MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMMISSION 



liv Robert H. Hill 

 stair Fisli <ni(l Game Warden 



Egbert H. Hill 



CONCENTRATED endeavor on the part of members of 

 the Montana state fish and g-ame commission, enhanced 

 by splendid cooperation demonstrated by individual 

 sportsmen and their organizations, has enabled Montana to 

 reach the financial peak of its history during the biennium 

 1925-1926 just closed. From a total balance in the fish and 

 game fund at the close of December 1924 of $52,597.37 the 

 figure has gradually increased until at the close of business 

 in 1926 it had reached the total of $103,211.30, or nearly 

 double the amount in just two years. These figures are 

 especially significant v^^hen the fact is realized that the fish 

 and game commission has, during this period, enlarged its 

 scope of activity in the importation and planting of game 

 birds, established new^ hatcheries and continued its program 

 of constructive endeavor. 



During the last biennium the state commission has entered 

 on new enterprises that promise much for future generations 

 of Montana sportsmen. Prominent among these activities may be mentioned the 

 stocking of lakes and ponds with aquatic duck food, the purchase of shore lands 

 intended to be set aside for public shooting grounds during later years when 

 private clubs have acquired the desirable areas, the building and operation of 

 motor boats for patrol duty on larger lakes, the increasing of the capacity of 

 hatcheries, and investigations along other lines intended to preserve the fish 

 and gan:e as a heritage for future generations. 



The strides made by the commission and the increased amount placed in the 

 treasury, have not been accomplished through accident. Conscientious 

 efforts put forth by members of the commission have been able to pro- 

 duce results through the whole-hearted cooperation put forth by Mon- 

 tana sportsmen and their organizations throughout the state. 



During the last two years there has been a marked change in the 

 attitude of anglers and hunters toward representatives of this 

 department. In former years men who enjoyed hunting and 

 fishing looked askance at deputy wardens. They harbored a 

 sort of underlying feeling that the wax'den was a foe rather 

 than a friend. This marked change of sentiment has resulted 

 in the realization that game wardens have become recognized '^ 



and welcomed throughout the woods and waters as friends and 

 counsellors. The result has been mutually beneficial and the 

 work of the department has been materially bene- 

 fitted. 



In addition to new lines of endeavor undertaken 



fe-vV 



•^' 



by the commission during the last biennium, the ;,.-^_j2W.* 

 constructive program mapped out in former year9 -^ ^ 



