Obviously this information cannot be 100 per cent accurate, but it 

 definitely indicates population trends. When big" game herds are man- 

 aged upon the estimated population, it is assured that severe or dan- 

 gerous overkills will not occur. 



The following tabulation is believed to be the most accurate and 

 complete yet developed. The numbers are based upon the year ending 

 December 31, 1947. 



Montana Big Game Inventory 



Whitetail Deer 38,600 



Mule Deer 107,700 



Elk 31,600 



Moose 3,700 



Pronghorned Antelope 26,000 



Rocky Mountain Bighorn 1,200 



Mountain Goat 4,800 



Black Bear 8,000 



Grizzly Bear 700 



Caribou 15 



An analysis of the trends in big game indicate an upward swing of 

 most species since 1940. There have been some local decreases, but 

 the statewide condition has been favorable. Indications at present are 

 that in most areas the population of big game will level off and remain 

 about constant. 



Deer and antelope have shown the greatest advance, but elk in- 

 creases, although important, have been less significant. Both species 

 of bear have become more numerous. Mountain sheep and moose have 

 remained about constant, and a slight decrease has been noted in the 

 mountain goat population. This latter decrease occurred in the Bitter- 

 root Range where heavy hunting of this accessible area has made it 

 advisable to close the season for at least one year. 



During the past sixteen years, the recreational demands and hunt- 

 ing pressures have increased tremendously. In 1931 when big game 

 licenses were sold separately from the fishing license, about 20,000 

 hunters purchased the big game permit. Just prior to the war in 1940, 

 this figure had doubled, and in 1946, nearly 80,000 hunters purchased 

 big game licenses. 



The increase since 1939 is shown in the following tabulation. 



Big Game Licenses Sold In Montana, 1939-1947 



Year* Resident Non-Resident 



1939 37,182 284 



1940 . 39,201 327 



1941 38,943 338 



1942 46,487 481 



1943 47,889 339 



1944 46.892 374 



1945 45,335 479 



1946 52,694 1,085 



1947 74,997 2,914 



1948 72,396 972 

 * Ending April 30 each. 



It is believed that the number of big-game hunters in Montana will 

 level off to about 70,000. Non-resident hunters decreased between 1946 

 and 1947. Part of this may have been the result of increased license 



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