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Chukar Partridge 



GAME FARMS 



The activity at all three State Game Farms located in Billings, 

 Fort Peck and Warm Springs was confined to the raising of Ring- 

 neck Pheasants during the past two years. Production at these game 

 farms as a unit has been stabilized at approximately thirty thousand 

 pheasants per year. 



There has been considerable discussion as to the value of farm 

 raised pheasants for release. However, in a state like Montana where 

 a great portion of its pheasant range is on the fringe of what is 

 considered a suitable habitat and the weather cycle periodically takes 

 a heavy toll, continued operation of game farms for restocking pur- 

 poses seems to have been justified. Pheasants have been raised and 

 released annually in Montana by the Fish and Game Department since 

 1930. Prior to that time the Game Department had purchased pheas- 

 ants from commercial breeders. Some pheasants were introduced in 

 Montana by individuals and sportsmen's groups before the turn of the 

 century. 



At the Billings Game Farm approximately 100 chukar partridge 

 are now being held as brood stock with the intention of making 

 another attempt to introduce these game birds in Montana in the 

 near future. 



(11) 



