nformation and Education 



Public interest in hunting and fishing has made apparent the 

 necessity for expanded information and educational facilities. The De- 

 partment of Fish and Game has recognized that an informed public 

 can supply the support needed to meet new problems in the business 

 of supplying fish for the creel and game in the bag. Thus it is the 

 primary objective of the division of information and education to supply 

 facts and figures concerning the status of fish and game and its man- 

 agement in Montana. It is also believed that pleasure in the outdoors 

 can be increased if the hunter and fisherman are made aware of the 

 habits and values of wild animals. 



Daily and weekly news releases providing current information arc 

 supplied to all of the wire services, newspapers and radio stations in 

 the state. This material is used extensively and provides one of the 

 best media for news dissemination. 



A quarterly magazine, "Montana Wildlife", is published to pro- 

 vide informative and entertaining reading. This publication carries 

 full-length stories of department projects and activities with photo- 

 graphs, drawings and charts to bring to the reader complete details of 

 what is being done in wildlife management. While many states charge 

 for their wildlife magazine, "Montana Wildlife" is sent free to anyone 

 requesting it. 



Live wildlife displays were featured at Montana fairs in several 

 counties. These exhibits were most popular, with thousands of visitors 

 stopping to observe and study the wild creatures. Limitation of dis- 

 play animals and personnel made it impossible to fulfill all requests for 

 the display. Most of the animals were obtained through the courtesy 

 of Mr. L. W. Lyons of See 'Em Alive Zoo at Red Lodge and Mr. R. E. 

 Bateman of Wonderland Zoo in Billings. 



A series of five-minute radio programs were taped for release over 

 Montana stations. Subjects included fish and game, hunting and fish- 

 ing regulations and facts concerning Montana wildlife. Plans now in- 

 clude a weekly fifteen-minute program to be released in the near 

 future. 



The program schedule for this division includes emphasis upon 

 several subjects. One of these is "hunting safety." An all-out effort 

 is being made to educate hunters in firearms safety. Lectures and 

 articles have been prepared while several thousand phamphlets called 

 "Ten Commandments of Safety" and "Hunter Safety" have been dis- 

 tributed. Posters illustrating dangerous firearms practices were placed 

 at sporting goods dealers, checking stations and other spots frequented 

 by sportsmen. Two films on firearms safety were also available. 



Pamphlets and articles on the care of wild game were also dis- 

 tributed during the biennium. 



Routine duties include the answering of several thousand letters 

 each year to answer questions of residents and non-residents who re- 

 quest information on hunting and fishing or facts on wildlife. As a 

 service to persons interested in hunting a "Hunting and Fishing Guide" 



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