— improved response time; 



— adequate stockpiles of necessary materials; and 



— greater statewide consistency in handling damage 

 complaints 



The Department has initiated studies of new prevention 

 techniques, such as: minimizing deer damage to tree 

 farms; the effectiveness of electric fencing; a rotten 

 egg treatment; and nylon netting to protect young 

 trees . 



During 1983 and 1984, the Department worked with an ad 

 hoc committee of landowners and sportsmen and the 

 Montana Fish and Game Commission to develop a cooper- 

 ative landowner/sportsmen program. The main goal of 

 this program is 



to maintain the productive capability of 

 private land to provide food, water, cover 

 and space for wildlife and encourage land- 

 owners to continue to provide the associa-tpd 

 recreational opportunities to the public. 



The cooperative program has the following specific 

 goals: 



— landowner insurance for accidentally killed 

 livestock; 



-- to increase public awareness of landowners' and 

 land users' rights and liabilities; 



— to publicize trespass laws and expand the Depart- 

 ment's authority for helping prevent trespass on 

 private property; 



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