,000 1 48,000 11/2 36,000 2 28,150 4 46,660 5 46,960 5y2 Brook 128,250 IVz 7,500 3 23,500 4 22,950 4% Loch Leven 104,800 li/^ 40,500 2 13,000 5 May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 188,100 11/2 Rainbow 97,800 1 43,500 IVa 44,300 3 40,560 4 99,580 4y2 103,800 5 20,100 5y2 5,870 6 Brook 76,325 2y2 68,775 3 6,000 3% 39,000 4 Loch Leven 66,000 1% 16,000 2 FISH PLANTED FROM BLUEWATER HATCHERY January 1, 1950 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 12,650 5 Rainbow 5,076 4 47,501 4% 3,016 5 17,632 5% Loch Leven 17,745 F. C51) TABLE 2 (Continued) FISH PLANTED FROM ARLEE HATCHERY May 1. 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Rainbow 387,320 F. 37,934 1 V2 99,000 41/2 35,520 5 and 6 33,999 A. Brook 46,960 6 and 7 4,790 7 and 8 1,160 A. May 1, 1949 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 125,000 1 491,960 IV2 Rainbow 82,892 2 8,072 21/2 11,340 3 63,072 31/2 29,770 4 1,470 5 4,000 % Brook 12,745 A. 25,820 4 3,700 5 2,300 6 FISH PLANTED FROM McNEIL HATCHERY May 1. 1948 to September 30, 1948 Species Number Size Walleye Pike 1,135,000 Fry Large Mouth Bass 1,500 9 450 10 175 12 FISH PLANTED FROM MILES CITY HATCHERY May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Walleye Pike 150,000 ? Black Bass 380 Yr. 101,232 Fng. Bluegills 98,199 Fng. Bullheads 131,213 Fng. Crappie 350 Yr. (52) TABLE 2 (Continued) May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 Species Number Size Black Bass 4,461 4 1,225 3 1,200 5 340 7 Bluegills 7,512 2 1,782 3 Bullheads 464 4 210 1 FISH PLANTED FROM BIG TIMBER HATCHERY May 1. 1948 to April 30. 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 38,016 E. E. 254,000 11/2 Rainbow 61,056 E. E. 6,000 1 405,552 11/4 87,840 11/2 87,220 2 104,980 21/2 78,400 21/4 1,950 Y. Brook eioOO 1 13,500 11/2 1,380 41/2 680 6 1/2 Locvh Leven 4,068 1 139,000 11/2 76,000 2 67,200 1% 253,950 11/4 May L 1949 to April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 56,672 E. E. 149,260 11/2 Rainbow 85,680 E. E. 167,188 11/2 84,422 2 Brook 18,250 1 167,000 11/4 Loch Leven 376,630 F. 43,200 1 44,800 1 V4 39,050 3 33,440 5 (53) TABLE 2 (Continued) FISH PLANTED FROM HAMILTON HATCHERY May 1, 1948 lo April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 25,382 Eggs 33,200 F. 316,098 11/2 10,200 3 5,920 4 Rainbow 33,600 1% 20,780 3 24,334 3% 20,866 4 75 A. Grayling 205,824 Eggs Silver Salmon 38,150 2 Loch Leven 695,837 F. Sockeye Salmon 18,892 F. May 1, 1949 lo April 30, 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 30,000 Eggs 428,175 11/2 5,800 3V^ Rainbow 18,424 3% 2,700 3 FISH PLANTED FROM ANACONDA HATCHERY May 1, 1948 to April 30, 1949 Species Number Size Black Spotted 137.200 1 103,880 l^s 272,140 Ad. Fry 6,040 6 Rainbow 56,400 1% 29,960 2 30,160 3 12,908 4 7,328 6 1,000 6V2 41,760 Ad. Fry Grayling 2,378,000 Fry 21,600 6 365,000 ? Brook 64,625 2\4 1,640 4 5,424 5 2,100 6 2,400 % 1,950 7 Silver Salmon 70,085 3 Loch Levcn 358,700 Ad. Fry 100,800 2 17.628 5 Walleye Pike 80,000 3 (54) TABLE 2 (Continued) May 1. 1949 to April 30. 1950 Species Number Size Black Spotted 432,892 1 43,008 41/2 20,108 5 26,736 51/2 1,970 6 Rainbow 325,280 1 12,000 21/2 114,616 3 64,935 . 4 12,608 41/2 29,920 5 22,918 5V2 5,376 6 4,368 6 1/2 9,235 7 1,042 8 Grayling 1,636,000 Fry 1,016 6 Brook 22,830 11/2 2,726 7 274 8 Salmon 25,114 3 Loch Leven 48,300 1 (55) ^>H