/Zuj, Qame Suboeyd., WuUe* 19*2.-1943 



SWAN VALLEY UNIT 



Large portions of the Swan Valley have been 

 legged off at various intervals in the past. Much 

 of the cut over area now supports a heavy growth 

 of willow, as well as conifer reproduction. The 

 abundance of browse species has no doubt been 

 responsible for a rapid increase in the numbers 

 of whitetail deer in the area. Much important 

 information is needed in regard to the actual 

 numbers of deer now inhabiting the area, the 

 effect of predators, carrying capacity of the avail- 

 able winter ranges, as well as other important 

 facts pertaining to the well being of the game ani- 

 mals in the area. 



BIG BLACKFOOT UNIT 



The work in this area will be conducted on 

 the drainages of the Big Blackfoot and Clearwater 

 Rivers. As with the Swan unit, this is primarily 

 a deep snow country. Winter ranges are of neces- 

 sity restricted. Willow and other important browse 

 species make up an important share of the criti- 

 cal winter forage. The principal big game species 

 is the whitetail deer, although mule deer and elk 

 are also found within the unit. There appears to 

 be an interesting relationship between portions 

 of this range and the Danaher range on the upper 

 South Fork. An interchange of elk has been noted. 

 The same type of information is necessary as 

 that described under the discussion of the Swan 

 Valley unit. 



Comparatively little has been known up to 

 this time concerning game conditions on both of 

 these big game ranges. A fund of reliable informa- 

 tion is therefore essential in developing the wild- 

 life resources on both these units. 



h&u J ' - 



MADISON VALLEY UNIT 



The two man crew assigned to this unit will 

 cover not only the Madison but also the Gravely, 

 Ruby and Tobacco Root ranges. The present in- 

 formation pertaining to game conditions in this 

 area is very inadequate. It is particularly import- 

 ant to determine the affect the kill of doe deer, 

 allowed upon a portion of this unit, has had upon 

 the distribution, numbers and sex ratio of game 

 in that area. This kill was found necessary as a 

 control measure in preventing damage to private 

 property that had resulted from concentrations 

 of mule deer on several restricted ranges. The 

 past open season on both sexes in the area re- 

 sulted in a kill of 255 deer, of which 115 were 

 bucks and 140 does. 



Small numbers of elk, mountain sheep and 

 moose also inhabit the area. 



Snow blowing- from the crest of Sawtooth Mountain, 

 Lower Sun River Canyon. On many winter game ranges 

 strong winds play an important part in moving the 

 snow from exposed side hills and ridge tops, thus 

 creating vitally needed feeding areas. 



