restoration project. Approximately one-third of the salt is now dis- 

 tributed in the more remote back country game ranges by the use of 

 an airplane. In this way it has been possible to get the salt out 

 in the early spring when it is most needed by the game. 



WILDLIFE INVESTIGATION 



Wildlife management has become increasingly complex. With 

 rapid increases in the number of hunters and with problems of 

 multiple land use it is necessary to manage wildlife with as much 

 factual information as possible. 



Having a staff of trained personnel, the Restoration Division 

 has been assigned the job of obtaining necessary information for 

 game restocking, land acquisition and game management. 



In order that the big game inventory may be kept current, the 

 state has been divided into several logical units. 



Western Montana 



Western Montana has been further divided into important big 

 game herd units. Among these are the Bitterroot, Fish Creek, Thomp- 

 son River, Swan Valley, Flathead and Blackfoot-Clearwater. A 

 check of the numbers and distribution of big game in these areas 

 has been carried out with the personnel available. As with all other 

 big game ranges, observations have also been made regarding the 

 condition of the forage upon which the animals depend. Every effort 

 has been made to maintain as many game animals as possible in bal- 

 ance with the available winter food supply. 



Southwestern Montana 



A number of important big game ranges are included within this 

 unit. Annual checks on numbers, distribution and range conditions 

 have been carried out during the past several years. Areas of primary 

 importance include the ranges of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd 

 and also the game ranges within the Gallatin, Madison, Ruby, Black- 

 tail and Big Hole drainages. 



In addition to elk, it has been necessary to obtain information on 

 deer and moose and the effect of hunting on these big game species. 

 Particularly important problems regarding an inter-relationship or 

 drift between the various elk herds in this unit are being checked 

 as they appear to have an important bearing on the management of 

 the individual groups. 



Lincoln County 



The relationship of big game and timber management presents 

 a particularly important problem in northwestern Montana. Until 

 recently very little was known regarding the effect of deer use on 

 the establishment and development of young trees, particularly con- 

 ifers. As both wildlife and timber are vitally important resources in 

 this area, it is essential that all possible information regarding the 

 effect of one on the other be known and used in their proper man- 



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