WILDLIFE 

 RESTORATION PROGRAM 



INTRODUCTION 



With this biennium, ten years of wildlife restoration work has 

 been completed in Montana. The program has been high-lighted 

 by the development of habitat for waterfowl, game birds and big 

 game; the acquisition of badly needed big game winter range; the 

 restocking of depleted wildlife areas with live-trapped animals and 

 birds, and investigative work which has led toward more intensive 

 management of the state's valuable wildlife resource. 



This work which has become an important phase of the state's 

 fish and game program, is financed by funds made available through 

 an excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Previous to the estab- 

 lishment of legislation known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, money 

 from this excise tax flowed into the general fund of the United States 

 treasury. However, since that time the money has been definitely 

 earmarked for use by the various states in wildlife restoration proj- 

 ects.. The amount alloted each state is determined by the state's area 

 and number of licenses sold. Because of its size, Montana ranks 

 ninth in the proportion of money received. This money is available 

 on much the same basis as the Federal Aid to Highway Program. 

 The state pays 25 per cent of the cost of the projects while the re- 

 mainder comes from the arms and ammunition fund. Projects are 



Antelope Trapping 

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