MONTANA'S TURKEYS - - by Steve Bayless, Montana Fish & Game Department 



Almost every nirarod who likes to read the outdoor magazines has seen the 

 numerous articles about hunting turkeys. But for the most part, these articles 

 are concerned with the eastern states. Here, turkey hunting is a sport as old 

 as history, as its been going strong since the days of the Pilgrims and their 

 Thanksgiving feast with the Indians. 



In the past, Montanans have had to be content with merely reading about gobbler 

 hunting, for no such thing existed in the Treasure State. But starting in 1954, 

 the Montana Fish and Game Department began a stocking program. Introductions 

 were made in the Judith Mountains near Lewistown, and in the Longpine Hills 

 near Ekalaka. Since theses early releases, turkey populations have continued 

 to increase throughout the state. 



During last year's season, license sales topped 1570, with 1424 hunters 

 participating in the harvest. Of those who hunted, 26% bagged their gobblers. 

 In comparison with other states, one finds that the easterners have nothing over 

 Montanans. A tabulation of hunting success for all states during the year of 1948 

 shows that only 13% of the hunters were successful. Although these figures are 

 outdated, they have remained almost constant until the present. 



Here's your copy of the 

 SEPT. OCT, 1963 Treasure 

 Acres from the Montana Soil 

 \ & Water Conservation Ass 'n. 



Library USU 

 UisGoula LIo.-; 



Non-ProfIt Org. 

 U.S. Postage PD. 

 Permit No. 171 

 Butte, Montana 



