12 



MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMfSSION 



the several areas embraced in the territory in which all of the elk were con- 

 centrated. The work was conducted in such a way as to prevent any duplica- 

 tions and only the elk actually observed were counted. All agreed as to the 

 number, 10,281 — the first time that there were not differences of opinions — 

 not between the agencies so much, but between the agencies and sportsmen. 

 Just prior to the elk count the Fish and Game Commission made a survey 

 trip through the area both within and outside the Park and was convinced 

 beyond doubt that a drastic reduction of the elk herd was necessary in order 

 to permit the range conditions to rebuild to the former and normal level. 



Following the Yellowstone count. Deputy Game Wardens, Forest Rangers 

 and Park Rangers made a similar count in the Gallatin area where 2,218 elk 

 were counted. 



With conditions not favorable for counts in the Sun River and Flathead 

 areas until later in the spring, the work was discontinued until early in May, 

 when Deputy Game Wardens, Forest Rangers and representatives of the sports- 

 men made a count of the Sun River herd and settled arguments of long stand- 

 ing with 3,098 elk being counted and all participating being in full accord as to 

 the accuracy of the count. 



Time or conditions would not permit a count of the Flathead herd, al- 

 though two Deputy Wardens, Archie O'Claire and Bruce Neal made a 13-day 

 snowshoe trip through the South Fork to observe the range conditions follow- 

 ing a most severe winter. 



In order to gain further information concerning the range conditions in 

 the Gallatin and Sun River areas, a group representing the Fish and Game 

 Commission, sportsmen, Forest Service, Park Service, Northern Pacific Rail- 

 way, which company owns considerable land in the Gallatin area, and stockmen 

 made a survey trip through the Gallatin early in September and came to a 

 common understanding as to the program necessary to adopt regarding use of 

 grazing lands by game and domestic stock. 



Immediately following the Gallatin survey, a similar trip was made 

 through the Sun River with the same interests, except the Park Service and 

 Northern Pacific Railway, represented. Again it was agreed by all interests as 

 to the definite action to be taken in order to properly protect the game and range. 



Such cooperative work makes for a common understanding of the prob- 

 lems and in order to satisfactorily administer the management of this import- 

 ant phase of the wildlife program it is essential that all interested see the 

 problems from the same viewpoint. It is planned to continue with the spring 

 counts and fall range surveys, with all agencies represented, in order that 

 accurate information may be available to the Commission and make possible 

 a sound game management program. 





^^^^ib^ 



.:^- .^^ife^r^Si^KBi^i^i:^ 



