Fur Animal Research And Management 



A comprehensive study of the fur resources of Montana was 

 initiated three years ago with the addition of a Fur Resources Sec- 

 tion to the Wildlife Restoration program. Since that time much fac- 

 tual information has been collected by biologists of the section to 

 guide development of a constructive program of fur animal manage- 

 ment. 



Fur animal research has been a neglected field, not only in Mon- 

 tana but in many other states as well. As a result, specific methods 

 of obtaining factual information on the lives and habits of fur ani- 

 mals are often not available. Out of necessity many of the activities 

 of Fur Resources Section workers have been concerned with the 

 development of techniques. Examples of this are studies on beaver, 

 mink and marten aimed at providing methods of determining the age 

 composition of the annual take. 



Other activities are chiefly concerned with investigations of the 

 status and welfare of the various fur animal populations. In addition, 

 information on the habits and distribution of the various species is 

 collected. Each year these data are integrated and used as the basis 

 for trapping seasons which allow an annual harvest while assuring 

 the maintenance of a satisfactory breeding stock. 



Economic Survey 



Fur animals are unique as a wildlife resource in that they provide 

 a direct cash crop. This crop is harvested with relatively little invest- 

 ment on the part of the trapper and frequently is taken by seasonal 

 workers at a time of year when other types of employment are 

 scarce. Information was lacking to fully evaluate the significance of 

 the fur resource in Montana's economy. Accordingly, an economic 

 survey was one of the first activities undertaken by the Fur Re- 

 sources Section. 



During the biennium a total of 2,717 trapper's licenses were 

 issued. Listed on the following page are the furs taken by these 

 trappers and their value. 



Furs taken during the past two seasons totaled approximately 

 159,000 pelts worth more than one-half million dollars. Three species 

 — beaver, mink and muskrat — produced more than 90 per cent of the 

 pelts and nearly all of the income, reflecting current market trends. 

 Approximately 80 per cent of these furs were produced in the 

 western half of the state where more than three-fourths of the 

 trappers operated. About ten per cent of the pelts taken were sold 

 to out-of-state buyers. 



Average prices for most fur animals declined from levels of past 

 seasons; however, a progressive management plan for beaver, based 



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