MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



GAME AND FISH OUTLOOK 



By W. P. SULLLIVAN 



CHAIRMAN, STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



w- 



W. P. SULLIVAN 



'EATHER conditions in Montana for the two-year 



period, January 1933, to December 1934, were most 



unusual. Higher year round temperatures prevailed 



with less precipitation over most of the state than for any 



two consecutive years in Montana's history. 



The light snowfall in the mountains and on the plains 

 proved advantageous for big game and upland birds, but 

 the extremely high temperatures and lack of rainfall dur- 

 ing the last two summers brought an unparalleled drought 

 condition with coincident suffering and loss to upland and 

 migratory birds and game fish in the lesser trout streams 

 of the state. 



Most of the trout streams oi-iginating in the Highwood, 

 Bearpaw, Little Rocky, Snowy, Belt and other mountain 

 ranges completely dried up in July of this year. Local sportsmen, aided by 

 deputy game wardens, saved many trout from pools in the drying streams, trans- 

 porting them to live waters, but it was impossible to keep pace with the 

 rapidly evaporating waters of the streams and many troxtt were Tost. 



In the administration of the business of the Montana Fish and Game depart- 

 ment, the commission has endeavored to be fair and impartial to every county 

 in tLie state in the distribution of birds and planting of fish. This policy has 

 been followed faithfully. The distribution was based on the facilities of each 

 county to properly conserve the products of the game farm and state hatcheries. 



Substantial progress has been made in the past two years in improvements 

 at the state fish hatcheries, the game farm, and in the construction of rearing 

 ponds. During the present year the department acquired title to the Daly 

 hatchery at Hamilton. This hatchery was constructed by the late Marcus Daly 

 at a cost of $30,000. It was acquired by the department from the administra4;ors 

 of the estate at a cost, of $4,500.00. 



Departmental revenues have decreased in Montana as well as in all other 

 western states as a result of the nationwide depression, but every division of 

 the department has continud to function creditably under curtailed expenses. 



The game farm at Warm Springs, under the able management of Joe Hen- 

 dricks, continued to produce from 10,000 to 11,000 birds for liberation each year, 

 at a cost per bird much below the average in other states. 



The state fish hatcheries under the supervision of K. F. MacDonald, have 

 continued to operate at near maximum production, over 30,000,000 game fish being 

 produced and planted annually in the streams, lakes and rivers of Montana. 

 Advantage has been taken of the available relief work and many improve- 

 ments of a permanent nature have been made at the department stations through- 

 out the state. Attention is called particularly to the upbuilding of the stations 



