Waterfowl 



Waterfowl, due to their migratory habits, are considered an in- 

 ternational wildlife resource. To properly manage these wide-ranging 

 birds, Montana actively cooperates with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service and the various neighboring states, as well as Canadian 

 provinces and Mexico. 



During the past six years, Montana's program of waterfowl in- 

 vestigation and research has been tied in closely with the continental 

 management of this resource. Waterfowl are actually managed on 

 the basis of four continental flyways. 



Montana, due to its large size and geographic position, is tra- 

 versed by portions of three of these flyways -the Pacific, Centi'al 

 and Mississippi. It is located largely in the Central Flyway, however, 

 and is regulated on that basis. 



Vitally needed information which must be obtained on an annual 

 basis consists of a breeding ground inventory, production or brood 

 counts, hunter bag checks, as well as information pertaining to the 

 winter carry-over of waterfowl in Montana (winter inventory). All 

 of this information is carefully analyzed and is very useful in the 

 State's management of waterfowl. 



Marsh Development Areas 



Several vitally important marsh land areas are being acquired 

 and developed. The chief objective is to increase local production and 

 assure public hunting for present and future generations of Montana 

 sportsmen. 



Montana is governed by federal regulations set up for the Central Flyway 

 although waterfowl from the two adjacent flyways are also found in the state. 



