Ninepipe-Pablo 



This is a combined acquisition and waterfowl habitat develop- 

 ment project located in the Lower Flathead Valley. The assurance 

 of public hunting in this particularly important waterfowl area is 

 a major aspect of this project. The production of supplemental food 

 about the edge of the Ninepipe-Pablo area will undoubtedly increase 

 its waterfowl production, facilitate hunting and act as a buffer 

 against possible waterfowl depredation. 



The acquisition of these lands ties in very closely with the pur- 

 chase of several goose nesting islands in Flathead Lake, as well as 

 brooding ai'eas necessary in the development of year around habitat 

 requirements of an important population of Canadian geese which 

 add materially to the hunting success in that area. 



An intensive investigation of these geese has indicated that those 

 produced in the Flathead Valley contribute more to the hunter than 

 those migrating through the area. 



Milk River 



In the Milk River area along the Highline, several waterfowl 

 marsh areas have been scheduled for acquisition and development. 

 During the present biennium one of the most important of these, the 

 Sleeping Buffalo Marsh in eastern Phillips County, has been obtained 

 under a long time lease. It has been fenced, and will be developed by 

 diking and further flooding to materially increase the waterfowl 

 production and hunting possibilities in that area. 



One of the most important aspects of this program is the vital 

 location that this marsh bears to the other waterfowl producing 

 areas in that region. In addition to the many species of ducks fre- 

 quenting this area, one of the most important Canadian goose popu- 

 lations in the state is now being developed in that region. Public 

 hunting will therefore represent an additional important aspect of 

 the program. 



Fox Lake 



Fox Lake in Richland County west of Sidney is being acquired 

 and will be developed for waterfowl production and public hunting. 



A careful analysis has been made regarding the value to water- 

 fowl of fencing portions of the shore line reservoirs in eastern Mon- 

 tana. Virtually thousands of reservoirs are scattered throughout the 

 eastern section of the state. These areas, varying in size between a 

 fraction and several hundred acres in size, represent an important 

 contribution to the waterfowl resource in that section of the State. 



It has been felt that the protection of certain portions of these 

 reservoirs from heavy use by livestock would increase the nesting 

 possibilities, as well as increase food available for waterfowl without 

 materially interfering with their usefulness as livestock watering 

 places. A final report regarding this work is being compiled and will 

 be available in the near future. 



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