Mountain Goats (Present population — 4,000) 



The limited distribution of this species within the state led to 

 trapping and transplanting work early in the program. Successful in- 

 troductions of mountain goats have been made in several very desirable 

 mountain ranges formerly completely devoid of this species. The first 

 and most successful plant to date was made in the Crazy Mountain 

 Range north of Big Timber. A recent careful coverage of this area 

 indicates a remarkable rate of increase and an almost complete distri- 

 bution pattern throughout the area. 



Other ranges planted include the Beartooth Plateau in the vicinity 

 of the Cooke City Highway and also in the East Rosebud and Still- 

 water Canyons, the Spanish Peaks along the Gallatin-Madison divide 

 and the Gates of the Mountains Wild Area between Great Falls and 

 Helena. 



utilization of aircraft has greatly ac- 

 celt rated the speed by which game 

 animals can be trapped and trans- 

 planted. Monntain goats can now be 

 carried frcm their original habitat to a 

 new wildeine.ss area in a matter of 

 hours where formerly such an operation 

 required several days. Wherever possi- 

 ble, collapsible rubber boats are em- 

 ployed between the (rap and the waiting 

 airplane. At the end of the flight, trucks 

 transport the animals over he last few 

 remaining miles to the release site. 



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