MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



Poison: Additional circular ponds. 



Red Lodge: New hatchery and combined garage and living quartei's. 



Salish: Hatchery with quarters for assistant; dwelling; garage and food 

 room; 12 small circular ponds; nine large circular and nine semi-natural rear- 

 ing ponds. 



Somers: New pipe line and small rearing ponds. 



Game Farm. 



In addition to the erection of the new game farm at Billings, there is 

 need for considerable field study and development of areas to provide needed 

 feed and cover for the birds. Funds are also in demand for the purchase and 

 distribution of grain for bird feeding during extended critical periods as was 

 experienced the winter of 1935-36. 



Game Birds and Animals. 



To perpetuate the native game birds, it is very important that studies be 

 made and funds be available to carry on the protection and development pro- 

 gram. From the information now at hand, it is believed most important to 

 acquire through lease, purchase or the Taylor Grazing act, suitable areas for 

 nesting and development of feed and cover for the sage hens and pintail grouse. 

 Every protection during the nesting period and control of predators is re- 

 quired for the valued ruffed and blue grouse. 



In many cases the big game populations are limited entirely by the extent 

 of the winter range. The Commission now leases for deer winter range, lands 

 in Sanders, Missoula and Powell counties. Summer range is now ample in 

 practically all game areas, but with the winter weather forcing the game to 

 the lower elevations and, in most cases, on to privately owned lands, it results 

 in the private owners, either corporations or individuals, providing the feed 

 during this critical period or the game poulation must be I'estricted to the 

 number of animals able to subsist on the feed available on public lands during 

 this period. There are many places in Montana where elk or deer could be 

 transplanted and provide hunting and other values to the local residents if 

 winter range were available. Before such programs are ever considered, how- 

 ever, it is most important that steps be taken to provide for game animals 

 now found in scattered herds over the state and sorely in need of winter range. 

 In several cases the future of these herds depend upon the Commission acquir- 

 ing lands within the immediate future. One area, outstanding in this respect 

 is that above Utica in the Little Belts, where the deer are increasing steadily 

 and the elk population necessarily limited due to lack of winter feed on public 

 lands. Another area near Roy presents a similar problem in order to provide 

 for elk range. In practically every county where big game is founil today 

 such need is apparent. 



Funds should be provided to permit purchase of such areas, the acquisi- 

 tion to be in order of importance with the plan to protect and provide for the 

 existing and important herds receiving the higher priority listing. 



Funds should be available to permit a study of the Mountain Sheep and 

 this species developed to the full extent. Montana now occupies an enviable 

 position as regards this animal and its welfare should be given every consider- 

 ation. 



