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MONTANA. STATE EiSWkfff

330 East Lyndaie Averse Helena, M«hi*»1i "

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STATE OF MONTANA

BIENNIAL REPORT

OF THE

FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

FOR MAY 1, 1950 — APRIL 30, 1952

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Published By Th( MONTANA FISH AND GAMJ Helena^ Moiirfana

rtMS 1969

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>ARTMENT

LIBRARY ii^'^HY of MONTANA

FOREWORD

Montana is one of the few states that can boast of wilderness areas, abundant wildlife resources, and other of the primitive wonders of early day America. These wild resources in their pristine setting have a very real value in the economy of the state and its recreational industry. Wildlife has value, if properly nxanaged, in the balance of nature and thus also has an effect on agriculture. However, its greatest value is an intangible one that has to do with the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of busy people in a rushing world.

Wildife resources belong to all Montanans. and all are entitled to equal shares of any dividends derived from these resources. It is the responsibility of the Montana Fish and Game Department as charged by law to manage wildlife resources for the benefit of all present and future generations.

This report is a review of progress during the past two years in the development, propagation, utilization and conservation of Montana fish and game and contains a summary of changes during the 50 years of the department's existence.

lo the Honorable John W. Bonner, Governor of Montana

Dear Governor Bonner:

In accordance with law we herewith submit the Biennial Report of the Montana Fish and Game Com- mission for the period May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1952.

Respectfully submitted,

MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION

EDWARD M. BOYES, Chairman, THOMAS S. MORGAN. WALTER BANKA, WILLIAM T. SWEET. MANSON H. BAILEY, JR., R. H. LAMBETH,

State Fish and Game Warden

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ADMINISTRATION 11

Comparison of Dollar Revenue 12

Comparison of Income and Disbursements 13

FIFTY YEARS OF PROGRESS 6

FISHERIES 34

Continuing Fisheries Census 41

Disease and Nutrition Study 41

Distribution 33

Fisheries Restoration 35

Fish Hatcheries 31

Fish Restoration Districts 38

Prickley Pear Creek Study 35

Ranch Fish Pond Study 34

FOREWORD 3

GAME BIRD FARMS 29

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 16

LAW ENFORCEMENT 14

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 2

STATISTICS 43-63

Detail of Expenditure 48-51

Fish and Game Law Violations 52

Fish Planted from Hatcheries 55-63

License Sales by Counties 53-54

Recapitulation of Disbursements 46-47

Recapitulation of Funds 51

Statement of Income 44-45

WILDLIFE RESTORATION 18

Antelope 19

Chukar Partridge 25

Elk 21

Fur Bearers 27

Grizzlies 19

Introduction 18

Moose 23

Mountain Goats 22

Mountain Sheep 23

Mule Deer 20

Partridge 25

Predator Control : 28

Upland Grouse 25

Waterfowl 26

White-tailed Deer 20

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50 Years of Progress

Fifty years of operation as a functional part of the state's govern- ment were completed by the Montana Fish and Game Department dur- ing the past biennium. In these five decades one can trace tremendous changes in the status of wildlife in the state. At one time Montanans depended on wild game for food and clothing. This dependence gradu- ally decreased as agriculture developed until today the fish and game resource is one that fulfills a different but very real need of people living under modern strains, healthful recreation and relaxation. Man is essentially an outdoor animal, and wildlife gives him an opportunity to be out of doors.

Actually the demand for more hunting and fishing has increased at almost unbelievable rates. In 1901 less than 5,000 people purchased hunting or fishing licenses. Fifty years later, in 1951, this ever growing group of hunters and fishermen had increased to more than 200,000. Nearly one out of every three men, women and children in the state purchase a hunting or fishing license.

Paralleling this increase has been the advancement in equipment and methods of taking game. High velocity rifles; telescope sights, spinning rods, more and better ammunition and lures all have made the hunter and angler potentially more effective in putting game in the bag and fish in the creel. Add to these more leisure time and faster transportation and it can be seen that the pressure on wildlife is many times greater than at any previous period in the state's history.

Yet in spite of the great increase in sportsmen demand it is safe to say that more game was taken during the past biennium than in any other two-year period in the history of the state.

What better measure of a successful game management program can be had than the amount of fish and game taken by the participating sportsmen? This game management program is one that has grown each year to meet the demand. Facilities and equipment have been enlarged and modernized. More and better trained personnel have been added to the department staff. The Fish and Game Department has moved forward during its 50 years of existence. It has met the challenge of civilization against wildlife and at least for the present is maintaining adequate game populations to meet the needs and demands of Montana sportsmen.

Trends today in business, science and industry are toward improved methods, resulting from research. In game management scientific treatment of pi'ob'ems is a necessity. Long past are the times when

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hit and miss methods would do — for today mistakes can be costly. Although game maragement as a science is new, it is and must re- main the basis for wise utilization. Emotion and selfish desires have no place in handling natural resources.

Like any organization the Fish and Game Department is no better than its personnel. In recent years constantly higher standards have been instituted and more permanent tenure has been assured competent employees.

Competitive examination is now the basis of selecting men for the division of law enforcement. This examination, which is given at several locations within the state, is a test of knowledge in the field of wildlife as well as measurement of general intelligence. At least a high school education is required of all applicants, and successful appli- cants are interviewed and then assigned a period of specialized train- ing with an experienced officer before being placed in the field for a year of probationary employment.

Biologists and other technical employees are selected from appli- cants having a college degree in wildlife or related subjects. These men must have completed the requirements as set forth by accredited colleges and universities . In addition practical field experience is now considered a part of the pre-employment training.

As an indication of the complex organization which is now the

— 7 —

8 —

Montana Fish and Game Department one can compare the change in classification of employees in the past 50 years.

In 1901 a staff of 6 to 8 comprised the department's personnel. Today 160 to 200 employees are required to perform the multiple services given by a modern department of conservation.

Essentially the Fish and Game Department is a field organization, and the major portion of its personnel devote full time to field activities Five district warden supervisors and 45 game wardens are assigned the manifold jobs of the modern game law enforcement officer.

Twenty-two biologists work on problems of game management in big game, upland game birds, waterfowl and fur bearers. An additional ten direct research toward solving the problems of the fisheries divi- sion.

Special service personnel include a lawyer, engineer, shop special- ists, photographic technician, warehousemen, acountants, information and education staff, , stenographers and clerical assistants.

Today the Fish and Game Department represents nearly a two million-dollar plant and it administers a vital hunting and fishing business that brings into Montana an estimated $25,000,000 annually. Progress is obvious in this past biennium as well as in the past five

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decades. More progress must be anticipated if the problems of pro- viding hunting and fishing to an ever larger number of people are to be met. In the following pages the accomplishments of each divi- sion of the Fish and Game Department will be considered.

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ADMINISTRATION

With an income of nearly one and one-quarter million dollars, and a capital evaluation of $1,700,000, the Fish and Game Department is definitely in the category of a substantial business. Wise expenditure of this money must be directed toward maintainmg and improving wildlife resources for the people of Montana, and the responsibility and power for this expenditure as set forth in the laws of Montana are given to tlie Fash and Game Commission.

A five-man commission, meeting two days each month, sets up the basic policies and regulations of the department. The State Game Warden, who is the executive director, is appointed by the Commission. It is his responsibility to put these policies into action and to supervise the activities of the department. The State Game Warden's assistant is the Chief Deputy, who acts in a supervisory capacity under the direc- tion of the State Warden.

Department finances are all obtained either from the sale of licenses or from moneys made available to each state from a tax collected from sportsmen who buy fishing tackle, arms and ammuni- tion. In other words the Department of Fish and Game is financed entirely by the people who participate in the sports of hunting and fishing.

Services put out by the Fish and Game Department are of more general benefit. For example, predator control benefits the stockman, and the wildlife is enjoyed by many who do not hunt or fish, such as photographers, tourists, and nature hobbyists.

Licenses form the backbone of department finance. These are dis- tributed to 475 bonded dealers over the state of Montana. A rather complex system of bookkeeping and accounting is required to keep necessary records of the department. Seven persons handle the financial recoids and reports of the department.

License sales continue to climb year after year. In our last biennial report we were almost certain that the saturation point had been reached in selling rosidenl hunting and fishing licenses in Mon- tana. This observation was based upon an analysis of the total number of resident bird and fishing licenses sold to the total number of resi- dents in Montana which at the time was estimated to be 591,000 per- sons. The increase during the past two years over the preceding two- year period has amounted to 5.9 per cent.

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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

May 1, 1950- April 30, 1952

OTHER LICENSES & PERMITS 3.03 7

0

FINES 2517

DINGELL- JOHNSON 0 517

FISHERIES 30.127

tyENFORGEMENT 23.777

GAME

FARMS

5.287

MISC 6 92 7

VS-T'CT"

WILDLIFE ADM IN.) J RESTORATION"" 9.32 7(1^ 19.177

PREDATOR CONTROL 3.737

NFOR- [I ^ COM--^- MATION ec^ MISSIONE'RS

&. EDUCATION 1.007 " 0.687

The "chef" above, representing the central office of the Montana Fish and Game Department, carefully measures out the "ingredients" (income from various sources) before "serving" to each division.

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STATE OF MONTANA

FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

Comparison of income and disbursements from May ?, 194? through April 30, J952.

J1, 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

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LAW ENFORCEMENT

A long awaited step forward in building up a more efficient conser- vation force was begun during the past two years by the Commission.

For the first time in the Fish and Ganae Department's liistory, recruits for the warden force were chosen from a list of already trained eligibles provided by competitive examinations. This plan of filling vacancies was adopted by the Commission on March 1. 1951. The announcement of the first of examinations was given and in April, ap- proximately 93 applicants took the warden examination. A pre-em- ployment training school was given to those successful in passing the competitive examination and those passing the i-equired subjects at the school were placed on an eligible list from which future recruits are drawn.

In order to keep in step with advancements in law enforcement techniques, the Department has purchased short wave radio telephones for wardens' cars. These units are on a radio frequency which ties our warden force in with other law enforcement agencies such as Couin^' Sheriffs, City police and the Highway Patrol. Through this medium of contact, better than ever cooperation between our own field force and other law enforcement agencies is now obtained.

In addition to radio units in wardens' cars, the Department has two radio units in airplanes. We have found that airplanes can be very valuable in locating game concentrations prior to the opening of hunt- ing seasons. Direction of men on the ground into such areas has aided in giving the most efficient patrol of such areas.

When «anic warden activities taper off during; the winter months, they meet in Helena with Division Directors of the Department, representatives of other law enforcement agencies and instructors from Montana State University and State

14 —

An intensive conservation course was given to the entire warden force in February 1952. Instructors from the State University at Mis- soula and the State College at Bozeman conducted the conservation course which is recognized as one of the finest courses given outside of regular higher educational conservation courses. (See cuts below.)

Supervisor district meetings were held periodically in each dis- trict to discuss and analyze the operations in each warden's district. Such meetings and training schools are designed to give our employees a working knowledge of methods to give better service to sportsmen.

During the bienium we had an average force of approximately 45 deputy game wardens and five district warden supervisors. We are yet undermanned in the enforcement division in several areas. Additional warden positions will be provided in areas where there is a need to cut down the size of some of the districts which now have a peak load of hunting and fishing activity.

During the past two years a total of 1,415 an-ests were made for violation of the Fish and Game laws and rules and regulations of the Commission. Fines imposed for violations of the game laws for the two year period totaled $64,305.00 The average fine imposed by the courts after a conviction for a violation was approximately $45.00. This average fine is $5.00 over the average fine imposed during the preceding biennial period.

College. At this school" they discuss new techniques and developments in wild- life management, receive additional instruction in operational procedure of the Department, follow practice cases of fish and game law violations to a conclusion and practice in the use of firearms along with their regular training course.

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nformation and Education

Public interest in hunting and fishing has made apparent the necessity for expanded information and educational facilities. The De- partment of Fish and Game has recognized that an informed public can supply the support needed to meet new problems in the business of supplying fish for the creel and game in the bag. Thus it is the primary objective of the division of information and education to supply facts and figures concerning the status of fish and game and its man- agement in Montana. It is also believed that pleasure in the outdoors can be increased if the hunter and fisherman are made aware of the habits and values of wild animals.

Daily and weekly news releases providing current information arc supplied to all of the wire services, newspapers and radio stations in the state. This material is used extensively and provides one of the best media for news dissemination.

A quarterly magazine, "Montana Wildlife", is published to pro- vide informative and entertaining reading. This publication carries full-length stories of department projects and activities with photo- graphs, drawings and charts to bring to the reader complete details of what is being done in wildlife management. While many states charge for their wildlife magazine, "Montana Wildlife" is sent free to anyone requesting it.

Live wildlife displays were featured at Montana fairs in several counties. These exhibits were most popular, with thousands of visitors stopping to observe and study the wild creatures. Limitation of dis- play animals and personnel made it impossible to fulfill all requests for the display. Most of the animals were obtained through the courtesy of Mr. L. W. Lyons of See 'Em Alive Zoo at Red Lodge and Mr. R. E. Bateman of Wonderland Zoo in Billings.

A series of five-minute radio programs were taped for release over Montana stations. Subjects included fish and game, hunting and fish- ing regulations and facts concerning Montana wildlife. Plans now in- clude a weekly fifteen-minute program to be released in the near future.

The program schedule for this division includes emphasis upon several subjects. One of these is "hunting safety." An all-out effort is being made to educate hunters in firearms safety. Lectures and articles have been prepared while several thousand phamphlets called "Ten Commandments of Safety" and "Hunter Safety" have been dis- tributed. Posters illustrating dangerous firearms practices were placed at sporting goods dealers, checking stations and other spots frequented by sportsmen. Two films on firearms safety were also available.

Pamphlets and articles on the care of wild game were also dis- tributed during the biennium.

Routine duties include the answering of several thousand letters each year to answer questions of residents and non-residents who re- quest information on hunting and fishing or facts on wildlife. As a service to persons interested in hunting a "Hunting and Fishing Guide"

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has been prepared. The division also distributes, free of cost, printed fishing regulations and two-color big game hunting maps.

Requests for special articles, photographs and lectures are handled within the limits of department personnel to do so. Members of the de- partment also participate in educational lecture series on adult educa- tion and talks to civic and sportsmen clubs. Educational problems of farmer-department-sportsman relationships also fall to this division.

Youth education is progressing and promises to be one of the most important activities of the education division. The department feels that young Montanans are the backbone of the resource conservation movement. Every effort will be made to supply the state's youth with facts concerning the status of wildlife resources.

Initial efforts include teaching assistance at the annual 4-H Con- servation Camp and instruction and talks to school groups.

Moving pictures have been acquired and are distributed to schools, sportsmen's clubs and other interested groups.

While education and information are the particular job of this division they are also the responsibility of every department employee. Intra-department communications are aimed toward keeping all de- partment personnel informed so they in turn can report to the people of Montana.

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WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

At the end of this biennium twelve years of restoration work has been completed in Montana. This program came into being following legislative assent to the Pittman-Robertson Act in the winter of 1941. During the twelve years that have followed, a great deal of wildlife work has been possible through the use of funds thus made available. As the amount allocated each state from the excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition is determined by the size of the state, as well as the number of licenses sold, Montana ranks seventh in the propor- tion of money received. This money is available for wildlife projects on much the same basis as the Federal Aid to highway programs. That is, the Fish and Game Department pays twenty-five percent of the cost of the projects while the remaining seventy-five percent comes from the Federal Treasury.

Projects are prepared, administered and carried out by state per- sonnel. The Fish and Wildlife Service, acting for the federal govern- ment, determines only that the projects are sound and of value to wild- life. All property and equipment acquired under this program belongs to the state.

The scope of the restoration program is wide as it includes neces- sary investigative activities, wildlife habitat development and acquisi- tion. The work covers big game, upland garne birds, waterfowl and furbearers.

The following includes a brief summary of the activities carried on throughout the life of the program with special emphasis on that portion completed during the reported biennium.

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BIG GAME

Antelope (Present population — 50,600)

During the early years ofi) work consisted of a state-wide.

lion on heirj that num this speci gram, tl veloped animals into hund new

ers and loi

big ga

follow plane w e winaii,j^ th: ine antelope

restoration program, most of the in order to obtain basic informa- hese early aerial counts indicated the state were almost devoid of active trapping and transplanting pro- very successful type of trap was de- d in herding these fleet-footed game portable trap. Three thousand four re captured and moved into desirable

s. ija^ibiis way—65 additional antelope herds have been develop?Qf^ -_ *:^^ '■«w^— - ^ - -^ --

With the rapid increase in antelope numbers, particularly during the past several years, an increasingly heavy take by hunters has been possible. Antelope hunting, almost unknown in Montana ten years ago, has now become a major big game sport.

Grizzly Bear (Present population — 815)

This big bear has become one of the rarest of the nation's gai:^^- It has been eliminated entirely from much of its historic range through- out the west. This critical problem was recognized early in the restora- tion program. A detailed study was conducted throughout the wilder- ness ranges in the state where grizzlies were still found. Recommenda- tions from this study resulted in the discontinuance of spring hunting and the establishment of a pattern of grizzly bear closures. Under this type of management, it has been possible to retain an annual hunting program and still encourage the restoration of the grizzly in remote back country areas where it is felt to represent a distinct big game asset. Montana holds first place in the number of grizzlies with only Wyoming and Idaho maintaining any population worthy of note.;

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White-tailed Deer (Present population — 41,400)

A careful study of the white-tailed deer represented one of the

earlier projects. By far the largest numbers of this species were found

in the northwestern portion of the state. Areas where these deer might

be reintroduced pointed up the need for a trapping and transplanting

program. Four hundred twenty-two were moved into new areas, thus

producing nine additional herds. • '.■'•.• .. . ■•^■'" ... •

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A study of food habits has indicated that yellow pine seedlings

may be browsed during severe winters. The intensity of this use is,

however, as yet undetermined. A detailed study is, therefore, being

carried out at the present time in the Lincoln County area to ascertain

the relationship of white-tailed deer use of pine seedlings tothe proper

management of this forest resource.

A study of the productivity of tl/gfe^ontana deer herds, both white-tailed and mule deer, has indicatec^/Ehat throughout several areas, the population has reached a point whic^'^^a.^esulted in various degrees of forage depletion on certain critical ra^^'4i^s. The need for care- fully regujated^ither sejc l^nting has, J^herefore, become evident. A careful fo^w ^^?%illjr^r^^e^ an important phase of the restoration ii^^^Jd^9^itat§^he ef,^V(H x'iarious degrees of hunting

prograrafej.^ upon the feg

Jni^ ^^aj,i©rr=^d wil] number to;njg:y?taifl^^^alance with av

the most desirable supplies^

Mule Deer (Presenf pcipTSj^ti^feg^TZ^OO)

Census work has indicated that the mule deer is by far tlie most abundant game in Montana. Their distribution is almost state-wide. The need for planting of this species was also indicated by this early coverage. The 1,295 mule deer trapped and transplanted were moved into 14 new areas. Their establishment in these locations has been rapid. It has been possible to open several of the planted sites to care- fully regulated hunting. A limited take of either sex has been found necessary to keep numbers within the limits of the available winter forage. With both species of deer, the upward trend in population has been particularly noticeable during the past five to six years.

20

Elk (Total population — 45,900)

A careful coverage of each of the major elk herds within the state has brought out the need for various types of management in order that this important game animal might be maintained and developed. One of the most obvious needs was found to consist of more adequate winter range. Approximately twenty thousand acres of foothill-type range was obtained under the restoration program in the Sun River area. The acquisition of this tract has solved one of the most difficult big game problems in the state. Up to three thousand elk are now maintained in this herd with no serious conflicts with other land use.

Work on the Gallatin Canyon range indicated that a lack of winter forage during the more severe winters was seriously handicapping the development of this herd. Six thousand six hundred twenty-eight acres of winter range were purchased. Its development to a maximum of forage will go far toward stabilizing the elk herd in that area.

The coverage of the Blackfoot-Clearwater region during the early years of the program indicated the need for range, particularly during the more severe winters. Fifty-five thousand acres of game range have been obtained. The carefui management of this area during the past several years has resmXe<^]itiJa much i'mi^oved condition. This area is of distinct benefit-^ elj^and also whtit^-tailed and mule deer.

Coverage of tliffi#^dith River .^r^af^alsp Indicated the need for winter game ran^3K»^orde^^ Hflt'triee^ thl^yHfe^di 2,523' a^res have been purchased adjaqg^^^^^aj£j9^68fit,^B6undary'?,Mi ^ crititdl winter range area several miles ^afflj|e,ytica. Elk move c^"tq tHi^'range f rom a wide area during the late^|K^This range now availab'Je for big game is materially aiding in woming out the (.(CjOjHSkj^ex J_iV«sto^[irbig game problem formerly existing in that arjea.X''s^^j|^^ '^''■^^.,..>

Note: By legislative actioa two yea'rs'^go,'at is now possible for the Fish and Game Commission to p^y fi^ c^ts^i^mntteH^r per acre in lieu of taxes for all gam:e rangejands acquired.

A detailed forage inventory has been completed for the Gallatin winter range. Similar work is being conducted on the Sun River game range. This information will be valuable in determining the proper number of elk to be carried throughout the winter months on these vital areas insuring an adequate and stable forage supply. It is planned that similar basic information be obtained for all major winter game range areas.

A carefully planned game salting program has been carried out during the past several years. Aerial distribution, particularly in the more remote regions, has become an increasingly important method of distribution. Early spring placement was formerly impossible due to snowed-in trails, particularly at higher elevations. An intensive study of natural licks is also being carried out in conjunction with the over- all salting program.

A cooperative study between the University and the Fish and Game Department regarding the nutritional requirements of elk will aid materially in a better understanding of this important game animal's forage requirements.

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Mountain Goats (Present population — 4,000)

The limited distribution of this species within the state led to trapping and transplanting work early in the program. Successful in- troductions of mountain goats have been made in several very desirable mountain ranges formerly completely devoid of this species. The first and most successful plant to date was made in the Crazy Mountain Range north of Big Timber. A recent careful coverage of this area indicates a remarkable rate of increase and an almost complete distri- bution pattern throughout the area.

Other ranges planted include the Beartooth Plateau in the vicinity of the Cooke City Highway and also in the East Rosebud and Still- water Canyons, the Spanish Peaks along the Gallatin-Madison divide and the Gates of the Mountains Wild Area between Great Falls and Helena.

utilization of aircraft has greatly ac- celt rated the speed by which game animals can be trapped and trans- planted. Monntain goats can now be carried frcm their original habitat to a new wildeine.ss area in a matter of hours where formerly such an operation required several days. Wherever possi- ble, collapsible rubber boats are em- ployed between the (rap and the waiting airplane. At the end of the flight, trucks transport the animals over he last few remaining miles to the release site.

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Moose (Present population — 4,060)

Early work with the moose indicated the possibility of a careful hunter harvest. This was first indicated in the Slough Creek-Hell- roaring area north of Yellowstone Park where the population con- sists of approximately sixty percent bulls. During the first several years mature bulls only were taker). However, adequate numbers in the Big Hole and Rock Creek regibns fifermitted a harvest of a limited number of either sex during the past f^^l^/- '^C^/'/Ji! ■^'V'' "^ *''

A careful follow up coverage' bf moose ranges hjp^dicated that hunting has tended to widen the distribution of this' Species and has apparently in no way been detrimentaJj Ip the overjali^opulation.

t for tfie trapping and trai

Plans have been worked out for the trapping and transplanting of a small number of moose during the coming winter.

Mountain Sheep (Present population — 1,600)

The mountain sheep or bighorn has long been recognized as the number one big game problem animal, not only in Montana but throughout the western states. From an abundance during pioneer times, the numbers have decreased to a remnant of the early popula- tion. These numbers have remained almost static for many years.

In recognition of this problem intensive work with mountain sheep has been conducted since the beginning of the program. Trapping and transplanting has been attempted. The 16 bighorns moved to the south edge of the\ Fort Peck Game Range in eastern Montana five years ago have shown a very desirable rate of increase. These animals were confined in a large pasture until the current year. This was found necessary in order that they might become well established in the area. They have increased to approximately 75 animals and have now bein. liberated into the surrounding badland area. This was the former range of the Audubon variety of bighorns which became en- tirely extinct by 1916. The lack of severe winter conditions in this area rnay well represent a very favorable situation for the rapid in- creasi: 4nd expansion of bighorns.

Mh4 acquisition of the Sun River Game Range has now allowed the eik to drift freely out into the foothills during the winter months. This has relieved the Sun River mountain sheep from serious competi- tion with elk which was felt to be detrimental to the sheep in the past.

Plans are being made for additional transplanting work. In gen- eral, conditions appear increasingly favorable for this important big game species.

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UPLAND GAME BIRDS Ring-necked Pheasants

Because the pheasant is restricted very largely to irrigated farm lands within the state, the food habits of this game birds are of particular interest. A study of their food habits was therefore chosen as one of the early restoration projects. This work was conducted in the Yellowstone and Big Horn valleys. Results indicated that the destruction of insect pests and consumption of weed seed offset any harmful effects in the use of agricultural crops. This study further indicated that the consumption of agricultural grains was composed for the moit part of waste seed.

The need for additional winter cover has been studied. Although this seems to represent one of the most important limiting factors in several surrounding states, it seems of lesser importance in Montana due to more abundant natural cover and less disastrous winter blizzard conditions. Experimental work, however, is being carried out in the Broadview area where cover plantings are being encouraged on a cooperative basis with local sportsmen and landholders.

An annual population census has been an important phase of the program. Crowing counts during the spring give a reasonably accurate indication of the over wintering population of birds. Roadside checks carried out on a state-wide basis give workable information on the late summer and early fall numbers upon which hunting regulations are based. The accompanying chart indicates that pheasant popula- tion has fluctuated from a high in the early 40's to a low in 1946 with a general building-back trend thorughout the past several years.

Survival studies during the past several years have indicated that game faim reared pheasants furnish very small returns to the hunter, particularly in areas where large wild populations thrive. However, they are considered important in the re-establishment of pheasants in seriously depleted areas or in the establishment of this species in newly developed agricultural areas.

FALL PHEASANT POPULATION TRENDS »

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		\		>-Cr\\	k.::»L *	-"- - Vj	^^^^
3.9 50		\			\M'^ ■	^>rv,^^
		V ' -'"'''	* -X		/»	^-^tfe	'''i^w
2 0 1.5						''■	^»	^SE	■»w
		-Sr-'	j»yr	>			^*^	^^^	*•*=-
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— 24

Hungarian Partridges

The pattern of numbers has followed somewhat that of the pheasant during recent years. This species of game bird app)ears to be seriously affected by winter conditions. The present trend, how- ever, is upward.

Chukar Partridges

A great deal of interest has been indicated during the past several years in the introduction of this game bird in that it chooses the more arid type of terrain in which to live. It is felt that it may well fill a niche not now filled by any native game species. The restoration work now being carried out in regard to this bird consists of a careful follow-up of recent plants in an effort to determine their success, studies designed to determine better release methods, and investiga- tions to determine desirable future planting sites and areas.

Native Upland Grouse

During the early years of the program,, intensive work was carried out in an effort to determine the population and distribution of the mountain grouse, namely the blue, ruffed and Franklin's or fool hen. A recent follow up on this work has provided much needed informa- tion regarding population trends. An increase in number has been observed during the past several years. A definite reaction to cycles in population adds greatly to the difficulty in their management. Studies conducted in experimental management areas have indicated that hunting during periods of population "lows" apparently has no detrimental effect upon either the numbers or distribution of these grouse.

The prairie grouse — both the sharp-tailed and sage grouse (sage hen) — have been followed closely throughout the past several years. Their population trend has also been found cyclic in nature. Sage grouse have indicated a more desirable population level than the sharp-tailed grouse during the past year. Both species have, however, reached a point where carefully managed hunting has been possible.

Sage grouse trapping and transplanting has been found to be a successful method of obtaining a wider distribution of this large species of grouse. This work was carried out under one of the earlier restora- tion projects in the early 40's but was discontinued due to a down- ward trend in numbers. It is felt, however, that this work can again be carried out. Areas where plants may most successfully be made lie in the central and western valleys.

— 25 —

WATERFOWL

The waterfowl woik has been one of the newer fields of activity entered into by the wildlife restoration staff. The first project was a state-wide coverage to determine the amount and location of water- fowl breeding grounds. This was accompanied by both aerial and ground census to further determine the annual production of water- fowl. In this way Montana's contribution to the hunter by locally raised ducks and geese was worked out. The coverage of the breed- ing grounds has brought out the need for the improvement of several marsh areas with the primary objective of raising the number of locally produced waterfowl and encouraging migrants to linger in the state. /

The areas now approved for acquistion and development are Little Muddy Creek near Cascade, Freezout Lake near Fairfield, Chain-O-Lakes near Fresno Reservoir north and west of Havre, Fox Lake near Lambert in Richland County ^nd several others.

Montana affects, and is affected by, two of the major waterfowl flyways, the Pacific and Central. Committees have been formed com- posed of representatives of the various states and provinces lying within these flyways. Montana has been able to contribute matei ially to the fund of important information gathered by these FI3 way Councils. This information regarding the migration of waterfowl is of extreme importance in setting, the waterfowl seasons throughout the nation. s^'-^^^'^--^ ^

Of particular importance in this regard has been the banding of 20,000 ducks. Returns from these bands are adding much needed in- formation regarding the movements of waterfowl along the two major flyways.

An intensive study of locally raised Canadian geese is being conducted in conjunction with the Wildlife Research Unit at the Uni- versity. It is expected that the results of this work will lead to the betterment of conditions for this important waterfowl species.

stock pond reservoirs in Kastern Mont.ina offer some of the better waterfowl breeding Rrounds in the state but over-KrazinK b.v livestock (left) discourages brood production. A continuinK program of the Fish and Game Department to provide sufficient vegetative cover (right) will assure future waterfowl harvests.

— 23

Montana's Fur-Bearing Animals

Fur-bearing animals of Montana have provided a substantial cash crop since white man first came into the state. In fact it was the lure of beaver pelts that stimulated much of the early exploration, and fur was for many years a common medium of exchange. Trapping today is carried on primarily as part-time activity of ranch boys, timber workers or others whose nxain occupation gives them free time in the winter. During the 1951 season 1,350 trapper's licenses were issued.

In the 1950-51 season 79,092 pelts were taken by licensed trappers, and these pelts had a cash value of $477,000.

Beaver, which may be legally harvested only in cases where damage can be shown, were trooped on the land of complaining land- owners. There is a v^^^d^^rte heed for laws which will provide for better management'^^^^a ver in this state. Each year many thousands of dollars are log<^ro Montana trappers because trapping is limited to nuisance beaver. BjP^Etically all of the state is now well stocked with th'is-.species but mG^miikjijM-^Xi^'''S^. QiSg^eing utilized be- cause of legal restiMti«ris.4^/J\v'-...^!^^!^«iij:i^.

It is believedS^hat fifa:.-can be made an even greater business in this state if more effortis diFected toward a comprehensive manage- ment plan. Toward this end a new fur resources project has been initiated by the Department. Sportsmen and trappers should see direct benefits from a better program of fur bearer management.

Some fur-bearing animals such as beaver affect the habitat of game animals and fish. Others may prey on game animals while still others may act as controls to undesirable species. A balanced pro- gram based on biological facts will be tempered to all wildlife species and Montana's economy in general.

ANNUAL YIELD AND VALUE OF 1950-51 FUR CATCH

Species No. Pelts

Muskrat 53,248

Beaver 12,522

Mink 8,590

Marten 1,462

Weasel 1,632

Bobcat 461

Coyote 147

Skunk 772

Raccoon 195

Badger 40

Fox 21

Lynx 2

TOTALS 79,092 $477,000

Per Cent of		Per Cent of
Total Pelts	'Value	Total Value
67.3	$ 83,800	17.6
15.8	198,000	41.5
10.9	161,500	33.8
1.8	29,410	6.2
2.1	1,910	.4
.6	940	.2
.2	190	.04
1.0	710	.2
.2	210	.04
.06	35	.01
.04	45 25	.01

27

FUR RESEARCH PROJECT

During the past year a fur section has been added to the wildlife restoration staff. The chief objective is to gain as much information as possible regarding this resource. This information will form a valuable background for fur bearer management within the state.

Field checks tied in with a questionnaire from trappers have in- dicated the value of the past year's fur harvest by districts.

Several specific problems are being investigated at this time. One regards the relation of otter to game fish. Another, the effect of large sanctuaries, such as Glacier Park, in repopulating surrounding areas with valuable fur bearers — particularly marten. A third represents a detailed study of beaver in southwestern Montana. Their relation- ship to game fish and stream flow are interesting sidelights of this overall work, the result of which will be recommendations helpful in the management of this important fur bearer.

PREDATOR CONTROL

Predators might be defined today as those animals that character- istically prey on animals wanted by man for his own use. Under truly wild conditions predators play an important part in keeping what is called the balance of nature. However, when human beings step into the role of the predator by hunting and by cropping surplus animals it sometimes becomes desirable to curtail the predators.

In order to most effectively accomplish predator control, the various agencies and groups interested have formed a Predator Con- trol Board. This is composed of the Montana Fish and Game Depart- ment, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wool Growers and the Livestock Association. Each contributes a portion of the cost of con- trolling predators since benefits are shared equally. Control operations are actually conducted by employees of the Predator Control Division of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and costs are paid from the cooperative fund.

2'\

GAME FARMS

It has been shown that planting ring-necked pheasants raised under artificial conditions can be advisable only when the release areas do not have good existing stocks of the species. Where a good breeding stock of birds is in existence, the natural production is adequate to supply the area with all of the birds the area will support. Therefore birds raised at an average cost of $1.50 to $2.00 each must be wisely released. With this in mind the Fish and Game Depart- ment has directed its efforts toward stocking birds in areas where (1) no natural stock is present but conditions seem suitable for sur- vival; and (2) weather conditions or natural disaster has reduced the resident population of birds.

The department is also directing more intensive efforts toward developing chukar partridge hunting in the state. However, the pro- gram is proceeding cautiously with field biologists studing the results of each attempted transplant. Basic stock for introduction has been raised at Billings and Warm Springs.

Montana game farms are under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Game Farms, who is also foreman at the Billings Game Farm. Only the most modern and efficient methods of propaga- tion are used. Eggs are obtained from a select breeding stock of pheasants held over each year for this purpose. These are then hatched in thermostatically controlled incubators. Young birds are fed until nine to twelve weeks of age, at which time they are released in the wild.

Game Farm Production

Game Farm

CHINESE PHEASANTS RELEASED

Game Farm 1950-51 1951-52

Billings 12,328 11,768

Warm Springs 8,073 10,150

Fort Peck 12,393 11,805

Totals 33,462 33,723 668 673

CHUKAR	PARTRIDGES
RELEASED
1950-51	1951-52
668	473
0	200
0	0

21)

FISHERIES DIVISION

INTRODUCTION

Montana is today one of the last frontiers of trout fishing in the United States. Species found hero include the cutthroat, rainbow, brown (loch leven), Mackinaw (lake), the charrs (brook trout and dolly varden) and the grayling. Montana has the only remaining original grayling habitat which still has this species.

Fishing has a definite value not only to Montanans but also to the traveling public It is estimated that $75,000,000 are contributed to this state by individuals who come to see our parks and scenery and enjoy our out of doors. In 1951 the Montana Fish and Game Department sold 29,175 non-resident fishing licenses. Using a conservative estimate of $30 expended by each visitor for fishing only it can be shown that a minimum of $375,230 is derived by Montana business from this source.

Further calculations indicate that 170,449 resident fishermen spend at least $50 each or a total of $3,552,450 annually. Thus a total of $9,397,700 is spent by Montana sportsmen or visitors for fishing tackle, lodging, meals, gasoline and related costs of a fishing trip.

The Montana Fish and Game Department spends annually $400,000 on all fisheries expenditures. It can readily be seen that the operating costs of maintaining Montana's fishery is in small proportion to the cash return to Montana's economy. The chief value, that of pleasure and recreation, has not been considered, as it can be measured only in the health and welfare of our people.

Montana in a sense is at the crossroads of its fisheries manage- ment. We have left the period where isolation and vast untouched areas assured us of adequate fishing regions. We are entering the period now passed through so tragically by eastern states. A stand must be taken soon on the place recreation is to have in our future economy. Problems of pollution, big dams, and other factors dis- turbing Montana streams must be faced squarely. The industry of fish and game is one of Montana's largest — only sincere, unbiased thinking and planning will keep it so.

The return that is enjoyed by the people in recreation cannot be measured in dollars and cents, however. We must also bear in mind that these same enjoyments and some fishing at one time or another was enjoyed by the eastern states. But their economic development was so fast and without regard to the protection of the natural resources that their recreational resources suffered and were exploited by private interests and closed to the use of the public and is very nearly a thing of the past. We should in our management in Montana consider that we have a natural resource that we are not utilizing to its capacity and we must plan to conserve the streams and lakes so they may be retained as long as possible for future use. In doing so we must adequately provide for the control of pollution both from a

— 30 —

public health standpoint and also from an industrial standpoint. In order for Montana to develop industrially and take advantage of its natural resources such as are available in Montana, adequate legislation is needed both by concerns interested in locating in Montana, and for the protection of the fish and wildlife of the state. Industries and fish and wildlife can work together with proper safeguards formulated for their management. In order to protect the income to the state of the traveling public and by native Montanans these things today should be recognized as a must to be met by honest, sincere, unbiased thinking, and should be forthcoming for the use by industry and fish and game management in the interest of the people of Montana.

Montana's sport fishing resources are looked upon as a national wildlife recreational asset. Because of increased numbers of fisher- men, the supply of natural or wild raised trout has dwindled. Our present day management practices are to supplement natural spawn- ing in streams with hatchery-raised trout. Cooperation from all interested in wildlife recreation is necessary to assure success of the program.

FISH HATCHERIES

During the biennium May 1, 1950 to April 30, 1952, the fisheries program has been following the guidance and advice of previous ad- ministrators in setting up a program for the State of Montana. Devia- tions and corrections have been worked out with various sportsmen's organizations in the interest of the people of Montana. The depart- ment has maintained during the biennium, eleven trout cultural sta- tions, located at the following strategic places throughout the state: Anaconda, Hamilton, Arlee, Libby, Poison, Somers, Great Falls, Lewis- town, Big Timber, Emigrant, and Fromberg in addition to the trout stations, and a combination pike and warm water hatchery at Malta, Montana. The State Department of Fish and Game also contributes to the maintainence and operation of three Federal fish cultural sta- tions located at Miles City, Creston and Ennis, Montana.

The Fish Hatchery planting program in Montana today is an out- standing example of fishery management and cooperation between all agencies and sportsmen. At the time of its inception this program was designed to curtail promiscuous planting of fishes in the entire state and the overlapping of planting by state hatcheries and federal fish hatcheries. Today the hatchery program is still following this procedure and revisions of this program are worked out with the sportsmen's groups in the various hatchery districts in Montana. Under this program a hatchery foreman cannot plant fish unless they are authorized by the program or permission for the planting is obtained from the Helena Office. The Montana Fish and Game Commission has recognized that its moneys to operate come entirely from sportsmen, therefore, it is most unfair to utilize this money for the stocking of private fish ponds that are not open to public fishing.

This program has been adhered to during the biennium, and it

— 31 —

has resulted in several cases, of water being offered for public use to the Fish and Game Department if such water were included in the management program.

Another step forward was made in coordinating the work of the regional biologists in the inspection of streams and lakes in their dis- tricts. This information has been used to adjust planting procedures so the optimum in utilization of fish planted may be enjoyed by the fishing public. Species planted have been changed and size of fish have been changed. Recommendations as to numbers and the stocking of virgin high mountain lakes or re-stocking of non-reproductive lakes, have been accomplished under this program. For many years the planting of fish was entirely done by truck or by pack string into the mountain areas. With a newly acquired department airplane several lakes in each hatchery district were planted with cutthroat trout or other species deemed most suitable for the water in question.

During the biennium, an apartment house that would furnish quarters for the help was constructed at the Anaconda Fish Hatchery. At the Arlee station, a supply pipe line was installed to clear up a bacterial infestation that was hampering and curtailing the trout pro- duction at that station. At the Hamilton station, in place of the shal- low troughs that were furnished by the original John Daly Hatchery, large cement tanks were installed so that we may hold fish to year- ling size within the hatchery, thereby getting larger fish for planting.

At the Great Falls Hatchery, a freezing unit for fish food storage was constructed and all the buildings painted. The Lewistown hatchery has not made any changes during the biennium with the exception that a spring was purchased for use in future development.

At the Big Timber Hatchery a small pipe line was installed to better deliver the water to the outside ponds and raceways. At Emi- grant Hatchery, there were no improvements made and the operations are being carried on according to the planned program. Recognizing the need for additional fish to be planted in the area surrounding Bil- lings, the Fish and Game Commission formulated a plan for the con- struction and maintenance of a rearing station at t romberg, Montana. Thi.<? station has lived up to expectations and has produced catchable size fish for the area near Billings, Red Lodge, Hardin, Absarokee, and Columbus. The original 10 concrete rearing tanks have been added to by the construction of 9 additional dirt raceways at con- siderably less cost than the cement tanks and by experiments shov they will produce as well as cement structures.

The Libby Hatchery has been improved by the addition of a race- way type tank to utilize additional spring water that is available. The future plans are also to include deep tanks in the hatchery so an operational plan such as is being used at both Arlee and Hamilton may be utilized. Construction of water impoundments in Eastern Mon- tana is affording good warm water fishing and to meet this planting need, the Department has developed a pike hatchery and rearing

— 32 —

facilities near Malta, Montana. In cooperation with the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, Walleye pike and great northern pike eggs were hatched and distributed in water suitable for these SF>ecies in the eastern half of Montana.

DISTRIBUTION

The fish distribution in Montana follows along with the planting program. Small units operated by each hatchery carry the major portion of the distribution load. However, for use in Montana 2 large two-ton distribution units are detailed to various hatcheries to aid in their distribution program. These units have a capacity of from 35C to 600 pounds of live fish per load and are kept in first class condi- tion at all times so no fish losses may result during transit. The dis- tribution of fish starts in the spring of the year after the ice breaks up, and continues through September. Fish distribution as to numbers, species and hatcheries will be found on a separate page in the biennial report.

33 —

Fisheries Restoration Section

INTRODUCTION

Another milestone in the Fish and Game Department was passed this biennium when, on July 1, 1951. the first funds from the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act of 1950, commonly known as the Dingell- Johnson Act became available to the Fisheries Division. This act channels federal excise taxes derived from the sale of fishing tackle back to the states to set up fisheriee conservation programs. Many sportsmen and citizens alike believe that fish stocking from hatcher- ies is the answer to all fisheries problems, but, unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as this. Fish, being a product of their environ- ment, prosper and fail directly as environmental factors present are favorable or are not favorable. While the Fisheries Division delved into the problems of productive fishery management prior tc July 1, 1951, the added federal funds have enabled the Department to expand its efforts.

The various projects undertaken during the biennium are briefly described under the following headings:

RANCH FISH POND STUDY

Many landowners as well as sportsmen have indicated an inter- est in the management of small ponds for production of sport fish; therefore, in cooperation with the Montana State College Agricul- tural Experiment Station, the Fish and Game Department has during this biennium completed the first phase in a ranch fish pond study. This study has the widest state interest of any of the Department's fishery studies since it concerns the larger portion of the state's land area. This initial phase dealt mainly with the physical aspects of a pond suited for sport fish. A bulletin' which has been prepared and printed, dealing with the construction and management of Montana's ranch fish ponds, is available free of charge from the Fish and Game Department or the Montana State Experiment Station.

' Brown, C.J.D.. and Nels A. Thoreson. 1951. Ranch fish ponds in Montana, their construction and man- agement. Mont. State College Ag. Exp. Sta., Bull. No. 480, 30 pp .

— 34 —

PRICKLEY PEAR CREEK STUDY

It is realized that the zeal of Montana's fishermen to see ever increasing numbers of fish harvested from the state's waters is sim- ilar to the zeal of ranchers throughout the state to crop from their lands as large a yield of wheat, hay, or cattle as is possible. It is realized too, however, that the ability of water to produce its crop of fish is limited just as is the ability of land to produce its agricultural crops. Little is known in Montana of the size of its fish populations, of the yields that may be expected from its fish crops, or of the need for "seeding" the streams with hatchery trout. Knowing these needs for information to guide fisherj' management, the Fish and Game Commission authorized a trout study on Prickley Pear Creek near Wolf Creek, Montana, which study has been completed during the present biennium.

It has been of fundamental importance to Montana fishery man- agers to learn that Prickley Pear Creek, considered a "fished-out" stream by most anglers, actually contained a fine resident fish popu- lation. During the fishing season for all three years the natural increase in both numbers and weight of fish was either equal to or greater than the catch by the fishermen so that the trout population either increased in size during the fishing season or remained rela- tively stable.

During 1951 there were 2,516 anglers who fished the 15.5 miles of stream embraced by the study section. These caught 2,335 pounds of trout and whitefish, (151 pounds per mile) during the season. The anglers averaged 0.71 fish per man-hour of fishing — 0.96 fish per hour when flies were used as a lure and 0.46 fish per hour when some form of bait was used.

Marked fingerling, hatchery-reared rainbow trout were planted in the stream in the fall and marked legal size, hatchery-reared rain- bow trout were planted in the stream in the spring.

Biologists, wearing waders for protection, send an electric current through

the electrode to temporarily stun the fish population in a carefully measured

census area of Prickley Pear Creek (right.) The Department owns and operates

three electric shockers like the one shown at left.

— 35 —

v

Fish are easily caught after they have

been "shocked" and are placed in wire

holding baskets to be counted, weighed.

measured and tagged (left) to deter-

' ~*i mine growth rates, migration patterns

and other data used in scientific fish- eries management practices. This shocking method in no way harms fish and they resume normal activity within a few minutes. Final sep in the shocking operation is cleaning the nets (right).

Creel census showed that 38 per cent of the legal plant of rain- bows was caught by anglers while only two per cent of the finger- ling plant was caught; however. 93 per cent of the fish caught were wild fish from natural reproduction. Considering the hatchery-reared fish returned to the creel on a monetary basis, each fingerling trout caught cost the Fish and Game Department $1.43 per fish while each legal planted trout cost $0.35. Since 3.000 fingerling and 1.000 legal rainbow trout were planted in the 15.5 miles of stream each year, by noting that these, at considerable cost to the department, contrib- uted only 7 per cent to the catch, it is seen that wise management points to more concentrated efforts on the stream environment itself to insure high, natural production of fish.

--36

IRRIGATION DIVERSION STUDY

As early as 1893 the State Legislature showed concern in their legislative enactments over the loss of fish in irrigation diversions. Since that time various statements of fish loss have appeared in the Department's biennial reports. This problem is and has been a real one, but to date no clear cut answer has been provided to the prob- lem. In Montana, fish screens of varying types have been placed in the canals. None, from Montana's viewpoint, has been completely satisfactory, and all are expensive, not only to install, but especially to maintain.

During the past biennium the Fish and Game Commission took a forward step in authorizing a complete evaluation of the irrigation diversion problem. The study was undertaken cooperatively with the Montana State College Agricultural Experiment Station, and in order to limit activities for the initial phase of the work so that real re- sults might be had, the study was confined to the irrigation diversions of the Gallatin Valley. Briefly tlie findings and recommendations are as follows: i. It has been demonstrated conclusively that fish losses to any one

canal in the Gallatin Valley are small enough so that conventional

type fish screens cannot be installed and maintained economically.

2. If water flows into canals are shut off by a predesigned method, a large proportion of the fish in the canals can be brought back to the river.

3. By altering the picture of cover, that is of overhanging brush, cut- banks, and pools in the canals, fish may be brought back into the river much more readily.

4. The greater proportion of fish enter' canals with the initial flush of water into these canals in the spring. It is recommended that, where possible, irrigation headgate structures should be flushed each spring prior to running water down the canal proper by di- verting water from the canal through a by-pass structure and by- pass canal back to the river. This will shift the fish population from the headgate structure to a point in the river further down- stream.

5. It is clear that unless the problem of providing or insuring ade- quate stream flows is faced objectively, no amount of effort to keep fish out of irrigation canals will succeed.

GRAYLING STUDY

The grayling, once abundant in Montana and Michigan and other portions of North America, has suffered more from the encroach- ment of man than any other fresh water game fish. As man has ex- tended himself and his cultural and economic system throughout the nation, the grayling has retired from its indigenous haunts. While the Arctic subspecies are common in Canada and Alaska, the sub- species found in the United States has receded until Montana has the only stocks in the nation with any degree of magnitude and stability.

But even in Montana the grayling is not secure. Michigan, while realizing that its grayling stocks were receding in abundance, felt a

— 37 —

few years back that it could maintain the species in certain areas. That species is now extinct in Michigan. History tells that the gray- ling was once found in great abundance throughout most all of the Missouri River Drainage in Montana above the Great Falls. Only rare reports are now received of occurrences in this area save from certain headwater streams in Beaverhead County, particularly in Red Rock Creek and the upper part of the Big Hole River. The grayling is still found in certain lakes of Beaverhead, Madison, and Gallatin Counties, and this fish has been introduced successfully into other lakes out- side its original range.

The Montana Fish and Game Commission, realizing the need for prompt action to insure the perpetuation of this Montana native fish authorized an investigation of the status of the grayling, with special effort to be given to the upper Beaverhead River system. As a result of the initial work, the Commission designated the Red Rock Creek Drainage above the Lima Dam as a grayling sanctuary. It is planned that harvest of the grayling in this area by anglers will continue, and that special effort will be made to discourage all exotic fishes in this area and give all possible encouragement to the grayling. Work is being done cooperatively with the Montana State College Agricultural Experiment Station. The Commission also expresses its appreciation to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service which has extended so much help in the work through the Red Rock Nation Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

One of the major factors affecting the grayling within the sanc- tuary has been that induced by the beaver. Beaver have been so complete, so thorough, in their dam construction, that the barriers they constructed have denied the grayling access to their normally accustomed spawning areas. Beaver dam removal has been under- taken, and as a result, grayling runs have been observed in tributar- ies far up to the head of Red Rock Creek. Dam removal is not yet well underway, but even when the dams ha\'e all been removed, the problem will not be solved. A check must be maintained on the size of the beaver population itself or barriers to migrating grayling will quickly be reconstructed.

The grayling is Montana's native fish. It is a fine game fish, and one worth saving.

FISH RESTORATION DISTRICTS

Montana has been divided into six districts or units as illustrated by the accompanying map. These districts were designed for greater economy and efficiency of work so that every portion of the state may have its individual fishery problems given needed attention. It is planned that a trained biologist will be stationed in each area. To date Districts 1, 4, and 6 are operative. These men are responsible for the fishery resources within their districts. By constant observa- tion and study, these men will know their waters and their needs.

— 38 —

MONIANA.

Of the Six Montana fisheries restoration districts shown above, Districts One, Four and Six are now in operation.

They will outline sound and substantial planting programs; will ex- ecute needed restoration measures such as habitat improvement, rough fish control, creation of new fishing waters, and acquisition and de- velopment of fishing areas for public use; and will formulate adequate and needed regulations.

Two noteworthy examples of work done by the district biologists will be given, the first entailed a local problem of a rearing pond and the second a local problem on a popular stream.

Smith Lake is an artificial body of water in Flathead County, and prior to any developmental work, the lake bed was marshy with a slow moving stream passing through. In 1931 the Works Progress Administration financed the building of a dam and a wooden gate. The purpose of the impoundment was for the rearing of trout. In 1948 the Montana Fish and Game Department replaced the wooden structure with one of concrete and built a concrete structure above the pond in order to divert the inlet stream around the lake. The size of the impoundment is 15.7 acres and the deepest part is eight feet.

The usual procedure of releasing the fish is to open the gate and flush the fish down a stream one mile into Whitefish Lake. When the pond is drained, the planks are replaced, the lake is filled with water, and fry cutthroat trout are again planted.

A total of 1,707 cuttroat trout and four eastern brook trout were taken out of the pond in 1951. Thirty thousand cutthroat trout and no eastern brook trout had been planted in 1950. The average length of the 1,707 fish were 6.0 inches with a range of 2.8 to 9.2 inches. Their total weight was 143.94 pounds.

39

The purpose of the work was to make a monetary evaluation of the rearing pond to guide future management FK)licies. Only one year's observations are represented in the figures below. Two more yeers observations will be added to these before the project is completed. The following are the resulting figures: 30,000 fry at $12.50 pr thousand $375.00

(Cost obtained from Somers Fisheries Station Foreman)

Law Enforcement (Pond is closed to fishing) 22.00

Cost of operation (8 man days) 68.80

Transportation (400 miles at 7c) 28.00

Expected return on investment {57< of $5,960 which is cost

of dam to the Department) 298.00

Cost of one year's operation $791.80

Value of fish produced (143.94 pounds at $1.25 per pound, the

cost to raise a pound of fish in the Somers fish hatchery 179.90

Net yearly loss $611.90

The second project mentioned above which was one of the many accomplished by the district biologists was a fieh population survey of Sheep Creek in Meagher County. It is a popular fishing stream parallel for some distance by U. S. Highway 89. Fishing success has declined during the past years, and it was evident that the stream needed a new management plan. A census of the fish population was made by the district fishery man. It was found as is illustrated in the accompanying graph that the Rocky Mountain whitefish constituted 55 per cent of the legal game fish population. This stream is closed to winter fishing when whitefish are normally harvested, so these game fish available to sportsmen who fish the stream constitute only 45 per cent of the legal fish in the stream. Thus, with the increase

CUTTHROAT TROUT 15%

HYBRID 4RBXCT) \.&%

Percent of each species of all legal-sized (7" and loHRer) game fish found in randomly selected sec- tions of Sheep Creek, Meagher County, Montana, 1951.

— 40 —

of the whitefish population, it is obvious why fishing success for trout has declined. Information is thus provided from which fishery managers may design a new and effective plan for this stream.

CONTINUING FISHERIES CENSUS

During the bienniumi as in the past one, a program of fisheries census has been continuing in an effort to catalogue the state's waters for fishery management use.

The program has two parts, creel census and direct stream and lake census. The latter census is done largely by the district biolo- gists, but every opportunity for gathering such information is ac- cepted by all members of the Fish Restoration Section.

The Fish and Game Commission gratefully acknowledges the help given the Department in this program by the Zoology and Entomology Department of the Montana State College. Without the provision they have made for allowing the Department office and laboratory space, specialized equipment, and consultation with staff members, the Continuing Fisheries Census particularly as relates to age and growth of fishes, could not have advanced to the stage of high value it has now reached.

Through the Statewide Creel Census phase of this program, in- formation of fish catches is obtained at a minimum cost to the De- partment. The catch data is analyzed from punch cards and is used by fishery managers in outlining hatchery planting programs, in keeping a check on trends of fishing success, and in outlining the species distributions. The greater part of the information is gathered by the Department's game wardens as they go about their regular duties of enforcement. As will be noted, other sources, however, con- tribute their worthwhile share.

Creel checks by game wardens, guides, and outfitters covered 8,451 anglers during the 1951 fishing season. These fished 29,847 hours to catch 33,495 fish for an average catch of 1.1 fish per man hour and 4.0 fish per man day.

One hundred and fifty-five Fishermen's Logs were returned to the Department after the 1951 fishing season, representing 2,133 fishing trips and 7,852 hours of fishing. These anglers took 13,066 fish for an average catch of 1.7 fish per man hour and 6.1 fish per man day.

During the 1951 regular open season, catch records were received from 399 trout streams, seven non-trout streams, 122 trout lakes, and eight non-trout lakes.

DISEASE AND NUTRITION STUDY

Recognizing that stocking fish in Montana streams is one of the major undertakings of the Fish and Game Department, a project was set up under the Dingell-Johnson program to study nutritional prob- lems and disease problems of the trout hatcheries in Montana. Fish planting, whether for initial stocking in virgin lakes, or for other substantial purposes, should be done with fish that are raised to withstand the rigors of introduction into wild waters. Discussions with

— 41 —

different fisheries managers disclosed that, to obtain the highest re- turn of sportsmen's money, every effort should be made to produce and use for stocking, healthy conditioned fish.

During the biennium, a disease and nutrition project was insti- tuted and the biologist detailed to this project was sent to the Uni- versity of Washington for two months by the Fish and Game Com- mission to obtain a library on research work pertaining to these two problems. After returning to Montana the biologist has worked with several hatcheries, but particularly the Arlee hatchery, to diagnose disease problem^ and to prescribe control measures that will enable the hatchery installations to carry on in their districts the raising and distribution of fishes.

Problems continually arising in the feeding of fishes and in the diets and nutritional problems will be worked out as the need arises in each particular installation.

42

S^atcdtced

'■■^^

"•■■^•^•s-'--.

'^^^§

STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

STATEMENT OF INCOME

May 1, 1950— April 30, 1951

Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Shipping Permits:

Resident Bird and Fish 159,284 a $ 3.00 $477,852 00

Resident Big Game 87,261 r„ 2.00 174,522.00

Non-Resident 3-Day Fishing 23,664 i<i 2.50 59,160.00

Non-Resident Rishing 3.741 oi 10.00 37,410.00

Non-Resident Bird 124 (a 25.00 3,100.00

Non-Resident Big Game 897 (n 100.00 89,700.00

Shipping Permits 4,124 w .60 2,474.40

Special Moose Permits 76 «' 25.00 1,900.00

Special Antelope Permits 8,345 «i 5.00 41,725.00

Special Elk Licenses 245 ^ 1.00 245.00

Special Deer Licenses 1,513 @ 5.00 7,565.00

$ 895,653.40

Less Dealers' Fees 27,472.90

Net Income from Sale of 1950 Licenses $ 868,180.50

1949 Accounts Paid During Above Period 4 510 60

Less Refund on Cash Receipt No. 3529— June, 1950 — H Wilson .50

Total Income from Hunting and Fishing License Sales S 872,690.60

Licenses and Permits Other Than Above:

General Trappers' Licenses 934 (« $ 10.00 $ 9,340.00

Land Owner Trappers' Licenses 490 (3 1.00 490.00

Beaver Tags _ 11.447 @ .50 5.723.50

Beaver Trapping Permits 1.487 19,367.00

Guides' and Outfitters Licenses 119 (ff 5.00 595.00

Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses 52 (ft 10.00 520.00

Taxidermist Licenses 12 (S 15.00 180.00

Certificates of Identification 822 fri .50 411.00

Fur Dealer Agents' Licenses 22 (d 10.00 220.00

Non-Resident Fur Dealers' Licenses 2 (?i 50.00 100.00

Minnow Seining Permits 12 (a 10.00 120.00

Rough Fish Seining Permit 1 (« 50.00 50.00

Alien Gun Permit 1 (a 25.00 25.00

Outfitters' Licenses 140 @ 10.00 1,400.00

Miscellaneous Revenue:

Fines $ 28,213.40

Confiscations— Sale of Fish and Meats 5,647.21

Other Revenue 6,157.27

Confiscation.s — Sale of Hides and Furs 8,427.35

Royalty on Beaver Sold 7.50

Extra Beaver Granted on Beaver Permits 167.00

38.541.50

$ 48,619.73

TOTAL OF ABOVE ' $ 959,851.83

Wildlife Restoration Income by Federal Reimbursement 268,664.02

TOTAL INCOME TO DEPARTMENT, MAY 1 1950-APRIL 30, 1951 $ 1,228.515.85

— 44 ••

STATE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT STATEMENT OF INCOME

May 1, 1951— April 30, 1952

Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Shipping Permits :

Resident Bird and Fish 170,449 («• $ 3.00 $ 511,347.00

Resident Big Game 100,740 «< 2.00 201,480.00

Non-Resident 3-Day Fishing 24,790 M 2.50 61,975.00

Non-Resident Fishing 4,385 ui 10.00 43.850.00

Non-Resident Bird 216 (n 25.00 5.400.00

Non-Resident Big Game 1,245 «* 100.00 124,500.00

Shipping Permits . 5,239 (n- .60 3,143.40

Special Moose Permits 105 (« 25.00 2,625.00

Special Antelope Permits 9,272 <-i 5.00 46,360.00

Special Elk Licenses S57 @ 1.00 357.00

Special Deer Licenses 1,254 @ 5.00 6,270.00

$ 1,007,307.40 Less Dealers' Fees 30,256.70

Net Income from Sale of 1951 Licenses $ 977,050.70

1950 Accounts Paid During Above Period 5,478.00

Total Income From Huntiiig and Fishing License Sales . $ 982,528.70

Licenses and Permits Other Than Above:

General Trappers" Licenses 890 @ $ 10.00 $ 8,900.00

Land Owner Trappers' ^^icenses 460 (ft 1.00 460.00

Beaver Tags 12.582 «< .50 6,291.00

Beaver Trapping Permits 1,427 18,625.00

Guides' and Outfitters Licenses 163 «» 10.00 1,630.00

Resident Fur Dealers Licenses 50 (fv 10.00 500.00

Taxidermist Licenses 11 (S 15.00 165.00

Certificate of Identification 876 Ca .50 438.00

Fur Dealer Agent Licenses 26 @ 10.00 260.00

Non-Resident Fur Dealer Licenses... 3 @ 50.00 150.00

Minnow Seining Permits 15 @ 10.00 150.00

Rough Fish Seining Permits 1 @ 50.00 50.00

Alien Gun Permit 1 @ 25.00 25.00

Miscellaneous Revenue:

Fines $ 35,091.61

Confiscations — Sale of Fish and Meats 6,755.14

Other Revenue 59,299.19

Royalty on Beaver Sold 8.00

Extra Beaver Granted on Beaver Permits 164.00

Sale of Elk Study 1.00

$ 37,644.00

$ 101,318.94

TOTAL OF ABOVE $ 1,121,491.64

Wildlife Restoration Income by Federal Reimbursement 154,533.84

Dingell-Johnson Income by Federal Reimbursement 12,737.33

TOTAL INCOME TO DEPARTMENT MAY 1, 1951— APRIL 30, 1952 .. $ 1,288,762.81

-45-

RECAPITULATION OF DISBURSEMENTS

May 1, 1950— April 30, 1951

COMMISSIONERS S 7,268.92

ADMINISTRATION 88,608.01

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 8,393.47

PREDATOR CONTROL 46,096.04

MISCELLANEOUS :

Game Damage Expense $ 8,951.38

Shop and Warehouse 21,826.75

Printing Licenses — Maps 18,291.35

Refunds 232.90

University Research Unit 3.915.99

Appropriation to Purchasing Department 3,937.50

Other Field Projects 1,699.07

Insurance — Automobile-Buildings 881.86

TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS $ 59.736.80

ENFORCEMENT 229,264.12

FISHERIES DIVISION: Hatcheries:

Anaconda $ 29,899.66

Arlee 24,885.02

Big Timber 16,218.64

Bluewater 12,988.71

Emigrant 16,747.70

Great Falls 29,539.27

Hamilton 13,871.43

Lewistown 26,303.14

Libb.v 13,943.31

McNeil 5,409.28

Ovando 827.33

Poison 5,560.78

Somei's 13.564.37

Crestcn, Ennis, Miles City (Fed.).... 13,834.54

Spawning Stp.ticns . $ 4,686.66

Other Field Projects 49,805.41

TOTAL FISHERIES DIVISION $ 278,085.25

GAME FARMS:

Billings $ 18,392.76

Fort Peck 19,913.87

Warm Springs 15.948.76

Moiese

TOTAL GAME FARMS $ 54,255.39

WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION 214,166.28

TOTAL EXPENDITURES DURING FISCAL YEAR 985,874.28

— 46

RECAPITULATION OF DISBURSEMENTS

May 1, 1951— April 30. 1952

COMMISSIONERS $ 6.918.11

ADMINISTRATION 106.526.26

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 14,634.49

PREDATOR CONTROL 31.965.82

MISCELLANEOUS :

Game Damage Expense $ 12,910.51

Shop and Warehouse 36,904.37

Printing Licenses — Maps 13.178.86

Refunds 229.43

University Research Unit 7,047.52

Appropriation to Purchasing Department 2,669.94

Other Field Projects 2,580.65

Insurance — Automobiles-Buildings 7,645.78

TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS $ 83,167.06

ENFORCEMENT 268,251.91

FISHERIES DIVISION: Hatcheries:

Anaconda $ 49,559.86

Arlee 40,938.03

Big Timber 12,856.27

Bluewater 14,730.72

Emigrant 16,251.47

Great Falls 35,148.14

Hamilton 11,315.77

Lewistown 23,437.46

Libby 23,675.16

McNeil 12,828.92

Ovando 8,112.30

Poison 5,652.99

Somers 13,701.64

Creston, Ennis, Miles City (Fed) .. 14.432.65

Spawning Stations $ 5.625.90

Other Field Projects 16,503.15

Federal Aid Program 37,617.70

TOTAL FISHERIES DIVISION $ 352,222.00

GAME FARMS:

BiUings $ 17,174.96

Fort Peck 23,997.38

Warm Springs 14,355.18

Moiese 687.01

TOTAL GAME FARMS $ 56,214.53

WILDLIFE RESTORATION FEDERAL AID 186,972.89

TOTAL EXPENDITURES DURING FISCAL YEAR $ 1,106,873.07

— 47 —

DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES For Fiscal Years Ending April 30. 1951 and April 30, 1952

APRIL APRIL.

1951 1952

COMMISSIONERS

Per Diem and Expense $ _. 7 ,268.92 $ 6,918.11

ADMINISTRATION

Operation ,

Capital Expenditures

Repairs and Replacements

TOTAL

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Operation

Capital Expenditures _

Repairs and Replacements

	83,410.15 4,349.12 848.74	101,164.37 4,662.21 699.68
$	88,608.01	$ 106,526.26
$	6,983.47 1,387.30 22.70	$ 10,652.80 2,677.15 1,304.54

TOTAL

PREDATOR CONTROL

Aid to Federal Control Program Bounties Paid

$_	8,393.47	__$	14,634.49
$	42,748.17 3,347.87	$	28,797.69 3,168.13
$_	46,096.04	$	31.965.82

TOTAL $_

MOIESE EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Operation -•■ $ 444.51

Capital Expenditures 210.00

Repair and Replacement 32.50

TOTAL $ 687.01

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS

Game Damage — Salaries and Expense $ 8,755.22 $ 12.910.51

Shop and Warehouse 8,202.52 26.225.60

Printing Licenses and Permits 18,291.35 13,178.86

Refunds 232.90 229.43

Feed and Salt (For Game Animals) 6.84

Fairs and Expositions 619.60 836.81

Surveys. Plans. Assessments, Water Use,

Lease of Lands 630.56 672.27

Checking Stations 645.07 1,064.73

Insurance — Automobile, Buildings, Equipment 881.86 7,645.78

TOTAL _ $ 38,259.08 $ 62,770.83

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH UNIT

Operation $ 3,683.20 $ 5,758.97

Capital Expenditures 179.00 1,278.10

Repair and Replacement 53.79 10.45

TOTAL $ 3,915.99 ^ 7,047.52

ENFORCEMENT

Operation $ 219,267.04 $ 252,188.15

Capital Expenditures 6,990.78 12,772.44

Repairs and Replacements 3,006.30 3.291.32

TOTAL $ 229.264.12 $ 268.251.91

— 48 —

DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES (Continued)

APRIL APRIL

1951 1952 FISHERIES— GENERAL.

Operation $ 5,047.95 $ 6,974.90

Capital Expenditures 1,959.36 950,28

Repairs and Replacements 400.56 384.47

TOTAL $ 7,407._87 $ 8,309^5

HATCHERY— ANACONDA

Operation $ 28,988.22 $ 27,494.29

Capital Expenditures 175.18 20.222.88

Repairs and Replacements 736.26 1,842.69

TOTAL ^ $ 29,899^66 $ 49,559.86

HATCHERY— ARLEE "

Operation $ 23,539.41 $ 21,325.14

Capital Expenditures 172.18 13,957.33

Repairs and Replacements 1,173.43 5,655.56

TOTAL ■$ 24,885.02 $ 40,938.03

HATCHERY— BIG TIMBER

Operation $ 14,659.91 $ 12,021.92

Capital Expenditures 326.84 127.91

Repairs and Replace^nents 1,231.89 706.44

TOTAL $16,218.64 $ 12,856^7

HATCHERY— BLUEWATER SPRINGS

Operation $ 10,595.83 $ 12,322.92

Capital Expenditures 316.87 289.92

Repairs and Replacements 2,076.01 2,117.88

TOTAL $

HATCHERY— CRESTON (Federal)

Operation $

12,988.7L	_$„	_ 14,730.72
5,004.23	$	5,015.40
5,00^.23	5,015.40

TOTAL $

HATCHERY— EMIGRANT

Operation $ 15.919.50 $ 13,856.55

Capital Expenditures 491.44 1,802.56

Repairs and Replacements 326.76 592.36

TOTAL $ 16,747.70 $ 16,251.47

HATCHERY— ENNIS (Federal)

Operation $ 4,870.32 $ 4,658.03

Capital Expenditures 32.85 54.60

Repairs and Replacements 130.74 373.32

TOTAL $ 5,033.91 $ 5.085.95

HATCHERY— GREAT FALLS

Operation $ 26,936.91 $ 30,468.10

Capital Expenditures 190.01 3,520.83

Repairs and Replacements 2,412.35 1,159.21

TOTAL $ 29,539.27 $ 35,148.14

— 49

DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES (Continued)

APRIL APRIL

1951 1952

HATCHERY— HAMILTON

Operation $ 9,563.85 $ 10,076.60

Capital Expenditures 77.77 495.04

Repairs and Replacements 4,229.81 744.13

TOTAL S 13,871.43 S 11,315.77

HATCHERY— LEWISTOWN

Operation $ 24,833.95 S 20.614.14

Capital Expenditures 20.82 2.030.33

Repairs and Replacements 1.448.37 792.99

TOTAL $_ 26.303.14 $ 23,437.46

HATCHERY— LIBBY ~

Operation $ 12,565.70 $ 16.517.84

Capital Expenditures 353.36 4.059.48

Repairs and Replacements 1,024.25 3,097.84

TOTAL $ 13,943.31 $ 23.675.16

HATCHERY— McNEIL

Operation $ 4.736.31 $ 7,648.66

Capital Expenditures 303.06 4,048.76

Repairs and Replacements 369.91 1,131.50

TOTAL $ 5,409.28 $ 12,828.92

HATCHERY— MILES CITY (Federal)

Operation $ 3,796.40 $ 4.064.31

Capital Expenditures 266.99

TOTAL $ 3,796.40 $ 4,331.30

HATCHERY— OVANDO

Operation $ $ 4,964 41

Capital Expenditures 827.33 1,552.33

Repairs and Replacements 1.595.56

TOTAL „ $ _ 827.33

HATCHERY— POLSON "~

Operation $ 4.253.65

Capital Expenditures 941.78

Repairs and Replacements 363.35

TOTAL S 5,560.78

HATCHERY^SOMERS

Operation S 11 735.65

Capital Expenditures .. ^^a.es

Repaiis and Replacements 1 534.06

TOTAL $ 13,564.37

SPAWNING STATIONS

Operation $ 4,648 51

Capital Expenditures 13 15

Repairs and Replacements 25.00

TOTAL $ _ 4.686.66

$	8,112.30
s	5,139.16 129.00 334.83
$	5.652.99
s $	11.695.65 331.16 1.674.83 13.70164
s	5.070.3G 555.54
$	5,625.90

— 50 —

DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES (Continued)

APRIL APRIL

1951 1952

OTHER FIELD PROJECTS

Operation _ _ $ 14,882.16 $ 4,504.90

Capital Expenditures 324.78 2,834.70

Repairs and Replacements -... 395.53 853.90

TOTAL -.-$ 15,602.47 $ 8,193.50

FISHERIES RESTORATION

Operation NONE $ 26.940.02

Capital Expenditures 10,256.79

Repairs and Replacements _ 420.89

TOTAL - $ $ 37,617.70

FISHERIES RESEARCH

Operation $ 23,749.06 $ 7,515.74

Capital Expenditures 2,421.87 2,026.52

Repairs and Replacement 624.14 291.61

TOTAL $ 26,795.07 $ 9.833.87

GAME FARM— BILLINGS

Operation $ 15,665.10 $ 16,037.87

Capital Expenditures 1,753.99 1,081.65

Repairs and Replacements _ 973.67 55.44

TOTAL ; $ 18,392.76 $ 17,174.96

GAME FARM— FORT PECK

Operation „ $ 16,155.16 $ 17,877.56

Capital Expenditures 250.71 2,168.42

Repairs and Replacement 3,508.00 3,951.40

TOTAL...... $ 19,913.87 $ 23,997.38

GAME FARM— WARM SPRINGS

Operation „ _.$ 14,914.22 $ 13,264.37

Capital Expenditures 486.94 409.33

Repairs and Replacements 547.60 681.48

TOTAL $ 15,948.76 $ 14,355.18

VvILDLIFE RESTORATON DIVISION

Operation „ $ 157,993.92 $ 144,541.04

Capital Expenditures 49,218.44 34,509.94

Repairs and Replacements 6,953.92 7,921.91

TOTAL $ 214,166.28 $ 186,972.89

WAREHOUSE STORES $_ 13.624.23 $ 10,678.77

MONTANA STATE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT .$ 3.937.50 $ 2.669.94

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 985,874^28 $1,106,873.07

RECAPITULATION OF FUNDS

May 1, 1950 to April 30, 1951

and May 1, 1951 to April 30, 1952

Balance Forward April 30, 1950 $ 220,390.79

Income May 1, 1950— April 30, 1951 1,228,515.85

Funds Available During Period 1950-51 $ 1,448,906.64

Disbursements During Period 1950-51 985,874.28

Balance April 30. 1951 $ 463,032.36

Income May 1, 1951— April 30, 1952 1,288,762.81

Funds Available During Period 1951-52 $1,751,795.17

Disbursements During Period 1951-52 1.106,873.07

Balance April 30, 1952 $ 644,922.10

— 51 —

FISH AND GAME VIOLATIONS By Counties

May 1, 1950 May 1, 1951

to to

AprU 30, 1951 April 30. 1952

Beaverhead 39 29

Big Horn 11 12

Blaine „. 3

Broadwater 20 6

Carbon 8 31

Carter 2 3

Cascade 13 20

Chouteau 7 3

Custer 9 8

Daniels ^ ,

Dawson 5

Deer Lodge 21 S!7

Fallon 4

Fergus 8 4

Flathead 42 61

Gallatin 37 33

Garfield 1

Glacier 5 1

Golden Valley 4 4

Granite 6 19

Hill 2 2

Jefferson 8 10

Judith Basin 9 2

Lake 10 17

Lewis and Clark 19 32

Liberty 1

Lincoln. 20 21

Madison 49 25

McCone ~ _ 16 1

Meagher 10 4

Mineral 18 28

Missoula 28 30

Musselshell 6 4

Park 54 66

Petroleum

Phillips '"a "'5

Pondera 8 IS

Powder River 4 g

Powell 8 12

Prairie 1

Ravalli 15 12

Richland 5 8

Roosevelt 19

Rosebud 15 5

Sanders 16 21

Sheridan _ 2 6

Silver Bow 9 6

Stillwater 26 23

Sweet Grass 4 9

Teton 21 33

Toole 4 3

Treasure 4 2

Valley , 14 8

Wheatland 10 6

Wibaux _ __

Yellowstone 23 30

TOTALS

674 741

FISH AND GAME LAW VIOLATIONS

Classified as Follows

May 1,1950 May 1. 1951

to to

April 30. 1951 April 30. 1952

Fishing Violations (All Types) 276 237

Big Game Hunting (All Types) 290 335

Trapping 18 14

Improper Licenses 33 52

Game Bird (All Types) 57 103

TOTALS 674 741

— 52 —

1950 LICENSE SALES BY COUNTIES

May 1, 1950 to April 30, 1951

■C H *' *i

£ d e d

r « 0) 4>

** 01 « iQ O 4>

County Sfi Art -wM fiM* va ^«>

01 -M «-~ o.iS o.<s o£ o™ a« o

tfoa tica Hb Zb, ztt^ zn wo^ h

Beaverhead 2,913 1,812 2,525 240 4 56 7,550

Big Horn 1,517 688 120 55 3 2,383

Blaine 978 362 17 1,357

Broadwater 1,127 799 69 9 13 2,008

Carbon 2,811 1,485 295 53 4,644

Carter 452 399 8 859

Cascade 14,522 7,060 374 91 3 43 22.093

Chouteau 1,653 928 42 2 2,625

Custer 2,358 1,285 56 15 4 3,718

Daniels 460 170 1 631

Dawson 1,708 842 26 8 2 2,586

Deer Lodge 3,900 1,862 468 47 5 6,282

FaUon 630 402 5 5 1 1,043

Fergus 5,296 4,039 278 33 17 9,663

Flathead 12,022 6,965 1,581 303 7 39 20,917

Gallatin 7,566 4,044 6,706 868 10 138 19,332

Garfield 398 297 14 2 711

Glacier 2,016 596 190 31 2 23 2 858

Golden VaUey 388 275 22 685

Granite 1,093 702 99 16 3 1 913

Hill 3,021 896 49 14 1 9 3,990

Jefferson 1,185 816 125 22 5 2,153

Judith Basin 1,063 866 48 4 9 1,990

Lake 4,051 1,660 1,037 115 11 5 6.879

Lewis and Clark 7,662 4,878 554 115 3 129 13 341

Liberty 355 86 6 1 .... 448

Lincoln 3,379 2,319 1,142 159 3 11 7,0l3

Madison 2,374 1,440 1,619 157 7 30 5 627

McCone 450 187 13 650

Meagher 984 771 98 16 10 1 879

Mineral „ 1,011 727 644 410 5 12 2 809

Missoula 10.315 5,857 981 205 19 107 17,484

Musselshell 1,658 1,066 132 8 2 864

Park _ „ 4,408 3,028 607 94 ..._. 97 8,234

Petroleum 278 213 1 1 _. 493

Phillips 1,216 846 14 11 2,078

Pondera 2,329 927 90 16 1 2 3,365

Powder River 559 449 11 5 1,024

Powell 1.851 1,271 167 35 23 3 347

Prairie 330 170 9 3 512

Ravalli ..._ 4,047 2,433 648 83 1 26 7.238

Richland 1,497 699 10 2 6 2,214

Roosevelt _ 1,839 812 49 7 5 1 2,713

Rosebud 1,075 763 20 8 1,866

Sanders 2,490 1,761 809 123 9 11 5,203

Sheridan 1,059 406 6 2 10 5 1,488

Silver Bow 11,068 4,894 536 72 1 13 16,584

Stillwater 1,992 1,307 215 40 6 3,560

Sweet Grass 1,373 998 195 45 ..._. 3 2,614

Teton 2,088 1,123 78 8 16 3,313

Toole 1,561 485 53 9 2,108

Treasure 208 179 3 390

Valley 2,728 859 230 27 1 2 3.847

Wheatland 1.390 1,028 105 21 2 7 2,553

Wibaux 273 169 14 5 461

Yellowstone ..._ 12,309 5,860 450 130 8 24 18,781

Special Moose 76 76

Special Antelope 8,345 8,345

Special Elk 245 245

Special Deer 1,513 1,513

Totals 159.284 87,261 23,664 3,741 124 897 10,179 285,150

— 53 —

1951 LICENSE SALE BY COUNTIES May 1, 1951 to April 30, 1952

County

tin

4)

So

tin

I -^ I ,

S

er 2fa

zoa

•SE

B.4)

cnCU

o

Beaverhead

Big Horn

Blaine

Broadwater

Carbon

Carter

Cascade

Chouteau

Custer

Daniels

Dawson

Deer Lodge

Fallon

Fergus

Flathead

Gallatin

Garfield

Glacier

Golden Valley

Granite

Hill

Jefferson

Judith Basin

Lake

Lewis and Clark..

Liberty ,

Lincoln

Madison

McCcne

Meagher

Mineral

Missoula

Musselshell .

Park

Petroleum

Phillips

Pondera

Powder Rive.-

Powell

Prairie

Ravalli

Richland

Roosevelt

Rcscbud

Sanders

Sheridan Silver Bow .

Stillwater

Sweet Grass

Toole

Teton

Treasure Valley

vVheatland

Wibaux

Yellowstone

Special Moose Special Antelope Special Elk Special Deer Totals

3,037 1.551 1,143 1,141 2,887

587

16,184

1,701

2,654

545 1.913 4,002

766

5,633

12,800

7,672

442 2,071

397 1,149 3,191 1,255 1,090 4,262 8,448

340 4,118 2,333

499 1,076 1.101 10.749 1.672 4,591

329 1,335 2,417

618 2,075

385 4.103 1.748 2.034 1.265 2.780 1.114 11.783 2.023 1.404 1.638 2.127

240 2.778 1.489

312 13.4.52

1.789

911

554

899

1,667

520

8,428

942

1,863

313

1,122

1.902

608

4,541

7,955

4,682

360

573

312

787

1,121

883

902

1,779

5,583

81

2.812

1.519

300

793

887

6,218

1,201

3.477

283

964

988

514

1.519

270

2.576

1.107

1.117

1.121

2.016

647

5.384

1,342

1.093

568

1.185

192

954

1,116

212

7.288

2,498

109

16

60

284

4

460

42

27

2

25

566

10

278

1,801

6,623

16

185

24

116

74

105

63

1.333

518

2

1,114

1,593

13

96

673

1,202

95

652

3

19

90

7

207

9

821

8

33

8

845

5

686

168

222

30

80

1

217

135

15

502

254 4

29 5

2 1 5

48

1

88 13

3

11

■■■12 "3

57

3 1

39

323 10

1,050 6

3

25 2

1

15

17

10

10

170 22

79 5

1

156 2

170 7

"19 '.'..'.'.'.

623 20

219 31

7 1 147

"1 '3

11 1 3

33 1

3

115 4

2 18 14 3

8 1 150 11

1 13

119 1 36 45

145

11

46 6

4 88

1 11

"15

76

202

21

16 11 11 3 11 139

4 39

""■•4

16

129

4

110

3

32

63 9 4

15 1

35 8 8

17	2
17	7	23
28	3	3
31	5	11
9

55

170,449 100,740 24,790 4,385 216 1,245

105

9,272

357

1,254

10.988

7,628 2.611 1.716 2,105 4.890 1,112 25,261 2,688 4,563

860

3,076

6,538

1.388

10,506

22,965

20,235

821 2,877

734 2,083 4,414 2,264 2,068 7,577 14,772

424 8,206 5,661

812 1,988 3,320 18,548 2,980 8,977

615 2.322 3,510 1,142 3,867

667 7,682 2,892 3,205 2,402 5,817 1,781 18,008 3,577 2,772 2,255 3,439

433 3.983 2.787

548 21.453

105 9,272

357

1,254

312.813

— 54 —

FISH PLANTED FROM SOMERS HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 686,240 IV2

190,385 2

35,640 4

Rainbow 1,080 4

Sockeye Salmon 977,200 Fry

238,130 11/2

Mackinaw 42,000 2

TOTAL 2,170,675

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 87,408 Fry

29,000 Ad Fry

954,640 1

20,968 11/2

126.334 2

33,600 3

55,065 4

480 Adult

Sockeye Salmon 2,187,337 Fry

120,000 11/2

Silver Salmon 18,000 2

Mackinaw 34,200 1^

Grayling 1,700,000 Fry

TOTAL 7,537,707

FISH PLANTED FROM EMIGRANT HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 476,000 1

3.360 31/2

Rainbow 151,600 I1/2

40 000 2

117,090 31/2

Brook Trout 69,000 2

Loch Leven 201,000 1%

TOTAL 1,058.050

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 175.000 1

62,000 IV4

12.050 1%

38.400 3%

Rainbow .". 7,«00 Fry

48,700 11^

39,400 4

77,500 5

Brook 63.100 2

4,950 4

Loch Leven 142,450 2

23,400 5

TOTAL 794,750

— 55 —

FISH PLANTED FROM LIBBY HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 6,280 2

Brook 850 6

150 Adult

Sockeye 368,000 Fry

TOTAL 375,280

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Number

Species

Black Spotted 208,404

135.000

236,000

106,900

27,250

543

Rainbow 5.000

60.000

1.500

18,000

3.840

500

Brook 3,870

2,905

Sockeye 40,000

Silver Salmon 5,460

Grayling 390,000

TOTAL 1,245,172

Size

Fry Ad Fry 1

11/2

2-3

2 1/2

Fry

1

2

2-4

5^

Adult

61A

Adult

Fry

3

Fry

FISH PLANTED FROIVI POLSON HATCHERY May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 278.700 2

Rainbow 266,800 2

Sockeye 1,376,000 Fry

TOTAL 1,921,500

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952

Species Number

Black Spotted 548,300

Sockeye 1,583,400

TOTAL 2,131,700

Size

1 Fry

— 56 —

FISH PLANTED FROM LEWISTOWN HATCHERY May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 32,250 IV2

Rainbow 76,671 1

62,780 IV2

5,926 2

1,260 3

66,470 5

3,960 51/2

45,674 6

35,668 7

4,160 Adult

Brook 6,371 1

4,639 3

2,880 4V2

3,520 5

4,060 51/2

Sockeye 2,700 4

Loch Leven 25,880 1

38,560 IV2

16,920 2

3,100 4

TOTAL 443,449

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 101,172 1

2,830 7

Rainbow 92,664 1

20,572 IV2

6,557 2

10,860 3

75,686 6

65,474 7

Brook 13,515 1

30,787 2

4,180 4

Sockeye 39,280 IV2

5,430 3

Loch Leven 25,638 1

87,496 2

118,820 3

22,000 4

TOTAL 722,961

57

FISH PLANTED FROM GREAT FALLS HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 177.800 1

Brook 17.000 2V2

1,000 3

111,700 3V2

Loch Leven 79,000 2V2

Rainbow 36,000 Ad Fry

51,200 1

30,000 1%

55.200 4

114,110 5

39.800 5%

33,220 6

5,200 7

7,200 8

Grayling 200,000 Fry

Walleye 750.000 Fry

TOTAL 1,708.430

May 1, 1951 through April 30. 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 102,800 1

60,850 1%

Brook 5.625 2

3,000 3

23,040 3%

8.400 4

44.000 4%

Loch Leven : 79.400 2

Rainbow 141.520 1^^

9.000 2

2,000 3

23,640 5

6 360 6

50,240 7

47,730 8

33.S00 A

Silver Salmon 7,200 3

TOTAL				. 648,405
FISH	PLANTED FROIM BLUEWATER HATCHERY
	May	1,	1950	through April 30, 1951
Species Rainbov/				Number 5.000 39,500 3,052	Size
				5 5%
TOTAL	47,552
Species Black Spotted	May	1,	1951	through April 30, 1952 Number 31.900 210 17.068 117.490 31.442 20.033 810	Size 5V2
Rainbow				7% 4
	•	4% 5 6 6%
TOTAL				218,953

58 —

FISH PLANTED FROM ARLEE HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 Species Number

Black Spotted 15,000

251,309 420,344

Rainbow 1,500

214,962

21,360

130

Brook 26,800

9,398 Loch Leven 62,154

TOTAL 1,022,957

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number

Black Spotted 738,695

29,750

Rainbow 228,826

36,084 13,680 462 16,812 15,819 5,811

Brook 5,695

1,600 Loch Leven 32,940

TOTAL 1,126,174

Size

Ad Fry 1

1

11/2

2

Adult 2

Adult 11/2

Size

Ad Fry

4

Ad Fry

iy2

51/2 6

6^A

7

Adult

6 1/2

Adult

IV2

FISH PLANTED FROM MILES CITY (Federal-State Cooperative) HATCHERY May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Snecies Num,ber

Walleye 2,568,000

Great Northern 2,000

Bass 50

20,790

43,205

Craopie 24.827

Bullhead 26,010

Bluegill .... 50

TOTAL , 2,684,932

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number

Walleye 1,800 000

2,600

Great Northern 781,000

Bass, Large Mouth 78,000

57,005 Bluegill 1 3,926

TOTAL 2,722,531

— 59 —

Size

Fry

Fry

Ad Fry

2

4

2

3

Adult

Size

Fry

3

Fry

Fry

4

1

FISH PLANTED FROM BIG TIMBER HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 106,820 EE

144,616 iy4

10,000 2%

Rainbow 25,186 EE

242,048 iy4

126,000 2%

17,250 2%

18,500 3

Brook 136,000 2

15,800 3%

2,400 4

Loch Leven 97.632 Wa

142,400 1%

64,000 1%

27,090 4

21,120 5

TOTAL 1,196,862

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 89,548 1%

Rainbow 306.816 1%

46,750 3

Brook 61,500 3

Loch Leven 96,000 1%

29,760 3%

85,890 4

Sockeye 243,760 Fry

TOTAL 960,024

FISH PLANTED FROM HAMILTON HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951 **

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 23.150 3

Rainbow 87,324 3%

Silver Salmon 35,300 2

Loch Leven 124,460 1%

TOTAL 270.234

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 40.000 Fry

80,700 1

273,474 3

10,000 4

Rainbow 48,700 3%

Silver Salmon 17,680 3

Loch Leven 85,170 1%

TOTAL 555,724

— 60 —

FISH PLANTED FROM ANACONDA HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number Size

Black Spotted 300,340 1

45,287 3

4,500 3%

262,372 4

Rainbow 99,325 Ad Fry

2,560 1-^

3,000 3

21,186 4%

123,766 5

6,130 5%

106,353 6

8,652 6%

21,877 7

1,500 8

Grayling 4,700,000 Fry

3,550 6

Brook 880 2

1,208 5%

10,164 , 6

Silver Salmon 12,000 3

Loch Leven 97,920 1^

3,850 5%

2,100 6

TOTAL 5,838,520

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952 Species Number Size

Black Spotted 337,320 1

15,360 11/^

15,271 5 -

21 957 6

Rainbow 68',560 1%

122,990 4

21,508 5

1,237 6

■ 17,282 7

Grayling 3,370,000 Fry

2,800 5

5,544 6

Brook 3,060 5

15,153 6

540 7

500 8

Silver Salmon 67,625 3

Loch Leven 88,600 1%

16,340 4

500 6

TOTAL 4,192,146

— 61

FISH PLANTED FROM CRESTON

(Federal- State Coperative) HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number

Black Spotted 1,483,350

198,000

120,520

102,880

94,664

2,688

5,270

4,048

Rainbow 24,960

32.688

23,360

1,080

447

5,182

3,300

Brook 62,576

17,256

468

3,248

5,234

Dolly Varden 59,410

Mackinaw 23,516

TOTAL 2,274,145

Size

1

3 4 5

ev2

7

9

2

3

4

6

12

7

8

3

4

12

7

8

3

4

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952

Species Number

Black Spotted 1,392,000

267,840

223,935

113,552

68,331

29,875

959

Rainbow 107,952

220

45,000

17,940

12,640

1,492

1,680

698

Brook 5,064

Dolly Varden 14,542

5,226

Mackinaw 20,390

4,599

TOTAL 2,333,935

Size

Adult

1

1%

3

4

5

6

Adult

IV2

2

2

3

4

6

7

9

7

4

8

4

7

— 62 —

FISH PLANTED FROM McNEIL HATCHERY

May 1, 1950 through April 30, 1951

Species Number Size

Walleye Pike 3,325,000 not known

Large Mouth Bass 5,650 not known

TOTAL 3,330,650

May 1, 1951 through April 30, 1952

Species Number Size

Walleye Pike 4,382.000 not known

Northern Pike 368,650 not known

Large Mouth Bass 9,450 not known

TOTAL 4,760,100

MCKEE aS^^^ PRINT.

-- 63