MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



In the report will be found a statement of the assets and liabilities to per- 

 mit a better understanding of the value of the property owned by the Depart- 

 ment, also a detailed report as to receipts and disbursements covering the 

 biennium. 



Fisheries Division 



A full report of the activities of this division appears in a separate article 

 in the report by Elmer G. Phillips, Superintendent of State Fisheries, the im- 

 portance of this work necessitating treating it separately to permit a full 

 and detailed account of the activities, program and recommendations. 



Game Farm 



As with the fisheries report, J. F. Hendricks, Superintendent of the State 

 Game Farm, has prepared a report on the activities, program and recommenda- 

 tions of this division, which will appear in a separate article. 



Game Birds — Game Animals 



Under the Montana game laws the following birds are classed as upland 

 game birds: sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chicken, sage hen or sage grouse, fool 

 hen or Franklin grouse, ruffed grouse, quail, Mongolian pheasant, Chinese 

 pheasant, Hungarian partridge, ptarmigan and wild turkey. The Fish and 

 Game Commission makes a distinction between the native and exotic species, 

 classifying the native birds as the native upland and the Mongolian and Chinese 

 pheasants and Hungarian partridges as pheasants and partridges. 



Despite the fact that the advance of civilization has materially decreased 

 the extent of the former habitats of the native upland birds and despite the 

 fact that these birds, without exception, apparently lack the power of self- 

 preservation, so far as man is concerned, Montana may boast a reasonably 

 good supply of each species with the exception of the wild turkeys. Ptarmigan 

 are found only in limited numbers in the higher elevations. 



A pen of colorful Chinese pheasants ready for liberation from the State Game Farm 



at Warm Springfs. Once in their native habitat they become the wariest bird 



in the field, the greatest thrill In the pheasant season, the top prizea 



of any hunter's bos'. 



