side the Preserve was approximately one grizzly 

 bear to 1 1 square miles of range, while the av- 

 erage outside was one grizzly to 32 square miles 

 of bear range. 



The average annual increase of the species 

 in the areas covered was found to be approxi- 

 mately 15 per cent. The kill by hunters previous 

 to the complete closure in 1942 approximately 

 equalled the rate of increase in the Sun River- 

 Flathead ranges. 

 Recommendations: 



Very careful management of this rare species. 



A limited yearly take by hunters controlled 

 by a limited license system. The number taken 

 to be based upon the annual increase. 



Mousitcrin Qoat Swut&y, 



BITTERROOT RANGE UNIT 

 (Progress Report) 

 Introduction: 



The natural range of the mountain goat within 

 the state has apparently changed but little from 

 that of historic times. This species has been found 

 in but three states — Montana, Idaho and Washing- 

 ton. The geographic center of their range is far- 

 ther north in British Columbia. 



The mountain goat is hunted in only two 

 areas within the state, the Flathead and the Bitter- 

 root ranges. The kill has been limited by a short 

 season and the remoteness of the ranges involved. 



The Commission has been anxious to ascer- 

 tain the effect of the present drain by hunters 



and other sources upon the goat population with- 

 in the state. With this purpose in mind the pres- 

 ent survey was initiated. 



Procedure: 



On July 1, 1942, a fieldman was assigned to 

 the Bitterroot goat ranges. The plan for this work 

 called for a complete coverage of the west side 

 of the Bitterroot drainage to the Idaho line between 

 the West Fork of the Bitterroot river and Lolo 

 creek. The coverage has progressed systematical- 

 ly through Tincup creek, Rock creek, Roaring 

 Lion creek, Saw Tooth creek, and Canyon creek. 



Findings: 



Up to October 15, 102 mountain goats had 

 been observed. They have been widely scattered. 

 It is thought that more favorable census condi- 

 tions will be found when the goats have concen- 

 trated on their winter range. 



The work has indicated a satisfactory kid 

 crop. It will be necessary to check throughout 

 the winter in order to determine the percentage 

 of survival. Detailed work on this species in the 

 State of Washington has indicated a high mor- 

 tality rate among the kids during severe winter 

 conditions. This report further suggests the pos- 

 sibility that mountain goats are monogamous 

 rather than polygamous. As this is an important 

 point in reference to the management of the spe- 

 cies, an effort is being made to gain accurate 

 information here in Montana. 



The effect of predatory animals has not yet 

 been found to be serious. Their activities may 

 become more pronounced during the winter 

 months. 



A detailed report will be submitted follow- 

 ing the completion of this work. 



SUN RIVER — FLATHEAD UNIT 



Information was obtained regarding moun- 

 tain goats on the Flathead and Sun River ranges, 

 during the grizzly bear surveys conducted in those 

 areas. This work indicated that the mountain goat 

 population in the area open to hunting was hold- 

 ing its own. The neighboring closed areas ap- 

 parently play an important part in that goats 

 were found to drift into the hunted areas from 

 protected ranges. 



[41 



