Posting of Game Preserves 



The posting of game preserves and closed areas has been carried 

 on as a phase of the restoration program. Up to date, due to the short- 

 age of metal, it has been difficult to obtain a sufficient amount of signs 

 to complete this project. However, it is felt that when completed it will 

 be extremely helpful to the sportsmen in more easily locating the closed 

 areas in the state. 



Reservoir Development 



Since the inception of the program in 1941 there have been 26 

 reservoirs in eastern Montana upon which wildlife habitat areas have 

 been developed. This work has consisted of fencing off portions of the 

 shoreline of these reservoirs and planting within these areas desirable 

 food-bearing shrubs and aquatic plants. The shrubs have consisted of 

 Russian olive, caragana, buffalo berry, willow, poplar, rose and others, 

 and the aquatics of sago pondweed, duck potato, bullrush, and so forth. 

 This type of development has chiefly benefited waterfowl by the pro- 

 duction of an abundance of food and cover for feeding, resting and 

 nesting purposes within these desirable areas. These reservoirs vary 

 in size from 50 to 60 acres up to several square miles. 



Acquisition 



The acquisition of game range either by purchase or lease repre- 

 sents an additional phase of the restoration work. At the present time 

 three areas which have been found to be vital to wildlife are 

 being purchased by the Fish and Game Commission through the use 

 of restoration funds. One of these is known as Dry Lake and consists of 

 approximately 1,000 acres of dry lake bed which is being once more 

 flooded and will be planted to desirable aquatic growth and will present 

 an ideal habitat for waterfowl. This is located in Golden Valley County 

 a short distance north of Ryegate. 



One hundred twenty-five acres of winter deer range is being pur- 

 chased in the upper Judith River area west of Utica. This will round out 

 a former purchase in that area and will present an ideal management 

 unit for the better development of big game. The area is now being 

 fenced and planted to desirable forage species. 



Approximately 6,000 acres of key winter range is being purchased 

 on the upper Gallatin drainage adjacent to the Yellowstone Park 

 boundary. This unit is vital in connection with the maintenance of the 

 Gallatin elk herd. 



In these purchases all land uses have been carefully considered 

 and all local interested groups and individuals have been consulted. 



Lea.se<l Game Range 



During the present fiscal year three winter game range areas in 

 western Montana have been leased by the Fish and Game Department 

 from the Anaconda Copper Company. One is the Fish Creek unit in 

 Mineral County consisting of 22,000 acres of deer and elk range; another 

 is the Thompson River unit in Sanders County consisting of 44,000 acres: 



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