cover. "Wlien they peaked in 1990," 

 says Holt, "there may have been 1,000 

 or 1 ,200 per acre." They died off 

 I suddenly in February of 1991, and 

 many hungry predators that had 

 survived the winter on a diet of voles 

 turned to the poorly concealed eggs of 

 early-nesting ducks. 



The tie between vegetation, voles, 

 niptors, and ducks illustrates just one of 

 the unique interactions that take place 

 on Ninepipe WMA. The opportunities 

 for scientific inquiry — or NJmply 

 pondering the wonders of nature — are 

 unlimited. For preserving this valuaiile 

 resource, we have to thank those wlio 



recognized its potential and made the 

 effort to purchase the land for all to 

 enjoy. Most of the thanks, though, 

 should go to hunters who have paid 

 almost the entire cost of purchasing, 

 ini|iroving, and maintaining the 

 property iliat is now the Ninepipe 

 \\ ildlife Management Area. ■ 



Ninepipe Wildlife 

 Management Area 



Location: In Lake County about 20 miles south of 

 Poison and 50 miles north of Missoula. The area is FWP- 

 owned, and lies within the exterior boundaries of the 

 Flathead Indian Reservation. 



Size: 3,142 acres. 



Acquisition Date: Parcels acquired between 1953 and 

 1962, in 1974, and in 1993 (28 transactions overall). 



Access: The area lies on both sides of Highways 93 and 

 212, and is criss-crossed by several county roads. Signed 

 parking areas are located along many of the roads. 



Management Goal: To conserve and enhance upland 

 and wetland habitats for a variety of wildlife species, and 

 to provide quality upland bird and waterfowl hunting and 

 wildlife viewing. 



NINEPIPE WILDLIFE \ 

 MANAGEMENT AREA : 



■r- 



Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area 

 . Ninepipe National Wildlife Hefuge 



1 



The primary goal of Ninepipe WMA is to 

 provide upland and wetland habitats for a 

 variety of wildlife species as well as 

 hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. 



Hunting Opportunities: Excellent pheasant and 

 waterfowl hunting is available. A joint state/tribal license 

 and a Flathead Reservation bird stamp are required of all 

 hunters who are not members of the Confederated Salish 

 and Kootenai Tribes. A federal migratory waterfowl 

 stamp is required to hunt waterfowl. Regulations are 

 formulated by the Flathead Reservation Fish and Wildlife 

 Advisory Board and approved by the Tribal Council and 

 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. 



Wildlife Viewing: Opportunities abound for viewing 

 songbirds, upland game birds, and waterfowl, especially 

 in spring. Winter raptor viewing is nationally acclaimed. 

 Numerous mammal and reptile species are commonly 

 seen. A wildlife viewing and interpretive site with special 

 features for people with disabilities has recently been 

 added. 



NINEPIPE VlflLDLIFE , 

 iANAGEMENT AREA 



