; MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 15 i 



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Educational Progress 



Work in the Educational and Biological branch of the Fish and 

 Game Department has made measurable progress during the two 

 years covered by this report. Just what that progress has been is 

 difficult to determine, as it is rather of a perplexing problem to 

 measure educational progress. The same system one would use in 

 measuring the progress being made in fish and game production 

 would yield no intelligent results if applied to educational progress. 



Advancement in education is marked by the gradual improve- 

 ment of standards, by the adoption of more modern and efficient 

 methods, by the recognition of true values, and by a seeking after 

 a more thorough knowledge of facts. 



Looking for educational progress made during the last two 

 years in matters in which those who read this report are keenly 

 interested, it is not too difficult to discern a very marked improve- 

 ment, gradual as it has been, in the standard of sportsmanship in 

 Montana. Many, many people who were living their lives without 

 thought or interest in the affairs of the Montana Fish and Game 

 Department, further than to secure the greatest possible returns 

 for the money paid for their hunting and fishing licenses, are now 

 giving time, constructive thought and service to the sportsmen's 

 program. When, as occurred during the recent open season on 

 deer, in a locality where deer of any age or sex may be killed, 360 

 hunters bring in bucks and only 140 out of 500 kill does or fawns, 

 it indicates not only a higher standard of sportsmanship, but also 

 a willingness to adopt proven game management methods. A few 

 clubs have constructed rearing ponds tributary to streams they 

 wish to stock and have been liberating young fish that were from 

 five to seven inches in length, adopting a method of fish planting 

 that appears to be on the road to general adoption because of its 

 economy and efficency. Plans are being worked out for a state- 

 wide and effective system of small game refuges, consideration 

 being given to their proper relation to hunting areas, as being a 

 more practical and constructive method of game management than 

 the continual reduction of bag limits and open seasons, which is 

 but a clumsy system of fleecing the sportsmen. 



It is believed by those most closely in touch with the work 

 that there has been a greater recognition of the real value of the 

 sportsmen's program to the various other interests in Montana 

 during the past few months than at any previous period, a measure 

 of which is traceable directly to the work done at Montana fairs 

 in September and October, 1924. The value of this educational work 

 and the necessity for its further progress is being realized more 

 and more in this state. 



Perhaps no one thing marks the educational advancement 

 being made by the sportsmen of Montana more than the desire, so 

 generally manifested, to acquire a true knowledge of all the facts 

 pertinent to efficient game management. This is noted by such 

 activities as game surveys, water surveys, elk reconnaisance, and the 

 action taken by the Commission looking to the employment of a 

 highly qualified biologist for the Fish and Game Department. Many 

 other indications of educational progress might be enumerated here, 

 but space does not justify nor necessity demand. 



