Wildlife HeAiosuUiosi jbuuiAXm 



9n£noduc£io<n 



The following report presents a summary of 

 the work carried on by the Wildlife Restoration 

 Division of the Montana Fish and Game Depart- 

 ment. The division was formed following the pas- 

 sage by the State Legislature of the Assent to 

 the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, in 

 1941. This act, the result of a concentrated effort 

 by interested individuals and wildlife groups, was 

 passed by Congress in 1937. By it, funds flowing 

 into the federal treasury from a 10 per cent ex- 

 cise tax on sporting arms and ammunition were 

 made available to the states for the purpose of 

 wildlife restoration and development. 



The amount apportioned varies with the 

 states and is based upon their size as well as the 

 number of licenses sold in each. For example, the 

 amount apportioned for the fiscal year of 1942 to 

 Montana was $77,247.05, while in accordance with 

 war time reductions the amount made available 

 for 1943 has been $34,268.74. 



Under the act the federal government reim- 

 burses the states for 75 per cent of the cost of 

 all projects. Each of the projects undertaken is 

 originated and planned by the various state fish 

 and game departments, and the personnel to su- 

 pervise and carry out these projects are chosen 

 by them. The government, acting through the Fish 

 and Wildlife Service, requires only that the proj- 

 ects undertaken are substantial in character and 

 that they conform to the spirit of the act. All 

 equipment, improvements and developments be- 

 come the property of the state. The scope of the 

 work is broad as it covers all phases of wildlife 

 except fisheries. Thus, in Montana work is now 

 being conducted in connection with the big game, 

 game birds, and fur bearing animals. 



According to their objectives, the projects may 

 be classed under the following four general head- 

 ings: 



1. Land Development: Projects under this 

 classification include the improvements of the 

 living conditions or environment for wildlife. They 



may include the planting of food and cover as 

 well as the protection of nesting areas, the stabil- 

 ization of water levels, and similar activities. The 

 fencing of portions of reservoirs and the planting 

 of these protected areas to food and cover for 

 wildlife is an example of this work that is now 

 being carried on. 



The restoration of desirable wildlife species 

 is in a sense a phase of development. Examples 

 of this type of project are the trapping and trans- 

 planting of big game such as mountain goats 

 and mountain sheep, as well as the trapping 

 and transplanting of various types of game birds 

 such as sage grouse and Chinese pheasants, and 

 also the trapping and transplanting ■ of beaver. 

 In this way game animals, birds and fur bearers 

 are being reintroduced into desirable areas where 

 they once were found or into new areas that 

 provide all the requirements needed by the par- 

 ticular species. 



2. Investigations and Surveys: This type of 

 work is being conducted for the purpose of fur- 

 nishing the Fish and Game Commission with a 

 fund of well grounded information. The surveys 

 undertaken are confined to those that furnish 

 factual information designed to aid in the admin- 

 istration of the wildlife resources of the state. 

 The scope of these field investigations is broad, 

 covering such activities as census work, game 

 range investigation, the determination of the ef- 

 fect of various diseases and parasites, the drain 

 by predators, hunters and winter kill. As this 

 basic information is gained, emphasis will be 

 shifted to more detailed types of investigation. 



3. Land Purchase: Under the provisions of 

 the act lands may be purchased when found to 

 be of vital need for the betterment of wildlife. 

 Thus far no land acquisitions have been made. 

 The Department believes that if a purchase is con- 

 templated, it should be carried out only after a 

 thorough study of the economic relations between 

 wildlife and the various other land uses in the 

 area. (Please turn to page 92) 



[36] 



The Shiran Moo»i>. A nurture bull Is a rtniitforoui BUbJect 



lor camera study at close rang-e In the fall of tho year. 



Absaroka WtlilernesB Aroa. 



