14 



MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



There are many areas in the 

 state ideally suited for this ani- 

 mal and with an abundance in 

 several sections, it appears en- 

 tirely practical to introduce the 

 antelope successfully into selected 

 districts. 



Mountain Goats. 



It is generally agreed that the 

 season which has been open in 

 Ravalli county for several years 

 has actually served to improve 

 the goats both as to number and 

 physical condition. This is due to 

 the average hunter seeking only 

 a trophy which in all cases are the older animals, permitting the younger stock 



to breed and produce healthier and sturdier offspring. With this illustration 

 as a guide, the Commission, in 1935, declared an open season in a portion of 

 Flathead county and in 1936 again opened this area and added Lewis and 

 Clark and Teton counties. In the latter areas sufficient protection was af- 

 forded by the Sun River game preserve to prevent any undue slaughter. This 

 animal is highly prized by residents and non-residents alike for trophy pur- 

 poses but due to the strenuous effort required to reach the goat areas, but a 

 small percentage of sportsmen care to hunt this animal. It is typical of Mon- 

 tana and deserves consideration and protection to assure its perpetuation. 



Before the droug-ht struck Chouteau County, 



fat antelope g'razed without fear but with 



much favor on the famous Sullivan Oauie 



Preserve near Square Butte. 



Mountain Sheep. 



While there are quite a number of sheep 

 areas, they are not showing proper increase. 



There are many theories ad- 

 vanced as to what is responsible 

 for this, along which the most 

 generally accepted is the loss of 

 the young by eagles and preda- 

 tory animals. Here again, it is 

 felt necessary to make a study 

 of the matter to ascertain, with- 

 out question, the true cause. It 

 is entirely possible that being 

 confined to rather limited areas, 

 in-breeding or the presence of old- 

 er animals which are now taken 

 only by old age, disease or pre- 

 dators are factors. This is im- 

 portant enough to warrant an ex- 

 tensive study which would require 

 at least one year to be of proper benefit, 



in the Gallatin and Sun River 



Higrh in the mountains of Gallatin county, 

 these two rams, pride of the peaks, are graz- 

 Inef. Reg-ulatory measures are in force to 

 allow this colorful g-ame animal, the Bocky 

 Mountain Sheep, to increase and retain a per- 

 manent position in Montana. 



