s 799 F2br 1986-1987 BIENNIAL REPORT 1986-1987 STATE DOCUMFMTS COLLECTION 00 .. ^Ij MONTAMA STATE LIBRARY 1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MOraANA 59S20 '^- - * ^l?f": '. S.^" -l-s, 'Fisll.'WiUaifeCSlTarli^ MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 3 0864 0016 1685 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages Organization 1 Department Funding 4 Operating Expenditures 6 Divisions : Centralized Services 8 Conservation Education 11 Enforcement 13 Field Services 15 Fisheries 16 Parks 19 Wildlife 22 The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is charged with the responsibility of managing Montana's fish, wildlife and recreational resources and with providing optimum outdoor recreational opportunities for Montanans and their guests. Montanans have always enjoyed abundant and high quality hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation. This has been due partly to the state's geography, but it has also required aggressive fish, wildlife and parks management and good stewardship of our basic resources — land and water. As the demands upon land and water become greater, the job of providing optimum outdoor recreational opportunities is compounded. But we are determined to meet this challenge through more refined and innovative management and through enhanced public information and education efforts. -^*«4*t,. -^lilll ORGANIZATION Commission: Montana is divided into five Fish and Game Commission Districts. Each District is represented by one Fish and Game Commissioner. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and must be confirmed by the Senate. Three are appointed to serve terms concurrent with the gubernatorial term. The remaining two members are appointed to serve terms that end on the first day of the third January of the following gubernatorial term. Director; The Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Director is also appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Director serves a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The Director is the chief administrative officer of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, is responsible for all programs and actions of the Department and has direct authority over all activities and employees of the Department. Deputy Director; The Deputy Director is responsible to the Director and has line authority over the following Division Administrators: Enforcement, Centralized Services and Conservation Education. Associate Director; The Associate Director is responsible to the Director and has line authority over the following Division Administrators: Fisheries, Wildlife, Parks and Field Services. Division Administrators: Division Administrators are staff officers who advise the director on matters related to resource management, administration of resource programs and other special problems related to the division's area of expertise. Administrators are responsible for statewide programs and budgets which they recommend to the Director after considering, among other things, requests and proposals from Regional Supervisors. Administrators maintain line authority over division staff personnel as assigned by the Director. Regional Supervisors: Regional Supervisors are line officers who are the Director's representatives in each administrative region. As such, they are the chief administrative officers for the respective regions . ASSOCIATE DIRtXTTOR FISHEIULS DIVISION WILDLIFE DIVISION DIVISION DIRBCTDR FI£XD SERVICES DIVISION REGIONAL SUPERVISORS r DEPUTY DIRBCTOR ENF0RCIME3\T or.'isia.- OM'RALIZED SERVICES DIVISION CONSERVATION EDUCATION DIVISION PUMJNING UNIT UNIT Fish, Wildlife and Parks Administrative Regions S Ml ■ ■a*^ Fish and Game Commission Districts DEPARTMENT FUNDING The Department's major source of funding is revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. The 1985 Legislature approved several license fee increases that were effective during the 1986-1987 biennium. These fee increases were as follows: Resident Licenses $1 on the Sportsman's $1 on the Season Fishing Nonresident Licenses $50 on the Big Game Combination $5 on the Season Fishing $2 on the 2-Day Fishing $7 on the Paddlefish Tag In addition to these fee increases, the Legislature approved the following new licenses and programs: (1) $200 Resident and $1,000 Nonresident Buffalo Licenses (2) $5 Waterfowl Stamp and the Sale of Related Artwork (3) 1 Mountain Sheep License Sold at Auction The department's second major source of income is federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson funding. These funds are derived from excise taxes on sport hunting and fishing equipment, motorboat fuel taxes, and import duties on yachts and fishing equipment. These funds are available to the states on a matching basis, 75 percent federal and 25 percent state. The size of the allotment depends upon the state's land area and the number of paid fishing and hunting license holders. New federal legislation has resulted in a significant increase in the Dingell-Johnson funds available for state fisheries programs. Those funds available to Montana are now more than triple the level of Fiscal Year 1985 funding. The department also receives interest earned on a portion of the coal severance tax. These interest earnings are used to acquire, develop, and maintain state park system sites. That portion of the tax on which the department receives the interest earnings was capped by the legislature at the June 30, 1986, level. This situation, coupled with declining interest rates, has resulted in decreased interest earnings from this source. Other sources of funding include federal and private contracts, cabin site and concession rentals, campground fees, entrance fees at Lewis and Clark State Caverns, and fines collected from violators of fish and game, motorboat and snowmobile laws. In addition, the department receives a portion of the gasoline tax for use on areas at which motorboats are operated and for use in providing snowmobiling facilities and promotion of snowmobile safety and education. Revenue Summary FY 1986 and FY 1987 Revenue Source FY 1986 FY 1987 Nongame Checkoff $ 25,890 $ 29,316 Waterfowl Stamp & Art 2,609 338,009 Mtn. Sheep Auction 71,100 98,100 Snowmobile Fuel Tax 334,405 359,160 Coal Tax Interest 1,682,115 1,240,332 Fish & Game Lie. 15,966,236 15,576,294 Mt. Outdoors 207,720 193,194 Miscellaneous 74,426 99,760 Property Trust Int. 69,693 88,994 Park Fees 427,137 466,733 Motorboat Fuel Tax 584,571 646,487 Boat Fines 9,109 9,885 Boat Reg. Fees 36,118 35,104 Snowmobile Fines 4,659 4,811 Snowmobile Reg. Fees 34,790 39,666 Fish & Game Fines 221,123 218,014 PR Revenue 3,083,854 2,104,484 DJ Revenue 1,432,011 1,851,955 LWCF 540,014 730,459 Other Fed. & Priv. Rev. 2,360,215 1,971,279 Overhead 690,558 709,523 Revolving Accts. 1,838,128 1,645,103 Property Trust Deposits 388,625 248,015 Total Revenue $30,085,106 $28,704,677 Operating Expenditures FY 1986 FTE Personal Services Operat ions Equipment Other Total Centralized Field Fisheries Enforcement Services Services uildlife Parks Con.Educ. 46.52 32.15 99.64 87.33 93.34 99.61 21.5 $972,225 $844,786 $2,426,736 $2,652,512 $2,592,601 $1,942,565 1627,712 Adm i n . Total 13.36 493.45 $497,544 $12,556,681 $1,875,758 $469,340 $1,197,355 $816,733 $1,860,501 $1,192,384 $464,827 $315,807 $8,192,705 $573,490 $41,663 $162,073 $81,946 $238,100 $193,335 $8,310 $36,376 $221,265 $6,021 $638,689 $47,086 $114,358 $1,452,051 $155,000 $1,065,661 $3,421,473 $1,364,099 $3,822,540 $3,772,456 $4,697,223 $3,966,973 $1,139,625 $1,082,709 $23,267,098 Funding General Fund License Acct . $1,158 094 Insurance Acct. Non-Game Waterfowl Stamp Mountain Sheep Snowmobile Fuel Tax $35 926 Coai Tax $76 406 Trust Earnings Parks Misc. $66 183 Hotorboat Fuel Tax $123 894 Hotorboat Cert. $5 741 Snowmobile Reg. $5 124 Fishing Access Warden Ret irement PR-DJ LUCF Overhead $209 617 Other Federal Snowgroomer R/A Print Shop R/A $161 786 Vehicle R/A $1,377 856 Warehouse R/A $200 846 Grounds Ma int. R/A Total $3,421 473 $1,058,678 $2,847,833 $3,338,111 $2,501,341 $3,500 $32,434 $30,430 $52,893 $78,725 $33,072 $17,960 $221 , 265 $301,921 $871,546 $103,161 $2,163,448 $405,053 $889,205 $1,003,296 $900,681 $451,184 $593,655 $307,391 $573,436 $13,030 $77,483 $428,487 $74,053 $35,971 $2,952 $12,909 $9,407 $75,090 $182,028 $405,053 $13,697,239 $3,500 $32,434 $0 $0 $523,081 $703,443 $0 $426,467 $788,964 $48,220 $36,114 $77,483 $221,265 $3,110,084 $428,487 $693,566 $103,161 $74,053 $161,786 $1,377,856 $200,846 $153,996 $153,996 $1,364,099 $3,822,540 $3,772,456 $4,697,223 $3,966,973 $1,139,625 $1,082,709 $23,267,098 $44,502 $1,150,141 $87,382 $710,914 $40,240 $2,033,183 $3,421,477 $1,408,601 $4,972,681 $3,859,838 $5,408,137 $3,966,973 $1,179,865 $1,082,709 $25,300,281 LC A/Budget Anend. Grand Total $4 Operating Expenditures FY 1987 Centralized Field Fisheries Enforcement Services Services Wildlife Parks Con.Educ. Admin. Total FTE Personal Services Operations Equipment Other Total Funding License Acct. Insurance Acct. Non-Gane Waterfowl Stamp Mountain Sheep Snowmobile Fuel Tax Coal Tax Trust Earnings Parks Misc. Motorboat Fuel Tax Motorboat Cert. Snowmobile Reg. Fishing Access Warden Retirement PR-DJ LUCF Overhead Other Federal Snowgroomer R/A Print Shop R/A Vehicle R/A Warehouse R/A Grounds Ma int. R/A 47.43 32.15 100.54 88.18 93.51 97.64 22.05 $1,004,571 $931,817 $2,643,723 $2,755,458 $2,620,835 $1,997,612 $662,860 $1,556,628 $354,078 $1,014,555 $616,888 $1,874,561 $999,544 $400,130 $596,687 $30,669 $61,303 $16,981 $38,239 $170,419 $9,268 $2,002 $2,002 $26,057 $218,582 $9,809 $176,800 13.46 494.96 $501,589 $13,118,465 $174,862 $6,991,246 $9,107 $932,673 $101,213 $536,465 $3,159,888 $1,318,566 $3,745,638 $3,607,909 $4,543,444 $3,344,375 $1,072,258 $786,771 $21,578,849 $1,158,278 $969,804 $2,711,184 $3,158,897 $2,300,377 $785,021 $963,625 $61 , 385 $80,592 $61 , 488 $117,335 $6,128 $4,899 $167,159 $348,762 $163,805 $1,219,260 $119,559 $42, ,379 $58, ,122 $15, ,502 $255,820 $19,419 $32,774 $1,004,444 $1,490 $53,771 $296,942 $90,906 $557,693 $8,480 $35,015 $3,932 $17,964 $13,310 $77,134 $218,582 $919,022 $2,127, 064 $129,465 $75,312 $115,432 $4,124 $76,155 $603,797 $12,650,983 $0 $42,379 $58,122 $15,502 $336,624 $1,119,300 $0 $412,201 $774,414 $45,075 $36,173 $77,134 $218,582 $3,121,398 $129,465 $182,974 $144,267 $698,895 $119,556 $76,155 $163,805 $1,219,260 $119,559 $144,267 Total LC A/Budget Amend. Grand Total $3,159,888 $1,318,566 $3,745,638 $3,607,909 $4,543,444 $3,344,375 $1,072,258 $786,771 $21,578,849 $43,354 $1,163,476 $156,307 $624,008 $48,402 $4,100 $2,039,647 $3,159,888 $1,361,920 $4,909,114 $3,764,216 $5,167,452 $3,294,875 $1,120,660 $790,871 $23,618,496 / ;? V CENTRALIZED SERVICES DIVISION (^ The Centralized Services Division is an administrative and support unit comprised of two bureaus. The Accounting and Finance Bureau is responsible for recording all the financial transactions of the Department. This bureau also acts as a liaison with federal and state auditors and other agencies who review the Department's accounting records. In addition, the bureau assists in preparing the biennial budget, manages the Department's warehouse and vehicle fleet, and provides carpentry and metal work services. The License Bureau has two major functions — administering the license drawings and distributing licenses to license agents. The Department maintains over 4 00 license agents throughout the state. These agents sell approximately one million general hunting and fishing licenses per year. It is the bureau's responsibility to design the licenses, consign them to agents and properly account for the proceeds . '^'/^'^/£ The_License Bureau also administers the processing of all mail . , for the Helena Headquarters and the supply room, which maintains {Ji^i^C'i/1 a stock of office supplies for Helena and regional personnel. In addition, the bureau provides computer programming support and printing services for all Department personnel. The Centralized Services Division also incorporates the Word Processing Section, which provides typing services for all personnel, and the Federal Aid Coordination Unit, which is responsible for ensuring that department projects meet the eligibility criteria for receiving federal funds. Many Montanans apply for special hunting licenses and permits. The License Bureau is assigned the responsibility of supervising the random selection of the applicants according to state laws and Montana Fish and Game Commission policies. In 1987, 91,505 special licenses and permits were issued through the special drawings. The table below summarizes the numbers of applicants and successful applicants over the past four years. Increased public interest in obtaining one of these limited licenses is evidenced by these figures. DRAWING APPLICATIONS SPECIES Antelope Deer A Deer B Elk Permit Deer Permit Moose Sheep Goat TOTAL 1984 56,282 8,501 44,389 81,098 9,923 16,109 7,147 4,685 228,134 1985 58,354 10,976 50,386 87,697 0 18,562 8,341 5:227 239,543 51,604 6,253 37,266 79,310 0 17,572 8,628 5.182 205,815 1987 55,302 7,396 34,470 84,894 8,312 20,371 10,538 5,888 227,171 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SPECIES Antelope Deer A Deer B Elk Permit Deer Permit Moose Sheep Goat TOTAL 1984 39 ,080 4 ,733 40 ,757 19 ,260 400 645 744 351 105,970 1985 38,250 2,500 38,509 23,719 0 616 562 151 104,508 1986 39,489 1,500 21,722 21,768 0 672 610 aM 86,111 1987 42,801 2,380 17,294 20,970 6,547 687 513 ill 91,505 ^,"e l-'^^M l<. 'm '^■ -tft*^^ :i~ SUMMARY OF LICENSES AND LICENSE FEES — 1982 - 1986 License Name 1982 Cost 1983 Cost 1984 Cost 1985 Cost 1986 Cost Res Antelope 28,111 5.00 36.860 5.00 37,314 5.00 33,869 6.00 36,711 6.00 Res Antelope, 2nd 0 0 7,278 3.00 8,620 3.00 14,463 3.00 Res Bird 46.061 4.00 50.903 4.00 44,716 4.00 37,627 4.00 34,324 4.00 Res Black Bear 7,223 8.00 6,018 8.00 5,392 8.00 5.617 8.00 5,849 8.00 Res Buffalo 0 0 0 40 200.00 20 200.00 Res C'"i';ervation 272,585 2.00 272.714 2.00 270,813 2.00 265.342 2.00 259,878 2.00 Res Deer A 131,051 8.00 129.594 9.00 122,309 9.00 111,698 9.00 108,087 9.00 Res Deer A - S, Y 8 D 0 0 21,764 4.50 21.339 4.50 20,766 4.50 Res Deer B 18,787 5.00 36,549 5.00 79,667 6.00 63.123 6.00 42,456 6.00 Res Dis. Conservation 0 0 800 2.00 1.178 2.00 1,575 2.00 Res Elk 70,669 9.00 64,699 10.00 62,001 10.00 63,862 10.00 62.048 10.00 Res Elk - S, Y + D 0 0 10,263 5.00 10.931 5.00 10,861 5.00 Res Fishing 171,119 7.00 167,912 7.00 160,344 8.00 160.414 8.00 158,971 9.00 Res Goat 325 15.00 316 15.00 334 50.00 333 50.00 332 50.00 Res Grizzly 626 25.00 484 25.00 470 50.00 288 50.00 113 50.00 Res Moose 571 25.00 570 25.00 627 50.00 597 50.00 652 50.00 Res Ht Lion 1,027 5.00 1,021 5.00 984 10.00 1,045 10.00 916 10.00 Res Mt Sheep 963 25.00 1,214 25.00 797 50.00 631 50.00 668 50.00 Res Paddlefish 4.834 3.00 4,636 3.00 5,052 3.00 3,593 3.00 2,661 3.00 Res Sportsman 14,038 35.00 19.623 35 00 24,065 35.00 24,613 35.00 24,308 36.00 Nrcs Antelope 2,009 100.00 2.935 100.00 5,126 100.00 6,077 100.00 6,475 100.00 Nres Antelope, 2nd 0 0 469 50.00 751 50.00 1,466 50.00 Nres Bird 3,297 30.00 5,095 50.00 5,884 30.00 4,616 30.00 4,173 30.00 Nres Black Bear 655 100.00 815 100 00 899 100.00 1,081 100.00 1,116 100.00 Nres Buffalo 0 0 0 0 1000.00 0 1000.00 Nres Conservation 119,013 2.00 121.114 2.00 121.082 2.00 127,598 2.00 117,886 2.00 Nres Deer A 2,111 100.00 3.136 100.00 5,076 100.00 2,500 100.00 1.500 100.00 Nres Deer B 2.339 50.00 5,372 50.00 12,672 50.00 12,000 50.00 5.221 50.00 Nrcs Deer B, 2nd 0 0 12,485 25.00 6,465 25.00 1,015 25.00 Nres Elk Combo 17,000 275.00 17,000 275.00 17,000 300.00 17,000 300.00 17,000 350.00 Nres Fish, 2-day 178,605 4.00 176,745 4.00 140,218 6.00 144,872 6.00 129,532 8.00 Nres Fish, Season 12,766 30.00 11,791 30.00 15,558 30.00 16,686 30.00 18,564 35.00 Nres Goat 13 175.00 14 175.00 17 300.00 19 300.00 18 300.00 Nres Gr izzly 83 175.00 113 175.00 53 300.00 19 300.00 7 300.00 Nres Moose 6 175.00 11 175.00 18 300.00 19 300.00 20 300.00 Nres Mt Lion 93 100.00 132 100.00 80 300.00 92 300.00 92 300.00 Nres Mt Sheep 210 175.00 257 175.00 147 300.00 108 300.00 131 300.00 Nres Paddlefish 0 0 0 0 1,035 10.00 Archery 17,233 6.00 18,688 6.00 19,921 6.00 21,753 6.00 21,436 6.00 Drawing Fee 173,969 2.00 222,772 2.00 225,017 2.00 235,902 2.00 203,639 2.00 Turkey 6,558 3.00 7,245 3.00 7,944 3.00 6,503 3.00 5,813 3.00 Uatcrfowl Stamp 0 0 0 0 19.748 5.00 10 .•y CONSERVATION EDUCATION DIVISION j~^ The Department's activities continue to generate considerable interest and news. The Conservation Education Division, through its Helena office and seven regional information officers, is the public relations arm of the Department. Primary areas of responsibility include disseminating public information, producing audio visual materials, producing publications, brochures and news releases, conducting youth education programs, providing reception services for the Helena office, producing all hunting and fishing regulations and maps, and coordinating the Department's Hunter Education, Snowinobiling and Boating Education and Safety Programs. This Division publishes the Department's magazine, Montana Outdoors, maintains a film lending library, produces 16 mm color films and produces television and radio public service announcements. During the summer, the Division maintains an Animal Shelter for injured and/or orphaned animals . Montana Outdoors , the Department's bi-monthly magazine, maintains a paid subscription of about 35,000. In addition, 3,000 copies of each issue are distributed through other means, such as newsstands. In 1986 and 1987, the magazine continued to produce an annual photo issue. Through the Film Center, black and white photographs and other photographic materials were produced on a variety of Department topics. In addition, slide duplication and distribution were provided. Through our film catalog, we estimate that the 120 different film titles maintained in our film library were booked in excess of 1,800 times a year. Approximately 83,700 people per year viewed these films or those housed in regional offices. The Department's newest documentary film, "The Last Parable," was released during 1987. News releases were sent to an average of 32 0 recipients per week from the Helena headquarters. In total, 580 news releases were printed in Helena and our regional offices for the two-year period. These releases were used by newspapers and radio and television stations, and many were distributed via the Associated Press (AP) wire. Outdoor writers also used many of our releases in national outdoor sports magazines. A weekly feature item entitled "Montana Outdoors Newspaper Column" was produced and sent to newspapers, radio stations, sportsmen's clubs, outdoor writers and other interested persons. Information Desk personnel in Helena processed an estimated 38,000 telephone calls and mailed out answers to 5,000 requests for information. In addition, personnel greeted about 8,000 visitors to our headquarters office in Helena and sold about $197,000 in licenses during the two-year period. 11 During 1986 and 1987, 110 radio public service announcements were provided to 4 5 radio stations and Department personnel provided 650 interviews to radio stations statewide. Twenty-eight public service announcements were sent to 15 television stations in Montana. Additionally, Helena personnel and regional information officers appeared approximately 440 times on Montana television stations to disseminate FWP information. Through our youth education programs and the services of our regional information officers, 420 programs, 70 banquet speeches, 9 summer camps and one-hour programs in 155 schools were given. These information efforts reached approximately 56,000 people. Work continued on Project WILD, an interdisciplinary effort aimed at environmental education for youth. Project WILD is sponsored by the Department in conjunction with the Office of Public Instruction. Seven major teacher workshops were conducted during the two years and approximately 1,200 teachers have been certified to participate in the Project WILD program to date. Publications continued to be a big part of the Division effort. Several new informational pamphlets were produced and included the following: Fishing for Largemouth Bass in Southeastern Montana; Ethics and the Hunter: Your Responsibilities as a Sportsman; and Steel Shot: The Nontoxic Alternative for Waterfowl Hunters. The Hunter Education Program certified approximately 12,000 Montana youth between the ages of 12 and 18 during the two-year period. The Boating and Snowmobiling education programs also provided information to the public on the safety aspects of these two recreational pastimes. u 'N' \l!''% ^ ^ V 12 ENFORCEMENT DIVISION The Division goal is to achieve an acceptable level of compliance with Fish, Wildlife and Parks laws and regulations. This includes enforcing the laws of this state and the rules of the Department with reference to the protection and preservation of game, furbearing animals, fish and game birds, and other wildlife species, and enforcement of laws and regulations relative to Department owned or administered lands or waters, boat safety, hunter safety and snowmobile safety. Other duties include administration of special purpose licenses including those for private fish ponds, taxidermists, fur dealers, landowner trappers, falconers, game farms, fur farms, bird farms, zoos, shooting preserves and approximately 400 license agents. The Division investigates wildlife damage complaints (fur, waterfowl and big game) and provides assistance to landowners in alleviating damage from wildlife. It also assists in the protection, conservation and propagation of fish, game, furbearing animals, game and nongame birds and other wildlife species. This includes additional time spent tagging fur bearers, plugging sheep heads, trophy measuring mountain goat and mountain sheep horns, collecting deer, elk and moose jaws and black bear teeth. In 1987, the Division's outfitter certification and licensing duties were transferred to the Department of Commerce. Certain accomplishment areas were as follows: 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Citations Issued 3, ,521 3,543 4 .267 4 ,575 5 ,683 5, .353 4, .539 4 ,652 Fish Creel Checks "^9, ,797 44,637 49 ,308 59, ,752 64, ,260 67, .180 64, .747 61 ,523 Game Bag Checks 37, ,914 37,068 48, ,810 56, .398 58, .328 54, .584 48, .848 50 ,644 Annual M i . Drvn . 1,754, ,259 1 ,237,215 1 ,364 ,289 1 ,535, .379 1 , 600, ,055 1,599, .723 1,484, ,760 1,515 ,679 Extreme travel restrictions due to budget restraints. The Division has again utilized saturation patrols in certain high use and problem areas. High visibility and public relations are associated with this program. Starting in 1985, fish and game wardens were limited to a 40 hour work week as the result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Wardens had to prioritize and adjust their work schedules in order not to work in excess of 40 hours in one work week. Compensatory time off is no longer allowed for wardens; the Department must now pay over-time at the time-and-one-half rate to meet emergency situations. In addition, the Division continued a physical fitness program for wardens. Personnel are administering medical health screening and physical fitness plans. 13 During the 1986 and 1987 fiscal years, personnel maintained record keeping systems as a result of 1985 legislation -- HB 611 (tattooing wild animals), HB 581 ( aviculturist permits) and a statute requiring registration of grizzly parts. Division personnel developed and presented comprehensive water safety programs to several public and private sector groups. Kmphasis has been placed on training and professional development with annual division seminars and regional zone training. Programs for warden-in-service training are ongoing. Workload criteria has been developed for each warden district with subsequent performance standards to evaluate program effectiveness. The Division continues to provide conservation officer training to other Department employees and participates in implementation of regional conservation officer programs. A special investigations unit, formed on a trial basis during the biennium, addresses problem violations where uniformed officers are least effective. The funding and personnel for this effort were redirected from within the Enforcement Division. The initial special investigations effort has proven effective and the Division plans to maintain the unit in its present form until it can be funded and staffed as a separate unit within the Department. FIELD SERVICES DIVISION The Field Services Division is responsible for several functions with its primary emphasis being the liaison between the Directors' Office and the Regional Supervisors and their clerical staff. The primary responsibility of the regions is to assure program implementation and budget compliance. The Field Services Division also includes the Department's Personnel Section, Landowner-Sportsman Relations Program, Data Processing Program, Aircraft Unit, Lands Section, Design and Construction Bureau and Sign Shop. This Division is staffed with a total of 49 FTEs located within the Helena headquarters, throughout the Department's seven administrative regions and in Whitehall, Montana . The responsibility of the Personnel staff includes developing and maintaining a personnel manual, hiring procedures. Department policies, grievance procedures, personnel records, performance appraisals, training, etc. The Lands Section, which was recently transferred to the Division from the Parks Division, is responsible for the acquisition and disposal of real estate and real property through conveyances of deeds, easements and leases. It is also responsible for the management of all permanent land records. The Design and Construction Bureau, which was also transferred from the Parks Division, provides technical landscape architectural and engineering services to the Department in the design of facilities and the implementation of high quality construction. During Fiscal Year 1986, 30 projects were under construction. Additionally, the Sign Shop in Whitehall provides a wide variety of special purpose signs for Department use. Another Division responsibility is the Department's game damage program. Responsibilities include budget control, supply requisition and allocation, policy determination and program direction . The Department's Aircraft Unit includes three pilots, three fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters. Two of the pilots are based in Helena and one is based in Billings. These pilots are responsible for Department personnel transportation, mountain lake fish planting, enforcement patrols and wildlife surveys. Another responsibility of the Field Services Division is the Cooperative Landowner-Sportsman Relations Program. The purpose of this program is to properly recognize the role of private land and the private landowner in the production and utilization of Montana's wildlife resources and to attempt to maintain current levels of wildlife production and hunter access to these private lands . A final responsibility of the Field Services Division is to implement a Department data processing system in the Helena and regional offices that includes installation of micro computers, training and support. 15 FISHERIES DIVISION River Management Plans Management plans for the Bighorn, Smith and Blackfoot rivers were initiated during the fiscal year 1986-87 biennium. Final editions of these plans are expected to be issued, after public review, in late 1987 and early 1988. Additional management plans, emphasizing public involvement, will be written during the next biennium. These plans are being prepared for rivers where complex biological or social management issues exist or problems are anticipated. Hatchery Construction and Fish Stocking A program of renovating Montana's aging hatchery facilities began in the fiscal year 1984-85 biennium. This program continued through the 1986-87 biennium as renovation of hatchery facilities continued at five fishery stations. Construction started at the Washoe Park Trout Hatchery and was over 98 percent complete at the end of Fiscal Year 1987. Bids were awarded to reconstruct the Miles City Hatchery and construction was underway on April 15, 1987. The Miles City construction is scheduled for completion on April 1, 1988. Construction began June 15, 1987, on eight new raceways at the Big Springs Trout Hatchery in Lewistown. Construction is scheduled for completion on September 30, 1987. A new interpretive center and self-guided tour was installed at the Giant Springs Hatchery. This completed the renovation work at Great Falls. The Big Timber Hatchery was reconstructed and all work is expected to be complete by December 31, 1987. The Department's fish stocking program for fiscal years 1986-87 included both cold and warm/cool water species. Numbers of fish stocked were: FY 86 34,715,085 FY 87 43,360,688 Total 78,075,773 Fish were stocked in nine major Montana waters as follows: Lake cr ReservQir species FY 86 FY 87 Total Canyon Ferry Res. Rainbow 937,394 1,124,650 2,062,050 Clark Canyon Res. Rainbow 208,109 336,927 545,183 Flathead Lake Kokanee 180,000 350,000 530,000 Fort Peck Lake Cisco 10,050,000 13,999,986 24,049,986 Fort Peck Lake Chinook 15,150 50,423 65,573 Fort Peck Lake Walleye 11,625,507 5,200,000 16,825,507 Georgetown Lake Rainbow 256,462 189,586 446,048 Hauser Res. Rainbow 232,468 212,595 445,063 16 Hebgen Lake Rainbow & 24,613 338,535 363,148 Yellowstone Cutthroat Holter Res. Rainbow 310,631 325,089 635,720 Kookanusa Westslope 656,846 495,356 1,152,202 Cutthroat Reservoir Operations/Drought Actions The winter of 1986-87 was mild and extremely dry. The normal spring rains did not materialize and runoff into Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Helena was only 37 percent of normal. The Department's Canyon Ferry advisory committee held an emergency meeting in May to assess the drought situation and develop a contingency flow recommendation. As a result, flows were reduced below recommended minimums to conserve storage for later in the season. A similar advisory committee is being formed for Tiber Reservoir. The dry spring conditions and subsequent irrigation demand resulted in complete dewatering of a portion of the Ruby River and a substantial fish kill before flows could be augmented from Ruby Reservoir. To protect the Department's instream flow rights during the drought, lists of water users with junior water rights were compiled and updated and initial notification letters were prepared. A reporting system was set up to monitor streamflows on selected waters. Instream Flow Projects The purpose of the projects is to obtain instream flows in Montana streams for protection of fisheries, wildlife, and recreation. Two projects were active: (1) The Upper Clark Fork River Basin water reservation application was completed and submitted to DNRC on December 1, 1985. DNRC held public scoping meetings in late March 1987 and began the process of preparing the required Environmental Impact Statement, which should be completed by March 1988. Following that, contested case hearings will be held and the Board of Natural Resources may make a decision by late 1988. (2) The Missouri River water reservation application is due at DNRC by the legislated deadline of July 1, 1989. Most of the field work was completed in the basin above Canyon Ferry Reservoir during the period. Field work began, and is continuing, in the lower Missouri basin, and drafting of some sections of the application began in the latter portion of the report period. Fishing Access Site Acquisitions The Department purchased 21 FASs totalling 800 acres (including purchased and leased land) in Fiscal Year 1986 for a total purchase/annual lease cost of $478,405. In Fiscal Year 1987, 23 FASs totalling 985 acres ( ino \uding purchased and leased lands) 17 were purchased for a total purchase/annual lease cost of $363,917. Rconomic Values /Preference Study Surveys were initiated during the biennium to determine the economic value of fishing in Montana and assess the preferences for trout by stream fishermen. A report on the economic value of fishing was nearing completion in late 1987. A draft report on the trout stream angler preference survey was released in the fall of 1987. A lake and reservoir preference survey is scheduled for January 1988, as well as a warm water use survey for summer 1988, to estimate net economic values for Montana's warm water fish species . 18 PARKS DIVISION The Montana State Legislature created authority for the State Park System in 1939 when it defined its purpose of "...conserving the scenic, historic, archaeologic, scientific, and recreational resources of the state and providing for their use and enjoyment...." The Parks Division now manages 335 park, boating, and fishing access sites which host over 4 million visitors annually. It also administers the state's Snowmobile Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal grants-in-aid program for local and state outdoor recreation projects. Visitation Visitation to Montana's state park and fishing access sites during calendar year 1986 increased over the previous year by an estimated 5 percent. The following table outlines visitation rates over the last five years. Calendar Year 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Visits 4,146,400 4,469,700 4,550,100 4,610,200 4,824,500 % Change from Previous Year +17% + 8% + 1% + 1% + 5% Pivigion Activities Land Section. A table summarizing Department land acquisition and control for FY 1986-87 follows: Type of Area State Parks State Monuments State Recreation Areas Fishing Access Sites *Total Number of Sites as of 7/1/86 11 20 79 232 342 Number of Sites as of 6/30/87 11 24 81 2AR 364 Total Acres 15,369.53 6,510.52 9,911.22 20,469.76 52,261.03 These figures do not include a state recreation road, a state recreation trail (in the Sluice Boxes State Monument area) and five state recreational waterways. In fiscal years 1986 and 1987, Land Section activity accounted for the addition of nearly 2,000 acres to the Fishing Access Site Program. A few sites were developed to accommodate public use. During the biennium, the Lands Section effectively dealt with the Department ' s numerous land transactions and burgeoning land files, reporting quarterly to the Director's Office, the Fish and 19 Game Commission, and others with a document detailing activity on well over 100 projects. Design and Construction Bureau. Activities during the biennium reflected the emphasis on development of fishing access sites, a statewide signing program to identify previously unsigned sites, and numerous other projects critical to the physical functioning of the entire department. During this time, 62 major projects vere initiated, 38 were completed and the Bureau had at least 30 major projects, in addition to routine tasks, in an active status at all times. Operations . The Bureau concentrated on basic Division responsibilities during the biennium, unfortunately reducing services at some sites and redirecting funds to better meet priority objectives in light of a funding shortfall briefly described below. Planning and Project Administration. The Bureau continued its work toward publication of the 1988 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan document to support continued funding of the federal Land and Water Conservation program in Montana. In the second half of fiscal year 1987, the Bureau began to define, develop and implement a planned management system, one consistent with both the Division's and the Department's legislatively derived mission and goals. Funding Operations and maintenance funding for the Parks Division comes from several sources, although General Fund support was withdrawn by the Legislature beginning in 1986. Interest from the Coal Tax Trust fund has provided over $4.5 million since 1977 for the acquisition of Park System property, but, beginning in 1986, all trust interest receipts were channeled to operations and maintenance activities to make up for the loss of general fund monies. Due to legislated budget reductions, only 95 percent of the general fund loss could be made up by this substitution. The Division consequently recommended that no further real property be acquired or developed by the Department until the existing park system sites can be operated and maintained adequately. The coal tax source as well as parks earned revenue, described below, can be used in support of any Division activity or program, but all other funding sources are earmarked, i.e., their use is restricted to specific sites or activities. Motorboat fuel tax revenue is used for the operation and development of sites on or adjacent to waterways where boating takes place. License revenues from sportsmen are used to maintain fishing access sites and other sportsmen's access areas. Snowmobile registration fees and fuel tax revenues are used for snowmobile trail maintenance. Earned revenue reflects 20 camping fees, day use fees, Lewis and Clark Caverns tour fees, cabin site lease permits, and concession contracts. Other revenue includes the Land and Water Conservation Fund and donations . The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program that provides grants to states and their political subdivisions to assist with acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Montana's LWCF apportionment expenditures totalled $437,489 in fiscal 1986 and $311,052 in fiscal 1987. Approximately 58 percent of this allocation was used by local governments for acquisition, development, and renovation of outdoor recreation facilities, with the remainder earmarked for Parks Division site improvements around the state. Approximately $244,317 in fiscal year 1986 and $295,786 during fiscal year 1987 was expended on operations, maintenance, repairs, development and administration of Montana's Snowmobile Program. In the second half of 1987, the Division and the local snowmobile clubs begun to work together toward decentralization of the program. In summary, the fiscal year 1986-87 biennium was one of divergence for the Parks Division, i.e., as visitation and program needs rose substantially, financial and human resources declined. In one sense, the biennium was characterized by the cliche', but nonetheless true statement, of the Division "doing more with less . " y"^ r'^-. <^ r'- 21 WILDLIFE DIVISION The management of the wildlife resources of Montana requires extensive information about wildlife and their habitats as well as the expertise to understand and utilize that information. The goal of the Wildlife Division is to protect, enhance and regulate the wise use of Montana's wildlife resource for public benefit now and in the future. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Wildlife Division to collect and analyze necessary information and to recommend and carry out a sound wildlife and wildlife habitat management program. Information that is gathered provides the biological basis for game, waterfowl and furbearer season recommendations presented to the Montana Fish and Game Commission each year. The information also is utilized in developing cooperative programs with public and private landowners as well as private industry to manage, protect and enhance wildlife habitat. This includes implementing guidelines to allow for development while protecting Montana's wildlife heritage. The Division also operates and maintains the Department's wildlife management areas, which now total 292,926 acres. Of these, 189,289 acres are deeded, 97,907 acres are leased and 5,7 30 acres are managed with conservation easements. During the past several years, Montana's various wildlife species have been assigned a priority rank. As might be expected, deer, elk and antelope were ranked as the species needing the most attention. Harvest goals, populations levels and identification of problems associated with the major herds of these animals in each administrative region have been described. Other species that have increased in priority and associated effort are the grizzly bear, the black bear, nongame waterfowl and f urbearers . The "allowable rate of harvest" for these herds is being determined through population modeling. This harvest rate is to be coordinated with the population's highs and lows. Simply stated, liberal hunting seasons need to occur when these herds are increasing and restrictive seasons should occur when they are decreasing. The challenge is to anticipate increases, peaks, decreases and valleys before they occur. The Wildlife Division has made considerable progress in determining the factors causing and indicating these events in populations of certain species. 22 1968 No. Hunters Harvest Percent Success ANTELOPE 16,150 11 ,500 71 BLACK BEAR 8,290 1,700 24 MONTANA BIG GAME HARVEST, 1968-1986 GOAT DEER 125,711 99,250 79 ELK 77,962 16,700 21 LIMITED 598 263 44 UNLIMITED 200 29 U MOOSE 643 457 71 SHEEP LIMITED 75 55 74 UNLIMITED 172 13 7 1969 No. Hunters 19,871 8,787 128,177 73,848 537 Harvest 14,543 1,700 102,800 12,100 267 Percent Success 73 20 80 16 49 213 66 31 645 457 71 77 50 65 279 17 7 1970 No. Hunters 23,697 7.204 136,903 77,819 573 Harvest 18,023 1,079 110,988 13,988 303 Percent Success 76 15 80 18 23 223 51 86 670 518 73 59 43 7 447 31 1971 No. Hunters 24,802 Harvest 18,403 . r-cpcent Success 74 5,105 141,243 72,337 546 1,185 116,716 11,785 234 23 83 16 43 Discont Inued 651 427 66 72 50 70 574 54 9 1972 No. Hunters 27,762 Harvest 19,710 Percent Success 71 ,382 152,545 928 112,996 27 74 75,951 10,867 15 556 280 50 766 597 78 76 57 75 754 35 5 1973 No. Hunters 28,062 5,019 167,359 87,746 571 Harvest 19,303 1.347 137,441 17,498 306 Percent Success 69 27 82 20 54 780 532 68 98 80 82 776 54 7 1974 No, Hunters 27,163 5,705 Harvest 18,810 1,527 Percent Success 69 27 154,110 89,369 508 103,656 10,930 237 67 12 47 763 498 65 121 89 74 631 10 2 1975 No. Hunters 25,022 6,201 Harvest 17,298 1,252 Percent Success 69 20 148,109 91,956 500 77,496 15,750 302 52 17 60 698 376 54 124 100 81 534 20 4 1976 No. Hunters 23,273 10,187 112,783 74,190 410 Harvest 16,292 1,637 43,291 7,860 230 Percent Success 70 16 38 11 56 587 401 68 90 81 90 438 24 5 1977 No. Hunters 24,214 10,187 Harvest 18,528 1,637 Percent Success 77 16 120,798 79,628 54,143 13,342 45 17 1978 No. Hunters 18,393 5,262 Harvest 13,471 909 Percent Success 73 17 1979 No. Hunters 14,170 10,666 Harvest 10,039 795 Percent Success 71 7 1980 No. Hunters 16,104 18,135 Harvest 12,016 1,870 Percent Success 75 10 1981 No. Hunters 18,973 13,262 Harvest 14,954 1,450 Percent Success 79 11 1982 No. Hunters 22,767 10,642 Harvest 20,830 1,277 Percent Success 92 13 1983 No. Hunters 27,485 13,062+ Harvest 26,438 1,820 Percent Success 96 14 '984 No. Hunters 32,047 11,354 Harvest 28,588 1,373 Percent Success 89 12 i985 No. Hunters 32,651 13,944 Harvest 27,195 1,611 Percent Success 83 12 125,054 86,636 53,933 12,017 43 14 139,895 64,134 46 151 ,918 85,164 56 153,710 88,797 58 160,077 100,340 62 200,484 137,534 69 237,036 169,649 72 190,935 117,430 62 89,367 11 ,692 13 89,822 14,841 17 88,153 12,868 15 90,103 14,009 16 95,811 15,013 16 86,443 18,478 21 89,182 17,635 20 509 238 58 392 234 60 339 230 68 336 208 61 .9 308 170 55 290 189 65 315 215 68 300 202 67 Di scont inued 569 133 510 406 113 23 71 85 4 568 121 651 421 109 34 74 91 5 525 181 303 389 166 15 74 91 5 508 180 384 408 164 14 80 91 4 567 220 449 497 202 18 88 92 4 567 351 324 481 317 19 85 90 6 619 297 295 554 261 21 89 87 7 593 225 258 512 188 12 86 84 5 1986 No. Hunters 35,528 10,103 147,895 93,436 312 658 236 341 Harvest 36,470 1,230 105.347 19,157 226 591 202 18 Percent Success 79 12 60 21 72 90 86 5 +of 43,222 persons licensed to hunt black bear 5,112 of th< i hunted in the spring and 7,950 of them hunted in the fall. 23 ARCHERY HUNTING , 1969 - 198 6 Deer Elk AnteloDe Year Huntets Ha»rvePt Hunters Harvest Hunters Harvest 1969 1,738 259 934 58 97 0 1970 3,438 440 1,780 29 215 34 1971 4,066 593 2,208 57 235 7 1972 4,794 511 2,966 77 426 23 1973 7,162 712 4,927 112 489 22 1974 7,965 663 5,636 81 489 25 1975 7,972 805 5,344 175 508 85 1976 6,000 485 4,927 198 474 60 1977 7,143 825 6,338 269 498 90 1978 7,849 865 7,238 354 347 50 1979 12,096 850 7,265 363 240 7 1980 15,081 1 ,398 9,060 444 366 34 1981 14,725 1 ,512 9,263 408 470 106 1982 16,082 1 ,821 9,655 504 466 57 1983 15,154* 2 ,237 9,970 578 631 127 1984 17,780 2 ,553 11,053 783 839 164 1985 18,136 2 ,009 12,083 597 696 108 1986 17,081 1 ,851 12,679 738 713 133 *of 18,481 archery licenses sold 82 percent or 15,154 of the holders actually went hunting. It is assumed that all these people at least hunted deer. 24