Big Game 



With a topography that varies from short grass prairie to rugged, 

 precipitous mountains and a variety of wildlife adapted to these habitat 

 variation, Montana has been recognized as an important game region. 

 Probably most important of the animals which place this state among 

 the leading wildlife-producing districts are the big game species. 



Whitetail and mule deer occur in abundance from the densely for- 

 ested regions of Lincoln County to the badlands of eastern Montana. 

 Elk and moose are found over much of the western section, and bighorn 

 sheep and mountain goats range in the rugged, remote areas. Montana 

 is the only state with a substantial number of grizzly bear and the black 

 bear occurs commonly. Antelope roam the eastern prairie lands, and 

 a rare but important visitor is the caribou of northwestern Montana. 

 This abundance and variety of big game is of considerable economic 

 and aesthetic value to the state. Typical of all renewable natural re- 

 sources big game requires constant supervision and management. 



Management of big game must be predicated upon two basic prin- 

 ciples: First the assurance of perpetuation of all species and secondly 

 the fair and equal distribution of harvestable surplus animals among 

 legal hunters. 



To accomplish the first objective, habitat must be provided the 

 animals, forage must be reserved for critical, winter periods, sanctuaries 

 for breeding and protection are often necessary and trained law enforce- 

 ment personnel is essential to secure observance of protective regula- 

 tions. The second principle, the harvest of surplus animals, necessitates 

 first a good inventory to determine abundance and distribution of each 

 species. Other needed facts include breeding potential, life history, and 

 the probable hunting pressure a species may receive. From such data, 

 it is possible to determine the number of animals to be taken, the method 

 of hunting and sex and age class to be taken. When animals occur in 

 sufficient numbers, a general hunt may be proclaimed with limitation 

 of length of season and sex to be taken to be determined by local abund- 

 ance. If mass or unlimited hunting might jeopardize a species, special 

 permits are issued for a definite number of animals. In other cases, 

 total protection may be offered a species if it is in danger of extinction. 



These are some of the problems, and others occur as a result of 

 the condition of habitat. Overabundance of big game in one area may 

 result in overuse of necessary forage plants and the chance of loss of 

 animals by malnutrition. A scarcity of a species may indicate the 

 necessity of re-stocking. Perhaps predators are a problem or winter 

 range scarce. Each problem requires basic information, and this infor- 

 mation can be obtained only by trained personnel. 



With the increase in total hunting effort and the resulting dangerous 

 pressures placed upon wildlife, it has become increasingly necessary to 

 determine the number and distribution of each species within the state. 

 Therefore, a definite effort has been made to census the big game ani- 

 mals. Normally this is accomplished during the winter when the animals 

 are concentrated on a limited winter area. By airplane, horseback, and 

 snowshoe, these regions are covered carefully by trained and experienced 

 department personnel, and through the co-operation of the U. S. Forest 

 Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Indian 

 Service, a complete statewide inventory is accomplished. 



