FLATHEAD GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT 



(Continued from page 46) 



The sex ratio among the elk, as established 

 from positively identified animals, was 52 per 

 cent cows, 24 per cent calves, and 24 per cent 

 bulls. This would indicate an approximate in- 

 crease in the herd, at its present number, of 

 900 head. 



A detailed discussion of the apparent inter- 

 change or migration of elk between the Flat- 

 head and Sun River ranges is included in the 

 Sun River report. 



Recommendations: 



(1) It is recommended that the number of 

 elk maintained in the Flathead approximate the 

 carrying capacity of the winter ranges, which 

 has been determined at 2,500 head. It is hoped 

 that in this way the productivity of the range may 

 be maintained and that any future waste from 

 a heavy winter kill, such as that which occurred 

 in 1931-32, may be avoided. 



(2) It is also recommended that salt be dis- 

 tributed in accordance with the developed plan. 

 This salting is designed to hold elk off winter 

 ranges as long as possible, and to assist in dis- 

 tributing game from overpopulated areas to areas 

 that are under stocked. 



. (3) That the reseeding of overused ranges 

 be continued, if the present seeding program 

 proves successful. 



(4) That, because of their apparent inter- 

 relationship, the Flathead and Sun River herds 

 should be considered as one management unit. 



GALLATIN MANAGEMENT UNIT 



(Continued from page 58) 

 In this way necessary information will be ob- 

 tained concerning the herd and the ranges upon 

 which it depends. 



(3) That a change be made in the boundary 

 of the Gallatin Game Preserve in the Tepee-Buf- 

 falo Horn area. This change, as shown on the 

 accompanying map, would protect the natural 

 migration route to the fall ranges, thereby avert- 

 ing a forced concentration of game animals in 

 the Tepee and Daily Creek drainages. 



(4) That a series of well placed quadrats 

 be located for the purpose of carrying on a pro- 

 gressive study of critical winter ranges. In this 

 way accurate information may be obtained con- 

 cerning the density and volume of important 

 forage species. This important data may be used 

 as an index to the condition of the range. It is 

 suggested that this detailed investigative work 

 be carried on by the School of Wildlife Manage- 

 ment at the State College in Bozeman. 



(5) That salt should be placed annually in 

 accordance with the developed salting plan for 

 the area. 



Results to Date: 



The Commission, during its April, 1942, meet- 

 ing made the recommended change in the Game 

 Preserve boundary. 



The 1942 hunting season has clearly demon- 

 strated the betterment in game distribution, as 

 well as hunting conditions, resulting from the 

 change. 



GAME PROBLEMS, YESTERDAY AND TODAY 



(Continued from page 11) 



As the population of any species buils up 

 to the maximum food and cover available for 

 that species in a given area, it becomes neces- 

 sary to treat it as any other crop — a crop which 

 must be harvested if it is not to be lost through 

 starvation. A corollary of this is the fact that if 

 the annual crop is not removed, deterioration of 

 vegetation and soil occurs and eventually leads 

 to a reduced carrying capacity for that species. 

 The problem of management is also complicated 

 by a conflict between the various economic in- 

 terests which are found within a state as large 

 as Montana. The economic stability of many com- 

 munities in the state rests upon agricultural ac- 

 tivities. There is, however, a place for wildlife 

 in this set up, and the relative utilization of feed 

 and forage by wildlife and domestic stock will 

 vary with the pattern of economic life in different 

 communities. 



If the Department is able to obtain the neces- 

 sary personnel and travel facilities, it should be 

 posible during the war emergency to increase the 

 population of the various species in those areas 



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