populations in many waters where rough fish compete with game fish in 

 such numbers that a reduction in game fish results. 



4. The department is in the process of acquiring new sources of 

 suitable water for development of new hatcheries and rearing ponds. 

 When ever possible, the raceway type rearing pond will be installed be- 

 cause of its greater efficiency in fish production. The adoption of better 

 feed formulas, especially in the more heavily oxygenated waters of the 

 raceway type pond, should materially increase the weight of planted fish. 



The above program is intended to increase facilities for production 

 at the hatcheries and contribute toward greater productivity of game fish 

 habitat in lakes and streams throughout the state. 



WILDLIFE RESTORATION 

 « Introduction 



The Restoration program became possible following the Assent Act 

 of the 1941 Montana Legislative Assembly to Federal Aid in Wildlife 

 Development. By this Act, funds that were going into the Federal 

 Treasury from a Wye excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition 

 were made available to the Fish and Game Departments of the various 

 states as an aid in the restoration of their wildlife resources. 



The amount allotted each state is based on the actual size of the 

 state and the number of hunting licenses sold in each. Due to its rela- 

 tively large size, Montana is eighth in the amount allotted. Much as 

 our Federal Aid to highway program, the State matches Federal funds 

 on a 25-75'^'r basis; that is, the State pays 259f of the cost of the various 

 projects. Each of the projects undertaken is originated and planned 

 by the State and the personnel to supervise and carry them out are 

 chosen by it. The Government, acting through the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service requires only that the projects undertaken are substantial in 

 character and that they will definitely benefit wildlife. For convenience, 

 this unit of the Fish and Game Department has been called the Restora- 

 tion Division. 



As explained in former biennial reports, the work undertaken has 

 been state-wide in scope and as would be expected in a state of this 

 size, the projects are diverse in character. 



Wildlife Development Projects 



Careful investigations throughout important wildlife areas of the 

 state, indicated a definite need for various development projects. The 

 trapping and transplanting of game species has been an important de- 

 velopment project. In all cases the animals and birds nioved have 

 been taken from localities of abundance and placed in areas where they 

 were scarce or entirely lacking. In this way, new game herds are 

 being developed in desirable areas where they will not conflict with 

 agricultural activities and game bird distribution is being improved. 



Trapping and Tran.splanting Ring-Necked Pheasants 



The work entailed in live trapping ring-necked pheasants was con- 

 tinued throughout the past two winters. During this period 2,846 

 mature birds were captured and moved into desirable locations. It is 



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