MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



G. E. MUSHBACH 



MONTANA'S MIGRATORY BIRDS 



By Geokge E. Mushbach 



I'liili'i] Stall's Giinii' Wanloi 



ASIDE from fishing there is probably no other outdoor 

 activity that tugs at the desires of Montana sportsmen 

 with the same yank as the shooting of migratory water- 

 fowl. It offers a greater variety of sport than any other 

 pastime with a gun because of the varied species of birds 

 that go to make up the sportsman's bag. There is that ever- 

 present anticipation what the next bird will be. One mo- 

 ment a brace of teal whizz by at a 50-mile clip to tax the 

 skill of the most seasoned handler of a shotgun, followed the 

 next few minutes by a flock of canvasbacks, the most sought 

 of the duck family. Perhaps the next visitor will be the 

 lordly mallard, the gleaming gadwal, the whirring widgeon, 

 the whistling goldeneye or, by rare chance, that stately bird 

 of the Canadian wilds — the "honker." 



Migratory wild fowl shooting is attractive not only be- 

 cause of the sport involved but for the further cause of the 

 protracted period during which it may be enjoyed. The 

 abundance of water fowl makes it possible to prolong the open season over a 

 period that would not be suitable for upland birds, as well as permitting a much 

 greater number to be killed during the season. 



There are many serious problems to be faced in connection with the consei'va- 

 tion of migratory birds. In view of the nature of this class of game not only 

 local conditions must be considered but likewise what is happening throughout the 

 country as a whole has a vital bearing on the abundance, or lack of abundance. 

 There are two matters in particular that present a rather terrifying aspect 

 as affecting the supply of migratory wi'd fowl. 



First is the vanishing of suitable water areas which attract birds and 

 afford resting, feeding grounds, and nesting and breeding havens. This 

 condition arises, in some cases, from drainage operations, in others from ' 

 evaporation as a result of weather conditions. 



Another problem, and one no less baffling, is disease which 

 has appeared among water fowl in recent years in various sec- , 



tions of the country. While waterfowl sickness has not besn ,.,.r- . .^ .• 



observed among Montana birds to an alarming extent, it has v^ ^ 



made an appearance and in a few instances has been of a serious ■ '- >• 



nature, though not reaching the proportions as in other western 

 states — notably Utah, Oregon and California. 



Investigation in many instances has disclosed the cause of 

 the malady. For instance, in Utah, it has been / 



established definitely that the duck sickness was 

 caused by the toxic action of certain soluble salts 

 found in alkali. At Lake Bowdoin, Montana, a few /' 

 years ago, a similar condition existed and there was ■ — 



•V/ 



