Game Birds 



NATIVE SPECIES 



. In 1946 Montana hunters enjoyed an open season on sharptailed 

 grouse which varied from two days in several counties to six days in 

 several others. A two-day season on blue grouse, ruffed grouse and 

 Franklin's grouse was allowed in the northwestern section of the state. 

 In 1947 a two-day open season was allowed on all species of upland 

 game birds except sage grouse. The department during the period of 

 this biennium has confined its activities to inventories of existing popu- 

 lations to find whether the populations would stand an open season. 



Authorities generally agree that native upland game birds show a 

 strong tendency to follow cycles of high and low numbers. Probably 

 some small benefits might be gained by acquiring tracts of land which 

 might be developed for use of upland birds. The practicability of such 

 a program, however, is questionable because large tracts are necessary, 

 and it is essential that the lands revert to their original state which 

 favored the birds before agriculture changed the picture in Montana. 

 Coupled with this is the fact that native upland birds appear to follow 

 cycles. It may not be possible to maintain a high population of birds 

 even on lands devoted to that purpose. Present indications show that 

 the sharptailed grouse population is increasing, paritcularly in some 

 areas. Much time and money has been spent in the United States in 

 an effort to maintain a surplus of harvestable native game birds. A 

 few states have shown only moderate success and that only through 

 very expensive and intensive management. These efforts are being 

 watched by the Fish and Game Department, and should any effort show 

 good results the department will consider such a plan for its use. 



The department intends to count the upland game bird population 

 in the near future. Should populations of sage grouse seem plentiful 

 enough in local areas, possibility of trapping and transplanting to locali- 

 ties of low populations will be investigated. Normally it is likely that 

 the native upland species will not multiply to the extent that they u^ill 

 furnish as much shooting as do introduced game birds. Therefore, it 

 seems wise to concentrate the department's efforts on maintaining satis- 

 factory populations of game birds which offer the greatest possibility 

 of furnishing maximum hunting enjoyment to the most people. The fact 

 that the native species will remain paramount in the minds of those 

 who knew them well in the past is not being overlooked by the depart- 

 ment. 



INTRODUCED SPECIES 

 The Ringnecked Pheasant 



No open season in 1946 and only a limited one in 1947 follows the 

 history of the genei'al decline in pheasant numbers throughout the 

 pheasant range of the continent. Since the decline was nation wide, 

 department policy cannot be considered as a contributing factor. Ring 

 neck populations depend to some extent upon favorable weather condi- 

 tions and favorable land usage. There is some evidence that cycles of 

 highs and lows in the population are caused by unknown factors. 



In spite of these factors, uncontrolled by man, which so greatly 

 affect pheasant numbers, the department is continually striving to per- 

 petuate pheasant hunting. Three channels of endeavor, working hand 

 in hand, are directed towards this end. 



The fact-finding part of the pheasant work is conducted by the 

 department where continual inventory of the pheasant crop is a basic 



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