and areas in need of i-e-stocking have been checked closely, and neces- 

 sary breeding stock is being introduced. 



A statewide investigation of the mountain goat was conducted dur- 

 ing the biennium. The possibility that this rare big game animal was 

 not holding his own as well as other species under present-day hunting 

 pressure makes this work of particular value. Several current changes 

 in the hunting regulations have been based upon the findings of this 

 project. The capture of big game in areas of abundance and its release 

 in desirable areas is becoming one of the most important phases of 

 management. 



The transplanting of elk was carried out successfully as early as 

 1911. Since that time approximately 1,400 elk and thirty-two new hunt- 

 able herds developed. During the last two years, emphasis has been 

 placed upon trapping and transplating antelope, deer and to a lesser 

 extent, mountain goats and mountain sheep. 



One of the outstanding examples of interstate co-operation was the 

 exchange of Montain mountain goats for bighorn sheep from the thrifty 

 Tarryall mountain sheep herd of Colorado. The sixteen bighorn sheep 

 received from Colorado have been placed temporarily in a 400-acre 

 holding pasture in the Missouri breaks north of Jordan in Garfield 

 County. This represents the re-introduction of mountain sheep into an 

 area where the extinct Audubon variety once was extremely abundant. 

 It is expected that mountain sheep may be developed in substantial num- 

 ber in this vast badland area of eastern Montana. 



The department moved 1,610 pronghorn antelope from their native 

 range and re-introduced into forty-one new areas of known historical 

 antelope range. Both species of deer were caught, 531 mule deer being 

 released in twelve new areas and 153 whitetail released to establish 

 four additional herds. 



In 1947 five mountain goats were transplanted in the Spanish Peaks 

 of the Gallatin Range and nine goats were shipped to Colorado to intro- 

 duce a new big game species in that state. Eight mountain sheep were 

 moved from the Sun River herd to start a new band on Wildhorse Island 

 on Flathead Lake. 



LAND ACQUISITION 



Perhaps the most important program initiated by the Fish and Game 

 Department is the acquisition of vital game range to assure these ani- 

 mals a wintering area. Problems concerning summer range are not 

 comparable to the winter range problem. The number of big game 

 animals is definitely limited by the amount of winter range available. 

 Projects of this nature have been carried on with the active co-operation 

 of interested ranchers and adjacent landholders. It is generally agi-eed 

 if big game is to survive in the increasing complex pattern of land use 

 that certain critical areas be reserved for game only. 



In the Sun River 18,000 acres of critical winter range have been 

 obtained for use by elk. This range will do much to relieve damage on 

 adjacent lands. Development of this winter range for game is now 

 progressing. 



*7^e Caoe^ Pltoto. 



In the bitter cold of midwinter in the Sun River foothills, elk string 

 out before the airplane. These elk are wintering in the new Sun River 

 winter elk range, a major wildlife restoration project. 



10 



