MONTA Fish and Game Commission QUARTERLY REPORT PITTMAN--ROBERTSON FEDERAL AID PROJECT Helena, Montana October 15, 1952 Regional Director Federal Aid Fish and Wildlife Service Swan Island Portland 18, Oregon Dear Sir: We are herewith submitting a Quarterly Progress Report in connection with the projects carried out through the use of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds» The coverage is for the period July, August and September 1952. Submitted byj R. H. Lambeth State Fish and Game Warden QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT For The WILDLIFE RESTORATION DIVISION STATE OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Chairman - Edward M. Boyes, Libby Thomas S. Morgan, Miles City Walter Banka, Conrad William T, Sweet , Butte Manson H. Bailey, Jr., Glasgow State Fish and Game Warden Chief Deputy Director, Wildlife Restoration Division - R, H. Lambeth - W, J. Everin - R, F. Cooney Volume III Number III July, August and September, 1952 . 3 V' 3; ^^ .3 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/quarterlyreport1952mont_1 TABLE OF CONTENTS „ , . ^ . . .„;, • ^^9^ W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Wildlife Surveys and Management ........ Don L. Brown 1 Antelope Survey (Big Horn Unit). ,Don L. Brown 7 Antelope Census (Crazy Mountains Unit) . . . .Don L. Brown 11 Deer Population Study (Powder River Unit). Joseph L. Egan 14 W-l-R-13 (Western) Wildlife Surveys and Management Phillip B. Marshall 16 A Field Study of the Bighorn Sheep Lamb„ Herman A. Ogren 19 The Characteristics of Natural Licks Used by Big Game Animals in Montana ........ Dwight S. Stockstad 21 W-35-R-4 Gallatin Management Unit ........... J. E^ Gaab 22 Beartooth Lake Plateau Big Game Population Investigation . J. E. Gaab 26 Salting Elk in Absaroka Wilderness Area ... J. E, Gaab 27 Relationship of Sheep Creek (Montana) and South Medicine Lodge Creek (Idaho) Antelope Herds , . , . Phil South 28 HuntGr Utilization of Antelope in Beaverhead River Area Phil South 30 W-36-R-3 Lincoln County Deer Management Study . . , Robert P, Blair 32 W-37-R-4 Gffl-ae Range Prsdevelopment Survey . » « . Richard L, Hodder 34 W-38-R-4 Upland Game Bird Surveys and Investigations William R. Bergeson 36 Pre-Hunting Season Roadside Counts . . William R. Bergeson 38 Survival Value of Chukar Partridge .... Wesley Woodgerd 42 Population Trends and Breeding Potential Studies . . . . , Robert L. Eng 44 Determine Range and Relative Abundance of Mountain Grouse Species Fred Hartkorn 50 Experimental Grouse Management Study Areas . Fred Hartkorn 55 W-39-R-4 Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations . . . Wynn G. Freeman 56 A Study of the Waterfowl Potential of Certain Mountain Valleys ^ ...o «... . Dan Poole 58 Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey, 1952, in Montana . . » . Wynn G, Freeman 68 Study of Census Methods and Biology of Waterfowl in Flathead Valley e , ^ ^ ^ . Vernon Stotts 75 W-49-R-2 Fur Resources Survey and Investigations, Fletcher E. Newby 95 Annual Yield and Income from the Fur Resource as Determined by Examination of Fur Dealer Records - 1950 51 Season Fletcher E. Newby 97 The Annual Fur Harvest as Determined from Analysis of Trapper Report Cards » ^ , , Fletcher He Newby 104 W-27-D-6 Sun River Winter Elk Range Development , , . . Bruce Neal 105 W-45-M Maintenance of Blackf oot-Clearwater Big Game Range .... Stan A, Mongrain 107 W-47-M Maintenance of Sun River Winter Elk Range . . . Bruce Neal 109 STATE Montana PROJECT N0« W--1,~R-12 (Eastern) DATE October 15, 1932 VOLe III NOo III QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR II\n/ESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By - , . FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS 1. Title of Projects Wildlife Surveys and Management (Eastern) 2o Leader; Don L. Brovm^ Biologist Robert J, Fischerj Junior Biologist Joe Lo Egan, Junior Biologist 3» Report of Progress; > ' ' Work Plan I; Antelope Census, Herd Production, Migrat ion and Mortality Studies Job I-A; Antelope Census Summer Census Report of Big Horn Unit attached » Summer Census Report of Crazy Mountains Unit attached o Summer Census Report of Carter Unit pending. Summer Census Report of Musselshell Unit pending. Job I-B; Antelope Herd Production Studies Report pending compilation of summer census data. Job I-C; Study of Antelope Migration and Population Shifts Report pending compilation of summer census data. Job I-D; Study of Antelope Losses by Hunting and Natural Causes Proceeding. During the past summer an aerial antelope census ^ using the complete coverage method ^ was conducted in the Musselshell Management Unit and portions of Big Horn and Crazy Mountain Units. This was the first aerial census conducted in either the Big Horn or Crazy Mountains area; there were 415 and 572 antelope respectively in each of these units. 1 The third biennial aerial antelope census in the Musselshell Unit was conducted during July and August, Data has not been compiled to dateo A strip census (6 mile intervals) was accomplished in the Carter Management Unit and again the results have not yet been compileds A glance through the field notes for Carter Unit^ indicates a population about equal to that of former years* Information concerning herd production, migration and mortality will be gained by comparing results of springy summer and subsequent counts. Work Plan II: Relat ionship of Antelope to Agriculture and Range Land Use Job II-A; Relat ionship of Antelope to Winter Wheat Production Proceeding, Experience has been the chief product of the project to date, ■ Observation by fieldmen and ranchers indicates that the exclosure was improperly placed for best results; iee.^ placing the enclosure on the end of the strip caused the antelope to avoid this in^eat strip. Thus, as measurements had been taken from the strip the exclosure was located on, and as apparently no antelope had used this strip^ no results could be obtained^ ■ This project will be resumed by Robert Fischer and Glenn Cole at a future dateo Job II-B: Relationship of Antelope to Seed and Feed Alfalfa An exclosure will be built in the spring of 1953 ? and the project will be resumed from there, project to be assigned to Fischer and Cole,, Job II-Cs Relationship of Antelope to Range Land Collection and Analysis of Antelope Stomachs Stomach samples are still being collected bi-monthlyo Fifty stomach samples were shipped to the University of California for analysis and results received o Forty- seven of these samples are applicable to the food habits study of Eastern Montana^ the other three obtained from the Moiese Bison Range will be included only as inciden- tal information* Sage^ of which Artemisia frigida ranked highest, was the chief food source, forbs were taken extensively and grasses represented a very small per- centage of the total volume o 2 Preliminary work for a food habits study on antelope in the Yellow Water Triangle of the Musselshell Manage- ment Unit has been resumed. Personnel conducting the study are collecting plant specimens which will be used as reference material for later phases of the study involving the observation of feeding antelope and the analysis of antelope stomachs. Job II-D: Antelope Damage to Agriculture Crops ( Powder°"River Unit ) A variation in antelope ha.bits has been noted in this area. The antelope have apparently adapted them.selves to the timbered portions of this area. They can be found in fairly large numbers on many of the sparsely timbered divides, or along the small creeks, which are surrounded by timber. They are no longer confined solely to the open grassland association. Since no extensive study of population has been made, it is not knom if this is a result of an overpopulation. . Damage has been reported on alfalfa, cereal grains, hay meadows, corn and gardens. The damage consists of both eating a.nd trampling of the plants. Since 500 either sex and 500 additional bucks were scheduled for harvest this year, no action was taken on areas of complaint until the effects of the season on the population density could be investigated. As Tflith "deer damage", there is a wide variety of opinion among the ranchers as to the amount of damage antelope do. Work Plan III; Deer Food Habits Study on Badland Tvge Range Job III-As Important Food Plants Used Deer in Badlands Job III-3: Evaluat ion of Range Conditions and Degree of Use in Key Species This project has been interrupted pending information being collected by survey crews of the Fish and Wildlife Service and B'oreau of Land Management. Job III-Ci Population Studie s of Deer (Missouri River Breaks) Inactive during report period. 3 Work Plan IV: Mule Deer Food Habits on Grassland Type Ran,ge Job IV-A: Mule Deer Food Habits on Grassland 'Tjfpe Range . Inactive during report period. Job lV-3: Population Studies (Little Belt Mountains) Inactive during report period. Work Plan V: Census _and Survey of Deer Herds in Sastern Montana Job V-A; Population Studies of Deer ( Powder River Unit ) Progress Report attached. Job V-4-lj l%le Deer Dsmage to Alfalfa (Powder River Unit ) A continuation of the work carried out in previous years. Damage to alfalfa (both hay and seed alfalfa) appears to have declined this year compared to past years on the Otter Creek drainage and adjacent pre as. This information was obtained by interviews with the ranchers of the area. The general concensus arr^jng the ranchers is still one of reducing the deer herd of this area, however, there is a wide variety of opinion as to the amount. The scheduled 30-day either sex season for this area should result in the necessary harvest J providing sufficient hunters come into the banting area. Investigations tend to indicate that in general the deer range of the non~ agricultural areas is neither satursted with deer nor is there any overbrowsing.. Deer bxid livestock on the ssme range apparently present no problem in regards tc forage compstition; although some of the livestock range has been appar- ently nesvily grazed by cattle. Lack of ffater this year, vjhich resulted in the reservoirs and, forage drying up, has driven a considerable number of deer to the bottom lands which support the alfalfa crops ; 'uhls resulted in some damage to the alfalfa. Factors I'/nich bring about increasing damage are the increasing number of alfalfa fields in the area and the possibility of deer getting the '^alfalfa habit.'* 4 Job V-Bs Work Plan Vis Work Plan VII i Job VI I- A? Job VII-Bj Collection of Analysis of Deer Stomachs in Ashland District Stomach contents are being collected from deer killed in the evening (before they get to the alfalfa fields]!^ at 8 - 9 PeM, (after they have been in the fields several hours )5 and in the early morning (as they leave the fields) « These samples will be analyzed at a later date* Deer Population Studies of Carter Unit Preliminary investigation of Long Pines area in this unit indicate a population irruption of "white-tailed deer o Investigation will proceed as time permitso Study of Introduced Mountain Sheep Herds in Badlands The eight foot woven-wire fence enclosing 328 acres on Billy Creek (N.Wo Garfield County) has been completely removed and the bighorns Wiich were enclosed within have been released* Twenty-eight bighorns were again counted in the areao The ewes and lambs left the immediate vicinity and were seen east of the enclosure in rugged terrain^' Seven rams were still in the enclosure several weeks after the east fence had been removed* The two water holes in the enclosure still contained water^ and considerable sign around them indicated their continued use* The favorable location of these water holes near good escape cover would seem to warrant their continued maintenance « Census and Survey of Elk Herds in Eastern Montana Census and Survey of Established Elk Herds Inactive during report periods Investigation of Recently Introduced Elk Herds Inactive during report period. 5 Submitted by: Name Don L. Browi Title Biolo/3:ist Approved by: Montana State Department of Fish and Game By__ Robert F« Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15. 1952 6 JOB COFIPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. VJ~1-R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan No. I Job Nq» l-k Title of Jobs Antelope Survey (Big Horn Unit) , ■ Date ; July 10 ^ 11^ 1952 ' ' ■ PERSONNEL r D. L, Brown ' R, J, Fischer .v ^^'r.-,,; ;„ : . ^ : ' ■■ ■■ QBJECTr^S; ■ ' ^ ' ' ^ ' 1. To determine the number of antelope in this area .in order to make recommendations in regard to the farmer-rancher complaints. 2. To increase or leave as set^ the proposed fall hunting kill« TECHNIQUES USED; ■ ' . ' ' A complete survey was conducted with flight strips flovm at one mile intervals in a north-south direction and at less than 100 feet elevation. The Big Horn River was the eastern boundary j, Woody Creek the southern^ the Big Horn County Line was the western ^ and Pine Ridge the northern boundary » This sur-vey area was divided into two parts^ north and south of Highway S7. South of highway is for the most part Indian Reservation in which hunting is not restrictede North of Highway 8? - the Toluca area ~» is the big game closure in i\'hich antelope were originally planted <, The total number of antelope (on strips) was divided by the total area* This figure was used to determine the antelope density in each of the above areas* GEf^RALj In 1947 and 1948 antelope were transplanted into the Toluca area ■which is located on the east side of the divide (Pine Ridge) between Yellow- stone and Big Horn Rivers north of Highway 87 • It is designated as hunting area 22 on the 1952 antelope hunting map^, although only the northern portion of this area is included in the Toluca area. This area is mainly low rolling hills with grassland - sage cover t;^rpe. Timbered parts are found along Pine Ridge sjid the Big Horn River. Farming is extensive only along the river. 7 Antelope Planted in This Area in 1947 & 1948 Date Released Males Females Total Januarj'" 1947 12 54 ■ 66 December 1947 18 30 48 March 1948 32 72 104 Totals 62 156 218 The antelope of the above transplant were protected by the closed season and Big Game closure for five years. Some antelope have probably drifted south of Highway 87 and could have been hunted by Indians on the Crow Reservation* Only a small number of antelope were found on the Reservation during this survey, FINDINGS ; See Figure I (Map of Area) The survey area comprised 508 square miles. The antelope density south of Highway 87 on the Crow Indian Reservation was only .18 antelope per square mile; whereas north of Highway 87 the density was 1.34 antelope per square mile. On July 10, a newborn fawn antelope was observed, CONCLUSION; This survey disclosed that there were 41 antelope on the 228 square miles of Crow Indian Reservation land south of Highway 87; with a density of .18 antelope per square mile. The area north of Highway 87 included 280 square miles and contained 374 antelope with a density of 1.34 antelope per square mile. The combined density was .82 antelope per square mile. The range is very similar on both sides of Highway 87, but the antelope were transplanted north of the Highway and due to topographic barriers - Highway 87 and C. B. & Q. Railroad - it is believed that few antelope have crossed into the Indian Reservation. The buck-doe ratio is 1;1«4 and the doe-fawn ratio is 1;1.2 for the whole area surveyed, with 80% of the antelope being classified. RECOMMENDATIONS; When transplanting was conducted in the Toluca area, about 900 antelope or 3 antelope per square mile for the area north of Highway 87, was considered the desirable carrying capacity. However, as most of the antelope bunched on farmland, the carrying capacity will have to be reduced in order to maintain successful relations with farmers and ranchers. 8 «■ 33 fc- T. IN. rss. 03 RES ERVAT I ON BIG HORN UNIT e=e: By all present indications there •:;:-r8 novr about 415 antelope in this area. It is recommended that 100 buck and 100 antelope of either sex be taken. Prepared by Don L. Brox-rn Approved by Robert F. Gooney Date October 15, 1952 10 JOB C014PLETI0N REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No« W-1~R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan No. I Job No. I-A Title of Job: Antelope Census (Crazy Mountains Unit) PERSONNEL; D. L. Brown . R* J. Fischer OBJECTIVES; ^ ^ ' " ' ' ' ' ' " To determine the density of antelope in this area. PURPOSE; ' Due to economic conflict with agricultural crops, especially alfalfa, the farmer - rancher complaints were growing. Therefore a complete survey was conducted to determine the number of antelope in thie area and to recommend a season which would reduce the numbers to the economic carrying capacity. This area had never before been censused or been included in an area open to antelope hunting. TECHNIQUE USED: A complete coverage type (aerial) survey was conducted in the area using a Piper Cub 10% Antelope encountered were counted and classified as bucks, does and fawns or as unclassified when the distance was too great and classi- fication became uncertain. GENERAL: See accompanying map. This area is bounded by Sweetgrass Creek on the north and east, the Yellowstone River east of Big Timber on the south and Big Timber Creek and Absaroka National Forest on the west and northwest respectively. Grassland is the main type of range with a scattering of sage throughout but never becoming dominant. Purple lupine was very prominent on the range at the foot of the Crazy Mountains. Otter Creek runs through the middle of the area in a southeasterly direction (see map). Varying densities of timber are found along the creeks and along the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. 11 FINDINGS; • • ■ V.^;;: A total of 542 antelope were counted in the 257 square miles covered by air, giving a density of 2,1 antelope per square mile. Based on 39fo of the total antelope classified the buck-doe ratio was 1:1,6 and ratio of does to fawns was Ijl. Deer were common in and near the timbered portions of the survey area. CONCLUSIONS AND RECQMI4ENDATI0NS; It is concluded that a population of 2.1 antelope per square mile is not in great conflict with the economy of this area. However, a harvest on this herd should begin which will in effect reduce the population until the next fawn crop. Prepared by Don L. Brown Approved by Robert F. Gooney Date Qctob^:i5..^;|95|^ 12 13 JOB PROGRESS REPORT imnilSTIGATIONS PROJECTS State Montana Project Mo. W-l-R-12 (Eastern) Work Plan V Job No, V-A Title of Job; Deer Population Study (Powder River Unit) Dates; July to September, 1952 OBJECTIVES; 1. To make a census of the deer population,. 2. To determine the amount of damage done by deer on alfalfa crops. TECHNIQUES USED; ■ : , . ; -i:.;; ' . A preliminary census has been carried out for the past two months on various drainages of the Custer National Forest (Ashland Division) » Methods of census consisted of early morning and early evening counts j supplemented by counting at night ^th the aid of a spotlight. Since the heaviest concen- tration of deer appeared to be in areas used for raising alfalfa (for both seed and hay) the census was restricted to these and adjacent areas. The total areas of census along these bottom lands covered about 200 sq. miles. The deer move into the alfalfa fields in the evening and move into the surrounding coulees in the early morning. The time of movement seems to be quite constant, that is, around 8-9 P.M. and about 4-5 A.M, Weather conditions or other adverse circumstances alter this procedure. The early morning and evening counts are of limited value (for f^^i'^ man) since the rising and setting of the sun establish an exact length of time in which the count can be made and thus extends the count over a long period of time. The population densities show considerable variation from area to area. Ten and Fifteen Mile Creeks, for example, show 5 to 6.7 deer per square mile, while the upper end of Otter Creek, Hanging Woman Creek and Lee Creek show around 20 deer per square mile. The population of this area (Custer National Forest, Ashland Division, bottom lands only) appears to be around 2400 head. One doe with three fawns was observed and two does with three fawns each were reported. Doe-fawn ratio, from observations, appeared to be l;l,2e Only one white-tailed deer was observed during the entire period. FINDINGS; 14 GQMaUSIQNSt Observations tend to indicate that the deer habituating the alfalfa fields remain within three-fourths to one mile of the fields during the day. The spotlight method of census is considered to be of limited value, since no sex ratios, fawn crops or estimate of numbers not seen can be obtained. Also, it necessitates the presence of two men, one to drive and one to operate the spotlight. In addition, prior to attempting to ^^spotlight" an area, the area must be covered in daylight to prevent the counters from becoming lost in the field at night. HECOMISNDATIONS; Either sex deer seasons should be the yearly occurrence in the area| predetermination of season lengths and areas to be opened will bring about the necessary kill for each year. Prepared by Joseph L. Egan Approved by Don L. Brown ■■ Date October 15, 1932 15 state Montana Project Noo W-l-R-13 Date September 22 « 1952 Volo TIT NOo TTT QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By r .• vr - FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS lo Title of Project 2 Wildlife Survey and Management - Western Montana 2, Leaders Phillip Bo Marshall^, Junior Biologist . ■ I , 3o Report of Progress Big Game Population Studies Big Game Survey in South Fork of Flathead » Swang Blackfoot and adjacent areas Work in these areas consisted mainly of field trips to become familiar with the areas o Trips were made to the most critical areas when possible « ■, , .. : Work Plan It Job I~As Job 1-Bt Big Game Survey in the Bitterroot ^ Rock Creek, Fish Creek ^ Thompson Falls ^ Cherry Creek and adjacent areas o Several trips have been made to the Bitterroot to become familiar with the areao Particularly noted were elk concentration areas of the past few years o These areas are being mapped to aid in censusing this winter^ and as an aid to locating the most likely areas to trap and tag elko In addition,, one trip was made to the Rock Creek area and one to the Fish Greek areao Work Plan II j Big Game Reproduction, Age Classification and Hunter Utilization Job II-Ai Age Classification and Herd Rate of Increase Preparations are being made to establish and operate checking stations where the necessary data and materials will be taken,, i ■' ,i ■■ . • Job II-Bs Hunter Utilization To be reported next quarter after th.e hunting season© 16 Work Plan III: Job III-A; Job III-B: Job III-C: Work Plan IV: Job IV-A: Job IV-B: Work Plan V; ^ Work Plan VI; Job VI-Ai Job VI-B: Job VI-C: Job VI-D: Work Plan VII; Job VII-A: Work Plan VIII: Study of the Migratory Habits of Big Game in Key Areas Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on the Blackf oot Game Range To be done during the coming winter • Tagging and Release of Mature Elk on the Bitter root To be done during the coming v/intero Tagging and Release of Mature Elk in the Upper South Fork To be done during the coming winter. Range Inspection and Browse Measurements Forage Utilization on Key Areas Inactive during quarter. Range Condition Survey Winter ranges were examined in the course of familiariza- tion trips in the South Fork, Swan, and Bitterroot areas* Critical examinations were not made, but all ranges showed evidence of past moderate to heavy us^ and in some cases severely heavy use^ Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigation Progress report attached^ Rocky Mountain Goat Investigation Study of Movements and Migration Work being continued « Age Determination by Tooth Wear and Replacement Work being continuedo Sex Ratio and Herd Reproductive Studies Work being continued,, Study of Mountain Goat Winter Range Distribution Work being continuedo Aerial Salt Distribution Work to be done in May and June of 1953* Characteristics of Natural Licks Used b;^ Wildlife in Montana Progress report attached. 17 Submitted byi Name Phillip Bo Marshall Title Jr« Biologist Approved hjt Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert Fo Cooneys Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date IS PROJECT (Western) ' ' ' ' ' WORK PLAN NOo V ' ! , ' TITLE g A FIELD STUDY OF THE BIGHORN SHEEP LAMB , . t^'.'';;;''^-^/-' PERSONNEL t Herman Ao Ogren^ Jto Biologist ../i ^'^'..: , " ' S^-, .■.XV"'".-.! Local volunteers /' '.' '■ ' ' ,• ^ INTRODUCTION; •■ r ■ . y r^ This is a study of lamb survival -^ich began Aprils 1952 and will .■ '• continue at least through next yearns lambing season. To date^, only the population on Wildhorse Island^, Flathead Lake has been included in the study o Eighteen lambs were born^ Apr il=" August eight of which I have had • in hand and marked » Intensive observations will be continued through the ; fall and winter to see how these individuals fare*, . , , ,,,.,..„v OBSERVATIONS g ' ' " Vnf Two of the lambs marked and released were born during a very rainy periodo Much rain followed immediately after their birtho One was re- captured shortly after their initial capture and marking^ then both dis- appeared and have not been seen since o This conforms to the theory held by old time residents of the Ural and Tweed area (according tc 0<, J« Nollar^ local deputy game warden) "^o feel that spring rain causes sickness in lambs and holds down the crop during wet yearso Our first foster lamb was taken' ' while spring rains persistedo A light rain fell off and on most of the ■. -.':;vr day when the lamb was about one week oldo No effort was made to shelter" the animal which was nursing outside on a domestic ewe in about the same amount of cover the wild sheep have been seen to go to during rainy periods o The lamb becam.e damp and hairs clumped together, in pointed tufts by evening^ but he didn*t appear to be uncomf ortableo Sporadic light rain continued during the nighty so that by morning he felt wetter but wasn't wet to the skin until later in the dayo At this point we dried him thoroughly and put the ewe and lamb in a sheltero Even so^ the lamb became prostrate within forty-eight hours o With treatment— heat lamps and penicillin— he apparently re covered o (This treatment will probably save lambs in this condition but isn't practical as a field measure*) Treatment was discontinued and the lamb suddenly developed tjrpical acute pneumonia symptoms and died at one month of age© A lai'ge lung abscess of long standing was traceable to the initial illness » The University confirmed the diagnosis and isolated a pure culture of Pasteurella multocida from the lung abscess o Local domestic sheep men lose large numbers of lambs every spring which are afflicted with perhaps the same disease (at least outward symptoms are similar )o We hope to determine if this is all one disease and whether or not it is transferable between the two species. Some progress had already been made^, but this aspect will be concentrated on next spring o Because it would be desirable to have the remainder of the lambs and adult animals marked^, time was spent erecting a corral trap and one-fourth mile 19 of lead wingo Many attempts have been made to drive the animals into this trap» One drive included four horsemen and twenty-five footmen. Local volunteers have helped several other times*, Only one young ewe with a lamb about two months old were actually captured o On other occasions the sheep have been driven a mile only to have them "break loose" at the mouth of the corralo Once thirty-five to forty sheep were driven to the trap which had been left open in the rear so that animals wouldn't damage corral and wing (especially horses) and would learn where they could get through this "blockage"o Some sheep had actually gone through the opening at the rear of the trapo When I tried to drive them back and close the opening they escaped and the attempt failedo On August 4th, another lamb (two days old) was taken to be fostered^ Instead of using a domestic ewe^ it is being bottle fedo It now weighs twenty-five pounds o Perhaps the most significant data it will provide is X-rays of known age jaws, although much other interesting data is being obtained from ito (Dr^ Mo Po Wright of the University Health Service at Missoula is taking monthly X-rays o) A floral map of the island is about completed o Collections have been made of trees, siirubs and grasses. Herbs will be collected next spring as they flower o Observations of herd composition and movement, competition between species, parasitism, etc, are being sought© RECOMMENDATIONS; We feel that we learn something each time we attempt to drive these animals for capture,, Part of the explanation for our negative results is simply due to chance but difficulty in coordination between personnel can account for this in part alsoo Light weight portable two-way radios would eliminate some of the latter uncertainty » Submitted by Herman Ao Ogren Approved by Phillip Bo Marshall Date October 15. 1952 20 PROJECT (Western) ' WORK PLAN No. VIII TITLE; THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL LICKS USED BY BIG GAME ANIiMALS IN MONTANA . - . . I ' J' PERSONNEL °o I>wight So Stockstad^ Student Assistant Mineral cafeterias were maintained and checked for use by big game in the South Fork of the Flathead Primitive Area^ the Sun River Primitive Area^ the Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range, the National Bison Range at Moiesej, the Swan Valley and the Bitterroot Valley* Use on these cafeterias ^ as was indicated by previous cafeterias^ was primarily on all sodium compounds with trace use being received on magnesium chloride^ potassium chloride and cobaltous chloride o Soil impregnation tests placed in the South Fork of the Flathead Primitive Area and the Sun River Primitive Area received use on all sodium compounds used in the tests. No use was evident on other compounds tested* Chemical analysgs of lick and soil samples were continued under the direction of Dro Eo Co Lory of the Chemistry Department at Montana State Universityo Analyses '"ompleted to date indicate that phosphorous j iron and sulphur are not the attracting elements present in the licks o Samples are being analyzed for various other elements and will be reported on upon the completion of these analyses o Submitted by Dwight So Stockstad Approved by Phillip Bo Marshall Date October 15. 1952 21 STATE Montana PROJECT NOo w~35-R°4 DATE October 15, 1952 VOLc III NO. Ill QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1« Title of Project; Gallatin Management Unit ^ ._: 2o Leaders Jo E«, Gaab ^ Unit Biologist Philip Souths Junior Biologist (•< Jack Saunders J Student Assistant ; . , ;r. Jack Lentfer^ Student Assistant 3« Report of Progress 2 Work Plan 1; Big Game_Population and Range Trends ;, ;, . Job l-A; Big Game Survey of the Beartooth Plateau (including Boulder River Drainage) Progressingo lo Main Boulder River hunter^ s choice deer seasono a» A good deal of opposition from local people was encountered in this area as to the reduction of either sex deero Two inspections were made and local people contacted to get this type of man- agement under wayo 2o West Rosebud River (Mystic Lake) Big Game Closure, ao General inspection of present area was made with local people and the area was decreased in size to effect protection in the close proximity of the Montana Power Plant and Pipe Lineo 30 Beartooth Lake Plateau survey. ae Job Completion Report attached o Job 1-Bs Big Game Survey in Absaroka Wilderness Area Progressingo lo Salting elk Absaroka Wilderness Areao ao Job Completion Report attached* 22 Job 1=C§ Big Game Survey in Upper Yellowstone (Winter Ran^e of Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd Including Park Area) Progressing^ lo General inspection of Yellowstone elk winter range prior to the Absaroka Conservation Committee Meeting and attended the meetingo Job 1-Ds Big Game Survey in Gallatin (Including portion in Yellow- stone Park) Progressinge lo Two inspections o ao Coverage of elk winter range with Upper Gallatin Conservation Committee o bo Inspection of numbers and locating marked calves for Lincoln Index method of determining annual increase o 940 Elk observed 366 classified 91 Calves 8 Markers Job 1-Es Big Game Survey in Madison Progressinge lo Moose survey in Beaver Creek o ao Moose numbers increasing ■= harvest recommended^ Job l=Fs Big Game Survey in Ruby g and Job 1=G2 Big Game Survey in Blacktail lo Phil South = Junior Biologist assigned to Beaverhead County = spent the month of September familiarizing himself with current problems and general inspection of key areas o Job 1-H? Big Game Survey';^ Beaverhead River Area Job Completion Report attached o Job l-I^ Big Game Survey « Big Hole-Wise River lo Phi]. South = Jwiior Biologist assigned to Beaverhead County = spent the month of September familiarizing himself with current problems and general inspection of key areas o Job 1-Js Big Game Survey « Crazy Mountain Area Progress ingo lo Crazy Mountain Big Game Populations « ao In conjunction with concentrated work on Rocky Mountain Goats ^ data has been collected during the quarter on all other big game species and upland game birds within the areao Job l=Ks Big Game Survey ^ Big_Belt°Boulder Area Progressingo lo Bull Mountain Elk Range o ao A three=day inspection to determine the extent of the elk range on the northeast side of the Bull Mountain range o Work Plan 2s Big Game Reproduction, Age Classification and Hunter Utiliza- tion Progressingo 23 Work Plan 3' Work Plan 4: Work Plan 5' Work Plan 6: Is Shields River Antelope Hunter Harvests ae The first step in reducing the antelope population to the extent of practically eliminating damage to private property was observed e Hunters did not hunt hard enough to effect an adequate reduction in the antelope* b« Hunter utilization of antelope within Beaverhead River drainage. Job Completion Report attached,, Study of the Migratory Habits of Big Game in Key Areas Progressing^, lo See Job Completion Report attached - Job 1=H«> Range Inspection and Browse Measurement as well as Transect and Exclosure Observations Inactive during report periods Experimental Range Improvement Inactive during report period o Moose Investigation See Work Plan 1 - Job 1-Eo ' " ^ ^ ^ ■ Work Plan 7s Job 7-Ai Rocky Mountain Goat Investigation Investigation of planted Mountain Goat Herds Progressing. 1® Crazy Mountain Goat Surveys a» Two traps were constructed and four goats were trapped e bo General reconnaissance of the entire range was made* c« Summer aerial census of the entire range revealed the presence of 252 goats of which 66 were kidse de Comparative ground census method and aerial census method tested over part of the area, chart of results. Ground Air Total 126 163 Adults 83 119 Young 43 44 % of Young In Total Population 34»1 27»0 f . Notes Considerable twins were observed j three possible sets of triplets were observed. All goats trapped, tagged and released were observed during census surveys. Five range exclosures and check plots established. 24 Job 7"B? Work Plan 8i Job 8- As go Herbarium of range plants used by goats during the summer months collected o he Three stomach samples collected and weights and measurements made on seven goats o Investigation of Native Mountain Goat Herds Progress ingo le General inspection of Pintlar Mountains^ Rocky Mountain Goat Range « a» The Goat Flats area needs attentionj; range depletion is in evidence « Rocky Mountain Sheep Investigations - Beartooth Range (Rosebud-Stillwater) Progress ing« lo Four Rocky Mountain bighorn rams were observed on Monument Mountain (Upper Main Boulder) this September « Last year eleven ewes and lambs were seen on Sheepherder Mountain. Unit Biologist -'"ip South Junior Biologist Approved hjt Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert F« Cooneyy Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15. 1952 25 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 1/9brk Plan No. Job No. 1-A Title of Jobs Beartooth Lake Plateau Big Game Population Investigation. Objective: Personnel % Procedure: Findings : Conclusions s To become familiar with the area and big game hunting possibilities . Vern Waples J. E. Gaab ■ - Deputy Game Warden Biologist A general reconnaissance of the area was made on foot, back packing equipment and provisions necessary. 1. Moose habitat limited to spotted willow fringes and alpine fir groves. Adequate numbers of moose as indicated by range utilization. 2. Elk distribution scattered and population moderate with respect to summer range, 3. Inadequate forest trail network and signs to accommodate horse equipped campers = 4. The indefinte state boundary bisecting the area makes law enforcement a problem. 1. Moose and elk harvest in the area to be accomplished. 2. Inadequate trails and the lack of signs makes it hazardous for people completely unfamiliar with the area to utilize it as a recreational area. 3. There is need for an interstate cooperative agreement for the proper management of the area. Prepared by J. E. Gaab Date October 2, 1952 Approved by Robert F. Coonev 26 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 Work Plan No. 1 Job No. 1-B Title of Jobs Big Game Survey in Absaroka Wilderness Area SALTING ELK IH ABSAROKA WILDERNESS AREA To attract and hold Yellowstone Park elk in the Absaroka Wilderness Area to provide increased hunting success. J. E. Gaab - Biologist Pilot By placing salt on the fringe of the winter range to hold them back until the high country in the wilderness area became free of snow. By placing salt on summer range to hold elk away from the general proximity of the Park Bounda^ry. 1. Twelve hundred pounds of salt was distributed by air in early July on summer range within the Absaroka Wilder- ness area. 2. Examination of the salt grounds in mid-September indicated considerable use by elk. 3. The increasing hunter success during the first week of the harvest indicates the salt is having an effect on elk distribution. The hunter harvest has trebled during the years since the inauguration of the salting program. Conclusions; 1. The plan appears to be a feasible one and its use should be continued. Prepared by J. E. Gaab Approved by Robert F. Coonev Date October 2, 1952 27 Objective : Personnel : Procedure : Findings i JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 Work Plan No. 1 Job No. 1-H Title of Job? Big Game Survey, Beaverhead River Area RELATIONSHIP OF SHEEP CREEJC (MONTANA) AND SOUTH MEDICINE LODGE CREEK ( IDAHO) ANTELOPE HERDS Objective; To determine distribution of antelope prior to season and the effects of hunting pressure during current harvest. Personnels Philip South, Junior Biologist • Jack Lentfer, Student Assistant Jack Saunders, Student Assistant Procedures Stations were taken up at vantage points to allow complete observation of Bannack Pass. Lima Ranger Station was used as quarters through the courtesy of National Forest Service. Ground was covered by car and on foot. Findings s 1. Number of antelope counted crossing border between Montana and Idaho. a. Montana into Idaho - 37 b. Idaho into Montana - 14 c. These antelope crossed the border sporadically in small groups over a period of seven days. 2. Antelope observed in Sheep Creek Basin attempted to to elude the hunters by the most convenient route without regard to direction. There was no concerted movement toward the Idaho border. Conclusions s 1. The fact that there were more antelope crossing into Idaho from Montana than vise versa can be attributed to the greater number of hunters on the IVfontana side of the border. 2. Antelope that appeared in herds of about forty or fifty animals before the season were killed and scattered so that at the end of the season they were in small groups. Most of these groups numbered less 28 than six. During the hunting season they moved from the open part of the Sheep Creek Basin to the surround- ing hills. Recommendations s 1. Further observations necessary to complete year around status of the herd. Prepared by Phil South Approved by J. E. Gaab Date October 2. 1952 29 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-35-R-4 Work Plan No, 2 Job No. 2-B Title of Jobs Hunter Utilization HUNTER UTILIZATION OF ANTELOPE IN BEAVERHEAD RIVER AREA Objectives? Determine hunter success, area of kill and factors associated with hunter harvest. Personnels Philip South, Junior Biologist Jack Lentfer, Student Assistant Jack Saunders, Student Assistant Procedure; Lima Ranger Station was used as quarters through the courtesy of the National Forest Service. Hunters in the area were questioned concerning their success or knowledge of other hunter's success. A checking station set up in Dillon to check upland game birds also served as a source of in- formation concerning antelope on the last day of the ante- lope season. Findings; 1. Sheep Creek Basin (Area 46) a. Greatest number of hunters were observed on the first day of the season. b. Hunters" success was greatest on the first day of the season; however, some hunters got their antelope on the last day of the season. Over -all success was very good. 2. Sage Creek (Area 48) Centennial Valley a. Hunters most numerous on opening day. ■ b. Hunter success generally good. 3. Blacktail, Sweet Water (Area 47) a. Hunters not noticeable on any particular day of the season. b. Hunter success fair to good. 30 Conclusions s A majority of the hunters seemed well pleased with the season. A large percentage of the hunters in these areaj were successful. It may be assumed that hunter utiliza- tion was within previous estimates and that the antelope herds were substantially reduced. ' Prepared by Phil South Date October 2, 1952 Approved by J. E. Gaab 31 STATE Montana PROJECT DATE VOL W-36-R-3 October 13, 1952 III NO III QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1, Title of Project: Lincoln County Deer Management Study 2. Leader: Robert P, Blair Duane P. Couvillion 3o Report of Progress: A Study of the VJhite-tailed Deer Population in the Fisher-Wolf Creek Area (Kootenai Unit)* Management studies of the Lincoln County Deer Unit, formerly carried on by Jack Schmautz and Ade Zajnac, are being reactivated after having been discontinued for a period of about a yearo PROCEDURE ; Several weeks were spent in an intensive study of the files of the past work on the project to acquaint the new biologists with all phases of former work and the goals of those phases. Considerable time was spent in planning procedures to pick up those parts of the study i^ich were adapted to continuation and in formulating work plans to reestablish those parts v;hich offered no salvage, A great deal of travelling was done in this period with the aim of learning the country and meeting people v^o are either active in aiding the project or who are in positions to forward good public relations.. Repairs were made on deer live-traps to be used this winter in the Fisher-Wolf Creek area. Checking station locatic^'^ n^re decided upon and equipment for them was obtained. Some personnel have been hired and the rest arranged for. PURPOSE; 32 Survival counts on exclosures and check plots at Wolf Creek and Wapiti Mountain have been started and will be finished early in. October » Re-establishment of pellet group plots has been planned and preparatory work has been partly finished. Submitted bys , , Approved by? Name Robert Po Blair ' Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Unit Biologist , By Robert F« Cooneys Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 1$, 1952 33 STATE Montana PROJECT NOo W-37~R-4 DATE October 15, 1952 VOL. Ill NO. Ill QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS 1. Title of Project: Game Range Predevelopment Survey 2. Leader: Richard L» Hodder^ Range Biologist Owen A» Wilson, Range Biologist Carter Rubottom, Technical Assistant 3« Report of Progress: Work Plan Is Job l-kt Job I-Bj Job I>Cs Job I-Ds Job I-E: Job I-F: Job I-G: Job I-Hs Job I-I; Job I- J: Gallatin Winter Elk Range Range (Forage Inventory) Survey Inactive during report period o Forage Production and Utilization Transects Inactive during report period, Spring Use and Trampling Tests Inactive during report period o Browse Withstandability Tests Inactive during report p-eriod« Photo Plot Transects (Trend Studi Photo plot transects were taken and maintained. Forage Restoration Studies Inactive during report period « Weather Data Inactive during report period o Seed Analysis Seed was collected on the Gallatin for analyses testing at the State Seed Laboratory. Fertilizer Trials Inactive during report period. Herbarium Inactive during report period. 34 Job I»Ks Work Plan II ^ Job II"A^ Job II-Bs Job II-=C; Work Plan III^ Job III=As Stomach (Paunch) Analysis Inactive during report periods Sun River Winter Elk Range Winter Range Examination Inactive during report periods Photo Plot Transects (Trend Study) Photo plot transects on the Sun River area were taken and maintained e Range (Forage Resource) Survey A range survey was conducted on the Sun River acquis i= tion and adjacent lands throughout the entire period from July through September^ Fieldwork^, consisting of vegetative type mapping on aerial photographs along with all cultural and topographic features, was carried out by Owen Wilson and Dick Hodder on an area of a little better than sixty- four thousand acres o Simultaneously while fieldwork was in progress J office work^ consisting of drafting^ planimetering^ compilationi, etc« was carried out by Carter Rubottom at the field headquarters located at the Power Placeo To date^ fieldwork has been completed on the acquisi= tion its elf s on the area south of the acquisition as far as Ford Creek 5, and north of the acquisition to Sun Rivera, These sixty=four thousand acres have been drafted and planimeteredj, and the compilation nearly completed® The final tracing of the map will not be made until after the newly leased lands north of the river are typed, mapped J and compiled next summer o Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range Studies Forage Evaluation and Nutrition Studies Inactive during report periods Submitted by°. Name Richard Lo Hodder Title Range Biologist Approved bys Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert Fo Gooney^ Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15. 1952 35 STATE J PROJECT NO. DATE __ Vol. Ill Montana W-38-R-4 October 15, 1952 No. Ill QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT Title of Project: Upland Game Bird Surveys and Investigations Leader; William R. Bergeson, Biologist Report of Progress; Work Plan I; Ring-necked Pheasant Survey and Investigation State-wide Job I-A; Pheasant Breeding Populations and Production Job I-Bs Pre- and Post-Season Sex Ratios , and! Hunter Harvest Inactive during report period. Job I-C; Post Card Survey of Hunter Harvest ' Inactive during report period. Job I-Ds Pheasant Mortality and Causes Inactive during report period. T/fork Plan lis Survival of Game Farm Reared Exotics Job II-A: Survival Value of Game Farm Reared Pheasants Inactive during report period. Job II-B : Survival Value of Chukar Partridge Progress Report attached. Job II-C: Survival Value of Valley Quail Inactive during report period. Work Plan III; Ring-necked Pheasant Ecological Survey - Flathead Valley Inactive during report period. Segment 3. Pre-hunting Sea Completion report attached. 36 Work Plan IV s Pheasant Habitat Development Investigation *i Inactive except for a brief investigation of possible sites in the Kalispell area where winter feeding and shelter stations are contemplated. Work Plan Vs Prairie Grouse Management Study Job V-As Range and Distribution of Rrairie Grouse, Species Proceeding according to' schedule. Job V-Bs Population Trends and Breeding, Potential Studies Sage grouse transects (Meagher County Segment) Completion report attached. Job V-C; Prairie Grouse Experimental Areas Proceeding according to schedule. Job V-Ds Ef f_ect of Civilization on Prairie Grouse Inactive during report period. Job V-Es Habitat Development Inactive during report period. Job V-F? UJ^ History BlOlogz Ol Grouse Species Notes and data are being gathered and will be incor- porated in suitable reports when warranted. Work Plan Vis Mountain Grouse Management Study Job VI-As Determine Range and Relative Abundance of. Mountain Grouse Species Progress report attached. Job VI"Bs Experimental Gr-ouse Ma nag erne nt Study Areas 1. Grouse Management Study Areas 2. Hunter Checking Station Findings Progress report attached. Job VI-C§ Mountain Grouse Ecology and Life History All grouse observations are recorded and will be incor- porated in a report when warranted. Submitted bys Approved by; Name William R. Bergeson Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Game Bird Biologist By Robert F. Coonev, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15, 1952 37 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. I Job No. l-A-3 Title of Job: Pheasant Breeding Populations and Production PRE-HUNTING SEASON ROADSIDE COUNTS Introduction Past experience has shown that it is impossible to obtain satisfac- tory estimates of pheasant populations until early fall when most crops have been harvested, and frosts have reduced rank growths of weeds along roadsides. Therefore, pheasant counts over the State are delayed as long as possible prior to Commission action which determines dates of season and bag limits. This has usually been the September meeting during the past six years, Purpose To obtain information from the major pheasant producing areas in > the State to aid in determining hunting regulations. Procedure ' Roadside counts were made during the first two hours following sunrise in the areas considered in this report. The observers drove slowly through what was considered to be average pheasant habitat in each area and routes established in former years were retraced wherever possible. All pheasants within normal vision on either side of the road were recorded and in case of doubt, the birds were flushed to obtain a better count. Due to limited time, only one or two days were spent in each area. Results of these roadside counts are presented in Table I. The local game warden was contacted when possible and his opinions and observations concerning pheasants were obtained. Discussion of Findings A glance at Table I indicates that pheasant populations are practically at the same level as a year agoj both the Flathead and the Bitterroot on the West Side are up somewhat as are Hardin and Lewistown, while Fairfield and Conrad, along with the Milk River Valley, are down slightly. The three best pheasant areas continue to be the Flathead Valley, the Fairfield Bench, and the Conrad-Valier area. Fall popula- tions trends based on road counts in nine important pheasant areas are 3S Table I. Pheasants Observed on Fall Census Rou ites in lyoi anu LyDdC.» — — ' 1951 xyOZ Miles of Miles of . Pheasant Total Pheasants Pheasant Total Pheasants Habitat Pheasants per Habitat Pheasants per Area Driven Observed Mile Driven Observed Mile Billings 29.5 97 3.3 29.0 64 2.2- Conrad 12.0 249 20.75 15.0 266 17.7- Chinook 24.5 36 1.5 20.0 33 1.6- Fairfield 20.0 290 14.5 47.6 616 12.9- Flathead 71.4 809 11.2 71.5 954 13.4* Glasgow ■ ■ 21.0 :-3T'-- - ■ 1.75 16.0 16 1.0- Hamilton 64.0 125 1.9 64,0 161 2.5-* Hardin 26»0 50 1.9 ■ 26.3 60 2.3* Lewistown 22.0 . 8 0.4 20.0 38 1.9* Roundup 16.6 36 Sidney ID.O DO 3.5 21.0 80 3.8- Wolf Point 20.9 40 1.9 10.0 11 1.1"° OA o p;. 1832 5.3 340.4 2299 6.7 Phea sants Observed on New Census Rout es in 1952 Area Miles of Pheasant lotal Pheas ants Pheasants Habitat Driven Observec I Per Mile Miles City 21 .7 106 4.9 39 presented graphically in Table II. For those areas considered in the graph, the trend is upward slightly at 7.2 birds per mile compared with 6.2 birds per mile in 1951. Table II. Fall Pheasant Population Trends - (Ma.ior Pheasant-Producing Areas}-^ Birds per Mile 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8,0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 '41 »42 '43 M4 '45 »46 '47 '48 »49 '50 '51 '52 ^Billings, Chinook, Conrad, Fairfield, Flathead Valley, Glasgow, Hamilton, Hardin, and Sidney areas. According to crowing count data secured this past spring over most of the important pheasant ranges, there was a general decline in cock pheasant populations, (Montana Quarterly Report, Vol. Ill, No. lis 90-94). This was attributed to the larger harvest of cocks during the 1951 season and was substantiated by late winter sex ratio data which showed a ratio of one cock per 6.9 hens at Fairfield and 5.5 hens at Conrad, compared with one cock per 2.4 hens in both areas in the spring of 1951. 40 These findings substantiate the contention that given a favorable hatching and rearing season such as the past spring and summer, a sex ratio of one cock per six to seven hens is at least as favorable as one in which the sexes are nearly equal. , . More Huns were observed along most routes. Prepared by William R. Berqeson Approved by Robert F. Coonev Date October 15, 1952 41. PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. II Job No. II-B Title of Job: Survival Value of Chukar Partridge Ferry Basin Area - Sanders County Three men spent August 13 and 14 in this area, searching for chukars remaining from the plant of 274 birds released last fall. Seven chukars were found on the Camas Prairie side of the Horse Range, a distance of about five miles from the release point. These birds , were all thought to be juveniles. One brood of eleven young birds with one adult was observed near the horse corrals at the Forest Ser- vice headquarters. Two broods of eleven each were observed in this same area on September 8. The one brood was thought to be the same one seen several times earlier this summer. The young birds in the other brood were much younger and estimated to be about six weeks old at this time. On September 10, 1952, 200 banded chukars were released at the same point where the liberation was made a year ago. They were approximately twelve to fourteen weeks old at this time. A holding pen was erected here and the birds were provided with food and water. The pen was opened on the afternoon of September 11 and the birds moved off into the surrounding brush. They returned to the feeder each morning and evening. The birds were still in the vicinity of the release point on September 23, when about one hundred fifty birds were observed in one group. The known casualties from this latest plant total four birds to date. One died in transit; one was caught in a trap intended for skunks; one was found that had been shot by unknown persons and one was killed by a predator, probably a bobcat. George Jonkel, research fellow at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Montana State University, is studying this group of birds for his thesis material leading to the degree of Master of Science in Wildlife Technology. Bluewater Hatchery Area - Carbon County On August 9, 1952, six chukars thought to be young birds were found about two miles from the point where 190 young birds were 42 released last fall. The rancher on Bluewater Creek near whose ranch the birds were released reported a brood in his oat field when he was harvesting the crop August 23 and 24. On August 24^ 1952^ one hundred and eighty chukars about eight weeks of age were released in this same area. This area was visited on September 5^ and 150 chukars were counted at the release point. They were grouped around the harvested grain field and weedy field borders and were observed feeding in a pile of weed seeds that had been sifted out of the threshing machine. A ferruginous rough-leg hawk was noticed molesting the birds. This hawk was shot and the stomach found to contain chukar remains. The remains of five dead chukars were found in this area* Aerial predators were thought to have been responsible for their deaths. Fly Inn Area - Big Horn County This area was visited on August 10, and two chukars were flushed from a brushy ravine adjacent to the planting site where 81 adult birds had been released June 8, 1952. In late August the rancher^ upon whose place the birds were released, reported that two broods were visiting his chicken yard regularly. This report has not as yet been verified. Rapelje Area - Stillwater County This planting site is in a rocky canyon with a permanent stream running through it. The steep rocky slopes are covered with cheat grass and some shrubby plants. The birds were released at the junction of cultivated fields and grazing land. Alfalfa and grain fields are nearby and one recently abandoned field is grown up with rag weed, pig weed and lambs- quarter. The creek bottom supports a heavy growth of chokecherry and nettles. Feral pigeons are abundant in the cliffs along the walls of the canyon. Two hundred and four^ ten- week old chukars were released in this area on, August 27, 1952* This area was visited on September 3 and 4, and at that time the birds were still grouped near the point of release. Five dead birds were found but it was impossible to determine the cause of death. Several marsh hawks were found to be molesting the chukars* Two of these hawks were shot, but no chukar remains were found in the stomach contents. Prepared by Wesley Woodqerd Approved by William R. Berqeson Title Junior Biologist 43 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. V Job No. Y-B Title of Jobs Population Tre nds and Breeding Potential Studies MEAGHER COUNTY SAGE GROUSE POPULATION CHECK - 1952 Personnels Robert L. Eng, Junior Biologist Allan L. Lovaas, Student Assistant Purposes This check was made as a continuance of work done over preceeding years in an attempt to determine the popula- tion trend of sage grouse in this area. Procedures Routes, which in most cases circumscribe a section of land, had been established in this area in 1942 and rewalked in subsequent years. Four of these routes were rewalked and the number, age, flushing distance, cover type, and distance from water recorded in each case that sage grouse were observed. All routes were walked at approximately the same date and time of day. Road counts were made on the same routes and under similar conditions as in previous years. The number and age of all grouse observed were recorded. Brood data were gathered while on the road and walking strip counts and while traveling to and from these areas. The opinions of local sportsmen and of Mr. K. 0. Fallang, deputy game warden of this area, regarding sage grouse population were solicited. Findings and Discussions A total of 43 grouse were observed while walking the 16 miles of routes in 1952 compared to 50 while walking the same strips in 1951 (Table l) , seemingly indicating a decrease of 14 percent. 44 o O C5^ to -4- f-i' -4- CM !>5 o o x: 03 0 d a CO §> d o > CD CO o O cv u-\ CD H ?i O o ^ — / 6 G o o o (\/ o r- i <^ UA £>- o i>- u-\ 0 c 0 o 0 o H CO O o CM 0 0 o CV O CM O CM c\i »r\ * o o t~-\ f — i H cv O O CM CM -4- H UA O to CM O H HI ^ H i>- H CM O ON O to -4- O Oi UA O ^ o -4" cv CM o CM e CM o o CM o -4 o Hi -4- -4 -4- -4- -4 -4 -^r -4 -4 -4 M CD H FH o to H to Cn2 to -4 to UA -vO to to to The road count in 1952 totalled 72 as compared to 62 in 1951, suggesting an increase in the population of 16 percent, (Table II). Table II. Saqe Grouse Observed over Established Road Route 1948-1952. Length of Grouse Observed Sage Grouse Date Route Adults Younq Total Per Mile July 22, 1948 20 miles 32 88 120 6.00 July 14, 1949 20 miles 55 66 121 6.05 July 12, 1950 20 miles ^ 56 23 79 3.45 July 25, 1951 20 miles 54 8 62 3.1 July 8, 1952 20 miles 60 12 72 3.6 Five Year Average 4.44 Average brood sizes are given in Table III. Brood available for 1951, but the average size for 1952 indicates (13^) than the six year average. counts are not smaller broods Table III. Saqe Grouse Brood Sizes - 1942, 1946, 1948 , 1949 , 1950 and 1952. Year No. of Broods Total No. ( 3f Younq Averaqe Brood Size 1942 28 165 5.89 1946 8 19 2.38 1948 61 349 5.72 1949 26 123 4.73 1950 16 59 3.70 1952 21 81 3.86 Five Year Average 4.36 46 The percentage of adults in the total number of birds observed in the area (road counts and walking strips) is given in Table IV. This de- crease from 1950 corresponds to the increase in brood size between the two years. „ , Table IV. Percentaqe of Adult Saqe Grouse in the PoDUlation. Saqe Grouse Obs served Date Yni 1 no Total Percentaqe of Adults 1942 20 17 37 1946 16 16 32 50.0 1948 52 134 186 27,9 1949 126 89 215 - ...... 58.6 1950 139 47 186 74.7 1951 131 27 158 82.9 1952 100 ' 64 164 60.9 Interviews with people of the area revealed an opinion of a general upward trend of sage grouse numbers but continued opposition to an open season on the birds. This opposition was based primarily on the small size of the area and its proximity to population centers which could provide considerable hunting pressure. An effort was made to gather data relative to changing land use, which will be covered more fully in a later report. Continued destruction of sage brush (burning and plowing) in this area was noted in conjunction with changing land use. The seven years trend data gathered from 1942 to 1952 are summarized in Figure I. Assuming that the methods used produced accurate data, the aver- age brood size for any one year should vary directly with the average number of birds/mile on road and walking strip counts and indirectly with the per- centage of adults in the population for that year. An examination of the figure for four years (1948, 1949, 1950 and 1952), for which all of these data are available, shows this relationship to be more pronounced for the average brood size, percentage of adults and nuinber of birds/mile on road counts and less so for the birds/mile on walking strips. From 1948 to 1950 inclusive these data show a decrease in average U7 1942 1946 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 x^IGURE I. SAGE GROUSE POPULATION DATA FROM MEAGHER COUNTY, 1942, 1946, 1948 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952, LEGEND Average Brood Size Percent Adults in Population Average Number Grouse per Mile Walking Strip Average Number Grouse per Mile Road Count 48 brood size with a corresponding increase in percentage of adults in the population. The number of birds/mile from road counts was highest in 1948 and 1949 and decreased in 1950 and 1951. No average brood size data is available for 1951, but based on its relationship to the other data in previous years, a low average is suggested. Data for 1952 shows a slight increase in brood size (over 1950 and the suggested size for 1951) with a corresponding rise in birds/mile on the road count and decrease in the percent of adults. These data suggest that a road census of sage grouse in this area will give a degree of accuracy to warrant its use in gathering data on nesting success, brood size, brood survival and possibly an index to the population. They also suggest the dependency of a higher popula- • tion of these birds in any one year upon the nesting success of that year. Patterson (1952) discusses road counts for sage hens with respect to gathering data on nesting success. He stated that the cover usually found in sage grouse habitat and the behavior of the birds made them more amenable than other upland game species to this type of inventory. Recommendations s It is recommended that this county remain closed to sage grouse hunting and that population studies be continued. In addition to the methods used previously, winter aerial counts and spring courtship ground counts are to be added. Data collected in a similar manner from areas open to hunting can then be compared with these in an effort to determine effects of hunting. Further study should be made to determine the time these trend figures can be most advantageously gathered. Patterson concluded that the phenology of mating and nesting activities "followed a prescribed pattern of occurrence, which did not vary appreciably". Dates for this pattern should be determined for this area and time for census activities set accordingly. As census data gathered from road counts seemed at least as accurate as those gathered from walking strips, and required less man- hours, it would seem advisable to abandon the walking strips. LITERATURE CITED s Patterson, Robert L. 1952. The Sage Grouse in %oming. Sage Books Inc. J Denvero 481 pp.. Prepared by Robert L. Eng Approved by lAfilliam R. Bergeson Title Junior Biologist 49 PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. VI Job No. VI-A Title of Jobs Determine Range and Relative Abundance of A/buntain Grouse Species Population Trendss In 1942 timber grouse census routes were established in the counties west of the Continental Divide. These routes are in average grouse habitat areas in each county. By comparing grouse numbers ob- served on these routes each year they are retraced, it is believed the population trend of the timber inhabiting grouse can be determined. Three hundred eighty-nine miles of routes in three representative counties were retraced in 1952 and results are shown in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4. Table 1. All Grouse Observed-^ Count V 1942 1946 1949 1952 Lincoln .35 .35 • .33 Flathead .18 .60 .43 .32 Ravalli .91 .21 .28 .53 Average .48 .39 .42 .39 ■grouse per mile of habitat walked. Table 2. Ruffed Grouse Observed* Countv 1942 1946 1949 1952 Lincoln .26 .46 .89 .04 Flathead .50 1.17 1.17 .08 Ravalli 1.13 .13 .13 .79 Average .63 .58 .72 .30 ■^Ruffed grouse per mile ruffed grouse habitat walked. 50 Table 3. Blue Grouse Observed-^ . - Co tint. Y 1942 1946 1949 1952 Lincoln .06 .20 .31 .31 Flathead .04 .10 .00 .06 Ravalli « Do .20 .32 .36 Average .26 .17 .21 .25 *Blue grou ,se per mile of blue grouse habitat walked. Table 4. Franklin's Grouse 01: )served-^ County 1942 1946 1949 1952 Lincoln .22 .05 .07 ;^ .11 Flathead .05 .28 .15 .26 Ravalli .12 .00 .00 . iU Average .13 .11 .07 .16 •^Franklin" s grouse per mile oi f habitat walked. Based on this trend census it is indicated that; (l) the timber grouse population is lower in 1952 than it was in 1942 and 1949, and about the same as the 1946 population, (2) ruffed grouse numbers are lower in 1952 than any census year, (3) blue grouse are more abundant in 1952 than they were in 1946 and 1949, and the population is about equal to the 1942 level, and (4) Franklin's grouse are more abundant in 1952 than any other census year. It would seem that increased numbers of blue and Franklin's grouse have approximately compensated for decreased numbers of ruffed grouse. Brood Counts 5 Brood sizes of timber grouse observed have been recorded when population trend censuses have been made and are shown in Table 5. 51 Table 5. Mountain Grouse Broods* Year Blue Grouse Ruffed Grouse Franklin's Grouse 1942 2.17 3.14 3.6 1946 1.55 3.25 3.0 1949 3.00 3.93 ■ 2.82 1952 3.68 4.34 3.07 Average 2.81 3.69 3.24 ^Young per brood. Blue grouse broods observed in 1952 were larger than any year in the past when observations were made. Blue grouse broods have been above average in size since 1949 and this probably accounts for the general pop- ulation increases of this species since that time. Ruffed grouse broods observed, although few in number, were consider- ably above average in size. This may indicate that the ruffed grouse has pass the low in its cycle and can be expected to increase in the next several years Franklin's grouse broods observed in 1952 were slightly below average in size. IVbuntain Grouse Survey East of the Continental Divide; ^ Many counties east of the Continental Divide are known to have at least some timbered areas which serve as grouse habitat. However, no hunting seasons on these grouse species have been allov;ed in most of these counties in recent years apparently due to lack of information on their status. Time and manpower limitations precluded a complete survey of each county but parts of four representative counties were checked and the results are shown in Table 6. Table 6. Grouse Observations in Counties East of the Continental Divide* County All Timber Grouse Blue Grouse Ruffed Grouse Franklin's Grouse Beaverhead .16 .13 .11 .05 Lewis and Clark .54 .53 .08 .06 Teton .27 .21 .33 .05 Meaqher .49 .27 .78 .00 Average .39 .29 .43 .04 •^Grouse per mile 52 o H 73 ON O in. O -4- ON « R ?^ ■ m O o 8 o o 03 tiOH c6 M CD 05 > U ® o c +310 CO nO to o o o o u ^ ^ -p CN2 ^ c\r s>- rrf o ■ ^ ■ < m C5 ix; oj £0 g) h pi +2 ® o id > ^ «i3 03 a Jbd CO -3 g +J|r^, O CV ON ^ to O^- O H kr\ C\i O O U:t CM UA -j- I e o o o r~! 5~l irH! ! — I 0) CH O pel O m O O © E-< C5 O CD J:^ 4_-| O S K O Q |o On nO o no ON CO CO; cr^ nO -4- ■^f O O^' On (v^ loi CV CM -d- ir\ j>- I rH ir~l -4- vO CM ON. ICO iH O r-l t — ( r~i K~! IC>' O H -4" u\ >-r\ i-f\ ON CTN CFN c^ . IrH (H ifH r-i H O to 'vO H CM O H O H CTN CTN t-l -4- sH CM CM C<1 O O |CM £> i>- H s — I CD cn ON .~d- CM HI iT\ H CO !>- ON H -4- O J>- H I — ! H CM CxD no ir\ CM ~4 CO nO CM NO H H -4 -4- CNi H H H H CM •u> CM CO (H O I>- CJN H H H H ON O H C\J ^ :Lf\ U'\ ON On ON. ON HI HI H H 4^ !>3 O O 0) O 4^) H PQ 0 o ^ w (p to ^ °H O nO H Oi O -4 -4 U~N CO UA CO O OO C\] CM s-r\ On CO -4 to O e o » H CM O H CO H CO CM C?N CO <^o CO CO (H H C\J |£>- UN, O H H -4- H O H C\J UA iTs, UN, ON C!N CJN H f — I H ►>5 -P 1+= o q o p ^ o ^ [O o . ' H H PQ 0 O S^ fO m CO ^ l°H O ii HI -4 O CM CM ON CM O H o CM o s — ! 0 0 o e 0 o c to UA CM £>• H O H CO H CO -4 o 0 c 0 0 o 0 >-fAxO iH CJN CO -4 vO -4- C^"% nO j>- CM -4- UA. 1 o o o i 6 © © H to CO to UA o o CO ON ON. H j o o o 0 0 o 0 1 f — t HI « — ! H o to CO NO o H iH rH ON CO CO CM H CO CO £>■ -4 H CM ON CO O- ON H sH .H CO On U\ CO -4 CO 1 CM CO -4 to to nO H CM H O ..4' ^ CO H u~^» nO H ON UA CM ■ O O o O Oh E-i 53 It is indicated that the mountainous areas in the counties east of the Continental Divide support grouse populations comparable to those found in counties west of the Divide. Wardens contacted in these counties with timbered areas east of the Divide concede that there are ample grouse to warrant a season. Many wardens who have both mountain and prairie grouse species in their districts favor a joint season to spread the hunting pressure. The following counties have timber grouse presents Lincoln, Flathead, Glacier , Pondera, Teton, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Powqll, Lewis and Clark, Cascade, Judith Basin, Fergus, lAlheatland, Meagher, Broadwater, Jeffer- son, Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Granite, Ravalli, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon and Big Horn. Hunter Checking Station Findings s Grouse hunter checking stations have been established at key points for checking hunters returning from some of the popular hunting areas. Re- sults of these checks are shown in Table 7. Average hunter success was higher in 1952 than it had been in 1950 and 1951. But it was still lower than the average hunter success in 1949. More blue grouse were bagged by the average hunter than during seasons the preceding three years. ^ Less ruffed grouse were bagged than in 1949 and 1951 but more than in 1950. More Franklin's grouse were taken in 1952 than in 1949 or 1951, but the kill remained very small. Prepared by Fred Hartkorn Approved by William R. Bergeson Title Game Bird Biologist 54 I PROGRESS REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-38-R-4 Work Plan No. VI Job No. VI-B Title of Job: Experimental Grouse Management Study Areas Bitterroot Area The West Fork of the Bitterroot River was closed to grouse hunting during 1951 and 1952. Observations in this area, as well as the East Fork area which was open, were made in an attempt to determine the effects of this restriction of hunting on a comparative basis. Results are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Grouse Observations in the Bitterroot Area"^ Date All Grouse Blue Grouse Ruffed Grouse Franklin 's Grouse East Fork (open) 1951 .24 .31 0 .08 1952 .54 « 33 .76 .15 West Fork (closed) • 1951 .26 .04 .16 .28 1952 .52 .44 .83 .00 Arouse per mile of respective habitat. Based on these population trend observations, it is indicated that the East and West Fork areas have approximately the same grouse population densities. In 1952 the area that had been open to grouse hunting (East Fork), showed a slightly higher population to be present than the area that had been closed (West Fork). The failure to find any Franklin's grouse in the West Fork area accounted for the only population decline in either area. It is too early to arrive at any definite conclusions in the areas involved. Pre- and post-season checks are in progress in both open and closed areas to determine effects of the recent open season. Prepared by Fred Hartkorn Approved by William R. Bergeson Titl e Biologist 55 STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-39-R-4 DATE October 15, 1952 Vol. Ill No. Ill QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS As Required By FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations 2. Leader; Wynn G. Freeman, Waterfowl Biologist 3. Report of Progress: Work Plan Jj State-wide Census Report a ttached. . Job I- As Aerial Waterfowl Census Completion Report attachedc Job I"Bs Ground Waterfowl Census Completion Report attached. Job I-Cs Study of Census Methods and Biology of Waterfowl in Flathead Vail ey Report attached. Job I-Ds Initiate _a Comprehensive Study on Winter Populations of Waterfowl Inactive during report period. Work Plan lis Waterfowl Production Studies Job I-Es Study jof Relationships of Stock Water Reservoirs to Waterfowl Production Population checks were made on all areas. Work is proceeding according to schedule. Work Plan Ills Evaluation of Hunter Harvest Job I~Fs Study of Hunter Harvest of Waterfowl Inactive during report period. 56 Work Plan lYs Waterfowl Bandin Job I~Gs Work Plan Vi Job I" Hi Job I- Is Job I-Js Job I-Ki Job I'U Waterfowl Movements and Migration Study A total of 69 Canada geese were banded. Work is proceeding according to schedule^ Pre- Acquis it ion Studies ,of Development Areas Pre- Acquis it ion Study g_f Freezout Lake Studies were made on the survival of broods on the area, A vegetative map of the area was made. The report is being compiled. Pablo Refuge Management Investigation Inactive during report period. Blackf oot~Cl earwater Habitat Development Investigation on State Lands Inactive during report period. Sun River Waterfowl Habitat Investigation on State Lands Inactive during report period. Investigation of Potential Waterfowl Habitat for Development Engineering surveys are being made on both Chain-OLakes and the Muddy Creek Projects. The necessary data were gathered for the submission of a project on Lake Helena. Submitted bys Name Wynn G. Freeman Title Waterfowl Biologist Approved bys Montana State Department of Fish and Game Robert F. Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15, 1952 57 INVESTIGATIONS PROJECT REPORT State of Montana ■ - - Project No, W-39-R-4 Work Plan No, I Title of Jobs State-wide Census A STUDY OF THE WATERFOWL POTENTIAL OF CERTAIN MOUNTAIN VALLEYS BITTERROOT VALLEY The Bitterroot Valley is located in western Montana, and extends in a southerly direction from Missoula to Darby. The valley floor is approximately three miles in width, and is the center of intense agricultural activity. The land is used principally for cultivated crops and the grazing of livestocks The Bitterroot River is the main water drainage channel of the valley. Numerous small streams, which arise in the mountainous areas that border the valley, discharge their contents into the river. The river drainage system is geologically young and the channel is subject to erosion and shifting. The river has a narrow flood plain which contains many crescent shaped sloughs. The sloughs, which are near the river channel, may either convey water throughout the year or only during periods of excessive v\/ater runoff. Other sloughs, perhaps more correctly called potholes, are completely removed from the main water drainage system. The river drainage channel and the associated sloughs contain a minimal amount of aquatic vegetation. The erosive action of the swiftly flowing water in the river channel, and the deposition of silt and debris in the sloughs are probably the limiting factors in the establishment of suitable growths of aquatic vegetation. The most profuse growths of aquatic vegetation occur in the water areas that are completely dissociated from the main river channel, and in the proximal portions of the tributary streams which may meander on the valley floor prior to joining the main drainage system. The dominant vegetation which grows profusely along the flood plain is, in the main, cottonwood, alder, and dogwood. Ground observation. — On April 29th a trip was made by car throughout the valley to determine the extent of waterfowl habitat, and the number and species of waterfowl using the area. The water areas are particularly difficult to observe from the ground. The roads are few, usually located well back from the river channel, and the profuse growths of woody vegetation obscure most of the drainage. It was found that the portion of the drainage system between Missoula and Hamilton constitutes the effective waterfowl usage area. This area is further delimited by the East Side Road 58 on the east and by U«S, Highway #93 on the west» TABLE 1. NUVIBERS AW SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED FROM THE GROUND Species Pairs Males Females Total Number Mallard 2 12 2 " 18 Green-winged Teal 1 1 Wood Duck ' 1 1 Whistling Swan , l(?) 2 Coot . 2(?) 4 Hooded Merganser 1 2 Amer. Merganser ' . 2 1 Total 33 Aerial observation«-"-On April 30th the river valley, as set forth above^ was observed from an airplane^ An effort was made to accurately count all of the waterfowl present in the drainage^ TABLE 2. NUMBERS AND SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED FROM THE AIR Species ^ Pairs Males Females Total Number Mallard 20 50 90 Teal (all species) 7 (no sex) 7 Canada Geese 1 2 Hooded Merganser 3 (no sex) 3 Amer, Merganser 8 12 (no sex) 28 Unidentified 75 (no sex) _75 Total 205 Discussions—The Bitterroot River Valley constitutes marginal waterfowl breeding habitats The mallard duck appears to be the most prevalent species^ The main waterfowl usage of this area is apparently for a feeding and resting site during the spring and fall migrations. It would be extremely difficult to make the area more atttractive to breeding waterfowl. At present , the long narrow drainage offers the duck hunter ample opportunity to pursue his sporty therefore, obviating 59 the necessity of acquiring public hunting grounds. Further, arable land is at a mimimum in the valley, and is in demand for agricultural interests. The area is best censused from the air, but it is felt that the data obtainable are too meager to justify the expense of such an endeavor, FLATHEAD AND LINCOLN COIMTIES This paper summarizes an investigation of the populations of waterfowl which were present in the major intermountain valleys in Flathead and Lincoln Counties from May 1 through May 21, 1952. The valleys average approximately twenty-nine hundred feet in elevation, and contain undifferentiated alluvium and glacial drift. The region is mountainous, and the tall er peaks average approximately six thousand feet in elevation. Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, lodge pole pine, and other less numerous coniferous species of trees grow in the region. Many potholes and small lakes are distributed throughout the region, and a preponderance of the bodies of water lie within the forested portions of the region. These bodies of water^ with few exceptions, have abrupt, wooded shores and clear, deep water, and support only a minimal amount of aquatic vegetation. A series of small streams form a drainage system for a majority of the bodies of watero The streams vary widely in water depth and water velocity. However, the majority of the stream valleys are overgrown with species of brush and trees. The region was divided into three subdivisions to facilitate both the survey and subsequent written description. The basis for division was the distribution of access roads throughout the region. The subdivisions ares 1. The Flathead River Valley extending north from Flathead Lake to Columbia Falls, and from the Swan Mountain Range on the east to Kalispell on the west, 2. The land area which was accessible from U, S. Highway #2 west of Kalispell toward Libby, 3. The land area which was accessible from U. S. Highway #93 north of Kalispell to Whitefish^ and to Roosville at the Canadian border north of Eureka. Land Subdivision No. 1 This subdivision was divided into two sectionsi one, the main valley floor which embraces the Flathead River channel, and two, the 60 forested land lying between Echo Lake and Lake Blaine and east of U«S, Highway #35. The main valley is best observed from a road which extends from U«S, Highway #93 north of Somers east to Bigfork. This route touches upon several of the larger potholes which are present in the valley. Aerial observation of this area revealed that few potholes are in this region. Some large sloughs occur along the Flathead River, but they represent marginal waterfowl breeding habitat by virtue of their depth and emergent shore cover, TABLE 1. NIMBERS A^D SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED FROM THE GROUND Species ' Pairs Males Females Total Number Baldpate 2 4 Blue-winged Teal 1 1 Green-winged Teal - 4 Mallard 3 3 9 Shoveller 1 1 Redhead 6 12 Ring-necked 1 1 Amer. Golden- eye 2 2 Ruddy \ , 4 4 Coot 12(no sex) 22 Total 50 The forested land lying between Echo Lake and Lake Blaine and east of U,Se, Highway #35 is extremely difficult to view from the ground because of the wooded land and the abrupt topography^ Eighty-three potholes were counted from the airo The shores of the potholes are densely wooded and the waters of the potholes contain little or no aquatic vegetation. The potholes alongside U.S. Highway #35 between Bigfork and Creston do not correctly portray the waterfowl usage of the potholes within the entire area. A full fifty percent of the waterfowl which were observed in this region were found to frequent the several potholes which are near the highway* The potholes alongside the highway differ from the potholes within the forested area in the presence of some extent of non- forested shore line. 61 TABLE 2. NUMBERS AND SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED FROM THE GROUND Species Pairs Males Females Total Number Baldpate 2 2 . . 6 Mallard 6 7 1 20 . Redhead 4 5 13 ■• Amer. Golden-eye .2 3 (sex unid. ) 7 Unid. Golden-eye 21 (six unid,) _21 Total 67 The aerial flight over the above described area was projected to cover the shore line of the northern end of Flathead Lake, The waterfowl which were observed are as follows? TABLE 3. NUMBERS AND SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED FROM THE AIR Species Pairs Males Females Total Number Baldpate 6 (sex unid* ) 6 Mallard 2 7 10(sex unid, ) 21 Unidentified ducks 11 (sex unid.) 11 Canada Geese ' 24 (sex unid.) 24 Total 62 Land Subdivision No« 2 The three water drainage systems which were recognized and partially observed in this subdivision are as followss 1. Ashley Lakes area through Ashley Creek to Kila Lake and into the Flathead River north of Flathead Lake. 2. Little Bitterroot Lakes through the Little Bitterroot River through Hubbart Reservoir into the Flathead River south of Flathead Lake. 3. From McGregor and Thompson Lakes, and Island Lake, Lynch Lake, Dahl Lake and vicinity westward to Fisher River, 62 Dahl Lake; (and drainage stream) Species Pairs Males Females Total Cinnamon Teal 1 ' 2 Green-winged Teal 1 1 Mallard 5 15 25 Shoveller 1 - . 1 Pintail 1 4 6 Redhead 2 6 10 Scaup 1 3 5 Whistling Swans 6 (sex unid. ) 6 Amer. Golden- eye •.: 1, 1 Total 57 Conversation with several individuals who inhabit the vicinity of the larger lakes revealed that the water areas are used by transient waterfowl during the spring and fall seasons of the year. The water- fowl that use the water areas in the vicinity of Thompson Lakes during the fall of the year were reported to attract sportsmen from the town of Libby. Land subdivision No. 3 Many small bodies of water are present in the subdivision, but none of the areas were felt to contribute significantly to waterfowl production. Several interested persons spoke of concentrations of water- fowl on some of the bodies of water during the migratory periods. The lakes invariably had a ring of brush or forest along the shore line. The lakes which were observed in the area were: Spencer Lake, Lower Stillwater Lake, Dickey Lake, Murphy Lake, Bass Lake, Carpenter Lake (also Tetrault Lake), Sophie Lake, and Glenn Lake. 64 SUMMARY OF WATERFOWL POPULATION BY SUBDIVISION^ Species Total in #1 Total in #2 Total in #3 Total Baldpate 10 6 4 20 Blue-winged Teal 1 4 3 8 Cinnamon Teal 2 2 Green-winged Teal 4 5 1 10 Mallard 29 96 23 148 Pintail 7 7 Shoveller 1 3 4 Wood Duck 2 2 Redhead 25 23 2 50 Ring-necked 1 1 Ruddy ' ■ ' ' ■ ■-■-.^ 4 Scaup " 43 43 American Golden~eye ; 17 29 Barrow's Golden- eye 1 6 Unidentified Golden—evp American Merganser ' 3 3 Whi sling Swan 6 6 UU XU cH L J. r J. cQ UUCKb ' '. . ■ CO DO 2 55 Totals 107 304 ^ 38 449 * Excludes report given on waterfowl along the north shore line of Flathead 65 TERMINAL MORAINE AREA IN BLACKFOOT VALLEY On May 22, 1952, an investigation was made of waterfowl habitat in a terminal moraine which is located in T.15 N. , R.13W., east of the headquarters of the Blackf oot-Clearwater Big Game Range. The observations were confined to Sections 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, and 22. The irregular topography of the terminal moraine provides many surface depressions which act as collecting basins for precipitation and associated runoff water. It is known from personal experience that many of the potholes are of permanent nature. A grass prairie constitutes the major vegetative cover. However, isolated areas of forest occur on some of the slopes which face toward the north and east. The tree species are Douglas fir and Cottonwood. Aquatic vegetation grows profusely in the permanent potholes. All of Section 21 and a portion of Section 16 are owned by the State Fish and Game Department. Section 21 offers a potentiality for the addition of suitable waterfowl nesting habitat by flooding surface depressions and maintaining water levels in potholes which are present in the section. This may be done with a minimum of construction, and by introduction of water mainly through an irrigation ditch system that already exists in the field. A majority of the potholes in the terminal moraine occur in Sections 9, 10, 15, and 22, land which is not owned by the State Fish and Game Department. Livestock were present on the range at the time of the survey. The grass was cropped short, and emergent vegetation in the potholes was grazed to the surface of the water in many instances. This grazing factor greatly reduced the suitable nesting sites for waterfowl, and it may be reflected in the low population of waterfowl which were observed in the area. Eighty-one potholes were observed during the period of observation. A majority of the potholes had grass cover on at least fifty percent of the shore line. The potholes varied widely in surface area, shape, depth, vegetative shore cover, and contour of the shore line. There were many more than 81 potholes in the entire terminal moraine which occupies an area much larger than the sections of land which were visited. However, it is felt that the greatest concentration of potholes exists in the previ- ously enumerated sections of land. 66 TABLE 1. NUMBER AND SPECIES OF WATERFOWL OBSERVED Species Pairs Mai es Females Total Number Baldpate Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Mallard •' Pintail Scaup Barrow's Golden- eye Buffi ehead ■ - Unidentified Ducks Total 6 4 2 5 1 4- 1 1 2 8 3 (sex unid. 7 (sex unid. 13 11 4 19 7 5 __7 76 Prepared by Dan Poole Date.: October 15, 1952 Approved by Wynn G» Freeman 67 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No, W-39-R°4 Work Plan No. I Job Nos«. I-A and I-B Title of Jobs I I~A Aerial Waterfowl Census I-B Ground Waterfowl Census WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY, 1952, IN MONTANA This report covers the fourth state-wide breeding ground survey made by Montana State Fish and Game Department personnelo These surveys,, are conducted as a contribution to continental waterfowl management o The 1952 survey was divided into two phases s The aerial survey to determine population and water area trends and the ground surveys to establish species composition and nesting success « ^ . The aerial survey was conducted by Don Brown (pilot) and Wynn Freeman (observer) 3, both of the Fish and Game Department « The ground survey was conducted by Gerald Salinas ^ Dan Poole and Richard Smith of the Fish and Game Department 3, and Student Assistant LeRoy Ellig, The U«, So Fish and Wildlife Refuge managers throughout the State made brood counts and submitted population informatdon. Total brood counts on Medicine Lake Refuge were made by Student Vernon Hawley* CLIMATIC CONDITIONS The early spring runoff and dry mild weather throughout the nesting season resulted in excellent conditions for waterfowl production. Severe flood conditions prevailed throughout the northern Highline country during late March and early Aprils This condition^ however^ filled potholes and reservoirs which had remained dry during most of the past two years* The newly created areas were available to nesting birds by the time they were needed » The exception to the state-wide situation of improved water conditions was the Highline area east of Glasgow* This area showed 23% fewer water areas in 1952 than were observed in 1951 • Based upon the rate of vegetative development and the appearance of appreciable numbers of early broods ^ the 1952 spring season was advanced one week or more in most of Montana. The severe storms which have been occurring in early June during the past three years failed to materialize this year. 68 METHODS The geological subdivisions of Montana as described in "Waterfowl Breeding Conditions in Montana" (Crissey and Others l/) were used as the basis for the surveys o Both transects and trend areas were used to deter^- mine the status of water areas and the population numbers o The survey was begun as soon as it was determined that the spring oiigration was near- ing completion o RESULTS The same transects and trend areas have been censused. since 1949 o (See Crissey and Others opocito) The comparative results of the 1951 and 1952 aerial censuses are shown in Table I« All three major 'subdivisions of the State showed an increase in the number of breeding birds over 1951e However^, the section of the Northern Glaciated Prairie which lies east of Glasgow showed a decrease in the number of water areas available for nesting birds (Table II) o Both the Eastern and Sheridan Moraine of the Northern Glaciated Prairie are in this sect ion o Table IIo Comparative Numbers of Water Areas as Determined from Aerial Transects o Area Appo Area (SqoMio) Water Areas Per Sg^oMio Percentage Potholes Reservoirs Total Water Areas % Change 1951 1952 1951 1952 1951 1952 East Highline 7,920 lo4 Id 75c9 73o7 24el 26.3 11,088 8,712 =21.4 Center Highline 9.468 2.0 2o4 62o6 680O 37o4 32e0 18,936 22,723 i-20o3 West Highline (Great Falls Piedmont) 7,020 2o3 2o5 72o4 68»0 27o6 32o0 16^146 17,550 1^ 9o3 Total ■ 46,170 48,985 The central Highline j, an area of early spring floods ^ showed an increase in breeding population of 25o98 percent o This area also had an in= crease in water areas amounting to 20o3 percent o Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge and several easement areas are located in this sectiono Leon Snyder^ Refuge Manager^ had this to say regarding these areas (personal correspondence) ^ "Our easement refuges in Hill^ Blaine and Phillips Counties all overflowed their spillways J some of them for the first time since the establishment of the areas Tj Crissey and OthersT^^^^Serfowl Populations and Breeding Conditions Summer 1949/* Special Scientific Reports Wildlife Noo 2, pp 123=135 Table lo Comparative Information on the Montana Waterfowl Breeding Ground Census of 1951 and 1952, Sqo Mie Ducks/ Approxe Size Population Percent Area Sampled Sq» Mi^ of Sample Area Estimate Chanp^e Northern Glaciated Prairie +10«73"''' Eastern 1951 158o5 4«35 , 34,452 7,920 -5o6^ 1952 158»5 4«12 32,630 Central 1951 132e75 10ol6 . 96,195 9,468 25o98 1952 124«25 12,80 121,190 Sheridan Moraine ... ■ 1951 48 22«79 32,818 1,440 . -6o4^ 1952 48 21o35 , • ' 30,744 • Great Falls Piedmont 1951 142,75 4e43 • ■ v : 31,098 7,020 ; : -lol^ 1952 137o75 4»38 30,748 Southern Unglaciated Prairie ;, Trend Areas 1951 599 0,71 1952 599 1»08 Mountainous Area Trend Areas 1951 14o25 28,1 1952 14,25 31o8 f52.< fl3^ -"-Weighted percentage increase 70 as refuges. Lake Thibideau in northern Montana^ entirely dry for the past 17 years J obtained a 12-foot water depths" Further j "On the whole, the writer feels that the spring migration was above normal and a far greater than usual number of ducks remained to nest in the general area*" The southern Ungiaciated Prairie Region is the largest habitat unit in the State*. Stockwater reservoirs constitute the bulk of the available water* The waterfowl density in this region is normally lowe However J the trend areas in this region shov/ed a greater percentage increase in breeding birds than any of the other regions (Table I) o In addition^ the number of water areas on two of the trend areas was increased by 20 percent through the construction of new dams and the filling of areas that have been dr'y. The trend areas in the mountainous region showed a 13 percent increase over the 1951 breeding density* Grover Elgan^ Refuge Manager for Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuges in the mountain area saysj, "There seems to be an increase in the number of breeding waterfowl this year*" Winston Banko^ Refuge Manager of Red Rock Lakes ^ said about their breeding population j "Wat*^rfowl breeding populations are roughly equal to, or slightly greater than was present last year»" The species composition of the breeding waterfowl population was determined for five trend areas (Table III) ^ There were notable changes in the percentage of species composition of each area^ There was a very apparent increase of pintails throughout the northern prairie area.* All trend areas shov^red a decrease in the' percentage composition of shovellers and blue-winged teal« This trend is shown by figures from Bowdoin, Medicine Lake Refuge and Freezout Lake (Table III) « Redheads also showed a trend towards increase in this area* A large percentage increase of scaups and a decrease in shovellers and blue-winged teal was noticeable at Freezout Lakeo This was the second consecutive year that pintail have shown definite increases in this area® The Brown* s Lake trend area in the mountainous region showed a large percentage increase for both mallards and blue-winged teal« It showed a decrease for scaup and baldpate® The major change in the Flathead trend area of the same region was a considerable increase in redheads (Table III) « Weather and water conditions combined to make an ideal waterfov/l production year« Even in the Sheridan Moraine area where both fewer water- fowl and fewer water areas were counted in the springy production was equal to that of 1951 => For example^ Refuge Manager Adams at Medicine Lake Refuge says "Throughout the summer there has been a shortage of refuge ducks in 71 03 -P o •H CO o3 0 0) >> •H ?^ O Cm CO o Q tuO •H tS (D (D PQ O O •H -P •H CO O « o O CO H •H XJ 03 rH O o CD Q « M M CD rH X! 0) Eh • p. o3 o cv rH CD o o3 >. -CV'^«)-^i» O C'~, ir\ r.-^ O C- O ONOO-ctc^c-^-^cnOCOONOOOO H CM OvJ " v£) -CO LOs to ^ vO O to O O H O o o o cv e e e 0 9 & 9 • • • • • • • 03 o r<^ tX) rH rH CV rH O O rH -4- C^', O o o O 1-5 o ON C\> -P o rH (D O p. 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CO H -4- O rH O -ci- CM sO o o o O Cm rH * * • • e • • « • O « « » 9 0 m rH O O rH ON rH C\i CvJ O CM o o o o •H r-H CM 9 (D s o CM o3 ■H o 0 CJN ft; e rH o C CD 0) •H IH p O •H CO •H rH T5 X} Cm H ^ H o •H CSN :s rH •J, 0 X 0) 03 o (D o UA 03 o 1-5 c rH o CO 0) p CD CO o ° CP tOC7NNO-4-CMrHiHi>-CMOOD-r^OO e99009O9ee99699 vOLf\c^NOrHNO~4-c^cno-\»^0000 H H CM rH mfHC--ON0!>-O~4-N0C\iCM0iOOO 99e9C9e0999o999 ^0-4-HOrHCyN-4-u-\Li^r^OOOO rH rH H CM rH tO-4-tO!>-CMNOOOONOCvJtX)C!NOO 09e9*99e9C999e« C!N-4-cnCM£>-N0OOOHLr\cr^-4-OO| rH rH uA--JDc--c'^vOrHOCMOCMLr\ocviONO ON-j-OCM^^OrHOi^C^O^OO rH CM rH O el o o rH o! 9 o o o o o o e o o rH o o o o o o o o o o rH o » o o o o o o o CO CD •H o CD P, CO o ci3 0 C O •H -P 03 ft O P, bO •H -a (0 O rH Cm cd -P X5 O 0 to -P -P .N::^ Cj O f-H O 0 -Cj 01 c: o |-d -H ^ • o -c X O ai ?H 0 0 O 0 f-i CO 'o5 0 d s |X> CO .H g C -P P 0 CO d o 0 c 5=: c: o o o 0 0 0 CO CO CO crt oj ct3 m PQ PQ CO 03 -P E-i 72 comparison with the 1951 figures amounting to about 25 per cento o « Based on actual counts of broods of young birds ^ v^e feel that the total waterfowl production on the refuge is almost as great as last year^" In the Freezout Lake area^ a¥erage brood sizes of gadwall^ pintail^ mallard and lesser scaup were all above those of 1951° Pintails showed the greatest increase from 4o6 ducklings per brood in 1951 to 6o4 in 1952 The broods obserred for other species in this area were insufficient to be con= elusive o Other areas throughout the northern prairie area showed increases in brood size (Table I¥) o ' The average size of Class III broods in the Eastern Montana trend areas for all species was 6o4 birds or lo3 birds per brood larger than 1951° The average size was 4oO birds per brood larger than the 1950 figureo Winston Banko^ Refuge Manager at Red Rock Lakes ^ estimated a produc= tion increase of 15 percent over 1951? and. indicated an unusual abundance of coot broods o The increased production of pintails was most notable throughout the northern prairie area of the Stateo There were definite percentage increases in the breeding population within this prairie areao In addition^ all brood counts showed large increases in the average brood size of pintails (Table IV) o Table IVo Waterfowl Broods by Size and Age Classes o Aveo Brood Size Ave^ Class III Broods Aveo Brood Size Medicine Lake Eastern Montana Trend Freezout Lake 1951 1952 1951 1952 1951 1952 Mallard 4e40 5«69 5o3 5o7 6o6 7oO Gadwall 7o25 6e35 7.2 7.9 Baldpate 5o47 5.29 5«6 4.0 Pintail 4«69 6el6 3o5 6o7 4o6 6e4 Green-winged teal 4«25 4.00 4o8 5oO Blue-winged teal 6o79 5o77 7el 7«8 8o0 Shoveller 5o27 5«15 Redhead 6ol8 5o40 Canvas back 7e26 5«90 Scaup 7.35 5e51 7oO 9oO Ruddy duck 5o30 4o59 Coot 2o00 3^53 73 SUMMARY lo Weather conditions were considered to be ideal for nesting waterfowlc 2o Water conditions were satisf actorjo There was a considerable increase in numbers of water areas in the central and western portions of the glaciated region o Permanent type areas were full at the start of the seas on o However, temporary and intermediate type waters were scarce in the eastern glaciated prairie region ^ 3o There was a 10o73 percent increase in the number of breeding birds observed in the northern glaciated prairie region o 4o There was a 52 percent increase in the number of birds observed on the trend areas in the southern unglaciated prairie region© This is an area of low waterfowl density and consequently small variations in numbers will cause a large variation in percentage changes « 5e There was a 13 percent increase in the number of birds observed in the trend areas in the mountainous region® 6» Species composition changes were noted in all trend areas « An increase in the percentage composition of pintails and a decrease in shovellers and blue-winged teal wer© especially noticeable in the northern glaciated prairie regiono 7o Production has increased with more and larger average-=-sized broods being observed over the same census routes o Submitted hyi Approved bys Name Wynn G« Freeman Montana State Department of Fish and Game Gerald Salinas By Robert Fo Cooney, Director Title Waterfowl Biolo joists Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15. 1952 74 JOB COMPLETION REPORT IWESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project Noo W-39°R°3 Work Plan Moo I Job No. I-=C Title of Jobs Study of Census Methods and Biology of Waterfowl in Flathead Valley INTRODUCTION " .... • ' . The purpose of this study is to determine tlie waterfowl use^ productivity and vegetative characteristics of the sloughs north of Flathead Lakeo In addition^ a study was made of brood activity in this area with regard to feeding and loafing periods o pH readings Mere also taken to determine the alkalinity of the selected potholes,, , - . This study was conducted while the author was employed by the Montana Department of Fish and Game during July 1952 and under the guidance of David Eo DaviSg Phillip Wright^ and G*. Wo Preecott at the Montana State University Biological Stations Studies were conducted in this area in 1951 alsOo DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA Most of the sloughs north of Flathead Lake are old oxbows of the Flat- head River, Farmers in that area report that these areas were originally lined with trees but nearly all have now been cleared and are under cultiva- tion., Since the level of Flathead Lake was raised and stabilized about 1937 the water table in this area has risen steadily^ Many oxbows that were in crops eight or ten years ago are now stable sloughso The vegetation within many potholes has reached the stage where cattails and bulrushes are be- coming abundant o The banks of nearly all of the observed sloughs rise rather gently into fields usually sown to wheat or left fallowo METHODS OF STUDY After a week of preliminary study j, three sloughs showing differences in duck population and vegetative characteristics were selected. The latter requirement was important in making a concentrated study of the relation- ship of ducks to vegetation in conjunction with a study of each slough's productivity^ An additional slough was later added to the study in order to supplement the productivity datao 75 Observations were begun on June 25 and were continued three or four days a week up through August 4o The concentrated study of duck-vegetation relationships was run for approximately 97 hours during this period o Additional sloughs were visited to obtain additional data on the area^s productivityo Productivity was determined by making brood counts at regular weekly intervals 5, but at different times of day^, from vantage points along the slough edgeso The study was made at varied intervals from 5s30 AoMo to S%30 PpMo on each slougho, Both binoculars and a spotting scope -were used for identification purposes « Hatching dates were determined by subtracting the appropriate number of weeks from the date of observation of young ducklixigs (Hochbaum^ 1944s A Canvasback on a Prairie Marsh )o Waterfowl use was determined by counting all individual birds seen on the study o The three study ponds were zoned in order to study vegetative use by individual broods « The zone boundaries were recognized by the use of stakes placed at regular intervals around zone borders o The f'-eld data sheet used recorded time of day^, species^ number of individual ducks type of individual (malej, female ^ or young )3 temperature ^ wind J position on slough j, feeding loafing^ and remarks columns » (See Table 1.) TABLE !<, Form used to record brood activities ^ made on standard Sj x 11 paper o Time Spo Noo Type Tp. ¥do Fd« Lfo Remarks Brood activities were mapped by recording their movements throughout each observation period® 1#ien the broods were seen actively feed-ing^ this was recorded as feeding time© Periods of preening^ sunning^ or "Ssiienever they were not visible were considered as loafing timeo Some error occurred because many of the very young broods had a tendency to feed just within the edge of the heavier vegetation o Mien this oecurred^ observation became difficult or impossible o As the age of the ducklings increased ^ feeding time became more confined to the more open water© 76 Temperature and wind were recorded only in relative value So During the study period |, pH*s i^re taken three times in order to determine how the alkalinity fluctuated as the study progressedo The first observation was made with Accutint Indicator paper at the sloughs^ edges o The more precise Beckman pH meter was used for the last two readings^ Wien using the Beckman meter ^ pH^s were determined at various points for both surface and bottom depths o The common names of plants are used in the text* The technical names of all plants are given in the appendix^ and follow Gray^s Manual, Eighth edition^ 1950. DESCRIPTION OF SLOUGHS Figure 1 shows the relative locations of the sloughs studied o The study sloughs J, with the exception of Blasdel Sloughy (Sece 12^ To 27W09 R<,21We) were oxbows of the old Flathead River bedo Blasdel Slough was completely encircled on three sides by a cultivated field which was sown to spring wheat© It was bordered on the north by a much-traveled gravel roado (Figure l)^ The emergent vegetation was largely common cattail and soft-stem bulrusho These species constituted the bulk of the border vegetation along with prairie bulrush^ water smartweed^ and slough-grass o Within the emergent borde^ water smart weed and wapato were found as emergent So In addition to these emergent Sg very thick beds of submerged sago pondweed and elodea were found » Elodea completely dominates the central slough zoneo This made a dense submerged cover with floral peduncles 10 to 15 inches long which gave the surface a scummy appearance^ No loafing spots such as boar'ds^ logSj, or ground outcrops were found in the slough© Therefore^ any loafing that occurred was done in water upon matted vegetation^ or along the slough edge in the heavy^ emergent vegeta- tion* Being somewhat bowl- shaped^ Blasdel had its deepest spot in the central area* This area was about four feet deep wi.th three, feet being the average depth o It was about 11 acres in extents '"J The Emmert Sloughs are found in Sections 7 and 8^ To 27 No^ Ro 21 (See Figure l)« Although these areas were connected by a culvert^ their border vegetation was quite different « One side of the series was quite steep but the opposite side sloped gently up to cultivated fields o Emmert Is This was the additional slough selected for productivity study* It was about 10 acres in size but only six acres were used for observation data« Its eastern border was a narrow strip of meadow land. Above this strip was a field of winter wheat » The western border was fringed by winter wheat and peaSo Border vegetation consisted largely of slender bulrush and prairie bulrush » A few small areas of alkali-grass 77 FIGURE I and squirrel-tail grass were located in the southeast corner o Though the depth never exceeded five feet^, no vegetation other than a few clumps of prairie bulrush -were found in the central slough area© Eramert II i This was one of the sloughs selected for duck- vegetation relationships c. It was estimated to contain four acres o It was located directly east of Emriert I and was connecter? by a culvert o Alkali-grass and squirrel-tail grass completely encirctel the slough except for the road end where Brome grass was founds Botn plants were found within the water and along the border o Their presence in such large quantities was probably due to the fact that the slough contained less water in 1951 than it had during former years o Therefore |, those plants that would not normally be found growing in such abundance in this type of habitat got a good starts They may be drowned out if the water continues to rises Prairie bulrush was found along the east side and in scattered clumps through the otherwise plantless center o Water depths never exceeded three feetc Numerous loafing spots were found throughout the slougho The majority of the east and south side of Emmert II had a mixed growth of slender bulrush and squirrel-tail grass o Slender bulrush was the dominant species© This combination made excellent nesting and brood cover which was responsible for the large number of broods seen in this area soon after hatchings Meadowland growth^ when it was uncut and un-= pastured^ also made good nesting sites o Emmert II was the only one of three adjoining sloughs that had the above combination of nesting cover, brood cover 5 and shallow water that the young dabbling ducks preferred© The western side was bordered by a squirrel=tail grass^goose grass mixture o Beyond the grass was a fallowed field o It was in this area that Leonard Emmert reported having destroyed several mallard nests about June 10 when plowing sweet clover o Emmert Ills This area was separated by a boggy growth of slender bulrush to the south^ and was bordered on both sides by fallowed fields. It had a depth of about five feeto Its basic characteristics were much the same as Emmert lo Reed Slough (Seco 1^ To 27 Ro 21 Wo and Seco 6^ To 27 R« 20 Wc) was approximately 15 acres in extent o It was cut into five=acre and ten acre sections by a road and bridge » It was the deepest of the four sloughs with a maximum depth of seven feete, The east section wa,s bordered by fallowed fields on the east and south and winter wheat along the north si.de <, The five-acre section west of the road was practically devoid of border vegetation* A wide band of hardstem bulrushj> softstem bulrush and common cattail emerged far into the slougho Most of the rest of the slough *s open water had scattered clumps of hardstem and softstem bulrush » 79 The dominant submerged plant was f latest einmed pondweedo This occurs throughout the area in conjunction with coon=-tail and charao Sparse growths of water smart weed and floating-leafed pondweed were scattered throxighout the open water area© Numerous loafing boards and logs occurred all along the northern edge J the roadj> and the^ bridge* Those areas near the bridge in the deepest mter were used constantly by golden=eye broods as loafing spots PRODUCTION OF BROODS Reed Sloughy though larger than any of the others^, produced only six broods or Oo40 broods per aerea (Table 2) Significantly all were diving ducks which could be expected on a slough of this depth with no nesting places other than over^-water rushes« Although the nearest tree=ne sting sites were nearly one=half mile to the mest^ three of the six broods were golden^eyeso Blasdel slough also produced six broods or Oo55 P^t acre^ Unlike Reed Sloughy it produced both diving and dabbling ducks <> The baldpate brood probably came from some adjacent slough about t'MO -^eks after hatchings (Table 2) The Ekmert sloughs were the largest producers « On the ten acres under observation^ 17 broods were recordedo This is some^at misleading due to the fact that a series of five sloughs over an area of about 50 acres were loosely connected making it possible for broods to pass freely over the lAole series o Einmert I produced seven broods or 1«17 per acre (Table 2)o There was a preponderance of diving ducks which ^ as in Reed Sloughy may be due to lack of suitable nesting cover for dabblers and the fact that the slough was quite deep^ igain^ golden^^eyes were found with the nearest nesting trees nearly two miles distant » Enimert 11^, due to its excellent protection from windp its brood eover^ and nesting covers was the largest producere It had a total of 10 broods or 2o50/acreo Though this slough was the best producer it turned out to be the worst provider* No broods were observed during the last two weeks of observation® Water seemed to be the main factor for desertion© Normally shallow^ evaporation quickly caused a large drop in water level drying up the edges where food could be found and leaving only a narrow band of alkali-grass without cover e Fourteen miscellaneous broods were seen on casual observation trips to other sloughs in the area (Table 2)* A total of 43 broods was seen during the study periods A productivity total of 18? was determined for the four sloughs studied o A grand total of 277 individuals was found for all observations® 80 o o 0:5 O O sH 0 o o O o H cv t-1 o o r4 3 O so (H -P CO o w CO CM CM O o o O o 9 ^5 O 0) as ON o o 'd _ o o O to to o CO > o b 03 Cd JO o 03 CO to £>- Oil £>- I>-nO o «5«i (Si to On o CO CM -P •r3 u o w a o 03 CM i 4 \ 3^ :5 i 83 No adults Mere found in any stage of eclipse on any of the sloughso Therefore^ all ducks normally seen on these sloughs must spend the flapper stage either in much larger sloughs or on the deltas at the north and south ends of Flathead Lake<, BROOD FEEDING AMD LOAFING PERIODS Figure 3 sho'^ canvas=-back brood actlYity for five dayso The birds fed and loafed --t- about equal proportions at various times of the dayo Note the broken pattern of feeding and loafing times indicating that extended periods of feeding or loafing w&re exceptional «, The first four dates are examples of the Blasdel brood activities o There were indications that^ -where vegetation was abundant^ about 54 percent of the observed time was spent in feedingo The July 28 example was the brood from Reed Slough© Figure 4 shows five examples of mallard brood activities o Again there was no indication of differences in proportion of feeding and time of day^, but there were extended periods of feeding or loafing o The July 14 example was one of an Emmert II brood o The other four were of observations of Blasdel broodso Young broods spent considerable time feeding on insects in denser vegetationo Hence^ much of the time recorded as being loafing time may very well have been spent feeding ia unobservable areas o Golden=eye brood activities are shown on Figure 5° All observations were Reed products with subnumber 1 referring to the older brood o Here again^ the canvasback ...attern of often=broken periods of feeding and loafing was appai-o^iuo However^ in this sloughy r greater amount of time was spent in feeding although two examples showed the reverse. Only a few hours of observations were obtained for other species « UTILIZATION OF VEGETATION BY BROODS Figure 6 is a rough sketch of the approximate zones of vegetation in Blasdel Slougho Elodea made up the greatest part of the open-water vegetationo Besides being found in all but the tall^rush zone^ there was one large area that was entirely elodeao Table 3 records the use of vegetative zones by individuals, and contrasts the feeding and loafing periods o The broods that were observed on each slough are recorded by species o In the Blasdel slough (Figure 6) the versatility of the canvas-back and mallards in contrast to the baldpates and ruddies was readily apparent o 84 85 86 88 :=> o cn CO C!3 O N C! o a? o CP -p O Cf5 0 Hi XI O O O u> O vO coo CN Cvl O to to !Uf\ -4- o cv 0 -4- O vO O o o o ir\ O. o O C\2 CVJ CV f-« O o o o cn o®o®o to -j- ~t n to (TN to CV ooeoocoo H H H CV 11 t? TO U O Xi S -P P. PQ O ® o o -p -P O o o c\! to vo o o o c o en to cn iH to ■^O vO C\} fH nO O H -4- O -4 o o o o o o o cr>. CV H cv cv CO, o o CV tX) £>- to o o « o o cv -4- ^- to to o o SH "TS *H Q) (ti (D ci3 0 ® o © o © o pt4 J»5 Ceh) cv rf'^to c^to O O O O O O CV cv -4 fH c«^, cv H rHl © t -p »H >■ "H -P O %-i to j5 X o o CO (D «H o © p. o cv 1^ o o 0^ o o cv £>- CV o CV o UTS CV o o o CV cv 2h TJ «H © 05 © 03 ® O © O pSLj ^JS Jx^ l_5 ON O 0 o o o -4 O cv UTN -p 89 Both of the former species were observed in all zones o The mallards ^ like the baldpates and ruddies ^ had a tendency to feed in the edge of emergent zones in contrast to the open-water feeding of the canvas backs. This is explained by the broods' feeding habits « The canvas-backSj, being divers, were not affected by the rougher waters of the central area where dabbling ducks haci difficulty feedings The ruddies^ though divers^ were very young and therefore stuck close to cover » We also saw that the mallards § bald- pates j, and ruddies never loafed in open water where the canvasbacks spent nearly 65 percent of their loafing times Figure 7 is a rough map of Reed Slough* Again a dominan.t plant was flat-stem pondweed^ but not in the preponderance that elodea ms in Blasdel Slough o , Section 2 of Table 3 contrasts feeding and loafing time spent in the various zones of vegetation in Reed Slough® As in Blasdel Sloughy the canvasbacks proved to be more versatile^ spending some time in all zones » xue golden-eyes were least versatile j, spending nearly all their time in Zones "E" and ^^F"o Figure 8 along with section 3 of Table 3 shows the vegetative zones and utilization of vegetation by mallard and pintail broods for Emmert II « The constant movement between sloughs and the final desertion by all broods made it difficult to obtain any long periods of datao About the only true difference between the mallard and pintail broods was that the mallards spent feeding time in Zone along the roadj ^ereas the pin- tails never ventured near this areae TEMPERATURE, WIND, AND pH Only relative temperatures were recorded during the study « Temperature^ in this case^ seemed of no importance as far as brood activity was concerned,. Large variations in temperature may have speeded up or slowed down brood activity but no great range was found to occur® Wind affected the brood activitye Riffled water caused dabbling broods to seek Drotected areas but no great effect was noticed on such diving ducks as canvasbacks and golden-eyes ^ There seemed to be a wide shift in wind direction each day in this areao Generally the direction of air movement was from a westerly or southerly direction* All sloughs tended to be quite basic o Reed Slough had a shallow water pH of 8«0 at 1400 hours on July 10« Using the Beckman pH meter on July 22 and July 28 the pH readings averaged respectively 7 08 and 8^5 at four surface point So Three depth readings averaged 7«8 and 8»0 respectively for those dates e Both readings were made between the hours of 0700 and 0800 <> 90 ■"-^Flat-stem Pondweed "•■Coontail *Hard-3tem Bulrush: ^<-Soft-3tem Bulrush jHJ--!;- Flat-stem Pondweed; »^ <-Chara >:•:•:.• -s-Hard-st em Bulrush y. -«-Soft-3tem Bulrush -iHf-Ji-Flat-stem Pondweed •JHH^Coontail Hard-stem Bulrush •«^<-Soft-3tem Bulrush ^>Water Smartweed REED SLOUGH ■K-«*Common CattailV^ \ \S \N V, xN W NX \N >^ \N x\ \v ■»-*^H ar d- 3 1 em B u.! rus h ; ^^^^-Soft-stetiT BuLLrus"^^ Dominant Species Major Occurrence Scattered 91 FIG. 8 92 Emmert II on the same dates but at 1500^ and 1000 hours respectively had pH's of 808 and 9o3f This steady range can be expected on a slough where there is no central submerged vegetation o Blasdel Slough turned out to be very basic© When tested at I4OO hours on July 10^ with Accutint Indicator paper^ there were indications that the pH far exceeded the 808 range of the paper.. On July 225, when the more accurate Beckman pH meter was used^ a range of 9o53 to 10o32 was observed at O83O hours o The surface and depth readings had no difference of any significance o However ^ considerable difference was found between border areas and the central elodea zoneo At O63O hours on July 28 the range of pH's over the same points was 9ol4 to IO06O0 As in Reed Sloughy where dense submerged growth was found there was an increase in pH over the study period even though the time of day was identical or earlyo SUMMARY ' ^ . • : , ■ ■ The purpose of this study was to determine the productivity^, waterfowl uses, vegetative characteristics of the sloughs north of Flathead Lake from June 25 to August 4s, 1952« Brood counts and adult counts were made on four selected sloughs to determine productivity and waterfowl useo Reed Sloughy very deep and dominated by flat-=stem pondweed^ produced 0o40 broods per acre while Blasdel Sloughy of medium depth and filled with dense elodea and sago pondweedj, produced 0e55 broods per acre© Emmert I and 11^ devoid of ceixtral vegetation but bordered by excellent nesting and brood cover^ produced 1«17 and 2c 50 broods per acre respectivelyo Mallards were most common (I8 broods) with golden-eyes second (7 broods)® The majority of broods watched hatched between June 1 and July 15^ 1952o The sloughs differed in the mamber of ducks present after the breeding season© As many as 141 feeding adults were seen on Blasdel ^ 37 on Emmert II ^ 19 on Ermnert I^ and 9 on Reedo Canvasbacks were found to be the most versatile in vegetative zone select ion^, and along with other divers^, in contrast to dabblers ^ assumed a broken pattern of feeding-loafing periodso Mallards imre also versatile o Temperature proved of no importance in this study© However windg at times^ seriously affected brood activity^ especially that of the dabbling ducks » All sloughs were basic in nature » Blasdelj, with a pH of 10o60j, proved extremely alkaline due to seepage from the surrounding cultivated fields o 93 LIST OF PLANTS (GRAINS MANUAL. Sth EDITION, 1950) Common Name . Scientific Name Soft-stem bulrush, o 0 0 0 0 0 e 9 0 9 0 9 0 0 aScirpus validus Hard-stem bulrush o « 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 9 0 9 0 « 0 9 9Scirpus acutus Prairie bulrush 9 « 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 9 C 9 9 9 9 9 9Scirpus paludosus Slender bulrush* 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 a » 9 e 9 e 9 cScirpus heterochaetus Coimnon cattail » <, 0 9 0 0 0 9 0 a 0 9 « © 0 9 0 9 ©Typha latifolia Slough-grass « 0 0 0 0 • 0 9 0 9 9 9 9 C 0 9 e 9 0 9 ©Beckmannia Syzigachne Alkali-grass « * « • 0 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 0 a 9 0 9 9 9 aDistichlis striata Goose-grass e « « « 0 9 9 9 9 « e 9 • s 9 * 9 9 9 9Puccinellia airoides Squirrel-tail grass «, 0 0 9 0 9 9 9 9 8 0 9 9 a a 9 9 sHordeum jubatum Brome-grasso <» • 0 0 9 0 0 9 9 9 9 9 « 9 9 9 9 0 9 9 •Bromus carinatus Water smart weed • . « 9 9 0 9 9 9 a 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 e 9 Polygonum natans WapatO c 9 e 0 • e e a c 0 9 e e 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 .Sagittaria latifolia Floating»leaf pondweed 9 0 9 C 9 9 e • a 0 9 0 9 9 ©Potamogeton natans Flat -stem pondweed • 6 0 9 9 9 9 9 9 S 9 s 9 9 9 9 0 oPotamogeton zostriformis Sago pondweed 9 » » » 9 s 9 9 9 e 9 9 9 9 9 © 9 9 9 0 sPotamogeton pectinatus Coontail © » <» 0 © o 0 « 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 9 0 9 9 Ceratophyllum demersum Slodea » « « » » • « a • 9 9 e 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 e 0 ©Elodea canadensis Char a 9 « 9 « » 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 9 e e 0 9 e 0 9 0 9 9 9 oChara vulgaris Prepared by Vernon Stotts Approved by Wvnn G. Freeman Date October 15, 1952 94 STATE Montana PROJECT NO. DATE October 13. 1952 VOL» III N0« III QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND mDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS Title of Projects Fur Resources Survey and Investigations Leaders Fletcher E., Newby^ Jr^ Biologist Report of Progress? Work Plan Is Determination of the Economic Importance of the Montana Fur Re source B Job l~kt Annual Yield and Income from the Fur Resource as Determined by Examinat ion of Dealer Records » Completion report for 1950-51 season attached* Job I-Bs The Annual Fur Harvest as Determined from Analysis of Trapper Report Cards o Completion report for 1951-52 season attached. Work Plan lit Survey of Fur Animal Distribution » Habitat and Population Status o Job II-A? Extensive Survey of Fur Animal Distribution ^ Habit at and Population Status « Proceedings Job II-Bs Muskrat Population Trends* Inactive during report period. Job II-Cs Survey of Beaver Distribution and Status in the Jefferson Basin e Joseph Eo Towisendi, Jr, Biologist^ was assigned to this phase during the quarter and work is proceeding. Job II-Ds Population Status and Movements of Marten, Proceeding, Job II-Es The Effect of Otter Food Habits on Fish and Fur Animal Populations, Proceeding* 95 Job II-Fj Distribution and Status of the Wolverine « Completion report prepared but delayed to include new- records « Submitted by; Name Fletcher Eo Nevrby Title Jto Biologist Approved bys Montana State Department of Fish and Game By Robert F» Cooney^ Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15, 19.52 96 JOB COMPLETION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No, W-°49"R~2 Work Plan Noo I Job No, I-A Title of Jobr Annual Yield and Income from the Fur Resource as Determined by Examination of Fur Dealer Records ~ 1950°31 Season, OBJECTIVES; Determination of annual yield and value of the fur crop as basic information in the management of the fur resource, TECHNIQUES USEDg •• - - ■ Most of the fur dealers and fur dealers* agents in the state were contacted in personal interviews. 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O o ! CO, CTN o CO 1 1 1 C\i 1 1 H 1 H cv 1 1 o 1 rH ! 1 1 1 to CO o (D H > C\2 CO -4- H CV ro H On H OO CO o o o O O o o o o o o O o e • o « « « • o o 1 o UA 1 H o CO nO ! 1 -4 CO I NO cv ! ! nO o « I o c-vj o cv nO -4 CO CO 02 On Of nO CJN CO nO nO ON el o -p •H > CD (D - — > C CD PQ 1^ CO Q) -P SH rH 0) CO -p cd o o 33 o (D o -P o O o >^ cd o o cd o PQ (D •H H cd -P o CO H cd -P O o EH 102 TABLE III AVERAGE PELT PRICES ™ DISTRICT AND STATE-^DE 1950-51 SEASON 1 2 3 L 5 6 7 8 MONTANA Beaver 16.86 15.23 16.94 15.20 15.98 11.49 16.71 13.43 15.83 Mink 19.02 19.38 18 c 22 18.82 20.71 — 18.10 18.79 M»rat 1.72 1.56 1.61 1.38 1.50 _j /__>/. 1.24 1.58 Marten 21.14 18.25 •5?- 20.23 - None were caught in the district — St ate— Tnri de district sample insufficient average • TABLE IV OUT-OF- -STATE SALES Total Take Out- -of -St ate Sales Percent of Total Mink 8,590 1,683 19.6 Muskrat 53.243 5,292 9.9 Marten 1,462 218 14.9 Beaver 13,865 604 4.4 ■ Weasel 1,632 118 7.2 Bobcat 461 8 1,7 Skunk 772 33 4.3 Coyote 147 1 0.7 Raccoon 195 130 66.7 Badger 40 5 12.5 Fox 23 .4 17.4 Lynx 2 0 0.0 Total 80,432 8,096 10.1 103 JOB coMPmnoN report INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of Montana Project No. W-49-R-2 Work Plan No, I Job No. I-B OBJECTIVES; Determination of annual yield of the fur resource as basic infor- mation in the management program. TECHNIQUES. USEDs A postal card bearing a printed report form, accompanied by a letter of explanation, was sent to all 1,350 licensed trappers in the State at the close of the 1951-52 season. The trapper's name and address was typed on the card before it was sent. Suggestions regarding seasons were solicited. FINDINGSs Seven hundred sixty- two or 56.4 percent of the 1,350 license holders returned the cards. The data obtained are presented in Table I. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONSs Analysis of the material will be included with the completion report of Job I-A (Annual Yield and Income from the Fur Re- source as Determined by Examination of Fur Dealer Records - 1951-52 Season). Work on this report is under way but will not be completed for some time. It is recommended that the trapper report card survey be continued for at least another year. Information obtained in this manner will be compared with the findings of Job I-A and evaluated as to reliability and efficiency. It is expected that in the future the most useful method will alone be used to provide information on fur harvest and economic status. DATA AND REPORTS; The original data are with the project leader at Kalispell, Montana. « Approved by Robert F. Coonev Date October 1. 1952 104 STATE Montana W-27-D-6 PROJECT N0» ^ DATE Vol, III October 15,1952 No, III QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Sun River Winter Elk Range Development 2. Leader: Bruce Neal , Unit Manager 3. Report of Progressi I. One and one- quarter miles of jack and barbed wire type fence was constructed above the Stecker exchange land. A sturdy pole was placed on top of the jacks to give the fence more visability, thus avoiding damage by game. This fence was of the same high standard as the re- mainder of the boundary fence around the game range. This Stecker exchange, as explained previously^ allows the consolidation of several isolated tracts of private land within the game range^ The newly fenced Stecker land now lies along the north boundary of the game range in a far more convenient position for maintenance and also will not rep- resent the former hindrance to the natural drift of elk within the game range itself, II. Approximately twenty rods of elk proof drift fence was constructed on a pass between Hannan and Wagner Gulches just north and west of the game range. It is expected that this drift fence will deflect the mi- gratory drift of elk directly onto the game range. They had previously drifted out onto private lands in this area. This construction job was quite difficult due to the lack of post material in the area and also due to the steepness of the terrain. It is felt, however, that the com- bination of posts, poles, barbed and woven wire, will form a very effec- tive barrier. This fence is located on National Forest land. Its placement there was allowed as a special use. III. The Willow Creek field station was partially repaired during the report period. This necessary work consisted of replacement of the foundation and floor. Additional work on the floor, however, will be 105 necessary during the following quarter. This substation (near the south end of the acquisition area) has been found extremely helpful in the general management of the game range* Submitted by? Approved bys Name Bruce Neal Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Unit Manager By Robert F» Coonev, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15, 1952 106 STATE Montana PRO JE CT W~45-M ^ DATE October 15, 1952 VOL III NO- III QUARTERLY PROJECT REPORT FOR - . MAINTENANCE As Required By FEDERAL AID IN FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTS 1, Title: Maintenance of Blackf oot-Clearwater Big Game Range 2, Personnels Stan Mongrain, Project Leader Jack Ray, Junior Fieldman Frank Richeson, Laborer 3, Introduction: For the period of July Ij, through September 30, 1952 the projects ' completed all come under the maintenance program. 4« Report of Progress: A. Bridge Repair Two bridges crossing Cottonwood Creek were rebuilt to facilitate the moving of hay from the meadows. New stringers and decks were placed on both bridges, B. Headgate Repair The irrigation water was shut out of the ditches the first week in July. After the ditches had dried, minor repairs were made on the headgate s. This work was chiefly patching leaks and replacing broken headboards. A small headgate made of one inch boards was placed in one ditch to prevent the spring run-off water from damaging the ditch banks. C. Fence Repair At every opportunity some fence repair work was done. The fence protecting the hay meadows required the most work. On July 4th and 5th, hard wind upset a section of fence around the horse pasture. 107 D, Herding Trespass Stock Some time was spent in removing the trespass stock from the hay meadows and range*, With the completion of the drift fences this work will be cut to a minimum* E, Hay Harvest Harvesting of the hay crop started on the 6th of July on a share crop basis e What appeared to be an excellent hay crop at the beginning of the haying season was somewhat disappointing at the finish* The extreme hot and dry weather along wi-th very hot winds matured the hay too quickly. The shrinkage in the hay was above normal. The share of the hay crop for the Fish and Game Department was approximately 360 tons* F» Weed Control Fifty=five acres of leafy spurge were sprayed by Powell County men and equipment • The area has been sprayed four times with a solution, A complete kill is in sight for this area next year* One hundred four acres in one piece aad spots in surrounding areas were sprayed by plane to control goat weed, A mixture of and fuel oil was usede More drastic measures will be necessary to completely kill this weed. Submitted bys Approved bys Name Stan A« Mongrain Montana State Department of Fish and Game Title Project Leader By Robert F> Cooney^ Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15. 1952 108 STATE Montana PROJECT NO. W-47-M-2 DATE October 15, 1952 Vol. Ill No. Ill QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS As Required by FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 1. Title of Projects Maintenance of Sun River Winter Elk Range 2. Leaders Bruce Neal , Unit Manager 3. Report of Progress s Ditch Maintenance Approximately three miles of old existing irrigation ditches were cleaned and repaired. Maintenance of this ditch was extremely heavy as it had not been used for a great many years. In order to complete this phase of the project ^ a flume or pipe will be necessary to carry the water around a rocky outcrop approximately three hundred feet. This ditch will carry water to the best hay meadow in the area lying just west of the headquarters. It is expected that this meadow will be maintained in high productivity. Very probably some of the more iso- lated hay meadows within the acquisition area will be allowed to return to natural grass. Roads Approximately two miles of access road to the game range headquarters was raised, graded and gravelled. This section of road lying within the acquisition area has represented an extremely difficult problem in the past. Drifting snow blocked portions of it during the winter period. At other times, gumbo mudholes rendered the road almost impassible. Fences Necessary general repair was carried out on the somewhat over twenty miles of boundary fence. Minor repair was necessary on the small interior horse pasture. 109 Fire Breaks The six miles of fire break within the acquisition area were main- tained from time to time during the spring and summer period. Due to the lack of rains during the late summer and early fall, a hazardous fire condition has existed. Necessary patrol was carried out* Fortunate- ly no fires occurred. General Supervision In addition to necessary fire patrol, moderate amounts of travel were necessary throughout the area to assure the control of trespass livestock. Not over one hundred elk summered on the game range. These were found only in the high remote portions of the area. No specific effort was made to move them during the report period. Submitted byi Approved byi Name Bruce Neal Montana State Department of Fish and Game Titl e Unit Manager By Robert F» Cooney, Director Wildlife Restoration Division Date October 15, 1952 110